Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor inventions 03/07

20070073377 - Method for placing a stent through a constricted lumen, and medical device: A medical device for advancing a stent through a constricted lumen of a patient is provided. The access tube defines a tubular body having a slip wire connected thereto. The walls of the tubular body are fabricated from a deformable and hydrophilic material. In one embodiment, a series of slots... Agent: Peter L. Brewer Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz Law Firm

20070073378 - Moisture curable balloon materials: The present invention relates to a catheter device having a dilatation balloon formed from a polymeric material crosslinked by moisture through —Si—O—Si— linkages, and to a method of making the same. The polymeric material is formed by reacting at least one organofunctional hydrolyzable silane with at least one polymer. The... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070073375 - Secured stent delivery system: A stent delivery system which has a stent, a catheter, and a tether. The catheter has a balloon with at least one fold. The balloon and the stent both have unexpanded configurations with smaller diameters and expanded configurations with greater diameters. The tether defines a length and has a first... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070073376 - Steep-taper flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them: A stent includes a first flaring portion including first and second sets of cells that flare outwardly when the stent is expanded from a contracted to a flared condition, and a second main portion connected to the first flaring portion. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070073379 - Stent delivery system: Medical device and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures.... Agent: Cardiomind, Inc.

20070073381 - Expandable stent having a dissolvable portion: An expandable stent having a covering which exhibits the characteristic of upon being activated by applying an agent to the covering, dissolving to expose a portion of the underlying stent. The stent may be placed across the neck of an aneurysm to seal the aneurysm and thereafter a selected region... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070073380 - Longitudinally expanding, rotating & contracting shaped memory superelastic stent: An intralumenal tubular assembly comprising two elements of essentially equal length, bonded together preferably by coaxially inserting a rectangular wire into a rectangular thin walled tube, of shape memory superelastic material, helically wound, exhibiting a hysteresis loop in phase transformation and superelastic loading and unloading, following different paths. This composite... Agent: John H. Faro Suite 1100

20070073382 - Segmented spine: A stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has alternating peak regions and trough regions and extends about substantially the entire circumference of the stent. At least one of the serpentine bands has a spline extending therefrom toward a serpentine band adjacent thereto. Serpentine bands which are... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070073383 - Drug-eluting stent cover and method of use: An intravascular stent includes an eluting sheath fabricated from a mesh for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. The eluting sheath is attached to at least a portion of an outside surface area of the stent... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20070073385 - Eluting, implantable medical device: An intraluminal device is provided with a porous structure. The porous structure may be loaded with a bioactive substance to treat surrounding tissues after the intraluminal device has been implanted. The porous structure may be made by depositing a metal film on a foam structure using chemical vapor deposition. Porous... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070073384 - Longitudinally flexible expandable stent: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of serpentine bands and a plurality of connector struts. Adjacent serpentine bands are connected by at least one connector strut. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of alternating straight band struts and turns. Each connector strut is connected at one... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070073374 - Endoprostheses including nickel-titanium alloys: Self-expanding endoprostheses, such as stents, have good fatigue resistance are disclosed.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070073373 - Intraluminal medical device with nested interlocking segments: An intraluminal medical device having nested interlocking axially adjacent segments that remain interlocked during delivery to an intended treatment site. The medical device is preferably a stent in which the nested interlocked axially adjacent segments provide increased control and stability of the stent during delivery and increased vessel support when... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070073386 - Stent: A stent shaped as a three-dimensional body which is formed by interlaced threads (1) arranged in multistart turns of a helical line. The threads (1) are arranged in at least two groups (2 and 3) of the helical turns featuring opposite senses of helix. The stent ends are established by... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070073387 - Prosthetic heart valves, support structures and systems and methods for implanting the same: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070073388 - Flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them: Flared stents are disclosed, and apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into a bifurcation between a main vessel and a branch vessel. The stent includes a first tubular portion a second flaring portion that may be flared radially outwardly to contact the ostium. The stent may include variable mechanical... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070073389 - Endovascular aneurysm devices, systems, and methods: Devices, systems, and methods for implanting prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners to at least one prosthesis end. The fasteners are... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070073390 - Methods and devices for enhanced adhesion between metallic substrates and bioactive material-containing coatings: Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures with enhanced adhesion characteristics. The bioactive composite structures are prepared using anchors that are electrochemically codeposited into a metallic layer that is formed on the surface of implantable medical device followed by the adhesion of... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP Attn: C. Rachal Winger

20070073391 - System and method for delivering a mitral valve repair device: A system and method is provided for treating a mitral valve. The method preferably includes advancing a guide catheter to an ostium of the coronary sinus and advancing a delivery catheter containing a medical implant through the guide catheter and into the coronary sinus. The delivery catheter has an inner... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070073392 - Composite heart valve apparatus manufactured using techniques involving laser machining of tissue: Methodology for using laser machining techniques to modify a tissue for use in a medical device. In a representative mode of practice, relatively low energy laser machining is used to thin down at least a portion of a valved jugular vein. The thinned down vein may then be sutured to,... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20070073393 - Method and apparatus for pumping blood: At least one aspect is directed to a totally artificial heart, and at least another aspect is directed to a method of controlling blood flow in a patient. The totally artificial heart may include a first rotary pump having an input to receive blood and an output to provide blood... Agent: Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi

20070073394 - Repair of damaged tissue on a bone site: A repair kit for use in the repair of damaged cartilage present at or on the surface of a bone site in an animal or human, in which the damaged cartilage is removed from the site and a groove is formed about the site and into the bone prior to... Agent: Kirton And Mcconkie

20070073396 - Adjustable spinal prostheses: Apparatus including a first spinal prosthetic member attachable to a first spinal structure, a second spinal prosthetic member attachable to a second spinal structure and articulating with the first spinal prosthetic member to form an articulating assembly, and pedicle screw mounting members extending outwards from the first and second spinal... Agent: Dekel Patent Ltd., David Klein

20070073395 - Anchoring means for intervertebral implants: The invention relates to an anchor piece for fixing an intervertebral implant (15) to the end plate of a vertebra body (19;20), comprising A) an anchor piece (1), with a central axis (6) and two end faces (4, 5) transverse to the central axis (6), B) at least two spikes... Agent: Jones Day

