Surgery inventions 05/07

20070123844 - Method for treating ocular disorders: The present invention is an ophthalmological treatment process utilizing a low energy (“low power”, “low level”) laser applied through the sclera of the eye to treat various disease conditions of the eye, including but not limited to, blindness. This process is used to create the optimum environment for healing by... Agent: Dunlap, Codding & Rogers P.C.

20070123845 - Method and device for processing a workpiece: The present invention concerns a method for processing an at least partially fluid-absorbent and at least in one spectral range transparent workpiece. The method is characterized by irradiating the workpiece with pulsed and focused laser radiation, wherein the spectrum of the laser radiation comprises at least one wavelength in the... Agent: Zarley Law Firm P.L.C

20070123846 - Preparation for endovenous laser ablation: Improved devices and methods for removing blood from a blood vessel in preparation for endovenous laser ablation are described. The improved methods include one or more of: placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position, applying external compression around the vein, massaging the vein, cooling the vein externally, encouraging spasming of... Agent: Ray K. Shahani, Esq., Attorney At Law

20070123847 - High-frequency power supply device and electrosurgical device: A high-frequency power supply device and an electrosurgical device are provided which can automatically control the output of an appropriate high-frequency current in accordance with the condition of a biological tissue to be treated. A phase detection unit detects respective phases of a high-frequency voltage and a high-frequency current outputted... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070123848 - Ablation probe for delivering fluid through porous structure: Ablation probes are provided for perfusing the tissue, while the tissue is ablated. The ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft and an ablative element, such as a needle electrode. The ablation probe further comprises a lumen that extends through the probe shaft, which will be used to deliver an fluid... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070123853 - Anti-microbial electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same: An electrosurgical device including a reinforcing underlayment having a non-stick, anti-microbial coating. In one embodiment, the coating includes a non-stick material having anti-microbial particles interspersed in the non-stick material. This coating is applied to the surfaces of the electrode to minimize the build-up of charred tissue on the surfaces of... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

20070123849 - Auto-safety shut-off for energy based devices: Various methods and devices are provided for surgically treating tissue. In one embodiment, the device can include a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a conductive tip disposed within the distal end of the shaft and movable between a first and second position. In the first position, the conductive... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070123854 - Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for making precise incisions in body vessels: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel... Agent: James R. Keogh Medtronic, Inc.

20070123851 - Methods and apparatus for closing a layered tissue defect: Methods and apparatus for treatment of layered tissue defects such as a patent foramen ovale provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent to the PFO with a closure device that substantially closes the PFO. Apparatus generally includes an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end and... Agent: Cierra, Inc. & Townsend & Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070123852 - Methods and apparatus for closing a layered tissue defect: Methods and apparatus for treatment of layered tissue defects having a majority of the surfaces of the defect layers in contact generally involve use of a catheter having at least one energy transmission member at its distal end. The distal end of the apparatus also typically has a force applying... Agent: Cierra, Inc. & Townsend & Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070123850 - Power-assisted liposuction instrument with cauterizing cannula assembly: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically-assisted liposuction treatment. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable housing, an electro-cauterizing cannula assembly, and a reciprocation mechanism. The hand-holdable housing has a cavity adaptable for receipt of a portion of the electro-cauterizing cannula assembly. The electro-cauterizing cannula assembly includes an inner cannula and... Agent: Thomas J. Perkowski, Esq., P.C. Soundview Plaza

20070123855 - Bipolar cauterizing instrument: A bipolar surgical instrument that includes opposing grips that can engage the tissue. A current is delivered from an electrosurgical power source to electrodes disposed on the grips to cauterize the tissue. The electrode configurations provide efficient cauterization of the tissue. In some embodiments, the positive and negative electrodes will... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070123858 - External fixation device for osteosynthesis: An external fixation device having a frame comprising at least one rod which takes up the mechanical loads. Frame and bone are connected via connecting means known per se, in particular bone-retaining pins. These connecting means in turn are connected to the frame via clamping jaws. These clamping jaws permit... Agent: Jones Day

20070123857 - Orthopaedic joint, device and associated method: An articulating joint for rigidly connecting a first object to a second object for use in orthopedics is provided. The joint includes a body and a first articulating member being selectively one of pivotably connected to and rigidly connected to the body. The first articulating member is connectable to the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123856 - Trauma joint, external fixator and associated method: A device for use in an external fixator for use in trauma surgery for rigidly connecting a first object to a second object is provided. The device includes a body and a first articulating member for connecting the device to the first object. The first articulating member is lockable and... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123869 - Apparatus and method for spine fixation: A posterior spine fixation assembly includes a first elongated plate having first and second ends and a second elongated plate having first and second ends. The first and second elongated plates are arranged in an X-shaped configuration and are attached to each other via a first screw. The assembly also... Agent: Akc Patents

20070123870 - Bi-polar screw assembly: Assemblies, systems and components for a bi-polar bone anchor assembly. A receiver member includes a central aperture with upper and lower openings and a transverse channel. A bi-polar member and a bone anchor are loaded into the bottom of the receiver member and an internal threaded ring member fits over... Agent: Morriss O''bryant Compagni, P.C.

20070123862 - Bone fixation system and method for using the same: A tulip assembly configured to be coupled to a head of a bone fixation device includes at least one inner member configured to fix the tulip assembly to the head of a bone fixation device, and an outer member including at least one engagement surface configured to selectively fix a... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20070123867 - Capless multiaxial screw and spinal fixation assembly and method: A bone fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.... Agent: Matthew R. Jenkins, Esq.

20070123865 - Device for the dynamic stabilization of bones: A device for the dynamic stabilization of bones or bone fragments, especially vertebral bodies, includes a longitudinal carrier having a longitudinal axis and at least two bone anchoring devices. Each bone anchoring device has an anchoring part that attaches to bone and a connecting part that detachably fastens the longitudinal... Agent: Jones Day

20070123860 - Dorsal adjusting multi-rod connector: An orthopedic implant is disclosed having at least one passage for an elongated member that is compressible. In certain embodiments, multiple compressible elongated member passages may be provided, or an elongated member passage may be U-shaped and closable by a closure member. Split ring members may be provided in compressible... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070123863 - Inter-cervical facet implant with multiple direction articulation joint and method for implanting: Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20070123861 - Intervertebral prosthetic device for spinal stabilization and method of implanting same: An intervertebral prosthetic device and method for spinal stabilization, according to which a prosthetic device is implanted relative to two vertebrae and is positioned so that it makes a rigid connection with one of the vertebra and a non-rigid connection with the other vertebra.... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070123859 - Laminar hook spring: Various devices and methods are provided for spinal augmentation. In particular, the device can includes a connector element having a superior portion and an inferior portion that is adapted to support adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae and a first superior seating member and a second superior seating member associated with... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070123871 - Method and apparatus for flexible fixation of a spine: A flexible connection unit for spinal stabilization, including: a first end portion having a first longitudinal channel and configured to be coupled to a first securing member secured to a patient's spine; a second end portion having a second longitudinal channel and configured to be coupled to a second securing... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070123868 - Method and apparatus for spinal fixation: Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070123872 - Occipitocervical plate: Methods and systems for occipital-cervical spinal fixation. A plate configured for attachment to the occipital bone has two arms extending out from either side, which turn downwards parallel to one another. A first bend is disposed in the arms, such that the arms extend down from the occipital bone behind... Agent: Trask Britt

20070123864 - Pedicle screw for intervertebral support elements: The pedicle screw (1) for intervertebral support elements (3) consists of a shaft (10) and a head (2) comprising at least two parts (20, 22). The head is formed as a securing means for at least one support element (3). Each support element consists of a piece of a cable-like... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070123866 - System and method for dynamic vertebral stabilization: An intervertebral stabilization device and method is disclosed. The device preferably includes a planar spring enclosed within a housing. The housing is joined to an articulation component at either end, and the articulation components have couplings connectable to anchoring components which are securable to adjacent vertebrae. The planar spring can... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070123877 - Inflatable device for restoring anatomy of fractured bone: Provided is a medical device for restoring the anatomy of bones comprising at least one inflatable device, where the inflatable device may be inflated to facilitate reconstituting the bone. Disclosed are a plurality of inflatable devices that may be used in combination in accordance with methods for reconstituting a fractured... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC

20070123875 - Intramedullary nail: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall of the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123873 - Intramedullary nail with oblique openings: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis of the body and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123874 - Multiple purpose nail with oblique openings: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall of the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123876 - Multiple purpose nail, nail assembly and associated method: An intramedullary nail for use in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The nail includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and an external periphery of the body for fitting in the medullary canal of the long bone. The body has a first internal wall of the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123878 - Orthopedic rod with locking aperture: System, including methods and apparatus, for treating orthopedic conditions using a rod member structured for placement in a medullary canal of a bone and including at least one locking aperture with an internal thread structure. In some embodiments, the internal thread structure may include two or more thread leads disposed... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20070123880 - Bone fixation device and method: For fixation of an oblique fracture in a long bone, a fixation plate is placed along the bone across the fracture and tabs extending outwardly from the plate engage the bone at upper and lower surfaces respectively of the proximal and distal fragments of the bone. By applying compressive force... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070123883 - Bone fixation system: Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones, such as rib bones, with bone plates.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20070123884 - Bone fixation systems and methods of implantation: A bone plate system is adapted to be attached to bone. The system includes a base plate having at least one aperture for location adjacent to a bone member and a bone screw sized to be inserted through the aperture such that the bone screw sits within a seat of... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20070123879 - Bone plate system: Bone plate and bone screw lock systems are provided for use in surgical implants. In a preferred form, the bone plate or other implantable member defines a bore for receiving a bone screw and a recess in communication with the bore. A screw lock operates in the bore at the... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070123881 - Off-set bone plates: Longitudinal plates and center plates for a bone plate assembly which comprise one or more protrusions. The bone plate assemblies comprise longitudinal plates and optional center plates with connecting rods and further have observation windows and protrusions. Also, methods for treating broken bones of a patient by applying the longitudinal... Agent: Norris, Mclaughlin & Marcus, P.A.

20070123882 - Orthodontic bone anchor: An orthodontic bone anchor comprising an anchor plate, a tube affixed to the emerging end of the anchor plate and, a rod slidable within the tube, a groove formed in the rod, a plate attached to the tube at one end and having a V-shaped notch at the other end,... Agent: Walter A. Rodgers Rodgers & Rodgers

20070123885 - Screw locking mechanism and method: This invention relates to a bony fixation system and method for use as a prosthetic implant. The system and method includes a plate dimensioned to be situated between adjacent bony structures, such as adjacent vertebrae. Screws are provided in one embodiment and are dimensioned or configured to be inserted into... Agent: Matthew R. Jenkins, Esq.

