31504 results about "Blood circulation" patented technology

A blood flow controlling apparatus, which is configured to be implanted into a blood circulatory system of a patient, comprises an anchoring means, which is arranged to fix the position of the apparatus in the blood circulatory system, and a valve means being connected to the anchoring means. The valve means is configured to be arranged within the blood circulatory system and is configured to be extendable in a direction transverse to blood flow in order to make contact with native tissue when inserted in the blood circulatory system. The valve means is further configured to release said contact as a result of being exposed to blood flow in a permitted direction.

An inflatable circulation assist device is disclosed consisting of an inflatable stator housing an impeller with inflatable blades of varying shapes and sizes. The invention is introduced into the patient percutaneously. The circulation assist device is a small pump packaged into a compact form that is attached to a long flexible driveshaft. The pump is inserted along a guidewire to a target location, and then the pump is inflated. The circulation assist device's exterior is designed to expand only so much as to closely fit whatever cardiovascular system element in which it is placed for operation. The vascular assist device can be expanded either by inflation with a fluid. The driveshaft, which connects to the circulation assist device's impeller and extends outside the patient's body, is rotated by an external motor. After the circulation assist device is no longer needed, it is collapsed into a compact form and removed from the patient percutaneously.

A method is provided for facilitating a diagnosis of a condition of a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject, and a neural tract originating in or leading to the SPG, and configuring the current to increase conductance of molecules from brain tissue of the subject through a blood brain barrier (BBB) of the subject into a systemic blood circulation of the subject. The method also includes sensing a quantity of the molecules from a site outside of the brain of the subject, following initiation of application of the current.

The bagged mangosteen tea may be pure mangosteen powder or the mixture of mangosteen powder and supplementary material, which may be tea, health food material, probiotics, sea weed, dry fruit and / or flower. The bagged mangosteen tea has the functions of relieving cough, eliminating phlegm, strengthening immunity, nourishing stomach, invigorating spleen, invigorating kidney, promoting blood circulation, etc.

An ultrafiltration device adapted to be worn on a portion of the body of a patient includes a blood inlet tube leading from a first blood vessel, a blood pump, an anticoagulant reservoir for infusing anticoagulants into the blood, a blood filter including a substrate through which the blood is circulated and filtered, a fluid bag for storing the excess fluid and a blood outlet tube leading to a second blood vessel.

New devices and methods are provided for noninvasive and noncontact real-time measurements of tissue blood velocity. The invention uses a digital imaging device such as a detector array that allows independent intensity measurements at each pixel to capture images of laser speckle patterns on any surfaces, such as tissue surfaces. The laser speckle is generated by illuminating the surface of interest with an expanded beam from a laser source such as a laser diode or a HeNe laser as long as the detector can detect that particular laser radiation. Digitized speckle images are analyzed using new algorithms for tissue optics and blood optics employing multiple scattering analysis and laser Doppler velocimetry analysis. The resultant two-dimensional images can be displayed on a color monitor and superimposed on images of the tissues.

A self-powered compression device for use in promoting circulation, said device embodying a plurality of inflatable sleeves arranged sequentially for applying compression to a body or limb and which further comprises a pump, a piping system and a bandage or boot to enclose the device in its entirety. A method for using self-generated pressure in promoting circulation in conditions including but not limited to, lymphatic and traumatic edemas, venous disorders, limb ulcers, varicose veins, muscle fatigue, sports medicine, cellulite treatment, diabetic feet, feet massage for recreation or cosmetic enhancements.

A method for delivering molecules to a central nervous system (CNS) of a subject includes supplying the molecules to a blood circulation of the CNS; supplying, to a body of the subject, a carrier system that encapsulates a nitric oxide (NO) facilitator; and applying energy to the carrier system at an energy level sufficient to cause the carrier system to release the NO facilitator in a blood circulation of the subject in a vicinity of a blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the subject and thereby increase passage of the molecules from the blood circulation of the CNS, through the BBB, and into the CNS of the subject.

The present invention is directed to an intravascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms. The invention consists of a patch stent and, also, a patch stent delivery system allowing one to rotate the stent to align the patch with the neck of the aneurysm. A self-expanding nitinol framework holds the patch in place, a radiopaque agent allows the patch location to be visualized and a pusher tube that is mechanically locked into the unexpanded stent is used to push the stent out of the catheter with rotational and longitudinal control necessary to align the patch with the aneurysm. A self-expanding framework is used to support a patch at the neck of the aneurysm. The patch is designed to reduce the blood circulation in the aneurysm and the stagnant blood will clot or thrombus. The thrombus will stop any current blood leakage into the brain and will dramatically reduce the possibility of future leaks or potentially deadly ruptures. Over time the thrombus will be absorbed and the volume of the aneurysm will shrink reducing pressure on surrounding tissue.

An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment provides a vascular graft that has a first end that is sized and configured to couple to a non-primary blood vessel and a second end that is fluidly coupled to a pump to conduct blood between the pump and the non-primary blood vessel. An outflow conduit is also provided that has a first end sized and configured to be positioned within the same or different blood vessel, whether primary or non-primary, through the vascular graft. The outflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the pump to conduct blood between the pump and the patient. The vascular graft may be connected to the blood vessel subcutaneously to permit application of the extracardiac pumping system in a minimally-invasive procedure.

Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements, capable of expanding from a first volume into an expanded second volume so the device can receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein and then be reduced from the expanded second volume into a pressurized third volume to conformably enclose the portion of the extremity. One or more thermal exchange units can be positioned in the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Accordingly, the temperature of the extremity of a mammal can be regulated by providing a heated or cooled fluid medium or electric thermal energy to the one or more thermal exchange units. Next, by evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed the contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the one or more thermal exchange units is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body elements against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.

An inner sole structure includes an insole integrally woven to form a plurality of resilient areas with supporting hoops and buffer areas without the supporting hoops thereof defining the upper surface thereon wherein the resilient and the buffer areas thereof can be made in any shapes like rectangles, triangles, or tilted stripes and be alternatively interrelated in regular or irregular arrangement thereof. The supporting hoops thereof are stood upright with vents defined therein and dividing passages formed at the adjacent sides thereof, and a coupling facet is disposed at the bottom side of the insole thereon to be integrally combined with a loading pad via thermal pressure operation to generate heat welding thereby. Thus, the resilient areas with the supporting hoops of a proper hardness can flexibly sustain the sole of a human foot stepped downwards thereon, stimulating blood circulation and providing a better massage effect. Besides, via the buffer areas alternatively arranged with the resilient areas thereof, the sole of the foot is partially suspended above the insole thereof, providing more proper and ventilating airy space there-between without the foot stuck stuffily and completely onto the insole thereof so as to keep the hygiene of the foot thereof.

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.

This device comprises a hollow support (13) delimiting, in the vicinity of a distal end (19), a transverse retention opening (23A). It comprises an endoprosthesis (11) which can be deployed between a state retracted against the support (13) and an expanded state. The device comprises a filamentary connection (33A) forming a clamping ring (43) surrounding the endoprosthesis (11) and forming a loop (45) engaged in the support (13) through the retention opening (23A). The device comprises a retention rod (31A) mounted to be movable in the support (13). The retention rod (31A) comprises a hook (35) for retaining the loop (45). The displacement of the retention rod (31A) from a release position to a retention position brings about the tightening of the clamping ring (43).Application to the release of endoprostheses in a blood circulation canal.

This implant (10) comprises a hollow body (30) adapted to be deployed between a compressed configuration and a totally dilated configuration constituting its rest configuration. The hollow body (30) has an internal surface (40) with an axis (X-X′) which delimits a blood circulation passage (42). The implant (10) comprises at least a constricting flexible threadlike link (68) which is linked to the hollow body at at least two linking points (60A, 60B, 60C) which are spaced angularly round the axis (X-X′) on its internal surface (40). The link (68) can be deployed between a retracted state and a deployed state during deployment of the hollow body (30). The distance separating the linking points (60A, 60B, 60C) in the deployed state of the threadlike link (68) is smaller than the distance separating these points (60A, 60B, 60C) in the totally dilated configuration of the hollow body (30) in the absence of threadlike link (68).

An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment of the intravascular extracardiac system comprises a pump with inflow and outflow conduits that are sized and configured to be implantable intravascularly through a non-primary vessel, whereby it may positioned where desired within the patient's vasculature. The system comprises a subcardiac pump that may be driven directly or electromagnetically from within or without the patient. The pump is configured to be operated continuously or in a pulsatile fashion, synchronous with the patient's heart, thereby potentially reducing the afterload of the heart. In another embodiment, the system is positioned extracorporeally, with the inflow conduit and outflow conduit applied percutaneously to a non-primary vessel for circulating blood to and from the non-primary vessel or between the non-primary vessel and another blood vessel within the patient's vasculature.

Methods and systems are provided for the circulation of blood using a purge-free miniature pump. In one embodiment, a pump is provided that may comprise a housing including a rotor and a stator within a drive unit. In this embodiment, the pump may establish a primary blood flow through the space between the drive unit and the housing and a secondary blood flow between the rotor and stator. In another embodiment, a method is provided for introducing the pump into the body and circulating blood using the pump.

The present invention relates to conjugates of a lipid, substrate peptide of an enzyme secreted from the cells of mammals, including humans, and a water-soluble polymer that can be used as colloidal carriers and the like of tissue-specific drug delivery systems, methods of producing these conjugates, peptide-water-soluble polymer conjugates optionally having protective groups that are useful as the intermediates of these conjugates, colloidal carriers made from these conjugates, and tissue-specific drug delivery systems that use these colloidal carriers.

Apparatus is provided for delivering a Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) supplied to a body of a subject for delivery to at least a portion of a central nervous system (CNS) of the subject via a systemic blood circulation of the subject, including a stimulator adapted to stimulate at least one site of the subject, so as to cause an increase in passage of the NSAID from the systemic blood circulation across a blood brain barrier (BBB) of the subject to the portion of the CNS, during at least a portion of the time that the NSAID is present in the blood, the site selected from the list consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) of the subject, an anterior ethmoidal nerve of the subject, a posterior ethmoidal nerve of the subject, a communicating branch between an anterior ethmoidal nerve and a retro-orbital branch of an SPG of the subject, a communicating branch between a posterior ethmoidal nerve and a retro-orbital branch of an SPG of the subject, a greater palatine nerve of the subject, a lesser palatine nerve of the subject, a sphenopalatine nerve of the subject, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG of the subject, a nasopalatine nerve of the subject, a posterior nasal nerve of the subject, an infraorbital nerve of the subject, an otic ganglion of the subject, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion of the subject, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion of the subject, a vidian nerve of the subject, a greater superficial petrosal nerve of the subject, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve of the subject.

One method for diagnosing a cardiovascular-related condition in a breathing person comprises interfacing a valve system to the person's airway. The valve system is configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to inhale and exhale through the valve system. During inhalation, the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing blood circulation and blood pressure. Further, at least one physiological parameter is measured while the person inhales and exhales through the valve system. The measured parameter is evaluated to diagnose a cardiovascular condition.

Methods, apparatus and systems for personal care, such as treatment of a skin or hair treatment surface, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base device is configured to thermally modify (heat or cool) an applicator on a hand piece that can then be used to cleanse, treat and / or otherwise rejuvenate the treatment surface. The applicator can be formulated with a smooth or abrasive material that can absorb, be coated with or otherwise take up a variety of materials, such as liquids, lotions, gels or creams, which are suitable for application to the treatment surface. The base device may thermally modify the material that is then coupled to the applicator and applied to the treatment surface during treatment. Application of the applicator at the desired temperature to the treatment surface may, for example, stimulate deeper blood circulation, clear pores, diminishes or removes deep and fine wrinkles, accelerate acne clearing, treat blemished skin, decrease edema and erythema of the skin, and / or reduce puritis of various etiologies. The hand piece may comprise one or more secondary treatment elements, such as LEDs for photoactivation, electrodes for delivery of micro-currents or vibrating elements for rubbing or abraiding, in order to achieve additional activation of the treatment surface and / or of the thermally modified material coupled to the applicator, which may enhance or improve treatment.

A wristwatch with the function of sensing heart pulses having a watch housing on whose surface a liquid crystal display (LCD) is disposed. A voltage sensor is positioned within the watch housing for detecting the voltage frequency change during the blood circulation. The voltage sensor includes two electric terminals one of which is mounted on a bottom cover of the watch housing to permit a close contact with one hand wrist, and the other consists of two pieces of conductive rubber strips on the front surface of the insulated wristband for fingers of another hand to touch thereon. Both electric terminals are coupled by both hands while the detected voltage change frequency undergoes a static electric filtration by inductors and is transmitted to a filter shaping circuit for creating signals that are brought into a central processing unit to perform the processing and the calculating actions thereof. So, the processed result of the heart pulse rate is presented on the LCD.

A piezoelectric thin film sensor array is used to scan and capture biometric data, for example, a fingerprint image. In one embodiment, a multi-layer structure includes a PVDF layer in between two conductor grids arranged orthogonally to one another. Urethane can be added to one side where a finger is placed. A foam substrate can be used as a support. In one feature, the PVDF, and grids can be peeled off like a label for easy replacement. Multiplexers are switched to scan the sensor. A single pixel or a group of pixels can be detected and output to an image memory. The presence of a fingerprint ridge is detected by virtue of a ring-down oscillation that arises from reflection when an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric thin film sensor array at a pixel in contact with the fingerprint ridge. For example, such a ring-down value associated with a fingerprint ridge can be detected at about 150 ns. (or 5 cycles at 30 MHZ). Other reflections indicative of additional biometrics (e.g. from tissue, blood, bone, fingernail, etc.) can also be detected. A Doppler effect due to reflections from circulating blood can also be detected. Such a Doppler effect can provide further information about direction and speed of blood circulation. An instantaneous pyroelectric effect can also be detected to indicate a live finger presence.

A method and device for increasing blood flow by applying positive pressure to extremities of a mammal and / or controlling the temperature of the mammal. The device includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements capable of expanding and flexibly applying pressurized compression forces to the extremity of the mammal by attaching one or more pressure-applying gas plenums as close to the extremity as possibly. The flexible extremity device can be used independently or can be used in conjunction with thermal pads disposed to the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Alternatively, the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements can be manufactured into thermal pads.

A method for increasing circulation in a breathing person utilizes a valve system that is interfaced to the person's airway and is configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to inhale and exhale through the valve system. During inhalation, the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing cardiac output and blood circulation.

Disclosed herein are methods for treating amyloid disease in humans by clearing amyloid peptides from one or more bodily fluids such as, e.g., blood, of a patient. In particular, the methods are based on the administration capable of binding to amyloid-beta (Aβ) or on dialysis of blood or plasma exchange in order to remove Aβ peptides from the blood circulation, and / or brain or other affected organs.

One method for diagnosing a cardiovascular-related condition in a breathing person comprises interfacing a valve system to the person's airway. The valve system is configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to inhale and exhale through the valve system. During inhalation, the valve system functions to produce a vacuum within the thorax to increase blood flow back to the right heart of the person, thereby increasing blood circulation and blood pressure. Further, at least one physiological parameter is measured both prior to and while the person inhales and exhales through the valve system. The measured parameters are evaluated to confirm the initial diagnosis of a cardiovascular condition.