20070073397 - Disc nucleus prosthesis and its method of insertion and revision: A revisable nuclear disc prosthesis and method of insertion and revision are provided. The revisable disc prosthesis includes a reversibly expandable support cage surrounding a containment vessel containing a suitable structural support material, and a hydrodynamic filler material disposed in the disc space between the disc prosthesis support cage and... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070073401 - Method for repairing bone: A method for repairing bone in a bone cavity delimited by healthy bone faces, and from which traumatized bone has been excised, comprises adjusting a flexible, biocompatible mesh fabric tube to fit the bone cavity and contact the healthy bone faces and filling the mesh tube with a bone graft.... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20070073399 - Minimally invasive apparatus to manipulate and revitalize spinal column disc: A method and apparatus are provided to manipulate and revitalize a spinal column disc while minimizing or preventing the removal of material comprising the disc. The method allows a device to be inserted in the disc either through a pre-existing rupture or through an opening formed in the front, back,... Agent: Tod R Nissle

20070073400 - Spinal fusion implant: The present invention relates to spacers that are configured to promote fusion. Windows or openings in the sidewalls of the fusion spacers may be provided to allow a physician to view the treated area to confirm that fusion has occurred or to check on the progress of treatment. Fusion spacers... Agent: Castellano, Malm, Ferrario & Buck, PLLC

20070073398 - Spine surgery method and implant: An implant has a first contact surface to contact a first vertebral body endplate and a second contact surface to contact a second vertebral body endplate adjacent the first vertebral body. The implant is deployable, when positioned within an intradiscal space between the first and second vertebral bodies, from a... Agent: Brouse Mcdowell Lpa

20070073402 - Hydrogel balloon prosthesis for nucleus pulposus: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A... Agent: Jones Day

20070073403 - Artificial intervertebral disc: The present invention is directed to the field of prosthetic devices. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to an artificial disc that can be used as a replacement for an intervertebral disc (e.g., a human intervertebral lumbar disc, a human intervertebral cervical disc and/or a human... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20070073404 - Intervertebral disc prosthesis: The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis comprising at least two plates, namely first and second plates, articulated about each other by means of a curved surface, namely articulation, of at least one of the plates, each of the plates comprising a surface known as a contact surface, intended... Agent: J. Scott Denko

20070073406 - Artificial functional spinal unit assemblies: An artificial functional spinal unit is provided comprising, generally, an expandable artificial intervertebral implant that can be placed via a posterior surgical approach and used in conjunction with one or more artificial facet joints to provide an anatomically correct range of motion. Expandable artificial intervertebral implants in both lordotic and... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20070073405 - Motion segment repair system: Various methods and devices are provided for implanting a motion segment repair system. In particular, exemplary methods and devices are provided for implanting a spinal disc implant and/or a PDS device using a posterior surgical approach, including methods and devices for distracting adjacent vertebrae using a posterior surgical approach, methods... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070073407 - Spinal disc annulus reconstruction method and spinal disc annulus stent: A spinal disc annulus repair device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070073408 - Joint prosthesis and method of implanting same: A novel and improved canine elbow prosthesis and method of implanting same including a unique bi-compartmental prosthesis having bone receiving members and transverse pegs which may be implanted with a minimally invasive surgical technique.... Agent: John E. Reilly

20070073409 - Radial-capitellar implant: A radial-capitellar implant for surgical replacement of the capitellum of the humerus and, optionally, the head of the radius. The radial-capitellar implant includes a capitellar implant or surface replacement arthroplasty of the capitellum and a radial prosthesis for replacement of the head of the radius. In one embodiment the radial... Agent: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

20070073410 - Flexible prosthetic cup: A prosthetic flexible bearing element cup or cup bearing liner is adapted for use with a part-spherical bearing head. The flexible bearing element includes an inner bearing surface which has a first portion which is substantially part-spherical about a hemispherical center located on a main loading axis, and a second... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070073411 - Premounting device for cutting ring fitting: A premounting device for a cutting ring fitting, the device including a frame part (1), support elements (2), a movable actuator (3), elements for moving the movable actuator (3) and a socket member (10) that is detachably attached to the movable actuator (3), the movable actuator (3) being arranged to... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070073412 - Transcutaneous prosthesis: A transcutaneous prosthesis includes a first component shaped for implantation into a bone, the first component including flutes or grooves on a surface thereof for deterring rotation of the prosthesis within a bone; a second component adapted for location between the bone and the skin, the second component having a... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070073413 - Artificial urinary diversion device: An artificial urinary diversion device containing a urinary bladder is provided including first, second and third portions having respective cross-sectional surfaces such that the second portion is disposed between the first and third portions, and the first and second cross-sectional surfaces are smaller than the third cross-sectional surfaces, and a... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070073414 - Assembly for controlling emptying of a female urine bladder, incontinence valve, and urine drainage assembly comprising the assembly: An assembly for controlling emptying of a urine bladder, adapted to be positioned into a urethra of a female is disclosed. It comprises an oblong and substantially cylindrically shaped body to be inserted into the urethra, the body presenting a urine inlet and a urine outlet, at the ends of... Agent: Gauthier & Connors LLP Suite 2300

20070073415 - Dural graft and method of preparing the same: A dural graft is provided having improved stiffness characteristics relative to conventional dural substitutes. The dural graft can be formed from a collagen material having a stiffness between about 0.1 pounds per inch (lb./in.) and 0.25 lb./in. Relative to the collagen material forming conventional dural graft substitutes, the decreased stiffness... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070067009 - Implantable medical devices with enhanced visibility, mechanical properties and biocompatability: An implantable mechanical device for insertion into a passage, where the device is made from a platinum alloy selected from the group consisting of platinum:iridium alloy, platinum:tungsten alloy, platinum:rhodium:ruthenium alloy, platinum:rhodium alloy and platinum:nickel alloy.... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070067010 - Implantable medical devices with enhanced visibility, mechanical properties and biocompatability: The present invention is directed to a procedure and a special balloon used in balloon angioplasty and stent installation in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), which employs a heart catheter with a balloon at its distal end. After being inflated, the balloon is in doughnut shape with a hole in... Agent: William T. Wang Z Wang