20070123886 - Plate used to stabilise distal radius fractures: The invention relates to a plate for stabilizing distal radius fractures, comprising a longitudinal shaft with an adjacent distal, anatomically preformed plate part, with the envelope of the plate part having an essentially triangular shape, and threaded bores with threaded longitudinal axes arranged in both the shaft and the distal... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070123887 - Instrument set for fixing an implant in a bone: An instrument set for fixing a cord-like implant in a bone comprises a retaining element. The retaining element that can be inserted into the bone, which retaining element comprises a recess for receiving a transverse pin and is also used to fix the implant. In addition, the retaining element comprises... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070123888 - Flexible tissue rasp: Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (sv2)

20070123889 - Mechanical cavity-creation surgical device and methods and kits for using such devices: A mechanical cavity-creation surgical device and methods and kits for using such devices is described. In one variation, the mechanical cavity-creation surgical device contains a side window at the distal end of a shaft that allows the articulation of a blade, pick, or tip from a position that is inside... Agent: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP - 55461

20070123890 - Tissue retrieval devices and methods: A device for retrieving an excised tissue segment. In an embodiment, the device comprises an elongate body having a central axis and an outer surface. In addition, the device comprises at least two prongs extending from the body in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis. Each prong includes... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C.

20070123891 - Facet joint reamer: In a facet joint reamer with a substantially cylindrical shank, teeth at the distal shank end and a handle at the proximal end, the shank and handle are separable.... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070123892 - Facet joint reamer: In a facet joint reamer with a shank and teeth at the distal end, the distal reamer end is widened compared with the shank diameter.... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070123893 - Surgical sagittal saw blade with angled teeth and chip catchment and reciprocating saw blade with broached teeth: A sagittal saw blade wherein the teeth are arranged so that relative to the teeth located closer to the outer sides of the blade, the inner located teeth are located closer to the proximal end of the blade. The blade is further formed to have an opening between at least... Agent: Intel. Prop./ Rnd Stryker Corporation

20070123894 - Orthopaedic pin driver: An orthopaedic pin driver is presented for impacting bone during a surgical procedure.... Agent: John F. Hoffman, Esq. Baker & Daniels LLP

20070123895 - Bone regeneration device for bones, and method of use: A method of stimulating bone regeneration in a discontinuous section of a long bone in a subject requiring same, comprising the step of applying to said discontinuous section of the bone an effective vacuum for an effective length of time. A device for carrying out the method consisting of a... Agent: Legal Department Intellectual Property Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

20070123898 - Guide and blade for contouring vertebral bodies: A guide and a blade for contouring vertebral bodies. The guide is sized to be mounted between two vertebral members and includes a pair of edges for receiving the blade. The pair of edges are spaced a distance apart for the first edge to align with a first vertebral member,... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronics

20070123896 - Method of resecting bone: In a surgical method for resecting a bone during joint arthroplasty, an anchoring structure is fixed to a reference, such as a bone, and an articulating linkage is attached to the anchoring structure. A resection guide is fixed to the articulating linkage and then moved into a desired position and... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123897 - Tibial augmentation guide: A guide for use in making tibial augmentation cuts is disclosed. The guide is preferably for use subsequent to an initial cut being made. A method of utilizing the guide, as well as making the initial cut is also disclosed.... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070123899 - Femoral condyle cutting and shaping center: The present invention relates to a femoral condyle cutting and shaping center (10), which comprises a main driving shaft (15) provided in a transmission gearbox (4), and a main driving gear (14) mounted on the main driving shaft (15). At least a first driven gear (12) is engaged with the... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070123900 - Navigated lateral/medial femoral resection guide: A multi-piece knee resection instrument for use in forming an anterior cut, an anterior chamfer cut, a posterior cut and a posterior chamfer cut on a distal femur which has already had a distal surface thereof resected which cuts are for the mounting of a prosthetic implant, has a first... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070123901 - Methods and instruments for interbody surgical techniques: This invention relates to methods and instruments for performing a surgical procedure in a disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments include a distractor and a cutting instrument. In one embodiment the distractor includes a body portion and a pair of flanges extending along opposite sides of the body portion... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070123902 - Device for forming a drill hole in bone: A device for a correctly targeted formation of a drill bore centrally in a femoral attachment site of a posterior cruciate ligament of a knee joint comprises a hollow shaft for guiding a drill wire therethrough and a sighting element arranged at a distal end of the hollow shaft. Said... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070123904 - Distraction instrument and method for distracting an intervertebral site: A distraction instrument includes a drive rod, a driver mechanism coupled to the drive rod, and a pair of arms linked to the driver mechanism. A method of implanting an artificial disc or a fusion implant in an intervertebral site includes preparing the intervertebral site, actuating a gear mechanism of... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070123906 - Inserter/impactor for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc: An instrument is provided for holding, inserting, repositioning, removing, impacting, extracting, and otherwise manipulating an artificial intervertebral disc having features suitable for being manipulated thereby. A spring-loaded holding pin on the instrument can be used to engage a corresponding hole on the disc and confront the angled surfaces of the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070123903 - Medical device installation tool and methods of use: Methods and devices for implanting a prosthetic device, such as an artificial spinal implant, are provided. The installation tool can include a handle having a pair of opposed levers, an optional pusher block disposed between the levers, and a shaft at least partially disposed within the handle and able to... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070123905 - Surgical instrument: In order to improve a surgical instrument for removing an intervertebral implant from an intervertebral space of a human or animal spinal column, comprising a coupling part arranged at the distal end of the instrument for placement on the intervertebral implant in a placement position, the coupling part being able... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20070123907 - Surgical instrument for the introduction of a multi-component intervertebral prosthesis: A surgical instrument for the introduction of an intervertebral prosthesis (10) including at least three components, namely, two prosthesis plates (14, 16) and a prosthesis core (12). The surgical instrument can include a U-shaped holder (30) at the distal end of a gripping element (20) into which the intervertebral prosthesis... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20070123908 - Assembly tool for modular implants, kit and associated method: An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The tool includes a first member in contact with the first component and a second member connected to the second component. The first member... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20070123909 - Extractor for broken bone screws: A generally cylindrical broken bone screw removal device having a trephine assembly located at the distal end and a proximal end adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the device. The trephine assembly has a trephine, an alignment pin, and an internal annular cam. The cam is free... Agent: Arthur L. Lessler

20070123911 - Catheter: A catheter according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a flexible tubular insert section having, in the outer surface of the distal end side of the insert section, a plurality of notches arranged in the longitudinal direction of the insert section on one side of a plane passing... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070123910 - Stent graft introducer: A stent graft introducer has a pusher, a nose cone, a region between the pusher and the nose cone for a stent graft, a sleeve extending over the pusher and proximally to the nose cone to cover the stent graft when retained in the region. An indwelling auxiliary catheter with... Agent: Cook Group Patent Office

20070123912 - Surgical navigation systems and processes for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: Systems and processes for tracking anatomy, instrumentation, trial implants, implants, and references, and rendering images and data related to them in connection with surgical operations, for example unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (“UKA”). These systems and processes are accomplished by using a computer to intraoperatively obtain images of body parts and to... Agent: Chief Patent Counsel Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20070123913 - Apparatus for anchoring an intravascular device along a guidewire: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070123914 - Tissue grasper/suture passer instrument: A needle passer instrument for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including arthroscopy. The instrument has upper and lower jaws for engaging tissue and a handle. A removable needle engaging cartridge is mounted to the upper jaw. A surgical needle with attached suture is mounted in a needle passage in... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123916 - Non-penetrating fixing device: A fixing device for securely fixing surgical equipment to a surgical field of a human or animal body includes a first lever element including a first gripping portion and a first handling portion, and a second lever element including a second gripping portion and a second handling portion. The and... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brainlab)

20070123915 - Template for surgical meshes: Various surgical assemblies are provided, one embodiment of which includes a substantially flat template having first and second opposed sides, and having a plurality of graduated markings on said first side, and a substantially flat, flexible, surgical implant removably secured to the template and having first and second substantially flat... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070123917 - Anastomotic device promoting tissue necrosis: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an anastomosis device that can be used to couple two or more layers of tissue in apposition. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can be formed from one or more woven wires that can be configured to have a generally tubular shape in... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070123918 - Transconduit perfusion catheter: Methods and devices for perfusing a blood vessel during the entire course of an end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis procedure. One method can be used to form an end-to-side anastomosis of a saphenous vein graft to a coronary artery during an off-pump, beating heart, coronary artery bypass graft. In this example,... Agent: Daniel W. Latham Medtronic, Inc.

20070123919 - System and method for making incisions for scleral eye implants: A system and method is disclosed for making incisions in the sclera of an eye to form a scleral pocket to receive a scleral prosthesis. The system and method comprises a surgical tool comprising a surgical blade for making incisions in the sclera of an eye. When a surgeon places... Agent: Docket Clerk

20070123920 - Ceramic-coated medical and biopsy appliances and fabrication method therefore: Specifically, in the ceramic-coated medial needle, genetic control needle, biopsy forceps and medical appliances such as forceps, surgical scissors and surgical knife, an insulating ceramic film having a resistance ρ of 105 Ω·m or more is formed, by dry plating, at least on a portion, a part or the whole... Agent: Ip Group Of Dla Piper US LLP

20070123921 - Retrograde excision system and apparatus: A method for excising a portion of an articular surface using a retrograde procedure. An access tunnel is provided extending through a bone and to the articular surface. A central shaft is inserted through the access tunnel to the articular surface and a cutter is coupled to the central shaft.... Agent: Grossman, Tucker, Perreault & Pfleger, PLLC

20070123922 - Devices and methods for maintaining collateral channels in tissue: The devices and methods of placement of such devices disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these devices produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070123923 - Implantable medical device minimizing rotation and dislocation: Housings for implantable medical devices are configured so as to engage with surrounding tissues inside of a body and resist both rotation in place and movement through the body. Device housings include shapes, surface features, and/or standard surfaces and may include attached implements that engage the surrounding tissue. Shapes include... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070123924 - Transnasal method and catheter for lacrimal system: A balloon catheter for treatment of a patient's lacrimal system is applied transnasally without the use of a guide wire or a curve retention member. The catheter is formed of a stainless steel hypotube and is of sufficient stiffness and column strength to enable the deflated catheter to be pushed... Agent: Charmasson, Buchaca & Leach, LLP

