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

20080208267 - Implantable bifurcated neurostimulator adapters: An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extension plugs to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes a connector coupled to a first end of an elongate body and a flexible bifurcation member coupled to a second end of the elongate body, wherein the bifurcation member... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080208268 - Means for functional restoration of a damaged nervous system: The present invention relates generally to a method and device of partial or complete functional restoration of the damaged nervous system by bridging a cavity in the central or peripheral nervous tissue and, more particularly to a system and method for repairing the nerve signal transduction by bridging of the... Agent: Clark & Elbing LLP

20080208266 - System and method for treating nausea and vomiting by vagus nerve stimulation: A system and method for treating nausea and vomiting are provided, including one or more electrodes (10, 12) applied on or under the skin, the electrodes being connected to an external current source (34). The electrodes can be implanted under the skin and connect to internal stimulator electronics (22), which... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080208269 - Implantable tissue perfusion sensing system and method: A medical device system for sensing cardiac events that includes a plurality of electrodes sensing cardiac signals utilized to identify a cardiac event, a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, and a detector to detect the emitted light. A processor determines a plurality... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080208272 - Dual battery arrangement for an automatic external defibrillator: A defibrillator, equipped with a battery power source, is described which is arranged to operate in any one of both a first mode and a second mode, the battery power source comprising at least two voltage sources. The voltage sources are arranged to be connected in parallel to each other... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080208271 - High frequency stimulation for treatment of atrial fibrillation: The invention relates to methods and devices for treating and/or preventing atrial fibrillation. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating and/or preventing atrial fibrillation including applying an oscillating electrical stimulus to a tissue of a patient, the oscillating electrical stimulus sufficient to block transmission of electrical signals... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.l.c.

20080208270 - High voltage capacitor route with integrated failure point: An implantable medical device may have a circuit failure mode. The disclosed circuit may have an integrated failure point designed to fail prior to those portions of the circuit. The integrated failure point may include a narrowed portion of a high voltage lead and a grounded lead having a narrow... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080208273 - Pulse detection using patient physiological signals: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module.... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080208274 - Method for treating myocardial infarction: A method for treating patients after a myocardial infarction which includes pacing therapy is disclosed. A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to deliver pre-excitation pacing to one or more sites in proximity to an infarcted region of the ventricular myocardium. Such pacing acts to minimize the remodeling process to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080208275 - Dynamic technique for fitting heart pacers to individuals: A method includes mounting pressure sensors in a heart-enclosing device; transmitting the data produced by the sensors during actual operation of the heart-enclosing device worn by a specific individual; receiving the sensor signals for subsequent analysis by a computer; creating a stress map based on the sensor-based data; and creating... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, Pllc

20080208276 - Induced current measurement systems and methods: In an embodiment, the invention includes a measurement system for measuring induced currents within an implantable medical device undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. The measurement system can include a resistor connected in series with a conductive loop and electronic circuitry configured to generate a signal representative of a voltage differential across... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.l.c.

20080208277 - Internal hermetic lead connector for implantable device: An implantable active medical device is disclosed and includes a hermetically sealed housing defining a sealed housing interior, the hermetically sealed housing having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A power source and electronics are in electrical communication and disposed within the sealed housing interior. A lead connector... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, Llc

20080208279 - Internal hermetic lead connector for implantable device: An implantable active medical device is disclosed and includes a hermetically sealed housing defining a sealed housing interior, a power source and electronics in electrical communication and disposed within the sealed housing interior, and a lead connector projecting into the sealed housing interior. The lead connector includes a closed end,... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, Llc

20080208278 - Methods of manufacturing a hermetic lead connector: A method of manufacturing a hermetic lead connector includes fixing an electrically insulating ring between an electrically conducting contact ring and an electrically conducting spacer ring to form a hermetic ring subassembly, and fixing a plurality of the hermetic ring subassemblies in axial alignment to form a hermetic lead connector.... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, Llc

20080208281 - Device and method for biasing and stimulating respiration: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.... Agent: Rmx, L.l.c.

20080208282 - Device and method for the treatment of breathing disorders and cardiac disorders: The present invention is related to an implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders and cardiac disorders by delivering stimulation energy to the phrenic nerve, hypoglossal nerves and cardiac muscle tissues.... Agent: Beck And Tysver P.l.l.c.

