45results about How to "Minimally" patented technology

The present invention relates to an easy-to-control tool for minimally invasive surgery and a method for using the same. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool for minimally invasive surgery and a method for using the same comprising, a main shaft, a first control shaft and a second control shaft positioned in sequence from one end of the main shaft, a first actuating shaft and a second actuating shaft positioned in sequence from the other end of the main shaft, an adjustment handle positioned around one end of the second control shaft, an end effector positioned around one end of the second actuating shaft, a pitch control part positioned around one position of the positions between the main shaft and the first control shaft, between the first control shaft and the second control shaft, and between the second control shaft and the adjustment handle, for transferring a motion of the adjustment handle in a pitch direction to the end effector, a first yaw control part and a second yaw control part positioned around the other positions of the positions between the main shaft and the first control shaft, between the first control shaft and the second control shaft, and between the second control shaft and the adjustment handle, respectively, for transferring a motion of the adjustment handle in a yaw direction to the end effector, a pitch actuating part positioned around one position of the positions between the main shaft and the first actuating shaft, between the first actuating shaft and the second actuating shaft, and between the second actuating shaft and the end effector, a first yaw actuating part and a second yaw actuating part positioned around the other positions of the positions between the main shaft and the first actuating shaft, between the first actuating shaft and the second actuating shaft, and between the second actuating shaft and the end effector, respectively, a first pitch cable and a second pitch cable for transferring motions from the pitch control part, the first yaw control part, and the second yaw control part to the pitch actuating part, the first yaw actuating part, and the second yaw actuating part, respectively, and a yaw cable for transferring a motion from the first yaw control part to the first yaw actuating part with the first pitch cable and the second pitch cable.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Docking devices can be configured to be positioned at a native valve of a human heart to provide structural support for docking a prosthetic valve. The docking devices generally have coiled structures that define an inner space in which the prosthetic valve can be held. Some docking devices can be adjusted from a first wider configuration which facilitates easier advancement of the docking device around the valve anatomy, to a second narrower configuration after the docking device has been delivered to more securely hold the prosthetic valve. The docking device may also be better held in position at the native valve after adjustment to the narrower configuration. Some docking devices include a stabilization segment or double coil configuration, where a main coil region is configured to securely hold a prosthetic valve, while a stabilization coil region is configured to more stably hold the docking device at the native valve.

A method and system for forwarding an e-mail message addressed to a first disfavored e-mail address to a second preferred forwarding e-mail address. A message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.

A method and apparatus for puncturing a surface for extraction, in situ monitoring, and / or substance delivery uses microneedles with improved properties. Applications include easy to handle glucose monitoring using a group of hollow out-of-plane silicon microneedles to sample substances in interstitial fluid from the epidermal skin layer.

A method and apparatus for puncturing a surface for extraction, in situ monitoring, and / or substance delivery uses microneedles with improved properties. Applications include easy to handle glucose monitoring using a group of hollow out-of-plane silicon microneedles to sample substances in interstitial fluid from the epidermal skin layer.

An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

An improved apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. An alignment guide in accordance with the present invention is provided to facilitate alignment of instruments used to create a cavity in the bone for reception of the femoral implant and to facilitate size selection of the femoral implant. The alignment guide of the present invention includes a reference element and pattern arms having geometries which track an anatomical structure.

A heart assist device comprising a rotary pump housing having a cylindrical bore, a pumping chamber and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing and surrounding a portion of the cylindrical bore. A rotor has a cylindrical shaft, at least one impeller appended to one end of the shaft, and a plurality of magnets located within the shaft. The rotor shaft is positioned within the housing bore with the magnets opposite the motor stator, and the impeller is positioned within the pumping chamber. The housing bore is closely fitted to the outer surface of the shaft forming a hydrodynamic journal bearing, with the pumping chamber and journal bearing connected by a leak path of blood flow between the pumping chamber and the journal bearing. A backiron of the motor stator attracts the rotor magnets to resist longitudinal displacement of the rotor within the housing during operation. The relative orientation of positions of the inflow, outflow, and leakage flow paths may be varied within the pump, such as to accommodate different intended methods for implantation and / or use.

A high strength window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein with tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane. The intersecting ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings. The window also includes a support frame around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs, and a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings. The film is configured to pass radiation therethrough. An associated radiation detection system includes a sensor disposed behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation passing through the high strength window.

A method and system for providing address change notification in an e-mail forwarding system by providing a pre-generated e-mail address change notification to recipients selected during registration in the e-mail forwarding system. The e-mail forwarding system operating when a message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.

A high strength window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein with tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane. The intersecting ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings. The window also includes a support frame around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs, and a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings. The film is configured to pass radiation therethrough. An associated radiation detection system includes a sensor disposed behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation passing through the high strength window.

An improved apparatus for reducing a hip fracture utilizing a minimally invasive procedure which does not require incision of the quadriceps. A femoral implant in accordance with the present invention achieves intramedullary fixation as well as fixation into the femoral head to allow for the compression needed for a femoral fracture to heal. An alignment guide in accordance with the present invention is provided to facilitate alignment of instruments used to create a cavity in the bone for reception of the femoral implant and to facilitate size selection of the femoral implant. The alignment guide of the present invention includes a reference element and pattern arms having geometries which track an anatomical structure.

A rod holder configured to operate in a two-stage loading manner allows a rod to be easily received. A minimally invasive system for spinal surgical operation allows a rod to be more accurately and stably received to a pedicle screw inserted into a vertebra by using the rod holder, a rod guide and a rod guide holder. The rod holder may control a rod with three stages: a first loading stage for moving back and fixing a loading unit to fixedly grip the rod; a second loading stage for rotatably gripping the rod; and a rod mounting stage for separating the rod from the rod holder. The spine surgery system includes a pair of rod guides connected to upper ends of a pair of pedicle screws to form a moving path of the rod; a rod holder; and a rod guide holder for defining an insertion path.

A drill guide and pin system is provided whereby a drill may be inserted through a drill sleeve into a bone portion to provide a drill bore. For some embodiments, a cooperating pin provides a pin bore which intersects the drill bore at a predetermined angle α and predetermined location relative to at least one of the drill sleeve and / or bore. The pin may have an integral catch so that when a wire is inserted through the drill bore, the catch can pull the wire through the pin bore for use in various surgical techniques. Some embodiments have an articulated arm which can lock in a fixed position in a fixed configuration and have a moveable configuration as well.

A substantially solid biomolecular solder for joining tissue comprising a partially denatured biomolecule. The solder can be formed into shapes to suit the needs of a user. The invention also relates to methods for joining tissue and methods for preparing the solder.

The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.

The invention is a nano-entity conjugate for use in an in vivo immunomagnetic hyperthermia system for the detection and treatment of any cell or virus having a target surface receptor which encompasses a technology platform that can be used for both real-time monitoring of any cell or virus having a target surface receptor and as a delivery platform for certain types of treatment that are conducive for in vivo applications. The system allows of cell or virus enumeration; cell or virus capture; and cell or virus removal from the patient's circulatory system in-vivo using immunomagnetic hyperthermia. The application of immunomagnetic hyperthermia may actually diminish and eventually stop the progression of cancer and other blood borne or blood affected diseases.

Systems for ablating tissue can include a pair of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies can automatically align on opposing sides of operative tissue due to magnetic interaction. One assembly can move automatically in response to the other assembly due to the magnetic interaction. Some systems are capable of cooling the electrode assemblies during ablation procedures.

The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.

A drill guide and pin system is provided whereby a drill may be inserted through a drill sleeve into a bone portion to provide a drill bore. For some embodiments, a cooperating pin provides a pin bore which intersects the drill bore at a predetermined angle α and predetermined location relative to at least one of the drill sleeve and / or bore. The pin may have an integral catch so that when a wire is inserted through the drill bore, the catch can pull the wire through the pin bore for use in various surgical techniques. Some embodiments have an articulated arm which can lock in a fixed position in a fixed configuration and have a moveable configuration as well.

A heart assist device comprising a rotary pump housing having a cylindrical bore, a pumping chamber and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing and surrounding a portion of the cylindrical bore. A rotor has a cylindrical shaft with an impeller and one or of magnets located within the shaft that are responsive to the motor stator to drive actuation of the rotor. The housing bore is closely fitted to the outer surface of the shaft forming a hydrodynamic journal bearing with an annular clearance defining a leakage flow path. One or more of radial or axial thrust bearings may be provided to provide rotation stability to the rotor and flow within the leakage flow path. The relative orientation of positions of the inflow, outflow, and leakage flow paths may be varied within the pump, such as to accommodate different intended methods for implantation and / or use.

A system and methods of using a multi-lumen catheter and a blood pump to increase cardiac output and blood oxygenation are described. The system diverts deoxygenated blood from the right atrium to the left atrium, through the atrial septum. The catheter is adapted for simultaneously pumping blood to and from a patient's heart. A gas exchanger may be used as part of the system to remove CO2 and add o2 to the blood that is pumped via the system. Components or portions of the system may be implantable in the patient.

The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.

A system for performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure comprises a cannula, a bone filler material delivery nozzle for performing the procedure through the cannula, and a retainer for securing the delivery nozzle relative to the cannula. The retainer eliminates the need to manually stabilize and position the delivery nozzle during the procedure, thereby allowing the physician to perform the procedure outside of the fluoroscopic radiation field used to visualize the procedure location. The retainer can be attached to the cannula, and can provide either selective or constant clamping force onto the delivery nozzle.

Prepare a polymeric foam by expanding a foamable polymer composition comprising alumina boehmite.

A heart assist device comprising a rotary pump housing having a cylindrical bore, a pumping chamber and a motor stator including an electrically conductive coil located within the housing and surrounding a portion of the cylindrical bore. A rotor has a cylindrical shaft with an impeller and one or of magnets located within the shaft that are responsive to the motor stator to drive actuation of the rotor. The housing bore is closely fitted to the outer surface of the shaft forming a hydrodynamic journal bearing with an annular clearance defining a leakage flow path. One or more of radial or axial thrust bearings may be provided to provide rotation stability to the rotor and flow within the leakage flow path. The relative orientation of positions of the inflow, outflow, and leakage flow paths may be varied within the pump, such as to accommodate different intended methods for implantation and / or use.

The present invention provides an electrical block implant sized and shaped for securement at the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium of the left atrium. By utilizing various expandable ring designs and optional anchoring mechanisms, the present invention causes even, circular scarring around the perimeter of the pulmonary ostium, achieving reliable blocking of aberrant electrical signals responsible for atrial fibrillation.