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

20070173892 - Method and an apparatus for measuring of physiological parameters: The invention relates to an active plaster capable of applying electric current with a view to promoting a wound healing process in humans or animals based on the use of electrodes and electronics incorporated in a plaster which encapsulates the wound. It is moreover contemplated by the invention that the... Agent: Dykema Gossett PLLC

20070173893 - Method and apparatus for preventing obstructive sleep apnea: A method and device for creating an afferent stimulus for preventing obstructive sleep apnea are disclosed. The device includes at least one electrode and a stimulator, of which at least one electrode stimulates the genioglossus muscle of a patient having obstructive sleep apnea. The electrode is capable of conducting selected... Agent: Sheldon Mak Rose & Anderson PC

20070173889 - Methods and apparatus for conversion of eukaryotic cells by application of electric and magnetic fields: The present invention comprises, without limitation, methods and apparatus to induce changes in eukaryotic cell shapes by application of low-level electric or magnetic fields and thereby to impact cell function or mobility. Thus, the present invention comprises methods and apparatus for the investigation and treatment of human and animal diseases,... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20070173890 - Stimulation mode adjustment for an implantable medical device: A method and apparatus for providing for altering a neurostimulation therapy provided by an implantable medical device (IMD). A presence of a magnetic field and/or a tap input is detected. A programmed time period for altering the neurostimulation therapy is determined based upon detecting the presence of the magnetic field... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173891 - Treatment of reproductive endocrine disorders by vagus nerve stimulation: I disclose a method of treating a reproductive endocrine disorder in a patient, including coupling at least one electrode to at least one portion of a cranial nerve of the patient; and applying an electrical signal to said cranial nerve using said electrode to treat said reproductive endocrine disorder. Among... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173894 - Method and apparatus for selecting and timing anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing using cardiac cycle length stability: An implantable medical device delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP). When a tachyarrhythmia episode is detected, the implantable medical device analyzes cardiac cycle length stability to determine whether and/or when to deliver an ATP. In one embodiment, the cardiac cycle length stability is measured by existence of stable ventricular... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070173895 - Device for cardiac stimulation: A cardiac stimulation device is proposed, which is equipped[U1] with leads (2, 12) for at least two stimulating electrodes, a combined input and display device (3, 13) for entering a mode of operation and the associated parameters suitable for the treatment as well as for displaying the selected mode of... Agent: Orum & Roth LLC Ste 1616

20070173896 - Methods and apparatus for tissue activation and monitoring: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (prts) (proteus Biomedical,inc)

20070173897 - Methods and apparatus for tissue activation and monitoring: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (prts) (proteus Biomedical,inc)

20070173898 - Emergency controller for a medical device: An emergency controller for use with a medical device adapted to be controlled by a primary controller. The emergency controller including a control unit, a power source, a connector and a switch, and wherein the connector is adapted to allow the emergency controller to be connected to the medical device... Agent: Daniel B. Schein, Ph.d., Esq., Inc.

20070173899 - Renal nerve stimulation method for treatment of patients: A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure, hypertension and renal failure by stimulating the renal nerve. The goal of therapy is to reduce sympathetic activity of the renal nerve. Therapy is accomplished by at least partially blocking the nerve with drug infusion or electrostimulation. Apparatus can be permanently... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20070173900 - Transobturator lead implantation for pelvic floor stimulation: The disclosure is directed to a method and tool for implanting a stimulation lead or other medical device adjacent a pudendal nerve. The tool includes a shaped needle that enters a patient and passes through an obturator foramen passage in a pelvis. A physician places a tip of the tool... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070173902 - Medical imaging feedback for an implantable medical device: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for performing an adaptive stimulation process using medical imaging feedback data for affecting an operation of an implantable medical device. The first stimulation signal is applied to a neural structure for modulation of a target portion of the patient's brain associated with a... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173901 - Method and device for detecting and treating depression: A system is described for detecting and/or treating depression that may be incorporated into an implantable device such as a cardiac rhythm management device. The device may determine that depression is present by analysis of heart rate variability measured using the cardiac sensing channels of the device and/or by detection... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070173903 - Medical device for restoration of neurological function impaired by peripheral neuropathy: A device for treating a patient using sensory substitution includes a wearable article in which are disposed one or more sensors for detecting the phase of the gait cycle of the patient, a controller for receiving signals from the sensors indicative of the phase of the gait, and one more... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20070173904 - Self-contained electromagnetic apparatus for treatment of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs within a cerebrofacial area and method for using same: An apparatus and method for electromagnetic treatment for hair restoration and treatment of cerebrofacial molecules, cells, tissues, and organs comprising configuring at least one waveform having at least one waveform parameter, selecting a value of the at least one waveform parameter of the at least one waveform to maximize at... Agent: Len Taylor, Patent Attorney