20070067011 - Steep-taper flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them: A stent includes a first portion including first and second bands of cells that flare outwardly when the stent is expanded from a contracted to a flared condition, and a second portion connected to the first portion by flexible connectors. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070067012 - Custom length stent apparatus: Apparatus and methods for delivering prosthetic segments to a body lumen, utilize a device having an elongated flexible member including proximal and distal ends, a plurality of prosthetic segments releasably arranged axially along the elongated flexible member near the distal end and an outer sheath slidably disposed over at least... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP (client No 021629-000000)

20070067013 - Double metal stent introducer: A stent introducer apparatus including a primary stent introducer device movably disposed within a secondary stent introducer device. The primary stent introducer device includes a first self-expanding stent mounted on an elongate pusher member. The primary stent introducer device further includes an inner introducer catheter slidably disposed about the pusher... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070067014 - Method for aortic graft installation: An method for installing a vascular graft to replace an extensive diseased portion of the aorta in single surgical procedure.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett Suite 400

20070067015 - Expandable stent having a stabilized portion: An expandable stent having a covering which exhibits the characteristic of being normally dissolvable in blood, but upon being activated, becomes inert to blood. The stent may be placed across the neck of an aneurysm to seal the aneurysm and thereafter the portion of the covering of the stent across... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070067018 - Bifurcated stent: A stent for placement at a vessel bifurcation has an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration. The stent comprises a substantially tubular main body and a branch body. The branch body comprises at least one flexible member engaged to the main body. The flexible member comprises an expandable polymer which... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070067016 - Stent comprising terminal anchoring elements: The invention relates to a stent comprising terminal anchoring elements. Said stent (10) is provided with a tubular wall that extends along a longitudinal, flexible tubular axis (26), is formed from a flexible grid structure, and has tube ends (20) lying on opposing axis ends. Said wall consists of annular... Agent: Donn K. Harms Patent & Trademark Law Center

20070067017 - Stent with improved durability: The invention relates to a stent with improved durability. Said stent comprises a tubular grid wall extending around a longitudinal axis and consisting of elastic wall segments that are successively arranged circumferentially along the axis and are interconnected by means of connection segments. Said wall segments comprise spring elements that... Agent: Donn K. Harms Patent & Trademark Law Center

20070067019 - Tether guided stent side branch: A tether guided bifurcated stent having a generally tubular main body extending along a longitudinal axis connected to a side branch assembly. Both the main stent body and the side branch assembly are capable of forming an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The bifurcation's expansion is facilitated by a... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070067020 - Intraluminal stent, delivery system, and a method of treating a vascular condition: An intraluminal stent, an intraluminal stent delivery system, and a method treating a vascular condition. The stent includes a framework including an elongated spiral seam. The framework includes a side edge including an angle formed with respect to an end edge. The system includes a catheter and a stent. The... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070067022 - Implantable support frame with electrolytically removable material: Endoluminally implantable medical devices having an electrolytically removable portion are provided, as well as methods pertaining to the same. The electrolytically removable portion can be dissolved within a body vessel after implantation of the medical device, by application of an electrical current from an electrode on a catheter inside the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/indy/cook

20070067021 - Venous valve, system, and method with sinus pocket: A venous valve with a frame and valve leaflets that provide a sinus pocket. The venous valve provides for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.... Agent: Brooks & Cameron, PLLC

20070067023 - Tether guided stent side branch: A tether guided bifurcated stent having a generally tubular main body extending along a longitudinal axis connected to a side branch assembly. Both the main stent body and the side branch assembly are capable of forming an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The bifurcation's expansion is facilitated by a... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070067024 - Intraluminal graft: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer... Agent: NeifeldIPLaw, PC

20070067025 - Stent for a vascular meniscal repair and regeneration: A surgical stent made of biocompatible material for implantation in human tissue to enable blood and nutrients to flow from an area of vascular tissue to an area of tissue with little or no vasculature.... Agent: Baker & Daniels LLP 111 E. Wayne Street

20070067026 - Medical device with beneficial agent delivery mechanism: An expandable tissue supporting device of the present invention employs ductile hinges at selected points in the expandable device. When expansion forces are applied to the device as a whole, the ductile hinges concentrate expansion stresses and strains in small well defined areas. The expandable medical device including ductile hinges... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070067028 - Annuloplasty ring holder: An annuloplasty ring holder including a head having an upper surface and an annuloplasty ring receiving surface facing opposite the upper surface. The annuloplasty ring holder also includes means for attaching an annuloplasty ring to the annuloplasty ring receiving surface. The means for attaching an annuloplasty ring to the annuloplasty... Agent: Swanson & Bratschun L.L.C.

20070067027 - Left atrial balloon catheter: Systems, methods and devices are provided for activation of an adjustable annuloplasty device. The devices may include a catheter system for percutaneously activating an adjustable annuloplasty device, including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly having at least one fluid lumen, and a distal element. The shaft assembly extends between the... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070067029 - Support apparatus to facilitate implantation of cardiac prosthesis: An apparatus includes substantially rigid and annular base portion having a radially outer sidewall portion and having a radially inner sidewall portion that defines an opening that extends axially through the base portion. A first rim portion extends substantially radially outwardly from the radially outer sidewall portion. A second rim... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070067030 - Multi-focal intraocular lens, and methods for making and using same: An intraocular lens is provided that includes an optic body having anterior and posterior walls, a chamber, and optically transmissive primary and secondary fluids, and method for making and using the same. One of the fluids is a gas. The secondary fluid is substantially immiscible with the primary fluid and... Agent: Berenato, White & Stavish, LLC

20070067031 - Intraocular lens: A an IOL having an edge texture that reduces the light reflected off of the IOL edge and as a result, both the positive and negative dysphotopsia are reduced significantly.... Agent: Alcon

20070067032 - Meniscus preserving implant method and apparatus: The invention includes an interpositional arthrosplasty implant adapted to be retained in position in apposition to ajoint surface, at least in part, by surrounding healthy tissue. In some embodiments the implant comprises a knee implant. The implant can include one or more structural features adapted to be fixedly positioned within... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070067033 - Hair replacement method: A method for implanting and retaining hair extensions into human skin, so that they can replace lost natural hair. A hair extension is affixed to a termination on one end. An anchor is then placed over this termination. A channel is cut through the skin's outer layer. An insert having... Agent: J. Wiley Horton, Esquire Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell & Dunbar, P.A.

