42 results about "Proximal locations" patented technology

A scanning endoscope, amenable to both rigid and flexible forms, scans a beam of light across a field-of-view, collects light scattered from the scanned beam, detects the scattered light, and produces an image. The endoscope may comprise one or more bodies housing a controller, light sources, and detectors; and a separable tip housing the scanning mechanism. The light sources may include laser emitters that combine their outputs into a polychromatic beam. Light may be emitted in ultraviolet or infrared wavelengths to produce a hyperspectral image. The detectors may be housed distally or at a proximal location with gathered light being transmitted thereto via optical fibers. A plurality of scanning elements may be combined to produce a stereoscopic image or other imaging modalities. The endoscope may include a lubricant delivery system to ease passage through body cavities and reduce trauma to the patient. The imaging components are especially compact, being comprised in some embodiments of a MEMS scanner and optical fibers, lending themselves to interstitial placement between other tip features such as working channels, irrigation ports, etc.

An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and an inflatable balloon mounted radially outside the retrograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. The retrograde portion may comprise bilumen tubing having an external wall, an internal wall that defines a central lumen radially inward of the internal wall, and an annular lumen in fluid communication with the balloon defined between the external wall and the internal wall.

An ergonomic workstation with a reduced or minimal footprint comprises a modified treadmill component and a workstation component. In one embodiment, a substantial portion of the workstation's support structure fits under the treadmill component so that the overall footprint of the treadmill workstation is minimized. Additional lateral stability of the workstation component is ensured by its proximal location under the heavy treadmill component. A vertical support extends from the base of the workstation component and supports a vertically oriented desk and monitor. In another embodiment, a single vertical workstation support enables adjustability at more than one point. Because both the screen and the desk are connected to the single vertical support, a user may quickly adjust both the desk surface and the viewing monitor to appropriate, individually tailored heights with minimum effort. Once these adjustments are accomplished, the user may simultaneously type on a keyboard at a customized desk height, view a screen at customized eye level, and walk on the treadmill and reduce stress to the user's body.

An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and anchoring means in at least one of the retrograde portion or the anterograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. An inner sheath may be mounted concentrically over the shaft with the endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath. The anchoring device may comprise an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside the retrograde portion, a tether, or an extended portion of the endoluminal device confined by a notch in the interface of two sheaths in the retrograde portion of the introducer, or may comprise a holder in the anterograde portion.

An novel sensor is provided having a plurality of substantially parallel drive lines configured to transmit a signal into a surface of a proximally located object, and also a plurality of substantially parallel pickup lines oriented proximate the drive lines and electrically separated from the pickup lines to form intrinsic electrode pairs that are impedance sensitive at each of the drive and pickup proximal locations.

A catheter assembly for treatment of a vessel bifurcation. The catheter assembly is adapted for use with a single guidewire, wherein the guidewire is used to both position the catheter assembly within a main vessel of the vessel bifurcated and then be advanced into a branch vessel of the vessel bifurcated. A guidewire lumen of the catheter assembly is defined by a portion of a catheter shaft of the catheter assembly and a portion of a side catheter branch of the catheter assembly. The side catheter branch extends from a distal end of the catheter shaft at a proximal location and is connected at a distal location to a main catheter branch. After the catheter assembly has been advanced over the guidewire to a position within the main vessel at the vessel bifurcation, the guidewire is retracted, a portion of the side catheter branch is advanced into the branch vessel, and the guidewire is advanced into the branch vessel.

A compression screw system, said compression screw system comprising:a compression screw comprising a shaft, a screw thread formed on said shaft at a distal location, and a bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a proximal location, wherein at least a portion of said shaft disposed between said screw thread and said bone-engaging feature is capable of being stretched; anda holding element connectable to said compression screw for releasably holding said at least a portion of said shaft in a stretched condition.

A scanning endoscope amenable to both rigid and flexible forms, scans a beam of light across a field-of-view, collects light scattered from the scanned beam, detects the scattered light, and produces an image. The endoscope may comprise one or more bodies housing a controller, light sources, and detectors; and a separable tip housing the scanning mechanism. The light sources may include laser emitters that combine their outputs into a polychromatic beam. Light may be emitted in ultraviolet or infrared wavelengths to produce a hyperspectral image. The detectors may be housed distally or at a proximal location with gathered light being transmitted thereto via optical fibers. A plurality of scanning elements may be combined to produce a stereoscopic image or other imaging modalities. The endoscope may include a lubricant delivery system to ease passage through body cavities and reduce trauma to the patient. The imaging components are especially compact, being comprised in some embodiments of a MEMS scanner and optical fibers, lending themselves to interstitial placement between other tip features such as working channels, irrigation ports, etc.

Disclosed is a laryngoscope comprising a handle and an insertion section which extends from the handle, wherein the insertion section comprises a tube guide for retaining and guiding an endotracheal tube during intubation, wherein the handle comprises at least one external tube engaging formation, such as a tube guiding member or tube retaining member. There is also disclosed a laryngoscope having a handle and insertion section which adapted to detachably retain and guide an endotracheal tube along a lateral side of the insertion section and handle such that a retained endotracheal tube is continuously curved, and preferably under flexural tension, from the most proximal location where the handle contacts the retained endotracheal tube to the most distal location where the insertion section contacts the superior side of a retained endotracheal tube.

A predetermined time-based index ratio such as time-based fractional flow reserve (FFR) is determined for evaluating a level of blood circulation between at least two locations such as a proximal location and a distal location in a selected blood vessel in the region of interest. One time-based FFR is obtained by normalizing a risk artery ratio by a reference artery ratio.

The invention relates to a breathing assistance device for a patient, the device including: a source of respiratory pressurised gas; a gas transmission duct comprising a distal end coupled to said source and a proximal end coupled to the patient; a gas regulating valve interposed in the gas transmission duct at a proximal location, comprising a leakage orifice and an obstruction means capable of varying the opening of the leakage orifice upon signal of controlling means and allowing a bidirectional gas flow through the leakage orifice in both expiration and inspiration phases.

A prosthetic delivery device is adapted for introducing a stent within a patient's vasculature through a reverse deployment procedure, beginning at a proximal location and finishing at a distal location. The device comprises: a guide tube, a rotation tube, and an outer tube. The guide tube threadably receives the rotation tube thereon. The rotation tube comprises a sheath rotatably secured at one end to overhang over a portion of the outer tube, which is received over a portion of the rotation tube, and which is fixedly secured to the guide tube. Rotating the rotation tube causes its translation relative to the outer tube. A stent crimped to be disposed beneath the sheath is forced to deploy proximally by relative movement of an annular deployment ring on the outer tube. A key on the outer tube is received within a key way of the sheath to prevent its rotation.

Gradient compression hosiery with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a stocking section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The stocking section includes a tubular foot portion and a tubular leg portion. The stocking section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The stocking section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the hosiery changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the hosiery is donned.

Gradient compression hosiery with therapeutic and aesthetic properties broadly includes a stocking section extending continuously between a distal end and an open proximal end thereof. The stocking section includes a tubular foot portion and a tubular leg portion. The stocking section is knitted at least substantially of a core-spun yarn with an elastomeric core and a twisted fiber sheath and includes elastomeric threads integrated into the stretch yarn knitting. The stocking section further presents a gradient region that extends from a distal location adjacent the distal end to a proximal location adjacent the proximal end, with a property of the hosiery changing progressively along the gradient region to provide compression that decreases progressively from the distal location to the proximal location when the hosiery is donned.

A contactless system for measuring and continuously monitoring arterial blood pressure includes a light source configured to illuminate light having at least one predetermined wavelength at a predetermined area of a human subject having an artery therein. A detector responsive to reflected light from the predetermined area is configured to continuously acquire images of the artery in the predetermined area. A processor is configured to process the images and determine: when an image at a proximal location of the predetermined area is darker indicating transition of a pulse wave into the artery at the proximal location and at a proximal time and when an image at a distal location of the predetermined area is darker indicating transition of the pulse wave into the artery at a distal location at a distal time, determine the difference in time between the distal time and the proximal time to calculate a pulse transit time (PTT), determine a length between the proximal location and the distal location, determine a diameter of the artery during a systolic phase of a cardiac pulse, determine a diameter of the artery during a diastolic phase of a cardiac pulse, calculate a pulse wave velocity of the pulse wave, calculate pulse pressure (ΔP), calculate an elastic modulus (E) of the artery, and contactlessly and continuously calculate the arterial blood pressure for each cardiac cycle of the human subject.

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

A surgical instrument is provided for use in performing endoscopic procedures having a handle and an elongate tubular member having a proximal end coupled with the handle for being disposed externally of the anatomical cavity and a distal end for being disposed within the anatomical cavity. The distal end further includes a pair of opposed, relatively movable jaws that form a grasping portion operable by manipulation of the handle to releasably grasp a releasable trocar. The releasable trocar has a complementarily shaped shank, a relatively sharp tip and may include a pair of blunt-edge tissue separators that project outwardly from the outer surface of the trocar. In an alternative embodiment, the relatively movable jaws define (i) a grasping portion operable by manipulation of the handle to grasp or cut objects; and (ii) a pair of blunt-edge tissue separators that project outwardly from the outer surface of the jaws so that when the jaws are in a closed position they may be used as a trocar. In another embodiment, a portal tube is sealingly positioned on the elongate tubular member and is operative to move between (i) a first position in which the portal is in a proximal location on the elongate tubular member and in spaced relation to the anatomical cavity, and (ii) a second position in which the portal is in a distal location on the elongate tubular member and in sealed communication with said anatomical cavity. The optional portal may be used with either the releasable trocar or the jaw trocar. A method for using the surgical instrument is also provided.

