15th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 40 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130090628 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING MEDICINE - A device for administering medicine to a person includes a housing that supports an edible carrier. An element is disposed within the edible carrier for forming a recess within the edible carrier when the element and edible carrier are separated. The method includes the steps of forming the recess within the edible carrier, placing medicine within the recess, and administering the edible carrier and medicine combination to the recipient. The edible carrier provides lubrication and a pleasant taste to the person receiving the medicine. The housing may be in the form a spoon with the edible carrier sealed to the spoon. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090629 | NON-PENETRATING NOZZLE | 2013-04-11 |
20130090630 | Insertion facilitation device for catheters - Devices that facilitate insertion of tube-like structures, e.g., catheters and other medical devices, into passages in mammalian bodies, e.g. in the human body. Devices according to various embodiments of the invention provide greater stiffness and/or rigidity to elongated tube-like structures. According to some embodiments, a portion or the entire insertion facilitation device can be removed from the tube-like structure after insertion thereof. According to some embodiments of the invention, an insertion facilitation device comprises a releasable engagement arrangement to releasably engage the stiffener and a tube-like structure to inhibit or prevent relative motion between the stiffener and tube-like structure. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090631 | MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY APPARATUS - The disclosure pertains to apparatus for intravascular delivery of medical devices past a juncture which requires an abrupt change of direction and methods of use therefor. The apparatus employs a directing element which deflects the medical device from an initial path to a second path. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises more than one directing element and may be capable of redirecting by deflection more than one medical device. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090632 | MEDICAL TUBE, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR SAME - It is an object to stably provide a thin-walled flexible medical tube having excellent kink resistance and tensile strength by a simple manufacturing method. The object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a medical tube that includes a coil layer on an inside of an outer layer tube made of a resin, and the method includes inserting the coil layer into the outer layer tube and heating the outer layer tube at a molding temperature lower than a melting point of the outer layer tube, thereby bringing the outer layer tube into contact with the coil layer to slidably fix the outer layer tube onto the coil layer. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090633 | OSMOTIC PATCH PUMP - An osmotic patch pump may include a dry agent on a die-cut piece of film that may exert an osmotic pressure when dissolved by a fluid. A chamber may contain the dry agent and have a chamber wall made of a semi-permeable membrane that allows fluid to enter the chamber through the membrane, but does not allow dissolved agent to escape from the chamber through the membrane. A sponge may have a surface in contact with an outer surface of the semi-permeable membrane and may be configured to soak up fluid when placed in contact with the sponge. Flow volume and rate may be controlled by user-operated micro valves. The chamber and fluid communication channels may be embossed on a substrate as part of a simple and low cost manufacturing process. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090634 | CORNEAL INCISION USING A SURGICAL LASER - A lens cover for covering an applanation lens on a docking cone assembly to allow a conventional LASIK opthalmic laser surgical system perform a clear corneal incision for cataract surgery. The lens cover includes a slot that is shaped to correspond to the desired width of the clear corneal incision. Incident light from the opthalmic laser surgical system is partially allowed to pass through the slot, through the applanation lens, and into the patient's cornea. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090635 | Probes for Use in Ophthalmic and Vitreoretinal Surgery - A probe for endo-ocular photocoagulation procedures provides straight and curved tip configurations. In some embodiments, a flexible tubular material, pre-formed with a radius of curvature, allows the tip to be inserted through a trocar cannula and to resume its pre-formed shape for use during a surgical procedure. In other embodiments, a tubular material is pre-formed with a radius of curvature, and is stiffened by use of a preferably stainless steel tube. Inside the tubular material is a distal end of at least one optical fiber, inserted such that its tip is coterminous with the tubular material. A tube surrounds the optical fiber and is free to move along the axis of the assembly, acting to straighten the tubular and optical fiber members as it moves via a sliding member associated with the hand piece. Illumination energy, laser energy, or both may be supplied to the targeted surgical site. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090636 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMBINED FEMTO-PHACO CATARACT SURGERY - Devices to perform femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification are physically and/or operationally combined. In some embodiments the femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification are housed together, and in other embodiments they are housed separately, but operated through a common display screen. At least some software can be shared by the femtolaser ablation and phacoemulsification functionalities. A non-transitory computer-readable memory can provide data that can be used to operate each of at least one femtolaser ablation functionality and at least one phacoemulsification functionality. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090637 | CATHETER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DENERVATION - A method for denervation comprises: introducing a distal portion of a catheter to an interior of a vessel of patient, the catheter including an elongated catheter body extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the catheter body including the distal portion at the distal end and a catheter lumen from the proximal end to the distal end; delivering optical energy via the catheter lumen to the distal portion of the catheter body; emitting an optical beam outwardly from the distal portion, through an optical emission port disposed in the distal portion of the catheter body; and forming at least one trench using the emitted optical beam with sufficient intensity to a depth into a vessel wall of the vessel sufficient to cause tissue removal and physically sever at least one nerve associated with the vessel wall at the depth within that depth range. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090638 | Flexible Cryoneedle Apparatus and Method - A flexible cryoneedle usable within a medical scope that is both substantially flexible for maneuvering and positioning a distal end thereof proximate to a soft tissue and substantially rigid for penetrating the tissue. A generally concentric cryogas supply tube within the flexible cryoneedle comprises a helical heat exchange surface on an outside surface thereof, wherein the helical heat exchange surface defines a helical exhaust passage for the cryogas entering the cryogas supply tube and expanding through a Joule-Thomson orifice into an expansion chamber at the distal end of the flexible cryoneedle. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090639 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DESTRUCTION OF TISSUE USING CRYOGENIC FLUID - Provided are systems and methods for destroying tissue using a cryogenic fluid. The systems generally comprise a hollow outer cylinder; a hollow inner cylinder placed within the hollow outer cylinder; a tip at the front end or distal end of the outer cylinder; wherein a cryogenic fluid is made to flow through the hollow region of the inner cylinder which oozes out or flows out of more than one grooves or apertures on the surface of the inner cylinder and then passes through the hollow portion of the outer cylinder. Yet another preferred embodiment provides for a housing component having a combination of storage for additional system cooling and exhaust facilities. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090641 | INTERFACE MODULE ALLOWING DELIVERY OF TISSUE STIMULATION AND ELECTROSURGERY THROUGH A COMMON SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090642 | LAPARSCOPIC TISSUE MORCELLATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A surgical tissue cutting and extraction device includes a sleeve having a tissue extraction lumen. One or more jaw members are coupled to the sleeve and configured to pivot or flex relative to the sleeve to capture tissue. The captured tissue may then be resected using radio frequency or other cutting tools on the sleeve. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090643 | Electrosurgical apparatus and system - An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises an elongated tube ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090644 | ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises an elongate tube ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090645 | SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING BODY TISSUE PARTS - A surgical system that connects biological tissue includes a) a surgical instrument with two tool elements movable in relation to one another and in each case including an electrode, which electrodes, in a coming-together position of the tool elements preferably define a minimum distance from one another, lie opposite one another and face one another, and b) a medically compatible material assisting connection of the tissue. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090646 | Multiple Treatment Zone Ablation Probe - An energy delivery probe and method of using the energy delivery probe to treat a patient is provided herein. The energy delivery probe has at least one probe body having a longitudinal axis and at least a first trocar and a second trocar. Each trocar comprises at least two electrodes that are electrically insulated from each other, and each electrode is independently selectively activatable. An insulative sleeve is positioned in a coaxially surrounding relationship to each of the first trocar and the second trocar. The probe also has a switching means for independently activating at least one electrode. The method involves independently and selectively activating the first and second electrodes to form an ablation zone, then repeating the ablation by delivering energy to a second set of electrodes, producing one or more overlapping ablation zone, and eliminating the need to reposition the ablation probes. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090647 | ABLATION CATHETER WITH INSULATED TIP - An ablation catheter configured to be navigated through a vessel to ablate tissue, the ablation catheter comprising an elongate catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An electrode is positioned near the distal end of the elongate shaft, and is configured to transmit radio-frequency energy into a vessel wall. An electrically insulative tip at the distal end of the catheter keeps the electrode away from the blood vessel wall. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090649 | DEVICE AND METHODS FOR RENAL NERVE MODULATION - Systems for nerve modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one inflatable balloon and one nerve modulation element disposed adjacent the distal end. Expansion of the inflatable balloon may partially occlude a vessel and positions the nerve modulation element within the vessel. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090650 | RENAL NERVE ABLATION COOLING DEVICE AND TECHNIQUE - A catheter is disclosed including an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, where the catheter includes a thermal element at the distal end thereof. The thermal element may be used in an ablation procedure or other procedure to heat a tissue adjacent a vessel. The configuration of the distal end of the elongated shaft at or near the distal tip may encourage the cooling of or transferring of heat from the vessel wall. The configurations may include protrusions extending from and indentations extending into the shaft, which may manipulate the flow of fluid through a vessel in which the catheter has been inserted. Alternatively or additionally, a cap or thin insulative layer may be placed at or near the distal tip of the catheter shaft to cool the wall of the vessel. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090651 | OFF-WALL ELECTRODE DEVICE AND METHODS FOR NERVE MODULATION - Systems for nerve modulation through the wall of a blood vessel are disclosed. An example system for nerve modulation may include an elongate member extending along a central elongate axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate member may have a radially expandable member disposed proximate the distal end. A tubular sheath may be cooperatively engaged with the expandable member such that the expandable member is collapsed when in the sheath and can expand when moved distally relative to and past a distal end of the sheath. The expandable member may include a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of spacer struts. Each spacer strut may be configured such that when the self-expanding member is in an expanded state the spacer strut extends out radially further than the electrodes from the central elongate axis. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090652 | MEDICAL DEVICES INCLUDING ABLATION ELECTRODES - Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a renal nerve modulation catheter. The catheter may include an elongate catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may have a plurality of cuts formed therein define a plurality of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies may each include a main strut, one or more branched spacer struts extending from the main strut, and an electrode extending from the main strut and positioned radially inward from the spacer struts. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090653 | Method for Ablating Tissue to Facilitate Implantation and Apparatus and Kit for Use Therewith - A method for treating a mammalian body having tissue comprising creating a cavity in the tissue formed by an internal surface of the tissue. The internal surface is ablated. An implant-forming material is introduced into the cavity to create an implant in the tissue. The ablation of the internal surface inhibits migration of the implant. An apparatus and kit for use with the method are provided. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090654 | COMBINATION CYSTOTOME AND ACCESS NEEDLE DEVICE AND METHOD - A system and method are provided for accessing and cannulating a target mass. The system includes a combined cystotome and access needle that provides for efficient operation. The access needle may be embodied as a polymeric sheath with a piercing stylet configured to extend beyond its distal end. The device embodiments allow a user to access and cannulate a target site such as, for example, a pancreatic pseudocyst with a single device. The device is also configured to allow introduction of a wire guide such that the cannulated target site can readily receive a wire-guided stent, or a stent delivered over the access needle. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090655 | Device for Establishing Supportive Forces in the Bony Structure of a Skeleton - A device is provided for insertion into a human bone to replicate the biomechanical forces found in a healthy bone in a human skeleton. The device can be configured in several different ways and is customizable to meet the requirements of a particular bone. The device is constructed with a central shaft having a compression plate at one end and a base member at the other. A plurality of wires interconnects the compression plate and the base member. The central shaft is threaded at both ends, with one end threaded into the base member and the other end threaded into the compression plate. An actuator is used to urge the base member in the direction of the compression plate. This action forces the plurality of wires to bow in an outward direction to stabilize the device against the bony surface on the interior surface of a bone. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090656 | BONE PLATES WITH MOVABLE LOCKING ELEMENTS - System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones with bone plates having movable locking elements. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090657 | COMPOUND OFFSET HANDLE - A method for preparing a proximal femoral canal of a patient during total hip replacement surgery uses an instrument having a handle, a shaping member including structure configured to shape bone, wherein the structure configured to shape bone comprises at least two cutting surfaces on opposite sides of the shaping member, and a connecting member connecting the handle and the shaping member, the connecting member having a plurality of transverse cross sections. The connecting member includes a dual offset including a first compound bend between the connecting member and the handle, wherein when following a direction from the connecting member to the handle, the first compound bend includes a bend in a posterior direction and a bend in a lateral direction. The connecting member also includes a second compound bend between the connecting member and the shaping member, the second compound bend in an anterior and a medial direction. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090658 | Guide Pin Gauge - A guide pin gauge is described for use in measuring the thickness of an object at a particular location. The guide pin gauge includes a distal cutting head, a proximal shank having an outside diameter equivalent to an outside diameter of said distal cutting head, and a reduced diameter portion extending a length between the distal cutting head and the proximal shank. A proximal facing shoulder is provided at a transition between said distal cutting head and said reduced diameter portion. Markings are provided as a scale along said reduced diameter portion. The distal cutting head may be passed entirely through the hole, and displaced to a side such that a distal extent of the hole engages with the proximal facing shoulder. The markings may then be read to determine a distance to the distal extent of the hole. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090659 | SURGICAL CUTTING DEVICES AND METHODS - The present invention provides surgical drilling devices and methods. An exemplary surgical drilling device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing, a retractable guide tube assembly, and a flexible cable drill. The retractable guide tube assembly includes an arcuate guide tube having a first portion that is slidingly positioned in an arcuate portion of the housing. A second portion comprising an actuating tube is slidingly positioned in a linear portion of the housing. The arcuate guide tube is controllably advancable from the housing and retractable into the housing. The flexible cable drill comprises a first portion slidingly positioned in the arcuate guide tube and a second portion slidingly positioned in the actuating tube. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090660 | ULTRASONIC OSTEOTOME - An ultrasonic osteotome in accordance with the present invention comprises a shaft having a distal end portion with a lateral outer surface and further comprises a cutting blade connected to the distal end portion of the shaft at least in part at the lateral outer surface. The lateral outer surface extends so far on opposite sides of the blade as to block or stop penetration of the shaft into an incision formed in bone tissue by the blade. The blade can include a cutting notch or have a variable cutting depth depending on the angle of the distal end of the instrument to the surface of a target tissue mass. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090661 | DELIVERY GUN FOR DISPENSING BONE BEMENT FROM A CARTRIDGE, THE GUN HAVING A MULTI-LINK LINKAGE AND CAPABLE OF DISPENSING THE CEMENT AT DIFFERENT FLOW RATES - A delivery gun for discharging bone cement from a cartridge that includes a piston. The gun has a casing from which a drive rod and a disk extend. A drive assembly advances the drive rod and disk so that disk displaces the piston causing the discharge of cement. The drive assembly includes plural links that are pivotally connected to a trigger. The links are displaced in response to the manual displacement of a trigger. One of the links is configured to selectively engage the drive rod. When this particular link is engaged with the drive rod and displaced, the drive rod the drive rod is advanced at a first speed. When this link does not is not engaged with the drive rod, the drive rod is advanced by another link at a second speed. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090662 | METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR SUBCHONDRAL TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN A SMALL JOINT - Devices, instruments and associated methods for the subchondral treatment of osteoarthritis in small joints are provided. In addition, a method for treating joint pain in small joints is provided. These small joints may be ankle, elbow or wrist joints. The methods may target one of many different access points having trajectories with a common focal point at or near the small joint. The instruments may limit access to areas within or near the small joint by providing predefined entry paths that avoid damage to surrounding tissues. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090663 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIZING A CIRCUMFERENCE - An apparatus ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090664 | GRAFT CALIPER MARKING DEVICE - A graft caliper provides for a first member having a first pick at its distal end and its proximal end attached to a handle. A second member of the graft caliper is disposed above the first member and has a second pick at its distal end that extends beyond the first pick. The proximal end of the second member is attached to an adjuster which causes the second member to move from a first position to a second position in order to change a distance the second pick extends beyond the first pick. The graft caliper provides for an indication of at least one metric for describing the distance the second pick extends beyond the first pick and places an identifier on a surface of bone representing the location of a tunnel to be formed through a femur, tibia or any other anatomical structure. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090665 | Tonsil Debris Removal - A solution for removing debris from an individual's tonsil, such as loose and embedded tonsil stones and tonsil debris. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090666 | VACUUM ASSISTED TISSUE MANIPULATION DEVICES AND SURGICAL METHODS - Devices and methods for manipulating and restraining non-target tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. In various forms, the device includes a body member that is configurable from a collapsed position wherein the device may be inserted into the body through a small opening to an expanded position wherein the device may be used to retaining engage the non-target tissue upon the application of suction thereto. Some embodiments have at least one ferromagnetic insert therein to enable the device to be magnetically manipulated and restrained by a controlled unit located outside of the patient's body. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090668 | HYDRAULIC DEVICE INCLUDING A SPOOL VALVE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A spool valve for controlling fluid communication among hydraulic cylinders operating control and slave portions of a surgical device. The spool valve may be used to disconnect the control and the slave portions from one another such that there is no fluid communication between the control and slave portions. The spool valve may be used to engage or allow fluid communication between the control and slave. The spool valve may also be used to allow fluid communication between the slave and control portion and a fluid reservoir, thus allowing the hydraulic system to replenish fluid lost to evaporation, leakage, or other escape. The spool valve includes a body portion having at least two ports and a spool having at least one passageway moveable to a position so as to communicate with the at least two ports. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090669 | DERMAL MICRO-ORGANS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PRODUCING AND USING THE SAME - Embodiments of the present invention provide Dermal Micro-organs (DMOs), methods and apparatuses for harvesting the same. Some embodiments of the invention provide a DMO including a plurality of dermal components, which substantially retain the micro-architecture and three dimensional structure of the dermal tissue from which they are derived. An apparatus for harvesting the DMO may include, according to some exemplary embodiments, a support configuration to support a skin-related tissue structure from which the DMO is to be harvested, and a cutting tool able to separate the DMO from the skin-related tissue structure. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a genetically modified dermal micro-organ expressing at least one recombinant gene product. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for implanting a genetically modified DMO. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090670 | SUTURE DELIVERY SYSTEM - A suture delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating a delivery of the anchor into the abdominal cavity. The system allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090671 | ENDOSCOPE SUTURING DEVICE - An endoscopic suturing device for suturing a surgical site in the body using an endoscope. Each of first, second and third modules ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090672 | CARDIAC IMPLANT MIGRATION INHIBITING SYSTEMS - Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment an anchor of an implant system may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a catheter. An anchor force may be applied within a desired range to secure the anchors about the septum and epicardial surface. The anchor force may inhibit migration of the anchors relative to the septum and epicardial surface. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090673 | Vascular Clamps for Vascular Repair - A magnetic vascular clamp for vascular repair is described. There is a vascular sleeve forming a flexible cylindrical bellows that cylindrically encloses a section of vascular tissue to allow freely movement of the enclosed vascular tissue within the vascular sleeve. A pair of sleeve anchor rings are at each end of the vascular sleeve and they form a fixed seal with underlying vascular tissue to minimize fluid leakage from within the vascular clamp. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090674 | ATHERECTOMY DEVICES AND METHODS - The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090675 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLUTCHING SLIP RING ASSEMBLY TO POWER ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER - A surgical system includes a power supply, a connector, and a surgical instrument having a body assembly, a transmission assembly, a transducer, and a connection assembly. The connection assembly is configured to selectively electrically couple electrodes on the transducer with wires of the connector. The connection assembly may be operable in response to actuation of a trigger. Various connection assemblies include an extensible member that extends to contact an electrode, a rotatable member that rotates a contact into contact with an electrode, a solenoid that extends contacts coupled to each end of the solenoid into the electrodes, or a solenoid that translates a frame having contacts towards the electrodes. Alternatively, the surgical instrument may include a connection assembly having a slip ring and a weighted cable end. Still further, the connection assembly may include contacts on a coupleable member that may be decoupled from contacts on the transducer. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090676 | Instruments and Methods for Surgical Sizing and Marking - A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090677 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VOLUME REDUCTION - Systems and methods are provided for reducing the effective volume of a cardiac ventricle. A ventricular volume reduction system may include a containment system or container body deliverable through a catheter into the ventricle, with the containment system or container body being fillable to occupy space within the ventricle. A ventricular volume reduction system may include a partition that sequesters a portion of the ventricle and separates it from the flow path of blood in the ventricle. Methods for reducing the effective ventricular chamber volume may include placement of the containment system, the container body or the partition within the ventricle. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090678 | Operating A Vessel Occlusion Catheter - Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090679 | Operating A Vessel Occlusion Catheter - Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090680 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DILATION AND DISSECTION OF TISSUES - A minimally invasive dilation device includes a stylus, a plurality of rigid arms radially arrayed about the stylus, and a dilating member positioned between the stylus and the arms. An outer flexible sleeve may be circumferentially secured to the arms, lying within or without the plurality of arms. An inner mesh may surround the stylus and dilating member. The device may be introduced into tissue toward a targeted area, while in a closed configuration. The dilating member may be a balloon or a cannula. During dilation, the arms are pushed radially outward, expanding the device and dilating the surrounding tissue. A cannula may be inserted inside the plurality of arms to keep the arms in an open configuration, and the stylus and inner mesh may be withdrawn, providing an open passageway through the device to the targeted area. The device may be used with a neural monitoring system. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090681 | DILATING DEVICE - A device for dilating an opening in a chest wall to facilitate insertion of a chest tube into the pleural cavity. A forceps has a blunt distal tip suitable for carrying out blunt dissection of the tissue of the chest wall, and a channel along one arm of the forceps. A wire extends through the channel to provide access to the pleural cavity. Following removal of the forceps from the wire, the distal end of the chest tube can be inserted into the pleural cavity over the wire. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090682 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENCLOSING AN ANATOMICAL OPENING - The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for enclosing anatomical openings. In several embodiments, an aneurysm device is endovascularly deliverable to a site proximate to an arterial aneurysm. The aneurysm device comprises a closure structure having a distal-facing aspect configured to at least partially occlude the aneurysm and a proximal-facing aspect configured to arch over lumina of an artery. The device further includes a supplemental stabilizer connected to the closure structure and configured to reside in the artery and press outward against a luminal wall thereof. In some embodiments, the device can also include a barrier spanning at least a portion of the distal-facing aspect of the closure structure and configured to further occlude a neck of the aneurysm. In further embodiments, the closure structure can be configured to restrict and/or divert flow to or from the aneurysm. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090683 | SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING OR ALTERING THE BODY TEMPERATURE AND METHOD OF USE - A system for maintaining and altering the body temperature of a user includes a garment defining an interior space adapted to conform to and enclose a torso of the user. The garment includes at least one fluid passage configured to channel a heat transfer fluid into direct contact with the torso of the user. The system includes a portable pump for circulating a heat transfer liquid through the at least one fluid passage of the garment and a portable blower apparatus for circulating a heat transfer gas through the at least one fluid passage of the garment. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090684 | TRANS-CATHETER VENTRICULAR RECONSTRUCTION STRUCTURES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATMENT OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND OTHER CONDITIONS - Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090685 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TISSUE FASTENING - Fastening devices are provided that are designed to effectively close tissue as well as instruments for applying the inventive fastening devices. The devices are useful for closing tissue such as mucosa in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, laryngeal surfaces, oronasopharynx, or other mucosal tissues. In particular, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), uvulopalatal flap (UPF) technique, and tonsillectomy can be assisted using the inventive system. Embodiments also provide methods of using the fastening devices and/or instruments, and kits including the fastening devices. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090686 | Bioactive Substance in a Barbed Suture - Barbed surgical sutures are provided which include an elongated body and a plurality of barbs extending therefrom. A bioactive agent is disposed within barb angles formed between the barbs and the elongated body. The barbs may be made from a shape memory polymer having a permanent shape which may be deformed to a temporary shape, such that barbs of the suture extend at different barb angles in the different shape configurations. The barb angles of the permanent shape may be greater than the barb angles of the temporary shape, thereby exposing and/or releasing a bioactive agent after placement in tissue. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090687 | TISSUE GRAFT FIXATION - A surgical device includes a member having first and second opposing surfaces. The member includes an intermediate portion in which the first surface has a recessed surface portion. The intermediate portion defines a hole extending from the recessed surface portion to the second surface. End portions extend from the intermediate portion, and each end portion defines a hole extending from the first surface to the second surface. The member has a tapered surface portion on the second surface. The surgical device includes a second member sized to be received within the recessed surface portion. A method includes locating a tissue fixation device at an opening to a bone hole, and increasing the size of the tissue fixation device by placing the tissue fixation device within a larger device. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090688 | POSTERIOR VERTEBRAL PLATING SYSTEM - A posterior vertebral plating system comprising a plate and a plurality of attachment members. The plate has a plurality of holes extending through the plate from an upper surface to a lower surface, and the plate is configured to extend along the posterior side of at least two vertebrae adjacent at least one boney structure of each of the vertebrae. The holes are spaced in such a way that a first plurality of holes is positionable over a boney structure of a first vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the first vertebra and a second plurality of holes is positionable over boney structure of a second vertebra to define a plurality of fixation points to the second vertebra. The attachment members are insertable through the holes of the plate and into the boney structure of a corresponding vertebra to fix the plate to the vertebra. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090689 | SPINAL FIXATION DEVICE - A spinal fixation device includes a pair of substantially s-shaped plates, each plate having an outer surface and a bone contact surface and at least one aperture therethrough. A bolt joins the plates at a desired orientation, through the aperture. The bolt includes a head with a rounded or beveled base for facilitating fixation of the plates with a spinous processes while the plates are tilted or rotated with respect to one another and the spinal column. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090690 | Dynamic Rod Assembly - A dynamic rod assembly, such as that used for spinal stabilization, made of a number of interlocking segments whereby a limited amount of relative motion is permitted between each pair of adjacent segments. The dynamic rod assembly may also incorporate a separate central element that extends at least partially through a central channel within the interlocking segments to prevent the interlocking segments from disengaging while adding to the desired bending properties of the dynamic rod assembly. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090691 | PEDICLE SCREW HAVING A REMOVABLE ROD COUPLING - The present invention provides a pedicle screw for spinal fixation having a bone fastener portion a permanent rod coupling, a breakaway portion connected to the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod coupling. A permanent rod can be positioned in the permanent rod coupling and a temporary rod can be positioned in the temporary rod coupling and when the temporary rod is not needed the temporary rod coupling can be removed by separation at a breakaway portion. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090692 | INTRAOPERATIVE SPINAL STABILIZATION - A number of spinal stabilization devices are disclosed for aligning and fixing vertebrae during surgery, e.g. to facilitate accurate placement of pedicle screws. One stabilization device includes a pair of spiked rails biased to clamp shut and thereby passively engage a number of vertebrae. Another stabilization device includes a tie-rod that connects two or more fiducial markers, each of which is connected to a vertebra, to stabilize the vertebrae including and between each vertebra to which the markers are attached. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090693 | POLYAXIAL BONE ANCHORS WITH INCREASED ANGULATION - A polyaxial bone anchor has a locking element shaped and configured to allow an anchoring member (e.g., a screw or hook) to polyaxially rotate at large angles about a central axis of the bone anchor before compression locking the anchoring member within an anchor head. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090694 | LOW PROFILE PERIARTICULAR TENSION BAND PLATING SYSTEM WITH SOFT TISSUE NEUTRALIZATION CABLE TUNNEL/CHANNEL - A bone plating system comprising: a plate, where the plate is low-profile and capable of contouring to a bone; a variable number of screw holes, locking or non-locking; at least one channel or tunnel through the plate; and at least one flexible device passing through the channel or tunnel and passing through soft tissue attached to the bone. The low profile plate, in combination with the flexible device passing through the surrounding soft tissue, functions as a tension band and acts to neutralize the muscle forces tending to pull the bone apart at a fracture. The low profile tension band plating system is targeted for periarticular tensile fractures for repair of patella, olecranon, greater trochanter, greater tuberosity, radial styloid, lateral or medial malleoli, or lateral malleolus. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090695 | BONE FIXATION SYSTEM WITH OPPOSED MOUNTING PORTIONS - System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for bone fixation using a fixation device including a mounting portion and a fastener that attaches to the mounting portion. In some embodiments, the fixation device may include first and second mounting portions configured to be disposed across a bone from each other and secured with a fastener that extends from one of the mounting portions, through the bone, and to the other mounting portion. The system also may include a tool to facilitate installation of the fixation device. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090696 | MULTI-TAPERED IMPLANT SCREW - The present invention relates to a screw suitable for being implanted inside a bone, characterised in that said screw comprises two to four inverted cones along the longitudinal axis thereof, where the narrowest tip of the bottom cone corresponds to the bottom tip of the screw and where the height of each one of the cones at either end of the screw is between 20% and 80% of the total length of the screw, ensuring better acceptance, adaptation and osseous integration, and reducing trauma due to the pressure the implant exerts on the bone when the screw is fully tightened, minimising re-absorption and, thus, producing more aesthetically pleasing results. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090697 | Rod-Reducing Apparatus and Associated Methods - Embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus for reducing a rod into an orthopedic fixation device. An embodiment provides a rod-reducing apparatus. The rod-reducing apparatus may comprise a housing comprising a threaded through bore. The rod-reducing apparatus further may comprise a reduction shaft comprising a shaft portion and a through bore in the shaft portion, wherein the shaft portion may be configured to be received within the threaded through bore of the housing. The locking cap driver may comprise a locking cap driver comprising a shaft portion that may be configured to be received within the through bore of the reduction shaft, wherein a distal end of the shaft portion may be configured for attachment to a locking cap assembly. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090698 | STRIPPED PEDICLE SCREW DRIVER BIT - A pedicle screw driver bit includes an elongated shank and a head. The shank includes a plurality of threads. The head is connected to one end of and configured to rotate relative to the shank. The head is configured to be received by a tulip connected to a pedicle screw. The threads of the shank are configured to engage a plurality of threads of the tulip such that when the shank is rotated the tulip is drawn into engagement with the head such that the shank, the head, the tulip, and the pedicle screw are substantially prevented from rotating relative to one another. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090699 | INSTRUMENTS FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCEMENT OF A HUMAN SPINAL COLUMN - The invention relates to instruments for reinforcing a human spinal column, in particular in the region of the last vertebral body S | 2013-04-11 |
20130090700 | ELECTRODE STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE IN CARDIOVASCULAR REFLEX CONTROL - Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090701 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD AND CORONARY VENOUS PRESSURE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD - A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090702 | BI-VENTRICULAR VENTRICULAR CAPTURE MANAGEMENT IN CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZIATION THERAPY DELIVERY DEVICES - The present invention provides a technique for verifying pacing capture of a ventricular chamber, particularly to ensure desired delivery of a ventricular pacing regime (e.g., “CRT”). The invention also provides ventricular capture management by delivering a single ventricular pacing stimulus and checking inter-ventricular conduction during a temporal window to determine if the stimulus captured. If a loss-of-capture LOC) signal results from the capture management testing, then the applied pacing pulses are modified and the conduction test repeated. If LOC, an alert message can issue. Other aspects include: use of a trend of A-RV/LV and LV-RV timing intervals to monitor changes in the patient's heart conduction properties; bi-ventricular verification test and search—while still pacing BiV by detecting latent sense; single-V pacing threshold search, use of timing of sense in other V chamber to establish capture and LOC windows; (iv) use of a premature V pace rather than short AV interval if VV cannot be discriminated from AV; (v) option to run a threshold search only if the Bi-ventricular verification test fails. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090703 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE AND ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS - Devices and methods for use of identification, treatment and/or management of heart failure and/or associated conditions. Methods may include providing a baroreflex therapy system, providing an implantable measurement device proximate a blood vessel of a patient, the implantable measurement device including a plurality of electrodes, determining an impedance of the blood vessel with the implantable measurement device over a time period of at least one cardiac cycle, generating at least one signal representative of a pressure waveform based on the impedance, activating, deactivating or otherwise modulating the baroreflex therapy system to deliver a therapy to treat heart failure based at least in part on the at least one signal representative of the pressure waveform. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090704 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DELIVERING VESTIBULAR STIMULATION CUSTOMIZABLE TO INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTS - The vestibular system of a subject is stimulated in accordance with a therapy regime that dictates one or more parameters of the stimulation. The system is configured such that at a single site, one or more parameters of the stimulation varies for different locations at the site. This may enhance the customizability and/or effectiveness of the stimulation. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090705 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RF WAKE-UP OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A telemetry system is presented for enabling wireless communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its wireless communication circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090706 | METHODS AND ASSOCIATED NEURAL PROSTHETIC DEVICES FOR BRIDGING BRAIN AREAS TO IMPROVE FUNCTION - Methods for bridging brain sites between which there is substantially no effective communication, and associated neural prosthetic devices, are provided. A neural spike in a first neural site in a subject is detected, and a stimulus to a second neural site in the subject is delivered within a defined period of time after the detection of the neural spike, wherein there is substantially no effective communication between the first and second neural sites. The method forms an artificial bridge between the two neural sites, and establishes lasting communication between the two sites. The present disclosure provides, among other things, a neural prosthetic device comprising an integrated circuit that comprises a recording front-end comprising a plurality of recording channels; a processor unit; and a stimulus delivering back-end comprising a plurality of stimulation channels. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090707 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL APPARATUS - A temperature sensor for detecting heating of at least one electrode pole of a temporarily or permanently implantable electrode line or a similar implant having at least one elongated electrical conductor which is connected to at least one electrode pole. The temperature sensor has an impedance detecting unit or is connected to one and is configured for evaluating an electrode pole impedance detected by the impedance detecting unit in such a manner that the evaluation takes place with respect to a temperature-dependent feature of the electrode impedance. The impedance detecting unit is electrically connected to the at least one electrode pole or is configured and arranged to be electrically connected to the at least one electrode pole. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090708 | Endovascular Cooling Catheter System which Employs Phase-Changing Heat Exchange Media - Devices and methods for cooling all or part of the body of a human or animal subject by inserting a heat exchange catheter into the subject's body and infusing into or through the catheter a heat exchange medium that contains liquid phase matter and frozen solid phase matter, wherein at least some of the solid phase matter melts while in the catheter. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090709 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGIONAL AND WHOLE BODY TEMPERATURE MODIFICATION - Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette of any one of several disclosed variations is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within one of various described re-usable control units. The control units include a heater/cooler device, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. The heater/cooler device may be thermoelectric to enable both heating and | 2013-04-11 |
20130090710 | ALLEVIATIVE PILLOW - A back alleviative pillow uses hot and cold packs combined with memory foam in a pillow to provide comfort and alleviation from pain to an operator. The pillow includes a plurality of adjustable straps such that the pillow may be positioned at a desired location on the operator's body. The straps may secure the pillow to the operator, to a chair back, or other structure proximal to the desired point of contact on an operator's body. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090711 | Helical Core Ear Implant Electrode - A novel electrode array is described for ear implant systems such as cochlear implants (CI) and vestibular implants (VI). The electrode array includes an electrode array core made of a flexible polymer material including an elongated helical portion having multiple helical turns. Electrode wires are embedded within the array core for carrying electrical stimulation signals. At a terminal end of each electrode wire, an electrode stimulation contact is exposed through the array core for applying the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. An electrode carrier of resilient material encases the electrode array and has an outer surface with contact openings exposing the stimulation contacts. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090712 | FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION DEVICE AND SYSTEM, AND USE THEREOF - Disclosed herein is a functional electrical stimulation (FES) device and system. In one embodiment, sequential bipolar pulse stimulation may be provided to an area of a living body via one or more electrode leads applied to the area via a FES device comprising a current pulse generating circuit comprising output nodes for operative coupling to the one or more electrode leads, and configured for operative coupling to a voltage supply. The current pulse generating circuit generally comprises positive and negative stimulation paths drawing from the voltage supply to respectively apply positive and negative currents through the area via the one or more electrode leads. In one example, the stimulation paths comprise respective capacitive elements, a capacitance ratio of which dictating, at least in part, an amplitude ratio of the positive and negative currents, wherein periodic alternative activation of the stimulation paths provides the sequential bipolar pulse stimulation. In another example, each path comprises a respective charging element and a respective activation switch, wherein each respective charging element is charged by the voltage supply and discharged upon activation of the respective activation switch to generate positive and negative current pulses respectively, such that a pulse rise time of the positive and negative current pulses is predominantly dictated by a switching speed of each respective switch. Systems and uses for these devices, and FES in general, are also described. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090713 | RADIALLY EXPANDABLE STENT - The invention relates to a radially expandable vessel support ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090714 | STENT DELIVERY, REPOSITIONING, AND REMOVAL SYSTEM - A system for the delivery, repositioning, and removal of a stent is provided that utilizes inherent properties of stents, such as wire woven helical stents, including foreshortening. The stent can be radially constrained to reduce its diameter by applying a tensile force along its proximal and distal ends to collapse the stent permitting the delivery, repositioning, and removal of the stent. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090715 | IN VITRO TESTING OF ENDOVASCULAR DEVICE - Some embodiments relate in part to endovascular devices such as prostheses and methods of testing same prior to deployment. Some embodiments may be directed more specifically to inflatable grafts or stent grafts and methods of in vitro leak testing of such grafts prior to in vivo deployment. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090716 | Delivery System for a Self-Expanding Implant - The present disclosure provides a delivery system for a self-expanding implant ( | 2013-04-11 |
