36th week of 2019 patent applcation highlights part 5 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20190269461 | DYNAMIC 3D LUNG MAP VIEW FOR TOOL NAVIGATION INSIDE THE LUNG - A method for implementing a dynamic three-dimensional lung map view for navigating a probe inside a patient's lungs includes loading a navigation plan into a navigation system, the navigation plan including a planned pathway shown in a 3D model generated from a plurality of CT images, inserting the probe into a patient's airways, registering a sensed location of the probe with the planned pathway, selecting a target in the navigation plan, presenting a view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway and indicating the sensed location of the probe, navigating the probe through the airways of the patient's lungs toward the target, iteratively adjusting the presented view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway based on the sensed location of the probe, and updating the presented view by removing at least a part of an object forming part of the 3D model. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269462 | DYNAMIC 3D LUNG MAP VIEW FOR TOOL NAVIGATION INSIDE THE LUNG - A method for implementing a dynamic three-dimensional lung map view for navigating a probe inside a patient's lungs includes loading a navigation plan into a navigation system, the navigation plan including a planned pathway shown in a 3D model generated from a plurality of CT images, inserting the probe into a patient's airways, registering a sensed location of the probe with the planned pathway, selecting a target in the navigation plan, presenting a view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway and indicating the sensed location of the probe, navigating the probe through the airways of the patient's lungs toward the target, iteratively adjusting the presented view of the 3D model showing the planned pathway based on the sensed location of the probe, and updating the presented view by removing at least a part of an object forming part of the 3D model. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269463 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING A SPINAL ROD - According to the invention, the process includes the steps of: a) taking a sagittal preoperative x-ray of the vertebral column of the patient to be treated, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the femoral heads; b) on that x-ray, identifying points on S1, S2, T12 et C7; c) depicting, on the said x-ray, curved segments beginning at the center of the plate of S1 et going to the center of the plate of C7; e) identifying, on that x-ray, the correction(s) to be made to the vertebral column, including the identification of posterior osteotomies to make; f) pivoting portions of said x-ray relative to other portions of that x-ray, according to osteotomies to be made; g) performing, on said x-ray, a displacement of the sagittal curvature segment extending over the vertebral segment to be corrected; h) from a straight vertebral rod (TV), producing the curvature of that rod according to the shape of said sagittal curvature segment in said displacement position. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269464 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING A SPINAL ROD - According to the invention, the process includes the steps of: a) taking a sagittal preoperative x-ray of the vertebral column of the patient to be treated, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the femoral heads; b) on that x-ray, identifying points on S1, S2, T12 et C7; c) depicting, on the said x-ray, curved segments beginning at the center of the plate of Si et going to the center of the plate of C7; e) identifying, on that x-ray, the correction(s) to be made to the vertebral column, including the identification of posterior osteotomies to make; f) pivoting portions of said x-ray relative to other portions of that x-ray, according to osteotomies to be made; g) performing, on said x-ray, a displacement of the sagittal curvature segment extending over the vertebral segment to be corrected; h) from a straight vertebral rod (TV), producing the curvature of that rod according to the shape of said sagittal curvature segment in said displacement position. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269465 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLOSED-LOOP SURGICAL TOOL HOMING - An exemplary system and method for homing a surgical tool are provided. In general, a surgical tool can include an end effector, an elongate shaft, and a wrist that couples the end effector to a distal end of the shaft can be configured to facilitate movement of the end effector relative to the shaft. The surgical tool can be coupled to a robotic surgical system featuring an imaging device and a processor. Through the use of closed-loop feedback and machine vision techniques, the end effector can be calibrated into a home position to ensure precise and accurate movement of the end effector when in use by a surgeon. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269466 | WIRELESS ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATIONAL ELEMENT - A medical system tracks the position of a portion of a medical instrument within a body of a patient. In some embodiments, the medical instrument includes a needle, a syringe, and a needle-position-tracking element positioned between the needle and the syringe and in fluid communication with both. The needle-position-tracking element includes an electromagnet structure that includes a core, a conductive coil wrapped around the core, and ancillary circuitry configured to pass a current through the conductive coil to thereby generate a magnetic field. A sensor device senses the magnetic field and generates corresponding sensor signals. A control circuit calculates the position of a portion of the medical instrument based on the sensor signals. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269467 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SURVEILLANCE MARKER IN ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY - Devices, systems, and methods for providing a surveillance marker configured to detecting movement of a dynamic reference base attached to a patient a robot-assisted surgical procedure are provided. The surveillance marker and the dynamic reference base are connected to a bony structure independent of each other. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269468 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MAPPING AND NAVIGATION - Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for mapping and/or navigation of an interior region of a body with a robotically-enabled medical instrument. The instrument may include a position sensor that provides positional information as the instrument navigates within the interior region. Visual indicia derived from the positional information may be superimposed on a reference image of the interior region. The visual indicia may characterize historical positions of the instrument. The instrument may include an imaging device. Images of the interior region captured with the imaging device can be linked to the position within the interior region where the images were captured. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269469 | Tool Assembly, Systems, and Methods For Manipulating Tissue - Tool assemblies, system, and methods for manipulating tissue and methods for performing a surgical procedure on a vertebral body adjacent soft tissue. A manipulator moves an end effector, and a screw is coupled to the end effector. A sleeve is disposed coaxially around the screw, and the screw and the sleeve are releasably engaged to one another. A navigation system is configured to track the vertebral body, and one or more controllers control the end effector to advance the screw relative to the sleeve along an insertion trajectory defined with respect to a surgical plan. The screw disengages the sleeve during advancement, and the screw is secured to the vertebral body. A distal working portion of the screw may be freely slidable through a distal end of the sleeve when disengaged. The screw may be a tap marker removably couplable with a tracking device of the navigation system. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269470 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENTRY POINT LOCALIZATION - A method performed by a computing system comprises determining an entry position and entry vector of an entry port in a surgical coordinate space. The entry port provides a passageway for insertion of a first medical instrument into a patient's body. The determination of the entry position and entry vector occurs while the first medical instrument is external to the entry port. The method also comprises positioning the first medical instrument based on the entry position and the entry vector of the entry port and advancing a distal end of the first medical instrument along the entry vector into the entry port. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269471 | INTERFACING A SURGICAL ROBOTIC ARM AND INSTRUMENT - An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm,wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269472 | AUTONOMOUS CORRECTION OF ALIGNMENT ERROR IN A MASTER-SLAVE ROBOTIC SYSTEM - In some embodiments, correcting an alignment error between an end effector of a tool associated with a slave and a master actuator associated with a master in a robotic system involves receiving at the master, master actuator orientation signals (R | 2019-09-05 |