20080208280 - Equine airway disorders: Airway disorders in a horse are relieved by electrical stimulation of the airway tissue. Particular disorders and techniques include electrical stimulation to relieve laryngeal hemiplegia. A pacemaker processor generates an electrical treatment signal to be applied to upper airway tissue of the horse for treating the upper airway disorder. One... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080208285 - 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

20080208283 - Neural interface system: The neural interface system of the preferred embodiments includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrode sites and a carrier that supports the electrode array. The electrode array is coupled to the carrier such that the electrode sites are arranged both circumferentially around the carrier and axially along the... Agent: Schox Plc

20080208284 - Systems and methods for neuromodulation using pre-recorded waveforms: Methods for neuromodulation using waveform signals. In certain embodiments, an input waveform is obtained from a signal source site in a source subject and an output waveform is applied to a target site in a target subject. The source subject is a human or animal and the signal source site... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080208286 - Baroreflex activation for pain control, sedation and sleep: Systems and methods provide baroreflex activation to treat or reduce pain and/or to cause or enhance sedation or sleep. Methods involve activating the baroreflex system to provide pain reduction, sedation, improved sleep or some combination thereof. Systems include at least one baroreflex activation device, at least one sensor for sensing... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080208287 - Electrical stimulation device and method for the treatment of neurological disorders: An electrical stimulation system and method for the treatment of neurological disorders is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical stimulation system includes channels of electrodes positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a neuromuscular target body region of a patient to provide pattered neuromuscular stimulation to the patient's musculature.... Agent: Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080208288 - Systems and methods for treating movement disorders: Movement timing stimulator systems and methods that aid in the relief of the symptoms of neurological movement disorders are provided. In one embodiment, a method of improving a patient's gait is provided. The method includes producing a plurality of stimulation prompts at a plurality of stimulation points using multiple stimulation... Agent: Fogg & Powers Llc

20080208289 - Feedthrough for electrical connectors: A method (10) of forming an electrically conducting feedthrough. The method (10) comprises a first step (11) of forming an electrically conductive structure (21) comprising a sacrificial component and a non-sacrificial component. At least a portion of the non-sacrificial component can then be coated with a relatively electrically insulating material... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080208290 - Bi-directional connector assembly for an implantable medical device: An ISG that includes a housing, a connector block having a first surface and a second surface, a lumen extending through the connector block from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the lumen is configured to receive at least one lead, wherein said lead comprises at least one... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, Llc

20080208291 - Frequency shift keying (fsk) magnetic telemetry for implantable medical devices and associated systems and methods: A telemetry receive unit for use in an implantable medical device or system can include a coil unit, a single-bit analog to digital converter (ADC), a finite impulse response filter (FIR) coupled to the single-bit ADC, and an accumulator coupled to one or more filter taps of the FIR filter.... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080208292 - Method and apparatus for communication between a handheld programmer and an implantable medical device: Systems and methods for telemetric communication between a handheld programmer and an implantable medical device are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a user-friendly, color, touch-sensitive screen that allows the user to visually observe and control the handheld's operation. The handheld further comprises an internal and/or external analytical means to provide... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner/bsc-crm

20080208293 - Voltage converter for implantable microstimulator using rf-powering coil: A combination, voltage converter circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to provide a voltage step up and step down conversion functions. The output voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle modulation. In accordance with one aspect of the invention,... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherfor & Brucculer L.l.p

20080208294 - Disinfection, destruction of neoplastic growth, and sterilization by differential absorption of electromagnetic energy: Neoplastic tissue, viral and bacterial infections, and other physiological disorders and conditions are treated by irradiation of the host with electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength that is differentially absorbed by the offending tissue or cells. Radiation with differential absorption is also used in the sterilization of articles and packing made... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080208295 - Phototherapy treatment and device to improve the appearance of nails and skin: A method and apparatus for using phototherapy to beneficially improve the appearance of nails and skin. Light can be applied to nails and skin that is primarily germicidal to inactivate organisms that cause infections; applied as primarily cleansing light in which case it primarily improves the appearance of the nails... Agent: Merek, Blackmon & Voorhees, Llc