20070067034 - Implantable devices and methods for treating micro-architecture deterioration of bone tissue: An expandable stabilization device is disclosed that is suitable for deployment within cancellous bone, including, for example, within a vertebral body of a spine. The device comprises: an elongate expandable shaft adapted to be positioned within a vertebral body having a first profile and a second profile; wherein the shaft... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070067035 - Steerable interbody fusion cage: An interbody vertebral cage facilitates minimally invasive approaches to the intervertebral disc for corrective restoration of disc height, stabilization between vertebra, and fusion. The preferred embodiment provides a streamlined, slender straight contour with a central hinge or other articulating apparatus that allows the introduction of the cage into the operative... Agent: John G. Posa Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle, Anderson &

20070067036 - Hydrogel total disc prosthesis: A prosthetic spinal disc includes a cushioning member encased in a flexible sac and positioned between a pair of opposing endplates. A pair of retainer members are also located inside the sac to secure the sac to the endplates. The cushioning member is expandable from a first configuration to a... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070067038 - Intervertebral disk prosthesis or artificial vertebral body: An intervertebral disk prosthesis or the intervertebral implant has a cavity-like middle part with a longitudinal axis, an upper end, a lower end, an upper apposition plate, and a lower apposition plate. The upper apposition plate is placed on the upper end of the middle part such that it is... Agent: Jones Day

20070067037 - Modular intervertebral implant or intervertebral disk prosthesis: A modular intervertebral implant or a modular intervertebral disk prosthesis has a middle piece or central section equipped with elements for detachable fixation to one or two apposition plates designed to rest against the base plate or cover plate of an intervertebral body. A modular kit of such modular implants... Agent: Jones Day

20070067039 - Intervertebral disc herniation repair: Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and/or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070067040 - Methods and apparatus for reconstructing the anulus fibrosus: Methods and devices for fixing a defect in the anulus fibrosus of a patient. The devices include first and second vertical components extending from the middle region of the horizontal component, each of the first and second vertical components having a width and an end. The middle region of the... Agent: O'melveny & Myers LLP

20070067041 - Inflatable facial implant and associated method: An inflatable facial implant includes a base having a first side and a second side. A bladder wall is secured to the first side of the base. The bladder wall is more flexible than the base. Surgical methods of using such an implant are also disclosed.... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20070067042 - Prosthesis with resorbable collar: An articulating hemiarthroplasty prosthesis (10) for use in arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis includes a stem (12) for implantation at least partially within the medullary canal (14) of a long bone (16) and a collar (20). The collar (20) is operably associated with the stem (12) and extends outwardly therefrom.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070067043 - \"cement and bone graft absorbable & implantable detachable sac,\" a delivery system: My proposed device is a fillable, detachable sac, which is intended to be placed with standard endoscopic or minimally invasive surgical techniques into bone cavities in Orthopedic Surgical practice. The “Sac” may be made of either permanent or dissolvable materials and is to be filled with bone cement, bone graft,... Agent: Gerard Henry Dericks, Jr Md

20070067044 - Orthopaedic bearing material: Disclosed is a polymeric orthopaedic bearing material for use as an implant material or part thereof comprising one or more crosslinked regions and one or more non-crosslinked or substantially non-crosslinked regions at the surface. The bearing material can be prepared from a crosslinkable polymer, e.g., ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20070067045 - Systems and methods for skin wrinkle removal: An implant is disclosed that reduces wrinkles. The implant may be in the shape of a cylinder with a constant or a varying cross-section and length. The implant contains a gel that has limited flow capability. The implant can also be a balloon that may or may not have multiple... Agent: Tran & Associates

20070061000 - Balloon catheter device: Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy... Agent: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

20070060996 - Coil shaft: Systems for delivering medical devices, as well as related methods are described.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070060998 - Endoluminal delivery system: An endoluminal delivery system is provided having an endoluminal prosthesis sized to fit through a body lumen in a first unexpanded state, where a second state is an expanded relative to the first state. At least one delivery capsule is incorporated to the outer wall of the endoluminal prosthesis, where... Agent: Lumen Intellectual Property Services, Inc.

20070060997 - Multi-lumen steerable catheter: A steerable catheter may have a flexible shaft extending between a proximal and distal end, with a hub affixed to the proximal end, and at least one actuator for causing the catheter distal end to move or bend in a desired direction. The catheter shaft defines at least one passage... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070060999 - Variable speed stent delivery system: A delivery system for deploying a medical device, such as a stent, at increasing deployment speed is described. The system comprises a catheter comprising a catheter shaft, a retractable sheath slidably mounted on the catheter shaft, and the device in a compressed state sandwiched between the shaft and sheath. A... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070060995 - Workflow for cardiovascular intervention: A method is provided for a workflow for cardiovascular intervention that provides online monitoring and therapy control of the procedure. A series of steps are provided utilizing an imaging technology in combination with a therapeutic device to optimize the reliability of the treatment and minimize the negative effects on the... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070061001 - Packaging sheath for drug coated stent: A sheath for temporarily protecting the drug coating on the surface of a stent after being mounted on a delivery catheter until just before use. The sheath is configured so as to enable its inner diameter to be temporarily increased to facilitate unrestricted fitment about and removal from the stent.... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070061002 - Attachment of material to an implantable frame by cross-linking: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a frame and a cross-linkable material having at least one cross-linked region and a non cross-linked region, where the cross-linked region maintains the cross-linkable material in connection to... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070061004 - Expandable stent with sliding and locking radial elements: The present invention provides a lumen support stent with a clear through-lumen for use in a body lumen. The stent is formed from at least one series of sliding and locking radial elements and at least one ratcheting mechanism comprising an articulating element and a plurality of stops. The ratcheting... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070061003 - Segmented ostial protection device: An intraluminal device for placement in a side-branch vessel associated with a main vessel via an ostial region. The intraluminal device includes an anchor portion, a cap portion and an articulating module. The anchor portion of the device is placed in the side branch vessel and the cap portion includes... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20070061005 - Devices and methods for treatment of vascular aneurysms: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070060994 - Blood flow diverters for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: A blood flow diverter device for treatment of intracranial aneurysms, including a porous tubular member having a central portion and two ends. The member is of sufficient flexibility and body compatibility to be placed in proximity within an intracranial aneurysm. The central portion of the tubular member has a sufficiently... Agent: John S. Munday, Esquire

20070061007 - Differentially coated stent: A stent is differentially coated to accommodate areas of high strain. A therapeutic coating is applied to only those areas of the stent that do not experience high strain. This allows a therapeutic coating to be chosen for its elution characteristics, for example, rather than for its ability to withstand... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070061006 - Methods of making shape memory films by chemical vapor deposition and shape memory devices made thereby: A method of depositing shape memory or superelastic thin films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and medical devices made thereby, including stents, grafts, stent-grafts, stent covers, occlusive and filter membranes and drug-delivery devices. The method entails a thin film is deposited on a substrate surface using a CVD reaction in... Agent: David G. Rosenbaum Rosenbaum & Associates, P.C.