20070123925 - Pre-curved guiding catheter with mechanically actuated anchor: A guiding catheter includes an elongate shaft with a central bore and a mechanically expandable braided anchor mounted about the distal end of the shaft. The guiding catheter has a pre-formed curve adjacent the distal end of the shaft. A sheath disposed about the catheter is selectively slidable along the... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070123926 - Pre-curved guiding catheter with mechanically actuated occluder for embolic protection: A guiding catheter includes an elongate shaft with a central bore and a mechanically expandable occluder mounted about the distal end of the shaft. The occluder comprises a flexible membrane supported by an expandable tubular frame. The guiding catheter has a pre-formed curve adjacent the distal end of the shaft.... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070123929 - Apparatus for trapping emboli: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070123927 - Embolic device delivery system: A vascular occlusion device deployment system is for deploying an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system comprises a pusher which employs an elongated member that has a connecting projection that engages a pathway defined by an embolic device. The connecting projection... Agent: Cook, Alex, Mcfarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler Ltd

20070123928 - Embolic device delivery system with torque fracture characteristic: A vascular occlusion device deployment system can deploy an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system includes a pusher which employs an elongated member that releases an embolic device when a breakpoint of the elongated member is fractured by applying torque to... Agent: Cook, Alex, Mcfarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler Ltd

20070123930 - Embolic filtering devices: An expandable frame for an embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel includes a first half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop and a second half frame having a first control arm connected to a... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070123931 - Embolic protection system: An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2, comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070123932 - Temporary vascular filter guide wire: A vascular filter guide wire including a collapsible filter that deploys radially in response to axial movement of a core wire relative to a shaft to trap particulate matter arising from treatment of a lesion.... Agent: Morrison & Foerster, LLP

20070123933 - Manually operable equipment: Forceps for grasping tissue during a medical procedure. The forceps include a body, a jaw pivotally mounted on the body for movement between a grasping position and a releasing position, and a lever operatively connected to the jaw to drive the jaw from the grasping position to the releasing position.... Agent: Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

20070123934 - Delivery system for patent foramen ovale closure device: A medical system for use in reducing the size of an internal tissue opening is disclosed. The medical system can include a patent foramen ovale or PFO closure device and a delivery device therefore. The PFO closure device can include left and right anchors connected by a stem. The delivery... Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley)

20070123935 - Method and apparatus for contemporaneous formation of a body structure opening and homologous pedicle: The present invention provides a surgical needle apparatus having a piercing tip at a distal portion of a needle member. A first edge obliquely extends from the piercing tip to a heel portion of the needle member to define a partial boundary of a bore in fluid communication with a... Agent: Mark J. Burns Haugen Law Firm Pllp

20070123936 - Arterial closure button: Provided is a medical device for restoring the integrity of vessels comprising a closure button insertable therein, where the closure button is adapted to plug a hole or port in a vessel to prevent blood loss, for use in an intervertebral disc herniation, or for use in a crushed vertebral... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC

20070118097 - System and method for influencing an anatomical structure: A relocation system for influencing an anatomical structure in relation to an internal surgical site. The system is composed of an elongated member constructed and arranged for insertion into a patient. The elongated member is composed of a plurality of segments interconnected by a plurality of control lines. The plurality... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20070118098 - Patterned thermal treatment using patterned cryogen spray and irradiation by light: A spray of cryogen is patterned to create a pattern of cooled regions on a target tissue for cosmetic dermatological treatment. In one embodiment, the cryogen is patterned using a heated mask. An optical source is configured to irradiate the target tissue in a region at least partially overlapping the... Agent: Fenwick & West LLP

20070118099 - Method and apparatus for endovascular graft cutting: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for cutting endografts endovascularly. An embodiment of the present invention is to develop a method and apparatus to cut an unsupported endograft after the endograft has been inserted into the artery for the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.... Agent: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

20070118102 - Electrosurgical device: An electrosurgical device is provided which can prevent the decrease of the effect of a treatment performed by an operator or the like on a biological tissue. A high-frequency voltage generated in an alternating power supply is transformed in a transformer. A high-frequency current in accordance with the transformed high-frequency... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070118101 - Methods and systems for facilitating planning of surgical procedures: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for performing surgical planning including: providing for display a data set including a representation of a volume of interest of a patient; providing an interactive tool for use in conjunction with the data set; allowing an interaction with the interactive tool... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20070118103 - Self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode: A removable semi-insulating sheet for use in self-limiting electrosurgical return semi-insulating sheet for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the semi-insulating sheet, and through tailoring of semi-insulating sheet geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating... Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley)

20070118100 - System and method for improved ablation of tumors: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for improved tumor ablation. Certain embodiments include determining a distance between a tumor and at least one of a plurality of landmarks bounding the tumor in at least one acquired image of an area of interest for a patient, obtaining... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20070118104 - Auto-aligning ablating device and method of use: An ablation device and methods for use thereof including a support structure adapted to support an ablation structure within an alimentary tract of a patient are provided. The support structure includes a longitudinal support with a longitudinal axis and a rotational support. The rotational support is adapted to permit at... Agent: Shay Law Group, LLP

20070118105 - Catheter for manipulation of the esophagus: An esophageal catheter for displacing and fixing the position of the esophagus in relation to the atrium of the heart is composed of a long flexible tube to be inserted into the esophagus. A control wire is associated with the tube to change the shape of the catheter and displace... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20070118109 - Medical instruments and techniques for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Apparatus and methods for treating tissue at or near a sphincter provide for transluminal introduction of an energy delivery device. The device includes a tissue compression member to compress target tissue at or near the sphincter. A radiofrequency energy source is coupleable to the delivery device to deliver radiofrequency energy... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070118106 - Precision ablating method: Methods of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract are provided. The methods include advancing an ablation structure into an alimentary tract while supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope. The methods further include a step of moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and... Agent: Shay Law Group, LLP

20070118108 - Systems and methods for treating hemorrhoids: Systems and methods treat hemorrhoids by introducing a treatment device into the anal canal to extend above a hemorrhoidal plexus and adjacent a tissue region containing blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoidal plexus. The systems and methods operate the treatment device to affect tissue morphology in the tissue region to... Agent: Daniel D. Ryan Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070118107 - Vibration sensitive ablation device and method: An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power... Agent: Jeffrey J. Hohenshell Medtronic, Inc.

20070118112 - Cautery catheter: A cautery catheter is described having an expandable and electrically conductive mesh that can cauterize treatment sites having large effective surface areas. The mesh is composed of interwoven filaments which are aligned with the cautery catheter in an unexpanded state. Reorientation of the filaments of the mesh enables expansion of... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070118113 - Electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same: An electrosurgical device coated with powder coatings including a silicone resin and siloxane additive without fluoropolymers. In the powder coatings, the silicone resin is methyl phenyl silicone or phenyl silicone or methyl polysiloxane or phenyl alkyl polysiloxane resin and the additive is either methyl alkyl polysiloxane or dimethyl polysiloxane. This... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

20070118111 - Electrosurgical forceps with energy based tissue division: An electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue is disclosed. The forceps includes one or more shaft members having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members movable from a first position to a second position wherein the jaw... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070118114 - Pen-type electrosurgical instrument: An electrocautery device is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electrocautery electrode/tip is provided with a hollow, conductive tube terminating at its distal end in a ball point type tip. Fluid, preferably conductive fluid, is applied to the proximal end of the hollow electode/tip, and expelled... Agent: Curtis D. Kinghorn Medtronic, Inc.

20070118110 - Radio frequency lasso: A system for resecting tissue includes a loop structure configured for cutting tissue, at least a portion of the loop structure formed by an elongate structure having a first end and a second end, wherein a length of the loop structure is adjustable by positioning the first end relative to... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070118115 - Bipolar electrosurgical sealing instrument having an improved tissue gripping device: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has inner and outer members each having a respective jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. Each jaw members has right and left side surfaces and seal surface. The seal surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the seal surfaces... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070118116 - Percutaneous scaphoid fixation method and device: A surgical appliance for assisting in the repair of a fractured bone, such as a scaphoid bone, is disclosed. The device includes first and second adjustably interconnected and spaced apart limb clamping jaws that are transparent to x-ray radiation and are relatively movable toward and away from one another and... Agent: Hanes & Schutz, LLC

20070118118 - Adjustable bone screw assembly: A bone screw assembly includes a screw body, including anchor portion and rod-receiving portion, and a rod seat movably mounted in the screw body to allow for controlled angulation between a spinal connection element disposed in the rod seat and the screw body. The rod seat is pivotable in one... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP

20070118121 - Adjustable occipital plate: Embodiments of an adjustable occipital plate is provided. The plate includes a fixation plate, at least one lateral rod configured to be coupled to the fixation plate, at least one sliding link configured to be coupled to the at least one lateral rod, and at least one posterior cervical rod... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20070118117 - Bone fixation assembly: A bone fixation assembly and associated method. The bone fixation assembly includes a bone fastener having a head and a bone-engaging portion, a receiver defining an opening along a first axis for receiving the bone fastener at a variable angle, and at least one supporting augment coupled to the bone... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070118124 - Bone fixation device and screw therefor: A pelvis fixing device with a screw for the latter is provided. The screw comprises a screw element with a threaded shank and a head. Also provided is a holder which receives the head and which comprises a lower portion facing towards the shank side and an upper portion facing... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070118122 - Dynamic spinal stabilization device and systems: A dynamic spine stabilization element of a spine stabilization assembly includes first and second spinal rod segments that are coupled to one another via a connector. The connector allows movement of a spinal rod segment with respect to the coupling device and/or with respect to another spinal rod segment. This... Agent: Bowman & Associates

20070118119 - Methods and device for dynamic stabilization: A method of stabilizing a motion segment of the spine. A posterior incision is formed lateral to a spinous process of the spine. A length and width of the incision is stretched. A portal having a sleeve portion defining an open inner area is inserted into the incision. The pedicles... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20070118123 - Polyaxial bone anchors with increased angulation: A polyaxial bone anchor has a locking element shaped and configured to allow an anchoring member (e.g., a screw or hook) to polyaxially rotate at large angles about a central axis of the bone anchor before compression locking the anchoring member within an anchor head.... Agent: Jones Day

