Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions 05/07

20070123937 - Apparatus for the emission of a combined flux of electrons and electromagnetic radiations particularly suitable for the treatment of the atheromatous disease: An apparatus for the emission of a combined flux of electrons and electromagnetic radiations particularly suitable for the treatment of the atheromatous disease which includes: two electric circuits (2, 2′) with opposed polarity, each supplying a direct current with a voltage comprised between 4,000 and 80,000 V and an intensity... Agent: Bucknam And Archer

20070123938 - Magnetically coupled microstimulators: Disclosed are implantable electronic devices and systems including a pair of microstimulators. The microstimulators include coils that are energized to generate magnetic fields aligned along a common axis.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070123939 - Methods and systems for treating arrhythmias using a combination of vibrational and electrical energy: Methods and apparatus for cardiac pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation rely on delivering ultrasonic or other vibrational energy in combination with electrical energy to the heart, usually after the onset of an arrhythmia. A vibrational transducer and suitable electrical contacts may be combined in a single housing or distributed among various... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070123940 - Implantable device for cardiac vector determination: An implantable electrostimulation device having at least three input channels, (each forming a sensing channel), which are each connected to at least one electrode or to one terminal for an electrode, using which at least three different electrical potentials accompanying an excitation of cardiac tissue (myocardium) in a heart may... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20070123941 - Method and apparatus for post-processing of episodes detected by a medical device: A method and system of post-processing of sensing data generated by a medical device that includes transmitting a plurality of stored sensing data generated by the medical device to an access device, the stored sensing data including sensed atrial events and sensed ventricular events. The access device determines, in response... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070123942 - Method for operating an implantable cardiac stimulator to set the atrial stimulation time interval dependent on the evoked response amplitude: In a method for operating an implantable heart stimulating device with atrial overdrive capability having an atrial stimulation unit for stimulating the atrium via stimulation electrode(s), an atrial evoked response detector determines an atrial evoked response amplitude, and an atrial control unit controls an atrial timing unit to set an... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070123944 - Electrical angle gauge: Methods of using electrodes to obtain physiological location motion data are provides. Embodiments of the methods include producing an electrode from a broadcasting electrode that is proximal to the physiological location of interest and detecting a change in an induced electric potential at a receiving electrode to obtain the motion... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (prts) (proteus Biomedical,inc)

20070123943 - Systems and methods for valvular regurgitation detection: A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes an implantable sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of mechanical activity of a heart of a subject and a controller circuit coupled to the sensor. The controller circuit includes a wavelet filter module and a valvular regurgitation... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070123945 - Methods for the prediction of arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death: Methods and kits are provided for determining an increased likelihood of the occurrence of a cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure and other diseased conditions of the heart. The methods and kits comprise measuring serum NGF levels in a subject and detecting increases in NGF levels over baseline. The... Agent: Jones Day

20070123947 - Medical device packaging system: A system, comprising a sterilizable package; an implantable medical device placed inside the sterilizable package; and an electrical interface electrically coupled to the implantable medical device and extending from inside the sterilizable package to outside the sterilizable package. In various embodiments, the interface may include package contacts electrically coupled to... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070123946 - Protocol implementation for telemetry communications involving implantable medical devices: Embodiments of the invention relate to optimizing telemetry communication involving one or more medical devices and one or more electrical devices. The telemetry communication is optimized by implementing software and/or one or more additional circuits within at least one medical device and at least one electrical device to provide one... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070123948 - Telemetry apparatus for communications with an active device implanted in a patient's thoracic region: Apparatus for telemetry equipment for communication with an active device implanted in the thoracic area of a patient This equipment includes a wave collector (16) essentially sensitive to a magnetic field so as to allow an exchange of signals through magnetic coupling (i.e., an inductive channel) with the implanted device... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070123949 - Low loss band pass filter for rf distance telemetry pin antennas of active implantable medical devices: A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20070123950 - Methods and devices for intramuscular stimulation of upper airway and swallowing muscle groups: Devices and methods were discovered that successfully provided patient autonomous control of both hyolaryngeal elevation, anterior hyoid motion and opening of the upper esophageal sphincter for swallowing by intramuscular stimulation of two muscles. The technology allows patient self stimulation of swallowing and can return oral feeding to dysphagia patients. Indwelling... Agent: Office Of Technology Transfer National Institutes Of Health

20070123953 - Generation of therapy programs and program groups: A programmer allows a clinician to identify desirable combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable electrode combinations. In some embodiments, the clinician... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070123952 - Portable assemblies, systems, and methods for providing functional or therapeutic neurostimulation: Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of -the skin or carried outside the body. Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070123951 - Tremor reduction systems suitable for self-application and use in disabled patients: A system and apparatus for enabling independent, highly reliable and accurate self-application of an anti-tremor means by a disabled patient, without requirement for application fixtures, wherein anti-tremor means comprises a single unit, self adhesive stimulation and recording electrode with an integrated supply of energy and a control unit, further comprising... Agent: Rutan & Tucker, LLP. Hani Z. Sayed

20070123954 - Techniques for positioning therapy delivery elements within a spinal cord or brain: Apparatus and techniques to address problems associated with lead migration, patient movement or position, histological changes, neural plasticity or disease progression. Disclosed are techniques for implanting a lead having therapy delivery elements, such as electrodes or drug delivery ports, within a vertebral or cranial bone so as to maintain these... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070123955 - Communication system for medical devices: A communications device facilitates communication between a medical device and a wireless communications network and comprises a telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more medical devices, and a computer network communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate directly with a wireless computer network. The communications device also comprises... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070123956 - Distributed system for neurostimulation therapy programming: A distributed system comprises a programming device and a remotely located server. During a programming session, the programming device transmits programs and rating information associated with the programs to the server. The server presents the rating information to a clinician to assist the clinician in selecting from among programs tested... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070123957 - Flexible array: Physically flexible radiation-emitting probes and associated illumination methods and systems for delivering radiation or light to the interior of a lumen or cavity. Light-emitting devices are immersed in a flowing liquid coolant within a probe to provide high light output power, and convoluted electrical power buss structures provide physical flexibility... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20070123958 - Apparatus for treating airways in the lung: A device and method for treating bodily conduits involves the application of energy to the smooth muscle tissue of the conduit walls to reduce the bulk of smooth muscle tissue and mucus glands. The irradiation treatment of the smooth muscle tissue causes a reduction in the amount of smooth muscle... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070123959 - Body tanning bed: A body tanning bed, comprising a bench provided with a plurality of first low- and/or high-pressure sources on which a user lies and above which a canopy is arranged which is provided with a plurality of second low- and/or high-pressure sources; in the bed, the distance between the first and... Agent: Modiano & Associati

20070123960 - Product and method for reduction of skin itch discomfort, and disease: A method of reducing itch in a subject's skin is disclosed. The method includes initiating a heat-generating reaction in a pad of material, so that a contact surface of the pad of material reaches a pad temperature effective for reducing the subject's skin itch. The contact surface of the pad... Agent: Sharon O. Rousmaniere

20070123961 - Energy delivery and illumination devices and methods: This relates to methods and devices for improving treatment to a wall, a cavity or passageway with a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070123962 - Methods and devices for manipulating the thermoregulatory status of a mammal: Methods and devices for manipulating the thermoregulatory status of a mammal are provided. In the subject methods, thermal energy is transferred between the environment and both of the thoracic/abdominal core body and head of the mammal. In general, thermal energy transfer between thoracic/abdominal core body and the environment occurs under... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20070123963 - Method for producing flexible, stretchable, and implantable high-density microelectrode arrays: A high-density microelectrode array that is flexible and stretchable and can also be implanted within living tissue is provided. The microelectrode array includes at least first and second implantable and biocompatible polymeric layers in which a plurality of patterned conductive features, including metallic contact pads, metallic traces and metallic electrodes... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123964 - Magnetically guidable energy delivery apparatus and method of using same: An energy delivery apparatus for delivering electrical energy at a target location, the energy delivery apparatus being usable in combination with a magnetic field. The energy delivery apparatus includes an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor having a substantially elongated configuration; an electrode for delivering the electrical energy at the target... Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C.

20070123965 - Medical electrical lead employing load bearing sleeve: A medical electrical lead employs a load bearing sleeve arrangement. A medical electrical lead includes an outer sleeve, having proximal and distal ends, and is formed of a first material. At least one electrical conductor is situated within the outer sleeve and extends between the proximal and distal ends of... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070123966 - Pacemaker/defibrillator lead system: A lead system including a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal electrode comprising a conductive guide projecting from the distal end of the lead; and,a connector coupling the conductive guide to the lead body.... Agent: Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro, LLP

20070123967 - Implantable lead: This invention relates to an implantable lead, which comprises a conductor; an electrode assembly, arranged at a distal end of the lead, and comprising a housing defining an internal cavity; a helical guide spring arranged in a proximal portion of the cavity and having several spaced turns, and a fixation... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070118177 - Neural stimulation therapy system for atherosclerotic plaques: A neural stimulation therapy system for atherosclerotic plaques is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to a medical device for applying neural stimulation therapy for atherosclerotic plaques. The device includes a neural stimulator adapted to deliver an electrical signal through at least one electrode to an autonomic neural target.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070118179 - Device and method for ventricular tracking and pacing: A device and method for multi chamber pacing a patient's heart having heart failure and intrinsic conduction, wherein ventricular tracking is used to pace the ventricle when the sinus rate exceeds a preset atrial maximum tracking rate. The ventricular tracking pacemaker increases the range of pacing the ventricle. The ventricular... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070118178 - Heart treatment apparatus and heart treatment method: Precursor of fatal arrhythmia is detected and by setting the tolerance level for carrying out nerve stimulation depending on the severity degree of the precursor, significant variation of the heart rate is suppressed and induction of the fatal arrhythmia is repressed. For this purpose, precursor of tachyarrhythmia occurrence such as... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070118180 - Cardiac resynchronization therapy for improved hemodynamics based on disordered breathing detection: The presence of disordered breathing is detected using an implantable medical device. A cardiac condition is detected that is indicative of the patient's cardiac status. Based on the presence of disordered breathing and the cardiac condition, the patient is identified as suitable for a cardiac resynchronization therapy.... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070118181 - Selection of cardiac capture verification modes: Systems and methods provide for selection of automatic capture verification modes. A number of capture verification modes are evaluated, wherein at least one of the capture verification modes has a distinct temporal relationship between delivery of a pacing pulse and detection of capture of heart tissue by the pacing pulse... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070118182 - Capacitor having a feedthrough assembly with a coupling member: A flat capacitor includes a case having a feedthrough hole, a capacitor stack located within the case, a coupling member having a base surface directly attached to the capacitor stack and having a portion extending through the feedthrough hole, the coupling member having a mounting hole, a feedthrough conductor having... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070118184 - Devices for modification of airways by transfer of energy: This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070118183 - System and method to modulate phrenic nerve to prevent sleep apnea: An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic never through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition.... Agent: Beck And Tysver P.l.l.c.

20070118185 - Transcutaneous power optimization circuit for a medical implant: In a cochlear implant system, the implantable stimulator includes a monitor which monitors parameters associated with the stimulation signals and/or the power stored in an energy storage element which stores energy transmitted from the processor. This parameter or parameters is/are analyzed and one or more feedback signals are generated and... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070118186 - Medical device with selectable status monitoring modes: A medical device including a control circuit and a plurality of selectable communication modes. The control circuit controls the medical device and generates a signal representative of a characteristic of the medical device. A selected one of the plurality of selectable communication modes communicates the signal generated by the control... Agent: Tyco Healthcare - Edward S. Jarmolowicz

20070118187 - Alerting method for a transvascular tissue stimulation system: A system for stimulating tissue of the patient includes an implantable medical device and an external power source. The medical device receives and extracts electrical energy from a first wireless signal and has a detector circuit that senses a physiological characteristic of the patient. The sensing can occur simultaneously while... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070118188 - Secure long-range telemetry for implantable medical device: A method and system for enabling secure communications between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external device (ED) over a telemetry channel. A telemetry interlock may be implemented which limits any communications between the ED and the IMD over the telemetry channel, where the telemetry interlock is released when... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070118189 - Heart beat measuring transmitter and heart beat measuring apparatus: To prevent a packing of a battery lid from being deteriorated by sweat of a user and maintain waterproof performance of an apparatus over a long period of time. A top side, that is, an upper case of a transmitter case of a heart beat measuring transmitter is provided with... Agent: Bruce L. Adams, Esq. Suite 1231

20070118190 - Methods of treating asthma: This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070118191 - System and method for controlling energy delivery: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling energy delivery by mapping one or more devices capable of delivering energy, for example energy capable of modulating one or more properties of a tissue, to one or more sources of the energy or to one or more measuring... Agent: Dimock Stratton LLP

20070118192 - Rf electrode array for low-rate collagen shrinkage in capsular shift procedures and methods of use: Methods and apparatus are provided for an achieving low-rate collagen shrinkage using an electrode array comprising an elongated insulator strip having at least one pair of spaced-apart bi-polar RF electrodes, and a “channeling” disposed on the strip between the bi-polar electrodes to direct the flow of RF current therebetween. The... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070118193 - Apparatus for creating hyperthermia in tissue: A system and corresponding method for creating hyperthermia in a selected position in target tissue using the application of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the HF, VHF and UHF microwave region and phased array steering includes an array of applicators and a single channel EMR radiation energy source coupled to at... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20070118194 - Non-ambient temperature therapy system with automatic treatment temperature maintenance: A therapy system for therapeutically treating a desired region of the body includes a fluid reservoir, a heat transfer pad, and first and second fluid circulation lines. The heat transfer pad includes a first pad port, a bladder, and a second pad port. The first fluid circulation line is connectable... Agent: Rodney F. Brown

20070118195 - Inflatable blanket for use in cardiac surgery: A method of performing cardiac surgery on a patient's heart, including covering a patient with an inflatable blanket for a forced air convection system, the inflatable blanket having at least one separable seal line within the blanket. The separable seal line may be separated to form a slit. A patient's... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070118196 - Introducer for therapy delivery elements: The disclosure describes an introducer for facilitating implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The introducer has an elongated body that defines a lumen for advancement of a therapy element to an implant site, and includes a curved portion medially located between substantially straight proximal and distal portions. As an... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070118198 - Neurostimulation lead with concentric electrodes: A surgical lead for neurostimulation includes a central cathode circumscribed by an outer anode to define an annular space within which an electromagnetic field is generated between the two electrodes, and associated methods.... Agent: Trask Britt

20070118197 - Probe for identifying injection site for deep brain neural prostheses: Devices and systems for recording and/or stimulating electrical signals in order to identify a target site within a patient's brain for further electrical stimulation and chemical treatments of the brain. The deep brain stimulation devices and methods include implantable devices having various microelectrode configurations and drug delivery mechanisms. The devices... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070118199 - Percutaneous electric stimulation sexual enhancement appliance: Apercutaneous electric stimulation sexual enhancement appliance includes a built-in control mechanism containing one central processing unit (CPU), an oscillation unit; a display unit; a control unit; an output unit; and a reset unit to deliver a medium to low frequency with a power lower than the general power to stimulate... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070112387 - Method and system for detecting capture using a coronary vein electrode: A method and device provide for determining capture in multiple chambers of a patient's heart using an electrode inserted into a coronary vein of the patient's heart. The coronary vein electrode is positioned adjacent to multiple heart chambers and is responsive to cardiac signals originating in the multiple chambers. The... Agent: Attention Of: Clara Davis Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC, Attorneys At Law

20070112388 - Cardiac pacing using sensed coronary vein blood temperature and left ventricular flow rate: Methods of cardiac pacing involve sensing left ventricular electrical rhythms, sensing left ventricular blood flow rate, and sensing a coronary vein blood temperature. The methods further involve modifying delivery of synchronized electrical signals to the patient's heart based at least in part on the sensed coronary vein blood temperature and... Agent: Mark A. Hollingsworth Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070112390 - Cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure and for defibrillating and/or pacing/sensing: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070112389 - Identification system for defibrillator electrode package: An automatic external defibrillator electrode package (10; 20; 30) includes a coded conductive label (13; 23; 33) that uniquely identifies the type of automatic electrode contained therein. Pins (42a-d) on the defibrillator body (40) make electrical contact with the conductive label (13; 23; 33) when the package (10; 20; 30)... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070112391 - Electrical stimulation of the colon to treat chronic constipation: The invention is directed to techniques for stimulating a colon of a patient to relieve chronic constipation. Specifically, a colon stimulation system applies one or more electrical stimuli to the colon of the patient in order to induce peristaltic activity in the colon to relieve chronic constipation. In accordance with... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070112392 - Microwave energy head therapy: A therapy whereby high frequency electromagnetic pulses are externally applied to a head. The microwave signals effectively resynchronize neural firings thereby lessening or curing certain conditions such as headaches, depression, migraines and auras associated with migraines and epilepsy. The preferred frequency is 3-100 GHz (3,000-100,000 MHz) and the preferred duration... Agent: Carla L. Gannon, Esq. The Patent Law Offices Of Walter L. Beavers

20070112393 - Systems and methods for enhancing or optimizing neural stimulation therapy for treating symptoms of parkinson's disease and/or other movement disorders: Systems and methods for treating a neurological disorder comprising determining a first set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a first subset of symptoms, determining a second set of neural stimulation parameters capable of treating a second subset of symptoms, and applying a neural stimulation therapy based upon the... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20070112394 - Orthosis for a gait modulation system: A functional electrical stimulation (FES) orthosis for FES to a limb segment, including: (a) a semi-rigid, self-retaining C-shaped frame, the frame configured to substantially envelop the limb segment, the frame including a first flexible and elongated circumferentially retaining element and at least a first and a second opposing flexible and... Agent: Dr. Mark M. Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn - Discovery Dispatch

20070112395 - Automatic measurement of neural response concurrent with psychophysics measurement of stimulating device recipient: The automatic measurement of evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds of the auditory nerve; that is, a neural response, concurrently with the performance of psychophysics measurements of a prosthetic hearing implant recipient. During the fitting process, a stimulus signal comprising two components is applied to each stimulation channel. One signal... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070112396 - Virtual wire assembly having hermetic feedthroughs: A virtual wire assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a substantially electrically-nonconductive substrate; and a plurality of hermetic feedthroughs each comprising a conductive region extending transversely through the substrate to form a conductive pathway with accessible surfaces at opposing ends thereof, wherein each conductive pathway is electrically isolated from other... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070112397 - Continuous phase frequency shift keying modulation during wireless transmissions in a closed system while minimizing power consumption: Continuous phase frequency shift keying modulation is employed during wireless transmission from an internal device to an external device to increase robustness of transmissions. The continuous phase frequency shift keying processor receives as input an incoming data stream and includes a timer for toggling its output between a first predetermined... Agent: Cheryl F. Cohen, LLC

20070112398 - Tank filters placed in series with the lead wires or circuits of active medical devices to enhance mri compatibility: A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20070112399 - Thermoceramic lifter of thermotherapy apparatus: A thermoceramic lifter of a thermotherapy apparatus that applies pressure to acupressure points of a user and smoothly and silently raises and lowers itself as needed, applies pressure comfortably to local areas as specified by the user, and has a simple lifting structure, is provided. The lifter (200) of a... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20070112401 - Critical care thermal therapy method and system: A critical care thermal therapy system incorporating a remote temperature sensor in association with a thermal module adapted for delivering a fluid to a patient in response to the sensed temperature thereof.... Agent: Jenkens & Gilchrist, PC

20070112400 - Methods and apparatus for adjusting body core temperature: A method and apparatus for adjusting body core temperature are provided. The apparatus comprises an appendage chamber that is adapted to be disassembled from a heat exchange element. In one aspect, the appendage chamber is disposable. The appendage chamber provides a negative pressure environment for a patient's appendage placed therein.... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, L.L.P.

20070112402 - Electrode systems and related methods for providing therapeutic differential tissue stimulation: Electrode Systems and Related Methods for Providing Therapeutic Differential Tissue Stimulation. According to one aspect, an electrode system for providing therapeutic differential tissue stimulation includes an electrode body. A plurality of electrode segments are positioned along the electrode body. The electrode segments are predetermined shapes and sizes that produce a... Agent: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt, P. A.

20070112403 - Electrode contact configurations for an implantable stimulator: An exemplary implantable stimulator includes at least one electrode contact array and at least one additional electrode contact. Both the electrode contact array and the additional electrode contact are disposed on an external surface of the stimulator. The electrode contact array includes multiple electrode contacts that are configured to have... Agent: Steven L. Nichols Rader, Fishman & Graver PLLC

20070112404 - Implantable stimulator: An implantable stimulator includes a tube assembly that is configured to house a number of components that are configured to apply at least one stimulus to at least one stimulation site within a patient. The tube assembly has a shape that allows the stimulator to be implanted within said patient... Agent: Steven L. Nichols Rader, Fishman & Graver PLLC

20070112405 - Delivery catheter: A catheter used to deliver a medical electrical lead to a right atrium of a heart in close proximity to a His bundle. The catheter is adapted such that the distal tip confronts the His bundle generally perpendicularly. The catheter includes a proximal portion and a generally hook-shaped distal portion.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070106333 - Integrated biosensor and simulation system for diagnosis and therapy: BioMEMS/NEMS appliance biologically monitors an individual, using biosensors to detect cellular components. Data is simulated or analyzed using systems-biology software, which provides diagnostic or therapeutic guidance.... Agent: Fernandez & Associates LLP

20070106332 - Mri compatible implanted electronic medical device: An implantable electronic medical device is compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The device has a housing with exterior walls, each formed by a dielectric substrate with electrically conductive layers on interior and exterior surfaces. A series of slots divide each layer into segments. Segmenting the layers provides... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070106331 - Remote controlled in situ reaction device: Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled reaction device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to various embodiments, a reaction device is placed in an environment in order to perform a chemical reaction in an environment. Exemplary environments... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20070106334 - Pacing device for minimizing ventricular pauses after delivery of atrial anti-tachycardia pacing therapy: A pacing control is used in a multiple-chamber cardiac pacing system, which, upon detecting an atrial arrhythmia, automatically switches to a special therapy mode and administers a selected anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy in the atrium, and which switches to a standard pacing mode following delivery of the ATP therapy. The... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070106335 - Active implantable medical device with rf telemetry and subcutaneous ecg electrodes: An active implantable medical device with RF telemetry comprising subcutaneous ECG electrodes. The case (12) of the device comprises electrodes (20, 22, 24, 26) for collecting subcutaneous ECG signals coming into contact with the patient's tissues surrounding the case after implantation, as well as an RF telemetry antenna (30). These... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070106336 - Cardiac harness assembly for treating congestive heart failure and for pacing/sensing: A pace/sense electrode is associated with a cardiac harness for treating the heart. The pace/sense electrode is positioned on the epicardial surface of the heart, preferably under the cardiac harness, to provide pacing and sensing therapy to the heart. Compressive forces from the cardiac harness serve to hold the pace/sense... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070106337 - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders through neurological and/or muscular intervention: Methods and apparatus proved for: simultaneously monitoring at least one of nerve and muscle electrical activity on respective sides of a target plexus of a patient; identifying desired electrical activity of at least one of nerves and muscles on both sides of the target plexus based on the monitored activity;... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20070106338 - Direct and indirect control of muscle for the treatment of pathologies: Methods for treating various health ailments that arise from dysfunction of smooth muscle associated with organ function caused by neurological malfunction wherein an appropriate signal fails to properly drive the smooth muscle wherein the treatment includes reproducing an appropriate signal and applying same either directly to the smooth muscle exhibiting... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20070106339 - Electrical stimulation treatment of bronchial constriction: Methods and devices for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma and anaphylaxis wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve and/or the lungs of a patient suffering from bronchial constriction.... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20070106340 - Electrode structures and methods for their use in cardiovascular reflex control: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070106342 - Device and method for the treatment of pain with electrical energy: An electronic pain treatment device delivering electrical energy to the tissue of a patient in pain is provided which includes a variable wave generator, an impedance measurement circuit, and at least one electrode probe. Associated methods for treating pain are also disclosed.... Agent: Jackson, Demarco, Tidus & Packenpaugh

20070106341 - Therapeutic animal collar: A therapeutic collar designed to faciliate the alleviation of pain in household animals such as a dogs and cats. The therapeutic collar includes an elongated and flexible body, having two ends. The two ends are configured to be releasably serucred to each other in order to be releasably secured the... Agent: Galasso & Associates, Lp

20070106343 - Apparatus for applying electrical current to the neuromuscular system: The invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical current to the quadriceps muscle. The apparatus is in the form of a garment (to be worn on a user's thigh) having a integrated programmable stimulation device including integral electronics, LCD display, user controls and a battery. To ensure accurate and repeatable... Agent: Drinker Biddle & Reath Attn: Intellectual Property Group

20070106344 - Transformable speech processor module for a hearing prosthesis: A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070106345 - General purpose accessory for a cochlear implant system: A cochlear implant system comprising a first unit adapted to be worn on or in one ear of an implantee. The first unit has a case housing componentry including a microphone, and a speech processor means. A second unit or accessory is adapted to be worn on or in the... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070106346 - System and method for real-time remote monitoring of implantable medical devices: A patient monitor is configured to interrogate an implantable medical device (IMD) and receive data from the IMD in response to the interrogation. The data received from the IMD includes electrogram (EGM) data, which the patient monitor frequency modulates for transmission, in real-time, onto a conventional telephone line. The frequency... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070106348 - Method for treating airways in the lung: A device and method for treating bodily conduits involves the application of energy to the smooth muscle tissue of the conduit walls to reduce the bulk of smooth muscle tissue and mucus glands. The irradiation treatment of the smooth muscle tissue causes a reduction in the amount of smooth muscle... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070106347 - Portable medical and cosmetic photon emission adjustment device and method using the same: The present invention describes a portable medical and cosmetic photon emission adjustment device with the control of dose of photon and a method for using the same. A light source for medical treatment is positioned in a portable device to adjust the dose of photon emission by a dose adjustment... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070106349 - System and method for heating biological tissue via rf energy: A system 30 and method(s) 100 for thermal treatment of a selected target within a subject is disclosed. System 30 includes RF source 10, phase shifter 14, impedance matching network 11 and resonator 13. Applicator 3 conveys output signal 17 from energy source 10 through surface 6 of biological tissue... Agent: Mark M Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn

20070106350 - Body conforming textile holder and thermal article: A body conforming, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one article in close bodily contact. The holder may be a wrap or tube constructed to enclose a portion of the body where the article is to be held. The article may be a therapeutic article, such as... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106351 - System and method for changing and/or stabilizing the temperature of certain body parts: The invention relates to a device and method for changing and/or maintaining the temperature of a body part. Specifically, the invention relates to a sleeve or hood that is positioned to cover or surround a part of the body, as part of a device for changing and/or maintaining the temperature... Agent: Reed Smith LLP Suite 1400

20070106356 - Body conforming shirt-like holder and therapeutic article: A body conforming, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one article in close bodily contact. The holder may be a wrap or tube constructed to enclose a portion of the body where the article is to be held. The article may be a therapeutic article, such as... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106353 - Body conforming shirt-like holder and thermal article: A body conforming, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one article in close bodily contact. The holder may be a wrap or tube constructed to enclose a portion of the body where the article is to be held. The article may be a therapeutic article, such as... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106355 - Body conforming textile holder and therapeutic article: A body conforming, reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one article in close bodily contact. The holder may be a wrap or tube constructed to enclose a portion of the body where the article is to be held. The article may be a therapeutic article, such as... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106352 - Textile body wrap holder and thermal article: An elastic thermal body wrap system comprising a reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one thermal pack in close bodily contact. The thermal pack comprises one or more heat cells comprising an exothermic composition. The system comprises a fastening system to hold the holder around a user's... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106354 - Textile joint wrap holder and thermal article: An elastic thermal uniaxial joint wrap system comprising a reusable, washable, textile holder for removably holding at least one thermal pack in close bodily contact. The thermal pack comprises one or more heat cells comprising an exothermic composition. The system comprises a fastening system to hold the holder around a... Agent: Hasse & Nesbitt LLC

20070106357 - Intravascular electronics carrier electrode for a transvascular tissue stimulation system: An intravascular mesh type electrode carrier eliminates material and mechanical transitions between an electrical lead and an electrode by interweaving the conductor of the lead into the carrier mesh. The mesh material of the electrode carrier can be electrically conductive so that the entire carrier functions as the electrode. Alternatively,... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070106358 - Tissue stimulating lead and method of implantation and manufacture: An injectable cardiac lead for stimulating a heart includes an anchor and a tether. The anchor has first and second electrically active areas spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another. The tether has a distal end mechanically coupled to the anchor and a proximal end adapted for coupling to... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20070106359 - Cardiac harness assembly for treating congestive heart failure and for pacing/sensing: A pace/sense electrode is associated with a cardiac harness for treating the heart. The pace/sense electrode is positioned on the epicardial surface of the heart, preferably under the cardiac harness, to provide pacing and sensing therapy to the heart. Compressive forces from the cardiac harness serve to hold the pace/sense... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070106360 - Implantable carrier member having a non-communicative lumen: A non-communicative lumen for electrode assemblies of medical implants, in particular prosthetic hearing implants, is provided by the present invention. The non-communicative lumen prevents the lumen within the cochlea from being able to transport fluids, cells, bacteria, tissue, etc., with the lumen outside the cochlea, and vise versa through the... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070100379 - Ecg rhythm advisory method: A method of automatically determining which type of treatment is most appropriate for a cardiac arrest victim, the method comprising transforming one or more time domain electrocardiogram (ECG) signals into a frequency domain representation comprising a plurality of discrete frequency bands, combining the discrete frequency bands into a plurality of... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070100377 - Providing multiple signal modes for a medical device: A method, system, and an apparatus are provided for providing multiple stimulation modes for a medical device, such as an implantable medical device. The method includes applying a first electrical signal to a nerve of a patient during a primary time period. The method further includes applying a second electrical... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100378 - Using physiological sensor data with an implantable medical device: A method, system, and apparatus for providing an electrical neurostimulation therapy to a neural structure of a patient's body using an implantable medical device (IMD). A first electrical signal is provided using the implantable medical device. A first electrical signal is applied to the neural structure. An implanted sensor is... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100380 - Heart treatment equipment and heart treatment method: There is disclosed heart treatment equipment in which it is possible to carry out controlling of a preventive treatment after an anti-tachyarrhthmia treatment in order to execute prevention and treatment of a fatal arrhythmia and the anti-tachyarrhythmia treatment is carried out by controlling tachyarrhythmia prevention means and tachyarrhythmia treatment means... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070100381 - Compensation for cardiac shunt currents during defibrillation: A defibrillator having a pair of electrodes for delivering a defibrillation shock and a method thereof is provided. The defibrillator includes an energy-source circuit that may be discharged through electrodes on a patient to provide a biphasic voltage or current pulse. The energy-source-storage circuit is coupled across a bridge switch... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070100382 - Implantation of medical device with measurement of body surface potential: Methods of implanting at least one lead for a cardio defibrillator using body surface potential (BSP) electrodes are disclosed. The methods may include installing defibrillation electrodes in a patient, attaching at least three BSP electrodes to the patient's skin, creating a potential difference between the defibrillation electrodes, and measuring the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070100383 - Lead and delivery system to detect and treat a myocardial infarction region: A method includes mounting an anchor member to a surface of a heart, the anchor member having a tension member coupled to the anchor member, advancing a lead body along the tension member, the lead body including a plurality of electrodes disposed along the lead body, identifying an MI region... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070100384 - Implantable medical system with long range telemetry: An implantable medical system for implantation within the body of a patient is provided. The system includes an implanted device having an implant casing and a long range telemetry sub-system housed therein. The system also includes an implantable lead operationally coupled to the implanted device and an antenna coupled to... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070100386 - Axial lead connector for implantable medical device: The disclosure describes an axial lead connector assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD). The lead connector assembly facilitates electrical connection between an implantable medical lead and circuitry contained within the housing of an IMD. A connector header defines an axial stack bore to receive an axial stack of in-line... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070100385 - Implantable medical device with fractal antenna: An apparatus and method for enabling an implanted fractal antenna for radio frequency communications between an implantable medical device and an external device. The fractal antenna may be disposed within or outside of a header assembly of the device housing. Various examples include a three dimensional patterned cylinder usable as... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070100387 - Impedance-based bladder sensing: Systems that sense the volume, activity or other parameters of the urinary bladder are described. The systems include at least two electrodes that are implanted at respective locations proximate the wall of the bladder, and may be located substantially opposite each other with respect to a center of the bladder.... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070100388 - Implantable medical device providing adaptive neurostimulation therapy for incontinence: The invention provides an implantable neurostimulator that includes a pulse generator to supply electrical stimulation through a lead having one or more electrodes, a memory storing at least one fluctuating neurostimulation therapy program, wherein the fluctuating neurostimulation therapy program includes frequency of stimulation, pulse width of stimulation, amplitude of stimulation,... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070100390 - Modification of airways by application of energy: This relates to methods and devices for treating reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airway of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070100389 - Treatment of aphasia by electrical stimulation and/or drug infusion: Systems and methods are provided for applying electrical stimulation and/or introducing one or more stimulating drugs to the brain to treat or prevent aphasia, including through use of at least one system control unit (SCU) for controlling electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or for producing drug... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20070100392 - Selective neurostimulation for treating epilepsy: A method and device for treating epilepsy are disclosed which provide for electrical, chemical or magnetic stimulation of certain areas of the brain to modulate neuronal activity of areas associated with symptoms of epilepsy. Deep brain stimulation is combined with vagus nerve stimulation to enhance symptomatic relief of the disorder.... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100391 - Sequenced therapy protocols for an implantable medical device: In one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises (a) implementing a first therapy in an implantable medical device (IMD) from a programmed sequence of therapies for a first time period, (b) implementing a second therapy from the sequence in the IMD for a second time period following the first... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100393 - Treatment of movement disorders by brain stimulation: Systems for treating a movement disorder include a system control unit configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate at least one stimulus in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to treat the movement disorder. The systems further include a programmable memory unit... Agent: Travis K. Laird Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20070100394 - Remotely programmable infusion system: A remotely programmable infusion system. The remotely programmable infusion system comprises a memory for storing a programmable protocol and a remote communication port for sending a voice signal to a remote touch-tone transceiver and for receiving a remote programming signal from the remote touch-tone transceiver. The remotely programmable infusion system... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070100397 - Adaptive software configuration for a medical device: This document describes, among other things, a method of operating a medical device comprising updating a regulatory approval status stored in at least one of the medical device or a second device operable to communicate with the medical device, and enabling or disabling the at least one function in the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070100395 - Method and apparatus for measurement of transmitter/receiver separation: A method and apparatus for determining a position of an external transceiver (24) relative to an implanted transceiver (23) comprising means (30) for measuring the strength of a magnetic field proximal to thc external transceiver (24) and means for determining a position of the external transceiver (24) relative to the... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070100396 - System and method for enabling relayed communications by implantable medical devices: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between implantable medical devices and an external device in a manner which increases the effective range over which such communications may take place. Devices are configured to relay communications from one device to another.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070100398 - Neural stimulation system and optical monitoring systems and methods: Neural stimulation and optical monitoring systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating a neural condition includes a signal delivery device configured to be implanted into a patient proximate to a skull of the patient and positioned to apply electromagnetic signals to one or more target... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20070100399 - Current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device having coarse and fine current control: Disclosed herein is a current generation architecture for an implantable stimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG). Current source and sink circuitry are both divided into coarse and fine portions, which respectively can provide a coarse and fine current resolution to a specified electrode on the IPG. The... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20070100400 - Phototherapy method: A method of providing phototherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation; transmitting light from a light source through a first... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070100401 - Compact laser device and method for hair removal: A device for hair removal includes the use of infrared laser having wavelength of about 0.7 to 1.1 microns, energy per pulse of about 0.5 to 5.0 J on the skin surface and operated at about 1.0 to 5.0 Hz. The treated area includes one or more than one of... Agent: J.t. Lin

20070100402 - Fat reduction using external laser radiation and niacin: The present invention is a non-invasive method for reducing fat in a patient by administering a therapeutically effective amount of niacin and applying laser energy to targeted external regions of a patient's body.... Agent: Etherton Law Group, LLC

20070100403 - Therapeutic treatment device and method for cold sores and the like: A therapeutic treatment device for treating colds sores and the like. The device includes a housing configured to be hand held, and having an annular pad at one end thereof configured to engage and area of the body of the user. A heat source is maintained adjacent the pad. A... Agent: Renner, Kenner, Greive, Bobak, Taylor & Weber

20070100404 - Pad for cooling or heating: The present invention is to provide a pad with a predetermined temperature, which has a plurality of elongate, curve channels formed on a top surface of the pad, the channels being connected together, wherein one end of the channel is formed as an inlet, the other end of the channel... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070100405 - Systems and methods for treating a hollow anatomical structure: A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070100406 - Insert for implantable electrode: A lead assembly comprises an outer body tubing, first and second conductors, and first and second tubing insert members. The outer body tubing comprises at least two longitudinal outer body tubing portions, each such portion comprising a through-hole and each portion comprising a keyed surface having a predetermined shape. Each... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100407 - Lead condition assessment for an implantable medical device: A method, system, and apparatus for performing a lead condition assessment and/or a lead orientation determination associated with an implantable medical device (IMD). A first impedance is determined. The first impedance relates to the impedance relative to a first electrode and a portion of the IMD. A second impedance is... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070100408 - Electrical stimulation lead with proximal common electrode: An implantable medical lead for stimulation of target sites, including nerves, organs, or tissue comprises a lead body having a distal electrode lead segment and a proximal connector lead segment. The electrode lead segment has at its distal end an electrode array including at least one stimulation electrode. The connector... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070100410 - Devices and methods for transluminal or transthoracic interstitial electrode placement: Methods and devices for implanting pacing electrodes or other apparatus, or for delivering substances, to the heart of other tissues within the body. A guided tissue penetrating catheter is inserted into a body lumen (e.g., blood vessel) or into a body cavity or space (e.g., the pericardial space) and a... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20070100409 - Method for accessing the coronary microcirculation and pericardial space: A pacemaker lead (18) is implanted by using a two anchor system. One anchor (916) to first secure the position of an introducer (14) through which the pacemaker lead will be implanted, and a second anchor (20) used for implanting the distal tip of the pacemaker lead (18). Examples of... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20070100411 - Implantable medical electrical stimulation lead fixation method and apparatus: An implantable medical electrical lead for electrical stimulation of body tissue that includes a lead body extending between lead proximal and distal ends, at least one tine element that includes at least one flexible, pliant, tine, that is adapted to be folded inward and temporarily secured against the lead body... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.