23370 results about "Linkage concept" patented technology

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: providing a plication assembly comprising a first anchoring element, a second anchoring element, and a linkage construct connecting the first anchoring element to the second anchoring element; positioning the first anchoring element in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral annulus, and positioning the second anchoring element in another area of the mitral annulus so that the linkage construct extends across the opening of the mitral valve and holds the mitral valve in a reconfigured configuration so as to reduce mitral regurgitation. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a plication assembly comprising a first anchoring element, a second anchoring element, and a linkage construct connecting the first anchoring element to the second anchoring element; and a catheter adapted to deliver the first anchoring element to the coronary sinus.

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spaced from one other by a distance which is dictated by the geometry of the plication band. Subsequent constriction of the plication band causes these points to move toward each other, thereby constricting the tissue trapped between these points and thus reducing the overall circumference of the valve annulus. In a second embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by linking multiple plication bands to one other, using a linkage construct, and then using a shortening of the length of the linkage construct between each plication band so as to gather the tissue between each plication band, whereby to reduce the overall circumference of the valve annulus.

Improved robotic surgical systems, devices, and methods often include a first assembly with a surgical end effector supported and manipulated relative to a first base by a first robotic linkage, while a second surgical end effector manipulated and supported relative to a second, independent base by a second robotic linkage. One or more of these robotic assemblies may be moved relative to the other. To coordinate the end effector movements with those of input devices being manipulated by a surgeon relative to a display of a surgical worksite, the processor deriving the commands for movement of the robotic linkages may make use of a signal indicating a relative orientation of the bases of the robotic arm assemblies. Surprisingly, the robotic arm assemblies may not transmit signals to the processor indicating a relative translational position of the bases.

For positioning a surgical instrument at a surgical site, an elongate tubular structure is coupled to the distal portion of a robotic arm. This structure is adapted to be inserted in the body cavity of a patient and is adapted to receive the surgical instrument and serve as a guide for the surgical instrument into the patient's body. The robotic arm may have a parallelogram center of motion linkage and actuators for driving various degrees of freedom of movement of the arm and the surgical instrument. The robotic arm may be remotely controlled by an operator manipulating an input device.

Endoscopic steering apparatus is provided, including an endoscope (80) having distal (82) and proximal (98) ends thereof. In a preferred embodiment, at least one proximal cylinder (92) is disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope, and at least one proximal piston (94) is slidably coupled to the at least one proximal cylinder. This piston is typically manually driven. A first distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a first distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the first distal cylinder. A second distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a second distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the second distal cylinder. A first tube (86) is coupled to the first distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder, and a second tube (86) is coupled to the second distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder. A linkage (96) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope and coupled to the first distal piston and to the second distal piston, such that displacement of at least one of the distal pistons causes displacement of the linkage and steering of the distal end of the endoscope.

The present invention is a wrist mechanism and a method for making robotic devices in which the transmission of motion, force and / or torque around a revolute joint can be accomplished without coupling. This construction allows mounting the actuators on the base or lower elements of a mechanism, so that only linkage elements move the end-effector. Thus reducing inertia of the moving elements and increasing performance of the device. The decoupled motion of the end-effector or links is achieved by routing their transmission cables around idler pulleys placed parallel to the joint rotation axis on an optimal position such any stretch on the transmission cable is minimized. In particular, this construction can be use for robotic surgical tools that have two independently driven jaws, decoupled and orthogonal from its articulating wrist. This device may be used in grasping, cutting, suturing or alike operations.

This invention provides an apparatus and method for analyzing a polynucleotide sequence; either an unknown sequence or a known sequence. A support, e.g. a glass plate, carries an array of the whole or a chosen part of a complete set of oligonucleotides which are capable of taking part in hybridization reactions. The array may comprise one or more pair of oligonucleotides of chosen lengths. The polynucleotide sequence, or fragments thereof, are labelled and applied to the array under hybridizing conditions. Applications include analyses of known point mutations, genomic fingerprinting, linkage analysis, characterization of mRNAs, mRNA populations, and sequence determination.

Suturing systems may comprise a cartridge and a drive unit which are detachable from each other. The cartridge often has a cartridge body, a plurality of jaws, and a cartridge interface. The drive unit has a drive unit body, a linkage, and a drive unit interface which will typically include a latch. A latch input is coupled to the latch so that a movement of the input moves the latch to the released position. The cartridge interface or the drive unit interface includes a channel while the other includes a shaft which is fittingly receivable in the channel. Opposed motions of the input and cartridge during cartridge removal avoid inadvertent detachment during use.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for aligning and implanting orthopedic fixation or stabilization implants within the body. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two bone anchors, at least one of which is provided with a transverse portal and a locking member. In one aspect, the system also includes at least one linkage rod, for linking two or more bone anchors through their respective locking members. The linking rod may include at least one angularly adjustable joint, which may be fixed by actuating the locking member. The bone anchors and the linkage rod may be locked into place to form a spinal fusion or fixation prosthesis.

The present disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling device (10) for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion (12), an elongated body portion (14) and a head portion (16) including an anvil assembly (30) and a shell assembly (31). The handle portion (12) includes a rotatable approximation knob (22) for approximating the anvil and shell assemblies (30,31) and a firing trigger (20) for actuating a firing mechanism for ejecting staples positioned within the shell assembly (31). The firing trigger (20) forms one link of a two bar linkage provided to actuate the firing mechanism. The anvil assembly (30) includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after firing of the device and unapproximating the anvil and shell assemblies (30,31). The head portion (16) also includes a retractable trocar assembly (240) which is slidably positioned within an anvil retainer (38) and is automatically advanced and retracted upon attachment and detachment of the anvil assembly (30) onto the anvil retainer (38). A lockout tube (270) is provided and is positioned about the anvil retainer (38) for releasably engaging an anvil assembly (30). The lockout tube (270) prevents inadvertent detachment of the anvil assembly (30) from the anvil retainer (38). The surgical stapling device (10) also includes a firing lockout assembly which prevents actuation of the firing trigger (20) until an anvil has been attached to the device and the anvil (129) has been approximated. A tactile indication mechanism is also provided for notifying a surgeon that the device has been fired and for notifying a surgeon that the anvil head has been unapproximated a distance sufficient to permit the anvil head to tilt.

The present invention relates to a testing tool for testing of complex software systems having a plurality of interrelated system components and a suite of test scenarios for testing the performance of the plurality of interrelated system components. The testing tool includes an Automated Multidimensional Traceability Matrix system for determining linkages between interrelated system components, a means for identifying a change in one or more of the interrelated system components, a means for applying the Automated Multidimensional Traceability Matrix, a means for executing all of or a subset of the test scenarios associated with the interrelated system components that may be affected by the change and a means for evaluating the results of the executed test scenarios.

A graphic user interface method for representing a search of a database, providing a plurality of stylized Venn diagrams each representing an intersection of at least two sets; receiving from the user, for each generic graphic icon, a selection of at least one region, defining an output data set; presenting the generic graphic icons on the graphic user interface as modified graphic icons, each having graphic indication of the selections; and receiving linkage information from the user for the modified graphic icons to represent a composite set inclusion property, based on the output data sets and the linkage information. Once a search is defined, it may be translated, as necessary, for execution by a typical database search engine. Retrieved results may be quantified and ranked by the interface system for optimal presentation to the user.

Devices and methods for improved soft tissue securement are disclosed, and, in particular, to tissue anchoring elements and deployment thereof. Such tissue anchoring elements may comprise a linkage element and an array of spreading elements. Endoscopic devices and methods are disclosed for deploying multiple anchoring elements to multiple sites and manipulating at least some of the associated linkage elements to approximate selected sites. Applications of such endoscopic devices and methods may include endoluminal therapy such as gastroplasty, which may be used for the treatment of obesity and gastroesophageal disease. Such devices and methods may also include the attachment of a foreign body to a tissue mass. Further aspects of the invention include devices and methods for the modification of mechanical properties of the anchoring sites so as to decrease the likelihood that anchoring elements will pull out. Such modification may include irritating or injuring the tissue within the anchoring sites, thereby causing a healing or scarification response, or may alternatively include deploying a solidifying agent within the anchoring sites.

A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with infusion media are supported by the disposable housing portion for disposal after the prescribed use, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of infusion media from the reservoir and a drive device and drive linkage.

A self-expanding stent structure is provided having a main portion that expands to a first diameter and a branch portion that expands to a second diameter, different the first diameter, the main portion having a link portion that forms a flexible linkage to, and forms part of, the branch portion. The self-expanding structure may be compressed to a reduced diameter for delivery, and resumes an expanded diameter during deployment. The self-expanding stent structure also may be advantageously incorporated in an asymmetric stent-graft system. Methods of use are also provided, wherein the main portion of the self-expanding structure, when deployed in a trunk vessel, may be used to anchor the branch portion in a branch vessel.

In most cases, a hot, corrosive atmosphere is created in, for example, a semiconductor wafer processing chamber. When an arm including belts, such as steel belts, is moved into such a semiconductor wafer processing chamber, the belts are exposed to the hot, corrosive atmosphere. Belts, such as steel belts, have limited heat resistance and corrosion resistance and the hot, corrosive atmosphere in the processing chamber shortens the life of the belts. A carrying device of the present invention has a frog leg type arm (3) and a wafer holder (4) connected to the frog leg type arm (3). The wafer holder (4) is pivotally connected to front end parts of a first front arm (8A) and a second front arm (8B) by coaxial joints (10). The wafer holder (4) is linked to the first front arm (8A) and the second front arm (8B) by a posture maintaining linkage (5) including two antiparallel linkages capable of controlling the turning of the wafer holder (4) relative to the first and the second front arms (8A, 8B).

A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with infusion media are supported by the disposable housing portion for disposal after the prescribed use, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of infusion media from the reservoir and a drive device and drive linkage.

Metadata for splicing of an encoded digital motion video stream (such as an MPEG Transport Stream) is prepared in real time while recording at the encoding bit rate and faster than encoded bit rate for off line encoding independent of the bit rate and mechanisms for ingestion of the data stream into data storage. Preprocessing is performed during a metered file transfer protocol (FTP) and includes pseudo real-time encoding. The preprocessing includes Group of Pictures (GOP) level pre-processing of splicing In Points and results in an intimate linkage between metadata and the file system in which the video data is stored. The preferred file system enables access to metadata in parallel to writing the data on disk. The pre-processing is performed simultaneous to writing the data to the disk using a carousel type buffer mechanism.

A computer based credit application processing system provides a graphical user interface, automatic software update downloading, lender to lender routing of credit applications, and integration with in-house finance and insurance systems and third party data entry facilities, among other features. Web site linkage is also accommodated.

A change tracing system detects and records changes made to data items by processes in a computer system. Processes and changes are organized as change sessions in a change history database and tagged with user-provided reasons and other identification fields. A query module provides detailed access to change history and selection of specific changes and items in order to analyze effects of changes, diagnose problems caused by changes, compare changes and change history, rollback from changes to previous item contents or package sets of changes to be repeated. Linkage between data items is recorded in order to document the impact of changes affecting dependent data items. Alerts and copies of change sessions may be transmitted automatically to designated users. Communication between change tracing systems running on networked computers detects and records remotely caused changes on the system where the data item resides as well as the system originating the change.

During the drive of a stage, positional information in a movement plane of a stage is measured by three encoders that include at least one each of an X encoder and a Y encoder of an encoder system, and a controller switches an encoder used for a measurement of positional information of a stage in the movement plane from an encoder to an encoder so that the position of the stage in the movement plane is maintained before and after the switching. Therefore, although the switching of the encoder used for controlling the position of the stage is performed, the position of the stage in the movement plane is maintained before and after the switching, and a correct linkage becomes possible.

An improved endoscopic tissue grasping apparatus and method provide for enhanced tissue retention. In one separate aspect, an endoscopic tool may include an improved handle comprising a rachet interface for retaining first and second jaw members at in a closed position at a distal end of the tool. In another separate aspect, a tissue grasper is provided in which opposing first and second jaw members may be effectively locked in a closed position by virtue of an articulating linkage arrangement.

A system and methods for automatically investing, a portion of interest charged amount paid by the card issuer or the cardholder, on a credit card account, to an individual retirement account, taxpayer relief act of 1997 IRA, "Roth Act" or "Super IRA", college education IRA or spousal IRA (herein, collectively, "IRA"), college savings account, 401(K) plan (with or without linkage to a company expense account credit card), dividend reinvestment program (in stock of the card issuing company or otherwise) or other investment feature.

System and method for behavior based control of an autonomous vehicle. Actuators (e.g., linkages) manipulate input devices (e.g., articulation controls and drive controls, such as a throttle lever, steering gear, tie rods, throttle, brake, accelerator, or transmission shifter) to direct the operation of the vehicle. Behaviors that characterize the operational mode of the vehicle are associated with the actuators. The behaviors include action sets ranked by priority, and the action sets include alternative actions that the vehicle can take to accomplish its task. The alternative actions are ranked by preference, and an arbiter selects the action to be performed and, optionally, modified.

A delivery device includes a durable housing portion and a separable disposable portion that selectively engage and disengage from each other. The disposable housing portion secures to the patient-user and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient-user or with an infusion medium, including a pump device, are supported by the disposable housing portion for disposal after the prescribed use, while the durable housing portion supports other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir and a drive device and drive linkage.

A delivery system comprising an endoluminal device, an outer sheath that radially surrounds the endoluminal device, a pusher positioned at one end of the endoluminal device, and a linkage between the pusher and the outer sheath that coordinates movement of the outer sheath in a first direction with simultaneous movement of the pusher in a second direction opposite the first direction. This delivery system is particularly useful for endoluminal devices that foreshorten, and may comprise the outer sheath moving a first distance (d1) and the pusher moving a second distance (d2), where d2 / d1 is approximately equal to the foreshortening ratio. The delivery system of this invention enables a foreshortening device, such as a vena cava filter, or stent, graft, or combination thereof, to be deployed with its end in a precise deployment location without foreshortening causing the end to move from the deployment location as the stent expands.

The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for delivering polynucleotides or other cell-impermeable molecules to mammalian cells. Described are polyconjugates systems that incorporate targeting, anti-opsonization, anti-aggregation, and transfection activities into small biocompatible in vivo delivery vehicles. The use of multiple reversible linkages connecting component parts provides for physiologically responsive activity modulation.

Various kinds of business and other information are tracked in real time. A coherent information visualization, for example as a time line, automatically, simultaneously presents relevant information to a user across multiple dimensions. Tools are provided that allow the user to establish and manipulate multi-dimensional linkages to develop insights into information gathered from multiple domains.