20070118120 - Spinous process anchoring systems and methods: Devices and methods for anchoring one or more elongate connecting members along the spinal column include a transverse linking member positionable through a spinous process in a generally orthogonal orientation to the sagittal plane. At least one coupling assembly is engageable about an end of the linking member extending from... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070118125 - Bone fixation system and bone screws having anti-back out feature: The system includes a plate with a screw hole and a bone screw wherein the screw and plate cooperate such that the screw is inhibited from back out from the plate after inserted into bone. Described embodiments include a pawl, with and without ratchet, an interfering clip about the screw... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20070118126 - Fracture fixation system: A fracture fixation system in which a plate is secured to stable bone and posts are inserted at varying angles into an unstable bone fragment by engaging in rotatable bearings which are fixedly secured in the plate when the posts are fully engaged in the bone fragment. The bearings are... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070118127 - Implant fixation methods and apparatus: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing an implant to native tissue, such as, bone. The devices can include a body having an upper surface, a lower tissue contacting surface, and an implant receiving opening extending therebetween. The body can further include first and second portions each having... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070118128 - Implant fixation methods and apparatus: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing an implant to native tissue, such as, bone. The devices can include a plate body with an upper surface and a lower tissue contacting surface. The body provides a large contact area for fixing the tissue implant to bone, such that... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070118129 - Implant fixation methods and apparatus: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing an implant to native tissue, such as, bone. The devices can include first and second plate bodies, each having an upper surface and a lower tissue contacting surface. The bodies can provides a large contact area for fixing the tissue implant... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070118131 - Anchor for augmentation of screw purchase and improvement of screw safety in pedicle screw fixation and bone fracture fixation systems: The present invention is directed generally to a biomedical device(s). More specifically, some embodiments may include a device(s) used in orthopedic treatment(s). Some embodiments may include, for example, a device(s) for improvement of spine pedicle screw fixation and safety. Further, some embodiments may also include, for example, a device(s) that... Agent: Kevin Alan Wolff

20070118130 - Implant fixation methods and apparatus: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for fixing an implant to native tissue, such as bone. The devices can include a body with a tissue implant receiving opening and an aperture for receiving a fixation device. The body provides a large contact area for fixing the tissue implant to... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070118132 - Method and apparatus for spinal fixation: Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070118133 - Intervertebral disc anulus repair: Systems for minimally invasive disc augmentation include an anulus augmentation component and a nucleus augmentation component. Both are suited for minimally invasive deployment. The nucleus augmentation component restores disc height and/or replaces missing nucleus pulposus. The anulus augmentation component shields weakened regions of the anulus fibrosis and/or resists escape of... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070118134 - Surgical tools and method to facilitate spinal surgery: A surgical method, tool, and system to facilitate spinal surgery includes locating an inferior pedicle and guiding a bone cutting device to the inferior pedicle. The bone cutting device is used to remove a necessary portion of the vertebral body to provide access to the disc space. Typically the bone... Agent: Holland & Hart, LLP

20070118137 - Method of manufacturing an orthopaedic reamer: A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic reamer includes the steps of: forming a shell having a cutting face; cutting a plurality of openings in the shell, each opening defining a cutting edge of a tooth and a pair of relief cuts extending transverse from opposite ends of the cutting edge,... Agent: Taylor & Aust, P.C.

20070118135 - Surgical tools with extendible and rotatable accessory components: Surgical tools are disclosed for minimally-invasive planing of bone surfaces that will support prosthetic implants, such as cartilage-repair implants. Such planing tools must create smooth surfaces that will closely fit the anchoring surface of an implant. Such tools can use a rotating cylindrical burr, partially covered by a cowl having... Agent: Patrick D. Kelly

20070118136 - Tibial resurfacing system: A tibial resurfacing system is provided that includes a drill guide, bone chisel and implant. In one aspect, the system includes a drill guide that includes a targeting ring that is shaped to be placed on the superior tibial surface and a bore section that is connected to the ring... Agent: Grossman, Tucker, Perreault & Pfleger, PLLC

20070118138 - Alignment and connection device of femur cutter and tibia cutter and method of knee arthroplasty using the same: An alignment and connection device by which it is possible to follow the determined extension gap minutely and align the femur cutter and tibia cutter three-dimensionally is disclosed. This alignment and connection device comprises a fixation part in which a guide slot is formed in front center and a through... Agent: Park Law Firm

20070118140 - Method and apparatus for navigating a cutting tool during orthopedic surgery using a localization system: The invention provides methods and apparatus for accurately cutting bones with a surgical cutting device, such as a sagittal saw, using a surgical navigation system without use of a complex cutting jig. A surgical navigation system is used to navigate a guide tube to be used to drill a k-wire... Agent: Synnestvedt & Lechner, LLP

20070118139 - System and method for bone resection: A method and systems for performing an osteotomy of a bone using a surgical navigation system without attaching a bone tracking device directly to any portion of the bone that will remain after the osteotomy includes affixing a tracking device to a portion of the bone that will be removed... Agent: Mccracken & Frank LLP

20070118141 - Modular patella instrument: A patella clamp has a first part including a reference surface engageable with the anterior surface of a patella. The first part includes a stop surface spaced from the reference surface. A second clamping part is provided which is moveable with respect to the first clamping part. A cutting element... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070118142 - Device, system and method for delivering a curable material into bone: A curable material delivery cannula device is disclosed. The device includes a cannula and a hub. The cannula includes an open proximal end, a deflectable segment forming a pre-set curve, a lumen, and side orifice(s) adjacent, and proximally spaced from, the distal end and fluidly connected to the lumen. When... Agent: Kimberly Luna Paralegal

20070118143 - Systems and methods for reducing fractured bone using a fracture reduction cannula: Systems and methods provide for the fixation of osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic long bones, especially Colles' fractures. A cannula having a circumferential opening is inserted into cancellous bone and directed such that the circumferential opening faces the fracture. The cannula is further adapted to receive an expandable structure, the expandable structure... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070118144 - Systems for sensing retrograde flows of bone fill material: The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices, systems and methods for use in osteoplasty procedures, such as vertebral compression fractures. One device for delivering a bone fill material to a bone, such as a vertebra, includes an elongated sleeve configured for introduction into a bone, the elongated... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070118145 - Surgical guiding instrument: A surgical guiding instrument for use with a chisel and an implant body for insertion into an intervertebral space, included is a shaft with a stop device for delimiting a depth of insertion of the implant body into the intervertebral space. The shaft has a distal end and a proximal... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20070118146 - Compression instrument: An instrument for use in moving bone fragments of a bone fracture with respect to one another is disclosed. Preferably, movement of a portion of the instrument causes translational movement of a first bone fragment with respect to a second bone fragment. In certain embodiments, the instrument is used in... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070118147 - Combined treatment for cataract and glaucoma treatment: A method is provided for treatment of cataract in combination with a glaucoma procedure while maintaining the intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous to flow out of an anterior chamber of the eye through a surgically stented pathway. A trabecular stent is adapted for implantation within the trabecular meshwork of an... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070118149 - C-channel to o-channel converter for a single oeprator exchange biliary catheter: A catheter system for use during biliary procedures, including a first elongate member carrying a guidewire lumen, and a channel extending longitudinally along the member which provides access to the guidewire lumen and defines two edge surfaces. A second elongate member is also included which is disposed within the guidewire... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070118148 - Cuffed-catheter removal device: A cuffed-catheter removal device includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft extends from the handle to a distal end of the cuffed-catheter removal device. At the distal end of the cuffed-catheter removal device the shaft includes a C-shaped shaft member with a concave recess shaped... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20070118150 - Handle system for suture driving device: A handle system usable for controlling medical devices, such as suture delivery devices. In at least one embodiment, the handle system may be directed to an embodiment configured to be used with a suture delivery device. The handle system may enable a suture delivery system of the suture delivery device... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20070118151 - Percutaneous cardiac valve repair with adjustable artificial chordae: The invention includes a novel method and system to achieve leaflet coaptation in a cardiac valve percutaneously by creation of neochordae to prolapsing valve segments. This technique is especially useful in cases of ruptured chordae, but may be utilized in any segment of prolapsing leaflet. The technique described herein has... Agent: Edwards & Angell, LLP

20070118153 - Extraction device and medical suturing device set: The extraction device is furnished with a pulling out device on which are formed hook elements that hook onto part of suture, which is disposed in an annular shape within the organism, and are able to draw this out of the organism. It is also a medical suturing device set... Agent: Tyco Healthcare - Edward S. Jarmolowicz

20070118152 - Surgical suture passer: A spring-loaded, cylindrical suture passer with hand grip and release button, capable of firmly grasping suture within a clamping inner cannula, particularly useful in facial plastic and head and neck surgery. The suture passer's design facilitates smaller entry incisions and less subcutaneous tissue dissection in order to pass sutures through... Agent: Thomas C. Page

20070118155 - Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen,... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070118154 - Methods and apparatus for atrioventricular valve repair: Methods and apparatus for use in repairing an atrioventricular valve in a patient are provided. The methods comprise accessing the patient's atrioventricular valve percutaneously, securing a fastening mechanism to a valve leaflet, and coupling the valve leaflet, while the patient's heart remains beating, to at least one of a ventricular... Agent: Traves Dean Crabtree

20070118156 - Bioartificial guidance conduit and method for forming the same: The present invention discloses a bioartificial guidance conduit formed by coaxially stacking a plurality of discs and the method for forming the same, wherein each disc contains at least one penetrating hole, and at least one penetrating hole on adjacent discs connects with each other while discs coaxially stacked, so... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070118157 - Devices and methods for anastomosis: The invention relates to medical devices, in particular condoms/drains, that find use in anastomosis. Thus the present invention relates to these medical devices per se, to a medical kit comprising these medical devices, to the use of these medical devices, to a method for medical treatment involving application of these... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070118160 - Methods and devices for maintaining a space occupying device in a relatively fixed location within a stomach: Methods and devices for maintaining a space-occupying device in a fixed relationship relative to a patient's stomach by manipulation of the stomach. In one variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are brought into approximation with one another and secured together in a manner that secures a space-occupying... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070118158 - Obesity treatment tools and methods: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070118159 - Obesity treatment tools and methods: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070118164 - Accessing predictive data: An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system are described that provide a graphical illustration of a first possible outcome of a use of a treatment parameter with respect to at least one body portion, the first possible outcome based on at least one dataset associated with at least... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20070118161 - Non-snag polymer ligating clip: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved legs with each having a pair of opposing side surfaces joined at their proximal ends by a flexible hinge section and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The first... Agent: Baker & Hostetler LLP

20070118162 - Shape memory hemostasis band: A tissue constriction device comprises a tissue-surrounding part defining a central, tissue-receiving opening which, when in a tissue-receiving configuration, has a first diameter and which, when in a tissue-constriction configuration, has a second diameter less than the first diameter, at least a shape memory portion of the tissue-surrounding part being... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20070118163 - Surgical clip and applier device and method of use: A surgical clip is provided for ligating or transecting tissue, such as vessels, other tubular ducts, and the like and a surgical clip applier device for delivering and applying the surgical clip to the tissue. The surgical clip can include a spine and opposed arms extending from the spine where... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070118165 - System and method for removal of material from a blood vessel using a small diameter catheter: This invention provides a small diameter snare device and device for thrombus removal consisting of a hollow, elongate, thin-walled outer sheath constructed from polymer, at least at a distal part thereof. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core... Agent: Cesari And Mckenna, LLP

20070118166 - Endoscopic mucosal resection device with overtube and method of use: A medical apparatus and method useful for resecting tissue from the gastrointestinal tract are disclosed. The apparatus can include an RF tissue cutting device disposed inward of a side opening in the device. A tissue stop can be used to control the depth of tissue resected, and the tissue stop... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070118167 - Traction trocar apparatus and method: The trocar system includes a cannula insertable through a body wall using an obturator having a distal tip. A traction tread disposed interiorly of the obturator inverts at the distal tip and extends proximally along the outer surface of the obturator or cannula. At the distal tip the tread can... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070118170 - Apparatus and method for dissecting tissue layers: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070118169 - Balloon catheter: A catheter system comprises a catheter, an inner shaft, an expandable balloon, and an elongate advancement member. The expandable balloon has an unwrapped state and rewrapped state and the advancement member has a first state and a second state. When the advancement member is in the first state the expandable... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070118168 - Multiple-pouch intragastric balloons, surgical device for expanding said balloon and method for making same: The invention relates to an expandable intra-gastric balloon (1) for treating obesity, the balloon being for implanting in the stomach in order to reduce its volume, said balloon (1) comprising a first flexible pouch (2) provided with first connection means (3) for receiving a connection member (6) that is for... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20070118171 - Systems and methods using expandable bodies to push apart adjacent vertebral bodies: Systems and methods insert an expandable body in a collapsed configuration into a space defined between adjacent vertebral bodies. The systems and methods cause expansion of the expandable body within the space, thereby pushing apart adjacent vertebral bodies as part of a therapeutic procedure.... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070118172 - Embolic coil delivery system with spring wire release mechanism: A medical device for placing an embolic device at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device is retained within the delivery catheter by a mechanical interlocking mechanism which... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070118173 - Foam embolic protection device: An embolic protection device includes a foam body attached to a plurality of flexible struts. The foam body has a generally conical geometry and the bottom of the conical geometry having a generally conical recess. The filter portion has pores sized such that blood cells can pass through the foam... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070118174 - Laparoscopic surgical clamp and suturing methods: A method of occluding a patient's organ tissue during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is disclosed. The method includes providing a laparoscopic surgical clamp; passing distal end of surgical clamp into an opening of patient's body cavity; probing patient's tissue by moving first set and second set of double jaws... Agent: Chan Law Group Lc

20070118175 - Device: A seal comprises a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The sealing members each have an accessway to facilitate access from one side of the sealing member to the other side of the sealing member. The accessways are offset to facilitate sealed access of an object through the... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070118176 - Radiopaque bioabsorbable occluder: The present invention provides an occluder for a biological defect, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder is at least partially formed of a radiopaque, bioabsorbable material. In some embodiments, the occluder is formed from a tube, which is cut to produce... Agent: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP

20070112337 - Endoscope with protective sleeve: A protective sleeve is disclosed for protecting a flexible shaft of an endoscopic tool from contamination or the environment. The protective sleeve comprises a first protective sleeve portion for receiving the shaft of the endoscopic tool, a second protective portion, which is attachable to a port of an endoscope, and... Agent: Bruce E. Lilling Lilling & Lilling PLLC

20070112338 - Microdevices for tissue approximation and retention, methods for using, and methods for making: Embodiments of invention are directed to micro-scale of mesoscale tissue approximation instruments that may be delivered to the body of a patient during minimally invasive or other surgical procedures. In one group of embodiments, the instrument has an elongated (longitudinal) configuration while with two sets of expandable wings that each... Agent: Microfabrica Inc. Att: Dennis R. Smalley

20070112336 - Protective cover for endoscopic tool: A cover for protecting a flexible shaft of an endoscopic tool from contamination and from the environment is disclosed. The cover comprises a storing portion for receiving the shaft of the endoscopic tool and a proboscis portion, which is connectable to the storing portion so as to be in flow... Agent: Bruce E. Lilling Lilling & Lilling PLLC

20070112340 - Apparatus and methods for treating female urinary incontinence: Apparatus and methods are provided for treating female urinary incontinence by applying a form of energy to tissue in the vicinity of the urethra and/or bladder outlet to change tissue compliance without substantially narrowing the urethral and/or bladder outlet lumen. The apparatus comprises an elongated shaft having a means for... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20070112339 - Magnetic nanoscale particle compositions, and therapeutic methods related thereto: Disclosed are thermotherapeutic compositions for treating disease material, and methods of targeted therapy utilizing such compositions. These compositions comprise a) stable single domain magnetic particles; b) magnetic nanoparticles comprising aggregates of superparamagnetic grains; or c) magnetic nanoparticles comprising aggregates of stable single magnetic domain crystals and superparamagnetic grains. These compositions... Agent: Pepper Hamilton LLP

20070112341 - Apparatus to detect and treat aberrant myoelectric activity: An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20070112342 - Tissue ablation apparatus and method: A method and apparatus for controlling the extent of tissue ablation are disclosed. The method utilizes delivering energy from an energy deliver device to a plurality of deployed electrodes and regulating energy delivered to the electrodes based on the temperature sensed by at least one remote elongate sensor element. A... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP

20070112345 - Electrode arrangement for use in a medical instrument: A medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode... Agent: Fenwick & West LLP

20070112344 - Endoluminal implant with therapeutic and diagnostic capability: An apparatus includes an endoluminal implant, a RF coupling coil coupled to the endoluminal implant and a therapeutic transducer electrically coupled to the RF coupling coil and physically coupled to the endoluminal implant. The RF coupling coil supplies electrical power to the therapeutic transducer. The therapeutic transducer has a capability... Agent: Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP

20070112347 - Energy based devices and methods for treatment of patent foramen ovale: Methods, devices and systems for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO) involve advancing a catheter device to a position in a heart for treating a PFO, bringing tissues adjacent the PFO at least partially together, and applying energy to the tissues to substantially close the PFO acutely. Catheter devices generally include... Agent: Cierra, Inc. & Townsend & Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070112348 - Methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment between spaced apart electrodes: An electrosurgical probe comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end. The array (12) includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, and an electrosurgical power supply (28) is provided with a multiplicity of independently limited or controlled current sources... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20070112343 - Surgical tip device with retractable sheath and methods for using same: A surgical tip device, that generally includes a proximal handle; a distal surgical member, having a surgical tip, and at least temporarily fixed to the handle; and a retractable sheath that at least partially covers the surgical tip when the sheath is not retracted and the surgical tip is not... Agent: Mirick, O'connell, Demallie & Lougee, LLP

20070112346 - Systems and methods for electrosurgical tissue contraction within the spine: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to contract... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20070112349 - Energy delivery devices and methods: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070112351 - Application of therapy aligned to an internal target path: An alignment jig that creates a plurality of parallelograms may be used to align an external alignment line with an internal target path. The internal target path is within the patient's body and may be defined by two guide pin tips. The alignment jig may be created so that it... Agent: The Eclipse Group

20070112350 - Inter-laminar support: The invention relates to a vertebral support placed between the laminae of the vertebrae. It is constituted by an anterior zone (1) inserted between the laminae of the vertebrae, suitable for giving an anatomical intervertebral spacing, and a posterior zone (2) providing mobility in the region fitted with the implant.... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070112353 - Deposition of discrete nanoparticles on an implant surface: A method of forming a nanocrystalline surface on an implant is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to form a roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of, without forming an alkoxide on the roughened surface, depositing nanocrystals on... Agent: Daniel J. Burnham Jenkens & Gilchrist, A Professional Corporation

20070112352 - Multiple offset eyelet suture anchor: A suture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone may include a threaded body, a head extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of eyelets that extend though the anchor head and that are each configured to receive a suture. The eyelets are offset from one another along an... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20070112354 - Surgical instruments: An object of the present invention is to provide surgical instruments which can insert a block-shaped interspinous spacer into a space between adjacent spinous processes with easier operations. The surgical instruments of the present invention are instruments for inserting the interspinous spacer having a block-like shape formed with a hollow... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070112355 - Medical implant deployment tool: A medical implant deployment tool and deployment method are disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides an implant system including an implant adapted for endovascular delivery and deployment; and a deployment tool adapted to deploy the implant, with the deployment tool having an actuation controller; a plurality of actuation elements... Agent: Shay Law Group, LLP

20070112356 - Transvaginal tube as an aid to laparoscopic surgery: A method of performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy treatment or other laparoscopic treatment on a patient, utilizes a transvaginal surgical device that includes a tube having a diameter greater than the patient's cervix, and an annular edge which lies substantially in a plane non-normal to its tubular axis, and a sealing... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070112357 - Utilizing vibrational energy under 1000 hertz for dermatological infusion treatment modality: A method of treatment for dermatological rejuvenation of a skin area. The method includes the utilization of vibratory motion of a surface applied to an individual's skin. The dermatological rejuvenation includes the abrasive removal of an outer layer of skin to reveal an underlying skin area, which is vibratorily infused... Agent: Jenkens & Gilchrist A Professional Corporation

20070112359 - Endo-therapy product system and cartridge including treatment device: An endo-therapy product system includes an introduction device led into a body cavity, a treatment device and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a treatment-device-accommodating portion in which the treatment device is accommodated. The treatment-device-accommodating portion includes a coupling-member-accommodating portion which accommodates a coupling member of the treatment device and a... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070112358 - Systems and methods for treating septal defects: A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus, devices for controlling delivery of the treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070112360 - Bioprosthetic device: The present disclosure relates to bioprosthetics. For example, to the use of bioprosthetics for the repair and replacement of connective tissue.... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20070112361 - Surgical repair systems and methods of using the same: Disclosed herein are surgical repair systems and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a repair system comprises: a positioning device comprising a shaft, a tip section, and an optional depth stop. The tip section comprises a material receiving area configured to receive a fold of a folded material.... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20070112363 - Apparatus including multiple invaginators for restoring a gastroesophageal flap valve and method: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration assembly comprises a pair of tissue grippers. The device comprises an elongated member having a distal end arranged for being fed down an esophagus in communication with a stomach and a tissue shaper carried on the distal end of the longitudinal member. The tissue... Agent: Graybeal Jackson Haley LLP

20070112362 - Perforation suturing method: A perforation suturing method has the steps of: inserting a needle into a wall of a hollow organ at a periphery of the perforation formed in the hollow organ, and piercing the wall; withdrawing the needle from the wall after delivery of an anchor attaching suture thread from the needle,... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070112364 - Single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation: A single fold system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. The devices are advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create at least one fold within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a tissue acquisition and folding device and a tissue stapling or... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070112365 - Partial occlusion surgical guide clip: A surgical guide clip is provided that comprises connectors and jaws attached at each end to the connectors. The jaws being piovtable to open the jaws and having aspects of ratcheting mechanisms to provide incremental closing of the jaws together.... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070112366 - Apparatus and method for releasing tendon sheath: An apparatus and method are disclosed for release of a tendon sheath using a rasp tool and an endoscopic cutting tool. The rasp tool has a body supporting a probe with a rasp surface at one end of the probe for removing soft tissue adhering to the tendon sheath after... Agent: Whitham, Curtis & Christofferson & Cook, P.C.

