Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application inventions 05/08

20080125819 - Parasympathetic stimulation for heart conditions: A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080125820 - Adaptive sampling of heart sounds: A system and method to sense heart sounds with one or more implantable medical devices according to one or more parameters. The system alters one or more of the parameters as a function of one or more triggering events. The system then senses heart sounds with the one or more... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080125821 - Advanced cardiac life support apparatus and method: An apparatus (300, 400) and method operable to guide responders, via audible prompts and visual cues, through the proper procedures to be applied to a patient during a cardiac arrest. An embodiment of the present invention advantageously makes the ACLS procedures, such as types and dosages of medications to administer,... Agent: Michael Cameron

20080125822 - Heart stimulator: A heart stimulator provides for a more appropriate yet simple setting of the AV-delay. The heart stimulator comprises a stimulation pulse generator adapted to generate electric stimulation pulses and connected to a ventricular stimulation electrode for delivering electric stimulation pulses. A sensing stage connected to an electrode for picking up... Agent: Intellectual Property Dept. Dewitt Ross & Stevens Sc

20080125823 - Heart stimulator: A heart stimulator for stimulating a chamber of a heart by way of electrical stimulation pulses, said pacemaker comprises a sensing stage connected or being connectable to an electrode lead comprising an electrode for picking up electric potentials inside a heart chamber, said sensing stage being adapted to sense an... Agent: Intellectual Property Dept. Dewitt Ross & Stevens Sc

20080125825 - Therapeutic maintenance of atrial fibrillation by electrical stimulation: Apparatus for treating a subject suffering from spontaneous atrial fibrillation includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply an electrical current to the vagus nerve, and to configure the current to... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080125824 - Therapy delivery for identified tachyarrhythmia episode types: Methods and systems for identifying tachyarrhythmia episode types and delivering therapy to mitigate the identified tachyarrhythmia episode types are described. Electrogram signals of cardiac activity are sensed and stored by an implantable cardiac device. Tachyarrhythmia episodes are detected and tachyarrhythmia episode types are identified based on characteristics of the electrogram... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC Suite 125

20080125826 - Impedance monitoring for detecting pulmonary edema and thoracic congestion: An implantable medical device includes a housing for the implantable device that is sized for implantation in a chest region of a patient and includes a housing electrode. A left ventricular lead port is connectable to a proximal end of a lead having first and second insulated conductors that extend... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080125827 - Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating heart conditions: Apparatus is provided that includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of a subject, and a control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a current that reduces heart rate variability of the subject. Also provided is a method... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080125828 - Ventilatory assist system and methods to improve respiratory function: Systems and methods are provided to improve respiratory function. Systems include an external electrical stimulator coupled to electrodes that stimulates diaphragm contraction and may optionally include a positive pressure mechanical ventilator. The system further includes an electrode suitable for temporary implantation. Electrical stimulation is provided to specific portions of the... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080125829 - Method of treating mood disorders and/or anxiety disorders by brain stimulation: The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation and/or chemical stimulation to treat depression. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead and/or catheter that is in communication with a predetermined site which is coupled to a signal generator and/or infusion pump... Agent: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

20080125830 - Responsive therapy for psychiatric disorders: An implantable medical device is capable of delivering a form of therapy (e.g., electrical stimulation) to a region of the cingulate cortex of a patient's brain to treat a neurological event, condition or disorder, especially an event, condition, or disorder that is psychiatric in nature, such as depression, bipolar disorder,... Agent: Neuropace, Inc.

20080125831 - Responsive therapy for psychiatric disorders: A medical device is capable of delivering a form of stimulation (e.g., electrical stimulation) to a region of the cingulate cortex of the human brain to treat a neurological event, condition or disorder, especially an event, condition, or disorder that is psychiatric in nature, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety... Agent: Neuropace, Inc.

20080125832 - Apparatus and method for electrical stimulation of human neurons: An apparatus and method for retinal stimulation are shown. The method comprises varied parameters, including frequency, pulse width, and pattern of pulse trains to determine a stimulation pattern and neural perception threshold, and creating a model based on the neural perception thresholds to optimize patterns of neural stimulation.... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080125833 - Apparatus and method for determining the relative position and orientation of neurostimulation leads: A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080125834 - Controlled protocol timer: A phototherapy treatment dispensing device provides therapeutic light emissions treatments. The device provides additional means for controlling a patient's exposure to those treatments through a controlled protocol timer. The controlled protocol timer can provide for incremental exposure increases; monitors patient compliance with a treatment regimen; and reminds the patient when... Agent: Fay Sharpe LLP

20080125836 - Low level light therapy for enhancement of neurologic function of a patient affected by parkinson's disease: A method of treating a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease is provided. The method includes providing a patient having neurologic function affected by Parkinson's disease. The method further includes delivering electromagnetic radiation noninvasively through the scalp and the skull of the patient to at least one portion... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080125835 - Method and apparatus for light therapy: A laser device for stimulating a body region is disclosed. The laser device includes a housing structure having a head assembly, a plurality of pins, a plurality of laser modules, and a microcontroller. The pins are configured to stimulate a portion of a body region, without affecting the target area... Agent: Robert M. Schwartz, P.A.