20130090717 | NON-WOVEN MAT AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME - A mat having a highly uniform porosity distribution is produced by consolidating 15 or more layers of melt blown webs (or the like) having different orientations. Control over the porosity is provided by using webs that exhibit a narrow, unimodal distribution of fiber diameters over the bulk of its distribution, such as in the top 80%. A compliance of the mats can be chosen by selecting a number and orientation of the webs. It is thus possible to produce mats that are good candidates for vascular grafts, for example. The uniformity of the porosity within the range of 6 μm to 30 μm permits seeding of the vascular graft with endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The mats have the demonstrated ability to retain, and support growth of, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090718 | RADIALLY EXPANDABLE POLYMER PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - Polymeric stents having fracture toughness and resistance to recoil after deployment are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such stents. Improvements to mechanical characteristics and other improvements may be achieved by having polymer chains within individual stent struts oriented in a direction that is closer to or in line with the axis of the individual stent struts. The struts are connected to each other by hinge elements that are configured to bend during crimping and deployment of the stent. Ring struts form ring structures. A ring structure can have an overall curvilinear length from about 12 mm to about 15 mm. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090719 | Highly Flexible Stent and Method of Manufacture - Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have five extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090720 | DEVICE FOR SPLINTING A CAVITY, ORGAN DUCT AND/OR VESSEL - The invention relates to a device for splinting and/or maintaining a cavity, an organ duct and or a vessel in a human or animal body, said device including at least one compressible and self-expanding stent that is composed of at least three phases. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090721 | Highly Flexible Stent and Method of Manufacture - Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090722 | MULTI-COMPONENT BIFURCATED STENT-GRAFT SYSTEMS - A multiple-component expandable endoluminal system for treating a lesion at a bifurcation including a self expandable tubular root member having a side-looking engagement aperture, a self expandable tubular trunk member comprising a substantially blood impervious polymeric liner secured therealong; both having a radially compressed state adapted for percutaneous intraluminal delivery and a radially expanded state adapted for endoluminal support. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090723 | PUNCTURABLE AND RESEALABLE GRAFT - Implantable grafts, particularly for arteriovenous access that may be punctured by an object such as a needle and, following removal of the object, will reseal the resulting hole to the extent of reducing fluid leakage through the graft at the puncture site to an amount less than would be typical for a conventional graft. More particularly, the grafts comprise three layers; an inner layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE, a middle layer of self sealing elastomeric material such as silicone, and an outer layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE. Following manufacture, the tubular form of the three-layer graft is everted to put substantially the entire wall thickness of the elastomeric material layer under circumferential compression. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090724 | TRANSVALVULAR INTRAANULAR BAND AND CHORDAE CUTTING FOR ISCHEMIC AND DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY - Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets, to inhibit prolapse into the left atrium. At least one marginal chordae is severed, to permit leaflet closure against the band. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090725 | UNITARY QUICK-CONNECT PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE DEPLOYMENT METHODS - A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090726 | RETAINING MECHANISMS FOR PROSTHETIC VALVES - A method of treating a deficient mitral valve without open heart surgery is disclosed. A support band is advanced from a delivery catheter and positioned around native leaflets of the deficient mitral valve. The support band is preferably formed of a shape memory material and is configured to assume a curved shape upon advancement from the delivery catheter. While the support band is positioned around the native leaflets of the mitral valve, an expandable prosthetic heart valve is delivered through an apex of the left ventricle and into the mitral valve. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is then expanded within the mitral valve, thereby causing one or more of the native leaflets of the mitral valve to be frictionally secured between the support band and the prosthetic heart valve. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090727 | Methods and Devices for Delivery of Prosthetic Heart Valves and Other Prosthetics - Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090728 | Blood Flow Controlling Apparatus - A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve using a blood flow controlling apparatus. The blood flow controlling apparatus comprises an anchoring means, preferably arranged to anchor the apparatus to a wall of the left ventricle. The blood flow controlling apparatus further comprises a valve means configured to expand in a direction transverse to blood flow. The valve means is preferably positioned within a native mitral valve and expands for making contact with the mitral valve leaflets during ventricular systole, thereby preventing blood from regurgitating back through the mitral valve into the left atrium. When blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle during ventricular diastole, the valve means collapses for allowing blood to pass freely through the mitral valve. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090729 | PROFILE REDUCTION SEAL - The disclosure pertains to profile reduction seals associated with heart valve replacements which may reduce or eliminate paravalvular regurgitation and methods of fabricating such seals. The generally cylindrical multilayer seals of the disclosure include a crown-like end and reinforcing elements which facilitate compression of the seal and associated device by minimizing bunching of the seal as it enters a delivery system. | 2013-04-11 |
20130090730 | MULTIFOCAL INTRAOCULAR LENS - An intraocular lens for providing a subject with vision at various distances includes an optic having a first surface with a first shape, an opposing second surface with a second shape, a multifocal refractive profile, and one or more diffractive portions. The optic may include at least one multifocal diffractive profile. In some embodiments, multifocal diffractive and the multifocal refractive profiles are disposed on different, distinct, or non-overlapping portions or apertures of the optic. Alternatively, portions of the multifocal diffractive profiles and the multifocal refractive profiles may overlap within a common aperture or zone of the optic. | 2013-04-11 |