20070173905 - Implantable retinal electrode array configuration for minimal retinal damage and method of reducing retinal stress: This invention is a retinal electrode array assembly and methods of using the same that facilitate surgical implant procedures by providing the operating surgeon with visual references and grasping means and with innovations that reduce actual and potential damage to the retina and the surrounding tissue.... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20070173906 - Electrode for treatment and device for treatment: A metal backer forming device (1), comprising a film withdrawing roller (2) for withdrawing, starting at one end, a transfer film (F) from the wound body of the transfer film (F) formed by applying at least a metal film (26a) onto a base film (26b), a film carrying mechanism such... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070173907 - Hybrid electrode for a plasma arc torch and methods of manufacture thereof: Methods of forming an electrode for use in a plasma arc torch are provided that generally include forming an electrode body defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, forming a recess within the distal end portion, securing a slug within the recess of the distal end portion,... Agent: Harness, Dickey, & Pierce, P.l.c

20070173910 - Input response override for an implantable medical device: A method and apparatus for providing an override of an operational mode of an implantable medical device. An override input to enter an override mode is received. A determination as to whether a magnetic input has been received is made. A predetermined response to the magnetic input is blocked in... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173911 - Medical device with an electrically conductive anti-antenna member: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20070173909 - Spark gap in an implantable medical device: An implantable medical device comprises an enclosure containing a gas and a plurality of conductors that couple to tissue. At least two of the conductors define a spark gap formed therebetween and exposed to the gas.... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173908 - Transcutaneous trigeminal nerve stimulation to treat motion sickness: A method of treating motion sickness in a patient is disclosed, wherein the method includes coupling at least one electrode to the patient at least one location in proximity to at least one cranial nerve; and applying an electrical signal to said nerve or nerve branch using said electrode to... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173912 - Phototherapy with specific infrared light for treating skin disorders: Methods of treating skin disorders, specifically the entity named psoriasis, as well as chronic dermatitis and lichen simplex chronicus, involve cooling an exposed surface of a region afflicted with the disorder and applying energy, for example, energy from a coherent or incoherent light source, to the region.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070173913 - Methods and devices for epithelial protection during photodynamic therapy: Methods for preventing damage to epithelial tissue during PDT induced using a photosensitizing agent or pre-photosensitizing agent are provided. The methods of the present invention utilize spatial confinement to control photoactivation of the photoactive species to protect the epithelial tissue. In one embodiment, epithelial tissue surrounding a targeted treatment site... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070173914 - Self-locking electrode assembly usable with an implantable medical device: An electrode assembly for use with an implantable medical device. The electrode assembly comprises a spine and a plurality of electrodes that protrude from away from the spine. At least two electrodes protrude away from the spine in opposing directions.... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20070173915 - Cardiac lead having coated fixation arrangement: Implantable cardiac monitoring and stimulation devices and methods using cardiac leads employ coated fixation arrangements. The coating, such as an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, reduces exit block by reducing the tissue response to the fixation arrangement, decreasing the amount of fibrotic tissue, and reducing exit block. An epicardial lead may include a... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC Suite 125

20070173916 - Electrode with edge protection: A medical electrode includes a conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector in contact with a flexible member for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top. A conductive hydrogel adhesive disposed on... Agent: Walter A. Hackler, Ph.d. Patent Law Office

20070167988 - Apparatus and method for supplying power to subcutaneously implanted devices: A power source providing electric power to subcutaneously implanted devices capture mechanical energy from the expansion and contraction of a cross-section of a blood vessel during a systolic-diastolic blood pressure cycle include a mechano-electric transducer assembly mechanically coupled to involuntarily moving tissue. The transducer includes a deformable inner element and... Agent: Lowe Hauptman Berner, LLP

20070168000 - Apparatus and method for cooling lasers using insulator fluid: A semiconductor device system includes a chamber, one or more semiconductor devices disposed within the chamber and operable to emit light, and an insulator fluid disposed within the chamber. The insulator fluid may be in contact with the semiconductor devices and operable to decrease the temperature of the semiconductor devices.... Agent: Baker Botts L.L.P.