20080208296 - Apparatus and methods for treating cellulite by combining exercise with the application of light energy: Exercise by a person coupled with illuminating cellulite-containing tissue of a person with light produced by a semi-conductor light source reduces cellulite in such tissue. Methods and systems for reducing cellulite may employ light from a light source comprising a semi-conductor material coupled with exercise equipment. Clothing may be provided... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080208297 - Optical therapy devices, systems, kits and methods for providing therapy to a body cavity: An optical therapy device is disclosed. The optical therapy device provides therapeutic light therapy to a body cavity. The device includes a housing adapted to be hand held, a UV light source positioned in or on the housing, and an insertion member having a distal end configured to be inserted... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20080208298 - Therapeutic upper body wrap: A therapeutic upper body wrap has a flexible, aroma-permeable cover having upper and lower layers joined at their outer edges to form an interior space to contain particulate matter which may include thermal reservoir and aromatherapy materials. The interior space is divided into a series of subspaces in the form... Agent: Belasco, Jacobs & Townsley LLP Howard Hughes Center

20080208299 - Thermo-therapeutic cushion: A microwaveable thermo-therapeutic cushion for placing on a body is disclosed. The thermo-therapeutic cushion comprises a flexible closed shell partially filled with a plurality of legume seeds. The plurality of legume seeds are operative to store heat upon being subjected to microwaves from a microwave oven and slowly release it... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20080208303 - Implantable medical device system with fixation member: A fixation device for a subcutaneous implantable medical device includes a deformable tip portion that reduces in width when coupled with a fixation tool such that implantation of the implantable medical device through tissue is facilitated. Upon release from the fixation tool, the fixation device returns to its initial shape... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080208301 - Implantable neurostimulator adapters: An adapter for coupling a plug of an implantable neurostimulator lead extension to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes an elongate body, a connector including at least four contacts coupled to a first end of the elongate body, and a housing including at least two ports coupled to... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080208302 - Implantable neurostimulator adapters: An adapter for coupling a pair of implantable neurostimulator lead extensions to a connector port of a neurostimulator device includes an elongate body, a connector including eight contacts coupled to a first end of the elongate body, and a housing, which includes two pairs of ports, coupled to a second... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080208300 - Ionically conductive neural bridge: Neural bridge devices for providing ionic communication across damaged or separated portions of a neuron, or between a neuron and an electronic device, are disclosed. The neural bridge devices can include an ionically conductive polymer that may functionally replace the biological conduction of action potentials along an axon, to restore... Agent: Nicholas F. Pasch

20080208305 - Apparatus and methods for treating pulmonary conditions: A method for treating a pulmonary condition in a subject includes one step of providing an implantable electrode assembly. The implantable electrode assembly includes a flexible member, at least one electrode operably secured to the flexible member, and an attachment mechanism for securing the at least one electrode to the... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.l.p.

20080208304 - Methods for restoring and modulating neural activity: A method of reviving and maintaining a severed nerve tissue or a bundle of nerves of a body comprising the steps of: providing a housing for conducting and modulating neural response having a first end, a second end and a cavity, wherein the cavity is interposed between the first end... Agent: Meredith & Keyhani, Pllc

20080208306 - Implantable medical lead with reversible fixation mechanism: An implantable medical lead is provided, which includes an elongated lead body having a distal end portion and a pull cable lumen. A pull extends within the pull cable lumen and is fixedly coupled to the distal end portion. The pull cable is configured to be moved axially relative to... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080200958 - Casings for implantable stimulators and methods of making the same: An implantable stimulator includes a device for delivering a stimulus and a casing having a first, metal portion and a second, portion which is formed from a plastic or polymer. A method of forming an implantable stimulator includes preparing a coil on a ferrite tube and molding a casing body... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20080200959 - System and method to deliver therapy in presence of another therapy: Various aspects relate to a method. In various embodiments, a therapy of a first therapy type is delivered, and it is identified whether a therapy of a second therapy type is present to affect the therapy of the first therapy type. Delivery of the therapy is controlled based on the... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20080200960 - Systems and methods for treating supraventricular arrhythmias: In various method embodiments, a supraventricular arrhythmia event is detected, and a supraventricular arrhythmia treatment, including neural stimulation to elicit a sympathetic response, is delivered in response to a detected supraventricular arrhythmia event. Some embodiments detect a precursor for a supraventricular arrhythmia episode, and deliver prophylactic neural stimulation to avoid... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080200961 - Spectrum-driven arrhythmia treatment method: A method and apparatus for treating an arrhythmia is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) sensing at least one electrical signal from the patient's heart; (b) calculating a frequency spectrum of each electrical signal; (c) calculating a center frequency for each frequency spectrum; and (d) selecting an electro-therapy... Agent: Pacesetter, Inc.