20190269473 | BENDING MECHANISM AND MEDICAL MANIPULATOR - A bending mechanism includes: an elongated support member; a swivel that is supported at a distal end of the support member so as to swivel around an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of the support member; a transmitter that are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the support member, transmits a driving force applied at a proximal end thereof, and makes the swivel swivel relative to the support member; and a regulator that regulates stress generated in the transmitter at each swivel position of the swivel with respect to the support member such that the stress does not exceed a prescribed threshold. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269474 | MAGNET GUIDED WIRE CROSSING SYSTEM - A magnet guided crossing system includes a first magnet that defines a first guide passage and a second magnet that defines a second guide passage, which are positioned in respective body structures. A crossing guide includes a catheter, a direction change piece and a magnetic latch in series that together define a third guide passage that extends from a proximal end of the catheter through a latching side of the magnetic latch. The poles of the first and second magnets and the magnetic latch are oriented so that the first and second magnets and the magnetic latch have a stable magnetically latched stack configuration. A puncture wire is slidably received in the catheter. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269475 | REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM - A remote manipulator system according to the invention for carrying out manipulations in a body-internal cavity comprises a manipulator apparatus with a motor-driven actuator mechanism for moving at least two endoscope apparatuses that are insertable through a respective access opening into the body-internal cavity, said endoscope apparatuses each having an elongate shaft ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269476 | SURGICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMANDING INSTRUMENT POSITION BASED ON ITERATIVE BOUNDARY EVALUATION - A system and method of operating the same are disclosed. The system includes a surgical instrument including an energy applicator and a manipulator including a plurality of links and a plurality of actuators operatively coupled to the plurality of links for moving the energy applicator in one or more degrees of freedom. At least one controller is configured to establish an initial position of the energy applicator. The at least one controller evaluates a plurality of possible final positions for the energy applicator with respect to one or more boundaries within which the energy applicator is allowed to move and beyond which the energy applicator is restricted from moving. Based on the evaluation of the plurality of possible final positions for the energy applicator, a commanded position to which the energy applicator is able to be moved by the manipulator without crossing the one or more boundaries is established. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269477 | HOLDING DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PORTABLE MEDICAL APPLIANCE - A holding device for holding a portable medical appliance and for introducing it into a mounting rail includes a main body with a main face and at least one guide element having a guide profile, the at least one guide element being formed along a longitudinal axis of the main body and extending from the main body in an insertion direction. The at least one guide element is introducible into a guide in the mounting rail. The holding device also includes at least one fixing means for fixing the portable medical appliance to the holding device via an adapter, a locking means that is movable at least partially in the insertion direction between a first and second locking positions, and at least one clamping means, the clamping means being movable at least partially in the insertion direction between first and second clamping positions. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269478 | FIXING STAND - A fixing stand to which an endoscope body and treatment instruments can be easily attached in an easy-to-operate manner and which facilitates increase or decrease in the number of such items is provided. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269479 | IDENTIFICATION TAG ATTACHMENT - An identification tag that is attachable to an item and serves to identify the item with a computerized system, including a base in the form of a container that is cast from a curable material, an electronic circuit that is placed in the base and wirelessly provides a unique ID in response to an electromagnetic signal, a second layer of the curable material filling the base and forming a protective cover over the electronic circuit; and wherein a void of at least 0.5 mm is formed in the base above the second layer; wherein the void is designed to receive a third layer of the curable material for adhesively attaching the identification tag to the item leaving a distance of more than 0.5 mm between the electronic circuit and the item. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269480 | Arch Form Placement for Dental Restoration Design - A computer-implemented method of designing a dental restoration at a display includes providing a virtual three dimensional representation of at least a portion of the patient's dental situation. The method includes displaying a library arch form in an alignment with the virtual three dimensional representation of the portion of the patient's dentition. The library arch form includes a pair of two virtual library teeth packing to each other. The method also includes in response to a parametric change of one of the two virtual library teeth, moving the other virtual library tooth to keep packing to the changed virtual library tooth. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269481 | DENTAL WEDGES AND MATRIX BANDS FOR USE IN DIRECT COMPOSITE RESTORATION TECHNIQUES FOR ANTERIOR TEETH - A wedge for use in a dental restoration procedure for an anterior tooth. The wedge includes a handle portion, a body portion coupled to and extending outward from the handle portion, and a matrix band coupled to the body portion. The body portion is adapted to be disposed in an approximal space between the anterior tooth and a tooth adjacent the anterior tooth. The matrix band is adapted to contact the anterior tooth when the body portion is disposed in the approximal space. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269482 | AUGMENTED REALITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR DENTAL PRACTITIONERS - Apparatuses and methods for performing orthodontic treatment planning are provided. Virtual/Augmented Reality devices can be used to virtually manipulate patient's teeth, modify virtual models of the patient's teeth, analyze the fit of a dental appliance on the patient's teeth, analyze the position of attachment sites for dental appliances, and provide overlays showing forces applied to the patient's teeth. The VR/AR devices can be used by physicians and/or the patient to provide and display treatment planning. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269483 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL TOOTH IMAGING - Method and system for managing multiple impressions of a patient's jaw for an orthodontic treatment is provided. The method includes scanning at least a first impression and a second impression of same jaw for the orthodontic treatment; determining if the first jaw impression and the second jaw impression have distortion in different areas; selecting the first jaw impression or the second jaw impression as a base impression; and replacing a distorted tooth data from the base impression with data for the same tooth from a non-base impression. The method also includes scanning at least a first jaw impression for the orthodontic treatment; scanning a bite impression for the orthodontic treatment; matching the scanned first jaw impression with the scanned bite impression; comparing bite information with a tooth occlusal surface; and determining if reconstruction is to be performed on the tooth occlusal surface. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269484 | OSSEOINTEGRATIVE SURGICAL IMPLANT - Embodiments of the present invention provide an osseointegrative implant and related tools, components and fabrication techniques for surgical bone fixation and dental restoration purposes. In one embodiment an all-ceramic single-stage threaded or press-fit implant is provided having finely detailed surface features formed by ceramic injection molding and/or spark plasma sintering of a powder compact or green body comprising finely powdered zirconia. In another embodiment a two-stage threaded implant is provided having an exterior shell or body formed substantially entirely of ceramic and/or CNT-reinforced ceramic composite material. The implant may include one or more frictionally anisotropic bone-engaging surfaces. In another embodiment a densely sintered ceramic implant is provided wherein, prior to sintering, the porous debound green body is exposed to ions and/or particles of silver, gold, titanium, zirconia, YSZ, α-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, carbon, carbon nanotubes, and/or other particles which remain lodged in the implant surface after sintering. Optionally, at least the supragingival portions of an all-ceramic implant are configured to have high translucence in the visible light range. Optionally, at least the bone-engaging portions of an all-ceramic implant are coated with a fused layer of titanium oxide. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269485 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR FORMING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUMETRIC MODEL OF A SUBJECT'S TEETH - Methods and apparatuses for generating a model of a subject's teeth. Described herein are intraoral scanning methods and apparatuses for generating a three-dimensional model of a subject's intraoral region (e.g., teeth) including both surface features and internal features. These methods and apparatuses may be used for identifying and evaluating lesions, caries and cracks in the teeth. Any of these methods and apparatuses may use minimum scattering coefficients and/or segmentation to form a volumetric model of the teeth. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269486 | Teeth-Cleaning System, Main Body, and Holder for Dental Floss - The invention relates to a teeth-cleaning system ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269487 | Interdental Cleaning Element - The invention relates to an interdental cleaning element having a rod-like base and cleaning elements projecting substantially at right angles therefrom. The aim of the invention is to improve the cleaning action of the interdental cleaning element. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that first and second cleaning elements be fixed to the base, wherein the first cleaning element is a bristle element and the second cleaning element consists of a dental floss material, and wherein the rod-like base has wire elements twisted relative to one another, which clamp the first and second cleaning elements between themselves. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269488 | DRIVETRAIN ASSEMBLY FOR A PERSONAL CARE DEVICE - A drivetrain assembly ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269490 | PROSTHESIS FOR REPAIRING A HERNIA DEFECT - A prosthesis for repairing a hernia defect includes a patch body, a hoisting frame releasably attachable to the patch body, and a tether attached to the hoisting frame with a free end extendable through the thickness of the patch body and accessible from the side of the patch body opposite to where the hoisting frame is releasably attached. The patch body and/or the hoisting frame includes a self-expanding support member. The hoisting frame includes a frame body with an outer frame component and a force translation component for directing pulling forces on the tether across the frame body. The outer frame component has a loop configuration to generally follow the patch periphery with overlapping end portions or a gap between free ends thereof. The force translation component is separable into multiple segments to facilitate withdrawal of the hoisting frame through an opening when released from the patch. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269491 | CATHETER INCLUDING AN EXPANDABLE MEMBER - In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated body including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongated body includes an inner liner, an outer jacket, a structural support member positioned between at least a portion of the inner liner and at least a portion of the outer jacket, and an expandable member coupled to the structural support member at the distal portion of the elongated body. The expandable member may be configured to expand radially outward, e.g., to engage a clot within vasculature of a patient. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269492 | Vessel Filter and Methods for Use - An apparatus and methods for use are provided, where the apparatus includes: (a) a filter, and (b) a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the frame includes a first support and a second support extending between the first end and the second end, wherein at least the first support and the second support of the frame are coupled to at least a portion of a periphery of the filter, wherein the frame and the filter together define a lumen, wherein the frame has shape memory and is movable between a first position in which the lumen has a first diameter and a second position in which the lumen has a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269493 | GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT CONSTRICTING METHOD - A gastrointestinal-tract constricting method includes: while observing the gastrointestinal tract by inserting an endoscope into the gastrointestinal tract, forming a spreading block that suppresses infiltration of a substance, which damages a mucosa basal layer of the gastrointestinal tract, into the muscular layer underlying the mucosa basal layer, the spreading block being formed along a circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract and between the mucosa basal layer and the muscular layer; and supplying the substance to a gap between the spreading block and the mucosa basal layer while forming a contact surface between the spreading block and the substance along the circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269494 | GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT CONSTRICTING METHOD - A gastrointestinal-tract constricting method includes, while observing the gastrointestinal tract by inserting an endoscope into the gastrointestinal tract, forming a spreading block that blocks infiltration of a substance, which damages a mucosa basal layer of the gastrointestinal tract, into the muscular layer underlying the mucosa basal layer, the spreading block being formed along a circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract and between the mucosa basal layer and the muscular layer; and supplying the substance along the circumferential direction of the gastrointestinal tract and to a surface of the mucosa that lies within a region that overlaps an inner side of the gastrointestinal tract with respect to the spreading block out of the entire circumference of the gastrointestinal tract in a transverse section of the gastrointestinal tract. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269495 | AORTIC GRAFT DEVICE - An aortic arch device that is a unitary tube of graft material having a crimped unstented portion and a stented portion, a collar at the junction of the crimped unstented portion and the stented portion, at least one fenestration or lateral opening in the graft material to accommodate arteries in the aortic arch. Branches may extend from the fenestrations. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269496 | MONOLITHIC BIOCOMPATIBLE IMPLANTABLE LAMINATED MATERIALS - Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc. Examples of articles which may be made by the inventive laminate structures include implantable medical devices that are fabricated from the laminated deposited films and which present a blood or body fluid and tissue contact surface that has controlled heterogeneities in material constitution. An endoluminal stent-graft and web-stent that is made of a laminated film material deposited and etched into regions of structural members and web regions subtending interstitial regions between the structural members. An endoluminal graft is also provided which is made of a biocompatible metal or metal-like material. The endoluminal stent-graft is characterized by having controlled heterogeneities in the stent material along the blood flow surface of the stent and the method of fabricating the stent using vacuum deposition methods. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269497 | Vascular Prosthesis with Crimped Adapter and Methods of Use - The vascular prosthesis includes a luminal graft component that defines at least one fenestration and a crimped adapter at the at least one fenestration. The crimped adapter includes a perimeter and an opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the fenestration, and includes a crimped portion of generally concentric folds about the opening. The opening can move relative to the perimeter region of the crimped adapter to accommodate positioning of a branch prosthesis extending through the crimped adaptor. The vascular prosthesis is implanted in a patient to thereby treat, for example, an arterial aneurysm that spans a region of an artery that includes at least one arterial branch. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269498 | Constrainable Stent Graft, Delivery System and Methods of Use - A stent graft for treating an arterial aneurysm includes a ligature traversing at least a portion of struts of stents, the ligature having ends that, when linked, at least partially constrict a radial dimension of the stents. The ends of the ligature can be linked by a wire in a stent graft delivery system that threads anchor loops longitudinally spanning ends of the ligature to maintain the stent in a radially constricted position during delivery to the aneurysm. The stent graft can be implanted at the aneurysm by retracting the wire from the linked ends of the ligature and from the anchor loops, thereby releasing the associated stent from the radially constricted position. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269499 | INTRAOCULAR LENS - An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) is provided. The IOL includes an optic having an anterior face and a posterior face. One or more centration lips are disposed directly on the posterior and/or anterior face of the optic or directly on the posterior and/or anterior face of a carrier that holds the optic. Anterior centration lips are configured to center the optic in a lens capsulotomy opening. Posterior centration lips are configured to fixate the optic in a lens capsule and also center the optic in a lens capsulotomy opening. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269500 | ACCOMMODATING INTRAOCULAR LENS AND METHODS OF IMPLANTATION - An accommodating intraocular lens device for treatment of an eye having a lens body; internal support; stabilization system; and force translation arm. The lens body includes an accommodating membrane, an annular element, a static element, and a fixed volume of optical fluid filling a sealed chamber of the lens body. The annular element coupled to the perimeter of the accommodating membrane has a shape deformation membrane configured to undergo displacement relative to the perimeter region. The sealed chamber is formed by inner surfaces of the accommodating membrane, shape deformation membrane, and static element. The force translation arm has a first end operatively coupled to the shape deformation membrane and a free end available and configured to engage a ciliary structure of the eye. The force translation arm is moveable relative to the lens body to cause inward movement of the shape deformation membrane. Related methods, devices, and systems are provided. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269501 | EAR INSERT FOR RELIEF OF TMJ DISCOMFORT AND HEADACHES - An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269502 | THERMOCHEMICALLY TREATED MINIATURE TUBES AS SEMIFINISHED PRODUCTS FOR VASCULAR STENTS - A method for increasing the fatigue strength of a tubular semifinished product for a medical implant, such as a stent or a cardiac valve, which includes providing a tubular semifinished product formed from a bioresorbable magnesium alloy, iron, or an iron-based alloy; and applying pressure at a temperature equal to, or less than, 420° C., internally against an inner surface of the tubular semifinished product such that the outer circumference of the tubular semifinished product is subject to plastic deformation by at least 0.2%. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269503 | MITRAL CERCLAGE ANNULOPLASTY METHOD - A mitral cerclage annuloplasty apparatus comprises a tissue protective device and a knot delivery device. The tissue protective device comprises a first protective tube and a second protective tube. The knot delivery device comprises a tube wherein a loose knot is looped around its distal end through a hole and wherein tight knot is formed when the distal end of the tube is cut open. Alternatively, the knot delivery device comprises an inner tube and outer tube. The inner tube is insertable and rotatable inside the outer tube. When the tubes are in a closed position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, a hole is created near its distal end. When the tubes are in open position by rotating either the outer tube or the inner tube, the hole joins the opening of the outer tube and lengthens. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269504 | Paravalvular Leak Resistant Prosthetic Heart Valve System - A paravalvular leak resistant prosthetic heart valve system including a stent frame, a valve structure and a sealing mechanism. The stent frame has a surface. The valve structure is associated with the stent frame. The sealing mechanism at least partially extends over the surface of the stent frame. The sealing mechanism includes at least one semi-permeable membrane and an osmotic gradient driving material. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269505 | MULTI-FRAME PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valves and systems and methods of making prosthetic valves. In accordance with an embodiment, a prosthetic valve comprises and leaflet frame, and outer frame and a film. The leaflet frame has a generally tubular shape defining a plurality of leaflet windows. The outer frame has a generally tubular shape. The leaflet frame is coaxially disposed at least partially within the outer frame. The leaflet frame and outer frame is coupled at least in part by a contiguous portion of the film. At least a portion of the contiguous portion of the film is contained between and coupling the leaflet frame and outer frame operable to prevent relative movement and contact therebetween. The film defines a leaflet extending from each of the leaflet windows. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269506 | DURABLE HIGH STRENGTH COMPOSITE PROSTHETIC VALVE LEAFLETS - A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. The composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes at least one porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269507 | TRANSCATHETER VALVE - A synthetic heart valve is made from a valve graft of synthetic material and more particularly expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The valve graft has an upper portion defined by a first thickness and a lower portion defined by a second thickness which is greater than the first thickness. The valve graft is formed into a cylindrical sleeve having a diameter and a folded region. A flexible stent overlays the cylindrical sleeve, wherein a series of leaflets are formed in the lower portion of the sleeve, the leaflets defining a semicircular perimeter. The leaflets are sutured to the cylindrical sleeve and the cylindrical sleeve is sutured to the flexible stent, the stent having a plurality of bent cylindrical wire segments that are welded together and in which the sleeve is sutured to the wire, including the welded areas of the stent. The formed valve can be implanted using a balloon catheter. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269508 | Prosthetic Heart Valves - A prosthetic heart valve (e.g., a prosthetic aortic valve) is designed to be somewhat circumferentially collapsible and then re-expandable. The collapsed condition may be used for less invasive delivery of the valve into a patient. When the valve reaches the implant site in the patient, it re-expands to normal operating size, and also to engage surrounding tissue of the patient. The valve includes a stent portion and a ring portion that is substantially concentric with the stent portion but downstream from the stent portion in the direction of blood flow through the implanted valve. When the valve is implanted, the stent portion engages the patient's tissue at or near the native valve annulus, while the ring portion engages tissue downstream from the native valve site (e.g., the aorta). | 2019-09-05 |
20190269509 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CRIMPING A PROSTHETIC VALVE - A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a crimping loop having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop portion extending between the first and second end portions and defining an opening configured to receive the prosthetic valve. The crimping loop is movable between a first state in which the opening has a first diameter and a second state in which the opening has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that when the prosthetic valve is positioned within the loop portion, movement of the crimping loop from the first state to the second state is effective to reduce a diameter of the prosthetic valve. A method for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises reducing a diameter of an opening of a crimping loop, thereby radially compressing an at least partially expanded prosthetic valve disposed within the opening. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269510 | Delivery System Facilitating Retrieval of Interventional Device - A delivery system facilitating retrieval of interventional device includes a sheath, an operation handle for driving the sheath to move, and a tube axially slidably engaging with the pusher section. The sheath includes a carrier section at a proximal end for surrounding the interventional device and a pusher section connected with the carrier section. Depending on different axial positions, the tube assumes an initial configuration in which a proximal end portion thereof is at a periphery of the pusher section, and an operation configuration in which the proximal end portion is held tightly around the carrier section and limits further expansion of the carrier section. The delivery system functions to hold the support frame tightly by surrounding the sheath with the axially movable tube, retrieving the support frame and preventing the support frame from falling off from a core shaft, thereby reducing risks in surgery and the mortality rate. The tube may be manually driven or driven in other ways, which is convenient to coordinate with known control handles or sheaths. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269511 | Percutaneous Valve Repair and Replacement - Described embodiments include apparatus ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269512 | MITRAL VALVE INVERSION PROSTHESES - Systems, devices and methods for resizing a valve annulus are described. An implant is delivered proximate a mitral valve, the implant comprising a tubular body and a plurality of piercing helical anchors, the tubular body comprising an proximal diameter and a distal diameter. Tissue proximate the mitral valve is engaged by rotating the plurality of anchors with corresponding rotational drivers. The tubular body may be transitioned from a first structural configuration having the proximal diameter smaller than the distal diameter to a second structural configuration having the proximal diameter larger than the distal diameter. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269513 | MULTIPLE ANCHOR DELIVERY TOOL - Anchor deployment systems and tools are provided. An anchor deployment tool can include a flexible tube including a distal anchor manipulation portion. The tool can also include a deployment element, which is positionable within the flexible tube, and is configured to, while the distal anchor manipulation portion is proximate an implantable device, (i) engage the anchors in the flexible tube, (ii) advance each of the anchors in a distal direction to the distal anchor manipulation portion, and (iii) anchor the implantable device to tissue of a subject by deploying each of the tissue anchors through the implantable device and into the tissue. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269514 | IMPLANT FOR OSTEOTOMY AND CANINE OSTEOTOMY METHOD - An implantable orthopedic wedge can include a main body having a base portion and an apical portion, the apical portion including a first end. The main body can have a thickness that tapers along a perimeter of the main body from a first thickness at the base portion to a second thickness at the apical portion. The implantable orthopedic wedge can also include a fixation member coupled to the main body and configured to receive one or more anchoring elements to anchor the wedge to an implantation site. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269515 | COUPLING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING PROSTHESIS COMPONENTS BY A SELF-LOCKING PRESS FIT - A coupling device is for connecting prosthesis components by a self-locking press fit on an end, formed as a cone, of a first prosthesis component that is inserted in bone tissue. The coupling device has an outer coupling body with a socket having a conically tapering inner wall, and an expansion sleeve having a lateral surface forming a male taper and an operative forming a female tape. The expansion sleeve is mounted in the socket so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof, and receives the cone. The expansion sleeve is expandable radially outwardly to form the self-locking press fit, such that the expansion sleeve widens radially when the cone is inserted into the expansion sleeve. As a result, the self-locking press fit between the cone of the first prosthesis component and the coupling device is established. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269516 | Trial Radial Head Implant - A trial orthopedic implant having a plurality of bearing component augments of differing heights, where each augment releasably, slidably connected to the trial implant. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269517 | ELBOW PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF USE - The elbow prosthesis includes an ulnar component that has a bearing end and a stem. The stem attached to the bearing end and extends in a distal direction from it. The elbow prosthesis also has a humeral component that includes a holder end and a stem with the stem extending in a proximal direction from the holder end. The prosthesis further includes at least one bearing member that is connected to the holder end with the bearing end being attached within the holder end to allow for rotation and articulation against the at least one bearing member. The bearing end and holder are attached to each other by a coupling mechanism that includes an opening positioned on the posterior aspect of the holder end and a mating surface on the bearing body. A method of using the elbow prosthesis and a total elbow prosthesis kit are also disclosed. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269518 | CEMENTLESS JOINT RESURFACING SYSTEM - A cementless individual patellofemoral resurfacing system including a femoral lamellar sheet having an articular surface and a bone covering surface, at least one rib attached to the femoral lamellar sheet along at least one long border thereof, a patella lamellar sheet having a patella articular surface and a patella covering surface non-breachingly attached to bone in a joint-sparing manner. The cementless patellofemoral resurfacing system can also serve as a central supporting component for at least one attachable and detachable condylar articular surface resurfacing elements. The system can be implemented mutatis mutandis in other bony joints in the body. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269519 | Reviseable Stemless Prostheses and Methods - Disclosed herein are orthopedic revision systems including a base member having a collar portion and at least one stabilization portion extending outwardly from the collar portion. The systems may further include a stem member having an attachment portion and a shaft portion, the stem member configured to be received at least partially through an opening in the collar portion such that the attachment portion lies adjacent the collar portion and the shaft portion lies adjacent the at least one stabilizing portion. In a method of performing revision surgery with such orthopedic systems includes forming an opening in the collar of the base member for receipt of the stem member by removing an inner portion of the collar portion and inserting the stem member at least partially through the opening in the collar portion such that the attachment portion lies adjacent the collar portion and the shaft member lies adjacent the at least one stabilizing portion. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269520 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-BINDING ALLOGRAFT SUBTALAR JOINT IMPLANT - Provided is a system and method for providing a non-binding allograft subtalar joint implant for surgical implant into a person's foot proximate to the ankle. This system for repair includes at least one sterile non-binding allograft subtalar joint implant provided as a pre-formed allograft rod plug “ARP” having a diameter about equal to an average width of a canal between a person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP being resiliently compressible and flexible. When snuggly disposed between the person's talus and calcaneus bones, the ARP compresses during normal use of the person's foot and maintains the canal in an anatomically correct alignment and reduces a tendency for abnormal motion between the person's talus and calcaneus bones. An associated method of use is also provided. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269521 | EXPANDABLE FUSION DEVICE WITH INDEPENDENT EXPANSION SYSTEMS - Expandable spinal fusion devices, systems, and methods of using them are provided, and they can be inserted in a subject in a collapsed state through a small surgical corridor, and the expand cephalocaudal only, transverse only, or in both directions, in which direction of expansion can also be obtained independently, if desired, after the insertion. These inventions are valuable in reducing risk and surgical complexity, allowing for an on-the-fly selection of a desirable width footprint, a desired control of height expansion through a gradual cephalocaudal expansion, and a desired control of the alignment of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Devices, systems, and methods are also offered to provide a desired control of the contact area desired between the device and the upper and lower vertebral endplates achieved, for example, using an interdigitated endplate system. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269522 | Nubbed Plate - A separate nub component between the plate and an intervertebral fusion cage, wherein the nub is attached to the plate. The nub lessens the undesired pivotal movement of the plate. It is believed that when the nub fits snugly between the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies, it acts as a stop against the undesired pivotal movement of the plate. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269523 | Corpectomy Device And Methods Of Use Thereof - A spinal fixation device includes a housing defining a chamber and a longitudinal axis, and an end plate assembly operatively coupled with the housing. The end plate assembly includes a first end plate configured to engage a vertebral body and first and second support assemblies operatively coupled to the first end plate. The first support assembly is selectively movable between a first position in which the first end plate is spaced apart from the housing and a second position in which the first end plate is adjacent the housing. The second support assembly is transitionable between a first state in which the first end plate has a first angular orientation and a second state in which the first end plate has a second angular orientation. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269524 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE MODULAR INTERBODY FUSION DEVICES - The invention is a modular interbody fusion device for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae that is adapted to be implanted in a prepared interbody space including a first modular segment having a width including a first rail extending at least partially along one side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the first modular segment, a second modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the first rail on one side of the width and having a second rail extending at least partially along another side of the width and beyond a periphery of a body portion of the second modular segment, a third modular segment having a width and slidably connected to the second rail on one side of the width and wherein the device has an expanded position in which the second and third modular segments are extended along the first and second rails and positioned in a generally end to end configuration spaced apart by the rails prior to implantation and an implanted position in which the modular segments are positioned in a generally side by side configuration that defines a unitary body that mimics the planar shape of the vertebra such that the device contacts and supports the adjacent vertebra. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269525 | ALIGNMENT GUIDE FOR ACETABULAR IMPLANT SURGERY AND METHODS FOR USE - An alignment guide for acetabular implants is designed to fit a particular patient using 3D medical imagery, conforms to the patient and uses one or more guide holes to direct the insertion of a positioning pin to indicate the correct positioning of various surgical tools during a medical procedure. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269526 | A Surgical Tensor Configured To Distribute Loading Through At Least Two Pivot Points - A surgical apparatus configured to be placed in the musculoskeletal system to precisely separate a first bone from a second bone. The surgical apparatus has one or more sensors to measure one or more parameters and supports one or more bone cuts for installing a prosthetic component. The surgical apparatus has at least one distraction mechanism configured to increase or decrease a height between a first support structure and a second support structure. A tilt mechanism comprises the at least one distraction mechanism. The tilt mechanism couples through a first pivot point and a second pivot point and adjusts a tilt of the second support structure relative to the first support structure. In one embodiment, loading applied to the second support structure is distributed between the first pivot point and the second pivot point during operation of the surgical apparatus. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269527 | Intervertebral Trial With Marker - In one embodiment, an intervertebral trial includes a front surface, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface that collectively define an internal space. The internal space includes at least one marker structure attached to at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface. The at least one marker structure indicates a dimension of the intervertebral trial. Additionally, the at least one marker structure is spatially representative of the dimension when measured relative to one of the front surface, the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface or the second side surface. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269528 | ARTIFICIAL HAND - An artificial hand is provided. The artificial includes phalanges suitable to reproduce at least one finger, hinges hinging a first element identifying a phalanx to a second element identifying a second phalanx, and an implementation mechanism suitable to command a reciprocal rotation between the hinges defining a mutual rotation speed between the first and second element. The hinges define different damping coefficients so that, during a mutual rotation of the first and second element, they are subject to distinct damping forces opposing mutual rotation and proportional to the mutual rotation speed so as to vary the movement of the artificial hand as a function of the mutual rotation speed. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269529 | PROSTHETIC HYDRAULIC JOINT WITH ACCUMULATOR AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING JOINT - A prosthetic foot assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a pivoting ankle joint with a hydraulic system, a prosthetic foot connected to the distal side of the ankle joint, and, at the proximal side, the ankle joint includes a transducer with pyramid adaptor for attaching to a pylon. The ankle joint sensor provides data collection during the stance and optionally, the swing, phases of walking using, for example, strain gages and accelerometers. Also disclosed are methods for real-time feature extraction. Key parameters are captured to which are applied linear, fuzzy logic, neural net, or generic algorithms to determine current state (walking flat, uphill, downhill etc.) in real time and execute changes to the angle between the ankle and foot almost instantaneously based on those parameters. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269530 | LINER FOR A PROSTHESIS, AND PROSTHESIS - The invention relates to a liner ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269531 | INTRAOSSEOUS STENT - The invention relates to a self-expanding intraosseous stent ( | 2019-09-05 |
20190269532 | BIODEGRADABLE SUPPORTING DEVICE WITH A RADIO-OPAQUE MARKER - A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a coated stent device includes a biodegradable metal alloy scaffold made from a magnesium alloy, iron alloy, zinc alloy, or combination thereof, and the metal scaffold comprises a plurality of metal struts. The metal struts are at least partially covered with a biodegradable polymer coating. The biodegradable scaffold includes a radio-opaque marker made of a substance that blocks radiation. A cavity is manufactured in the scaffold and the radio-opaque marker is accommodated by the cavity. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269533 | Stent And Stent Delivery Device - In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269534 | THIN FILM MESH HYBRID FOR TREATING VASCULAR DEFECTS - Devices that can be delivered into a vascular system to divert flow are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, devices are provided for treating aneurysms b diverting flow. An expandable device can comprise, for example, a plurality of strut regions and a plurality of bridge regions. Each of the strut regions may extend circumferentially about the expandable device and include a plurality of struts. Each of the plurality of bridge regions may be attached to and extend between two of the strut regions and comprise a plurality first bridges and second bridges that intersect one another and are movable relative to one another at their intersections. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269535 | CENTRAL AIRWAY STENT REMOVAL DEVICE AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A central airway stent removal device for use under direct visual observation with a flexible or ridged. The device includes an elongated shaft defining a central lumen configured to receive the endoscope and a hook mechanism attached to a distal end of the elongated shaft. The hook mechanism including a receiving platform extending away from the elongated shaft and a hook element at the distal end of the hook mechanism, the hook element defining a receiving slot having an entrance that opens towards the elongated shaft, in which the receiving slot is configured to receive an end of a stent intended to be removed from a body of a patient. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269536 | SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING A CAPACITIVE SHAPE MEMORY CATHETERIZATION DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - A system for deploying a shape memory catheterization device within a patient, includes a catheter for endovascular insertion of the shape memory catheterization device. A heat source heats the shape memory catheterization device above the transition temperature. A transformation data generator includes a circuit driver for driving a circuit that includes at least one capacitive element of the shape memory catheterization device and a detection circuit for generating transformation data based on a capacitance of the at least one capacitive element, wherein the transformation data indicates a shape transformation of the shape memory catheterization device from a catheterization shape to a transformed shape. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269537 | Radially Adjustable Stent Graft Delivery System and Method of Use - A stent graft delivery system and method for implanting a stent graft includes and employs at least one control rod that extends along a luminal wall of a stent graft and at least one ligature. The ligature extends about radial stents. Rotation of the control rod or a tube extending about the control rod wraps the ligature about the control rod, thereby radial constricting the stent about which the ligature extends. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269538 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING A CAROTID ARTERY - Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269539 | Vascular Prosthetic Delivery Device And Method Of Use - Methods for delivering a vascular prosthesis to a treatment site of a subject include advancing the vascular prosthesis, rotating a proximal handle in a first direction about a handle body, shifting the position of a first locking component securing the proximal handle to the push rod from a first position to a second position, rotating the proximal handle in a second direction, releasing the proximal end of the prosthesis from the apex delivery device, shifting the second locking component to disengage the push rod from the handle body; and withdrawing the push rod and the guidewire catheter from within the prosthesis, thereby delivering the vascular prosthesis to the treatment site. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269540 | MODULAR HANDLE COMPRISING A TRIGGER WIRE ACTUATION MECHANISM FOR A PROSTHESIS DELIVERY DEVICE - A handle assembly for a prosthesis delivery device is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises a stationary main handle having a proximal end and a distal end and an outer surface extending therebetween. A first helical groove is formed in at least a portion of the outer surface of the main handle and a first trigger wire actuation mechanism disposed about the main handle and rotatably moveable relative to the main handle. A first trigger wire is operatively connected to the first trigger wire actuation mechanism, the first trigger wire having a prosthesis capture condition and a prosthesis release condition. Movement of the first trigger wire actuation mechanism causes movement of the first trigger wire thereby moving the first trigger wire from the prosthesis capture condition to the prosthesis release condition. Additional trigger wire actuation mechanisms operatively connected to one or more additional trigger wires may also be disposed about the main handle. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269541 | INTRAGASTRIC DEVICE - An implant configured for ingestion by a patient. After the implant has been swallowed by the patient and is disposed within the target location, e.g. the patient's stomach, an inflation subcomponent causes the implant to expand from a compact delivery state to an expanded, volume-occupying, deployed state. In the deployed state the implant creates a sensation of satiety in the patient stomach and thereby aids in limiting food intake and obesity. After a predetermined time a deflation subcomponent is actuated and the implant reduces in size so as to allow it to pass through the remainder of the patient's digestive track. The device may further incorporate tracking and visualization subcomponents, as well as pharmaceutical delivery subcomponents. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269542 | FLAT FOOT ORTHOSIS - A flat foot orthosis has two bodies, and each one of the two bodies has a wearing space, a foot portion, an ankle portion, a shank portion, a substrate, and a first elastomer. The substrate and the first elastomer are disposed adjacent to each other, and surround the wearing space. The substrate extends from the foot portion to the shank portion through the ankle portion. The first elastomer extends from an instep of the foot portion at a cuboid bone of a wearer through a lateral side of the foot portion, a sole of the foot portion, and an arch of the foot portion in order, wraps over a navicular bone of the wearer, and extends outwardly combining upwardly through the ankle portion at a talus bone of the wearer toward the shank portion. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269543 | HIGH-ARCHED FOOT ORTHOSIS - A high-arched foot orthosis has two bodies, and each one of the two bodies has a wearing space, a foot portion, an ankle portion, a shank portion, a substrate, and an elastomer. The substrate and the elastomer are disposed adjacent to each other, and surround the wearing space. The substrate extends from the foot portion to the shank portion through the ankle portion. The elastomer inwardly extends from an instep of the foot portion at a cuneiform bone of a wearer through an arch, a sole, and a lateral side of the foot portion in order, wraps over a cuboid bone of the wearer, extends through the ankle portion inwardly combining upwardly toward the shank portion, and wraps over a talus bone of the wearer. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269544 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR REDUCING PREGNANCY-RELATED AND POST-NATAL LOWER BACK PAIN - Provided are methods and systems of reducing, treating, and/or preventing back pain in an individual, such as a pregnant or post-partum individual, that include changing the center of gravity of the individual by the methods set forth herein. In particular, the methods herein include shifting the center of gravity in the individual to a desired center of gravity. The methods include applying modifiable lifting forces to a lower abdomen of the individual using a pully system, under the belly of the individual toward the desired center of gravity; and applying one or more vector forces from an anterior side of the individual toward the desired center of gravity. Also provided are methods that include applying a lumbar support, as described herein to an individual. Also provided herein are adjustable, modular lumbar support devices that may be used to provide lumbar and/or belly support for individuals having belly weight to achieve the present methods. According to non-limiting example embodiments, support or brace devices provided herein may be worn by pregnant women at various stages throughout a woman's pregnancy, and/or post-partum and may be adjusted to naturally contour/conform to the woman's anatomy, which changes throughout pregnancy. Further provided are kits that include at least one lumbar support device provided herein, which kits may optionally include instructions for proper application and/or adjustment of the lumbar support device and/or accessories for use with the present methods, systems and/or devices. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269545 | ORAL APPLIANCE - An oral appliance comprises interacting upper and lower dental encasing components formable to overlay portion of the patient's upper and lower teeth. The dental encasings each comprise sheets of a heat softenable and moldable over-mold material on substrates comprising one or more pieces of a stiffening material. The over-mold material is heated to a moderately elevated temperature which will not cause tissue damage when placed in the patient's mouth. While still warm the material can be shaped to conform the patient's teeth but is non-deformable once cooled to body temperature. The stiffening material is non-deformable when heated to the same elevated temperature. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269546 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING A PATIENT'S MANDIBLE IN RESPONSE TO SLEEP APNEA STATUS - Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for positioning a patient's mandible in response to sleep apnea status are provided herein. In one aspect, a system for monitoring and treating sleep apnea in a patient comprises one or more sensors configured to monitor the patient for symptoms associated with sleep apnea; an intraoral appliance worn by the patient, one or more processors, and memory comprising instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to: receive a set of sensor data from the one or more sensors, detect, using a machine learning algorithm, onset of a sleep apnea event based on the set of sensor data, and transmit a control signal to the intraoral appliance to cause the intraoral appliance to displace a lower jaw of the patient from a first position to a second position in order to treat the sleep apnea event. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269547 | THERMAL SYSTEM WITH STEP RESPONSE - A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically implements a step change in the temperature of the fluid delivered to the patient. The step change is implemented prior to the patient reaching a target patient temperature. In the moments after (and in some cases the moments before) the step change, the controller monitors the rate of change of patient's temperature to evaluate whether the patient will reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change, and/or how long it will likely take for the patient to reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change. The controller then determines whether to reverse the step change or to switch to another algorithm for controlling the fluid temperature. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269548 | Polymers, Thermochromic Agents, And/Or Hydrogel Compositions And Apparatus, Including Products Embodying The Same, And Methods And Processes For Making Same - Polymers, hydrogels, and thermochromic agents, including products embodying them, methods of using them, and processes for making them. In certain embodiments, temperature therapy packs which utilize thermochromic agents integrated into solid, semi-solid, or liquid hydrogels. In preferred (but optional) embodiments, the thermochromic agents are integrated into the composition used as the temperature exchange material of the therapy pack. In certain other embodiments, methods of using the thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials, or processes for manufacturing such thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials and/or methods or processes for manufacturing or using thermal packs embodying such materials. In certain particularly preferred embodiments, novel polymer compositions and/or processes for making polymers, which improve product durability or longevity and/or which improve use cycles or usage times. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269549 | THERMOTHERAPY EQUIPMENT - The present invention relates to a thermotherapy bed, and more specifically, to a slide-type thermotherapy bed, of which an air massage module is easy to store and use and which is used in thermotherapy. The thermotherapy bed of the present invention includes a body in which a thermotherapy device is installed, an auxiliary unit sliding on the body to be unfolded or overlap the body, such that the thermotherapy device is opened or closed, a mat configured to cover an upper portion of the auxiliary unit, and an air massage module installed in the mat and stored in the auxiliary unit. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269550 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING EYE DISEASES - A method may include accessing a terminal branch of an ophthalmic artery through a face of a subject. Additionally, the method may include positioning a device within the ophthalmic artery of the subject and treating at least one of a blockage, a stenosis, a lesion, plaque or other physiology in at least one of the ophthalmic artery or a junction between an internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269551 | LASER FIDUCIALS FOR AXIS ALIGNMENT IN CATARACT SURGERY - A fiducial is generated on an internal anatomical structure of the eye of a patient with a surgical laser. A toric artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is positioned so that a marker of the toric IOL is in a predetermined positional relationship relative to the fiducial. This positioning aligns the toric IOL with the astigmatic or other axis of the eye. The toric IOL is then implanted in the eye of the patient with high accuracy. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269552 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF MYOPIA - A process for preventing or treating myopia includes applying a pulsed energy, such as a pulsed laser beam, to tissue of an eye having myopia or a risk of having myopia. The source of pulsed energy has energy parameters including wavelength or frequency, duty cycle and pulse train duration, which are selected so as to raise an eye tissue temperature up to eleven degrees Celsius to achieve therapeutic or prophylactic effect, such as stimulating heat shock protein activation in the eye tissue. The average temperature rise of the eye tissue over several minutes is maintained at or below a predetermined level so as not to permanently damage the eye tissue. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269553 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION - Systems and methods of treating meibomian and sebaceous gland dysfunction. The methods include reducing oxygen concentration in the environment of one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands, thereby restoring a hypoxic status of one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands. The reducing of the oxygen concentration is accomplished by restricting blood flow to the one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands and the environment of one or more dysfunctional meibomian sebaceous glands. The restricting of the blood flow is accomplished by contracting or closing one or more blood vessels around the one or more dysfunctional meibomian or sebaceous glands. The methods also include giving local or systemic drugs that lead to the generation of hypoxia-inducible factors in one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269554 | BI-RADIAL PATIENT INTERFACE - To improve the precision of ophthalmic surgical procedures by reducing corneal wrinkling, a patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment portion, configured to attach the patient interface to a distal end of the ophthalmic system; a contact portion, configured to dock the patient interface to an eye; and a contact element, coupled to the contact portion, configured to contact a surface of a cornea of the eye as part of the docking of the patient interface to the eye, and having a central portion with a central radius of curvature Rc and a peripheral portion with a peripheral radius of curvature Rp, wherein Rc is smaller than Rp. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269555 | SURGICAL TOOL FOR SEPARATING CAPSULAR BAG FROM LENS IN EYE - An apparatus includes a handle and a spatula-shaped end coupled to the handle and configured to be inserted into an eye. The spatula-shaped end includes top and bottom surfaces and multiple facets positioned along one or more sides of the spatula-shaped end and along a front of the spatula-shaped end. Each facet narrows a distance between the top and bottom surfaces. One or more first facets are positioned along the front of the spatula-shaped end. The one or more first facets are configured to facilitate insertion of a tip of the spatula-shaped end between an anterior leaflet and a lens in the eye. One or more second facets are positioned along the one or more sides of the spatula-shaped end. The one or more second facets are configured to facilitate sliding of the spatula-shaped end along the anterior leaflet between the anterior leaflet and the lens in the eye. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269556 | ILLUMINATED VITRECTOMY CUTTER WITH ADJUSTABLE ILLUMINATION APERTURE - A vitrector that includes an adjustable illumination aperture is described. The vitrector may include a probe and a light sleeve assembly extending along and substantially surrounding the probe. The light sleeve assembly may include a plurality of optical fibers. At least a portion of the optical fibers are operable to provide illumination so as to define an illumination aperture about the vitrectomy probe. A portion of the optical fibers may be encapsulated. The light sleeve assembly may be adjustable along a length of the probe, providing adjustment of the illumination aperture to increase or decrease an area of illumination provided thereby. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269557 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR THE REMOVAL OF LENTICULAR TISSUE - An exemplary surgical device includes a shaft with a lumen defined therethrough and an element movable from a stored position to a deployed position in which a larger portion of the element extends out of the distal end of the lumen; wherein motion from the stored position to the deployed position causes a first leg of the element to advance distally relative to the distal end of the shaft, and causes a second leg of the element to move proximally relative to the distal end of the shaft. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269558 | ORTHOSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE - An improved orthosis apparatus for being selectively formed and applied and removed having offset zipper closures on two shell members for improved hinging and opening and access for initial application and forming when malleable and for removing and reinstalling when hardened. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269559 | FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MAKING DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the number of articles processed. over a distance traveled in the machine direction of an assembly line. In particular, the orientation of the long dimension of the article is provided transverse to the machine direction, thus process rug the articles side-by-side instead of end-to-end. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269560 | Systems and Methods for Controlling Phasing of Advancing Substrates in Absorbent Article Converting Lines - The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays. | 2019-09-05 |
20190269561 | TAMPON - In the manufacture of a tampon, an absorbent structure composed of an absorbent material can be formed into a tampon blank. In various embodiments, a withdrawal element can be attached to the absorbent structure either before or after the absorbent structure is formed into a tampon blank. The tampon blank can then undergo a compression step which can result in the pledget of the tampon. The pledget, and resultant tampon, can have at least one linear channel and at least one non-linear channel. | 2019-09-05 |