20070167984 - Method and apparatus for stimulation of baroreceptors: Devices and methods for controlling the baroreflex system for the treatment and/or management of cardiovascular, renal, and neurological disorders.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070167983 - Method and device for subaqueous ultrasonic irradiation of living tissue: Application to humans, animals and fish, a method for injecting thoroughly diffused ambient air or disinfectant into water prior to its delivery into a therapy tank plus an underwater PZT probe transmission of separate stable and transient cavitation signals from which a microcomputer determines, 1) the average number of transducer... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070167985 - System and method for controlling hypothalamic function via vestibular stimulation: A system and method for regulating one or more physiological functions controlled by a hypothalamus of an individual. In one embodiment, a stimulation is applied to at least a portion of a vestibular system of the individual, a subjective input is received from the individual based upon the individual's perceived... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20070167986 - Method and apparatus for post-processing of episodes detected by a medical device: A system and method for post-processing of sensing data generated by a medical device that includes transmitting a plurality of stored sensing data generated by a 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.

20070167987 - Pacing therapy for extending atrial refractory period: A device and method are presented for prolonging the atrial effective refractory period with pacing therapy. Such refractory period prolongation renders the atrial tissue less susceptible to the onset of atrial fibrillation. A particularly useful application is during the period after application of electrical therapy to the atria to terminate... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070167989 - Feed-through assembly: A feed-through assembly is presented. The feed-through assembly includes a first end and a second end with a body therebetween. The first end comprises a substantially L-shaped end and a block. The substantially L-shaped end includes a first contact surface. The block includes a second contact surface.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070167990 - Method and apparatus for low frequency induction therapy for the treatment of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder: Current treatment options for Overactive Bladder and Urinary Incontinence include exercise and behavioral modifications, pharmacological therapies, surgical intervention, and neuromodulation. Although each of these treatments is used in the treatment of individuals with these conditions, each has severe limitations. Building on the limitations of existing therapies, and with the distillation... Agent: Shane Mangrum C/o Daniel Burnett

20070167991 - Methods and systems for determining subject-specific parameters for a neuromodulation therapy: A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure comprising the entirety or portion of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” The neurological control system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070167992 - Method and apparatus for reducing preterm labor using neuromodulation: The present invention includes an apparatus, kit and method for providing neural stimulation to reduce preterm labor contractions and thereby reduce subsequent preterm births. The present invention includes one or more implantable electrodes adapted for electrical communication with one or more sacral nerve roots and an electrical energy generator to... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20070167993 - System and method for telemetry with an implantable medical device: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a telemetry module to communicate with an external device according to a given protocol. To establish a communication session, the IMD will extend active periods of reception on a given channel when some confirmed data is received from the external device. In addition, once... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070167995 - System and method for telemetry with an implantable medical device: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a telemetry module to communicate with an external device according to a given protocol. To establish a communication session, the IMD will extend active periods of reception on a given channel when some confirmed data is received from the external device. In addition, once... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070167996 - System and method for telemetry with an implantable medical device: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a telemetry module to communicate with an external device according to a given protocol. To establish a communication session, the IMD will extend active periods of reception on a given channel when some confirmed data is received from the external device. In addition, once... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070167994 - Telemetry method and apparatus for ambulatory medical device: A medical system including an implantable battery operated therapy device and an external communication device configured for wireless communication in a manner to minimize energy consumption in the implanted device. The medical device is configured to wake periodically from a sleep state to look for a message preamble from the... Agent: Henricks Slavin And Holmes, LLP Advanced Bionics Corporation

20070167997 - Method of energy transfer to an implantable medical device while coupling energy to charging unit: External power source, charger, system and method for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A primary charging coil is capable of transcutaneously inductively energizing the secondary coil when externally placed in proximity of the secondary coil. Drive circuitry is... Agent: Iplm Group, P.A.