20080200962 - System and method for processing and storing signal information in an implantable cardiac device: In an implantable cardiac device data is processed and stored to conserve storage space and computational resources thereby saving energy expended on these operations. The data being processed may be associated with signals with known and/or predictable patterns. A set of key elements are identified for the signal that allow... Agent: Steven M Mitchell Pacesetter Inc

20080200963 - Implantable power generator: The implantable power generator of the preferred embodiments includes a cardiac restraint device and a generator that generates electrical energy in response to a mechanical force. The generator is coupled to the cardiac restraint device such that it receives a mechanical force and generates electrical energy in response to the... Agent: Schox PLC

20080200964 - Gastrointestinal motility control: A method and a multichannel implantable device are described for partial or complete restoration of impaired gastrointestinal motility, or for disturbing and/or partially or completely blocking normal gastrointestinal motility using one or multiple microsystem-controlled channels of circumferentially arranged sets of two or more electrodes which provide externally-invoked synchronized electrical signals... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, PLLC

20080200965 - Electrically operable incontinence treatment apparatus: An apparatus for treating an anal or urinary incontinent patient comprises a constriction device applied on the patient's large intestine or urethra, and an electrically powered operation device, which is integrated with the constriction device and adapted to operate the latter to constrict the large intestine or urethra to close... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080200966 - Simulator for use with a breathing-assist device: Function testing of a ventilator using an EMG or other bioelectric signal representative of the breathing of the patient to control ventilation is enabled by a simulating device for use with a breathing related device for monitoring and/or controlling a patient's breathing, the simulating device including a signal generator for... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080200967 - Apparatus and method for electrostimulation /sensing in vivo: An apparatus and method for electrostimulation treatment of neurological diseases is disclosed herein. The apparatus and method include an array (22) of sub-micron (and sub-cell size) FET electrodes (24) that are capacitively coupled to nervous system elements (both neurons (50) and axons (66)) as a replacement for traditional metal shanks... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080200968 - Biothermal power source for implantable devices: An implantable, rechargeable assembly comprised of an implantable device disposed within a living organism, an electrical storage device connected to the implantable device, and a thermoelectric charging assembly operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The thermoelectric charging assembly has devices for transferring thermal energy between the living organism and... Agent: Basch & Nickerson LLP

20080200969 - Temperature sensing apparatus and methods for treatment devices used to deliver high frequency energy to tissue: Apparatus and methods for delivering high frequency energy to tissue with improved temperature sensing. The treatment apparatus may be a delivery device positionable adjacent to the tissue. The delivery device may further include an electrode adapted to deliver high frequency energy to the tissue and at least one thermal sensor.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080200970 - Patient temperature regulation method and apparatus: A device and method for providing body cooling. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vena cavae that is then distributed throughout the body. The cooling can be assisted by use of thermoregulatory drugs or warming devices to prevent shivering and vasoconstriction.... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20080200971 - Heat generating body: A heat generating body wherein three or more plural sectional exothermic parts are provided at intervals via a sectioned part which is a heat seal part, which is characterized in that the sectional exothermic parts have a heat generating composition capable of causing heat generation upon contact with oxygen in... Agent: Kratz, Quintos & Hanson, LLP

20080200972 - Combination electrical stimulating and infusion medical device and method: A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20080200973 - Method and system using mri compatibility defibrillation pads: In accordance with embodiments of the present technique an electrode pad for medical use is provides. The electrode pad comprises a support layer a plurality of electrodes mounted on the support layer and electrically insulated from one another, and a plurality of leads electrically coupled to the electrodes for selectively... Agent: General Electric Company (pcpi) C/o Fletcher Yoder

20080195160 - Refillable reservoir lead systems: Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The medical electrical lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in a body of a subject. Some variations of the medical electrical lead systems may comprise a lead body comprising a proximal end and a distal end... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080195161 - Ventricular fibrillation preventing apparatus and defibrillating apparatus: [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A rectangular base material (10) is sewn to the epicardium surface of a left ventricle (38). Four cooling Peltier elements (12) are provided at the center of the base material (10), and temperature-detecting thermistors (18) are provided at part of their peripheries. A plurality of circular,... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, Pllc

20080195162 - Implantable medical device: An implantable medical device has an impedance or admittance determination unit, an alternating current or voltage source, a measuring unit, and an analysis unit which is connected to the alternating current or AC voltage source and the measuring unit to calculate an impedance value or an admittance value at different... Agent: Intellectual Property Department Dewitt Ross & Stevens S.c.

