4663results about How to "Stable position" patented technology

An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge component, an anvil component, a buttress component and a fastening member. The staple cartridge component includes a plurality of surgical staples arranged in an annular array. The anvil component is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp the organ sections between the staple cartridge and anvil components. The buttress components are configured and dimensioned to be positioned on a distal surface of the staple cartridge component and the proximal surface of the anvil component. In particular, the buttress component includes a buttress member and a plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs extending proximally from the buttress member. The fastening member is configured and dimensioned to engage the plurality of circumferentially arranged tabs to securely position the buttress component on the staple cartridge component.

The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

The present invention provides an aortic valvuloplasty catheter which, in one preferred embodiment, has a tapered distal balloon segment that anchors within the left ventricle outflow track of the patient's heart and a rounded proximal segment which conforms to the aortic sinuses forcing the valve leaflets open. In addition, this embodiment of the valvuloplasty catheter includes a fiber-based balloon membrane, a distal pigtail end hole catheter tip, and a catheter sheath.

A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and / or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be percutaneously advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure.

Visualization apparatus and methods for transseptal access are described herein where intravascular access across a septal wall is facilitated via devices which provide for direct visual viewing of tissue area. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to the tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. Any number of therapeutic tools or a guidewire can be passed through the catheter and into the imaging hood for crossing the septal wall and passing the guidewire or instruments therethrough.

A nasal cannula assembly designed for contact with the nasalabidial area of a patient's face comprising a nasal cannula, a pair of oxygen supply tubes connected to opposite ends of the nasal cannula and a main oxygen supply line. The nasal cannula is made of a flexible plastic material molded into a light-weight hollow tubular member having a main body portion formed at an acute angle in the center and having a pair of spaced exterior orifices projecting from the body at an angle and curved upwardly and inwardly for directing gas flow into a patient's nostrils. Attachment points for oxygen supply tubes are above center of gravity of the nasal cannula to make it self-righting thus eliminating need for stiff supply tubing to orient cannula. Oxygen supply tubes made from ultra-high molecular weight PVC possess superior flexibility and low compression set so that little tension on the tubing is required to hold cannula in proper position. A main oxygen supply line made from ultra-high molecular weight PVC resists the formation of twisted loops that tend to block oxygen flow.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides a system and method for providing a dynamically reconfigurable watermark, and the use of the watermark to encode a stochastically variable property of the carrier medium for self-authentication purposes.

A method of securing a spinal rod to a spine includes providing a head portion having a channel extending therethrough for receiving a spinal rod, the channel and the head portion being bounded by a first side wall and a second side wall. The method includes providing a bone fastener depending from the head portion, arranging the spinal rod in the channel of the head portion, and providing a locking cap having first and second portions that are rotatable relative to one another, the second portion of the locking cap having an underside with a recess. The method includes assembling the locking cap with the head portion so that the first portion is between the first and second side walls and so that the recess of the second portion of the locking cap is in contact with the spinal rod. While maintaining the recess of the second portion of the locking cap in contact with the spinal rod, the first portion of the locking cap is rotated, such rotation translating into a locking force applied by the second portion of the locking cap onto the spinal rod.

A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure. The deployment system is operative to selectively anchor the respective anchor members into position within a tissue mass. Although suitable for a wide variety of applications, it is believed that the system and sling of the present invention are particularly well suited for the deployment of suburethral slings via a trans-obturator route.

The present invention is directed to systems for occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall. Generally, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a mesh-like structure that is integrally composed of a shape-memory alloy such as NiTi. The device is deployed within the aneurysm through the aneurysmal neck. The device is configured to be in a deployed state and an undeployed state, and is configured to transition from the undeployed state to the deployed state by exposure to a higher temperature and / or by being unconstrained. The device may function to retain finer vaso-occlusive devices such as vaso-occlusive coils and / or embolic liquids. Furthermore, the device itself may function as a vaso-occlusive device.

An apparatus for holding a first fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector includes a housing configured to secure the first fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector at a first end and a strain relief boot connected to a second end of the housing. The housing and the strain relief boot are configured to form a passageway to receive a fiber optic cable that is connected to both the first fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector.

An improved osteotomy guide and retraction device for use during the performance of bunionectomies, whereby the improved device provides a self-supporting instrument that does not require independent fastening means to secure the device in the desired position at the surgical site, and a method of use of the device.

The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres microspheres and a biocompatible carrier for use in dermal augmentation. The present invention further relates to methods of dermal augmentation, particularly for the treatment of skin contour deficiencies, using the injectable compositions.

Artificial disc devices are disclosed that restore correct anatomical intervertebral spacing for damaged discs while maintaining a substantially normal range of biomechanical movement for the vertebrae between which they are implanted. The disc devices include center bearing and outer or annular bearing portions with the center bearing portion including generally axially extending locating surfaces which cooperate with the facing vertebral surfaces to resist migration. The outer bearing portion is for load bearing or load sharing with the center bearing portion and includes surfaces that extend radially toward the periphery of the vertebrae so that subsidence about the center bearing portion is minimized. Alternate forms of the disc devices include one with an axially enlarged center ball bearing having an annular ring bearing extending thereabout and another having upper and lower plate members with a central bumper member and a surrounding resilient annular member therebetween.

