1601 results about "Proximate" patented technology

A qualifying connection for an instrument attaches to a source of electrosurgery energy to and the instrument and has first and second parts coupled to the instrument and the source, respectively. Optical couplings on the connection transmit invisible energy to identify the instrument and are proximate on the first and second parts. A light modifier on the first part is proximal to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths so infrared transmitters encode signals and non contact coded proximity detectors on the second part are the coupled detectors. Non contact coded proximity detectors respond to modified infrared light establishing an Nth bit identification code. An infrared light supply in the source pass from the transmitters across the communicating couplings for encoding signals by modification of the infrared light with a light modifier. Mechanical attachments include conjugating male and female portions physically extending between the parts for mating engagement. The attachments juxtaposition the parts when the attachments geometrically conjugate to geographically positioning the couplings proximate for communicating. The attachments have one or more conductors for delivery of high frequency energy from the source to the instrument. A cable fits between the first part of the connection and the instrument and has electrical conductors for carrying energy passing through the first part of the connection from the source to the instrument. An identifying circuit couples to the second part and responds to invisible light optically communicated across the couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable to the source.

A tissue welding apparatus is adapted to fuse a first piece of tissue to a second piece of tissue which are disposed in a surface proximate relationship. An elongate shaft carries a first jaw, and a second opposing jaw moveable relative to the first jaw. At least one penetrating member is carried by the first jaw and moveable relative to the second jaw to create a channel through the first piece of material and the second piece of material. A source of heat is coupled to the penetrating member for denaturing the tissue defining the channel. This denatured tissue forms a column binding the first piece of tissue to the second piece of tissue. A chemical agent can be carried to the tissue with the penetrating member.

An actuation mechanism for assisting the operation of the natural heart has a varying shape for deforming the heart. In one embodiment, a plurality of links articulates with respect to each other for varying the shape of the actuation mechanism. The plurality of links is configured for being positioned proximate to an outer surface of the heart for deforming the heart by varying the shape of the actuation mechanism. In another embodiment, a jacket for coupling with an outer surface of the heart has a tether coupled to successive sections of the jacket. The tether is operable to be translated with respect to the jacket sections to vary the shape of the jacket for deforming the heart. In another embodiment, a plurality of concentric ring structures are coupled together to move with respect to each other in a concentric fashion. A movement mechanism coupled to the rings is operable to vary their positions with respect to each other to vary the overall shape for deforming the heart.

A pulse oximetry sensor comprises emitters configured to transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths into a fleshy medium. A detector is responsive to the emitted light after absorption by constituents of pulsatile blood flowing within the medium so as to generate intensity signals. A sensor head has a light absorbing surface adapted to be disposed proximate the medium. The emitters and the detector are disposed proximate the sensor head. A detector window is defined by the sensor head and configured so as to limit the field-of-view of the detector.

A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.

A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an object through interaction between a mobile station (MS) and a computer network such as the Internet, and communicating the information to the MS. A digital camera obtains an image of an object, such as a geographic region proximate the MS, which is then transmitted through the mobile communications system to the computer network. A converter server such as an Optical Character Reader (OCR) server interfaced with the global computer network converts the digital image to a text format which is then compared, along with a general location identifier of the MS to geographic data stored in a location database connected to the global computer network. Based on a comparison of the converted text data and the general location identifier of the MS to the geographic data stored in the location server, a precise location of the MS is determined and transmitted to the MS.

An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided.

The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided.

An analyte sensor including an antiglycolytic agent or a precursor thereof and a chelating agent that stabilizes the antiglycolytic agent positioned proximate to the working electrode of the sensor. Also provided are systems and methods of using the electrochemical analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.

A nasal interface device for use in the nares of a patient for positive airway pressure applications includes a pair of nasal prongs, each prong having a bore, a first end, a second end, and at least one deformable flap disposed proximate to the first end of each prong. The device further includes a body having a distal portion and a proximal portion forming a chamber, the proximal portion having apertures to receive the second ends of the nasal prongs, the chamber being in communication with the bores of the nasal prongs, and at least one exhalation port disposed within the body. The device includes at least one gas inlet on the distal portion of the body, the at least one gas inlet in communication with the chamber. In one preferred aspect of the invention, the at least one flap is deformable within the nares of a patient thereby creating a substantially airtight seal.

Implantable occlusion devices that include one or more flanges extending from a tubular body are disclosed. The flange or flanges may assist in retention of the device within a vessel, cavity, appendage, etc. At least one flange on the occlusion device may include a concave surface proximate one end of a body. Because of the shape of the flange, e.g., its concavity, the occlusion device may resist dislocation due to e.g., the forces generated within the left atrial appendage during atrial filbrillation.

