2559results about How to "Rigid enough" patented technology

The present invention provides improved electrosurgical instruments and systems having electrocautery energy supply conductors that provide inhibited current leakage and methods of performing a robotically controlled minimally invasive surgical procedure while preventing unintended capacitive coupling. A surgical instrument generally comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal longitudinally extending passage. An electrocautery end effector is coupled to or disposed at the distal end of the shaft. An interface or tool base is coupled to or disposed at the proximal end of the shaft and removably connectable to the robotic surgical system. Typically, an independent electrical conductor extends from the interface to the end effector to transmit electrical energy to tissue engaged by the end effector. A sealed insulation tube extends within the passage and over the conductor. A separation is maintained between the sealed insulation tube and the conductor.

A method of treating a biological tissue that enables dry storage of said tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the biological tissue with a non-aqueous treatment solution comprising a polyhydric alcohol and a C1-C3 alcohol and removing a portion of the treatment solution from the solution-treated biological tissue. Also disclosed is biological tissue prepared using the above process and prosthetic devices made with such tissue.

A device (10) for treatment of obesity of a patient comprises an annular element (12) having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary, and an elongated flexible tube (14) extending from the relatively small inner boundary of the annular element to a distal end. The relatively large outer boundary is adapted to be attached to an inner wall of a stomach (100) of a patient, such that the annular element divides the stomach (100) into two chambers, an esophagus-end chamber close to an esophagus of the patient, and a pylorus-end chamber close to a pylorus of the patient. The invention also provides a method for treatment of obesity of a patient which includes inserting an annular element having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary into a stomach of the patient, and attaching the relatively large outer boundary of the annular element to an inner circumference of the stomach of the patient.

A wound dressing system includes a fluid permeable support member for positioning within a wound and adapted to generally conform to a topography of a wound, a plurality of beads supported by the support member, an outer member for positioning over the wound to substantially enclose the beads and a conduit for supplying reduced pressure to the wound. The support member is adapted to permit exudates from the wound to pass therethrough. The beads are characterized by having sufficient rigidity to substantially maintain respective shapes thereof to thereby facilitate passage of the exudates through spaces or passages defined between adjacent beads. The beads may comprise glass, an acrylic or a polymeric material. The support member may comprise a polymeric or fabric material. The support member may be an enclosure member or pouch which houses the beads. Multiple pouches are also envisioned.

A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the functional element is positioned at a selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter. Then the functional unit treats the annular fissure. Optionally, there is an additional step of adding a substance to seal the fissure. An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus also is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a skin engaging member for use in a razor blade cartridge assembly or shaving systems of the wet shave type comprising an elongated flexible sheath region and at least one elongated, rigid core region. The core region is surrounded by the sheath such that the outer surface of the core does not intersect the outer surface of the sheath. Generally, the core or cores extend axially throughout the sheath and provide sufficient mechanical strength and rigidity to provide adequate mechanical strength and rigidity to provide adequate mechanical strength to the entire skin engaging member, as initially produced, during the shaving operation and after a significant amount of shaves.

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for preventing the undesired passage of emboli from a venous blood pool to an arterial blood pool. The invention relates especially to a device and method for treating certain cardiac defects, especially patent foramen ovales and other septal defects, through the use of an embolic filtering device capable of instantaneously deterring the passage of emboli from the moment of implantation. The device consists of a frame, and a braided mesh of sufficient dimensions to prevent passage of emboli through the mesh. The device is preferably composed of shape memory allow, such as Nitinol, which conforms to the shape and dimension of the defect to be treated.

A device (10) for treatment of obesity of a patient comprises an annular element (12) having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary, and an elongated flexible tube (14) extending from the relatively small inner boundary of the annular element to a distal end. The relatively large outer boundary is adapted to be attached to an inner wall of a stomach (100) of a patient, such that the annular element divides the stomach (100) into two chambers, an esophagus-end chamber close to an esophagus of the patient, and a pylorus-end chamber close to a pylorus of the patient. The invention also provides a method for treatment of obesity of a patient which includes inserting an annular element having a relatively large outer boundary and a relatively small inner boundary into a stomach of the patient, and attaching the relatively large outer boundary of the annular element to an inner circumference of the stomach of the patient.

A medical device for clamping the stomach in morbid obesity surgery consists of a silicone frame that is essentially U-shaped, having opposing legs self-hinged to a bight portion interconnecting the legs. The opposing legs have sufficient stiffness to permit limited bending and have inner surfaces that sealingly carry an inflatable balloon which can be selectively inflated or aspirated after the device has been clamped to the stomach to adjust the gastric restriction stoma. A flexible latch member carried by one of the legs has at least one serration which is inserted into a latch cavity of the opposing leg to lock the opposing legs in fixed spaced relationship. Lumens within the legs communicate with a fluid supply source and respective inflatable balloon for selective inflation or aspiration of the inflatable balloons.

A vascular catheter system comprises a catheter body having a proximal and distal portion and a single common lumen therebetween. The catheter body includes a first connector secured to the distal end of the proximal portion and a second connector secured to the proximal end of the distal portion. The connectors can be selectively connected to each other to join the lumens of the proximal and distal portions together in a continuous, axially fixed relationship. Disposed within the lumens, when the proximal and distal portions are joined together, is a drive cable. The drive cable may be movably, rotatable about its own longitudinal axis and carries at its distal end, a work element, which is typically an ultrasonic imaging transducer or interventional device. The lumen carrying the cable will be sufficiently large along a proximal portion to permit preferential collapse of the cable should rotation of the distal end become impeded. The catheter body may be made of a polymer or plastic material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which provides adequate bonding stiffness and resistance to kinking from large hoop stresses.

The invention relates to a device for the removal of foreign bodies and thrombi from body cavities and blood vessels using a guide wire provided with a distal element with said distal element being provided with an orthogonal structure.

A cushion (10, 12) has a plenum (16) which includes a plurality of flexible plastic woven tubes (34) held within a pair of similarly woven sheathes (38,40). The plenum has its sides and bottom covered by an air impermeable (14) layer with the top covered by an air permeable layer (20). A low to medium density foam pad (19) is located between the plenum (16) and the top layer (20). Conditioned air is provided to the cushions (10,12) from a Stirling cycle heat pump (44).

An anatomic space of the body, particularly the pericardial space, is accessed in a minimally invasive manner from a skin incision by an access instrument to facilitate visualization and introduction of devices or drugs or other materials, performance of medical and surgical procedures, and introducing and fixating a cardiac lead electrode to the heart. An elongated access instrument body preferentially bends in one direction and resists bending in a transverse direction, whereby the access instrument body distal end can be directed through a path around body structures to the anatomic site by manipulation of the access instrument body proximal end portion. A distal header formed at the access instrument body distal end extends outward of the access instrument body in the transverse direction and supports an inflatable balloon surrounding a working lumen exit port that is directed toward an anatomic surface when the balloon is inflated by inflation media introduced through an inflation lumen.

The invention relates to leadless cardiac pacemakers (LBS), and elements and methods by which they affix to the heart. The invention relates particularly to a secondary fixation of leadless pacemakers which also include a primary fixation. Secondary fixation elements for LBS's may passively engage structures within the heart. Some passive secondary fixation elements entangle or engage within intraventricular structure such as trabeculae carneae. Other passive secondary fixation elements may engage or snag heart structures at sites upstream from the chamber where the LBS is primarily affixed. Still other embodiments of passive secondary fixation elements may include expandable structures.

A microelectronic subassembly 210 includes a substrate 215 having a top surface 216 and at least one peripheral region 219, a microelectronic element 201 mounted over the substrate 215, a plurality of leads 218, 222 electrically connected to the microelectronic element 201 having outer ends overlying the at least one peripheral region 219 of the substrate 215, and vertical conductors 208 electrically connected with the outer ends of the leads. The subassembly includes an encapsulant layer 204 provided over the top surface 216 of the substrate 215 and around the microelectronic element 201 and the vertical conductors 208 for stiffening the substrate 215 at the at least one peripheral region 219 of the substrate for facilitating handling and testing of the subassembly.

A cushion (10, 12) has a plenum (16) which includes a plurality of flexible plastic woven tubes (34) held within a pair of similarly woven sheathes (38,40). The plenum has its sides and bottom covered by an air impermeable (14) layer with the top covered by an air permeable layer (20). A low to medium density foam pad (19) is located between the plenum (16) and the top layer (20). Conditioned air is provided to the cushions (10,12) from a Stirling cycle heat pump (44).

A reverse tapered guidewire may comprise a proximal segment and a distal segment. The proximal segment may have a cross-sectional diameter smaller than a cross-sectional diameter of the distal segment. The guidewire may be inserted through an access site on a patient. A medical device may be advanced over the proximal segment of the guidewire. After the medical device is withdrawn from the patient, the guidewire may be used to re-access the site.

PCT No. PCT / JP97 / 01514 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 28, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 28, 1998 PCT Filed May 2, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97 / 45489 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 4, 1997A pneumatic tire having an air permeation preventive layer comprising a low permeability thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer having a thermoplastic resin composition as a continuous phase and a rubber composition as a dispersed phase, in which a barrier resin composition is contained, which low permeability thermoplastic elastomer composition has a phase structure in which the barrier resin composition is dispersed in the form of a flat state in the thermoplastic elastomer, is abundant in flexibility, is superior in gas permeation preventive property, and enables the tire to be reduced in weight.

Polymer-bioceramic structures are described for use in the repair of bone defects. The composites of the present disclosure are characterized by a polymer disposed in a porous bioceramic matrix. Processes for preparing the composites of the present invention by compression molding are described, including compression molding to induce orientation of the polymer is multiple directions. The composites of the present invention are also useful as drug delivery vehicles to facilitate the repair of bone defects.

A heart valve implant is disclosed herein. The heart valve implant comprises an inflatable valve body, a shaft, an anchor assembly and an inflation (injection) port. Also disclosed herein, are methods of trans-apically and trans-septally delivering a heart valve implant within a heart such that the valve body can be inflated in situ to partially or completely restrict blood flow through a heart valve in a closed position. The inflation (injection) port permits inflation of the valve body with an adjustable amount of an inflation fluid to attain a desired degree of inflation of the valve body when disposed within the heart valve.

A method of treating a biological tissue that enables dry storage of said tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting the biological tissue with a non-aqueous treatment solution comprising a polyhydric alcohol and a C1-C3 alcohol and removing a portion of the treatment solution from the solution-treated biological tissue. Also disclosed is biological tissue prepared using the above process and prosthetic devices made with such tissue.

The invention relates to optical fiber cables and, more specifically, to an optical fiber cable especially suited for blown installation or pushing installation in microducts of small diameter. An exemplary microcable for installation in small microducts has an outer sheath as buffer tube that holds a plurality of optical fibers without a layer of strength elements stranded around the outer sheath, which is made of one single thermoplastic material.

A skirt panel is provided herein for interconnection to another abutted similar skirt panel for attachment beneath a lower, outer longitudinally-extending edge of a trailer including a rear wheel assembly of a tractor-trailer rig, thereby to provide a continuous fairing extending downwardly from the trailer. The skirt panel includes a monolithic, generally-rectangular composite reinforced thermoplastic structure, having vertical lateral side edges configured and arranged for connection to associated vertical lateral side edges of abutting similar skirt panels. This provides a longitudinally-extending fairing for extending contiguously on each side of the trailer, a front face of the thermoplastic structure being provided with a plurality of longitudinally-extending, vertically-spaced-apart arcuate protrusions. The outer face of the thermoplastic panel preferably also is provided with dimples. The reinforcing comprising a panel secured to an inner face of the skirt panel and is provided with laterally-extending means whereby abutting skirt panels are secured to one another; whereby, when said fairing is secured to a lower portion of said trailer, the fairing extends downwardly from the trailer to from 60% to 80% of the distance to the road, so that a portion of any impinging air is directed laterally around the wheels of the rear wheel bogeys to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the trailer and of the wheel assembly.

The present invention is directed to a minimally invasive system and method for monitoring changes in a cervix opening during labor, including changes in its diameter. The system having a probe and a monitoring unit serve to monitor periodically the cervix opening during labor and obtain measurements of the diameter of the cervix opening. The probe primarily includes a camera for imaging the cervix opening, a lens to provide an optimal field of view for the camera at close range to the cervix opening, a light source to illuminate the cervix and a balloon to expand the vagina around the probe and position the probe to allow unobstructed imaging of the cervix. The monitoring unit which controls the probe to acquire images of the cervix and receives and processes image data from the probe includes a processor which uses image segmentation techniques to identify and measure the opening of the cervix and generates data signals. The monitoring unit also includes an image display which displays information based on the data signals for viewing by health care providers and / or the patient, including graphic images of the cervix opening and other text information relating to the cervix opening as an indicator of the progress of labor. In one embodiment, the processor implements segmentation techniques and / or blob analysis algorithms to analyze the images of the cervix to identify the opening and measure its diameter. Other algorithms may also be implemented to correct for any spatial distortion, particularly barrel distortion.