Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions 03/08

20080077184 - Intravascular stimulation system with wireless power supply: A medical device adapted for implantation into a patient receives electrical power from an extravascular power supply. The medical device has a first receiver for a first radio frequency (RF) signal from which energy is extracted to power the medical device, and a second RF signal carries an indication of... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080077185 - Defibrillator/monitor system having a pod with leads capable of wirelessly communicating: A modular external defibrillator system in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more of the following features: a base containing a defibrillator to deliver a defibrillation shock to a patient, (b) one or more pods each connectable to a patient via patient lead cables to collect at least... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080077187 - Methods and apparatus to stimulate heart atria: A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing vagal tone and secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by excitory pacing of the heart atria. Atrial pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in atrial contraction against closed AV valves, and atrial contraction rate that... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080077188 - Intravascular stimulation system with wireless power supply: A medical device adapted for implantation into a patient receives electrical power from an extravascular power supply. The medical device has a first receiver for a first radio frequency (RF) signal from which energy is extracted to power the medical device, and a second RF signal carries an indication of... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080077189 - Method and device for implantable cardiac stimulus device lead impedance measurement: Methods and devices for testing lead impedance in an implantable cardiac stimulus device. A resistor is placed in series with the lead impedance, and a predetermined or known voltage is applied to the resistor and lead impedance. The voltage across the resistor is measured, and it is then determined whether... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080077190 - Implantable medical device header with optical interface: Disclosed herein, among other things, is an implantable medical device header assembly with an optical interface. The header assembly can include a housing defining a cavity; an electrical contact disposed along the cavity; an electrical conductor configured to electrically couple the electrical contact with the implantable medical device; and an... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.L.C.

20080077191 - Treatment of language, behavior and social disorders: Methods of treating language, behavioral and social disorders are described, including methods of treating language disorders associated with electrographic abnormalities in the primary or associative language cortex of persons with autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental delay or acquired epileptic aphasia. A language, behavioral and social disorder may be treated by... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080077193 - Scavenged energy for electric field generation to prevent bone loss and encourage bone growth for orthopedic applications: In this invention, stress shielding effects seen in total joint arthroplasty patients and trauma patients is prevented by causing the bone above the press fit of the implant to continue to act as if it were under stress by inducing an electric field in the surrounding bone that simulates the... Agent: Jennifer Bow

20080077197 - Methods and systems for presenting an audio signal to a cochlear implant patient: Methods and systems of presenting an audio signal to a cochlear implant patient include dividing the audio signal into a plurality of analysis channels, detecting an energy level within each of the analysis channels, selecting one or more of the analysis channels for presentation to the patient, synthesizing the selected... Agent: Advantedge Law Group , LLC

20080077199 - Method and apparatus for applying light therapy: A method and apparatus for light therapy, which is a method using light for treating diseases and/or maintaining the health of a living organism. The method comprises delivering a light modulated at a specific frequency and intensity for a specified duration to the whole body or a portion of the... Agent: Clifford Kraft

20080077198 - Miniature apparatus and method for optical stimulation of nerves and other animal tissue: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the... Agent: Lemaire Patent Law Firm, P.l.l.c.

20080077200 - Apparatus and method for stimulation of nerves and automated control of surgical instruments: A hand-held self-contained nerve-stimulation device and method using light to provide a source of precise stimulation on one or more nerve fibers. In some embodiments, this simulation is provided through a device and method wherein a laser- or LED-light source is mounted to the handpiece. Light is passed from the... Agent: Lemaire Patent Law Firm, P.l.l.c.

20080077201 - Cooling devices with flexible sensors: A device for exchanging heat with a subject having skin is provided. The device includes a heat exchanging member having a heat transfer surface configured to form a heat conducting interface with the subject's skin. The device further includes a substantially flexible sensing device disposed in the interface between the... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080077203 - Hygienic-therapeutic conductive far-infrared devices: This invention relates to novel hygienic-therapeutic or personal care devices that are based upon intense far-infrared sources in which radiation is generated by novel conductive materials. The conductive materials are specially designed and made to radiate ten to thousands times more intense far-infrared radiation than typical conductive materials, and such... Agent: Henryk Malak

20080077202 - Tissue treatment methods: Methods are provided herein for affecting a region of a subject's body, comprising exposing the region to a cooling element under conditions effective to cool subcutaneous adipose tissue in said region; and increasing the blood flow rate to the cooled tissue by exposing the tissue to an energy source. Methods... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080077186 - High phrenic, low capture threshold pacing devices and methods: Methods of highly selective cardiac tissue stimulation and devices for practicing the same, e.g., implantable segmented electrode devices, are provided. The methods and devices provide a previously unavailable high phrenic nerve capture voltage paired with a low pacing capture voltage threshold. The subject methods and devices provide a number of... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (proteus Biomedical, Inc)

20080077192 - System and method for neuro-stimulation: A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and/or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and/or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation... Agent: Nixon Peabody, LLP