Drug delivery devices, and methods of delivering pharmaceutically active agents to a target tissue within a body using such devices, are disclosed. One drug delivery device includes a body having an internal surface for placement proximate a target tissue and a well having an opening to the internal surface. An inner core comprising a pharmaceutically active agent is disposed in the well.

An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. Obturator assemblies and infusion catheter assemblies are provided to be used with the evacuation sheath assembly. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped and the stenosis is treated. Retrograde blood flow is induced within the blood vessel to carry embolic material dislodged during treating into the evacuation sheath assembly. If necessary to increase retrograde flow, the coronary sinus may be at least partially occluded. Alternatively, antegrade flow may be permitted while flow is occluded at the treatment site.

A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions. Upon initiation of a predetermined user action, such as a right-click operation, a primary menu is displayed and a second radial menu is displayed proximate the primary menu with the cursor position at a predetermined location for minimizing cursor manipulation for selecting a menu item from the second radial menu.

A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A first chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated and then, independently, a second chamber of the inflatable structure is inflated.

A computer-implemented method includes receiving from a telemetric apparatus carried by a first vehicle an identity of an operator of the first vehicle and kinematic data characterizing movement and first location of the first vehicle. At least one weather condition associated with the first location is received from a source of environmental data. At least one of terrain geometry of the first location, road speed limit at the first location, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) data generated by an instrument proximate the first location, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) data generated by an instrument proximate the first location is received from a source of location-specific data. The data received by the first communication device is stored in a database. Data from the database is provided to at least one entity.

A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an emitter which emits a signal having a field of emission and a photon detector having a field of view which intersects the field of emission at a region. The subsystem detects the presence of an object proximate the mobile robot and determines a value of a signal corresponding to the object. It compares the value to a predetermined value, moves the mobile robot in response to the comparison, and updates the predetermined value upon the occurrence of an event.

A patient interface for communicating fluids to and / or from a patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.

Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and sensor transponders. The surgical instrument (10), such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, comprising, according to various embodiments, an end effector (12) comprising at least one sensor transponder (368). The surgical instrument also comprises a shaft (8) having a distal end connected to the end effector (12) and a handle (6) connected to a proximate end of the shaft (8). The handle (6) comprises a control unit (300) in communication with the sensor transponder (368) via at least one inductive coupling (302,320,324). The surgical instrument (10) may be a power assist motorized device including a battery for powering (at least partially) the surgical instrument (10) during use. The surgical instrument (10) may be adapted to provide user feedback regarding the load being experienced by the end effector.

Disclosed are devices for removing a matter from a body cavity of a patient. One of such devices has an elongated carrier having a distal portion adapted to move through or within the cavity and a proximate portion. A radially expandable polymer is circumferentially attached to the distal portion of the carrier and adapted to enter the matter while in a compressed configuration and capable of transitioning to an expanded configuration while inside the matter to penetrate and engage it from within. Methods of removing a matter from a body cavity and methods of localized delivery of a therapeutic agents also are disclosed.

A system for treating an aneurysm in a vessel includes a delivery device having a delivery portion suitable for delivery of embolic material. The delivery device is placed in a neck of the aneurysm and an expandable member is placed proximate the neck. The expandable member is expanded to overlie substantially the entire neck. Embolic material is delivered to the aneurysm with a delivery device. The expandable member is held over the neck to inhibit movement of the embolic material out of the aneurysm. Blood is allowed to flow out of the aneurysm, past the neck of the aneurysm, and through the vessel while the expandable member is held over the neck of the aneurysm.

A system for reducing a compass of an opening or structure in a mammalian body comprises an anchor having a central aperture, a tensioner having a plurality of openings, and a plurality of filaments, each including a retaining member affixed to a distal portion of the filament. The tensioner is receivable within the anchor central aperture. A proximal portion of each filament is receivable within a tensioner opening. A method of reducing a compass of a lumen or structure in a mammalian body comprises delivering the anchor to a first location proximate target tissue, delivering the filaments to a second location proximate the target tissue, threading the filaments through the anchor and the tensioner openings, positioning the tensioner in the anchor aperture, retaining the filaments in the tensioner, and rotating the tensioner to twist the filaments, thereby shortening the length of the filaments and increasing the tension across the system.

A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within a heart comprises translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart. A portion of the inflatable structure that is distal to the native valve is inflated. A portion of the inflatable structure that is proximal to the native annular valve is inflated.

Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device may include, for example, an elongated tubular member having a proximal end for extending outside of the body and a distal end for positioning proximate the multiple tissue layers, a grasper configured for positioning proximate the distal end of the tubular member and for grasping at least one of the multiple tissue layers, a device coupled to the distal end of the tubular member for folding the multiple tissue layers together, a tissue fastener configured to be inserted into the tissue layers to hold the tissue layers together, and a fastener head for inserting the tissue fastener into the tissue layers.