20070112367 - Method for lancing a dermal tissue target site using a cap with revolving body: A method for lancing a dermal tissue target site includes contacting a distal compression surface of a ring-shaped cap body of a dermal tissue lancing device cap with the dermal tissue target site. Subsequently, the dermal tissue lancing device cap is urged towards the dermal tissue target site such that... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070112368 - Method for using a trocar with inflatable seal for transstomal endoscopic procedures: A method for using a trocar assembly for transstomal endoscopic procedures. The method comprises the steps of providing a trocar comprising a handle and a tubular cannula extending from the handle, the handle defining an operating channel continuous with a lumen of the cannula, wherein an annular balloon is disposed... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070112370 - Balloon catheter: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion,... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, PC

20070112369 - Expandable component guide wire system and related method of using the same: A catheter device and related method for diagnostic vascular treatment and/or therapeutic vascular treatment of a subject's vasculature having a lesion. The device comprises: a guide catheter comprising a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a guide wire disposed in said guide catheter shaft having a proximal... Agent: Robert Decker

20070112375 - Anchor assemblies in stretch-resistant vaso-occlusive coils: Vaso-occlusive devices are provided for occluding an aneurysm within the human vasculature. The vaso-occlusive device also includes a stretch-resisting member that extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the primary coil and is directly or indirectly attached to the primary coil at two locations axially separated from... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070112372 - Biodegradable vascular filter: Novel enhanced products and processes for trapping emboli utilize self-expanding skeletons and biodegradable polymer systems, for example stent-like Nitinol® elements and PLGA, to address longstanding issues related to thrombus capture without deleterious impacts on the vasculature or other negative artifacts of the procedure by at least partial post-use dissolution in... Agent: Greenberg Traurig LLP

20070112371 - Embolic protection filter having compact collapsed dimensions and method of making same: An embolic protection filter for collecting particulate debris in a body lumen and method of making same. The embolic filter includes a spirally cut outer tubular member disposed about a spirally cut inner tubular member, the spiral cuts having opposite chirality. The embolic filter is transformable between a collapsed configuration... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070112374 - Invertible filter for embolic protection: A medical device including a guiding member and a filter portion is disclosed. The guiding member includes a lumen configured to slidably engage the filter portion. The filter portion forms a tubular geometry that extends distally from the guiding member. The filter portion is configured to evert to form a... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070112373 - Removable embolus blood clot filter: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20070112376 - Medical tubing clamping apparatus: A medical tubing clamping apparatus includes a first elongated member having a handle end portion and a working end portion, and a second elongated member having a handle end portion and a working end portion. The first elongated member is pivotally connected to the second elongated member between the handle... Agent: Christopher J. Fildes Fildes & Outland, P.C.

20070112377 - Reusable laparoscopic surgical instrument: A surgical instrument having a handle, an elongated housing and a movable rod is provided. The housing has a proximal end and a distal end. The handle and the housing define an interior passageway. The elongated housing has a diameter substantially larger than a diameter of the interior passageway. A... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070112378 - Tweezers for cosmetic use: Tweezers for cosmetic use having two branches (3) with one metallic extremity (2) for seizing small objects, the maximum width of both branches (3) being greater than half the average width of the resting surface of the thumb of an adult user of average corpulence when said tweezers are actuated,... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070112379 - Device for the removal of ticks from the body of humans or animals: In a device for the removal of ticks from the skin of humans and animals comprising a forceps configuration for grasping the tick's body in the region of the skin surface, as well as a reservoir having an actuation means for a freeze spray to be sprayed onto the tick's... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20070112381 - Occlusion device and surgical instrument and method for its implantation/explantation: An occlusion device includes a braiding of thin wires or threads tapering to the diameter of a catheter used for an intravascular implantation/explantation procedure and having a proximal retention area, a distal retention area at which ends of the wires or threads converge into a holder, and a cylindrical crosspiece... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20070112380 - Occlusion device for occluding an atrial auricula and method for producing same: A self-expanding occlusion device for occluding an atrial auricula in the heart of a patient includes a braiding of thin wires or threads given a suitable profile form by means of a molding and heat treatment procedure. The occlusion device includes a proximal retention area, a distal retention area and... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20070112382 - Tissue opening occluder: A tissue opening occluder comprising first and second occluder portions, each occluder portion including a frame structure and an attachment structure to attach one portion to the other portion. The frames may be utilized to constrain the tissue between the two portions enough to restrict the significant passage of blood... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070112385 - Expandable suture anchor: An expandable suture anchor is provided for use with an applicator. The suture anchor has a body formed from a biocompatible spring material such that the suture anchor has a first configuration when positioned within the applicator and a second configuration after deployment from the applicator, wherein the second configuration... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P.

20070112383 - Self-shielding suture anchor: A self-shielding suture anchor is provided and includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a penetrating tip. The suture anchor also includes a shielding element movable relative to the distal end between a shielding position, wherein the shielding element is distal to... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P.

20070112384 - Suture anchor applicator: A medical instrument is provided including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end that define an axis, wherein the distal end is penetratable into tissue. The instrument also includes a tissue stop disposed on the shaft near the distal end and changeable between a collapsed configuration and... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P.

20070112386 - Pacifier for infants and toddlers: A new and improved pacifier including a novel nipple structure is disclosed. The nipple structure includes a short nipple that allows the tongue, during sucking and swallowing, to be naturally positioned adjacent to the hard palate. The nipple structure includes a thin and pliable web which extends beyond the tip... Agent: Purdue Law Offices 2735 N. Holland-sylvania Road

20070106282 - Determination of the position of an anatomical element: The invention relates to a method for determining the position of an anatomical element (12) of a patient (10), consisting in determining at an initial moment the position of the anatomical element from positions of anatomical points (14, 16, 18) which are characteristic of said patient; disposing a marking device... Agent: Plevy & Howard & Darcy P.C.

20070106283 - Driver assembly and fastener apparatus: A driver assembly may include a fastener and a driver. The fastener may have a head with upper and lower surfaces. An engagement portion may be located in the upper surface proximate a perimeter portion thereof. A shank may extend from the lower surface of the head and a breakaway... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070106284 - Apparatus and method for performing radiation energy treatments: An apparatus and method to apply photo-stimulation, photo-dynamic therapy and/or ablation laser treatment to biological tissue. The apparatus includes a plurality of radiation energy sources, preferably laser beams. Additionally, the apparatus allows either a single wavelength or a combination of various wavelengths, either coincidentally or adjacently, to be utilized to... Agent: Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20070106285 - Laser scanner: A laser scanner is disclosed. The laser scanner comprises a laser source, a first optical element, and a focusing element. The first optical element is adapted to move along the optical axis of light from the laser source. The focusing element receives laser light from the first optical element and... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20070106286 - Side fire optical fiber for high power applications: An optical fiber treatment system is provided for high power laser transmission to an area of medical treatment. A side fire optical fiber tip for use in high power laser applications having outputs of greater than or equal to 50 Watts is a key to the system. Embodiments are particularly... Agent: Bolesh J. Skutnik Ceramoptec Industries, Inc.

20070106293 - Ablation catheters: The present invention relates generally to multifunctional catheters for performing ablation procedures, and more particularly to ablation catheters utilized in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac disorders. The present invention eliminates many of the problems associated with previous ablation catheters by providing an ablation treatment not dependent upon... Agent: Medlen & Carroll, LLP

20070106290 - Conformable electrode catheter and method of use: An apparatus and method for closing the tunnel of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) including the steps of advancing a device, including an energy delivery element, in the lumen of the tunnel of the PFO, energizing the energy delivery element, and withdrawing the energized energy delivery element from the second... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070106288 - Electrosurgical apparatus with fluid flow regulator: An electrosurgical instrument comprising a shaft that includes a distal end section and a distal tip. Near the distal tip is an active electrode and a fluid collection chamber. The fluid collection chamber comprises an ingress port for suctioning a fluid flow over the active electrode and into the fluid... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20070106292 - Energy delivery devices and methods: This relates to methods and devices for achieving contact between the wall of a cavity or passageway and a medical device when used in tortuous anatomy.... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070106287 - System and method for measuring esophagus proximity: A system and method for determining on a continuous, real-time basis the proximity of the esophagus to an endocardial catheter during mapping, ablation or other endocardial catheter-based procedures, comprising an esophagus probe catheter and an endocardial catheter adapted for proximal signal transmission between each other. A signal processing unit is... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070106289 - System and method for monitoring esophagus proximity: A system for determining the proximity of the esophagus to the ablation electrode of an ablation catheter during an ablation procedure is disclosed. The system comprises an ablation catheter having at least one ablation electrode, an esophageal probe catheter having at least one electrode, and a signal processing unit. Both... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070106291 - Tissue contact and thermal assessment for brush electrodes: System and methods are disclosed for tissue contact and thermal assessment, e.g. for tissue ablation procedures. An exemplary brush electrode comprises a plurality of flexible filaments adapted to transfer electrical energy to a tissue. At least one piezoelectric sensor is embedded among the plurality of flexible filaments. The at least... Agent: Sjm/afd - Trenner

20070106294 - Anti-microbial electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same: An electrosurgical device including a reinforcing underlayment having a non-stick, anti-microbial coating. In one embodiment, the coating includes a non-stick material having anti-microbial particles interspersed in the non-stick material. This coating is applied to the surfaces of the electrode to minimize the build-up of charred tissue on the surfaces of... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

20070106296 - Expandable electode devices and methods of treating bronchial tubes: Methods are provided for treating collapsed bronchial tubes found in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as asthma. The method includes heating the bronchial tube to cause tissue in the wall of the bronchial tube to undergo a structural transformation effective to render the wall capable of supporting a... Agent: Asthmatx, Inc. C/o Levine Bagade Han, LLP

20070106295 - Insulating boot for electrosurgical forceps: Either an endoscopic or open bipolar forceps includes a flexible, generally tubular insulating boot for insulating patient tissue, while not impeding motion of the jaw members. The jaw members are movable from an open to a closed position and the jaw members are connected to a source of electrosurgical energy... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070106297 - In-line vessel sealer and divider: An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a drive assembly disposed in the housing which moves the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070106298 - Invertebral implant with two shapes: The invention concerns an intervertebral implant that includes a spacer designed firstly to assume an implantation shape in which the spacer has two opposed channels (3, 4) bordered by retaining wings (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b), intended to receive the two spinous processes of two vertebrae, and secondly an insertion shape... Agent: Clark & Brody