A weld cap is configured and dimensioned to interact with a resilient element, e.g., a spring, and a structural member, e.g., an end cap, so as to securely position the spring relative to the end cap. The weld cap functions to distance the welding process and associated welding energy from the spring, thereby avoiding and / or minimizing any potentially undesirable annealing effect associated with securing / welding the spring relative to the end cap. A first weld cap interacts with the spring at a first end region thereof, and a second weld cap interacts with the spring at a second end region thereof, thereby effectively securing the spring with respect to opposed end caps at either end of an elongated spinal stabilization device. Alignment grooves or channels may be provided for orienting or aligning the spring with respect to the end caps and weld caps. The end regions of the spring may also include bend regions that facilitate the assembly process and / or further minimize the freedom of movement of the spring relative to the end cap / weld cap combination. The dynamic stabilization device and associated system provide advantageous clinical results in spinal applications.

The present invention relates to a clamp, and, more particularly, to a clamp for securing the position of a bone anchor with respect to a longitudinal rod, preferably for use in the spine. The clamp may include a housing, a rod clamping assembly, and a bone anchor clamping assembly. The clamp preferably enables the longitudinal axis of the rod to be offset or laterally displaced from the longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. The rod clamping assembly and the bone anchor clamping assembly are preferably moveably coupled to the housing in order to provide increased flexibility to better accommodate the location and geometry of the longitudinal rod and to better accommodate bone positioning.

An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.

A stent is provided with a series of short pieces or sections connected together by at least one polymer fiber or wire. The polymer fiber or wire can be biodegradable or durable. The fiber polymers may also contain beads, blobs and bulges in the fibers. The stent sections are designed to separate or articulate with time as the body lumen moves in response to biological and physiological events.

The invention provides surgical devices that provide access to the sub-retinal space using delicate traction to hold the sensory retina to create and maintain a patent sub-retinal space of sufficient size to introduce and perform treatments on the eye. Such treatments may include the introduction of illumination or imaging agents or tools, surgical tools, the infusion of pharmaceutical or biological agents, and the placement of grafts, transplants or implants and the closure of the site through the delivery of a sealant.

An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.

An operating device is, while in use, connected to an image processor which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a monitor on the basis of a program. The operating device is provided with an analog joystick in addition to a plurality of switches, and outputs operation signals by which the image data can be modified according to an operation by an operator. The analog joystick includes a lever having a tip end which is protruded from a housing and inclined in an arbitrary direction including North, South, East and West. There is provided with a guide ring which includes a guide wall having an octagonal outer edge around the lever, and the guide wall guides the lever to eight corners, that is, upper, lower, left, right, right-upper, right-lower, left-upper and left-lower corners.

Wearable devices capable of measuring a core body temperature and other vital signs of a user in a range of situations are described herein. The wearable device is arranged to be retained within the ear canal of the ear, in order to prevent the wearable device from inadvertently removing itself from the ear. Providing an infrared thermopile at the innermost end of the ear insert ensures that the infrared thermopile is provided as close as possible to the tympanic membrane which will be used to provide an indication of the core body temperature.

A Linking Transconnector is disclosed for coupling a first longitudinal spinal rod to a second longitudinal spinal rod. The Linking Transconnector generally includes a pair of hook engaging members for engaging the longitudinal spinal rods, a lateral rod for spanning a distance between the hook engaging members, and a locking element which interconnects the hook engaging members with the lateral rod. The locking element being configured to allow for multiple degrees of adjustment to permit the Linking Transconnector to accommodate for varying spinal rod alignments. The locking element also permits the location of the lateral rod to be fixed relative to the hook engaging members once the desired position of the lateral rod with respect to the longitudinal spinal rods has been achieved. The locking element may also be able to fix the position of the lateral rod with respect to the hook engaging members by a force applied to the locking element.

A weld cap is configured and dimensioned to interact with a resilient element, e.g., a spring, and a structural member, e.g., an end cap, so as to securely position the spring relative to the end cap. The weld cap functions to distance the welding process and associated welding energy from the spring, thereby avoiding and / or minimizing any potentially undesirable annealing effect associated with securing / welding the spring relative to the end cap. A first weld cap interacts with the spring at a first end region thereof, and a second weld cap interacts with the spring at a second end region thereof, thereby effectively securing the spring with respect to opposed end caps at either end of an elongated spinal stabilization device. Alignment grooves or channels may be provided for orienting or aligning the spring with respect to the end caps and weld caps. The end regions of the spring may also include bend regions that facilitate the assembly process and / or further minimize the freedom of movement of the spring relative to the end cap / weld cap combination. The dynamic stabilization device and associated system provide advantageous clinical results in spinal applications.

One embodiment provides a bone fastener including a collar, a fastener member, and a pin. The collar can have an upper portion with slot to receive an elongated member and a lower portion with a socket and an opening. The fastener member can have head and shank portions. The socket can receive the head portion and prevent movement of the head portion through the opening when the head portion is out of registration with the opening. The head portion and the socket can be configured to allow angulation of the fastener member within a defined range of motion within a selected plane. The head portion and the socket can define apertures which can be aligned with each other when the head portion is in the socket and which can receive the pin. One embodiment provides a generally spherical head portion with a flat.