A compression screw system, said compression screw system comprising:a compression screw comprising a shaft, a screw thread formed on said shaft at a distal location, and a bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a proximal location, wherein at least a portion of said shaft disposed between said screw thread and said bone-engaging feature is capable of being stretched; anda holding element connectable to said compression screw for releasably holding said at least a portion of said shaft in a stretched condition.

A personal stretching device is used to move a user's torso toward a distal structure. The personal stretching device includes an elongated tensile member, a shiftable uptake, and a manually-powered drive mechanism. The shiftable uptake is attached to the elongated tensile member at a proximal location, with the uptake operable to move along the elongated tensile member to change an adjustable length dimension defined between the proximal location and the distal structure. The manually-powered drive mechanism is operable to drive the uptake and thereby move the uptake along the tensile member. The drive mechanism includes a driven element attached to the uptake and a pair of drive elements shiftably mounted relative to the uptake. Each of the drive elements is drivingly coupled to the driven element independent of the other of the drive elements so that the user can drive the uptake by powering either one of the drive elements and thereby change the adjustable length dimension.

An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and anchoring means in at least one of the retrograde portion or the anterograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. An inner sheath may be mounted concentrically over the shaft with the endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath. The anchoring device may comprise an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside the retrograde portion, a tether, or an extended portion of the endoluminal device confined by a notch in the interface of two sheaths in the retrograde portion of the introducer, or may comprise a holder in the anterograde portion.

A personal stretching device is used to move a user's torso toward a distal structure. The personal stretching device includes an elongated tensile member, a shiftable uptake, and a manually-powered drive mechanism. The shiftable uptake is attached to the elongated tensile member at a proximal location, with the uptake operable to move along the elongated tensile member to change an adjustable length dimension defined between the proximal location and the distal structure. The manually-powered drive mechanism is operable to drive the uptake and thereby move the uptake along the tensile member. The drive mechanism includes a driven element attached to the uptake and a pair of drive elements shiftably mounted relative to the uptake. Each of the drive elements is drivingly coupled to the driven element independent of the other of the drive elements so that the user can drive the uptake by powering either one of the drive elements and thereby change the adjustable length dimension.

Disclosed is a laryngoscope comprising a handle and an insertion section which extends from the handle, wherein the insertion section comprises a tube guide for retaining and guiding an endotracheal tube during intubation, wherein the handle comprises at least one external tube engaging formation, such as a tube guiding member or tube retaining member. There is also disclosed a laryngoscope having a handle and insertion section which adapted to detachably retain and guide an endotracheal tube along a lateral side of the insertion section and handle such that a retained endotracheal tube is continuously curved, and preferably under flexural tension, from the most proximal location where the handle contacts the retained endotracheal tube to the most distal location where the insertion section contacts the superior side of a retained endotracheal tube.

A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density is provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive to form a precursor material in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. The precursor material is thereafter stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”). This creates a network of voids located adjacent to the discrete domains, which as a result of their proximal location, can form a bridge between the boundaries of the voids and act as internal structural “hinges” that help stabilize the network and increase its ability to dissipate energy. The present inventors have also discovered that the voids can be distributed in a substantially homogeneous fashion throughout the composition.

A surface energy gradient on a fluid-impervious surface and method of its creation comprising the steps of a) Exposing a base surface having a proximal and a distal portion to a first solution comprising at least one molecule of the formula X-J-M1 wherein X and M1 represent separate functional groups and J represents a spacer moiety that, together, are able to promote formation from solution of a self-assembled monolayer for sufficient time to form a monolayer surface having a uniform surface energy on the base surface. b) Removing a portion of the monolayer of (a) such that a portion of the base surface is again fully or partially exposed. (c) Exposing the portion of the base surface from (b) to at least one other molecule including a functional group having a different surface energy from that of the functional group removed in(b) such that a surface energy gradient from a proximal location to a distal location is formed.

A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.

A cartridge for a medication dispensing device which includes multiple septums. The cartridge includes a body and an axially shiftable piston in fluid-tight engagement with an interior surface of the body. The first septum covers a dispensing port that opens to an interior hollow of the body at a proximal location. The second septum covers a filling port that opens to the interior hollow. The first septum is arranged to be engaged by a dispensing conduit moving generally perpendicular to the axial direction for fluidly communicating with the interior hollow during a dispensing operation of the device. The second septum is arranged to be engaged by a filling conduit for fluidly communicating with the interior hollow during filling of the cartridge.

The invention relates to a breathing assistance device for a patient, the device including: a source of respiratory pressurised gas; a gas transmission duct comprising a distal end coupled to said source and a proximal end coupled to the patient; a gas regulating valve interposed in the gas transmission duct at a proximal location, comprising a leakage orifice and an obstruction means capable of varying the opening of the leakage orifice upon signal of controlling means and allowing a bidirectional gas flow through the leakage orifice in both expiration and inspiration phases.