20080077194 - Coating package for an implantable device: The present invention is an implantable electronic device formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package is formed from a thin film of hermetic biocompatible material... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080077196 - Motion compensation for a visual prosthesis: The present invention is a motion compensation system for a visual prosthesis to adapt a visual image to movement of a user's eyes and head. The system includes a camera providing a video signal, an eye movement tracking device, a head movement tracking device, and a video processing unit processing... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080077195 - Package for an implantable device: The present invention is an implantable electronic device formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package may include a hard hermetic box, a thin film hermetic... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080077204 - Optical biofilm therapeutic treatment: Optical therapeutic treatment devices, systems, apparatus, methods, and techniques are disclosed. Embodiments can include a housing extending along a central axis X, an elongated fiber guide coupled to the housing and adapted to receive an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, a reflector assembly within the... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080077205 - Cooling-normothermic-heating device with activated negative pressure system: The present invention is directed to using a thermoregulatory sensor in conjunction with a cooling-normothermic-heating device that applies a desired thermal energy to a target heat exchange surface of a mammal that is under negative pressure. The thermoregulatory sensor, unlike the prior art, does not initiate and/or control the thermal... Agent: Kevin D. Mccarthy Roach Brown Mccarthy & Gruber, P.C.

20080077206 - Method and apparatus for spinal cooling: A method for exchanging heat with a patient's spinal column incident to spinal surgery or to relieve a patient for a hypoxia condition of the spine. A closed loop heat exchange catheter is percutaneously advanced into the retroperitoneal space of the patient, and then heat exchange fluid is circulated through... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080077209 - Method and apparatus for connecting a hose to a warming blanket: A nozzle is provided for connecting an air hose to an air inlet. In one embodiment, the nozzle includes a tapered region and a plurality of vents. In another embodiment, the nozzle includes a projection configured to facilitate insertion of the nozzle into an air inlet. Warming assemblies comprising heated... Agent: CovidienIPCounsel - Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions

20080077208 - Method and apparatus for inflating a warming blanket: A warming blanket is provided that includes a first sheet and a second sheet sealed at least along a common edge. An air inlet is provided on the warming blanket where the first sheet and the second sheet are not sealed. An inlet opening device is attached to the inlet... Agent: CovidienIPCounsel - Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions

20080077207 - Use of convective air warming system for patient care: A technique for heating a patient is provided. The technique includes providing a warming blanket comprising at least one section that can be moved relative to the remainder of the warming blanket to define an opening in the warming blanket. The technique also includes providing a drape suitable to cover... Agent: CovidienIPCounsel - Respiratory & Monitoring Solutions

20080077213 - Apparatuses and methods for adjusting body temperatures: A cooling device has a shell made up of a first layer and a second layer. The cooling device further has a medium transfer apparatus positioned between the first layer and the second layer that is detachably coupled to a medium injection apparatus. The medium injection apparatus contains a medium... Agent: Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.

20080077211 - Cooling device having a plurality of controllable cooling elements to provide a predetermined cooling profile: A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a plurality of cooling elements movable relative to each other to conform to the contour's of the subject's skin. The cooling elements have a plurality of controllable thermoelectric coolers.... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080077212 - Hypothermia warming system: A system for warming of a user includes the first torso warming device to warm the torso of a user, the first torso warming device including a first strap to connect the torso warming device to the user.... Agent: Wilson Daniel Swayze, Jr.

20080077210 - Layered cooling vest: The present invention is a cooling vest which has a type of phase change heat sink that particularly lends itself to layering of the heat sinks on the body. The heat sinks are quilted and have a means for the transportation of moisture through them and the means of transportation... Agent: Stephen T. Horn

20080077214 - Device and method for cooling animals: A device and method for cooling an animal, operating to reduce heat absorption by reflecting sunshine and heat away from the animal, reducing insulation uptake, and shielding the animal from ultraviolet rays and other radiation, while providing adequate ventilation to support evaporative and/or radiant cooling. An external fabric layer of... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080077215 - Self-sealing insulation employed on a catheter or lead: An implantable electrical medical lead for a pulse generator includes a distal electrode, a connector for electrical connection with the pulse generator, an electrical conductor within the lead extending between the connector and the distal electrode, and an insulating sheath of flexible resilient material normally covering the electrical conductor having... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080077216 - Self-sealing insulation employed on a catheter or lead: An implantable electrical medical lead for a pulse generator includes a distal electrode, a connector for electrical connection with the pulse generator, an electrical conductor within the lead extending between the connector and the distal electrode, and an insulating sheath of flexible resilient material normally covering the electrical conductor having... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080077217 - Cardiac rhythm management system with intramural myocardial pacing leads and electrodes: Medical devices and therapeutic methods for use in the field of cardiology, cardiac rhythm management and interventional cardiology, and more specifically to catheter-based systems for implantation of pacing leads and electrodes, or intramural myocardial reinforcement devices, within the myocardial wall of the heart, such as the ventricles, to provide improved... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20080077218 - Injection of therapeutic into porous regions of a medical device: The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for selectively driving therapeutic into at least a portion of a porous matrix of a medical implant. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical implant may be provided having at least a portion thereof comprising a porous matrix.... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080077219 - Intravascular electrophysiological system and methods: The present application describes an intravascular implantable pacing and/or defibrillation system. The described system includes a pulse generator that is implantable within a blood vessel and proportioned to blood flow through the blood vessel, and at least one electrode attachable to the pulse generator. During implantation, the pulse generator is... Agent: Stallman & Pollock LLP

20080077220 - Means to securely fixate pacing leads and/or sensors in vessels: According to embodiments of the present invention, a cardiac lead system adapted for fixation to a vessel including an expandable fixation mechanism adapted to engage an inner surface of the vessel and a lead member comprising an anchor structure at distal end, the anchor structure configured to removably engage with... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080077221 - Telescopic array for a cochlear implant: A cochlear implant device that has an elongate member with electrode(s) supported thereon. The elongate member comprises a first portion that is insertable into the implantee and at least one second portion wherein, on or following insertion of the first portion, the second portion is at least partially supported by... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080071312 - Ultrasonic treatment of skin conditions or disorders, cancer, as well as muscular/skeletal regeneration: A method of treating skin and/or skin conditions or disorders including chronoaging by the application of ultrasound.... Agent: Stites & Harbison PLLC

20080071315 - Integrated catheter and pulse generator systems and methods: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for providing pacing during revascularization. An embodiment of the system includes an angioplasty or stent delivery catheter system having a catheter, a balloon and an inflation device adapted to inflate and deflate the balloon for delivery of a stent. The embodiment also... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080071319 - Capture detection with cross chamber backup pacing: Approaches for performing capture detection for a heart chamber with backup pacing in a contralateral heart chamber are described. A cardiac signal of the first heart chamber is sensed following delivery of a pacing pulse. The cardiac response of the first heart chamber to the pacing pulse is classified based... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC Suite 125

20080071318 - Therapeutic electrical stimulation that avoids undesirable activation: Approaches for determining energy parameters for electrical stimulation pulses that produce a desired activation and avoid an undesirable activation are described. A strength-duration relationship for at least one desired activation produced by therapeutic electrical stimulation is measured. A strength-duration relationship for at least one undesirable activation produced by the therapeutic... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC Suite 125

20080071320 - Feed through interconnect assembly for an implantable stimulation system and methods of making and using: A feed through interconnect assembly includes an assembly frame; feed through interconnects extending from the assembly frame; a first contact pad and a second contact pad disposed on at least one of the feed through interconnects; and a tab formed on a first contact pad of at least one of... Agent: Advanced Bionics C/o Darby & Darby P.C.

20080071331 - Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of prostatic conditions: The present invention relates to a photodynamic method of treating prostatic disorders such as BPH. The method comprises: administering a photosensitizer by direct injection to the prostate tissue of a subject afflicted with or suspected of being afflicted with a prostatic disorder; and irradiating the prostate tissue with energy at... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080071333 - Restless leg syndrome treatment: The present invention describes a method of treating restless leg syndrome by eliminating venous reflux in an underlying vein. The malfunctioning vein can be removed or ablated by inserting a catheter into the vein that transmits sufficient energy to coagulate or ablate the lining of the vein causing it to... Agent: Ray K. Shahani, Esq., Attorney At Law

20080071314 - Methods and systems for semi-automatic adjustment of medical monitoring and treatment: Systems and methods are described for adjusting the operation of implantable stimulation devices used to provide medical monitoring and treatment. Several hierarchical algorithms are described which operate according to conditionally obtaining a patient response to an alert signal. In one such strategy semi-automatic therapy adjustment occurs by automatically issuing patient... Agent: John, Michael Sasha

20080071313 - Tank filters utilizing very low k materials, in series with 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). In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20080071316 - Integrated resuscitation: A resuscitation system that includes at least two defibrillation electrodes configured to be applied to the exterior of the chest of a patient for delivering a defibrillation shock, a source of one or more ECG signals from the patient, a defibrillation circuit for delivering a defibrillation shock to the defibrillation... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080071317 - Cardiac pacing controlled via respiration therapy device: Methods and systems involve adjusting cardiac pacing based on information acquired via a respiratory therapy device. A medical system includes a respiratory therapy device having one or more sensors and a therapy delivery unit. The one or more sensors are configured to sense respiration cycles. The therapy delivery unit is... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20080071321 - Systems and methods of neuromodulation stimulation for the restoration of sexual function: Systems and methods use an external and/or implantable pulse generator system for neuromodulation stimulation to treat sexual dysfunction by the unilateral or bilateral stimulation of a target nerve A and/or a target nerve B using one or more leads and electrodes implanted in tissue in the pelvic region. The electrical... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080071322 - Systems and methods including lead and electrode structures sized and configured for implantation in adipose tissue: A stimulation electrode assembly comprises an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted within an adipose tissue region. The lead includes an electrically conductive portion to apply electrical stimulation to nerve or muscle in the adipose tissue region and at least one expandable anchoring structure deployable from the lead... Agent: Daniel D. Ryan Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080071323 - Methods and systems employing intracranial electrodes for neurostimulation and/or electroencephalography: Aspects of the invention relate to intracranial electrodes and methods for implanting and using intracranial electrodes. In one particular example, an intracranial electrode includes a shaft having a distal contact surface adapted to electrically contact a surface of a patient's brain, a head associated with the shaft, and threads adapted... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080071324 - Sensitivity analysis for selecting therapy parameter sets: Techniques for controlling delivery of a therapy to a patient by a medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), involve a sensitivity analysis of a performance metric. The performance metric may relate to efficacy or side effects of the therapy. For example, the performance metric may comprise a... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080071325 - Method for optimizing search for spinal cord stimulation parameter setting: A method of stimulating tissue of a patient is provided. The method comprises placing an array of electrodes in proximity to the tissue, conveying electrical current between the electrodes of the array to stimulate a tissue site, incrementally shifting the electrical current from at least one cathode to at least... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080071327 - Controlling therapy based on sleep quality: A medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep, and controls delivery of a therapy based on the sleep quality metric values. For example, the medical device may compare a sleep quality metric value... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080071326 - Detecting sleep to evaluate therapy: A system includes one or more sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors generates a signal as a function of at least one physiological parameter of a patient that may discernibly change when the patient is asleep. The processor monitors the physiological parameters, and determines whether the patient is... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080071328 - Initiating medical system communications: A medical system includes a body-contacting signal source adapted to transmit an oscillatory signal though a body to a transducer of a device implanted therein. A detector that is coupled to the transducer, upon detection of a response of the transducer to the signal, activates a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry component... Agent: Ingrassia Fisher & Lorenz, P.C.