20070167999 - Multi-spectral photon therapy device and methods of use: A multi-spectra photon therapy device and method of use for providing treatment to a subject in need thereof is described. A multi-spectra photon therapy device comprising an array of LEDs having at least two sets of LEDs configured according to a predetermined pattern, with a first set of LEDs emitting... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070167998 - Phototherapy device and method: Phototherapy equipment comprising a light source (5, 49), a light guide (6, 46) suitable for directing the light to the inlet of a terminal pen (4, 50) for projecting a light beam onto living tissues and comprising a plate (28, 70) at the outlet of the polarizer (25, 65) arranged... Agent: Lowe Hauptman Gilman & Berner, LLP

20070168001 - Remotely rf powered conformable thermal applicators: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to apparatus and methodology of thermal applicators in cancer therapy. In particular, the present embodiments are directed to a technique called “nanoparticle ferromagnetic resonance heating,” where ferromagnetic resonance heating in addition to an RF hyperthermia treatment is used to cause cell apoptosis... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070168002 - Agents and methods for relieving muscle spasms: A method of affecting metabolic function is presented which utilizes a conductive coating, film, or covering on a body tissue to distribute electrical charge, either passively or in conjunction with applied electrical energy.... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C.

20070168003 - Medical device with an electrically conductive anti-antenna member: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20070168004 - Cylindrical multi-contact electrode lead for neural stimulation and method of making same: An implantable lead includes a tubular polymer body having a plurality of wire conductors embedded or carried within the inner tube body. A ring contact, e.g., a platinum ring contact, is electrically and mechanically connected to at least one of the plurality of wires at at least one end of... Agent: Advanced Bionics C/o Darby & Darby P.C.

20070168007 - Lead assembly and method of making same: A lead assembly and a method of making a lead are provided. The lead comprises a terminal, proximal end having a plurality of terminal contacts and material separating the terminal contacts. In one embodiment of the lead, the terminal contacts are separated by a preformed spacer, that may be made... Agent: Advanced Bionics Corporation

20070168005 - Medical device with an electrically conductive anti-antenna member: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20070168006 - Medical device with an electrically conductive anti-antenna member: A lead includes a conductor having a distal end and a proximal end and a resonant circuit connected to the conductor. The resonant circuit has a resonance frequency approximately equal to an excitation signal's frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner or a resonance frequency not tuned to an excitation... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20070168008 - Implantable medical electrical leads, kits, systems and methods of use thereof: Implantable medical electrical leads, kits, systems and methods of use thereof for electrically stimulating the spinal cord with a plurality of electric stimulation leads. Directional stimulation electrodes are disposed along the distal end portions of the leads to form an electrode array in the epidural space of a patient with... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070162076 - 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

20070162075 - Method and apparatus for broadcasting audible information prompts from an external defibrillator: A method and apparatus provides instructions to a user for operating an external defibrillator device having a set of electrodes coupleable to a patient. The method begins by transmitting over a wireless protocol a voice prompt instructing the user to attach the set of electrodes to the patient. The method... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070162077 - Method and apparatus for high voltage aluminum capacitor design: The present subject matter includes a method of producing an apparatus for use in a patient, the method including etching an anode foil, anodizing the anode foil, assembling the anode foil, at least one cathode foil and one or more separators into a capacitor stack adapted to deliver from about... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070162078 - Active implantable medical device of aai/ddd type, notably cardiac pacemaker, comprising means for automatic mode adjustment at the implantation: An active implantable medical device of the ARI/DDD type, notably a cardiac pacemaker, including automatic mode adjustment at implantation. The device detects spontaneous atrial and ventricular events, and is able to pace the atrium and ventricle. The device can operate in an AAI mode with ventricular sensing, a DDD mode,... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070162079 - Signal delivery through the right ventricular septum: A method is provided for use with a human subject. The method includes accessing a cardiac site via a vena cava of the subject, and alleviating heart failure of the subject by applying to the cardiac site, during a refractory period of the site, a refractory-period signal that affects the... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20070162080 - Method and apparatus for optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy using heart sounds: A cardiac rhythm management system provides for assessment of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony based on heart sound morphology and optimization of pacing parameters based on the effect of pacing on the cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony assessment. A degree of cardiac mechanical dyssynchrony is measured by the time delay between tricuspid valve closure... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070162081 - Dynamic device therapy control for treating post myocardial infarction patients: A cardiac rhythm management system includes an implantable device executing a dynamic pacing algorithm after an myocardial infarction (MI) event. The dynamic pacing algorithm dynamically adjusts one or more pacing parameters based on a person's gross physical activity level. Examples of the one or more pacing parameters include atrioventricular pacing... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070162082 - Method and apparatus for capture verification and threshold determination: An apparatus and method for verifying capture by a pacing pulse in which a test depolarization waveform recorded during a pacing event is compared with a template waveform representing capture by the pacing pulse. Capture verification in this manner may be used in pacemakers having multiple pacing channels for the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070162083 - Implantable medical device with a dual power source: An implantable medical device includes a control circuit for controlling the operation of the device and for obtaining physiological data from a patient in which the medical device is implanted. The implanted device also includes a communication circuit for transmitting the physiological data to an external device. A first power... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070162084 - Gastrointestinal electrical stimulation: The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gastrointestinal action in a subject using a stimulatory electrode and a sensor to provide retrograde feedback control of electrical stimulation to the GI tract.... Agent: Rogalsky & Weyand, LLP

20070162085 - Method, apparatus, surgical technique, and stimulation parameters for autonomic neuromodulation for the treatment of obesity: The present invention teaches a method and apparatus for physiological modulation, including neural and gastrointestinal modulation, for the purposes of treating several disorders, including obesity, depression, epilepsy, and diabetes. This includes chronically implanted neural and neuromuscular modulators, used to modulate the afferent neurons of the sympathetic nervous system to induce... Agent: Dilorenzo Biomedical, LLC

20070162086 - Monitoring efficacy of neural modulation therapy: A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure comprising the entirety or portion of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” The neurological control system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070162087 - Neurostimulation site screening: The disclosure describes a process for non-invasively screening a patient to select a stimulation site for treatment of head, neck or facial pain and tension symptoms caused by disorders such as occipital neuralgia. The screening process involves application of a transcutaneous stimulation screening device, a percutaneous micro-electrode screening device, and... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070162088 - Apparatus for stimulating muscular contraction and relaxation: An apparatus for stimulating muscular contraction and relaxation for a human body includes a specific needle and a host. The specific needle, made of conductive metal, is coated with some insulating material on an outer layer thereof, such that a tip of the needle is exposed outside the insulating material.... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070162090 - Body attachable unit in wireless communication with implantable devices: Medical systems and devices are provided. A medical system includes implantable devices and an external device configured for wirelessly interacting with the implantable devices. The external device may be attachable to a patient and be configured for wirelessly communicating with a first implantable device, e.g., using acoustic energy, and wirelessly... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070162089 - Cross-band communications in an implantable device: Embodiments of the invention provide cross-band communications with an implantable medical device. In one embodiment, an implantable medical device to be implanted into a body of a patient comprises one or more sensors configured to monitor physiological condition of the body of the patient; sensor electronics configured to process a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070162091 - Phototherapy light with fresnel lens for infant care apparatus: A phototherapy light device for directing light onto an infant. The phototherapy light device has a base containing an illumination source and a gooseneck type of elongated member that extends outwardly from the base and has a conical shaped shade at its distal end. An optical fiber transmits the light... Agent: Roger M. Rathbun

20070162092 - Laser activator for physical treatment: A laser activator is disclosed to include a main unit, which has a power switch, a power indicator light, a power level adjustment switch, a power intensity indicator light, a laser light activation switch, a laser light working indicator light, a charging socket, a laser light connection jack, and a... Agent: Pai Patent & Trademark Law Firm

20070162094 - Micro vein enhancer: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the... Agent: Thomas A. O'rourke Bodner & O'rourke, LLP

20070162093 - Therapeutic laser treatment: A method for treating selected tissue, including exposing the selected bone or tissue to laser light having a wavelength between approximately 600 and 1400 nm, and maintaining such exposure of the selected tissue or bone to the laser light for a period of time sufficient to deliver a laser light... Agent: Thomas W. Epting Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann, P.C.

20070162095 - Modular visualization stylet apparatus and methods of use: Visualization stylets and methods of use are provided, in which the visualization stylets include modular components that allow interchangeability of imaging devices and lenses, and the use of forward-facing or lateral-facing lens orientations. Optionally, the lens may be focused remotely. A reduced insertion profile is provided by configuring the circuitry... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20070162096 - Temperature regulating suit: A device for the controlled heating or cooling of a portion of the body is disclosed. The device includes a contact surface; a plastically deformable, substantially sheet element configured to define the shape of the contact surface; and a heat transfer component, associated with the plastically deformable element, for adjusting... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20070162097 - Patient cooling system and method: A system and method of reducing or raising patient body temperature in an expedited yet safe, cost-effective, and convenient manner. The patient cooling system of the present invention includes a positive pressure device, a cooler for regulating the temperature of gas entering a patient's lungs, and temperature monitoring and controlling... Agent: Holland & Knight LLP

20070162098 - Prosthetic hearing implant electrode assembly having optimal length for atraumatic implantation: An elongate carrier member configured for implantation into a cochlea, the carrier member having a proximal end adapted to be positioned in a basal region of the cochlea, and a distal end adapted to be positioned in an apical region of the cochlea; and a plurality of electrodes disposed at... Agent: Jagtiani + Guttag

20070162099 - Multifunction electrode pad: A multifunction electrode (MFE) pad, which includes a multi-strand conductor having one end in the form of dispersed carbon fibers, and another end adapted for connection to a defibrillation unit. A conductive substrate is in electrical communication with one end of the multi-strand conductor. The conductive substrate includes a conductive... Agent: Burr & Brown

20070156177 - Blood glucose level control: A method of glucose level control comprising, providing at least one electrode adapted to apply an electric field to a pancreas; and applying an electric field to the pancreas using said at least one electrode such that blood glucose levels are significantly reduced and blood insulin levels are not significantly... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070156185 - Ablative treatment of the heart to improve patient outcomes following surgery: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in... Agent: Gss Law Group

20070156182 - Electrical stimulation device and method for the treatment of dysphagia: An electrical stimulation device and method for the treatment of dysphagia is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical stimulation device includes one or more channels of electrodes each of which includes a first electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a target region of a patient and a... Agent: Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070156178 - Electrotherapy apparatus and method of treating a person or a mammal using such electrotherapy apparatus: An electrotherapy apparatus comprising a sensor for detecting periodically recurring signal peaks, in particular the R-R peaks of an electrocardiogram of a person, a processor for deriving from the time interval between said periodically recurring signal peaks a time delay corresponding to approximately the end of the T-wave and a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070156184 - Method and apparatus for flexible battery for implantable device: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for storing energy, the apparatus having a first portion comprising a flexible substrate containing a polymer electrolyte and a second portion adapted to provide a conformable housing surrounding the first portion; wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide a source... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070156181 - Method of maintaining wet-tantalum electrolytic capacitors: Wet-tantalum capacitors used in a medical device are charged to and maintained at a maintenance voltage between full energy charges so that deformation in the wet-tantalum capacitor is substantially inhibited.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156180 - Methods and systems for treating osteoarthritis: Methods of treating osteoarthritis include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating osteoarthritis include a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation... Agent: Steven L. Nichols Rader, Fishman & Graver PLLC

20070156179 - Multi-channel and multi dimensional system and method: An implanted system for treatment of human diseases by electric stimulation and/or electric blocking of the body tissues, comprising sensor and/or biosensor means for measuring variables in the body, processor means connected to the sensors and biosensors for processing the measured variables and for deciding in real time whether to... Agent: Angenehm Law Firm, Ltd.

20070156187 - Neural network based learning engine to adapt therapies: A system for implementing a cardiac device having adaptive treatment therapies utilizing a neural network based learning engine is disclosed. The system includes an implantable cardiac device module and an external data processing system for specifying the operating characteristics of the cardiac device module. Both the cardiac device module and... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070156186 - Neurostimulation therapy usage diagnostics: An implantable medical device delivers neurostimulation therapy to a patient according to a parameter set. A parameter set may consist of a number of programs that are delivered substantially simultaneously. When programming the implantable medical device for the patient, a clinician programmer may maintain a session log for the patient... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070156183 - Treatment of various ailments: A method of treating a wide variety of heretofore considered unrelated ailments comprises delivering electricity through a circuit in the body. The circuit includes at least four nerves leading from at least two of the patient's extremities to various nerve roots adjacent the spinal column. Electrical energy from an electrical... Agent: G. Turner Moller, Jr.

