291 results about "Surgical interventions" patented technology

A surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery includes a hollow shank with an actuating device arranged at the one end thereof and a bendable instrument tip arranged at the other end. The instrument tip is bendable toward the shank and carries a mouth part. The surgical instrument also includes a gear mechanism which transforms at least a movement of said actuating device by an operator into a rotation of said mouth part according to a predetermined transmission ratio in relation to the actuating movement.

Disclosed is a surgical needle, or active cannula, that is capable of following a complex path through cavities and tissue within a patient's anatomy. The needle has a plurality of overlapping flexible tubes, each of which has a pre-formed curvature and a pre-determined flexibility. Each of the plurality of flexible tubes is selected based on their respective preformed curvature and flexibility so that a given overlap configuration causes the combination of overlapping flexible tubes to form a predetermined shape that substantially matches a desired path through the anatomy. By individually controlling the translation and angular orientation of each of the flexible tubes, the surgical needle may be guided through the anatomy according to the desired path.

Bifurcated, active fixation, gastrointestinal leads adapted to be implanted within the body at a site of the GI tract to conduct electrical stimulation and electrical signals of the GI tract between the gastrointestinal stimulator and the site are disclosed. The GI tract lead has a lead body comprising a common lead body trunk extending from a lead body trunk proximal end to a junction with a first plurality of lead body legs that extend from the junction to a like first plurality of lead body leg distal ends. An electrode head is formed at each lead body leg distal end having a plate and supporting at least one stimulation / sense electrode and an active fixation mechanism, whereby a plurality of active fixation attachment mechanisms are supported by a like plurality of electrode heads. The plurality of electrode heads can be affixed by the fixation mechanism at a plurality of spaced apart locations of the GI tract. The plurality of electrode heads can be affixed spaced apart an optimal distance for efficacious sensing and / or stimulation accommodating the physiology and any defects or surgical interventions of the physiology or other therapeutic equipment or IMDs that restrict full access to the GI tract.

A method for closed-chest cardiac surgical intervention relies on viewing the cardiac region through a thoracoscope or other viewing scope and endovascularly partitioning the patient's arterial system at a location within the ascending aorta. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia can be induced, and a variety of surgical procedures performed on the stopped heart using percutaneously introduced tools. The method of the present invention will be particularly suitable for forming coronary artery bypass grafts, where an arterial blood source is created using least invasive surgical techniques, and the arterial source is connected to a target location within a coronary artery while the patient is under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia.

Non-surgical treatments for idiopathic scoliosis include muscle stimulation therapy, chiropractic care, and the application of a variety of braces (orthotics). Surgical intervention frequently employs rigid metallic braces that prevent further flexing of the spine where applied. This invention allows flexing of the spine with long term correction of the scoliosis by application of small variable forces to supplant and counter the unbalance of the pertinent muscles. This invention may be applied to other spine problems in addition to idiopathic scoliosis as this invention permits and accommodates flexing of the spine and simultaneously supplies correcting and straightening forces.

A visual tracking and annotation system for surgical intervention includes an image acquisition and display system arranged to obtain image streams of a surgical region of interest and of a surgical instrument proximate the surgical region of interest and to display acquired images to a user; a tracking system configured to track the surgical instrument relative to the surgical region of interest; a data storage system in communication with the image acquisition and display system and the tracking system; and a data processing system in communication with the data storage system, the image acquisition and display system and the tracking system. The data processing system is configured to annotate images displayed to the user in response to an input signal from the user.

Methods and systems are provided for neurophysiological assessment, specifically nerve and nerve root conduction frequencies, latencies and amplitudes, with respect to surgical intervention and insult. Real-time trends in waveforms are captured, and warnings of pathological changes reported, displayed and audibilized.

Methods and devices for performing percutaneous and surgical interventions. The devices comprising a tubular portion and retractable mechanism at the distal end of the tubular portion. The retractable mechanism prevents the device from pulling out of an anatomical structure during complex interventions, for example, when switching from an antegrade to a retrograde approach within a blood vessel, enables the use of a single sheath when declotting AV hemodialysis fistulas and can provide occlusion of blood flow during interventions and means of removal of debris or clot from the blood vessel.

In a method and operating system for conducting a surgical intervention, respective position sensors are mounted at a laparoscope and a surgical instrument used to conduct the intervention, and a navigation system is supplied with orientation information from these position sensors. Based on this orientation information, the navigation system automatically controls a robot arm, to which the laparoscope is mounted, to always maintain the surgical instrument in the field of view of the laparoscope.

A system and method for image guided assisted medical procedures. The system and method may utilize MRI real time guidance during the above procedures.

The invention concerns an improved tip (1) for oculistic surgery, particularly for the removal of cataract, having a proximal joint end (2) and a distal end (4), contacting the crystalline during the surgical intervention, wherein the distal end (4) contacting a corneal or sclera tissue is coated with an anti-friction treatment, based on carbon and tungsten carbide.

The current invention describes methods of transesophageal access to the neck and thorax to perform surgical interventions on structures outside the esophagus in both the cervical and the thoracic cavity. It describes a liner device made of a complete or partial tubular structure, or a flat plate, the liner having means to facilitate creation of a side opening, which may include a valve. The liner with its side opening form a port structure inside the esophageal lumen. The port structure allows elongated surgical devices to pass through a perforation across the full thickness of the esophageal wall to outside location, in a controlled way. The elongated surgical devices can be diagnostic scopes, therapeutic scopes, manual elongated surgical devices, robotic arms or the like. After being deployed outside the esophagus, the surgical devices can access structures outside the esophagus, in the neck and thorax in 360 degrees of freedom around the esophageal circumference. These structures can be bony, cartilaginous, spinal, vascular, soft tissue, deep tissues, lymph nodal, cardiac, pulmonary, tracheal, nervous, muscular or diaphragmatic, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the neck, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the anterior chest wall, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the skin of the back, and skin and layers of the breast.

Systems and methods for planning a cryoablation procedure and for facilitating a cryoablation procedure utilize integrated images displaying, in a common virtual space, a three-dimensional model of a surgical intervention site based on digitized preparatory images of the site from first imaging modalities, simulation images of cryoprobes used according to an operator-planned cryoablation procedure at the site, and real-time images provided by second imaging modalities during cryoablation. The system supplies recommendations for and evaluations of the planned cryoablation procedure, feedback to an operator during cryoablation, and guidance and control signals for operating a cryosurgery tool during cryoablation. Methods are provided for generating a nearly-uniform cold field among a plurality of cryoprobes, for cryoablating a volume with smooth and well-defined borders, thereby minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

An integrated securement and closure apparatus uses mechanical fasteners disposed in access lumens located radially outwardly from a centrally disposed opening for an endoscope. The mechanical fasteners are used to secure the distal end of an overtube against and isolate a target area of tissue inside a patient. An incision is made in the isolated target and the mechanical fasteners are used to approximate the tissue of the incision following and surgical intervention.

Disclosed are methods, compounds and compositions useful for treatment of a patient with valvular dysfunction. The invention relates to using stem cells, modified stem cells, derivatives thereof, and agents stimulatory to stem cells in order to substantially ameliorate, and in some cases induce a therapeutic benefit, to a patient suffering from a dysfunction of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary valve. In some embodiments the invention treats the valve dysfunction itself, whereas in other embodiments treatment of associated cardiac structures is performed. Furthermore, in other embodiments the invention permits physiological compensation for the valve dysfunction, prolonging the time until surgical intervention is needed.

A method and computer program product comprising an algorithm adapted to execute a method of identifying the spatial coordinates of a sustaining source of fibrillatory activity in a heart by computing a set of point-dependent dominant frequencies and a set of point-dependent regularity indices for a set of products of point-dependent unipolar discrete power spectra and point-dependent bipolar discrete power spectra, derived by spectral analyses of corresponding unipolar and bipolar cardiac depolarization signals simultaneously acquired from a set of points of the heart. A maximum dominant frequency is selected whose associated coordinates identify the point of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity. The magnitude of the regularity index is interpreted to verify the identification of the spatial coordinates of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity. When indicated, surgical intervention is directed to the spatial coordinates of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity.

A method and computer program product comprising an algorithm adapted to execute a method of identifying the spatial coordinates of a sustaining source of fibrillatory activity in a heart by computing a set of point-dependent dominant frequencies and a set of point-dependent regularity indices for a set of products of point-dependent unipolar discrete power spectra and point-dependent bipolar discrete power spectra, derived by spectral analyses of corresponding unipolar and bipolar cardiac depolarization signals simultaneously acquired from a set of points of the heart. A maximum dominant frequency is selected whose associated coordinates identify the point of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity. The magnitude of the regularity index is interpreted to verify the identification of the spatial coordinates of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity. When indicated, surgical intervention is directed to the spatial coordinates of the sustaining source of fibrillatory activity.

A method for closed-chest cardiac surgical intervention relies on viewing the cardiac region through a thoracoscope or other viewing scope and endovascularly partitioning the patient's arterial system at a location within the ascending aorta. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia can be induced, and a variety of surgical procedures performed on the stopped heart using percutaneously introduced tools. The method of the present invention will be particularly suitable for forming coronary artery bypass grafts, where an arterial blood source is created using least invasive surgical techniques, and the arterial source is connected to a target location within a coronary artery while the patient is under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia

The invention relates to an electrosurgical instrument for coagulating and / or cutting biological tissue, which can be manufactured easily and economically, wherein a surgical intervention is to be carried out easily and reliably with the instrument. For this purpose, the instrument comprises the following:two linked branches which can be moved toward one another,gripping devices at a proximal region of the branches or of the instrument for bringing the branches together,electrode parts at a distal region of the branches or of the instrument for grasping tissue and for conducting an HF current through the tissue,current feed devices for feeding the HF current to the electrode parts from an HF generator,a switching device for activating the HF current with the branches brought together,at least one spacing element to form a defined minimum spacing between the electrode parts,at least one elastically deformable element, which is arranged at one of the branches or the gripping devices such that, on closing the branches and reaching the minimum spacing, at least one region of the gripping devices can be moved further in the proximal region for actuating the switching device.The instrument can also be carried out as a shaft instrument, wherein at least one electrode part is movable through a shaft in its extension direction.

Surgical guiding tools for surgery on a bone head which include a cutting component, a guiding component and a collar having a patient-specific component are disclosed. The surgical guiding tools are interconnected which ensures secure and accurate placement of the guiding tool and thus guarantees accurate implementation of the pre-operative planning of the surgical intervention.

An integrated securement and closure apparatus uses mechanical fasteners disposed in access lumens located radially outwardly from a centrally disposed opening for an endoscope. The mechanical fasteners are used to secure the distal end of an overtube against and isolate a target area of tissue inside a patient. An incision is made in the isolated target and the mechanical fasteners are used to approximate the tissue of the incision following and surgical intervention.

Methods and systems for accessing target sites in breast and other tissues comprising catheters having hooks or other anchoring means at their distal ends. The positions of the catheters and tissue are determined using a light source, optionally using both infrared and visible light sources. Once accessed, drugs may be delivered through the catheter, or the catheter may be used to facilitate surgical intervention.

A tissue marking implant includes a matrix material and a dye marker. The implant, which can be formed entirely of bioresorbable material such as a collagen foam, is sized and shaped to replace excised tissue. The implant supports surrounding tissue upon implantation, while allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue to replace the implant. According to various alternative embodiments, the implant is elastically compressible, or can be formed from self-expanding foam or sponges, and can be implanted through a cannula or by injection, as well as by open procedures. The implant can carry therapeutic and diagnostic substances. The dye marker leaches from the implant such that a surgeon, upon subsequent surgical intervention, visibly recognizes the tissue marked by the dye marker.

Disclosed is a surgical needle, or active cannula, that is capable of following a complex path through cavities and tissue within a patient's anatomy. The needle has a plurality of overlapping flexible tubes, each of which has a pre-formed curvature and a pre-determined flexibility. Each of the plurality of flexible tubes is selected based on their respective pre-formed curvature and flexibility so that a given overlap configuration causes the combination of overlapping flexible tubes to form a predetermined shape that substantially matches a desired path through the anatomy. By individually controlling the translation and angular orientation of each of the flexible tubes, the surgical needle may be guided through the anatomy according to the desired path.

An intra-luminal medical device includes a fixation mechanism to attach the medical device to tissue within a body lumen, and a detachment mechanism to permit selective detachment of the medical device from the tissue attachment site without the need for endoscopic or surgical intervention. An electromagnetic device may be provided to mechanically actuate the detachment mechanism. Alternatively, a fuse link may be electrically blown to detach the medical device. As a further alternative, a rapidly degradable bonding agent may be exposed to a degradation agent to detach the medical device from a bonding surface within the body lumen. The medical device may eliminate problems associated with uncertain and inconsistent detachment of intra-luminal medical devices.

A method for closed-chest cardiac surgical intervention relies on viewing the cardiac region through a thoracoscope or other viewing scope and endovascularly partitioning the patient's arterial system at a location within the ascending aorta. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia can be induced, and a variety of surgical procedures performed on the stopped heart using percutaneously introduced tools. The method of the present invention will be particularly suitable for forming coronary artery bypass grafts, where an arterial blood source is created using least invasive surgical techniques, and the arterial source is connected to a target location within a coronary artery while the patient is under cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia.

The invention provides devices and methods for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within an organ or vessel. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a method of closed-chest surgical intervention within an internal cavity of a patient's heart or great vessel. According to the method, the patient's heart is arrested and cardiopulmonary bypass is established. A scope extending through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest is used to view an internal portion of the patient's chest. An internal penetration is formed in a wall of the heart or great vessel using cutting means introduced through a percutaneous penetration in an intercostal space in the patient's chest. An interventional tool is then introduced, usually through a cannula positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration. The interventional tool is inserted through the internal penetration in the heart or great vessel to perform a surgical procedure within the internal cavity under visualization by means of the scope. In a preferred embodiment, a cutting tool is introduced into the patient's left atrium from a right portion of the patient's chest to remove the patient's mitral valve. A replacement valve is then introduced through an intercostal space in the right portion of the chest and through the internal penetration in the heart, and the replacement valve is attached in the mitral valve position.

The present invention relates to a drape product for surgical interventions, comprising an opening (0) intended to be arranged around an operating site on a patient, which drape product, during use, forms a barrier between the operating site and that part of a patient's body lying outside the operating site. The drape product comprises at least one member (10, 11) for receiving and / or securing sutures or the like, through which member a suture or the like can be passed without damaging or destroying the barrier between the operating site (0) and that part of a patient's body lying outside the operating site.

An intragastric balloon system for facilitating weight loss in a human or animal patient generally includes a flexible shell suitable for placement in a digestive track of a patient and capable of being inflated with a fluid. The system further includes a valve mechanism coupled to the shell, an actuator for opening the valve mechanism to effect release of fluid from the shell, and a remote control device capable of sending a signal from outside the patient to the actuator in order to effectuate deflation of the shell in vivo and without surgical intervention.