20080195163 - Electromedical implantable or extracorporeally applicable device for the treatment or monitoring of organs, and method for therapeutic organ treatment: The invention relates to an electromedical implantable or extracorporeally applicable device for treating and monitoring organs as well as a method for therapeutic organ treatment. The aim of the invention is to create an electromedical implantable or externally applicable device which allows healing processes to be excited in diseased organs.... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20080195164 - Pacemaker-patient hemodynamic assessment/adjustment methodology: A method for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a pacemaker patient's hemodynamic condition. The method offers... Agent: Robert D. Varitz, P.c.

20080195165 - Cardiovascular pressure annotations and logbook: A system comprises an external medical device configured to communicate with a first implantable medical device (IMD). The external medical device includes a communication circuit and a display. The communication circuit is configured to receive information associated with cardiovascular pressure from the IMD. The external medical device is configured to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080195166 - Devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep with an implantable device: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080195167 - Cardiac pacemakers and systems and methods for using them: Systems and methods are provided for determining the pressure-volume relationship for one or more chambers of a heart. An implantable device includes a catheter including a distal end sized for introduction into a chamber of a heart, a pressure sensor for measuring pressure within the chamber, and a resistance sensor... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080195168 - Pacemaker-patient hemodynamic assessment/adjustment system: A system for gathering, creating and utilizing signal-processed ECG and acoustic signals for assessing, via presenting a highly intuitive, multi-component, common-time-base, real-time output display of selected (1) timing, (2) relative timing, and (3) other significant heart-behavioral elements relevant to such an assessment, a patient's hemodynamic condition. The system offers an... Agent: Robert D. Varitz, P.c.

20080195169 - Low power standby mode monitor: An electrophysiological device comprises a lead-off detector in the form of an electrical impedance detector and further a path from a supply voltage to a second voltage. The path comprises segments having electrical impedances, at least one of which is to be ascertained, and a measuring vertex. The electrical impedance... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080195170 - Medical device with extended or multiple reservoirs: An exemplary embodiment of a process can be provided for a manufacture of an implantable medical device or a part thereof. For example, at least one metallic layer can be deposited on a three-dimensional template of the device and at least partially removing the template. Implants can be produced, e.g.,... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080195171 - Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of the pancreatico-biliary system: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of the pancreatico-biliary system. Electrode sets are placed in the pancreatico-biliary system in an arrangement that induce contractions or relaxation of the portion or whole of the pancreatico-biliary system by electrical stimulation of the surrounding tissue, muscles... Agent: Patentmetrix

20080195172 - Method and apparatus for treating incontinence: An improved method, system and arrangement for treatment of urinary incontinence is disclosed, in which a portion of innervated smooth muscle (2) is transplanted and disposed around the urethra to provide a urethral sphincter (2). Electrical stimulation, by an implanted stimulator (1), maintains continuous tone in the sphincter. A remote... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080195173 - Method and apparatus for treating sleep apnea and snoring: A method and device for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, in which one sensor senses the onset of an episode of snoring or sleep apnea and causes production of an electrical stimulating signal consisting of a combination of direct current and a train of alternating pulses, with the respective... Agent: Integral Intellectual Property Inc.

20080195174 - Systems and methods for electrical stimulation of blood vessels: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for electrical stimulation of blood vessels. An embodiment of the system includes at least one electrode having electrical contact with a blood vessel. The embodiment also includes a stimulation circuit electrically connected to the electrode, the circuit adapted to provide stimulation to... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080195175 - System and method for treating parkinson's disease and other movement disorders: Systems and methods for treating movement disorders using cortical stimulation. In one embodiment, a method for treating movement disorders comprises determining a site at the cortex of the brain of a patient related to a movement disorder of an afflicted body part. The site can be determined by obtaining a... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080195176 - Raynaud's conditions: This document provides methods and materials for treating Raynaud's conditions such as Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, and Raynaud's disease. For example, this document provides methods for using electrical stimulation to reduce the severity of a symptom of a Raynaud's condition. Gloves and socks that can be used to reduce the... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.c.

20080195178 - Fixation methods and systems for cochlear implant component or other implantable devices: The present disclosure relates to fixation methods and systems used to secure an implantable medical component in the preferred location of the skull or other bony area of the body. The disclosed fixation methods and systems may be used with a component of a cochlear implant system or other implantable... Agent: Advanced Bionics, Llc

20080195179 - Systems and methods for determining a threshold current level required to evoke a stapedial muscle reflex: Exemplary cochlear implant systems include an implantable cochlear stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient and generate a stimulation current having an adjustable current level, one or more electrodes communicatively coupled to the stimulator and configured to apply the stimulation current to one or more locations within an ear... Agent: Advantedge Law Group, Llc

20080195177 - Voltage overshoot protection: A transmission circuit for an RF inductive link, particularly for an implanted device such as a cochlear implant. In a preferred form, the transmission circuit 1 includes a transmitter coil 24 and a damping device, including an auxiliary coil 4 and switch 6. The switch is operated to close the... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080195180 - Low loss band pass filter for rf distance telemetry pin antennas of active implantable medical devices: A hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes an RF distance telemetry pin antenna, a capacitor conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for the AIMD, and an inductor electrically disposed in parallel with the capacitor and conductively coupled between the antenna and a ground for... Agent: Kelly Lowry & Kelley, LLP

20080195181 - Micro-dermal tone skin stimulator: A micro dermal tone skin stimulator system (2) that uses sale, painless, low-level electrical impulses to “reprogram” muscles to assure nearly original muscle shape and to support skin tissues with healthier blood circulation and more youthful firmness. The system comprises a portable hand-held unit with fully-integrated components, including a housing... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080195182 - Skin-treatment device: The present invention relates to a skin-treatment device comprising an exit window (12; 14) through which electromagnetic radiation (16) is transmitted during operation of the skin-treatment device (10). In accordance with the invention, the skin-treatment device comprises dirt-preventing means (18-42) associated with the exit window (12; 14).... Agent: Philips Electronics North America Corporation Intellectual Property & Standards

20080195183 - Reduction of hair growth: A method of reducing hair growth includes topical application of a TRPM8 and/or a TRPA1 agonist, alone or in conjunction with heat.... Agent: The Procter & Gamble Company Intellectual Property Division - West Bldg.

20080195184 - Forced air warming unit: Both the flow rate and the temperature of the air exiting a forced air warming unit are regulated in response to a single act or operation of a single element of control on a manually-operated remote control.... Agent: Terrance A. Meador Incaplaw

20080195185 - Thermal therapy device for post-surgery recovery: A device for providing thermal therapy for post-surgery or post-injury recovery of the breast region is provided. The thermal therapy device includes a bladder for allowing temperature-controlled fluid to flow throughout the bladder and a shell for holding the bladder. The bladder can include holes to increase its conformability to... Agent: Lumen Patent Firm, Inc.

20080195186 - Continuous conductive materials for electromagnetic shielding: A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080195187 - Discontinuous conductive filler polymer-matrix composites for electromagnetic shielding: A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080195188 - Implantable medical device with fixation mechanism: Miniature implantable medical devices each include a fixation mechanism to prevent the device from migrating in the body of a patient after implantation. The fixation mechanism is activated after the device is positioned in the body. In one embodiment, the miniature implantable medical devices each include a circuit to deliver... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080188900 - Heart rate reduction method and system: A method and apparatus to slow a heart rate with subthreshold electric stimulation of the SA node. Stimulation is applied at a specific time in the cardiac cycle and at a specific subthreshold level. To control the heart rate, the stimulating signal may be modified automatically based on physiologic feedbacks.... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080188901 - Sensing vector selection in a cardiac stimulus device with postural assessment: Methods, implantable medical devices and systems configured to perform analysis of captured signals from implanted electrodes to identify cardiac arrhythmias. In an illustrative embodiment, signals captured from two or more sensing vectors are analyzed, where the signals are captured with a patient in at least first and second body positions.... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080188902 - Contact module for a medical implant: The present invention relates to an electrical connection between the individual components of active medical implants, in particular between a voltage source and an electrical consumer. The voltage source is electrically connected to the electrical consumer via a spring contact block. The electrical connection between the voltage source and the... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20080188903 - Device and method for biasing and stimulating respiration: A device and method is provided for biasing lung volume by electrically stimulating tissue associated with the diaphragm or phrenic nerve at a low level.... Agent: Rmx, L.L.C.

20080188904 - Device and method for treating disorders of the cardiovascular system or heart: A device and method are provided to treat heart failure by stimulating to cause diaphragm contraction.... Agent: Rmx L.L.C.

20080188905 - Stimulus dose system and method for electroconvulsive therapy: A method of treating a patient includes administering an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) stimulus to the patient. The current is greater than about 0.9 ampere or 1.0 ampere, or is between about 1.0 and about 2 amperes. The energy delivered is about 100 Joules or less across an impedance of 200... Agent: Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP

20080188906 - System and method for neurological stimulation of peripheral nerves to treat low back pain: According to one embodiment, a system for neurological stimulation of peripheral nerve fibers to treat low back pain is provided. The system includes stimulation electrodes adapted to be implanted in tissue proximate a network of peripheral nerve fibers located in and innervating a painful region of the low back area... Agent: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

20080188907 - Controller for an assistive exoskeleton based on active impedance: A system and method are presented to provide assist to a user by means of an exoskeleton with a controller capable of making the exoskeleton display active impedance. The exoskeleton assists the user by reducing the muscle effort required by the user to move his or her extremities. In one... Agent: Honda/fenwick

20080188908 - Fitting of brightness in a visual prosthesis: The invention is a method of automatically adjusting an electrode array to the neural characteristics of an individual patient. The perceptual response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and The response to electrical neural stimulation varies from patient to patient and the relationship between current and perceived... Agent: Scott B. Dunbar Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080188909 - Neurostimulation system and method for measuring patient activity: Electrical energy is conveyed via an implanted tissue stimulation system into tissue of the patient over a period of time. Electrical parameter data (e.g., impedance data and/or field potential data) is measured based on the electrical energy conveyed into the tissue of the patient, whereby the electrical parameter data is... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080188910 - Steerable and flexibly curved probes: Steerable and flexibly curved probes are provided, primarily for surgical applications. A probe with flexible distal portion is inserted through an incision or cannula and the flexible distal portion may be selectively bent or steered using a guide wire. The guide wire is extended through the probe on a radially... Agent: Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

20080188911 - Hot compress apparatus: A hot compress apparatus that is used on the human body for providing safe and comfortable hot compress treatment and shock stimulation. The hot compress apparatus comprises at least: a flexible base, a circuit device, a heat conductive member disposed on the base and electrically connected to the circuit device... Agent: Pro-techtor International Services

20080188913 - Inducing desirable temperature effects on body tissue: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating diseased tissue by gentle heating. The method induces vasodilation on tissue disposed about an lumen having both healthy tissue and diseased tissue. The method includes coupling a probe surface to the luminal tissue at a target location and transmitting desired quantities of tissue... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080188912 - System for inducing desirable temperature effects on body tissue: A catheter and catheter system may be used to treat disease tissue by gentle heating in combination with gentle or standard dilation. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable balloon having a plurality of electrodes engage tissue including diseased tissue when the structure expands.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080188914 - Detachable handpiece: The invention features a detachable handpiece for treating biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation. The handpiece includes a connector adjacent a first portion of the handpiece, for detachably connecting the handpiece to an umbilicus and for receiving energy from a power conduit in the umbilicus. The handpiece also includes a source... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080188915 - Apparatus for providing a heating and cooling effect: A device configured to treat a human or animal body part or limb by providing a heating and/or cooling effect in addition to a compressive force. A metallic conductive material is positioned in thermal contact with at least one Peltier cell whereby the heating and cooling effect generated at an... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates, P.C.

20080188916 - Apparatus for implanting an electrical stimulation lead: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near... Agent: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.

20080188917 - Single and multipolar implantable lead for sacral nerve electrical stimulation: An implantable medical lead for stimulation of the sacral nerves comprises a lead body which includes a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end having at least one electrode contact extending longitudinally from the distal end toward the proximal end. The lead body at its proximal end... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, LLC

20080188918 - Method and system for supporting implantation of biventricular cardiac pacemakers: In a method and system for supporting implantation of the third electrode of a biventricular pacing system at an optimal location in the coronary sinus vessel tree, a 3D image of the left ventricle is acquired and a 3D image of the coronary sinus vessel tree is acquired, and these... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080188919 - Electrode line and terminal part for an implantable heart stimulator: A terminal part for an electrode line for connection to an implantable heart stimulator, the terminal part having multiple annular, electrically conductive contacts of equal external diameter having insulation sections of the same external diameter situated between them in the longitudinal direction, of which the electrically conductive contacts are each... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.