20070156188 - Discrimination between effective and ineffective atrial pacing pulses in an active implantable medical device of the pacemaker type: An active implantable medical device of the cardiac pacing, resynchronization, defibrillation and/or cardio version type able to discriminate between effective and ineffective atrial pacing pulses. This device delivers atrial pacing pulses, collects an endocardial atrial signal, and senses atrial capture. It is able to recognize the presence of an evoked... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070156189 - Method and apparatus to control delivery of high-voltage and anti-tachy pacing therapy in an implantable medical device: A system and method for delivering both anti-tachy pacing (ATP) therapy and high-voltage shock therapy in response to detection of abnormal cardiac rhythms is disclosed. The system controls the time between delivering ATP therapy and the charging of high-voltage capacitors in preparation for shock delivery based on a predetermined set... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156190 - Subcutaneous icd with motion artifact noise suppression: A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (SubQ ICD) includes a housing carrying electrodes for sensing ECG signals and delivering therapy. A sensor detects local motion in the area of the housing and produces a noise signal related to motion artifact noise contained in ECG signals derived from the electrode array. An... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156191 - Mode switching heart stimulation apparatus and method: In a heart stimulation device a mode of operation is switched in response to detection of atrial tachyarrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation. The stimulation device may initially operate in a normal mode of pacing then, upon detection of atrial tachyarrhythmia, the stimulation device may change how it senses signals and... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20070156192 - Multi-chamber timing for premature cardiac pacing: A pacing control is used in multi-chamber cardiac potentiation therapy to provide a first premature pacing pulse to a first chamber based on a previous event sensed in the first chamber, and to provide a second premature pacing pulse to a second chamber based on a previous event sensed in... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156193 - Method of optimizing data collection and therapy delivery based on respiration: A method and system for improving or optimizing the collection of data from and the delivery of therapy to a patient by an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed which uses information about the patient's respiratory cycle.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156195 - Cardiac rhythm management system with optimization of cardiac performance using heart rate: A method of optimizing inter-site delay is disclosed for a cardiac rhythm management device that includes a dual chamber pacemaker, especially designed for treating congestive heart failure by pacing a plurality of sites. A microcontroller is operative to adjust the pacing mode and inter-site delay of the pacemaker so as... Agent: C. G. Mersereau Nikolai, Mersereau & Dietz, P.A.

20070156194 - Closed loop optimization of a-v and v-v timing: Embodiments of close loop optimization of atrio-ventricular (A-V) delay interval and/or inter-ventricular (V-V) timing are disclosed. An implantable medical device includes a housing that supports a processing means adapted for implantation in a patient. There can be two or more electrodes electrically coupled to the processing means where the two... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156196 - Capture verification using an evoked response reference: A method and system for verifying capture in the heart involves the use of pacing artifact templates. One or more pacing artifact templates characterizing a post pace artifact signal associated with a particular pace voltage or range of voltages are provided. A pacing artifact template is canceled from a cardiac... Agent: Attention Of: Clara Davis Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070156197 - Method and apparatus for improved medical device profile: The present subject matter includes an apparatus for positioning in an implant site which includes a hermetically sealed shell having an exterior shaped as a function of hydrodynamic drag at the implant site, turbulence at the implant site, fluid sheer stress at the implant site, and stagnation at the implant... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070156198 - Coordinated therapy for disordered breathing including baroreflex modulation: A method is provided for treating disordered breathing conditions of a patient. The method comprises delivering a plurality of therapies to treat disordered breathing, including at least an electrical stimulation therapy modulating a patient's baroreflex response. The method further comprises coordinating delivery of the plurality of disordered breathing therapies, wherein... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070156199 - Multi-variable feedback control of stimulation for inspiratory facilitation: An exemplary method includes delivering stimulation according to one or more stimulation parameters to cause contraction of the diaphragm, monitoring chest activity related to respiration and, in response to the monitoring, adjusting one or more of the one or more stimulation parameters during contraction of the diaphragm and continuing the... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20070156200 - System and method for regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance: The present invention is an apparatus and method for controlling blood pressure by stimulating the cardiac afferent sympathetic nerves. The invention may be implemented in a medical device having a pressure sensor for sensing blood pressure, an electrode for providing electrical signals to the cardiac afferent sympathetic nerves, and a... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156201 - Hypertension treatment device and method for mitigating rapid changes in blood pressure: An implantable baroreflex activation device administers a special electrotherapy program that causes the device to apply electrotherapy to limit a rate of change of blood pressure increase associated with a blood pressure surge event such as a morning blood pressure surge (MBPS).... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070156202 - Electrical nerve stimulation based on channel specific sequences: A method of activating at least two electrodes in a multichannel electrode array using channel specific sampling sequences is presented. A channel specific sampling sequence is defined for each electrode, the sequence having a particular duration, pulse amplitude distribution, and number of pulses. A weighting factor is applied to the... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070156203 - Fractional voltage converter: In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator comprises: pulse generating circuitry for generating pulses and delivering the pulses to outputs of the implantable pulse generator; a controller; wherein the pulse generating circuitry comprises a voltage multiplier for multiplying a battery voltage, the voltage multiplier including multiple outputs, wherein a first... Agent: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

20070156204 - Extracorporeal power supply with a wireless feedback system for an implanted medical device: A medical device adapted for implantation into a patient receives electrical power from an extracorporeal power supply. The medical device has a first receiver for a first wireless signal, a power circuit that extracts energy from the first wireless signal to power the medical device, and a feedback signal generator... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070156205 - Implantable medical device with inductive coil configurable for mechanical fixation: An embodiment of a system for gathering physiologic data related to a human body includes a sensor device implanted in the human body, an inductive coil communicably coupled to the implanted sensor device; and a manager device in communication with the implanted sensor device via the inductive coil. The coil... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20070156206 - Therapy delivery mode selection: Techniques for selectably providing either constant voltage or constant current stimulation are described. A programming device provides a user interface by which a user selects either constant voltage or constant current stimulation, and selects either a voltage or current amplitude based on the selected stimulation mode. The programming device configures... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070156207 - Expanding single channel stimulator capability on multi-area stimulation programs: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted lead including at least one electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. In tissue stimulation... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070156208 - Method and apparatus for bi-axial light treatment: A method and apparatus for providing light therapy using a biaxial flexible circuit substrate with infrared light-emitting diodes dispersed throughout the substrate, which is housed within a housing unit and has a transparent cover, a reflective layer and a means for connecting to a power source, is disclosed.... Agent: Kirton And Mcconkie

20070156210 - Method for the treatment of heart tissue: A method for treating an affected portion in a heart comprises a catheter having a first end and a second end; a mono-polar or bi-polar electrode coupled to the first end, wherein the electrode is adapted to be inserted into heart tissue; a power source coupled to the second end... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20070156209 - System for the treatment of heart tissue: A system for treating an affected portion in a heart comprises a catheter having a first end and a second end; a mono-polar or bi-polar electrode coupled to the first end, wherein the electrode is adapted to be inserted into heart tissue; a power source coupled to the second end... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20070156211 - Lumen-traveling device: Lumen-traveling devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, an active portion, and/or control circuitry. In some... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20070156212 - Apparatus and method for high resolution temperature measurement and for hyperthermia therapy: An apparatus and method for increasing the resolution of a linear array of fiber Bragg gratings by applying a plastic coating having a high CTE over the optical fiber. Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of each of a succession of points along a tissue portion during hyperthermia treatment... Agent: Lawrence S. Cohen

20070156213 - Conformable thermal device: A chemically-activated conformable thermal device that generates heat upon activation is provided. The thermal device typically contains an oxidizable metal that is capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction in the presence of moisture and air to generate heat. Although such metals, as well as other components of the composition (e.g.,... Agent: Dority & Manning, P.A.

20070156214 - Anti-coagulation and demineralization system for conductive medical devices: A system for minimizing and/or eliminating coagulative or mineral deposits on respective blood-contacting surfaces of implanted medical devices includes an implantable system having a current generating device that is electrically coupled to at least first and second electrodes for developing a current therebetween. The at least first and second electrodes... Agent: Haugen Law Firm

20070156215 - Dilating lead tip: Tapered pacing lead tip shapes and fixation devices, as well as methods for making and using the same, are provided. The inventive leads include features which optimize placement and retention of the leads, as well as features which improve function of the lead. Also provided are implantable devices and systems,... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (prts) (proteus Biomedical,inc)

20070156216 - Electrode and insulation assembly for a lead and method therefor: A lead assembly includes an inner electrode coupled with a conductor, and an outer electrode disposed over the inner electrode, where the outer electrode is coupled with at least a portion of the inner electrode. Insulative material is disposed between a portion of the inner and outer electrodes, for example... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070156217 - Apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20070156219 - Active fixation cardiac vein medical lead: An implantable medical lead configured for active fixation in the vasculature of a patient includes an elongated lead body having a central lumen and a distal tip. Disposed within the central lumen are a fixation helix and an elongated member, such as a lead coil, coupled to the fixation helix.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156218 - Implantable medical lead including a helical fixation member: An implantable medical lead comprises an elongated body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body. The helical fixation member is configured to fix the implantable medical lead at an implant site and includes a... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070156220 - Methods for lead placement on a surface of the heart: The methods and apparatus for lead placement on a surface of the heart are employed using an elongated body having proximal and distal end portions. The body defines a lead receiving passageway extending between a proximal inlet and a distal outlet for receiving a lead therethrough for contact with the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock