2975 results about "Abdomen" patented technology

Devices, systems and methods are provided for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. In particular, fixation devices are provided comprising a pair of elements each having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, and an engagement surface therebetween for engaging the tissue, the first ends being moveable between an open position wherein the free ends are spaced apart and a closed position wherein the free ends are closer together with the engagement surfaces generally facing each other. The fixation devices also include a locking mechanism coupled to the elements for locking the elements in place. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site.

This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

A system and method for treating nausea and vomiting are provided, including one or more electrodes (10, 12) applied on or under the skin, the electrodes being connected to an external current source (34). The electrodes can be implanted under the skin and connect to internal stimulator electronics (22), which can form a magnetic inductive link to the external current source (34). Alternatively, the electrodes can be placed on the skin and directly linked by wires to the external current source. As a further alternative, the vagus nerve can be directly stimulated in the neck, or the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or intestines can be directly stimulated by magnetic stimulation. The electrodes can stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck to reduce nausea and vomiting, or can be arranged near the chest or abdomen, so as to stimulate the esophagus, stomach, duodenum or intestines. Because the current source is provided outside the body, it is not necessary to implant batteries or another power supply in the body.

The invention provides a multi-sensor system that uses an algorithm based on adaptive filtering to monitor a patient's respiratory rate. The system features a first sensor selected from the following group: i) an impedance pneumography sensor featuring at least two electrodes and a processing circuit configured to measure an impedance pneumography signal; ii) an ECG sensor featuring at least two electrodes and an ECG processing circuit configured to measure an ECG signal; and iii) a PPG sensor featuring a light source, photodetector, and PPG processing circuit configured to measure a PPG signal. Each of these sensors measures a time-dependent signal which is sensitive to respiratory rate and, during operation, is processed to determine an initial respiratory rate value. An adaptive digital filter is determined from the initial respiratory rate. The system features a second sensor (e.g. a digital 3-axis accelerometer) that attaches to the patient's torso and measures an ACC signal indicating movement of the chest or abdomen that is also sensitive to respiratory rate. This second signal is processed with the adaptive filter to determine a final value for respiratory rate.

A surgical tissue retrieval instrument has a collapsible pouch at the distal end of an elongated pusher rod that is introduced into a patient's abdomen through a cannula. The instrument includes a two-jaw fork that forms a loop when in an unconstrained configuration and that supports the pouch. Deployment and operation of the fork and the pouch are controlled by a toggle means. The two jaws and the toggle means are slid in a hem surrounding the opening of the pouch when the device is assembled. An especially advantageous embodiment features two jaws of unequal length.

The invention provides a multi-sensor system that uses an algorithm based on adaptive filtering to monitor a patient's respiratory rate. The system features a first sensor selected from the following group: i) an impedance pneumography sensor featuring at least two electrodes and a processing circuit configured to measure an impedance pneumography signal; ii) an ECG sensor featuring at least two electrodes and an ECG processing circuit configured to measure an ECG signal; and iii) a PPG sensor featuring a light source, photodetector, and PPG processing circuit configured to measure a PPG signal. Each of these sensors measures a time-dependent signal which is sensitive to respiratory rate and, during operation, is processed to determine an initial respiratory rate value. An adaptive digital filter is determined from the initial respiratory rate. The system features a second sensor (e.g. a digital 3-axis accelerometer) that attaches to the patient's torso and measures an ACC signal indicating movement of the chest or abdomen that is also sensitive to respiratory rate. This second signal is processed with the adaptive filter to determine a final value for respiratory rate.

The invention provides an integrated patch for the non-invasive monitoring of a laboring woman. The patch incorporates biopotential electrodes for sensing fetal ECG and EMG indicative of myometrial activity. The patch also incorporates a processor for extracting labor activity and fetal heart activity after filtering out maternal ECG from the composite biopotential signal present on the abdomen of the pregnant woman. The fetal monitor patch is thin, flexible, and incorporates a battery and biopotential amplifier network. In the preferred embodiment, the patch is disposable and worn continuously during labor or later stages of pregnancy. In a hospital embodiment for intrapartum monitoring, the patch wirelessly transmits fetal heart activity and myometrial activity to a bedside monitor or a remote monitoring station.

Circulatory assistance is provided in a non-invasive procedure safely and effectively using a microprocessor of an external counter pulsation device programmed to control the actuation of any or all of a plurality of valves, each of which is mounted on and in fluid communication with one of a plurality of individual inflatable bladders disposed in pockets within cuffs encasing the calves, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and/or chest of a person and an optional valve in fluid communication with the person's airway, in any desired sequence or order, toward the heart or toward the feet, either during diastole or systole, at desired inception times during the cardiac cycle, for selected durations and at chosen pressures, for treating a variety of cardiac, non-cardiac and circulatory conditions.

A system and method for abdominal surgery is disclosed. The system can have one or more end effectors that can be attached to an introducer and/or tray and inserted into the abdomen through a large puncture through the patient's umbilicus. The end effector can have a surgical tool, such as a grasper. The system can have a manipulatable control arm that can be inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's body wall. The end effector can be attached to the control arm and simultaneously or concurrently detached from the introducer or tray. The control arm can then manipulate the end effector to perform the surgery.

A leadless implantable cardioverter defibrillator (5) for treatment of sudden cardiac death includes a controller and at least one remote module. The defibrillator does not require transvenous/vascular access for intracardiac lead placement. The controller is leadless and uses subcutaneous tissue in proximity of the chest and abdomen for both sensing and defibrillation. The controller and one or more remote sensors sense a need for defibrillation and wireless communicate with the controller. The controller and one of the sensors discharge a synchronized defibrillation pulse to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue in proximity to the heart.

The invention provides a low cost, fully integrated, disposable patch for the non-invasive monitoring of labor contractions. The patch monitors EMG bursts present on a pregnant woman's abdomen via a set of electrodes embedded in the invented patch. The contraction monitor patch is thin, flexible, and incorporates EMG amplifiers, a processor, a battery, and an indicator within. The indicator is activated when labor EMG patterns are detected. The labor detection patch is particularly suited for women with risk of premature delivery. The patch is unobtrusively and continuously worn, even during sleep and bathing. In another embodiment, the contraction monitor patch is used in hospitals during labor and delivery to monitor the status of contractions with a wireless link to an external monitoring unit.

A portable pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet for occlusion of the abdominal descending aorta to restrict blood supply to a non-compressible arterial hemorrhage in the abdominal region. The tourniquet comprising an adjustable waist strap for securing around an abdomen; a directed air bladder mounted to the waist strap having a generally “V” shaped construction operable between a deflated condition wherein the directed air bladder is collapsed, and an inflated condition wherein the directed air bladder is expanded for exerting pressure against the abdomen; and, an air source connected to the directed air bladder for operating the directed air bladder between the deflated condition and the inflated condition.

This invention is in the domain of minimally invasive surgery and is a method and apparatus that transforms and displays images of internal organs and tissues taken from internally located imaging devices on external skin. The image displayed on the skin aligns with the actual physical location, orientation, and size of the internal organs and tissues in a way that viewers have the perception that the skin is transparent. This method and apparatus enables surgeons to have the same hand-eye coordination as in an open surgery during a minimally invasive surgery.

A human body partial manikin having the same flexibility, elasticity, and texture as the human body is provided. And a manikin which has a feeling when it is cut open by means of a scalpel or scissors, similar to a feeling when an actual operation is performed by using a human body and is optimum for the anatomical practice of an inguinal hernia is provided. Accordingly, the human body partial manikin includes a skin portion which represents a skin layer on the surface of a lower abdomen of a human body, an abdominal external oblique muscle portion, an abdominal internal oblique muscle portion, a transverse abdominal muscle portion, a fascia transversalis portion, a fascia extraperitoneal portion, a peritoneum portion, and an abdominal cavity portion toward the inside of the manikin, wherein these respective portions are formed of a silicone resin.