20070061009 - Method of crimping a prosthetic valve: An improved crimping mechanism and method well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070061008 - Two-part package for medical implant: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070061010 - Device and method for reshaping mitral valve annulus: Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One preferred device is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070061011 - Intervertebral prosthesis: An intervertebral prosthesis for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower prosthesis plates locatable against respective vertebrae and having opposing, concavely curved recesses therein, and a core located between the plates. The core has opposed, convexly curved surfaces received in the recesses of the plates to allow the plates... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070061012 - Intervertebral disc annulus stent: A stent, or device for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall, or annulus fibrosus, after surgical incision or pathologic rupture, which is inserted through an aperture into the subannular space. The stent has radial extensions which are caused or allowed to expand into an expanded configuration to bridge... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070061013 - Methods and devices for spinal disc annulus reconstruction and repair: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070061014 - Apparatus and method for determining and adjusting the optimal relative position of a functional surface and of correspondingly shaped implant components of an artificial joint: An apparatus and a method for determining and adjusting the optimal relative position of several functional surfaces of a condyle or of a socket of a human or artificial joint, especially for use with an endoprosthesis for the human knee joint, is provided. The apparatus is furnished with a compartment... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070061015 - System and method for tissue generation and bone regeneration: A system and method for the repair of damaged tissue and bones, congenitally missing tissue/cosmetic reconstruction of tissue is described. The system has a layered porous structure with a sufficiently large area of exposed pores to promote neo-vascularization as well as bone and tissue formation. The disclosed porous implant system... Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070061016 - Foot prosthetic and methods of use: The present invention relates generally to prosthetic devices. In particular, the present invention describes intelligent (e.g., microprocessor controlled) foot prostheses configured to actively store and release energy associated with walking. The foot prostheses of the present invention reduce the energy required during ambulation for amputees requiring foot prostheses.... Agent: Medlen & Carroll. LLP Suite 350

20070061017 - Liner for use with prosthetic devices: A liner for use with a prosthesis has a height and an area and comprises an optional inner layer, a cushion layer affixed to the inner layer, an outer layer affixed to the cushion layer, and an optional bead affixed to at least one of the layers and defining the... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C.

20070055342 - Delivery system for medical devices: The invention is directed to a delivery system for implantation a self-expanding medical device in a body which includes a control handle and a catheter portion. The catheter portion includes an outer restraining member which covers the collapsed, medical device, an inner catheter member having a distal end including a... Agent: Fulwider Patton

20070055341 - Endograft: An endograft deployment mechanism having a cone for placement in a blood vessel, a plurality of struts having first ends engaged with the cone and second ends opposite the first ends, and a hollow outer sheath associated with the cone, the sheath housing an endograft having proximal and distal ends,... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070055339 - Staged stent delivery systems: Medical devices and methods for delivery or implantation of prostheses within hollow body organs and vessels or other luminal anatomy are disclosed. The subject technologies may be used in the treatment of atherosclerosis in stenting procedures or a variety of other procedures. The various systems described employ self expanding stent... Agent: Cardiomind, Inc.

20070055340 - Stent delivery system with multiple evenly spaced pullwires: In one aspect, a stent delivery system includes a catheter having two or more pullwire lumens evenly spaced about the central axis of the catheter and thereby balanced within the catheter. Pullwires are positioned in the pullwire lumens. Proximal portions of the pullwires are attached to a connector, which is... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055338 - Strain management in stent delivery system: A percutaneous, transluminal system with a distal end for inserting into a body and a proximal end to remain outside the body, and comprising: an inner catheter which runs the length of the system and has a distal end and a proximal end, the inner catheter itself comprising: an inner... Agent: Morrison & Foerster, LLP

20070055343 - Airway assembly for tracheal intubation: In some embodiments, an airway assembly may be used in a procedure that requires tracheal intubation. The airway assembly may include a first conduit, a sleeve, and a stent. The first conduit and the sleeve may be relatively flexible, facilitating insertion of the airway assembly in a body lumen (e.g.,... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.c.

20070055344 - Devices and methods for use in performing transmyocardial coronary bypass: Devices and methods utilized in performing transmyocardial coronary bypass include retractors used to engage and support myocardial tissue, and mechanisms for supporting coronary vessels so as to allow precise entry into a vessel lumen. In addition, various conduits are provided having a configuration that permits their positioning in a heart... Agent: Katharine A. Jackson Huebsch Medtronic, Inc.

20070055345 - Endoluminal prosthesis: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure for use in a body lumen through which body fluids flow. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft where it is to be sealingly engaged with the inner wall of a... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055346 - Method and apparatus for delivery of a treatment element in a blood vessel: An excluding device is inserted in a vessel. An excluded space is formed between a portion of a wall of the vessel and a portion of an exterior surface of the excluding device. A treatment element is passed through a channel of the excluding device into the excluded space. The... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055347 - Endoluminal prosthesis: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide columnar support while maintaining prosthesis flexibility. The prosthesis has sufficient strength and durability to... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055349 - Stent with drug coating: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20070055348 - Tabbed stent with minimum compressed profile: A structure and method associated with a tabbed stent that facilitates folding of its unconnected crowns over the adjacent connected crowns, to thus minimize the stent's compressed diameter. The middles of tabs and connected crowns are moved radially inwards with respect to unconnected neighbor crowns such that when in a... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055351 - Crown stent assembly: A stent assembly comprises a proximal stent and a distal stent. Each stent has a tubular body defining a stent lumen and a circumference. A proximal flap extends from the distal end of the proximal stent and a distal flap extends from the proximal end of the distal stent. Each... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.a.

20070055350 - Modular branch vessel stent-graft assembly: Modular branch vessel stent-graft assemblies for the treatment arterial or vascular disease at the branch of two or more arteries or blood flow passageways, including, for example, abdominal aortic aneurysms are assembled in a patient's trunk/parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055354 - Stent with drug coating: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20070055352 - Stent with pockets for containing a therapeutic agent: A medical device for: delivering a therapeutic agent to a body lumen is described. The device may generally be a stent with an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface, with a plurality of struts having a plurality of openings therein. An inner and outer layer may be applied... Agent: Jones Day

20070055353 - Tubular support prosthesis with laterally overlapping arcs of curvature: The present invention refers to a tubular support prostheses (stent) for vessels or intercorporeal lumina comprising at least two adjacently arranged expandable support rings connected to one another on at least one joint, said support rings being formed by a filament wound in a meander-like manner to form several arcs... Agent: Duane Morris, LLP Ip Department

20070055355 - Devices and methods for treatment of vascular aneurysms: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070055356 - Inflatable bifurcation stent: A stent may comprise a graft having a plurality of outwardly deployable petals. A petal may include an internal inflation pocket. Upon inflation, the petal may deploy outwardly and provide support to a portion of a vessel bifurcation. Inflation may be accomplished by injecting an inflation medium into the inflation... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.a.

20070055357 - Prosthetic heart valve housing: This invention relates to an implant and an implant technique for the interposition of an extracardiac conduit between a ventricle of a beating heart and a nearby blood vessel to form an alternative one-way blood pathway thereby bypassing a native diseased heart valve. More specifically, the present invention provides a... Agent: James L. Pokorney

20070055358 - Axially compressible flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them: A stent includes a flaring portion and a main portion connected to the flaring portion. The main portion includes a plurality of bands of cells spaced apart axially from one another, adjacent bands of cells being intermittently connected to one another. During use, the stent is introduced into a main... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20070055359 - Vascular graft marker: A vascular graft marker comprising radiopaque material defining a vascular graft origin site and destination of a vascular graft is provided. The graft marker has at least a portion of its body comprising a radiopaque material for radiographically indicating the vascular graft origin site and at least a portion of... Agent: Hutchison Law Group Pllc

20070055361 - Coronary stent: In an embodiment, a stent is provided for use in blood vessels with blockage near or in a bifurcation. The stent includes a side aperture. The stent is inserted into one of the daughter branches of the bifurcation and positioned with the use of markers. The stent is then expanded... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070055360 - Methods and apparatus for treatment of aneurysms adjacent branch arteries including branch artery flow lumen alignment: A stent graft extends in a flow lumen to span a defective portion of the flow lumen and seal the defective portion from further blood contact. The stent graft includes a pair of apertures, from which extensions project into the renal arteries to seal the passage of blood into the... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20070055362 - Overlapping stent: A medical device may comprise a body portion and an outwardly deployable side branch structure, and may be formed from a first stent and a second stent. In some embodiments, the first stent and second stent may be connected by at least one connection. At least a portion of the... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.a.

20070055363 - System and method for forming a junction between elements of a modular endovascular prosthesis: The present invention provides a system and a method for forming in vivo a junction between a first and a second element of a modular endovascular prosthesis used for repairing defects in vessels and other lumens within the body of a patient. The first element is adapted to have a... Agent: Fulwider Patton

20070055364 - Controlled disintegrating implantable medical devices: Implantable medical devices for treating bodily disorders local and distally to a region of implantation are disclosed.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20070055365 - Stent with integrated filter: A medical device that may be implanted intraluminally in a patient includes a stent and a filter combination. In one variation, the device includes a stent with a distal portion adapted to capture particles during the placement of the device in a stenosed region within a blood vessel. In another... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.l.p.

20070055367 - Medical device with coating that promotes endothelial cell adherence and differentiation: Compositions and methods are provided for producing a medical device such as a stent, a stent graft, a synthetic vascular graft, heart valves, coated with a biocompatible matrix which incorporates antibodies, antibody fragments, or small molecules, which recognize, bind to and/or interact with a progenitor cell surface antigen to immobilize... Agent: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

20070055366 - Stent with web-inducing nodes for increased surface area: A medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent is described comprising a stent comprising a sidewall and a plurality of struts, wherein at least one strut or strut portion comprises at least one node, wherein the expansion of the stent creates at least one web comprising a coating composition having... Agent: Jones Day

20070055368 - Slotted annuloplasty ring: Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner, such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070055370 - Packaging system for intraocular lens: A packaging system for an IOL including an IOL pre-packaged in a liquid medium in a load chamber of an IOL delivery device, the IOL delivery device including an injection port through which the IOL is expellable.... Agent: David Klein Dekel Patent Ltd

20070055369 - Novel adjustable optical elements with enhanced ultraviolet protection: The invention relates to novel optical elements having improved UV protection. The optical element comprises a light adjustable optical element with a UV absorbent layer applied to at least one surface of the optical element. The invention is particularly useful in light adjustable intraocular lenses.... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski L.l.p. Fulbright Tower

20070055371 - External breast prosthesis: An external breast prosthesis includes an elastomeric skin in the form of a human breast surrounding an inner material such as a silicone gel or hydrogel. The inner material may be of a defined shape or may be amorphous and conform to the shape of the elastomeric skin. The elastomeric... Agent: Jones Day

20070055372 - Crimp assist middle ear prosthesis: A middle ear prosthesis comprises a member adapted to supplement an ossicular bone when implanted in an ear. An anatomically conforming structure is secured to the member comprising an upper arcuate portion and a lower arcuate portion, each having near and distal ends. A crimp assist portion is connected to... Agent: Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark & Mortimer

20070055377 - Bone implants and methods: The disclosure provides implants and methods for bone fusion procedures. In some embodiments, the implants are particularly advantageous for use between opposing vertebral bodies to facilitate stabilization or arthrodesis of an intervertebral joint. The implants includes, at least, a support component that provides structural support during fusion. In a typical... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070055373 - Facet replacement/spacing and flexible spinal stabilization: The present invention is related to spinal stabilization devices. More particularly, this invention relates to devices for addressing back pain originating in the facet joints and the spinous processes of the vertebrae. One embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped facet implant for insertion between the facets of... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070055374 - Intervertebral implant and surgical method for spondylodesis of a lumbar vertebral column: An intervertebral implant has a head positioned at one end of the implant. The head has a conical portion, on which an external thread is formed, and an outer end region formed by a protective elevation. The elevation is, is viewed from the outside, convexly curved and free from sharp... Agent: Young & Basile, P.c.

20070055375 - Methods and apparatus for reconstructing the annulus fibrosis: Methods and devices for fixing a defect in the annulus fibrosis of a patient. The devices include first and second vertical components extending from the middle region of the horizontal component, each of the first and second vertical components having a width and an end. The middle region of the... Agent: O'melveny & Myers LLP

20070055376 - Spinal fusion implant having deployable bone engaging projections: Instrumentation is disclosed for inserting an interbody spinal fusion implant for implantation at least in part within and across the generally restored height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies of a human spine. The implant has an external housing and a substantially hollow internal rotatable member having... Agent: Martin & Ferraro, LLP

20070055378 - Transforaminal prosthetic spinal disc replacement and methods thereof: The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine and methods for inserting said discs. The present invention also relates to prosthetic spinal disc designs that are implanted using a transforaminal approach, methods thereof, and apparatus thereof.... Agent: Castellano Malm Pllc

20070055379 - Annular access devices: An annular access device provides minimally invasive access to the interior of an intervertebral disc, a stable working platform for treatment, and closure of an annulotomy. A method of performing a surgical operation on an intervertebral disc provides for inserting an obturator into an annulotomy, and actuating an operable member... Agent: Carr LLP (ist)

20070055380 - Method and apparatus for a glenoid prosthesis: A method and apparatus for a glenoid prosthesis. According to various embodiments, the glenoid prosthesis may include a first member defining a cavity including a wall, and a second member defining a projection operable to interconnect with the cavity of the first member. Alternatively, the glenoid prosthesis may include a... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070055381 - Method and apparatus for wrist arthroplasty: A prosthetic wrist can replace a portion of an anatomical wrist. A bone replacing portion can be provided that also includes an augment member to assist in fixation of the bone portion or the prosthesis to the bone. The various prosthesis embodiments can allow for a hemi- or total, or... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070055382 - Methods for treating fractured and/or diseased bone by introduction of different bone filling materials: A percutaneous path is established into a selected bone, e.g., a vertebral body, having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. A first bone filling material is conveyed through the percutaneous path into a region of the cancellous bone. A second bone filling material is conveyed... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070055383 - Vacuum assisted heat/perspiration removal system and limb volume management for prosthetic device: The vacuum assisted liner system is for use with a prosthetic device to be attached to a residual limb. The liner system includes a hypobaric prosthetic liner, and a porous wicking material layer to surround at least a portion of the residual limb and define a regulated vacuum environment between... Agent: Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist P.a.

20070055384 - Attachment system for prosthesis: An attachment system secures a residual limb to an artificial limb in a comfortable and substantially non-rotational manner. The attachment system offers proximal anchoring of the residual limb in a hard socket, by connecting a side surface of a residual limb liner to the side surface of the socket. Preferably,... Agent: Pedersen & Company, Pllc

20070050006 - Coaxial dilatation method for stent implantation: A stent is made by coiling wire into a tight coil and polishing the stent so that it is highly atraumatic to patients and is also resistant to encrustation by microbes. Such stents may be used for urinary bladder drainage or ureteral drainage, as in the bilairy tract, the gastrointestinal... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070050008 - Devices and methods for treatment of vascular aneurysms: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070050007 - Surface modification of eptfe and implants using the same: A method for modifying an ePTFE surface by plasma immersion ion implantation includes the steps of providing an ePTFE material in a chamber suitable for plasma treatment; providing a continuous low energy plasma discharge onto the sample; and applying negative high voltage pulses of short duration to form a high... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070050009 - Bioabsorbable stent: A medical device includes a support structure formed of a metal that is absorbable by a mammalian body. A polymer is disposed on the support structure in at least partially overlying relationship. The polymer has a thickness and a rate of absorption by a mammalian body such that said polymer... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070050010 - Coated implantable medical device: A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070050011 - Lumen-supporting stents and methods for creating lumen-supporting stents with various open/closed designs: Disclosed herein are various open/closed stent designs and methods for creating the same that can be individually adopted depending on particular treatment objectives. Specifically, the stents of the present invention are manufactured to include different open/closed configurations along their length by varying the number of crossovers, connectors or weld points... Agent: Preston Gates & Ellis LLP Attn: C. Rachal Winger

20070050012 - Methods and devices for the endoluminal deployment and securement of prostheses: Provided are methods, devices, and systems that can be used to deploy prosthetic devices within a bodily lumen of a patient. These methods and devices can include the securement of a prosthetic valve within a vascular lumen by driving one or more fasteners from a position on an expandable device... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070050014 - Implantable valve: Described are implantable prosthetic valve devices comprising isolated granulation tissue. Also described are methods of treatment that include implanting at least one of these valves within a body passageway of a patient, for example, within a vein to treat venous insufficiency.... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070050013 - Venous valve prosthesis and method of fabrication: The invention provides venous valve prostheses design and method of fabrication useful for replacement of venous valves in the treatment of patients. The venous valve prostheses of the invention comprise at least one integrally formed valve with a proximal converging nozzle and/or a distal diverging nozzle to maintain a proper... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20070050015 - Endoluminal prosthesis adapted to deployment in a distorted branched body lumen and method of deploying the same: An endoluminal device adapted to be deployed in a branched body lumen is provided by intraluminal delivery from an access location remote from the location at which the device is to be deployed, i.e. by introduction through one of the branches of the branched body lumen. The device comprises an... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20070050016 - Stent with expanding side branch geometry: A stent assembly comprises a substantially tubular, first stent body and a second stent body. In an undeployed state the second stent body is at least partially positioned within the lumen of the first stent body. The first stent body define a first side branch opening in fluid communication with... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070050017 - Covered stent with proximal and distal attachment, delivery catheter, and method of making same: A metallic or pseudometallic covered stent in which the stent component and the cover component are each fabricated of biocompatible metallic or pseudometallic materials, in which the cover and the stent are joined by at least one juncture at each of a proximal and distal end of the stent and... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates

20070050018 - Biodegradable stents: A stent comprising a matrix and a fiber reinforcement about which the matrix is chemically or mechanically attached. The matrix is provided with heavier loads of pharmaceutically active ingredients or genetic materials as a result of the increased strength and mechanical characteristics provided to the stent by the fiber reinforcement.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070050019 - Apparatuses and methods for heart valve repair: A medical device for treating a heart having a faulty heart valve is disclosed. The medical device comprises a ligature including a first anchoring member and a second anchoring member is used. The ligature is percutaneously deployable into a patient with a faulty heart valve wherein the first anchoring member... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070050020 - Heart valve repair apparatus and methods: Valve repair apparatus and methods for ensuring proper coaptation and operation of the leaflets of a heart valve. Main aspects of the disclosure relate to devices including a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, a post extending from the support member away from the plane of... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20070050021 - Four-leaflet stented mitral heart valve: A prosthetic mitral heart valve having four separate flexible leaflets. The heart valve includes a support frame that may be non-circular, for example elliptical or “D-shaped”. The support frame may have an undulating outflow edge defined by four inflow cusps and four outflow commissures to which each of the flexible... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070050022 - Devices and methods for heart valve treatment: Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070050023 - Preloaded injector for intraocular lenses and methods of making and using: Apparatus and method for preloading an intraocular lens (30, 30′) in a component of an injector device (10) and for reducing the force used to eject the intraocular lens (30, 30′) therefrom are disclosed. The intraocular lens (30, 30′) is positioned in a shuttle (16, 16′) which is positioned inside... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20070050024 - Accommodative intraocular lens system: A two optic accommodative lens system. The present invention also contemplates the use of a cam mechanism to adjust the distance power via adjustment of the dual lens separation when the eye is at distance vision stasis. The cam mechanism allows for distance/base power adjustment as needed.... Agent: Alcon

20070050025 - Hydraulic configuration for intraocular lens system: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070050027 - Leak-proof breast implant: A leak-proof implantable breast prosthesis and a method for making the prosthesis. The breast prosthesis comprises an elastically deformable body or core which is encased within a flexible biocompatible elastomeric shell. In one embodiment, the deformable body is attached, in segments, to the inner surface of the shell by adhesive... Agent: Michael G Petit

20070050026 - Method and apparatus for reconstructive surgery: A method of biological reconstruction and a device having a major chamber or compartment in the form of the desired anatomy with a shaped chamber inside the main chamber flipped up and held in place by one or more inflatable piston chambers. The inflatable piston chambers selectively hold the shaped... Agent: Larson And Larson

20070050030 - Expandable implant device with interchangeable spacer: An implantable device that is expandable in vivo includes two end pieces and a spacer configured to be inserted between the two end pieces in vivo. The two end pieces are configured to be inserted simultaneously without the spacer. After the two end pieces have been inserted and positioned as... Agent: Richard C. Kim

20070050029 - Method for correcting a deformity in the spinal column and its corresponding implant: An implant to be inserted in a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae for the correction of vertebral spine curvature and method related thereto. A lateral configuration of the invention is a wedge or acute-angled isosceles triangle, wherein the base of the isosceles triangle is a rounded pyramid-like surface, and... Agent: Arent Fox PLLC

20070050031 - Spinal implant and implant inserter: An intervertebral implant includes an implant body having superior and inferior sides, medial and lateral sides, and anterior and posterior ends. The superior and inferior sides each include a central section and convex side sections extending from opposite sides of the central section to the medial and lateral sides. The... Agent: Epstein & Gerken Suite 340

20070050028 - Spinal implants and methods of providing dynamic stability to the spine: The present application discloses a plurality of spinal implants and methods for repairing annular defects in intervertebral discs and for providing dynamic stability to the motion segment of the spine in the vicinity of the repaired disc. Each of the implants comprises a head portion and a tail portion. In... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070050034 - Low-compliance expandable medical device: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. The expandable member is configured to be disposed within an interior of a vertebral body having a first portion that includes cancellous bone and having a second portion that includes sclerotic bone... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070050035 - Low-compliance expandable medical device: An apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. In one embodiment, the expandable member has a collapsed configuration, an unfolded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be percutaneously inserted into an interior portion of a bone structure when... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070050032 - Prosthetic intervertebral discs: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane,... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070050033 - Prosthetic intervertebral discs: Prosthetic intervertebral discs, systems including such prosthetic intervertebral discs, and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane,... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070050037 - High precision manufacture of polyurethane products such as spinal disc implants having gradual modulus variation: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, PC

20070050038 - High precision manufacture of polyurethane products such as spinal disc implants having gradual modulus variation: A process for making a polymeric product having a gradual variation in modulus through at least a portion of the product is disclosed together with an artificial spinal disc formed using the process.... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, PC

20070050036 - Rail-based modular disc nucleus prosthesis: A method and apparatus for repairing a damaged intervertebral disc nucleus in a minimally invasive manner utilizes a modular disc prosthesis. The modular disc prosthesis preferably comprises at least three modular segments. In one embodiment, each modular segment includes an inner core and an outer shell. The modular segments are... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20070050039 - Orthopaedic implant, stem and associated method: An orthopaedic implant for use in performing joint arthroplasty is provided. The orthopaedic implant includes a joint component having a stem element defining a external periphery of the stem element. The external periphery of the stem element has a stem resection ring that may be aligned with the resected plane... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070050040 - Shoulder prosthesis: A humeral prosthesis includes a stem component and a head component joined by an inclination component. The inclination component is provided with an opening that is designed to accommodate a pair of expandable tabs extending from a side of a plate. The plate is also provided with a taper extending... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070050041 - Orthopaedic implant stem component, joint component, and associated kit: A stem component having a body portion and a connection portion is provided. A portion of the stem component may be fitted to a cavity in a canal of a long bone. The stem component includes a canal portion and a sleeve portion that has an internal periphery that forms... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070050042 - Orthopaedic implant kit, orthopaedic surgery kit and associated method: A kit for use in performing revision surgery on a cavity in a canal of extending from a resected plane a long bone is provided. The kit includes a canal component fitted to the cavity. The canal component includes a canal portion having first and second ends. The canal component... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070050043 - Vertebroplasty compositions & methods: Vertebroplasty compositions and methods are provided. By providing an elastic form stable material which is capable of being delivered directly to a specific desired location within a living creature and provides increased strength and rigidity to the injected location, disorders of the vertebrae of a living creature, for example disorders... Agent: Troutman Sanders LLP

20070050046 - Methods for generating a signal indicative of an intended movement: The i