20080071329 - Electro-acupuncture device with compressible gasket: An electro-acupuncture device for controlling nausea. The device includes a wristwatch like housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and a strap for securing the housing to the wrist. The device also includes a pair of D-shaped electrodes disposed on the bottom outer surface of the housing.... Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

20080071330 - Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation: A system for treatment of a wound area of a patient including a first treatment pad comprising a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for cleaning and exposing a wound area to ultraviolet light, a second treatment pad comprising removal ports for exposing the wound area to a negative pressure,... Agent: Winstead PC

20080071332 - Dynamic cooling of human skin using a nontoxic cryogen with no ozone depletion and minimal global warming potential: An improvement in a method for providing localized cooling of tissue when thermally mediated by electromagnetic radiation comprises directing at least one spurt of a heat transferring substance onto a selected location on the tissue, and preventing ignition of the heat transferring substance by heating from the electromagnetic radiation. Preferably... Agent: Myers Dawes Andras & Sherman, LLP

20080071334 - Apparatus and method for the treatment of infectious disease in keratinized tissue: Apparatus and methods for the treatment of keratinized tissue infected with a pathogen are provided. In certain examples, electromagnetic energy, such as microwave energy, may be used in the treatment process to reduce the amount of or eliminate the pathogen from the keratinized tissue.... Agent: Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, LLP

20080071335 - Anti-slip treatment pad: An anti-slip treatment pad is enclosed. The treatment pad comprises a band with two ends and having a treatment pad characterized in that the two ends are provided with a fastening unit and the band forms into a circular body by fastening the two ends of the band to each... Agent: Leong C Lei

20080071336 - Therapeutic hygiene article: A therapeutic hygiene article for postpartum vaginal relief comprises a pouch for insertion in a user's vaginal orifice and a cooling pack formed within the pouch.... Agent: Ipla P.A.

20080071337 - Selective organ cooling catheter with guidewire apparatus and temperature-monitoring device: A guidable catheter for heating or cooling a surrounding fluid in a feeding vessel in a vasculature of a patient. The catheter includes a heat transfer element, the heat transfer element having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities shaped and arranged to create turbulence in a surrounding fluid. The surface... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20080071338 - Conductive polymer patterned electrode for pacing: The present invention is an apparatus and method for making a polymer patterned electrode for cardiac pacing and sensing. The electrode surface includes a polymer overlayed on an electrode. The polymer layer is patterned to form an electrode surface consisting of a polymer and a conductive metal surface. The electrode... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080071339 - Mechanism for releasably engaging an implantable medical device for implantation: An apparatus for releasably engaging an implantable medical device during delivery includes an elongate, tubular body having an open distal end a plurality of deflectable jaw members extending distally from the distal end of the body and terminating in distal tip portions, and an actuating member slidably disposed within the... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080071340 - Implantable electrodes with polyoxometalates: An electrode with an electrode surface having a polyoxometalate (POM). The use of POM with an electrode surface increases the active electrochemical surface area, with a resulting increase in capacitance and impedance, and a decrease of polarization losses at the electrode/tissue interface. In addition, electrodes having POM can include pseudo-capacitive... Agent: Brooks & Cameron, PLLC

20080071341 - Tip for lead extraction device: A tip engageable with an elongated sheath member for extracting an implanted elongated structure, such as a cardiac lead, from an obstruction in a body vessel of a patient. The tip includes a tip body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therethrough. The tip body... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/indy/cook

20080071342 - Vessel entry device: An entry device for providing access to the interior of a body vessel through a wall of the vessel to enable removal of an implanted structure, such as a cardiac lead, from the body vessel includes an elongated sheath member and a tip positioned at the distal end of the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/indy/cook

20080065158 - Techniques for reducing pain associated with nerve stimulation: Apparatus is provided including an electrode device and a control unit. The electrode device is configured to be coupled to a site of a subject selected from the group consisting of: a vagus nerve, an epicardial fat pad, a pulmonary vein, a carotid artery, a carotid sinus, a coronary sinus,... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080065161 - Method and apparatus for generating a composite farfield electrogram: Uses dual-chamber (RA-RV), three-chamber (BiA-RV, or RA-BiV), or four-chamber (BiA-BiV) implantable cardiac device including pacemakers, defibrillators and cardioverters, which stimulate cardiac tissue electrically to control the patient's heart rhythm to create a far-field intra-atrial electrogram (AEGM) and a far-field intra-ventricular electrogram (VEGM) that are independently filtered, scaled, and then summed... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080065165 - Method and apparatus for identifying potentially misclassified arrhythmic episodes: An implantable cardiac device is configured to classify cardiac arrhythmias using a plurality of arrhythmia discrimination algorithms. Data is provided that is associated with a plurality of cardiac arrhythmic episodes for which a cardiac electrical therapy was delivered or withheld by the implantable medical device based on the plurality of... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20080065166 - Capture detection based on propagated depolarization from a remote pacing site: A methods and devices for capture detection are based on sensing a propagated depolarization from a contralateral cardiac chamber. An intersite sensing interval is determined based on an intersite pacing delay and an intersite conduction delay associated with first and second pacing sites. Pacing pulses are delivered to the first... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20080065172 - Biothermal power generator: An implantable assembly is disclosed comprising a diode device charging assembly having the means for transferring thermal energy from a living organism to a diode device, means for creating electrical energy from said thermal energy, and means for charging an implantable device with said electrical current. The diode device of... Agent: Borealis Technical Limited

20080065175 - Therapeutic radiation device: It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held radiation device for treating bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections found on the skin of a patient and in various of the body's anatomical orifices. The device of the invention is particularly effective in treating Methicillin resistant staphlococcus... Agent: James E. Brunton, Esq.

20080065176 - Vacuum and negative ions assisted phototheraphy device: This invention discloses an apparatus for skin treatments. The apparatus comprising a chamber placed on a skin target which is formed with an aperture on the distal end thereof; means for applying vacuum to said chamber, therefore the skin target is able to be treated upon the applied vacuum; and/or... Agent: Sean Zhang

20080065159 - Electrical muscle controller: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080065160 - Defibrillator having a switched mode power supply for transcutaneous pacing: A defibrillator for providing both defibrillating energy and pacing energy to a patient is described. In delivering the defibrillating energy, electrical energy is stored by a charge capacitor and the stored energy is then coupled to the patient to provide a defibrillating pulse. To deliver pacing energy to a patient,... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080065162 - Systems and methods for determining an optimal defibrillation shock waveform: Embodiments of the invention present methods and systems for determining an optimal defibrillation shock waveform for application to the heart of a patient to stop a rhythm abnormality such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Such methods and systems may include measuring and/or collecting information for a cardiac waveform of... Agent: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky And Popeo, P.c

20080065163 - Electrical muscle controller: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080065164 - Electrical muscle controller: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080065167 - Systems and methods of neuromodulation stimulation for the restoration of sexual function: Systems and methods use an external and/or implantable pulse generator system for neuromodulation stimulation to treat sexual dysfunction by the unilateral or bilateral stimulation of a target nerve A and/or a target nerve B using one or more leads and electrodes implanted in tissue in the pelvic region. The electrical... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080065169 - Endoscopic instrument for engaging a device: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating a patient is provided where a functional device is attached to a stomach wall. The device in one embodiment provides electrical stimulation of the stomach wall. The device may also have other functional aspects such as a sensor for sensing various... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080065168 - Ingestible capsule for appetite regulation: A method is provided for treating a subject. The method includes administering to the subject an ingestible capsule containing one or more flexible support elements adapted to expand while in a stomach of the subject, thereby bringing a plurality of electrodes into contact with a wall of the stomach. The... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080065170 - Electrical stimulation system and method for treating tinnitus: According to one aspect, an electrical stimulation system for treating tinnitus is provided. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into the person's skull for electrical stimulation of target brain tissue located in the person's temporal lobe. The lead includes one or more electrodes adapted to be... Agent: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

20080065171 - Treatment of shoulder dysfunction using a percutaneous intramuscular stimulation system: A method of treating shoulder dysfunction involves the use of a percutaneous, intramuscular stimulation system. A plurality of intramuscular stimulation electrodes are implanted directly into select shoulder muscles of a patient who has suffered a disruption of the central nervous system such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord... Agent: Daniel D. Ryan Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080065173 - Headset recharger for cranially implantable medical devices: The invention is directed to a recharging system and associated techniques to recharge an implantable medical device (IMD). In particular, a recharging system according to the invention comprises a headset having an energy delivery module that delivers energy to a power source of an IMD implanted on or within the... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert , P.a

20080065174 - Device for influencing brain functions of a human being: Device for influencing brain functions of a human being by targeted stimulation of at least one region of the human body, comprising stimulating means that permit a stimulation of the region that is to be stimulated, characterized in that the stimulation is an electrical stimulation.... Agent: Lerner Greenberg Stemer LLP

20080065177 - Method and device for preventing alterations in circadian rhythm: A method of maintaining circadian rhythm of a subject comprising selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light having a wavelength shorter than a specified wavelength during the night, and an apparatus for carrying out the claimed method comprising an optical filter that selectively at least substantially blocks... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20080065178 - Electromyography system: A method of determining relative neuro-muscular response onset value thresholds for a plurality of spinal nerves, comprising: depolarizing a portion of the patient's cauda equina; and measuring the current intensity level at which a neuro-muscular response to the depolarization of the cauda equina is detected in each of the plurality... Agent: Jonathan Spangler Nu Vasive, Inc.