20080125837 - Noninvasive method for site-specific fat reduction with catalyst: A noninvasive method of reducing fat from targeted regions of a patient's body by applying low-level laser energy externally through the skin of the patient to the targeted areas and treating the patient with a catalyst to prevent the lasered fat cells from functioning normally. Sufficient laser energy is applied... Agent: Etherton Law Group, LLC

20080125838 - Implantable devices with photocatalytic surfaces: A medical device comprising a least one photocatalytic layer or superhydrophilic layer. In some embodiments, the medical device comprises a waveguide. In some embodiments, the medical device comprises an electrode comprising an optically transparent conductive oxide. In some embodiments, the medical device comprises a electroluminescent layer. In some embodiments, the... Agent: Hunton & Williams LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080125839 - Thermal pumps with features: The present invention is directed to a thermal pump for controlling air bubbles, thermal therapy to allow the patient to perceive that the thermal therapy is constantly being applied, and ensure the appropriate amount of water flows through the thermal pump.... Agent: Kevin D. Mccarthy Roach Brown Mccarthy & Gruber, P.C.

20080125840 - Warming device: A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with comb-shaped, interleaved, separately inflatable sections, each adapted to enable a particular mode of warming.... Agent: Terrance A. Meador Incaplaw

20080125841 - Device for providing instant cooling, particularly for treating parts of the human body or items in general: A device for providing instant cooling, particularly for treating parts of the human body or items in general, comprising a diffuser which is adapted to be charged with a gas, the diffuser being provided with a plurality of holes for releasing the gas, the diffuser being accommodated in a container... Agent: Modiano & Associati

20080125842 - Thermal, elastic, tight-fitting garment with pockets positioned for thermal therapy: A form-fitting elastic garment includes a plurality of pockets at locations corresponding to a plurality of muscle groups and/or tendons. The pockets are adapted to receive a thermal medium and hold the thermal medium tightly against a muscle group and/or tendons of a wearer. A thermal therapy kit includes a... Agent: Mark Young, P.A.

20080125843 - Combined parasympathetic stimulation and drug therapy: A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080125844 - Implantable medical electrical stimulation lead fixation method and apparatus: An implantable medical electrical lead particularly for stimulation of the sacral nerves comprises a lead body extending between a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end having at least one electrode of an electrode array extending longitudinally from the distal end toward the proximal end. The lead... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080119896 - Method and device for anti-sleep apnea: An anti-sleep apnea device having an elastic abdomen belt optionally with a fabric strain sensor, a first signal-processing unit for processing signals from the fabric strain sensor in response to the change of circumference of the abdomen, two electrodes adapted to be disposed on the user's wrist for releasing electrical... Agent: Evan Law Group Llc

20080119898 - Nitric oxide synthase-affecting parasympathetic stimulation: Apparatus is provided for treating a condition of a subject, including an electrode device, adapted to be coupled to an autonomic nerve of the subject, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the nerve a stimulating current, which is capable... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080119897 - Wet-tantalum reformation method and apparatus: A method of reforming a wet-tantalum capacitor includes providing a medical device comprising a wet-tantalum capacitor. The capacitor has a rated voltage and including a hydrated anodic deposit. The method further includes charging the capacitor to a voltage that is less than approximately seventy-five percent of the rated voltage and... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080119900 - Providing output indicative of subject's disease state: 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 Glenn LLP

20080119901 - Method and system for patient-specific production of a cardiac electrode: In a method and system for patient-specific production of a cardiac electrode, such as for use in a biventricular pacing system, a 3D representation of the coronary sinus vessel tree is segmented to indicate the interior surface thereof an a representative line from an opening of the coronary sinus vessel... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080119902 - Methods and systems for management of atrial retrograde conduction and pacemaker mediated tachyarrhythmia threshold: Methods and systems for classifying cardiac responses to pacing stimulation and managing retrograde conduction and pacemaker mediated tachyarrhythmia are described. An atrial pacing pulse and a ventricular pacing pulse are delivered during a paced cardiac cycle. A post ventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) is timed following the ventricular pacing pulse.... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20080119903 - Cardiac resynchronization therapy optimization using cardiac activation sequence information: Systems and methods provide for pacing a heart to improve pumping efficiency of the heart, such as by producing a cardiac fusion response for patient's subject to cardiac resynchronization therapy. A pacing parameter, such as an A-V delay, V-V delay, lead/electrode configuration or vector, is adjusted and a cardiac signal... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20080119904 - Method and device for treating myocardial ischemia: A method and device for treating myocardial ischemia are described in which the stress experienced by a myocardial region identified as vulnerable to becoming ischemic is varied with pre-excitation pacing. In an unloading mode, pacing is applied in proximity to the vulnerable region to reduce stress and the metabolic demand... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080119905 - Dynamic morphology based atrial automatic threshold: Methods and systems for performing capture threshold tests are described. During an initialization procedure a capture detection interval and capture detection threshold are determined based on peak values of cardiac signals sensed following the supracapture threshold initialization pulses. Following initialization, a plurality of pacing pulses to the atrium are delivered... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20080119906 - Filter feedthrough for implants: A new hermetically-sealed contact feedthrough for cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators for the connection between internal device electronics and external components, a flat ceramic disk (1) being used as an insulating main carrier, in which openings (3) are situated, into which various electrode embodiments (4, 5, 6, 7) may be inserted... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080119907 - Renal function modulation via application of electrical energy stimulation: Renal function modulation via application of electrical energy stimulation is discussed. The electrical energy stimulation includes a frequency equal to or greater than about 1 KHz and is injected between a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of which is internally disposed proximal to a subject's kidney... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080119908 - Method of improving electrode tissue interface: A critical element of a retinal prosthesis is the stimulating electrode array, which is placed in close proximity to the retina. It is via this interface that a retinal prosthesis electrically stimulates nerve cells to produce the perception of light. The impedance load seen by the current driver consists of... Agent: Tomas Lendvai, Ph.d. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080119909 - Cell implantation to prevent and/or treat hearing loss: The present invention is directed to the prevention or treatment of sensorineural hearing loss by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an implantable composition comprising encapsulated living choroid plexus cells.... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080119911 - Leadless implantable intravascular electrophysiologic device for neurologic/cardiovascular sensing and stimulation: A leadless intravascular sensor (100, 200) uses the body tissue as a communication medium. The implantable intravascular device has a tubular stent-like structure (102) for intravascular fixation with embedded microcircuits to allow bipolar and unipolar sensing of cardiac and neurologic electrical activity, sensing of other physiologic signals, local electrical stimulation... Agent: Blank Rome LLP

20080119913 - Light therapy personal care device: A personal care device comprising a phototherapy device component and a shaving device component is disclosed. The phototherapy device component may comprise an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are configured to emit light over a range of wavelengths which are selected to treat a skin condition. The LED... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080119912 - Phototherapy lights: This invention relates to phototherapy lights, in particular for a combination of Bright Light Therapy and Dawn Simulation. A phototherapy light source having two operational modes, a first dawn simulator mode; and a second, bright light therapy mode; the light comprising a controller coupled to a light source; and wherein,... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.l.p.

20080119914 - Treatment for otitis externa: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery... Agent: Dobrusin & Thennisch Pc

20080119915 - Spotless tanning support device: Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for providing body support while tanning, using a tanning bed for example. In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning a support device on at least one surface (i.e. a UV emitting surface for example) of the tanning bed. A tailbone... Agent: Cardinal Law Group

20080119899 - Cochlear electrode array: An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis such as a cochlear implant system comprising an elongate carrier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode positioned thereon; at least one electrical conductor extending from one or more of the at least one electrode; a lead extending from the... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080119910 - Multiple channel-electrode mapping: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, methods and systems are disclosed for delivering a stimulating signal by a stimulating medical device having a plurality of electrodes. Such methods and systems comprise receiving a signal; filtering the received signal to obtain a plurality of band pass filtered signals; delivering... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080119916 - Cold compress for therapeutic cooling: A novel cold compress designed for use as a cooling medium. The cold compress comprises a flexible bag having a plurality of spheres. Each sphere contains a heat transfer fluid. As the bag is cooled or frozen, each sphere and the fluid they contain become cool or frozen. The bag... Agent: Colin P. Cahoon Carstens & Cahoon, LLP

20080119917 - Electrode catheter for intervention purposes: at least one supply line (22), which runs insulated in the electrode body (21) in the main direction (H) from the proximal end to the distal end, to the at least one electrode pole (23), to desensitize the electrode catheter to the radiation of an electromagnetic field of an interfering... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080119919 - Mri compatible medical leads with band stop filters: Herein is disclosed an MRI compatible medical lead with band stop filters in communication with a respective lead conductor and electrode tuned to resonate at selected (MRI) high frequencies.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080119918 - Neural bridge devices for restoring and modulating neural activity: A device for connecting endings of nerve cells and conducting neural signals, the device comprising: a housing for conducting and modulating neural response, the housing having a first end, a second end and a cavity, wherein the cavity is interposed between the first end and the second end and the... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080119920 - Cochlear electrode array: An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis such as a cochlear implant system comprising an elongate carrier member having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one electrode positioned thereon; at least one electrical conductor extending from one or more of the at least one electrode; a lead extending from the... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP Suite 1100

20080119921 - Air-core microwave ablation antennas: A method and device delivers microwave power to an antenna through a coaxial cable utilizing air or other gases as its dielectric core. The cable includes supports made of low-loss materials to keep the inner conductor centered in the cable, and defining spaces therebetween for the air or gas. Channels... Agent: Casimir Jones, S.c.

20080114405 - Methods and systems for removing accumulated charge from one or more electrodes: Methods of removing accumulated charge from one or more electrodes include applying a plurality of stimulation events to one or more stimulation sites within a patient via the one or more electrodes and globally shorting each of the electrodes during a plurality of global shorting periods interspersed among the plurality... Agent: Advantedge Law Group , Llc

20080114407 - Reduction of av delay for treatment of cardiac disease: An implantable pacing device for delivering ventricular pacing may be configured to intermittently reduce the AVD interval for beneficial effect in patients with compromised ventricular function (e.g., HF patients and post-MI patients). The AVD interval may be reduced in an AVD reduction mode, by shortening the AVD in an atrial... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080114408 - Method and device for simulated exercise: A device and method for delivering pacing therapy to the heart in order to improve cardiac function in heart failure and post-MI patients. The pacing therapy is delivered in a manner that mimics the effects of exercise and improves symptoms even in patients who are exercise intolerant. The simulated exercise... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080114409 - Heart stimulator: Heart stimulator that stimulates at least a heart's right atrium and ventricle in an atrium asynchronous stimulation mode with an overdrive stimulation rate. Interposes one resynchronization cycle after a sensed atrial event to regain AV synchrony during otherwise asynchronous stimulation mode. Allows for pacing mode that can pace the atrium... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080114411 - Heart stimulator: Heart stimulator that provides for timing a premature stimulation pulse for anti-tachycardia pacing outside the vulnerable phase of a ventricle, to terminate stable ventricular tachycardia while minimizing the risk of accelerating stable ventricular tachycardia into unstable ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. RT interval is determined instead of QT interval. Conventional... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080114414 - Electrical nerve stimulation device: The electrical nerve stimulation unit in accordance with the present invention generally includes a housing, an input panel, a display panel, a controller, a first channel output, a second channel output, and a power system. While the device is generally described in terms of use as a TENS unit, it... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.a.

20080114415 - Power scheme for implant stimulators on the human or animal body: A power scheme for an implant on a human or animal body comprises: a charging circuit to provide power to deliver controlled stimulation currents to a body tissue; a capacitive storage arrangement connected with the charging circuit and charged by the charging circuit; a shunting arrangement to limit voltage on... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080114416 - Stimulation programmer with clinically-adaptive modality: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted 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 systems, a clinically-adaptive stimulation programmer... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080114417 - Systems and methods of reducing artifact in neurological stimulation systems: The present invention relates to neurological systems and methods of use which acquire physiological signals from a subject and stimulate the subject. The system is adapted to control the timing at which the system acquires the physiological signals from the subject and the timing of the stimulation signal to reduce... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080114418 - Adipose resolve apparatus for low-power laser: Provided is a lipolysis device using a low power laser, and more particularly, to a lipolysis device using a low power laser capable of non-invasively irradiating skin with a laser beam which may or may not be condensed through a lens or transparent window to obtain the same effect as... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.c.

20080114419 - Interventional photonic energy emitter system: A miniature light device delivers high energy modular photonic energy to an internal tissue region for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The miniature light device is a light source that can be placed at or near a distal end of an interventional device, providing localized application of energy in an efficient... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, Pllc

20080114406 - Cooperating defibrillators and external chest compression devices: Devices, methods, and software implementing those methods for providing communicating external chest compression (ECC) devices and defibrillation (DF) devices, where the ECC and DF devices can be physically separate from each other. Both ECC and DF devices are able to operate autonomously, yet able to communicate with and cooperate with... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080114410 - Closed loop impedance-based cardiac resynchronization therapy systems, devices, and methods: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods measure an impedance and, in response, adjust an atrioventricular (AV) delay or other cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) parameter that synchronizes left and right ventricular contractions. A first example uses parameterizes a first ventricular volume against a second ventricular volume during... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080114412 - System and method for rf transceiver duty cycling in an implantable medical device: A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080114413 - Implantable medical device feedthrough assembly having a coated conductor: An electrical feedthrough for an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided that employs a feedthrough conductor having a non-platinum based inner core and one or more layers of a conductive coating to control oxide growth on the surface of the conductor. The coating permits soldering the feedthrough conductor to IMD... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080114423 - Apparatus for inner eyelid treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A lid warmer may be attached onto a patient's eye to apply heat on the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114422 - Heat treatment and heat loss reduction for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114421 - Inner eyelid heat and pressure treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114420 - Inner eyelid treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114425 - System for inner eyelid heat and pressure treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114424 - System for inner eyelid treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction: A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls a lid warmer attached onto a patient's eye to generate heat on the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114426 - System for outer eyelid heat and pressure treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the outside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114427 - System for providing heat treatment and heat loss reduction for treating meibomian gland dysfunction: A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080114428 - Thermal treatment systems with acoustic monitoring, and associated methods: A thermal treatment system with acoustic monitoring applies substantially constant electromagnetic energy superposed with pulsed electromagnetic energy to targeted tissue. The pulsed electromagnetic energy reacts with tissue to create an acoustic pressure wave within the tissue. The acoustic pressure wave is sensed by an acoustic sensor, and a sensor signal... Agent: Lathrop & Gage Lc