20070106299 - Internal brace for distraction arthroplasty: A method for treating a patient suffering from osteoarthritis and an internal brace for distraction arthroplasty including femoral and tibial components which can be fixed to a patient's femur and tibia and which in combination distract or separate the knee joint without substantially hindering mobility of the knee.... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070106301 - Sclerotomy adapter: A thin walled, hubbed cannula with an exterior diameter of approximately that of a 20 gauge surgical instrument and in interior bore having a diameter that is slightly larger than a 23 gauge or 25 gauge surgical instrument. The scleral contact surface of the hub of the adapter also can... Agent: Alcon

20070106300 - Surgical probe: A thin gauge surgical probe having a retractable reinforcing sleeve. The retractable sleeve helps to Protect the thin probe from bending during shipment and use.... Agent: Alcon

20070106302 - Lumen traversing device: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for traversing a lumen, such as the gastrointestinal tract. The devices can include an elongate body having distally positioned tubing elements and proximally positioned control elements. The tubing elements are adapted for selective and independent radial expansion and contraction and longitudinal movement, such... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070106303 - Surgical instrument: According to one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument for insertion in an incision during surgical treatment and removal of tissue includes an inner elongated needle having an ovoid shape and a bore extending therethrough; and a hollow sleeve that surrounds the ovoid shaped needle such that two side regions of... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070106304 - Articulating basket with simultaneous basket extension or basket retraction: A retrieval device is provided for retrieving stones, calculi, and other objects from a body. The device allows for a retrieval basket to be articulated and extended simultaneously. The device also allows for the basket to be articulated and retracted simultaneously.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070106305 - Adjustable universal surgical platform: A surgical platform usable for performing a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical platform comprises a base portion configured to receive at least one probe; a plurality of adjustable legs configured to support the base portion, each adjustable legs having a first end portion and an opposite, second end... Agent: Morris Manning Martin LLP

20070106306 - Automated system for harvesting or implanting follicular units: An automated system for harvesting or implanting follicular units, including a moveable arm; a harvesting and/or implantation tool mounted on the moveable arm; one or more cameras mounted on the moveable arm; a processor configured to receive and process images acquired by the one or more cameras; and a controller... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070106307 - Methods for implanting follicular units using an automated system: A method for implanting follicular units in a body surface includes (i) acquiring and processing images of a body surface to identify an implantation site on the body surface, (ii) using an automated system including a moveable arm to position an implantation tool mounted on the moveable arm to a... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070106308 - Medical ligating apparatus: A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070106309 - Medical ligating apparatus: A medical ligating apparatus includes a medical ligating device having a member which is made of a flexible line and ligates living tissues, and a fixing member which is movably provided at the ligating member and fixes the living tissues in a ligated state, a manipulating device having a flexible... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070106310 - Suture cutter: A suture cutter assembly has a cutter blade axially reciprocable relative to a tube having at least one opening. An offset is in the tube or the cutter blade for capturing of the severed portion of the suture as the blade is advanced within the tube. A suture cutter assembly... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20070106311 - System and method for retaining vaso-occlusive devices within an aneurysm: The present invention is directed to systems for occluding an aneurysm having an aneurysmal neck and an aneurysmal inner wall. Generally, a device in accordance with the present invention includes a mesh-like structure that is integrally composed of a shape-memory alloy such as NiTi. The device is deployed within the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070106313 - Anastomosis apparatus and methods: A system for anastomosing a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure having an opening formed therein comprises a support device having a plurality of arms forming spaces therebetween. The support device is adapted to support the first tubular structure within an opening in the second tubular structure to... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070106312 - Method for connecting vessels: A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel may utilize an integrated tool that includes a movable cam having a number of discrete slots defined therein. The method may include moving the cam, creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel with the integrated tool;... Agent: Cardica, Inc.

20070106314 - Tissue clamp: The present invention relates to a tissue clamp, a tool for grasping the clamp and a method of using the clamp for surgical procedures. The clamp has a fixture or fixtures positioned on the proximal end of the arms of the clamp so that a tool can be used by... Agent: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP

20070106315 - Ventricular pump coupling: A device and method for creating a connection with the left ventricle of a heart are provided. A seal member capable of moving between a folded position and an open position is attached to the end of a conduit. An introducer capable of moving between a first and second position... Agent: Stephen M. De Klerk Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP

20070106316 - Dural knife with foot plate: A dural knife with a protective foot-plate for use in surgical procedures. The dural knife includes a movable foot-plate disposed on an end of the scalpel in proximity to the blade. The foot plate uses a hinge joint to attach to the handle at a region near the attachment of... Agent: Smith Hopen, Pa

20070106317 - Hydraulically and electrically actuated articulation joints for surgical instruments: Articulation joints for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint include at least one fluid-actuated cylinder... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070106318 - Surgical instruments and method for corneal reformation: Multiple surgical instruments for use with a surgical method of corneal reformation. Surgical instruments include the optional use of vibration with an epithelial separator or cannula to separate an epithelial sheet from the cornea of no more than about 85 microns thick. The surgical method of corneal reformation reduces the... Agent: W. Edward Ramage

20070106319 - Trocars with advanced fixation: A trocar fixation device includes a cannula and an elongate tube mounted onto and coupled to the exterior surface of the cannula with the distal end of the cannula extending distally beyond the distal end of the elongate tube. The elongate tube includes a plurality of slits cut at an... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070106320 - Balloon catheter for distal protection compatability: A balloon catheter that may include a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter shaft having a core having an outer surface, the core extending to the distal end of the catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a tubular member disposed about the core, the... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070106321 - Nose protect: A nose protect, which is mounted in each of nostrils to thereby reshape the nose, includes a first nostril abutting portion having a first curved surface, coming in surface contact with the inside region of a nasal tip in a preset range; a second nostril abutting portion having a second... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP

20070106326 - Apparatus for trapping emboli: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070106322 - Embolic protection device: An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070106323 - Heated vascular occlusion coil deployment system: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and... Agent: Audley A. Ciamporcero, Jr.

20070106324 - Intravascular filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip: A filter retrieval device having an actuatable dilator tip for retrieval of an intravascular filter from a body lumen is disclosed. An outer shaft coupled to a distal sheath is advanced along a filter wire to desired point within the vasculature. An intravascular filter such as a distal protection filter... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070106325 - Methods for trapping emboli: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070106328 - Retrieval devices for anchored cardiovascular sensors: An anchoring device and a delivery method thereof can effectively provide a means for securing an implant to a wall of an internal organ within a patient in a variety of clinical applications. In one embodiment, an anchoring device used to retain a cardiac pressure measurement device is provided. The... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070106327 - Tissue opening occluder: A tissue opening occluder comprising first and second occluder portions, each occluder portion including a frame structure and an attachment structure to attach one portion to the other portion. The frames may be utilized to constrain the tissue between the two portions enough to restrict the significant passage of blood... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070106329 - Sickle needle and method: A surgical needle which is particularly suited for use in limited space applications and a method for its use are disclosed. The surgical needle generally includes an arcuate portion having a first end and a second end. A pointed tip is disposed near the first end. There is a relatively... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070106330 - Temporary retention device: A retention device for anchoring indwelling catheters, sheath introducers, feeding tubes, ostomy bags or other medical devices beneath the skin of a patient includes an deployable section coupled to a medical device; following introduction into a patient, the deployable section is subcutaneously deployed, securely anchoring the device and coupled medical... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070100325 - Multifaceted tracker device for computer-assisted surgery: A tracker device of the type is associated with a surgical instrument and being trackable in space by a CAS system such that a position of the surgical instrument is calculable. A support is adapted to be connected to the surgical instrument. Optical elements are mounted to the support in... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20070100326 - Surgical variable-angle illuminator: A variable-angle, wide-angle illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment being a small-gauge, variable-angle illumination surgical system comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable; an optical... Agent: Armando Pastrana, Jr. Alcon Research, Ltd.

20070100327 - Surgical wide-angle illuminator: A high-efficiency, wide-angle illumination surgical system is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the... Agent: Armando Pastrana, Jr Alcon Research, Ltd.

20070100328 - Vascular occlusion systems and methods: A blood vessel occlusion system and method includes a handheld probe including a power source, the probe being adapted to transmit energy from the power source through a body surface and into a target blood vessel, for example a varicose vein. Further included is a manual or automatic switch mechanism... Agent: Robert D. Fish Rutan & Tucker, LLP

20070100329 - Method for treatment of varices: A minimally invasive method for treating varices including pelvic varices in females, varicoceles, and also oesophageal varices is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of inserting a catheter device into the blood vessels of a patient and advancing the distal end of the catheter to reach the varix or varices.... Agent: Bolesh J. Skutnik Ceramoptec Industries, Inc.

20070100330 - Surgical laser systems for soft and hard tissue and methods of use thereof: Laser systems operating at two or more wavelengths.... Agent: Burns & Levinson, LLP (formerly Perkins Smith & Cohen LLP)

20070100333 - Methods and systems for determining physiologic characteristics for treatment of the esophagus: A system for measuring physiologic characteristics for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus comprises a sizing device having an inflatable balloon on a distal end of a catheter that is inflated with an expansion medium to expand the balloon to engage the wall of the esophagus so that the internal... Agent: Shay Law Group, LLP

20070100332 - Systems and methods for electrode contact assessment: Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode housed within a distal portion of a catheter shaft. At least one electro-mechanical sensor is operatively associated with the electrode within the catheter shaft. The at least one electro-mechanical... Agent: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division

20070100331 - Systems and methods for organ tissue ablation: A system for treating organ tissue includes a source of electrical energy, a first electrode coupled to the energy source, the first electrode having a surface configured for electrically coupling with a surface of an organ, and a second electrode coupled to the energy source, the second electrode having a... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070100334 - Instrument and system for surgical cutting and evoked potential monitoring: A surgical cutting instrument for use with a drive motor, and related system and method, is described. The surgical cutting instrument includes an elongated drive member, a cutting tip secured to the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body adapted for connection to a motor assembly, a housing maintaining the coupling... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja, P.l.l.c.

20070100335 - Instrument for electrosurgical excision procedure for the uterine cervix: A cervical biopsy instrument that includes a central shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a stop extending laterally from the shaft. The stop typically is formed in substantially the shape of a circle in a plane disposed at substantially right angles to the central axis of the shaft. The instrument... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, PC

20070100336 - Micro-resecting and evoked potential monitoring system and method: Surgical micro-resecting and evoked potential monitoring system and method. The system includes a micro-resecting instrument, handpiece, and evoked potential monitor. The instrument includes an outer tube forming a cutting window at which a cutting tip of an inner member is located. A hub assembly rotatably maintains the inner and outer... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja, P.l.l.c.

20070100337 - High frequency incision instrument for endoscope: A high-frequency incision instrument for an endoscope is provided with an electrically insulative flexible sheath constituted of a distal tube disposed at a tip portion thereof and a proximal tube disposed on a proximal side such that one is loosely inserted into the other so as to rotate around an... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070100338 - Orthopaedic instrument joint, instrument and associated method: A device for use in an instrument for use in preparing bone for receiving an orthopaedic implant for use in orthopaedic surgery for rigidly connecting a first object to a second object is provided. The device includes a body and a first articulating member for connecting the device to the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100340 - Intervertebral prosthetic device for spinal stabilization and method of implanting same: A prosthetic device and a method of implanting same between two vertebrae of a vertebral column to stabilize the column, according to which each vertebrae is engaged by a spacer, and the spacers are connected to permit relative movement between the spacers so that the distance between the spacers can... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20070100341 - Systems and methods for stabilization of bone structures: A dynamic bone stabilization system is provided. The system may be placed through small incisions and tubes. The system provides systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20070100339 - Vertebral osteosynthesis equipment: Equipment includes bony anchoring members one or two linking rods to be connected to the anchoring members and be attached to the vertebrae by dint thereof, parts for connecting the linking rod(s) to the anchoring members, and clamping elements for locking the linking rod(s) in the connecting parts; at least... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070100342 - System for intramedullary rod fixation and method therefor: A system and method for securing an intramedullary rod in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The system includes an intramedullary rod and a screw assembly for receiving the rod. The screw assembly has a transverse receiving bore for receiving the intramedullary rod and a securing member... Agent: Lawrence G. Fridman, Esq. Silber & Fridman

20070100343 - Intramedullary nail assembly: An intramedullary nail assembly comprises an intramedullary nail component (2) al, the nail component having at least one opening (14, 18) in its wall, and a fixation sleeve which has at least one opening (32) extending through it. One of the fixation sleeve and the nail component has a hollow... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100344 - Device and method for fixing adjacent bone plates: A method and device for reattaching adjacent bone plates includes an inner seat, a pin, and an outer seat. The pin is fixedly connected to the inner seat. The outer seat is selectively connected to the pin so that adjacent bone plates are securely held in place between the inner... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100345 - Cable and crimp for bone surgery: A surgical cable and crimp device is provided. The cable has an enlargement (bead) affixed to one of its ends. The crimp member includes two holes. One of the holes includes a slot and a cavity. The cavity is sized to accept the bead of the cable, and the slot... Agent: Jones Day

20070100346 - Support for locating instrument guides: A surgical instrument system includes a cutting instrument, an anchoring structure, a guide structure and an articulating linkage. The anchoring structure can be fixed to a reference or benchmark, such as a location on the patient's bone. The articulating linkage connects the anchoring structure to the guide structure and includes... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100347 - Arthroplasty revision device and method: A surgical instrument for revising/removing an artificial disc or removing/replacing a core of an artificial disc includes a pair of tips, each tip having a pair of tines and a stop defining a proximal end of each tine. The stop of at least one tip is abutted against an interior... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070100348 - Apparatus and methods for the treatment of the intervertebral disc: The present inventions provide apparatuses and methods for repairing or otherwise treating an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may be used to treat or repair a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The apparatus... Agent: Cyr & Associates, P.A.

20070100349 - Nucleus augmentation delivery device and technique: The invention provides a device and technique to seal an annular defect of an intervertebral disc, determine the in-situ volume of nucleus pulposus material removed, for example from a discectomy of a herniated disc, and facilitate injection of nuclear replacement material.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100352 - Cartridge suture anchor delivery device, suture anchor delivery device and associated method: A suture anchor delivery device for use in performing surgery on tissue of a patient is provided. The suture anchor delivery device includes an applicator and a cartridge removably secured to the applicator. The suture anchor delivery device further includes an anchor operatively associated with the cartridge.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100353 - Devices and methods used for shoulder replacement: The present invention provides a method and devices for shoulder replacement surgery that spares the rotator cuff. The method utilizes two anterosuperior passages to gain access to the glenohumeral joint, neither of which requires transaction of the rotator cuff. In addition a transhumeral portal created through the second anterosuperior passage... Agent: Gregory B. Beggs Law Offices Of Gregory B. Beggs

20070100351 - Multiple suture anchor delivery device, suture anchor delivery kit and associated method: A suture anchor delivery device for use in performing surgery on tissue of a patient is provided. The suture anchor delivery device includes an applicator and a plurality of anchors. Each of the anchors is operatively associated with the applicator.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100354 - Spinal disc annulus repair system and methods: The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070100350 - Suture anchor cartridge holder, suture anchor cartridge and associated method: A suture anchor cartridge holder for use with an anchor cartridge in performing surgery on tissue of a patient is provided. The suture anchor cartridge holder includes a body that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the anchor cartridge. The suture anchor cartridge holder also includes a... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100355 - Method and device for controlling bulking agent depth in tissue: The invention includes a delivery device for introducing a prosthesis beneath a tissue surface that includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an opening on the elongate body, which is at least partially covered by a mesh, and a deployment lumen extending through the body... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070100356 - Delivery device, systems and methods of use: Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for delivering interventional devices to a target location with a body. Such interventional devices particularly include fixation devices or any devices which approximate tissue, such as valve leaflets. The delivery devices and systems direct the interventional device to the target location through a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070100357 - Surgical repair kit and its method of use: A suture passer comprises a longitudinally extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture; a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface; first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a... Agent: Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20070100358 - A biomimetic synthetic nerve implant: A biomimetic biosynthetic nerve implant (BNI) that uses a hydrogel-based, transparent, multi-channel matrix as a 3-D substrate for nerve repair is disclosed. Novel scaffold-casting devices were designed for reproducible fabrication of grafts containing several micro-conduits, and further tested in vivo using a sciatic nerve animal model and repair of the... Agent: Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.

20070100359 - Harvester: The disclosed invention is an improvement of a harvester, a surgical instrument used to remove and harvest veins. The original harvester is used by insertion of the instrument through the skin and using a cutting edge located at the tip, and harvesting the desired length of the vein, completing the... Agent: Yasmin Pooyan, Esq.

20070100360 - Combined dental floss and tongue scraper: A combined dental floss and tongue scraper which comprises: a body portion having an end formed with a notch; a dental floss mounted across said notch; a holding portion being a recess formed on said body portion; and a scraper being a raised edge extending outwardly from another end of... Agent: Leong C Lei

20070100361 - Discrete or continuous tissue capture device and method for making: Some embodiments of the invention provide an instrument for mechanically removing segments of tissue from a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. An exemplary instrument provides an inlet for receiving tissue a mechanism for cutting away received tissue and for simultaneously moving the cut away tissue away from the... Agent: Microfabrica Inc. Att: Dennis R. Smalley

20070100362 - Powered surgical handpiece with improved latch mechanism and rotary to oscillating output drive: A powered surgical handpiece includes a chuck assembly with a chuck having apertures. The chuck assembly is surrounded by a collar having slots on an inner face. The apertures and slots receive balls. In use, the collar is moved axially toward the handpiece against a spring force so that the... Agent: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.

20070100363 - Aortic lancet: A system for making a precise incision and circular hole in a vessel wall, such as the aorta, that eliminates lateral side notches from the aortotomy. In one aspect, the system includes a surgical knife or lancet having a blade surrounded by a retractable shield. In one aspect, the system... Agent: Carstens & Cahoon, LLP

20070100364 - Compact lancing apparatus: A lancing apparatus includes an inner housing, a firing mechanism, a lancing mechanism and a linkage arm. The firing mechanism is configured for producing a firing force in a first direction. The lancing mechanism is configured for delivering a lancing force in a second direction with the second direction being... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100365 - Device and method for positioning a body part: A device and a method are disclosed for positioning a body part (16) on an analytical device (14) for body fluids includes a flexible compression element (24) for pressing against the body part (16) while increasing the pressure and a rigid support part (26) to hold the compression element (24)... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070100366 - Minimally invasive tissue expander systems and methods: A tissue expander system for expanding tissue, skin and muscle along a pathway to a surgical site through a minimally invasive incision includes a first paddle, a second paddle and an outer sleeve. The first and second paddles connect to form an assembly for the outer sleeve to advance over.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070100367 - Intragastric space filler: A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume comprising an inflatable space filler and a safety element secured to the space filler, wherein the safety element yields a noticeable signal for causing removal of the space filler.... Agent: Greenberg Traurig LLP

20070100368 - Intragastric space filler: A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume comprising an inflatable space filler and a safety element secured to the space filler, wherein the safety element yields a noticeable signal for causing removal of the space filler.... Agent: Greenberg Traurig LLP

20070100369 - Intragastric space filler: A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume comprising at least one inflatable space filler and a pressure sensor secured to the space filler, wherein the pressure sensor yields a noticeable signal for causing removal of the space filler.... Agent: Greenberg Traurig LLP

20070100370 - Inflatable nasal packing device with two non-elastic, flexible bags oversized relative to nasal cavities: An inflatable nasal packing device, and method of use, for insertion in a patient's nasal cavity to control bleeding or epistaxis. The device includes a flexible insertion tube, a first inflatable bag attached to and surrounding an anterior section of the tube, and a second inflatable bag attached to and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070100374 - Distal protection guidewire with nitinol core: A guidewire having a proximal section, a distal section, and a transition section is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the proximal section may be formed of a relatively stiff, inelastic material, whereas the distal section may be formed of a relatively flexible, elastic material having super-elastic... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070100372 - Embolic protection device having a filter: An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. In one example, the device comprises a filter and a filter portion made of an extracellular matrix circumferentially attached to the filter. The filter comprises a plurality of struts having first... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070100373 - Embolic protection device having reduced profile: A device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a base having expanded and collapsed states, and proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a support portion configured to deploy in the body vessel when the base is... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070100371 - Multi-wire embolic protection filtering device: An embolic protection filtering device and method of making and using the same. The present invention comprises a filtering device including an elongate shaft and a filter that may be releasably attachable to the shaft. The filter may include a coupling member that may be used to secure the filter... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070100375 - Suturing instrument: This suturing instrument has a flexible inserted portion, which is introduced into a body cavity, and a hand operated portion, which is manipulated from outside the body by the surgeon. An anchoring member, which is attached to suture material, is housed inside the puncture needle at the end of the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070100376 - Suturing instrument: This suturing instrument has a flexible inserted portion, which is introduced into a body cavity, and a hand operated portion, which is manipulated from outside the body by the surgeon. An anchoring member, which is attached to suture material, is housed inside the puncture needle at the end of the... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser