136 results about "Self anchoring" patented technology

The present invention is directed to an expandable spinal fusion intervertebral implant that provides for maintaining and creating lordosis in the human spine that can be filled with biologics while in situ to encourage spinal fusion. A threaded rod that traverses an insertion / injection handle can be rotated to operate a screw within the interbody cage that displaces opposing vertical tapped sliding wedges, causing them to converge towards each other. Such contact causes the operation of a horizontal wedge that acts as a lift to expand the interbody cage to one of various dimensions in a preferred range. At its desired expansion, the spinal fusion implant of the present invention is sized to fit within the disc space between two vertebral bodies and fill all voids left while the vertical and horizontal wedges operate within, due to the biologics being contained within the interbody cage.

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be percutaneously advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure.

An expandable intravascular medical device comprises an arcuate spring configured to be expanded into contact with the inner surface of a blood vessel. Another medical device comprises an electrode support structure, e.g., a non-tubular arcuate structure or a cylindrical member, and a plurality of resilient spring loops laterally extending from the support structure. The contact created between the loops and a blood vessel is sufficient to anchor the medical device within the blood vessel. In another embodiment, the medical device comprises an elongated member and two resilient spring arms extending distally from the elongated member. The arms are configured to be laterally moved towards each other to place the medical device in a collapsed geometry, and configured to be laterally moved away from each into contact with an inner surface of a blood vessel to place the medical device an expanded geometry.

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure. The deployment system is operative to selectively anchor the respective anchor members into position within a tissue mass. Although suitable for a wide variety of applications, it is believed that the system and sling of the present invention are particularly well suited for the deployment of suburethral slings via a trans-obturator route.

Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure. The deployment system is operative to selectively anchor the respective anchor members into position within a tissue mass. Although suitable for a wide variety of applications, it is believed that the system and sling of the present invention are particularly well suited for the deployment of suburethral slings via a trans-obturator route.

The present invention pertains to accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assemblies including a haptics system for self-anchoring implantation in a human eye's annular ciliary sulcus for retaining an AIOL at a desired position along the human eye's visual axis, and an accommodation measurement implant (AMI) for determining accommodation and accommodation forces in an experimental set-up including an animal's eye.

A ureteral stent is configured for improved patient comfort and aftercare. The stent can have one or more of the following features: a distal portion with a somewhat flattened, non-circular cross-section that provides reduced irritation and elimination of urine reflux; a proximal portion with a helical coil shape that allows self-anchoring of the stent below the kidney; and a portion along the body of the stent having a coil shape that allows self-adjustment of the stent with ureteral movement.

An expandable intravascular medical device is provided. The medical device comprises an arcuate spring configured to be expanded into firm contact with the inner surface of a blood vessel. The medical device further comprises at least one electrode associated with the arcuate spring. For example, the electrode(s) can be discrete elements that are bonded to the arcuate spring, electrically conductive layers disposed on the arcuate spring, or the arcuate spring, itself, can form the electrode(s). The inner surface of the arcuate spring may optionally be electrically insulative. An intravascular medical device is provided. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises an electrode support structure, e.g., a non-tubular arcuate structure or a cylindrical member, and a plurality of resilient spring loops laterally extending from the support structure. The contact created between the loops and a blood vessel are sufficient to anchor the medical device within the blood vessel. In another embodiment, the medical device comprises an elongated member and two resilient spring arms extending distally from the elongated member. The arms are configured to be laterally moved towards each other to place the medical device in a collapsed geometry, and configured to be laterally moved away from each into contact with an inner surface of a blood vessel to place the medical device an expanded geometry. The contact created between the respective arms and the blood vessel are sufficient to anchor the medical device within the blood vessel. In either embodiment, the medical device further comprises an electrode associated with the electrode support structure or the spring arms.

An expandable intravascular medical device is provided. The medical device comprises an expandable tubular body that includes an integrated resilient support structure that forms a plurality of electrically conductive regions to which the lead(s) is coupled. The tubular body further includes at least one electrically insulative element disposed between the conductive regions. In one embodiment, the support structure is skeletal in nature, e.g., it can be formed of a mesh, braid, or coil. The conductive regions can be variously formed by the support structure. For example, the support structure may comprise electrically conductive sub-structures that form the conductive regions. In this case, the sub-structures may be mechanically linked together by the insulative element(s), or they can be directly linked together, and the insulative element(s) can take the form of insulative layer(s) disposed on one or more of the conductive sub-structures. As another example, the support structure can have a conductive core and insulative material disposed over portions of the conductive core. In this case, the exposed core portions form the conductive regions, and the unexposed core portions form the insulative element(s).

An implantable cardiac lead system suitable for placement in the coronary sinus region of the heart. The lead system comprises a lead having two or more non-helical bends in its distal portion. The two or more non-helical bends cooperate to prevent the lead from dislodgment or displacement inside the coronary sinus. The lead system may further comprise a stylet suitable for steering the lead into at least one of the coronary sinus vein, great cardiac vein, left marginal vein, left posterior ventricular vein, and small cardiac vein. The stylet is tapered in its distal portion to provide enhanced maneuverability and steerability inside the coronary sinus region. The lead system may also comprise an introducer which aids in introducing the lead into the heart.

Accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assemblies including a discrete pre-assembled monolithic AIOL assemblage and a discrete haptics system having a haptics ring and at least two elongated C-shaped haptics for self-anchoring in a human scleral wall at the ciliary sulcus. The AIOL assemblages include an AIOL capsule and an integrally formed base member. The AIOL assemblages also include an annular haptics support surround posterior to an anterior structure on implantation in a human eye of a supine human. AIOL assemblies are assembled in situ by mounting a haptics system onto a previously implanted AIOL assemblage. The haptics system bears against the annular haptics support surround. The anterior structure is freely telescopically received in the haptics ring.

Unitary accommodating intraocular lenses (AIOLs) including a haptics system for self-anchoring in a human eye's ciliary sulcus and a resiliently elastically compressible shape memory optical element having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The unitary AIOLS include an optical element with an exposed trailing surface and are intended to be used with a discrete base member for applying an axial compression force against the exposed trailing surface from a posterior direction. Some unitary AIOLs are intended to be used with either a purpose designed base member or a previously implanted standard in-the-bag IOL. Other unitary AIOLs are intended to be solely used with a purpose designed base member.

The present invention comprises a novel and safer mechanism of deployment using a self-positioning, self-centering, and self-anchoring method. To embody the present invention, a disk-based valve apparatus allowing the repositioning and retrieval of the implantable valve while working on a dysfunctional valve structure is disclosed. The disk-based valve apparatus may comprise one or more disks, either proximal or distal, a valve-housing component and a valve component. The one or more disks may be either proximal or distal, may be either connected to each other or disconnected from each other and may either be symmetrical or have different shapes and dimensions. The disk-based valve apparatus may be self anchoring, such as anchored by pressure from the one or more disk, or may be anchored using any anchoring.

Unitary accommodating intraocular lenses (AIOLs) including a haptics system for self-anchoring in a human eye's ciliary sulcus and a resiliently elastically compressible shape memory optical element having a continuously variable Diopter strength between a first Diopter strength in a non-compressed state and a second Diopter strength different than its first Diopter strength in a compressed state. The unitary AIOLS include an optical element with an exposed trailing surface and are intended to be used with a discrete base member for applying an axial compression force against the exposed trailing surface from a posterior direction. Some unitary AIOLs are intended to be used with either a purpose designed base member or a previously implanted standard in-the-bag IOL. Other unitary AIOLs are intended to be solely used with a purpose designed base member.

A self-securing catheter to prevent dislodgement from skin or tissue preferably includes a hub and a cannula with at least one anchoring mechanism extending from the hub and / or the cannula. In some embodiments, the anchoring mechanisms can be flexible to allow them to protrude outwardly from the catheter. The catheter can be easily removed from the patient's tissue or skin by a medical professional with a twisting motion (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the catheter).

The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and / or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a device comprises a hollow sleeve sized and shaped for positioning within a duodenum of the patient, an anchor coupled to the proximal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit distal migration of the sleeve and a plurality of elastomeric objects coupled to the distal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit proximal migration of the sleeve through a pylorus of the patient. The bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.

The present invention pertains to accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assemblies including a haptics system for self-anchoring implantation in a human eye's annular ciliary sulcus for retaining an AIOL at a desired position along the human eye's visual axis, and an accommodation measurement implant (AMI) for determining accommodation and accommodation forces in an experimental set-up including an animal's eye.

A fiber block segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material. The fiber block is wrapped with a fabric around three sides so that the fabric defines a top anchor portion and a bottom anchor portions extending from the block. The fiber block is securely attached to the wrapped fabric by another fabric or twine spanning the fourth side of the block. Additionally, the fabric is wrapped only up to the edges defining one end (a male end) and beyond the edges defining the opposite end (the female end) to define a pouch-like structure at the female end. The fiber block is made of coconut fibers (coir). The fabric is woven from coir twine, and coir twine secures the fabric to the fiber block.

The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and / or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, an internal bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.

A fastener adapted for anchoring into a masonry structure, such as a concrete block, employs an epoxy resin system so that the fastener is both mechanically engaged and bonded to the structure. In one preferred configuration, the bead is composed of a hardener, a resin and a nylon powder and has a cardioid-shaped configuration which subtends substantially 360° around the shank at an intermediate position of a threaded portion of the fastener. Various configurations are disclosed, including a fastener wherein adhesive in microencapsulated form is also applied to a lower intermediate portion. In addition, wings may extend from the shank.

A self-anchoring tissue lifting device for use with facial cosmetic reconstructive surgery includes an implant and a removable foil cover disposed on the implant. The implant includes an elongated mesh strip having a distal end on which is situated a tissue anchoring fleece material. Opposite lateral edges of the mesh material are preferably laser cut during the manufacturing process of the implant to provide a plurality of tissue engaging prickles along the longitudinal length of the implant. For treating the mid face and jowl, a stab incision is made within the hairline of the temple region of the patient and the device is applied from the temporal area to the peak of the ipsilateral cheek to capture the malar fat pad to correct midface abnormalities or the ptotic tissue causing the jowl.

A magnetic force system uses a magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the pharynx and another magnetic implant sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, palate, or pharynx. The system establishes different regions of magnetic interaction between the two implants across the airway, attracting and repelling, such that attractive interaction in one region of the implants combines with repelling interaction in another region of the implants, to provide a “hinge” structure. Alternatively, a magnetic force system that uses three magnetic implants sized and configured to be inserted in the tongue, pharynx, and palate, respectively. The tongue implant is attracted to the palatal implant, and repels the pharyngeal implant, forming a modified “hinge” structure. Forces of magnetic attracting bring tissue together to form a magnetic hinge joint, providing an anchor to stabilize the regions where repelling forces work to separate tissue to keep the airway open.

A downhole tool is provided that includes a grip assembly for contacting a well formation. The grip assembly includes a gripper body; and a centralizer that is attached to and radially expandable with respect to the gripper body and that has a geometry which is lockable by a locking device. The grip assembly also includes a force amplifier in force transmitting relation with the centralizer, wherein the force amplifier transfers a force in a first direction to a much larger force in a second direction when the centralizer is locked by the locking device.

The present invention provides a self anchoring electrode for recording, measuring and / or stimulating nerve activity in nerves and / or nerve fascicles of the peripheral nervous system, and methods for using such a self anchoring electrode.

The present invention is directed to an expandable spinal fusion intervertebral implant and a method for surgically implanting said implant that provides for maintaining and creating lordosis in the human spine that can be filled with biologics while in situ to encourage spinal fusion. A threaded rod that traverses an insertion / injection handle can be rotated to operate a screw within the interbody cage that displaces opposing vertical tapped sliding wedges, causing them to converge towards each other. Such contact causes the operation of a horizontal wedge that acts as a lift to expand the interbody cage to one of various dimensions in a preferred range. In its expanded height, the overall length of the interbody cage is maintained. At its desired expansion, the spinal fusion implant of the present invention is sized to fit within the disc space between two vertebral bodies and fill all voids left while the vertical and horizontal wedges operate within, due to the biologics being contained within the interbody cage.

The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and / or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a device comprises a hollow sleeve sized and shaped for positioning within a duodenum of the patient, an anchor coupled to the proximal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit distal migration of the sleeve and a plurality of elastomeric objects coupled to the distal end of the sleeve and being sized and shaped to inhibit proximal migration of the sleeve through a pylorus of the patient. The bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.