20080114429 - Coil device and magnetic field generating device: Means for solving the problem: a coil device according to the present invention can be used in a magnetic field generating device for the thermotherapy method in which a magnetic flux is irradiated to the patient to selectively heat a specific portion of the patient. Said coil device is a... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, Plc

20080114430 - Temperature management system with assist mode for use with heart-lung machine: A system and method uses both a heart-lung machine (HLM) and a catheter and/or pad to reach a target temperature for, e.g., cardiac bypass surgery. At or about the target temperature, temperature control of the catheter/pad is suspended and patient temperature controlled using only the HLM.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080114431 - Method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature by in situ blood temperature modification: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080114432 - Mapping probe system for neuromuscular electrical stimulation apparatus: A monopolar neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) apparatus is configured for use with a cannula and a remote electrode. The apparatus includes a longitudinally rigid rod that is movable in the cannula throughout a range of operative positions in which inner and outer end portions of the rod extend longitudinally outward... Agent: Patent Group 2n Jones Day

20080114433 - Implantable medical lead and system, and method of use thereof: Implantable medical leads, lead assemblies, and methods for implanting the leads into the human body, for example, for use within the epidural spaces of the spinal column to manage pain. A stylet lumen extends within the lead between a side-wall stylet entrance port and a lead distal region. In use,... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080109042 - Cardiac lead with a retractable helix: A cardiac rhythm management system for securing a cardiac lead within a patient's heart is provided. According to the present invention, the cardiac rhythm management system includes a fixation helix for securing and stabilizing the lead at a target location in a patient's heart. The fixation helix is adapted to... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080109043 - Pre-excitation pacing for treatment of hypertension: Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating hypertension with electrical pre-excitation pacing therapy. Electrical pre-excitation of a hypertrophic region advances the timing of the regional contraction and reduces its contribution to the overall contraction. Such pre-excitation pacing therapy may be beneficial to hypertensive patients with an abnormal distribution of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080109046 - Rfid-based apparatus, system, and method for therapeutic treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Provided is an implantable RFID-enabled micro-electronic neurostimulator system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising an implant having a top and a bottom layer, the bottom layer serving as an attachment mechanism such that the bottom layer of the implant encompasses the hypoglossal nerve and attaches to the top layer of... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20080109049 - Device & method for relieving pain: A device and method for relieving pain including a waveform generator electrically interconnected with electrodes wherein methods of operation of the waveform generator include methods relying on patient feedback and conductivity measurements of tissue being subjected to a medical procedure.... Agent: Jackson, Demarco, Tidus & Packenpaugh

20080109048 - System and method for uniformly displacing a region of neural stimulation: A tissue stimulation system and computer software and method of operating the system is provided. An array of electrodes is placed contact with tissue of a patient (e.g., neural tissue), and electrical current is conveyed within the electrode array, thereby creating a stimulation region in the tissue. Electrical current is... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080109051 - System and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network: A system and method for operating a wireless medical device interrogation network is provided. Data exchange sessions are transacted with a wireless medical device over a plurality of interrogation points that each cover different zones of interrogation. State regarding interim data packets exchanged during each data exchange session is maintained... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20080109040 - Method of treating arrhythmias: Methods are provided for treating arrhythmias including tachycardias, such as idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and Torsade de Pointes (TdP) in a manner that minimizes undesirable side effects.... Agent: Cv Therapeutics, Inc.

20080109041 - Wavelet based feature extraction and dimension reduction for the classification of human cardiac electrogram depolarization waveforms: A depolarization waveform classifier based on the Modified lifting line wavelet Transform is described. Overcomes problems in existing rate-based event classifiers. A task for pacemaker/defibrillators is the accurate identification of rhythm categories so correct electrotherapy can be administered. Because some rhythms cause rapid dangerous drop in cardiac output, it's desirable... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080109044 - Implantable medical device with detachable battery compartment: An implantable medical electronic tissue stimulating device is formed of two hermetically sealed, fluid impervious housings, one containing an electronic pulse generator and the other a battery power supply. The two are adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupled together through a coupler/connector whereby current from the battery in one... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080109045 - Selective nerve fiber stimulation for treating conditions: Apparatus for treating a heart condition of a subject is provided, including an electrode device, which is adapted to be coupled to a vagus nerve of the subject. A control unit is adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the vagus nerve a stimulating current, which is capable... Agent: Westman Champlin & Kelly, P.a.

20080109047 - Apnea treatment device: Treatment or control of sleep apnea by achieved using a device or method for stimulation of expiration muscles. Somatic or expiratory muscle stimulation instead of a mask during sleep may regularize breathing. An apnea belt around the thorax may detect respiration by monitoring stretch and provide electrical stimulation to muscles... Agent: Rmx, L.l.c.

20080109050 - 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

20080109052 - Method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction employing heated medium: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080109053 - Melting meibomian gland obstructions: Consistent with certain embodiments, an apparatus provides regulated heat to at least one of a patient's eyelids, using a heater unit having a heating element that produces heat that is transferred to the patient's eyelid when an electrical signal is applied thereto. A temperature regulator applies an electrical signal to... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080109054 - Leadless cardiac stimulation systems: Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.c.

20080103529 - Apparatus and methods for performing cellular electro-manipulations: An intracellular electro-manipulation apparatus for delivery an electric field pulse to a target of one or more biological cells is provided. The apparatus includes a pulse generator that generates an ultrashort electric field pulse, and a pulse delivery system that directs the ultrashort electric field pulse to the target. The... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080103534 - Implantable medical elongated member including fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103532 - Implantable neurostimulator with refractory stimulation: In some embodiments, a method comprises providing an electrical signal to a nerve to evoke an action potential. The nerve thereby enters a refractory period in which the nerve is in a refractory state. The method further comprises, during the refractory period, providing an electrical signal to the nerve thereby... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103530 - Methods and apparatus for manually suspending intrathoracic impedance fluid status measurements: The capability to suspend a patient alert relating to a monitored physiologic parameters addresses a need to selectively shut off a patient-alert signal or signals during the time a patient is being treated for an excursion in the parameter. Of course, in general a signal call attention to a patient's... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103533 - Patient management system for providing parameter data for an implantable medical device: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function providing parameter data for delivering a therapeutic signal. A first electrical signal comprising a first therapy parameter is applied to a portion of a patient's body for providing a therapy. At least one patient... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103531 - Universal external control device for use by multiple conditional access users with varying access to functionality of an implantable medical device: A universal external control device for use by multiple conditional access users with varying access to functionality of an implantable medical device in wireless communication therewith. Circuitry associated with the external control device is used to uniquely identify each of the conditional access users via an access device such as... Agent: Cheryl F. Cohen, LLC

20080103536 - Biological pacemaker compositions and systems incorporating interstitial cells of cajal: A biological pacemaker composition for implantation into cardiac tissue includes an effective amount of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) to produce or conduct pacing stimuli and thereby modulate cardiac contraction. The biological pacemaker may be included as part of a heart pacing system that includes an implantable electric pacemaker for... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103537 - Electronic and biological pacemaker systems: Heart pacing systems include at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a primary pacemaker, and at least one electronic or biological pacemaker as a backup pacemaker. When implanted, the primary pacemaker(s) produce primary pacing stimuli that modulate cardiac function. The backup pacemaker(s) provide backup pacing stimuli when the electronic... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103538 - Method and system for responding to non-perfusing and non-shockable heart rhythms: A system and method are disclosed for prompting emergency medical personnel who are attending to a patient. When the patient presents a heart rhythm that is a non-perfusing and non-shockable rhythm or perfusing but unstable, the attending personnel are prompted to administer therapy, such as reestablishing perfusion by performing CPR.... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080103539 - Method, apparatus and system to identify optimal pacing parameters using sensor data: A method, apparatus, or system to identify optimal parameters for programming a cardiac stimulator by a matrix-based decision algorithm using sensor data representing cardiovascular function. The parameters include pacing intervals optimized concurrently to produce the maximum resulting cardiac function.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103540 - System and method for arrhythmia discrimination with atrial-ventricular dissociation: Ventricular arrhythmias are monitored and classified based upon various criteria. One criterion is PR dissociation which is determined by comparing the PR interval in a current RR cycle to a median PR value. If the current PR interval varies too far from the median, then dissociation is indicated. Often, there... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103543 - Implantable medical device with titanium alloy housing: An implantable medical device includes a housing comprising a titanium alloy selected from the group consisting of Ti-4.5Al-3V-2Fe-2Mo-0.15O, Ti-4Al-2.5V-1.5Fe-0.25O, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo, Ti-3Al-2.5V, and combinations thereof... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080103544 - Method of treating female sexual dysfunction: A method for treating female sexual dysfunction by subcutaneous electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve innervating at least a portion of the vulva is disclosed. A lead is placed subcutaneously over a peripheral nerve that innervates at least a portion of the vulva and clitoris. The peripheral nerve is electrically... Agent: Curtis D. Kinghorn Sirius Strategic, LLC

20080103547 - Multiple lead method for deep brain stimulation: New methods for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery using two or more electrical leads are provided. The methods are useful for treating a wide variety of brain-associated disorders including movement-related disorders, psychiatric disorders, metabolic/eating disorders, memory disorders, and pain. Methods featuring stimulation of distinct target areas of a subject's brain,... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080103546 - Patient management system for treating epilepsy using an implantable medical device: A method, system, graphical user interface, and apparatus are provided for performing a patient management function for treating epilepsy using an implantable medical device. At least one patient parameter relating to an electrical signal provided by the implantable medical device for treating epilepsy is acquired. At least one therapy parameter... Agent: Cyberonics, Inc.

20080103550 - Multiple electrode wound healing patch: In one example, the present invention is directed to a wound-healing patch including a flexible substrate, at least one wound electrode and at least one return electrode. In the invention, the wound electrode(s) is positioned on a portion of the flexible substrate designed to be placed over wounded tissue and... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103549 - Wound healing patch with guard electrodes: In one example, the present invention is directed to a wound-healing patch including a flexible substrate, at least one wound electrode, at least one guard electrode and at least one return electrode. The guard electrode is positioned between the wound and return electrodes in the electrical path of current traveling... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103552 - Controller for obtaining prescriptive analysis of functionality of implantable medical device leads, system and method therefore: Method, controller and system for an implantable medical device having a plurality of electrodes, the implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic stimulation to a patient, comprising a control module, a user interface operatively coupled to the control module, the user interface providing control of the control module by a... Agent: Iplm Group, P.A.

20080103551 - Implantable medical device with variable data retransmission characteristics based upon data type: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) as described herein includes an adjustable data retransmission scheme, which controls the manner in which data is retransmitted by the IMD. The retransmission feature can be adjusted in a dynamic manner based upon the type, context, or meaning of the telemetry data transmitted by the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103557 - Extended shelf life storable implantable medical device assembly, shipping container and method: Storable implantable medical device assembly and container for an implantable device having a charging sub-assembly. The implantable medical device has therapeutic componentry and a rechargeable power source operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. The charging sub-assembly having an electro-chemical power source, such as a battery, and a charging circuit operatively... Agent: Iplm Group, P.A.

20080103558 - Focused electromagnetic-wave and ultrasonic-wave structures for tissue stimulation: The present invention is directed to small, low profile, antenna-transmitter systems that attach to exterior of the body and focus electromagnetic (EM) wave energy onto one or more precise regions inside the body. The antenna-transmitter system may also deliver energy to the surface of the body without focusing. The present... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103556 - Housing for implantable medical device: A housing for an implantable medical device includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material. The first material and the second material comprise titanium and the first material has a higher resistivity than the second material.... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080103559 - Method of maintaining intensity output while adjusting pulse width or amplitude: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters,... Agent: Michael J. Bolan VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080103560 - Ultraviolet indicator light therapy device: A phototherapy device includes a first light source configured to emit a wavelength of light within the visible to infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and a second light source configured to emit a wavelength of light within the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelength of light of... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080103563 - Light therapy personal care device: A personal care device comprising a phototherapy component and a microdermabrasion component is disclosed. The phototherapy device component may comprise an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are configured to emit light over a range of wavelengths which are selected to treat a skin condition. The LED array may... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080103564 - Method for repairing intervertebral discs: A method of repairing a defect in an annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, without excising the entire nucleus pulposus of the disc. The method includes inserting an introducer needle through the annulus fibrosus by puncturing the annulus fibrosus with the introducer needle, injecting an in situ curable, bio-compatible polymerizable... Agent: O'keefe, Egan, Peterman & Enders, L.L.P.

20080103535 - Implantable medical devices including selectable notch filter circuits: Described are selectable notch filter circuits comprising at least two different notch filter capabilities, each of which is capable of filtering interference of a designated fundamental frequency and a second harmonic of the designated fundamental frequency from an electrical signal. Each of the notch filters of the circuit is specific... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080103541 - Method and apparatus for automatic determination of hemodynamically optimal cardiac pacing parameter values: For cardiac rhythm management, a combination of cardiac pacing and a noninvasive heart monitoring is proposed for the determination of a set of programmable pacing parameters hemodynamically beneficial to the patient. The apparatus incorporates a cardiac pacemaker and a thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) heart monitor. This combination allows the creation... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20080103542 - System and method for recovery from memory errors in a medical device: A system comprising an implantable medical device that comprises at least one electrical input to receive sensed electrical activity of a heart of a patient, a memory, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is coupled to the electrical input and memory and is operable to enter a memory scrubbing... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080103545 - Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080103548 - Methods for treating neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, and associated systems: Methods for treating neurological disorders, including neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, and associated systems are disclosed. One such method includes identifying one or more neural populations, including a cortical target neural population, associated with a neurological condition. The method can further include comparing a patient-specific measure of a characteristic parameter for... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080103553 - Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices: Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient's body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient's skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient's body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080103554 - Systems and methods for medical data interchange via remote command execution: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device, transmitting the data to an intermediary device, formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server, and receiving a command from the medical data... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080103555 - Systems and methods for wireless processing and medical device monitoring activation: One method according to the present invention includes activating a first device in response to an event, receiving data wirelessly from a medical device by the first device, transmitting the data to a second device by the first device, and transmitting the data from the second device to a medical... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080103561 - Apparatus and method for providing a multi-stage light treatment: Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to... Agent: Kevin D. Mccarthy Roach, Brown, Mccarthy & Gruber

20080103562 - Method for regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury using phototherapy: A method of treating spinal cord injury (SCI) includes transcutaneously irradiating at least a portion of a spinal environment of the patient with light having a power density of at least about 0.01 mW/cm2 at the portion of the spinal environment.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080103565 - Method and apparatus for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous conditions: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080103566 - Installation for delivering heat to all or part of human or animal cell tissue: An installation for delivering calories to all or part of human or animal cell tissue via a liquid comprises: a heating unit heating the liquid; an injection unit injecting the liquid into the heating unit; a dispenser for dispensing the heated liquid; and a transporter for transporting the liquid from... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti PC

20080103567 - Heating blanket: Embodiments of the present invention provide a heating blanket that can be secured to the head and at least one arm of a patient while leaving the patient's chest and abdomen remain substantially exposed. The head and arms tend to be excellent heat exchange surfaces. These surfaces can also be... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20080103568 - Thermal wrap arrangement for applying heat/cold to the mandibular region of the head: A thermal wrap having identical side portions, each having a pocket formed therein for receiving thermal material such as gel packs. The side portions are connected at the top by at least two independently attached straps, and at the bottom by a singe, relatively wide chin strap to ensure that... Agent: Alfred F. Hoyte, Esq.

20080103569 - Implantable medical elongated member including fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103570 - Implantable medical elongated member including intermediate fixation: An implantable medical elongated member extends between a proximal end configured to be coupled to a medical device and a distal end. The implantable elongated member includes one or more fixation elements coupled to at least a middle portion and/or a proximal portion of the elongated member in order to... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103573 - Implantable medical elongated member including wire-like fixation elements: An implantable medical elongated member, such as a lead or catheter, includes an integrated fixation mechanism that expands upon implantation of the elongated member to fix the elongated member relative to a target tissue site, such as tissue within the epidural region proximate the spine or the sacral foramen or... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103574 - Implantable medical lead including a directional electrode and fixation elements along an interior surface: An implantable medical elongated member includes a first outer surface portion and a second outer surface portion extending around at least ten percent of an outer perimeter of the elongated member. A fixation element extends a distance from the first outer surface portion of the implantable medical elongated member. A... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103572 - Implantable medical lead with threaded fixation: The disclosure is directed to securing electrodes of a medical lead adjacent to a target tissue site. The medical lead may include one or more threaded fixation structures disposed circumferentially about the outer surface of the lead body, or elongated member, that resembles a “screw” or “auger.” During implantation, a... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103571 - Medical lead delivery device: The medical lead delivery device combines features of a guidewire and a stylet in order to more easily and quickly deliver a lead to the left ventricle of a patient's heart. The medical lead delivery device includes an elongated body, a controller, a first and second spring, and a sleeve.... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103575 - Implantable medical elongated member including balloon fixation element: An implantable elongated member configured to deliver a therapy from a medical device to a target therapy delivery site includes an inflatable balloon fixation element composed at least in part of a biocompatible degradable material. A biocompatible fluid may be delivered to the balloon fixation element via an inflation lumen... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103576 - Implantable medical elongated member including expandable fixation member: An implantable medical elongated member includes at least one expandable fixation member disposed within a recess defined by the elongated member. Upon implantation in a patient, the expandable fixation member expands from a first state to a second state and protrudes past an outer surface of the elongated member, thereby... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103577 - Implantable medical elongated member including a tissue receiving fixation cavity: This disclosure describes techniques for securing an elongated member, such as a medical lead, within a tissue of a patient. In particular, suction is applied from a vacuum to a vacuum cavity located proximate to a distal end of the lead to draw in tissue from the target therapy delivery... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103579 - Implantable medical elongated member with adhesive elements: The disclosure is directed to securing electrodes of a medical lead adjacent to a target tissue site. The medical lead may include at least one adhesive element disposed along a longitudinal outer surface of the lead body to adhere the adjacent tissue to the lead. Adhesive elements may be disposed... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103580 - Implantable medical elongated member with dual purpose conduit: An implanted elongated member, e.g., a medical lead or catheter, includes one or more conduits that are configured to accept a stylet to guide the elongated member during implantation and deliver a solidifying substance to an outer surface of the distal portion of the elongated member via one or more... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080103578 - Implantable medical elongated member with in situ formed fixation element: An implanted elongated member, e.g., a medical lead or catheter, includes one or more conduits that deliver a solidifying substance to an outer surface of the distal portion of the elongated member via one or more exit ports. The solidifying substance is cured in situ from moisture in the surrounding... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.