Surgery inventions 12/07

20070295327 - Olfactory stimulation: Use of stimuli in order to provide association with a training regime or other behavior modification technique is known. With regard to olfactory stimulation it will be appreciated that it is necessary that the olfactory is actively provided in the sense the it is not a continuous stimulation but provided... Agent: Smith-hill And Bedell, P.C.

20070295328 - Cloud nebulizer: A nebulizer apparatus according to the present invention has an enclosure including a primary chamber of ambient air, a medicant chamber and a secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is for containing water and includes an ultrasonic transducer and is in communication with the primary chamber. The apparatus further has a... Agent: David L. King, Sr.

20070295329 - Dose indicator: An apparatus and method for tracking the amount of medicament remaining with a metered dose inhaler. A dose indicator for a metered dose inhaler includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, a spring element structured to moveably connect the upper portion with the lower portion, and... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20070295330 - Snorkel with mask strap retaining device: A snorkel comprising a breathing tube and a retaining device formed on the breathing tube. The retaining device includes an elongated fastening strap having a bottom end formed integrally with the breathing tube, and a top end formed with a large first hole and a small second hole being in... Agent: Bruce H. Troxell Suite 1404

20070295331 - Respirator fit-testing apparatus and method: Improved respirator fit-test methods and apparatus featuring an automated, respirator wearer-controlled, air-leak measurement system. For fit testing of a respirator positioned on a test subject's face and connected to a controlled negative pressure testing apparatus, the test subject simply holds his breath and then activates a switch in electrical connection... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070295333 - Fluid product dispensing device: A fluid dispenser device comprising: at least one predosed reservoir (10) that is hermetically sealed and that contains a single dose of powder; an expulsion channel (20) that is terminated by a mouthpiece; and a reservoir opening system (30), each reservoir (10) including a closure layer (12) that is suitable... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070295332 - Inhaler device: An inhaler device (1) for powdered medicaments. The device (1) has a body (5) that has a recess (50) for holding a capsule containing a powdered medicament to be inhaled, at least one air passage (90) that is tangentially disposed to the recess (50) , and a mouthpiece (30) that... Agent: Novartis Corporate Intellectual Property

20070295334 - Virucidal/germicidal mask: The present invention provides a mask, suitable for wearing, that inhibits the passage of viruses and germs there through. Briefly, the mask comprises a number of individual layers. Each of these layers is treated with a compound designed to destroy viruses and germs, thus retarding the passage of viruses and... Agent: Nields & Lemack

20070295335 - Disposable anesthesia face mask: A disposable anesthesia face mask suitably sized and configured to engage the nose portion, mouth portion and chin portion of a patient's face comprises a cup-like shell or receptacle member and a flexible inflatable hollow sealing cushion attached to the shell member on a flange thereon and wherein the shell... Agent: S. Michael Bender

20070295336 - Endotracheal cuff and technique for using the same: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. Configurations of these cuffs that include tapered regions with certain characteristics, such as cuff wall diameter and thickness, may provide improved sealing of the trachea.... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070295337 - Endotracheal cuff and technique for using the same: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. Configurations of these cuffs that include tapered regions with certain characteristics, such as cuff wall diameter and thickness, may provide improved sealing of the trachea.... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070295338 - Nasal respiratory devices for positive end-expiratory pressure: Described herein are nasal respiratory devices, in particular, nasal respiratory devices configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device. PEEP devices may have a threshold pressure for opening during expiration. In some variations, these devices have a threshold pressure for closing during expiration.... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20070295339 - Loading/unloading unit and a transfer apparatus: A loading/unloading unit is formed with an oblique surface and an upper surface having contact areas to come into contact with a cared person, and the oblique surface and the upper surface of the loading/unloading unit are vibrated in a load direction and an unload direction upon loading the cared... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack L.L.P.

20070295340 - Stiffening procedure for sleep apnea: A patient's obstructive sleep apnea is treated by placing a fibrosis-inducing agent is placed within the tongue in a region extending substantially from a hyoid bone rearward toward a back surface of the tongue and upwardly along the back wall toward a free end of a soft palate of the... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20070295341 - Surgical drape system: A surgical drape with a functional interface for engaging surgical instruments, including a flexible, tube-like sleeve for creating a sterile barrier around a non-sterile holding arm. The drape is open at a proximal end, and has a hub at a distal end for connection to a distal end of the... Agent: The Law Office Of John A. Griecci

20070295342 - Oral device: The present invention is an oral device comprised of two main components, a U-shaped lower bite plate and a U-shaped upper bite plate, which are molded to fit the front teeth of a wearer with a soft flexible contact surface. The oral device of the present invention comprises an upper... Agent: White-welker & Welker, LLC

20070289590 - Inhalation therapy device comprising a valve: The inhalation therapy device according to the invention comprises a nebulizer chamber which accommodates an aerosol generator that emits aerosol into the nebulizer chamber. A valve that has a valve seat, a resilient valve member and a valve member positioning means is arranged at an opening of the nebulizer chamber.... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

20070289591 - Endotracheal tube exchanger: An endotracheal tube exchanger (ETX) includes a tube slide portion having an elongated lengthwise dimension having a first end and a second end, a relatively narrow width dimension having a curved cross section, and a generally arcuate shape having inner and outer peripheries wherein the curved cross section forms a... Agent: Enrique G. Estevez

20070289592 - Respirators: A respirator comprising an outer mask in which is defined a main volume and an oronasal mask located within the outer mask and defining a secondary volume. Air for breathing enters the mask via a one-way valve and filter. Exhaled air exits the mask via an exhale conduit fitted with... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20070289593 - Inhaler for powdered, particularly medical substances: The invention relates to an inhaler for powdered, particularly medical substances, comprising a suction air duct that extends to a mouthpiece, a reservoir for the substance, and an at least linearly movable dosing chamber for separating a specific amount of the substance from the reservoir and placing the amount into... Agent: William Collard Collard & Roe, P.C.

20070289594 - Full face flexible oxygen mask for use with flight helmets: The full face flexible oxygen mask for use with flight helmets includes an elastic face seal with an oronasal cone that seals around the nose and mouth of the wearer, and flexible sealing flaps along the perimeter of the face seal to adapt the face piece of the mask to... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070289595 - Breathing apparatus for person with stoma: An apparatus for a person with a stoma is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substantially waterproof garment having a sealed area defined by a boundary, such that the stoma is located within the boundary. The boundary is in sealed engagement with the person. The sealed area of the waterproof garment... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20070289596 - Endotracheal cuff and technique for using the same: An inflatable balloon cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea via a mucoadhesive coating when associated with an endotracheal tube. The mucoadhesive seal may enhance a cuffs mechanical pressure seal, or may be used to seal the trachea at very low cuff inflation pressures. Also provided are inflatable... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070289597 - Apparatus for holding nasal tubes: The present invention relates to a nasal tube holder comprising a conformable body having a nose section and a forehead section, at least one means for holding at least one nasal tube inserted into a patient's nose to the conformable body, and at least one means for holding the conformable... Agent: Robert M. Amici

20070289598 - Diaphragm having a polymeric spring member with non-uniform bending: A contraceptive or non-contraceptive diaphragm having a rim surrounding a thin membrane, the membrane having a cervical dome extending downwardly from a posterior portion of the membrane. The rim has a spring member having non-uniform bending characteristics. The shape of the spring member can be contoured to provide a rim... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070289599 - Anterior support device: An anterior support device for use with a dental chair is disclosed which can provide support for a user's torso while he is in a forward leaning position. The anterior support device includes an adapter directly or indirectly secured to the dental chair and a first pivotable connector secured to... Agent: Wilhelm Law Service, S.c.

20070289600 - Tongue retention system: A tongue retaining system is disclosed herein generally having, in one variation, a two-part system. A covering can be sized to fit at least partially over or upon a tongue of a patient, where the covering has an engagement mechanism positioned thereon. A retaining device, sized to fit within a... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070283951 - Mask-nebulizer assembly: A respiratory therapy mask assembly comprises a mask configured to be secured on a patient's face, a substantially hollow pipe having an upper end secured in the mask inlet port, a lower end configured to receive a gas inlet pipe adapter, and an angled side pipe extension configured to receive... Agent: Baker & Hostetler LLP

20070283952 - Pressure sensing in masks: A method includes the steps of sensing pressure changes inside a mask of a user; and electronically controlling a function related to the mask or electronically making a determination related to the user on the basis of the sensed pressure changes. The sensor may be a solid state pressure sensor... Agent: Calfee Halter & Griswold, LLP

20070283953 - Diving computer with programmable display: A diving computer is provided. The diving computer includes a computer connected to a dot matrix screen to display information concerning a dive. The computer has an interface to an external personal computer for reprogrammably configuring the information displayed on the screen. The user may customize the information on one... Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C.

20070283954 - Adapter for use in an aerosol delivery system: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol inhalation system includes a first conduit member for delivering medication in the form of aerosol particles to a patient. The system includes a first holding chamber for holding the aerosol particles prior to deliver to the first conduit member and... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070283956 - Capsule seizing device: A capsule seizing device includes a base section including an air blower to generate an airflow, an airflow channel section in which a guide is arranged to guide the airflow to move in a cyclonic manner, a filter section mounted to an outlet of the airflow channel section, and a... Agent: Macpherson Kwok Chen & Heid LLP

20070283955 - Peroral powder delivery device: a capsule holder for loading the capsule into a body is attached so as to be capable of advancing into and retracting from the inside of the body, the body has a cutter blade to make holes on both ends of the capsule as it advances into the body being... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070283957 - Nasal cannula: The invention relates to a nasal cannula for an anti-snoring apparatus, comprising a forked tube pneumatically connected to apertures, which are embodied and positioned in such a way that air can be administered into the nose of a user via these apertures. The nasal cannula further comprises a heating wire... Agent: Law Offices Of Clement Cheng

20070283959 - Aircraft oxygen supply unit: An oxygen supply unit, particularly for use in aircraft, is provided which is arranged in a portable transport container (16) having at least one oxygen storage device (2, 2′, 2″) and a breathing requirement regulator (14, 14′14″) in fluid connection to the storage devices via a flexible tubing conduit (12,... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20070283958 - Positive airway pressure device: A new Continuous/Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure device (C/BiPAP) is operable to deliver breathing gas such as air, oxygen or a mixture thereof at relatively higher and lower pressures (i.e., generally equal to or above ambient atmospheric pressure) to a patient either as preset or in proportion to the patient's respiratory... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070283960 - Oxygen emergency supply device: An oxygen emergency supply device for an aircraft includes an oxygen pressure vessel, which is in fluid connection with at least one oxygen mask. Means for closing and opening the oxygen pressure vessel, means for pressure reduction, a pressure regulation device, and a flow throttle are provided in the conduit... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20070283961 - Air purifier for a protective garment: An air purifier for a protective garment is connected to the protective garment with a air duct and has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a filter attached to the inlet, a fan mounted in the housing adjacent to the filter, a thermal conductor mounted between the fan... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070283962 - Layered nasal devices: Described herein are nasal devices. In particular, layered nasal respiratory devices are described. Layered nasal device may include a layered airflow resistor that is configured to resist airflow in a first direction more than airflow in a second direction and that includes a flap valve adjacent to a flap valve... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20070283963 - Nose air-filter: Nose Air-Filter consists of a clip for the interior of the nose and two filters connected thereto. The clip is simply attached to a user's septum and the two circular filters are situated just inside a user's nostrils. The user can then breathe normally through the filters without fear of... Agent: Galasso & Associates, Lp

20070283964 - Reusable exhalation valve & mouthpiece for use with filtering face mask: A reusable device that can be attached to any filtering face mask to provide an exhalation valve and a mouthpiece to direct the exhaled air out of the mask, thereby reducing the heat and moisture inside the mask. This device may include a filter to clean the exhaled air for... Agent: William J. Gorman

20070283966 - Contamination avoiding device: A device for minimizing the absorption of pathogens collected on a person's hands by contact between the hand and the face of said person, includes a barrier placed in the crook of the elbow that limits the flexion of the elbow as the hand approaches the face. In an alternate... Agent: Charmasson, Buchaca & Leach, LLP

20070283965 - Sex aid to prevent full penetration during sexual intercourse: A sex aid, constructed and shaped in such a way as to comfortably prevent the penis from fully entering the vagina during sexual intercourse, thereby preventing the tip of the penis from impacting on the cervix and causing pain. The sex aid is designed to solve a specific problem relating... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20070283967 - Anti-retrusion oral appliance: An oral appliance for treating sleep apnea and bruxism is formed of a maxillary tray and a mandibular tray. The maxillary tray carries a maxillary bite pad projecting downwardly toward an opposed mandibular occlusal surface. The mandibular tray carries a mandibular bite pad projecting upwardly toward an opposed maxillary occlusal... Agent: Kyle W. Rost

20070283970 - Bracing of bundled medical devices for single port entry, robotically assisted medical procedures: Medical devices robotically manipulated by a medical robotic system for performing a medical procedure on a patient are bundled together as a bundled unit and inserted into the patient through a single entry port. Bracing of the bundled unit at the surgical site so as to be constrained in one... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070283968 - Method for removing calluses from feet: Disclosed is a method for removing calluses from feet. The method includes the steps of wrapping callus regions of the feet with a moisture-containing material, wrapping a cover on the moisture-containing material wrapping the callus regions of the feet, and removing the cover and the moisture-containing material wrapping the callus... Agent: Robert E. Bushnell

20070283969 - Method of diagnosing and treating erectile dysfunction: A method of diagnosing and treating a patient having erectile dysfunction by placement of a stent or paving material within a stenosed region of a pelvic vessel. The diagnosing of the patient's condition includes determining if a treatable stenosis exists within a pelvic vessel and if proper blood flow is... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070277815 - Platform for fixing surgical instruments during surgery: A medical assembly includes a platform which is securely mountable to an operating room fixture, and a plurality of arms or arm modules coupled to the platform and each with a grasper for holding a surgical instrument or port. The medical assembly is particularly applicable for laparoscopic surgery although it... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20070277816 - Drug solution level sensor for an ultrasonic nebulizer: A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20070277817 - Pressurized metered dose inhaler system: The present invention provides a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) system, comprising a transparent or partially transparent canister which permits a patient to view the amount of medicament remaining in the pMDI system. The system of the present also comprises a dose counter which counts a dose when a dose... Agent: Roberta Day German

20070277818 - Method and apparatus for treating obstructive sleep apnea by using negative oral pressure to a patient: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for treating obstructive sleep apnea by using negative oral pressure to a patient. The present apparatus includes a vacuum unit for controlling and maintaining negative pressure of an oral cavity of the patient, a tube with one end thereof connecting to the... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070277819 - Integrated control circuit for an oxygen mask: A safety device integrated into a respiratory system that includes an oxygen mask having a cup-shaped rigid portion overlying a face mating portion to define a respiratory envelope that is adapted to sealingly engage over the mouth and nose of a user. An integrated control circuit includes an externally mounted... Agent: Keusey, Tutunjian & Bitetto, P.C.

20070277820 - Blister packages and associated methods of fabricating dry powder drug containment systems: Dry powder blister packages include sealed blisters that incorporate or cooperate with a piezoelectric active layer that flexes to vibrate the dry powder in a blister to facilitate active dispersion.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20070277821 - Inhaler for preparations in powder form: An inhaler for preparations in powder form, comprising a first body (2), which is provided with an inhaling channel (3), and a second body (4), which is provided with at least one reservoir (6), which is open toward the 5 outside and is preset to contain at least one dose... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20070277822 - Method of use of gas mixtures to achieve nitrogen washout from the body and mitochondria of the heart: The disclosure details methods and gas mixtures which are useful for washing nitrogen out of the body and mitochondria following acute cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) or myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and allow the reuptake of oxygen into mitochondria of ischemic tissues following re-flow, thereby reducing the severity of reperfusion damage and... Agent: Donald R. Vanderipe

20070277823 - Respiratory monitoring: A patient interface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be at least partially carried by a patient and to receive gas exhaled by the patient. The patient interface includes first and second cannula tubes each having a first end and a second end, the... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070277824 - Hose connection system for narially sensitive diagnostic devices: Hose connection system for narially sensitive diagnostic devices. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a test device and a nasal cannula. The test device comprises a first outlet port configured to sense an attribute of airflow, and a second outlet port configured to sense an attribute... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C. David A. Rose

20070277825 - Apparatus and methods for providing humidity in respiratory therapy: The present inventions provide respiratory therapy apparatus that introduce water into the pressurized air delivered to a user during various positive airway pressure therapies and corresponding methods. The respiratory therapy apparatus may be configured to administer one or more positive airway pressure therapies, including: continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP),... Agent: Cyr & Associates, P.A.

20070277826 - Systems and methods for modulating autonomic function: In one embodiment, a method for modulating a person's autonomic function comprises interfacing a valve system to the person's airway, the valve system being configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070277827 - Apparatus and methods for administration of positive airway pressure therapies: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for the administration of positive airway pressure therapies. The apparatus can include a housing, a blower and a mask. The housing is configured to be stably secured on the head of a patient. The blower is secured relative to the housing. A... Agent: Cyr & Associates, P.A.

20070277828 - Flexible connector: A flexible connector that couples a delivery conduit to a patient interface device and a pressure support system that includes such a flexible connector. The flexible connector of the present invention prevents disruption of the seal between the patient interface and the patient's face. The flexible connector may have a... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20070277829 - Face mask: A combined half mask respirator and eye protector is provided, portions of the mask above the respirator being open to provide air circulation behind a lens and reduce misting of the lens. A face seal for the respirator of elastomeric material inhibits air leakage from the respirator to behind the... Agent: Kathleen R. Terry

20070277830 - Respiratory tube having a cuff with a construction zone: Respirator for a person or animal comprising a tube assembly that is intended to be fed via the mouth and the pharynx towards the trachea and an inflatable cuff that is provided at the distal end of the tube assembly, the cuff being equipped to form a seal between the... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070277831 - Nasal assembly and method of positioning nasogastric tubing: A nasal assembly for positioning nasogastric tubing within a patient's nose. The nasal assembly comprises a nasal adapter having a lumen disposed there through for guiding the nasogastric tubing within the nasal adapter. The nasal adapter further has a flange and a tubular portion extending from the flange. The assembly... Agent: Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi

20070277832 - Nasal respiratory devices: Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20070277833 - Condom with expanded glans portion: A condom with a structure that allows the user to fully enjoy the natural pleasure in sexual intercourse while hardly feeling the existence of the condom is disclosed. The condom comprises a shaft portion having a diameter substantially the same or slightly smaller than that of the shaft of a... Agent: Pai Patent & Trademark Law Firm

20070277834 - Abdomen cover: The present invention discloses an abdomen cover that is covered on a wearer's abdominal region to protect it while he or she is asleep especially in summer, thereby preventing having the trouble in his abdomen, that is also used during the day or during working outside for long hours, thereby... Agent: Joseph Hyosuk Kim, Ph.d. Jhk Law

20070277835 - Apparatus for use in controlling snoring and sensor unit particularly useful therein: Apparatus for use in controlling snoring, including: a sensor system for sensing snoring by a person while sleeping, and a stimulus device effective, when actuated by the sensor system, to apply a stimulus to the person for producing a response tending to interrupt the person's snoring. The stimulus device includes... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20070277836 - Apparatuses, systems and methods for determining compliant use of an oral appliance: An information system determines compliant or non-compliant use of an oral appliance over time. The system includes a communication device and a data analyzer. The communication device forwards commands to, and receives information from, an oral appliance. The oral appliance records at least one measure indicative of presence of the... Agent: Robert A. Blaha Smith Frohwein Tempel Greenlee Blaha LLC

20070277837 - Tissue protection and fluids collection mask for surgical applications and methods of use: A surgical mask is disk shaped and made of a flexible and elastic sheet material. It has a rim flange which strengthens the edge of the disk and prevents edge tears. An preferably off center linear slit is about 3 inches in length and provides terminal holes for preventing slit... Agent: Patent Law & Venture Group