607 results about "Healing time" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system and devices provide simplified use and reduced risk of adverse events. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.

Methods and devices transmit micromechanical forces locally on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing. Micromechanical forces can selectively be applied directly to tissue, in some embodiments, by using microchambers fluidically connected to microchannels. Each chamber, or in some cases, group of chambers, may be associated with a valve to control vacuum pressure, positive pressure, liquid delivery, and / or liquid removal from each chamber or group of chambers. Application of embodiments of the invention may shorten wound-healing time, reduce costs of therapy, enable restoration of functional tissue, and reduce the need for more invasive therapies, including surgery.

Methods and devices for transmitting micromechanical forces locally to induce surface convolutions into tissues on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing are presented. These convolutions induce a moderate stretching of individual cells, stimulating cellular proliferation and elaboration of natural growth factors without increasing the size of the wound. Micromechanical forces can be applied directly to tissue, through biomolecules or the extracellular matrix. This invention can be used with biosensors, biodegradable materials and drug delivery systems. This invention will also be useful in pre-conditioned tissue-engineering constructs in vitro. Application of this invention will shorten healing times for wounds and reduce the need for invasive surgery.

Method embodiments to implant a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A method embodiment begins by inserting a needle posterior to the sacrum through an entry point. The needle is guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead. The needle is removed from the insertion path. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location. The dilator is removed from the insertion path. Additionally if the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer. The stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. After the stimulation lead has been anchored, the incision can be closed, or the stimulation lead proximal end can be tunneled to where an implantable neurostimulator is located and then the incision can be closed. A implanted sacral stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

The invention provides methods for treating post-surgical articular or incisional pain and / or discomfort in a patient. The invention further provides improved surgical methods and controlled release formulations for treating an articular injury of a joint in a patient, in which a collagen formulation is used in conjunction with a surgical procedure to treat the articular injury or the side effects of the surgical procedure. Collagen formulations of the invention and their use, in addition to the surgical procedure, may provide at least one or more of the following benefits: reduced patient pain, shortened recovery time and / or improved joint condition (including treatment of the underlying articular injury). Moreover, the methods and compositions of the invention can be used in conjunction with essentially any surgical procedure used to treat an articular injury. The invention further provides compositions and methods for treating post-surgical articular or incisional pain in a patient as well as a catheter for use in the methods of the invention.

Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe, which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the patient.

Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures are disclosed. The system and devices provide simplified use and reduced risk of adverse events. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic. An intrauterine access end procedure system includes a mechanical distension element, to eliminate the need for liquid distension media at pressure sufficient to create a risk of intravasation.

Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for performing improved gynecologic and urologic procedures using a flowable distension media are disclosed. The system and devices provide simplified use and reduced risk of adverse events. Patient benefit is achieved through improved outcomes, reduced pain, especially peri-procedural pain, and reduced recovery times. The various embodiments enable procedures to be performed outside the hospital setting, such as in a doctor's office or clinic.

In accordance with the present invention an improved spring-loaded expandable acetabular reamer is described, which comprises a number of convex reaming segments symmetrically located by pair around a central core of the Reamer tool. It is also an object of the present invention to provide and improved spring-loaded reaming segment, which expand faster and requires less manipulation by the operating surgeon and staff minimizing therefore the risk of infection and damage to tissue. Furthermore, introducing large size conventional acetabular reamers with rough and sharp edges through small surgical incisions will undoubtedly cause damage to the incision edge and the surrounding soft tissues, which may ultimately result in delayed wound healing. It is therefore highly desirable to provide an improved acetabular cup, which has the capacity of expanding in diameter to replace several acetabular cups thereby reducing the number of instruments used as well as shortening the time of the procedure and reducing healing time and lessen the risk of infection.

A system for bilateral or monocular photochemical cross-linking of corneal collagen employs selectable light in a selected wavelength band as the excitation source and riboflavin as the photosensitizer. The system has an illumination source which may have multi-spectral capability, light guides for delivery of light to the optical head for projection onto the corneal surface, selectable radiation patterns to accommodate individual corneal architecture, and red light phototherapy to limit apoptosis and accelerate healing time. Aiming beams provide alignment of the optical head to the patient cornea. A microprocessor-controlled rotary solenoid mechanical shutter provides discontinuous illumination for tissue reoxygenation, and devices and methods may be included for the in situ determination of oxygen utilization and the riboflavin content of the cornea.

A system and method for monitoring electrical dispersion of the heart is provided including an implantable medical device and associated electrode system for sensing cardiac signals from a combination of two or more local and / or global EGM sensing vectors and / or subcutaneous ECG sensing vectors. Activation and recovery times and the activation-recovery intervals are measured from a selected cardiac cycle for each sensing vector. Dispersion is determined as the differences between activation times, recovery times and / or ARIs measured from each of the sensing vectors. An increase in dispersion indicates a worsening of heart failure and / or an increased risk of arrhythmias. Accordingly, a cardiac therapy may be delivered or adjusted in response to a detected increase in dispersion.

A method of determining a user's training load, includes determining protein combustion information and determining the user's training load based on the protein combustion information. The protein combustion information may be determined using heart rate information, activity information, carbohydrate reserve information determined using a carbohydrate combustion model and carbohydrate reserve information representing the user's carbohydrate reserves at a beginning of at least one exercise session, fitness information, intensity information, nutritional intake information representing nutritional intake during at least one exercise session, and / or a fat combustion model. The user's training load may be determined based on a mechanical stimulus and / or a modality. Recovery time information may be determined based on the training load. A corresponding apparatus and computer-readable medium correspond to the above method.

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

An improved radial expansible retractor and a method of minimally invasive surgery, by opening a channel in the brain or other soft tissue of a patient, by inserting the radial expansible retractor into the body of the patient, and by widening the channel at a continuous and gentle rate. The use of the improved radial expansible retractor renders surgical procedures, including neurosurgical procedures, shorter, less traumatic, and more reliable, reducing risk and the need for subsequent surgery and reducing recovery time. Procedures are carried out with real time monitoring of the retracted brain perfusion pressure. A plurality of improved radial expansible retractors may be used in a single operation. The improved radial expansible retractor allows access to areas of the brain previously almost impossible to access.

Devices, systems and methods for treating pain or other conditions while minimizing possible complications and side effects. Treatment typically includes electrical stimulation and / or delivery of pharmacological or other agents with the use of a lead or catheter. The devices, systems and methods provide improved anchoring which reduces migration of the lead yet allows for easy repositioning or removal of the lead if desired. The devices, systems and methods also provide for simultaneous treatment of multiple targeted anatomies. This shortens procedure time and allows for less access points, such as needle sticks to the epidural space, which in turn reduces complications, such as cerebral spinal fluid leaks, patient soreness and recovery time. Other possible complications related to the placement of multiple devices are also reduced.

An electrosurgical generator may reduce unintended tissue damage by improving regulation of output power. The electrosurgical generator may control the power during a cycle, and react to a change in power if arcing occurs. Voltage sources, especially, demonstrate the tendency to have large, uncontrolled power excursions during normal electrosurgical use. The magnitude of the power excursions may be dependent on various factors. An exemplary electrosurgical generator control scheme reduces or minimizes the thermal spread by accurately supplying the specified power within a few cycles. Additionally, fast and accurate regulation provided by the constant voltage mode reduces or minimizes unintentional tissue charring. Thus, reduced thermal spread and charring should result in better surgical outcomes by reducing scarring and decreasing healing times. An electrosurgical generator controller may be configured to control both a DC-DC buck converter and a DC-AC boost inverter based in part on electrical parameters of the electrosurgical generator.

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for resurfacing of skin that includes formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus, thus avoiding generation of thermal damage as occurs with conventional laser resurfacing procedures and devices. The holes formed can be well-tolerated by the skin, and can exhibit shorter healing times and less swelling than conventional resurfacing procedures. The apparatus includes one or more needles adapted to remove a small portion of tissue when inserted into and withdrawn from the skin. The fractional surface coverage of the holes can be between about 0.1 and 0.7, or between about 0.2 and 0.5. The exemplary method and apparatus can produce cosmetic effects such as increases in collagen content, epidermal thickness, and dermal / epidermal junction undulations in the skin.

Methods and apparatus for orthopedic replacement of the hip through three incisions with a modular prosthetic system assembled in vivo while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation. A prosthetic femoral stem is inserted into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck is inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a lateral bore in the prosthetic femoral stem to join the prosthetic femoral head. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing or enhancing interconnection of implant components, such as by increasing the interconnection in an interference fit with one or more tapers, threads, and / or cooling of components prior to assembly.

Methods and apparatus for orthopedic replacement of the hip through three incisions with a modular prosthetic system assembled in vivo while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation. A prosthetic femoral stem is inserted into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck is inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a lateral bore in the prosthetic femoral stem to join the prosthetic femoral head. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing or enhancing interconnection of implant components, such as by increasing the interconnection in an interference fit with one or more tapers, threads, and / or cooling of components prior to assembly.

The invention relates to a hydroxyapatite coating magnesium alloy medical implantation material and a preparation method thereof. The hydroxyapatite coating magnesium alloy medical implantation material is characterized in that: the surface of a magnesium alloy substrate is attached with a hydroxyapatite coating layer. The preparation method of the hydroxyapatite coating magnesium alloy medical implant material can adopt the bionic solution growing method, the ion beam deposition method, the coating and sintering process, the plasma spray method, the discharge plasma sintering method or the electrophoresis deposition method. The magnesium alloy material with the hydroxyapatite coating structure which is provided by the invention can effectively slow down the degradation rate of the magnesium alloy; at the same time, the coating layer can not only have great tissue compatibility, but can also be conductive to connective tissue attachment and the growth of the bone tissues, improve the bone healing rate and shorten the healing time.

Methods are presented in which release of stem cells from skeletal muscle is quantitated and correlated with severity of a disease or trauma, a future treatment option, prognosis, and / or anticipated time to recovery. Most preferably, the stem cell is a BLSC and / or an ELSC, and the stem cell isolation for the cell count is performed using sedimentation or filtration as principal separation step, thereby avoiding commonly used complicated, expensive, and time-consuming processes such as antibody-based separation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for resurfacing of skin that includes formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus, thus avoiding generation of thermal damage as occurs with conventional laser resurfacing procedures and devices. The holes formed can be well-tolerated by the skin, and can exhibit shorter healing times and less swelling than conventional resurfacing procedures. The apparatus includes one or more needles adapted to remove a small portion of tissue when inserted into and withdrawn from the skin. The fractional surface coverage of the holes can be between about 0.1 and 0.7, or between about 0.2 and 0.5. The exemplary method and apparatus can produce cosmetic effects such as increases in collagen content, epidermal thickness, and dermal / epidermal junction undulations in the skin.

Devices, systems and methods for treating pain or other conditions while minimizing possible complications and side effects. Treatment typically includes electrical stimulation and / or delivery of pharmacological or other agents with the use of a lead or catheter. The devices, systems and methods provide improved anchoring which reduces migration of the lead yet allows for easy repositioning or removal of the lead if desired. The devices, systems and methods also provide for simultaneous treatment of multiple targeted anatomies. This shortens procedure time and allows for less access points, such as needle sticks to the epidural space, which in turn reduces complications, such as cerebral spinal fluid leaks, patient soreness and recovery time. Other possible complications related to the placement of multiple devices are also reduced.

Improved methods for sport injury surgeries are described. The improvement includes covering a damaged site of fascia with at least one of an amniotic fluid and a construct for use in surgical repair of the sport injury prior to wound closing. The construct contains an allograft comprising at least one layer of human amnion and chorion tissues and the construct has a size and shape suitable for covering the damaged site of fascia. The method improves fascial membrane repair, reduces complications and recovery time of sport injury surgeries.

A circumcision anastomat comprises an upper anastomat, a lower anastomat and a fastening adjusting component which are connected with one another by connecting devices. An outer knife, an inner knife, a prepuce cutting buffer groove, the corresponding connecting device and a prepuce cutting adjusting device are arranged on the upper anastomat, prepuce cutting grooves are arranged on the inner knife, frenulum protecting portions are arranged on both the outer knife and the inner knife, and cutting surfaces with the frenulum protecting portions and a cutting surface of a main body are not positioned on the same horizontal plane and form a triangular arc-shaped structure. The circumcision anastomat is simple in structure, low in cost and convenient to use, purposes of accurate operation location, short operative time and post-operation healing time and capabilities of preventing edema and infection and reducing suffering of patients can be truly achieved, and merits of the disposal circumcision anastomat as compared with traditional operation can be truly reflected. Besides, recent and long-term post-operation effects are obviously superior to those of a currently used like device, and the circumcision anastomat is suitable for circumcision in various hospitals.

The invention discloses a stretchable self-healing hydrogel flexible strain sensor. A self-healing hydrogel with a high stretchability is obtained by a one-step sol-gel technology, and the multifunctional flexible strain sensor is obtained by packaging using an adhesive tape. The hydrogel-based flexible strain sensor has a high sensitivity factor, and can be used for detecting the tensile strain and the compressive stress; and real-time detection of small strenuous human exercises is achieved due to the high stretchability and the low hysteresis behavior. The interaction of unique coordinationbonds and hydrogen bonds in the hydrogel make the sensor have a short self-healing time and a high self-healing efficiency, so the problems of damages and no recovery after tensile failure of flexible sensors are solved. The flexible sensor designed in the invention has the advantages of simple preparation process, time and labor saving and excellent performances, and can be widely applied to thefields of real-time health monitoring, flexible robots, clinical diagnosis, flexible electronic skins and smart home products.

Methods and devices transmit micromechanical forces locally on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing. Micromechanical forces can selectively be applied directly to tissue, in some embodiments, by using microchambers fluidically connected to microchannels. Each chamber, or in some cases, group of chambers, may be associated with a valve to control vacuum pressure, positive pressure, liquid delivery, and / or liquid removal from each chamber or group of chambers. Application of embodiments of the invention may shorten wound-healing time, reduce costs of therapy, enable restoration of functional tissue, and reduce the need for more invasive therapies, including surgery.