20080065179 - Method and device for performing cooling- or cryo-therapies for, e.g., angioplasty with reduced restenosis or pulmonary vein cell necrosis to inhibit atrial fibrillation employing tissue protection: An enhanced method and device are provided to treat atrial fibrillation or inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A balloon-tipped catheter is disposed in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20080065180 - Method and device for performing cooling- or cryo-therapies for, e.g., angioplasty with reduced restenosis or pulmonary vein cell necrosis to inhibit atrial fibrillation: The present invention provides an enhanced method and device to inhibit or reduce the rate of restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. The invention involves placing a balloon tipped catheter in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20080065182 - Portable assemblies, systems, and methods for providing functional or therapeutic neurostimulation: Neurostimulation assemblies, systems, kits, 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... Agent: Thomas J. Krumenacher Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080065181 - Rfid detection and identification system for implantable medical lead systems: A system for identifying active implantable medical devices (AIMD) and lead systems implanted in a patient using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the AIMD, lead system and/or patient. The RFID tag may store information about the AIMD manufacturer, model number, serial number; lead wire... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20080065183 - Vagus nerve stimulation via unidirectional propagation of action potentials: Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for vagus nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators), possibly with programmably configurable electrodes.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080065184 - Nerve cuff, method and apparatus for manufacturing same: A nerve cuff comprising a wall band member having an inner surface defining a lumen when the wall band member is in a closed configuration for receiving a nerve therethrough. At least one longitudinal and contiguous conductor extends within the lumen. The conductor is insulated and has at least one... Agent: Seyfarth Shaw LLP

20080065185 - Pacing lead and method for pacing in the pericardial space: A pacing lead for implantation in the pericardial space includes an elongated lead body, a compression fixation element, and at least one electrode on either the lead body or the fixation element. The fixation element defines a resilient structure, and is positioned and dimensioned so that when the lead is... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080065186 - Self-anchoring coronary sinus lead: An implantable cardiac lead system suitable for placement in the coronary sinus region of the heart. The lead system comprises a lead having two or more non-helical bends in its distal portion. The two or more non-helical bends cooperate to prevent the lead from dislodgment or displacement inside the coronary... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080065187 - Therapeutic prosthetic device: A male prosthetic device configured to be worn on a flaccid, partially-erect or erect penis which transmits tactile sensations through a stimulation material to the surface of the penis. The device includes a prosthesis with an outer surface and in inner chamber, a microprocessor, one or more sensors and one... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080058872 - Controlled titration of neurostimulation therapy: Described herein are methods and devices that utilize electrical neural stimulation to treat heart failure by modulating a patient's autonomic balance in a manner that inhibits sympathetic activity and/or augments parasympathetic activity. Because other therapies for treating heart failure may also affect a patient's autonomic balance, a device for delivering... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058873 - Method and apparatus for controlling neural stimulation during disordered breathing: A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058874 - Method and apparatus for optimizing vagal nerve stimulation using laryngeal activity: A neural stimulation system delivers neural stimulation to the vagus nerve and senses a signal indicative of laryngeal activity resulting from the neural stimulation. The signal indicative of laryngeal activity is used, for example, to guide electrode placement, determine stimulation threshold, detect lead/electrode problems, detect neural injury, and monitor healing... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058871 - System and method for neural stimulation: Various aspects provide an implantable device. In various embodiments, the device comprises at least one port, where each port is adapted to connect a lead with an electrode to the device. The device further includes a stimulation platform, including a sensing circuit connected to the at least one port to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058876 - Implantable reel for coiling an implantable elongated member: An implantable spool is used for spooling the excess wiring associated with a lead that extends between at least one electrode and a pulse generator of an electrical stimulation implant system. The present invention also has application to providing a spool for coiling tubing of an implantable drug delivery system.... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080058877 - System and method to reduce device therapy pain: Systems and methods include sensing whether a shock to a heart is needed, and prior to delivering the shock, causing at least a partial contraction of a musculature in a chest, and delivering the shock while the musculature is at least partially contracted.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058880 - System and method for pacing: In an embodiment, an implantable medical device senses the heart rate of a patient by analyzing a cardiac signal of the patient. The device identifies an increase in the patient's sensed heart rate and determines whether noise in the cardiac signal exceeds a certain specified amount. Upon an increase in... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058881 - Method and system for treating post-mi patients: An implantable device for delivering phototherapy is described that enables the phototherapy to be delivered to internal locations in either a clinical or ambulatory setting for treatment of post-MI patients. Telemetry circuitry enables the device to deliver the phototherapy upon command or be programmed to delivery the phototherapy according to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058882 - Device and method for monitoring cardiac pacing rate: A device for monitoring cardiac pacing rate having a measuring unit for receiving an electrical signal representing the patient's cardiac demand, and a computing unit for determining the myocardial energy balance by calculating energy consumed by the myocardium for both an external dynamic work for pumping blood into a vascular... Agent: Vern Maine & Associates

20080058883 - Method and system to control early battery end of life events on multi-transceiver systems: A mobile device (102) and method (500) for handling early end of life (EOL) battery indications is provided. The method can include receiving (502) an indication for an end of life (EOL) event, determining (504) an operating mode (704/706) in view of the EOL event (708), determining (506) whether the... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080058885 - Sensor for edema: A sensor is located within the body of a subject, such as for capturing pacing pulses transmitted as part of cardiac therapy from an implanted cardiac function management device. Counted pulses may be used to derive the onset of pulmonary edema within the body through pulse characteristics such as frequency... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058892 - Method and apparatus for neural stimulation with respiratory feedback: A neural stimulation system controls the delivery of neural stimulation using a respiratory signal as a therapy feedback input. The respiratory signal is used to increase the effectiveness of the neural stimulation, such as vagal nerve stimulation, while decreasing potentially adverse side effects in respiratory functions. In one embodiment, the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058894 - Audiotactile vision substitution system: One embodiment a vision substitution system for communicating audio and tactile representations of features within visual representations includes selecting (1) activity-related parameters; obtaining (2) images or other visual representations according to the activity-related parameters; acquiring (3) features including shapes and corners related to the visual representations according to the activity-related... Agent: David Charles Dewhurst

20080058896 - Vision regeneration assisting apparatus: A vision regeneration assisting apparatus for regenerating vision by applying electrical stimulation to cells that compose a retina, the apparatus comprising: a substrate formed in a thin plate shape of insulating and bendable material, provided with a plurality of first lead wires being wired therein and an electrode for outputting... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080058899 - Applying filter information to identify combinations of electrodes: A programming device compares filter information to information that describes possible combinations of the electrodes within an electrode set implanted in a patient. The filter information describes at least one characteristic of valid, e.g., desired, electrode combinations, and in exemplary embodiments, is received from a user, e.g., a clinician, via... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080058900 - Patient device for bidirectional data communication with an implant: A patient device (PD) for wireless data communication with an implant. The PD can be at least in an unpaired state or a paired state. In the paired state the PD is paired to a specific implant specified by an implant's identification code (IIC). The IIC is stored in PD... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080058901 - Programmable neural therapies: An implantable medical device (IMD) comprising a controller adapted to execute instructions included in firmware, a programmable neural therapy source adapted to provide programmable electrical neural stimulation therapy to at least one neural stimulation electrode, and a state machine included in hardware circuitry coupled to the programmable neural therapy source.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058904 - Electromagnetic device and method: Embodiments include an apparatus, a medical device, a method and a system. The medical device includes an ellipsoidally shaped reflector having a first focus and a second focus. The ellipsoidally shaped reflector also provides a translational coupling of electromagnetic energy from the first focus to the second focus. The medical... Agent: Searete LLC

20080058903 - Light conductor and treatment for ailments involving the throat: A light conductor device comprises an elongated structure suitable for insertion into the mouth, having a distal end for gathering sunlight and a proximal end for distributing collected sunlight to the interior of the throat. The light conductor device, when used as described, permits the use of natural sunlight for... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.A.

20080058907 - Self sanitizing bandage with built-in ultraviolet led: A bandage with a built in ultraviolet LED that sanitizes the bandage. In the preferred embodiment the LED and battery combination will have a designed lifetime based on the designated shelf life of the bandage. In the preferred embodiment the bandage would be disposed of after use.... Agent: David Reuben

20080058908 - Use of secondary optical emission as a novel biofilm targeting technology: Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for the treatment of periodontal disease exploiting optical and thermal emissions of near-infrared laser systems and fibers in order to target chromophore-stained biofilm while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.... Agent: G. Matthew Mccloskey, Esq. Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080058909 - Light conductor and treatment for ailments involving the throat: A device and method for treating a throat includes inserting a device into the mouth and throat of a user where the device has a curved light-collecting face, a first side wall attached to the light-collecting face, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, attached to and extending... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.A.

20080058875 - Flexible circuit electrode array with at least one tack opening: The present invention provides a flexible circuit electrode array adapted for neural stimulation, comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces at least one... Agent: Tomas Lendvai, Ph.d. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080058879 - Electrical muscle controller: A method of modifying the force of contraction of at least a portion of a heart chamber, including providing a subject having a heart, comprising at least a portion having an activation, and applying a non-excitatory electric field having a given duration, at a delay after the activation, to the... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080058878 - Therapeutic method with pain relief: A desired effect is produced by therapeutically activating tissue at a first site within a patient's body and a corresponding undesired side effect is reduced by blocking activation of tissue or conduction of action potentials at a second site within the patient's body by applying high frequency stimulation and/or direct... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080058884 - Control of a defibrillator and/or pacemaker: A cardiac monitoring and treatment apparatus allows a victim of a medical emergency access to a medical professional (MP) who can monitor, diagnose and treat the victim from a remote site. The apparatus includes a cardiac monitoring and treatment device (CMTD) coupled to an electronic adaptor designed to communicate with... Agent: Milde & Hoffberg, LLP

20080058886 - Implantable medical device having pre-implant exoskeleton: The present application describes a method and apparatus for implanting a medical device within a living body. The apparatus includes an elongate sleeve positionable with a living body, such as within a blood vessel, and a medical device insertable into the sleeve. During use, the sleeve is retained with the... Agent: Stallman & Pollock LLP

20080058888 - Method for blocking activation of tissue or conduction of action potentials while other tissue is being therapeutically activated: A desired effect is produced by therapeutically activating tissue at a first site within a patient's body and a corresponding undesired side effect is reduced by blocking activation of tissue or conduction of action potentials at a second site within the patient's body by applying high frequency stimulation and/or direct... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080058887 - Methods and devices for gastrointestinal stimulation: Methods and devices for gastrointestinal stimulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, disclosed is an electrical stimulator device that includes a circuit board and a battery contained within a base housing; a conduction element; and at least one electrode. In some embodiments, the stimulator base housing can be directly attached to... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080058889 - Smooth muscle controller: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080058890 - Homotopic conditioning of the brain stem baroreflex of a subject: Disclosed are methods for regulating blood pressure in a subject which include administering a first induction stimulus effective to sensitize brainstem baroreflex neurons of a subject for a period of time in the range of about 10-15 hours thereby producing an enhanced baroreflex in the subject, wherein the enhanced baroreflex... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20080058891 - Smooth muscle controller: A method of promoting the healing of a lesion in a smooth muscle (200), comprises selecting a smooth muscle portion having a lesion, and applying a non-excitory electric field (210) to the portion, which reduces the mechanical activity of the portion.... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080058893 - Deep brain stimulation system: The invention provides automatic control of a deep brain stimulation system (2) using tremor detection based on accelerometer signals. Because no manual interventions are necessary, the ease of use for the patient (1) is greatly enhanced. Furthermore the autonomy of the patients in normal daily life is increased. The present... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080058898 - 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, LLC

20080058895 - Package for an implantable neural stimulation device: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate; a plurality of electrically conductive vias through said electrically non-conductive substrate; a flip-chip circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080058897 - Visual prosthesis fitting: Methods and devices for fitting a visual prosthesis are described. In one of the methods, threshold levels and maximum levels for the electrodes of the prosthesis are determined and a map of brightness to electrode stimulation levels is later formed. A fitting system for a visual prosthesis is also discussed,... Agent: Scott B. Dunbar Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080058902 - Resonance tuning module for implantable devices and leads: An implantable medical assist device includes a medical device. The medical device has a housing and electronics contained therein. A lead provides an electrical path to or from the electronics within the medical device. A resonance tuning module is located in the housing and is connected to the lead. The... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20080058905 - Method and apparatus utilizing light as therapy for fungal infection: Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating fungal nail infections and similar diseases with light therapy. In one embodiment, an apparatus that utilizes one or more blue light emitting diodes (LED) to irradiate fungus residing under and around the nail is applied externally to a toe or finger in... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080058906 - Methods and systems for delivering radiation therapy to treat disorders in patients: Methods and systems for delivering radiation therapy to treat disorders in patients are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining imaging data of a target in a patient, irradiating the target with a laser beam directed at the target based on the obtained imaging data, and activating a... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080058910 - Method for treating intervertebral discs: A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080058911 - Method and system for thermal and compression therapy relative to the prevention of deep vein thrombosis: A DVT and temperature therapy system. A temperature therapy blanket includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression. The DVT system functions independently of the temperature therapy. This Abstract is provided to... Agent: Winstead PC

20080058912 - Flexible electrode: An electrode array has a flexible body supporting a plurality of electrodes. Each electrode comprises an exposed connector pad at the upper end of the body, an exposed recording/stimulating pad at the lower end of the body, and a conductor located within the body and electrically connecting the connector pad... Agent: John S. Pratt, Esq Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP

20080058913 - Magnetic resonance imaging interference immune device: A voltage compensation unit reduces the effects of induced voltages upon a device having a single wire line. The single wire line has balanced characteristic impedance. The voltage compensation unit includes a tunable compensation circuit connected to the wire line. The tunable compensation circuit applies supplemental impedance to the wire... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20080058914 - Intra-cochlear electrode with a partially detachable hydrophilic segment for deferred self-positioning: A perimodiolar electrode for cochlear implantation includes an electrode carrier having a front end and a back end. The electrode carrier includes one or more contacts and a hydrophilic segment that swells after insertion in a cochlea and detaches at least in part from the carrier. In accordance with related... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080058915 - Membrane mask with acupuncture and massage functions and manufacturing methods: This invention is related to a facial membrane mask and its device for cosmetic and health care applications. This invention is particularly related to transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulators and cosmetic facial membrane masks. The combination of these two devices results in synergistic effects. This invention uses a facial membrane mask... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee