SEARCH:      Monitor Keywords |  Custom RSS

Surgery September archived by title and patent number 09/08

20080234665 - Devices and methods for stabilizing medical instruments: Embodiments of a device, and method of use thereof, are described for stabilizing a medical instrument, the medical instrument contacting a patient's body at a point of contact, the method using a plurality of support members for stabilizing the medical instrument, each support member comprising an instrument end and a... Agent: Dimock Stratton LLP

20080234664 - Handpiece calibration device: A calibration device for a milling instrument. The calibration device may be a burr guard which may be attached to the milling instrument. The calibration device may calibrate the milling instrument to provide a predetermined depth of alteration to an anatomical structure.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080234668 - Method and device for the macular degeneration treatment: A method of the macula degeneration treatment by irradiating of the retina damaged areas through the pupil wherein the technique of the irradiation performed by the quasi-monochromatic light pulse in visible and near infra-red spectral range with an energy level that does not exceed 10−5 joules.... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20080234666 - Surgical laser system control architecture: Embodiments of the present invention provide a surgical laser system having a control architecture operable to enable the surgical laser to be controlled from a user interface local to the laser system (e.g., the laser system front panel) and from a remote device. According to one embodiment of the present... Agent: Alcon

20080234667 - System and method for the treatment of a patients eye working at high speed: The invention relates to a system and a method for the treatment of a patient's eye. The system comprises a laser apparatus, a scanning apparatus and an eye tracking apparatus for determining the actual position of the patient's eye and for generating alignment data of the patient's eye relative to... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20080234669 - Method and device for treating skin by superficial coagulation: A method and system are disclosed for improving the appearance of skin utilizing an energy source, preferably a laser and more preferably an erbium laser device. The method includes using an energy source with or without pixilation adapted to be controlled by software or other means to achieve primarily coagulation... Agent: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.

20080234670 - System and apparatus providing a controlled light source for medicinal applications: An application for a light source for killing blood pathogens. The light source includes multiple ultraviolet light emitting diodes and a visible-spectrum light emitting diode. A light mixer combines light from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes and the visible-spectrum light emitting diode and focuses a mixed light into a fiber... Agent: Larson And Larson

20080234671 - Ablation apparatus having reduced nerve stimulation and related methods: Apparatus and methods for reducing nerve stimulation in electrosurgical instruments utilizing electrically isolated pairs of electrodes are disclosed. At least two pairs of electrodes may be configured to create at least two opposing currents which effectively cancel one another such that a net current flow is inhibited from developing within... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20080234672 - Non-stick surface coated electrodes and method for manufacturing same: A method of manufacturing an electrosurgical instrument includes the steps of: providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least one conductor, applying a lipid coating onto at least a portion of at least one conductor on an electrosurgical instrument, and curing the lipid coating. An electrosurgical instrument manufactured by the method... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080234673 - Multi-electrode instruments: Multi-electrode instruments and methods for applying electrical energy to the multiple electrodes are described. An assembly having at least two electrodes may be configured such that the electrodes are positioned at an angle relative to one another and/or are each configured to treat different tissue types. Moreover, power may be... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20080234674 - Surgical devices and methods of use thereof: The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped... Agent: Grossman, Tucker, Perreault & Pfleger, PLLC

20080234675 - Anchoring element, dental anchoring member, and dental anchorning unit: An anchoring element and an dental anchoring member for fixation in a first bone tissue and in a second bone tissue, each comprising an apex (1, 12) and 5 a first fixation portion (3, 13) disposed at the apex (1, 12), both adapted for fixation in the first bone tissue,... Agent: Dykema Gossett PLLC

20080234677 - Anti-unscrewing and multi-angular fastening apparatuses and methods for surgical bone screw/plate systems: A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member. The apparatus enables the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user and further provides an anti-unscrewing feature. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section... Agent: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt, P. A.

20080234676 - Orthopaedic trauma bone plate kit: A kit for the construction of a bone plate assembly for fixation of a fractured bone is provided. The kit includes a plurality of plate members, a connecting member for retaining the plurality of plate members in a desired configuration and a plurality of locking members for securing the plate... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080234678 - Rod reducer: A rod reduction instrument for position a rod relative to a seat of a bone anchor in a spinal implant system is provided. The instrument includes three concentric cannulas with circumferentially aligned rod receiving portions formed therein. One cannula is movable with respect to another to lock and unlock the... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20080234679 - Trochanteric grip: A surgical method and apparatus employs a trochanteric grip or bone plate having cable guides adapted to direct the necessary transitions in cable direction smoothly in different planes, thereby directing the cable in the direction of tension and preventing wear and concentration of stress in the cable.... Agent: William L. Johnson

20080234681 - dynamic cervical plate: A dynamic cervical plate has a ratchet and pawl mechanism that allows the cervical plate to post operatively shorten the length of the plate and maintain compression between adjacent vertebrae. The plate has an elongated shaft with grooves on one surface and a groove along each longitudinal edge. A lateral... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20080234680 - Interlock for dynamic bone fixation plates: Individual plate sections of a dynamic bone fixation plate can be internally interlocked to maintain the assembled plate and to limit relative motion between the sections. A dynamic bone fixation plate can include a first plate section, a second plate section, and a compressible interlock member. The first plate section... Agent: R.d. Johnson & Associates, P.C.

20080234682 - Augmentation device for osteoporotic bone: A bone augmentation device for anchoring an orthopaedic implant to bone tissue. An annular proximal section is rotatably joined to a distal section formed of a plurality of arcuate lower segments by flexures (integral embodiments) or a hinge (discrete embodiments). The interior of the annular proximal section is coaxial with... Agent: Elliott N. Kramsky, Esq.

20080234764 - Artificial functional spinal unit system and method for use: Insertion methods for placing dynamic interbody devices between a first vertebra and a second vertebra using a posterior approach are provided. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the first vertebra. A bridge assembly may be attached to tap shafts positioned in the first vertebra. The bridge... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20080234765 - Rod reduction methods and devices: The present invention provides methods and devices for reducing a rod disposed within or adjacent to a rod-receiving head of a spinal implant. In general, a rod reduction device is provided that can removably mate to the rod-receiving head of a spinal implant and be effective to reduce a rod... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234766 - Craniospinal fusion method and apparatus: A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting... Agent: Knoble, Yoshida & Dunleavy

20080234684 - Instruments and techniques for guiding instruments to a spinal column: Systems and methods of shaping surfaces of vertebral bodies include a reference guide instrument that can be positioned relative to a disc space between vertebral bodies and referenced to the caudally located endplate of the disc space. The reference guide instrument can then be employed to guide preparation instruments to... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080234683 - Single plane anatomic referencing tissue preparation: A system for preparing a surface of an anatomical structure, such as a bone or cartilage, for example, to receive an orthopaedic implant. The system includes a surgical instrument for preparing the surface and a guide engageable with a follower of the surgical instrument. The guide includes a track or... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080234685 - Patient-adapted osteotomy template for precise resection of the neck of the femur in a total hip prosthesis operation: A patient-adapted osteotomy template for precise resection of the femur in a total hip prosthesis operation with the use of a reamer comprises an upper abutment surface for abutment with the femur, a connecting surface fixed to the upper abutment surface and a guide surface, a guide slot provided in... Agent: Christian D. Abel

20080234687 - Devices for treating the spine: Method and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue and particularly spinal tissue. The device and method may include insertion of at least one elongated member and an augmenting member to form a structure between the tissues to be distraction, such that a dimensional aspect of the structure is augmented upon... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080234686 - Intervertebral disc prosthesis, surgical methods, and fitting tools: An intervertebral disc prosthesis designed to be substituted for fibrocartilaginous discs ensures a connection between the vertebra of the vertebra column or the end of the latter. The prosthesis includes a pair of plates spaced from each other by a nucleus. The prosthesis has increased stability by providing the nucleus... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080234688 - Apparatus and method for placing an implant in vivo: A system and method for placing an implant into or onto supporting bone, or between adjacent bones, without impaction is disclosed. The system includes an implant, a distracter, and a sleeve. Optionally, the invention includes an alignment guide, a surgical navigational tracker, and a bone displacer. The sleeve is structured... Agent: Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP

20080234689 - Vertebral plate measuring device and method of use: The present application is directed to a surgical devices and methods to measure vertebral members for a vertebral plate. The device may include a handle with a first arm and a second arm. A trial plate may be attached to the handle. The trial plate may include a first trial... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080234690 - Volume measuring intervertebral tool system and method: The invention includes a system and method for the loosening of tissue. In one embodiment, a device for use in an intervertebral tissue removal procedure includes a cannula having a first end portion for insertion into tissue, a feed passage within the cannula, a return passage within the cannula, and... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080234691 - Flex-rod, curvature-adaptable: The design of a rod is disclosed that can serve in general structural applications or as an orthopedic spinal implant to retain formation or stimulate the reduction of deformity as occurring in scoliosis and kyphosis. Different from common solid rod implants, the here-disclosed rod is curvature-adaptable in three dimensions to... Agent: Helmut Schwab

20080234692 - Orthopedic jig, pin, and method: An orthopedic jig and pins therefore are disclosed that allow the pins to be pre-loaded into apertures through the jig before the jig is positioned at a desired location with respect to a bone during an orthopedic surgical procedure. At least one of the pin and/or jig includes a retention... Agent: Mccracken & Frank LLP

20080234693 - Endoscopic tissue resection device: Devices and methods useful for manipulating tools at a surgical site are disclosed. The disclosed devices and methods can be useful, for example, for orbiting the distal end of one tool around the distal end of another tool, such as in an endoscopic resection procedure, and/or for rotating a tool... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234694 - Tool and a method for attaching a cardiac stimulator lead at a desired position inside a heart: For attaching a cardiac stimulator lead at a desired position inside a heart, the stimulator lead having a flexible tube from which a helix is extendible at a distal end thereof by a screw rotating motion and having a proximal end interconnected with an operating member, a tool has a... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080234695 - Device for controlled endoscopic penetration of injection needle: An endoscopic needle device comprises a handle and a catheter sheath connected to the handle, wherein the catheter sheath has at least one lumen, for example a needle lumen and a stabilization lumen, extending therethrough. A needle is selectively movable within the needle lumen between a needle retracted position and... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080234696 - Surgical tissue retrieval instrument: A surgical tissue retrieval instrument has a collapsible pouch at the distal end of an elongated pusher rod that is introduced into a patient's abdomen through a cannula. The instrument includes a two-jaw fork that forms a loop when in an unconstrained configuration and that supports the pouch. Deployment and... Agent: Cherskov & Flaynik

20080234699 - Biological unit removal tools with concentric tubes: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological... Agent: Restoration Robotics, Inc.

20080234697 - Device and method for harvesting and implanting follicular units: Device and method for harvesting and implanting hair follicular units is provided. A combined harvesting and implanting tool or tool assembly provides a harvesting cannula portion detachably coupled to an implanting cannula portion. The harvesting and implanting cannula portions may be coupled by a connector that could be designed to... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080234698 - Harvesting tools for biological units: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological... Agent: Restoration Robotics, Inc.

20080234700 - 3d tool path planning, simulation and control system: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for control of a catheter (including an ablation catheter), bronchoscope/endoscope and beveled needle. Control of a bronchoscope (100) is calculated for a 3D environment based on capabilities of the bronchoscope and the patient morphology. This can be used to plan and simulate an... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080234701 - Devices and methods for heart valve repair: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234702 - Devices and methods for heart valve repair: Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234703 - Tissue approximation system: Methods and devices for approximating tissue are disclosed. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234704 - Delivery devices and methods for heart valve repair: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234705 - Tissue approximation methods: Methods and devices for approximating tissue are disclosed. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with a flexible endoscope.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234706 - Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel: Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20080234707 - Contact glass for ophthalmic surgery: In a contact glass for ophthalmic surgery, which comprises a lens body (22) incorporated into a mount (37), said mount (37) having an anterior lens surface (29) designed to be placed on the eye (2), which anterior lens surface (29) is concave according to a curved surface (K), and an... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080234708 - Surgical instruments: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20080234711 - Surgical instruments: A surgical instrument includes an elongated transmission waveguide defining a longitudinal axis. The transmission waveguide has a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one strike surface is formed on the proximal end and is configured to receive vibratory energy.... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20080234712 - Ultrasonic operation apparatus for detecting initial resonance frequency and for shifting to pll operation: In an ultrasonic operation apparatus according to the present invention, in order to detect the initial resonance frequency (Fro) promptly once a foot switch is pressed, under the control of a sweeping speed control circuit, the D/A converter D/A converts 8-bits of signals (phase difference amount signal Δθ) representing the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080234709 - Ultrasonic surgical instrument and cartilage and bone shaping blades therefor: An ultrasonic surgical blade that includes a blade body that has a treatment region. At least one indentation can be formed in the treatment region of the blade body wherein each indentation forms a tissue cutting edge with an outer surface of the blade body. The indentation may comprise one... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20080234710 - Ultrasonic surgical instruments: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20080234714 - Cutting tool having a magnetically controlled pre-load force: The present disclosure relates to a cutting tool that includes an outer tubular member having a first magnet and an inner tubular member having a second magnet wherein the inner tubular member is slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. A force, such as an attractive force, is created between... Agent: Norman F. Hainer, Jr. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080234713 - Shaver blade with depth markings: A surgical cutting instrument with a tubular member provided with a plurality of markings (for example, depth markings) to aid a surgeon in assessing the dimensions (for example, the depth) of the tissue or structure that is cut or shaped. The tubular member may be an outer tubular member of... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080234716 - Apparatus and method for a high speed rotation-to-rotation oscillation converter for surgical use: A converter for use in a high speed rotationally oscillating surgical burring device comprises an output shaft, and a rotationally oscillating secondary drive rotor coupled to the output shaft. The secondary drive rotor is arranged and configured with a size and mass to minimize its angular momentum. A unidirectionally rotating... Agent: Myers Dawes Andras & Sherman, LLP

20080234715 - Tissue extraction and collection device: Methods and device for extracting and collecting tissue, which can be used for example in tissue engineering and grafting applications, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device can include an outer tube. A rotatable shaft can be disposed within the outer tube can have a tissue harvesting tip formed on... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234717 - Helical screw puncture tip: A helical screw dilator system and method including a helical screw dilator having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial length, the helical screw dilator including a piercing tip at the distal end; a threaded dilation portion operably connected to the piercing tip along the axial length, the... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080234718 - Ballasted intragastric balloon, use of an absorbing body and/or heavy solid bodies to form a ballast inside such a balloon: Please cancel the previous Abstract and insert the following new Abstract. The invention relates to an expandable intragastric balloon, for implantation into the stomach of a patient, to reduce the volume thereof for the treatment of obesity. Said balloon is provided with at least one first flexible pouch, capable of... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080234719 - Vaginal dilator for use in vaginal rehabilitation and methods therefor: These stents aid in the rehabilitation of transgender patients, vaginismus patients and vaginal reconstruction patients and similar maladies. The glass stent is made from select medical grade borosilicate glass that is non-porous, hypoallergenic, incredibly durable, and incredibly smooth, can be easily sterilized, is lightweight, and greatly reduces friction during removal.... Agent: Justin Bruce Adams

20080234720 - Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat: Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Acclarent, Inc.

20080234722 - Inferior vena cava filter on guidewire: A temporary inferior vena cava filter including a guidewire and a doublet cage filter distally located on the guidewire. The doublet cage filter has a proximal cage filter and a distal cage filter, both of resilient and biased toward their expanded or deployed state. The proximal and distal cage filters... Agent: Gregory L Bradley Medrad Inc

20080234723 - Microcatheter introducer sheath: The present invention includes an introducer sheath. The sheath may comprise a first proximal elongated section having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, and a main body elongated section having a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is larger than... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080234721 - Venous filters: Venous filters having at least two struts (110) each having a connected end and a non-connected end, wherein each of the struts includes a strut portion and an anchor portion (116), and wherein the strut portion and the anchor portion are attached via an electrolytically active thread (221, 222); and... Agent: National Institutes Of Health

20080234724 - Forceps for double eyelid operation: A forceps for a double eyelid. The forceps includes an upper support plate and a lower support plate. The upper support plate is attached to the front side of the handle and has one or more needles arranged in a front region of the inner surface of the upper support... Agent: Thomas M. Galgano, Esq. Galgano & Associates, PLLC

20080234725 - End effector mechanism for a surgical instrument: Improved end effector mechanisms for a surgical instrument used in minimally invasive surgical instruments as well as instruments for general surgery or as part of robotically controlled end effectors. These end effector mechanisms include multiple grasping elements paired with drive links. Each grasping element also serves as a stabilizing link... Agent: Akc Patents

20080234726 - Low profile chest seal: A chest seal for treating an open pneumothorax that is low profile and thus unobtrusive so that the chest seal can be effectively maintained in position to seal a chest wound while allowing the pleural cavity to vent.... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080234728 - Devices and methods for heart valve repair: Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234727 - Novel carriers for coating growth factors onto sutures: v

20080234730 - Fixation devices and method of repair: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an anchor body having an opening, the anchor body having a copolymer composition including polylactide-co-glycolide and calcium carbonate, wherein the calcium carbonate comprises more than 30% but less than 40% of the weight of the composition; and a... Agent: Norman F. Hainer, Jr. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080234731 - Suture anchor and method: A suture anchor is provided for approximating tissue to bone or other tissue. The suture anchor comprises an anchor member to fixedly engage the bone for securing the anchor member relative to the bone. A plurality of sutures are mounted to the proximal end of the anchor member so that... Agent: Moore & Van Allen PLLC

20080234729 - Suture lock fastening device: A suture lock fastening device to cinch a suture in a suture lock, cut the suture end, and deploy the suture lock in response to a single movement of a user. The fastening device includes a fastening head with a retainer that is configured to hold a suture lock in... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

20080234732 - Dynamic interbody devices: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include two dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may be inserted into a disc space using a posterior approach. A first portion of a dynamic interbody device may... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20080234734 - 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: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080234733 - Vertebral stabilization devices and associated surgical methods: A vertebral stabilization device operable for stabilizing and/or decompressing a portion of the spine, including: a first frame member; a second frame member; a first connector member engaged to the first frame member for securing the first frame member to a first structure of the spine; and a second connector... Agent: Clements Bernard Miller

20080234735 - Spinal implant for facet joint: An apparatus (10) and method are provided for supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra (14, 16) relative to each other by anchoring a support frame (30) to the superior spinous process (24) and the inferior spinous process (28) of two adjacent vertebra (14, 16); and anchoring the support frame (30)... Agent: Robert Deberardine D-377/ap6a-1

20080234736 - Vertebral stabilizer: A bio-compatible stabilization system includes one or more inserters and a connector for traversing a space between one or more bony structures. The stabilization system is designed to reduce or eliminate stress shielding effects while functioning as a tension band. The connector includes an extendable member and an over-extension limiter... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080234737 - Dynamic spinal stabilization system and method of using the same: A spinal stabilization system includes at least two anchors having a bone attachment portion and a head portion and a flexible assembly coupled to the anchors. The flexible assembly includes a flexible cord, at least two connectors slidably mounted to the flexible cord, and at least one spacer slidably mounted... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080234738 - System and method for insertion of flexible spinal stabilization element: Insertion of a spinal stabilization element into a patient generally includes positioning a cord within a sheath and inserting the sheath and cord through the patient's body along a path generally toward an anchor member. An advancement member may be mounted on the leading end of the cord to further... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080234739 - Dynamic spinal stabilization system and method of using the same: A spinal stabilization system includes a pair of vertebral anchors and a flexible construct extending between the anchors to provide dynamic stabilization of the spine. The flexible construct includes first and second spring arms coupled to the anchors at first ends thereof and second ends coupled at a joint. The... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080234740 - Artificial functional spinal unit system and method for use: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include one or more dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial rotation and lateral bending of vertebrae adjacent to the dynamic interbody devices. The... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20080234741 - Artificial functional spinal unit system and method for use: A stabilization system for a human spine is provided. The stabilization system may include two dynamic interbody devices and/or one or more dynamic posterior stabilization systems. The dynamic interbody devices may be inserted into a disc space using a posterior approach. The dynamic interbody devices may allow for coupled axial... Agent: Meyertons, Hood, Kivlin, Kowert & Goetzel, P.C.

20080234743 - Flexible coupling members for spinal stabilization members: A spinal stabilization system includes a first stabilization member and a second stabilization member engaged to one another in end-to-end fashion. A flexible coupling member allows the spinal stabilization members to be assembled and attached to the spinal column to dynamically support of the stabilized levels of the spinal column.... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080234742 - Head fixation device: An inner fixation system for implanting into the body of a patient and for providing the necessary support for the head of the patient afflicted by spine disorders, the system comprising a stem at each side of the head of the patient, wherein each stem is connected to the cranium... Agent: Norris, Mclaughlin & Marcus, P.A.

20080234744 - Spinal stabilization system with rigid and flexible elements: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080234745 - Self-aligning attachment devices and methods for attaching an elongated member to a vertebral member: The present application is directed to a device for connecting an elongated member within a patient. The device includes a body with a receiving section to receive the elongated member, and an engagement section to engage a support structure, such as a vertebral member. The receiving section is sized to... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080234746 - Spinal stabilization device: A flexible connection unit for use in a spinal fixation device, including: a first end portion and a second end portion, at least one of the first end and second end configured to be engagable by a section of a first bone securing member; a flexible member located between the... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080234747 - Resorbable release mechanism for a surgical tether and methods of use: The present application is directed to tethers and methods of use. The tether is attached with anchors to bony members within the patient. The tether applies a tensile force to the bony members to reduce and/or eliminate the abnormality of the bony members. The tether includes a release mechanism with... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080234748 - Anterior vertebral plate with quick lock screw: Provided is a novel system that includes a low profile anterior vertebral body plate and quick lock screws for the fixation and stabilization of the cervical spine, the quick lock screw having an integral novel screw locking mechanism of a locking thread disposed on at least a portion of the... Agent: Perry E. Van Over & Associates, PLLC

20080234751 - Anterior vertebral plate with closed thread screw: Provided is a novel system that includes a low profile anterior vertebral body plate and closed thread screws for the fixation and stabilization of the cervical spine, the closed thread screw having an integral novel screw locking mechanism of an uppermost closed thread having a flat pitch, which engages and... Agent: Perry E. Van Over & Associates, PLLC

20080234750 - Anterior vertebral plate with taper lock screw: Provided is a novel system that includes a low profile anterior vertebral body plate and taper lock screws for the fixation and stabilization of the cervical spine, the anterior vertebral plate having a novel screw locking mechanism attached to the screw during the manufacturing thereof and providing a taper lock... Agent: Perry E. Van Over & Associates, PLLC

20080234749 - Bone plate providing threaded locking head screw capture: The present invention relates to orthopedic bone plates, and, more particularly, to orthopedic bone plates having screw receiving apertures formed therein. In one embodiment, the bone plate includes an aperture defined by an interior wall having a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the threaded portion... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080234752 - Surgical plate puller devices and methods for use with surgical bone screw/plate systems: A plate puller device can include a head portion and extension rod portion. The device enables the fastener receiving member to be pulled against a bone surface before a head section of the fastener is advanced within the fastener receiving member into a locked position. The head portion can be... Agent: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt, P. A.

20080234753 - Spinal stabilization systems: A stabilizing system for stabilizing a patient's spinal column comprises a flexible implant configured for attachment to a vertebral member, an anchor plate for attaching the flexible implant to the vertebral member, and at least one fastener to secure the anchor plate to the vertebral member. The anchoring plate has... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080234755 - Craniospinal fusion method and apparatus: A method for effecting reduction, stabilization and enhancement of fusion of the human cranio-cervical junction, which may be performed in order to relieve mechanical stresses imparted to the spinal cord and brainstem as a result of an abnormal clivo-axial angle, includes steps of achieving the correct craniocervical relationship, of effecting... Agent: Knoble, Yoshida & Dunleavy

20080234754 - Novel biodegradable bone plates and bonding systems: The invention relates to novel internal fixation devices, such as bone plates, generally and novel craniomaxillofacial bone plates more specifically and systems for bonding the same. More specifically, the invention relates to bone plates made of a polymer blend of (poly)lactic acid and Ecoflex as well as a novel hot-melt... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234757 - Modular pedicle screw system: There is provided a modular pedicle screw assembly that includes various components which may be configured in various manners so as to provide different functionalities to the pedicle screw assembly. This advantageously decreases surgery time, reduces repetitive and tedious surgical steps, and allows for streamlining inventory of expensive medical equipment.... Agent: Gallagher & Kennedy, P. A.

20080234756 - Pedicle screw: The invention relates to a pedicle screw for implants for the correction and stabilization of the spinal column, having a head part (4) disposed on the one axial end of a threaded shaft (2), to which part a shackle part (3) can be connected, which part has a shackle accommodation... Agent: Collard & Roe, P.C.

20080234760 - Bone screw apparatus and related methods of use: Bone screws and related methods, as can optionally be used to affect the density of bone used therewith.... Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.c. Attn: Linda Kasulke, Docket Coordinator

20080234758 - Intra-facet fixation device and method of use: A implantable interference device configured for intra-facet placement within a facet joint is provided. The device includes a shank capable of engaging opposing faces of the facet joint. The shank can further include a head extending from a proximal end of the shank wherein the head is configured to engage... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080234759 - Mono-planar pedicle screw method, system and kit: A pedicle screw assembly (10) that includes a cannulated pedicle screw (20) having a scalloped shank (24), a swivel top head 30 having inclined female threads (44) in a left and right arm (34, 36) to prevent splaying, a set screw (50) having mating male threads 52, a rod conforming... Agent: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky And Popeo, P.c Attn: Patent Intake Customer No. 64046

20080234761 - Polyaxial bone screw with shank-retainer insert capture: A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body member having an upper portion with an internal drive and, alternatively, a laterally extending alignment rib or fin. The bone screw assembly also includes a lockable receiver coupling member, an open retainer ring member having a slit or gap and... Agent: Law Office Of John C. Mcmahon

20080234762 - Self-tapping screw with resorbable tip: A fixation device for use in bone, such as a bone screw, includes a first end and a second end. The first portion may be manufactured from a short-term resorbable material, and the second portion may be manufactured from a non-resorbable or long term resorbable material. The first portion may... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080234763 - Surgical compression bone screw: A screw implant for stabilizing a bone material having a two separated regions has improved features that generates better compression of the two regions than conventional compression screws. The screw implant has a shaft including a longitudinal axis, a proximal portion, and a distal portion, the proximal and distal portions... Agent: Duane Morris, LLPIPDepartment

20080228176 - Eye-contact element: An optical eye-contact element is disclosed that is at least partly translucent, the optical eye-contact element giving rise to a wavefront error of at most about λ/2, preferentially at most about λ/4, highly preferentially at most about λ/10, in a traversing light beam. The optical eye-contact element may be a... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080228177 - System and method for correction of ophthalmic refractive errors: The present invention relates to a system and a method for calculating a course of refractive treatment for correcting a refractive error of a patient's eye. It is based on the concept to combine at least a first treatment which provides an overcorrection of the intended correction with at least... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20080228178 - Hair-growth control device and hair-growth control method: The invention relates to a device (1) for hair-growth control of hairs (3), in particular hairs growing from human skin (5). The device (1) has a laser source (7) for generating a laser beam (9) during a pulse time, an optical system (15) for focusing the laser beam into a... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080228179 - Electrocautery method and apparatus: An electrode structure and a mechanism for automated or user-selected operation or compensation of the electrodes, for example to determine tissue coverage and/or prevent arcing between bottom electrodes during electrocautery is disclosed.... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080228180 - Ablation system and heat preventing electrodes therefor: An ablation system comprising a source of electrical ablation energy having first, second and third power outputs it is disclosed. A first conductor is coupled to the first power output on the source of electrical energy. A second conductor is coupled to the second power output on the source of... Agent: Brown Rudnick LLP

20080228181 - Electrosurgical method: Methods are disclosed for delivering energy to a body of a human or animal during a treatment procedure using an electrosurgical generator, a pre-set overall procedure time being defined for the treatment procedure, a ramp time being defined for a parameter to reach a pre-set threshold during the treatment procedure,... Agent: Dimock Stratton LLP

20080228183 - Catheter design that facilitates positioning at tissue to be diagnosed or treated: A catheter used for diagnosing and treating, for example, atrial fibrillation. The catheter includes a catheter shaft that has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity having tissue to be diagnosed or treated and is disposed remotely from... Agent: Sjm/afd-wiley

20080228182 - Low profile radiofrequency electrode array: An electrosurgical device for tissue ablation includes a delivery cannula having a lumen and an open distal end in communication with the lumen, wherein an electrode array comprising a plurality of tines is deployable from, and retractable into, the cannula lumen through the open distal end. The electrode array tines... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080228184 - System and method for minimally invasive spinal surgery: A system for installing a cross member between first and second anchor members within a patient's body generally includes first and second docking members configured to be removably coupled to the respective first and second anchor members. Each docking member has a first end with an opening, a second end,... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080228185 - Encompassing external fixation device with incorporated pemf coil: The disclosed embodiments reveal an external fixation frame that encompasses an injured body part, having an integrated PEMF coil. The frame supports and stabilizes the injured body part, while the coil generates a PEMF signal that encompasses the injured body part. Working together, these elements speed the healing process for... Agent: Baker & Mckenzie LLP Patent Department

20080228186 - Graft fixation device: In one aspect a device is disclosed for use as a bone implant comprising, a body having a pre-implantation shape and a post-implantation shape different from the pre-implantation shape. The body is configured to change from the pre-implantation shape to the post-implantation shape in response to the body being activated.... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20080228187 - Oriented polymer implantable device and process for making same: A device is formed by the process into a bone screw or fastener, wherein the head has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and wherein the shank has a higher degree of polymer alignment and strength. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the... Agent: Kensey Nash Corporation

20080228233 - Instrument for manipulating spinal implant system: Instruments are provided herein for reducing the lateral distance between a spinal rod anchored to a spine and a coupling device. The instruments permit a rod to be shifted into a coupling device that is not in alignment with other coupling devices secured to the rod because of rotational deformities... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20080228188 - Surgical guide: A surgical guide and computer aided surgery method of use thereof are described. The guide is mounted on a body part to guide a device along a guide axis. The body has a channel in it which defines the guide axis and which receives the device in use. A base... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080228189 - Distal femoral cutting guide: A system locates a femoral cutting guide on a distal end of a femur. The femoral cutting guide establishes at least a first reference plane to perform a distal femoral planar cut. The system generally includes a mounting rod operable to insert into the distal end of the femur. An... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080228190 - In situ patellar fixing system: Disclosed is a patellar cutting jig for use in a knee joint surgical procedure. The jig grips and holds a patella in situ in spatial reference to the femur to enable the appropriate cut to be made to the patella to accurately accommodate the patello-femoral gap at the replacement knee... Agent: Moetteli & Associates Sarl

20080228191 - Femoral elevator: A bone retractor that may be used as a femoral elevator. The bone retractor includes a clamp for attaching the bone retractor to an operating room bed rail, a post attached to the clamp via a hinged joint, a mount slidably attached to the post and a hook coupled to... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080228192 - Cannula: A bone cement cannula, the cannula comprising: a tube including a section adapted for plastic deformation; and a lumen in the tube capable of resisting forces of a viscous material propelled therethough at a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080228193 - Implantable medicament delivery device and delivery tool and method for use therewith: An implantable medicament delivery device is disclosed for administration of a medicament to a joint. The implantable delivery device includes a filament formed of a bioabsorbable material and carrying a medicament. The material of the filament is capable of eluting the medicament. A kit for use in post operatively treating... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP US Bank Center

20080228194 - Method and apparatus for endoscopic access to the vagus nerve: An apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive surgical procedure in the vagus nerve region includes a cannula, an endoscopic dissection tool and a cradle assembly slideably disposed in a cannula lumen. The cradle assembly includes a C-ring, an electrode cuff disposed over an exterior surface of the C-ring, and a deployment... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP 32469

20080228195 - Instrument guide for use with a surgical navigation system: An instrument guide system for use with a surgical navigation system, the instrument guide system comprising a handle assembly, an instrument attachment assembly, a shaft connecting the handle assembly to the instrument attachment assembly, an electromagnetic sensor assembly removably mounted within an opening in the handle assembly, and an instrument... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080228196 - Surgical robotic system for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures: The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20080228197 - Epilator: The invention relates to an epilator (10) comprising tweezers elements (12). In accordance with the invention at least the surfaces of the tweezers elements (12) are at least in part made of a basic material reinforced with a filling material for at least 30%, the filling material comprising a hardness... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080228198 - Suture cutter and method of cutting suture: Suture cutters and methods of cutting suture in a surgical procedure. The suture cutter may include an actuator, an intermediate cannula portion and a movable cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may be operatively coupled to the actuator and include a cutting element. An adjustably sized cutting window receives the suture.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080228200 - Closure and reconstruction implants and the apparatus for delivery thereof: A system and implant is useful for the minimally invasive closure of dura, bone, and/or ligementous defects. The delivery mechanism allows for the novel deployment of a novel closure device. The implant device with three components, an internal anchor, disc, and retaining ring, is loaded into a delivery system that... Agent: Cermak Kenealy & Vaidya LLP

20080228199 - Endoscopic tissue approximation method: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for approximating tissue. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080228201 - Mitral valve repair system and method for use: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20080228202 - Endoscopic tissue approximation system: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for approximating tissue. The methods and devices utilize a device for applying an implantable tissue fastener and a variety of implantable tissue fasteners. The tissue-fastening device can be delivered endoscopically and can be adapted to function along side or in conjunction with... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080228203 - System and method for translumenal closure in natural orifice surgery: To close a translumenal hole made in the stomach (or colon, etc.) pursuant to natural orifice surgical treatment of tissue in the peritoneal cavity, one or more guides are engaged with the hole, and the guides can be pulled to purse together tissue on opposite sides of the hole. A... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080228204 - Limited access suturing devices, system, and methods: Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic (with or without access ports) or other surgeries in which access is limited, including ear, nose, and throat procedures. Articulation motions may be transferred from a handle to needle grasping jaws using an axial movement of a shaft that... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080228205 - Ventricular partitioning device: This invention is directed to a partitioning device for separating a patient's heart chamber into a productive portion and a non-productive portion. The device is particularly suitable for treating patients with congestive heart failure. The partitioning device has a reinforced, expandable membrane which separates the productive and non-productive portions of... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080228206 - Transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device, assembly, system and method: The invention provides a device, assembly, and method for transoral endoscopic restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The invention also provides a self-steering and self-closing tissue fixation device for tissue fixation and an invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering tissue. The restoration device includes a longitudinal member arranged for transoral... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20080228208 - Intralumenal material removal using a cutting device for differential cutting: Intralumenal material removal systems are provided using an advanceable and rotatable cutter assembly designed for differential cutting. The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the body cavity of a mammalian subject. One embodiment of the cutter assembly comprises a cutter with blades that are designed and... Agent: Speckman Law Group PLLC

20080228207 - Semi-automatic power assist for endoscopic vein dissector: An endoscopic vein dissector for removing a vein from a living body comprises a dissector tip adapted to penetrate between the vein and surrounding tissue. A handle is provided for manipulation by a device operator to guide the tip through an incision in the living body to the vicinity of... Agent: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Attn: Gael Diane Tisack

20080228209 - 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. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core wire is sized close to the inner diameter of the... Agent: Cesari And Mckenna, LLP

20080228210 - System, method and device for corneal marking: A system, method and device for marking the eye pre-operatively. Specifically, an embodiment of the invention is a corneal marking device assembly mounted onto a trial frame apparatus that can be adjusted by using the adjustment features on the trial frame apparatus. The corneal marking device assembly provides the stabilized... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, PLLC

20080228211 - Nozzle for use in generating a pressure jet of liquid: A nozzle for use in generating a pressure jet of liquid wherein the nozzle has a proximal end for connection to a source of pressurised liquid and a distal end at which the pressure jet is generated, characterised in that the nozzle comprises a hollow tube having an axial lumen... Agent: Louis Woo Law Office Of Louis Woo

20080228212 - Lancet device: The present invention relates to lancet device by which a lancet is displaceable along a piercing path to generate a piercing wound in a skin surface, in particular to obtain body fluid for diagnostic purposes. To achieve performance of a piercing movement which is low in noise and shock, the... Agent: Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20080228214 - Shield lockout for bladed obturator and trocars: A shielded bladed obturator is provided with a shield lockout that prevents retraction of a shield to expose a blade for cutting. The shield lockout in one aspect has a rotational switch interacting with a longitudinal extending shield to lock and unlock the shield. A blade exposure and coverage system... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20080228213 - Variable size trocar: A trocar includes a guide tube axially movable within a securing member. The securing member has an annular member having an inside circumference which is complementary with the outside circumference of the guide tube so that the guide tube is axially movable within the annular member.... Agent: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Attn: Gael Diane Tisack

20080228215 - Implant including a coil and a stretch-resistant member: This invention is directed to implantable coils and, more particularly, to a coil implant having a stretch-resistant member internal to the coil. The implant of the invention is able to freely articulate and torque prior to delivery. Once delivered, the implant is no longer stretch resistant and is therefore able... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080228216 - Implant, a mandrel, and a method of forming an implant: This invention is directed to an implant having a coil for embolizing a vascular site, such as aneurysm. The coil has a specific three-dimensional shape that is achieved by winding the coil around a mandrel in a specific pattern and then heat setting the coil and the mandrel, another aspect... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080228217 - Non-surgical chin/neck lift: A chin/neck lifting device is provided comprising a flesh-colored or clear flexible fabric and/or elastic material strip with adhesive pads structured to removably adhere to the skin at the back of a person's neck so as to retain the skin of the neck and face region in a lifted position... Agent: Richard E. Novak

20080228220 - Method and apparatus for closing wounds without sutures: An elongated flexible base strip is constructed with a bottom surface coated with an adhesive material. The base strip is constructed with bridging links which are spaced along the inner edge of the base strip and extend outward therefrom. The base strip, is cut to a first length and aligned... Agent: Burns & Levinson, LLP

20080228218 - Pfo closure device with flexible thrombogenic joint and improved dislodgement resistance: The present invention provides devices for closing septal defects, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The closure devices include a proximal anchor member, a distal anchor member, and at least one flexible center joint connecting the two anchor members. According to some embodiments, the proximal and/or distal anchor members... Agent: Wilmerhale/dc

20080228219 - Wound closure device: The present development includes an elongated flexible base strip having its bottom surface coated with an adhesive material suitable for adherence to skin and constructed with bridging links spaced along the inner edge of the base strip and extending outwardly therefrom. The inner edge of the base strip is intended... Agent: Burns & Levinson, LLP

20080228222 - Medical closure methods and screen devices: A medical closure screen device for a separation of first and second tissue portions is provided, which includes a mesh screen comprising tubular vertical risers, vertical strands with barbed filaments, and horizontal spacers connecting the risers and strands in a grid-like configuration. An optional perimeter member partly surrounds the screen... Agent: Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Attn: Legal Department Intellectual Property

20080228221 - Screen devices and methods for closing tissue separations: A medical closure screen device for a separation of first and second tissue portions is provided, which includes a mesh screen comprising tubular vertical risers, vertical strands with barbed filaments, and horizontal spacers connecting the risers and strands in a grid-like configuration. An optional perimeter member partly surrounds the screen... Agent: Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Attn: Legal Department Intellectual Property

20080228223 - Heart valve chordae replacement methods and apparatus: Apparatus for attaching a prosthetic tether between a leaflet of a patient's heart valve and another portion of the patient's heart to help prevent prolapse of the leaflet and/or to otherwise improve leaflet function. The apparatus can be used with relatively low invasiveness of the patient's body. The apparatus releasably... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080228224 - Device for securing a surgical suture to a bone: A device for securing a surgical suture to a bone comprises a first element, which can be introduced into a bone, and a second, movable element, which can be introduced into said bone in such a way that it meets said first element. A channel being formed in said bone... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20080228226 - Cervical support system: An apparatus for connecting between an upper cervical vertebrae and a cervical fixation network that includes a screw for rotationally entering and gripping the upper cervical vertebrae. A bridge is configured to route between the cervical fixation network and the screw. A connector holding the screw and bridge together includes... Agent: Law Offices Of Kamran Fattahi

20080228227 - Dynamic connector for spinal device: The present invention provides a dynamic stabilization device positionable about a portion of a spinal column. The stabilization device may generally include a first component and a second component, where the first and second components are movably coupled to one another to define an arcuate path of motion. The stabilization... Agent: Christopher & Weisberg, P.A.

20080228225 - Interlaminar-interspinous vertebral stabilization system: An implantable interlaminar-interspinous stabilization system is provided. The system may comprise a U-shaped implantable device having an inferior section, a superior section, a midsection extending therebetween, and pair of lateral walls for engaging a spinous process of a vertebra, each of the lateral walls including an aperture with a countersink... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080228229 - 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: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080228228 - Spinal stabilization system with flexible guides: In one embodiment, a spinal stabilization apparatus includes a vertebral anchor having a head portion and a bone attachment portion. An elongate, flexible guide is removably coupled to the head portion of the vertebral anchor and has a channel extending longitudinally thereof and communicating with a slot in the head... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080228230 - Hinged bone plate and related methods: A bone plate system comprising a thin plate and fasteners for securing the plate to at least two segments of bone. The plate may be hinged along the central axis, with a pair of collinear holes on each portion of the plate. Each of the holes accommodates a bolt which... Agent: Jonathan Spangler Nu Vasive, Inc.

20080228231 - Acoustic back-scattering sensing screw for preventing spine surgery complications: A medical device having an implantable instrument configured to be implanted in bone tissue, the implantable instrument having an internal chamber configured to house at least one transducer; a transducer located within the internal chamber of the implantable instrument, the transducer configured to transmit a signal and to receive one... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP Suite 3800

20080228232 - 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: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080221558 - Multiple fiber-type tissue treatment device and related method: A fiber detector apparatus includes a hub having one or more electrical contacts. The hub is configured to be placed against a connector, which is disposed on an electromagnetic energy source, such that electrical continuity is established between the electrical contacts of the hub and electrical contacts on a connector... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080221559 - Calibration and quality assurance system for use with ophthalmic surgical devices and associated methods: A method for determining a peak fluence of an excimer laser includes scanning an excimer laser beam in a predetermined pattern on a film. The film can include a polymer layer atop a substrate including an upper layer having a first characteristic and a lower layer having a second characteristic... Agent: Alcon

20080221560 - Intravascular diagnostic or therapeutic apparatus using high-intensity pulsed light: An intravascular diagnostic or therapeutic apparatus capable of removing blood in an intravascular lumen to be observed using a minimally invasive method is provided. The apparatus includes high-intensity pulsed light generating means and high-intensity pulsed light transmitting means for transmitting high-intensity pulsed light, capable of irradiating the interior of a... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080221561 - Spray device for dispensing a cooling fluid: A spray device for dispensing a cooling fluid comprises a reservoir in which the cooling fluid is stored in liquid form at an overpressure, a fluid outlet valve, and a spray head (3b) which has a capillary tube (30b). The capillary tube (30b) is arranged in a valve tappet (31b)... Agent: Hershkovitz & Associates, Llc

20080221563 - Safety device for a hf-surgery appliance: A safety device for a high-frequency surgery appliance that includes at least one high-frequency generator with an active output and a neutral output to generate a working current, and at least two working connectors. At least one instrument, through which the working current is conducted to a biological tissue, is... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080221562 - Tissue treatment system and method for tissue perfusion using feedback control: An ablation probe is provided for treating tissue, e.g., tissue having a tumor. The ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft, an ablative element, a perfusion lumen that extends through the probe shaft, and at least one perfusion exit port in fluid communication with the perfusion lumen. The ablation probe further... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080221565 - Electrocautery method and apparatus: An electrode structure and a mechanism for automated or user-selected operation or compensation of the electrodes, for example to determine tissue coverage and/or prevent arcing between bottom electrodes during electrocautery is disclosed.... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080221564 - Method and device for identifying and monitoring a medical instrument: A method and device for monitoring and identifying a medical instrument, capable of being incorporated in the instrument itself, and provided with the sufficient storage capacity to store all the data relative to the use of the instrument. The device for monitoring and identifying the medical instrument (10) includes an... Agent: Davis Bujold & Daniels, P.l.l.c.

20080221567 - Electrosurgical tissue removal with a selectively insulated electrode: An electrosurgical device includes an elongated body including a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, at least one arm coupled to the distal end of the elongated body and an electrode coupled to at least one arm. The electrode includes an upper surface and a... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080221566 - Method and apparatus for detecting and achieving closure of patent foramen ovale: A method for detecting and closing the patent foramen ovale including the steps of locating a His bundle, plane of the interatrial septum, and coronary sinus ostium in a patient; identifying a fossa ovalis on the basis of one or more predetermined distances between the fossa ovalis and the His... Agent: Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP

20080221568 - Medical device electrical lead design for preventing transmittance of unsafe currents to a patient: An electrical lead including a conductor assembly, an electrode, and a thermally sensitive material. The conductor assembly has one or more conductors. The electrode is in electrical communication with one of the conductors and has an outer contact adapted for contacting adjacent body tissue of a patient. The thermally sensitive... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080221570 - Non-imaging tracking tools and method for hip replacement surgery: The invention includes a method of determining a surgical patient's pelvic position and inputting that position into a computer via a tracking system, suitable for use in navigating partial or total hip replacement surgery. The patient is first aligned with anatomical reference points in relation to corresponding locating features on... Agent: William L. Johnson

20080221569 - Orthopaedic instrumentation with integral load-bearing members: An orthopaedic instrument includes a metallic load-bearing member and a non-metallic support structure formed integrally with the load-bearing member such that the load-bearing member is permanently attached to the non-metallic support structure.... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080221571 - External fixation: An orthopedic external fixation system may include a distal bar having a curvature that varies along its length, an uncurved proximal bar, a plurality of proximal embedding members, and a plurality of distal embedding members. The proximal and the distal embedding members, sized and shaped for embedding in bone, may... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080221572 - Device for temporary fixation of parts of a human joint: A device for temporary fixation of parts of a human joint includes two holding elements disposed opposite one another and a releasable fixing device configured to fix in place a respective joint part of the human joint between the two holding elements. In addition, the device includes a support surface... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080221573 - Adjustment devices for external fixators and related methods: An adjustment device for an external fixator, which has an elongated fixator body connected to bone-pin clamps at proximal and distal ends of the elongated fixator body is disclosed. The adjustment device includes at least one adaptor for mounting to at least one of the bone-pin clamps. The adaptor stabilizes... Agent: Lathrop & Gage Lc

20080221575 - Expandable blade device for stabilizing long bone fractures: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and medical methods, in particular, devices and methods useful for stabilizing fractures of long bones. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device comprising a housing having a lumen; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20080221576 - Insertion instrument for an endoprosthesis comprising a prosthesis shaft which is to be inserted into a medullary cavity: The invention relates to an insertion instrument for an endoprosthesis (1), which comprises a neck part (12) and a shaft part (10) which is to be inserted into a medullary cavity, comprising a clamping device (2) which is provided with a holding fork (25) and a thrust bearing (26), which... Agent: Lempia Braidwood Llc

20080221574 - Method of treating a clavicle fracture: A method of clavicle fracture fixation includes using a K-wire to create a pilot hole extending longitudinally through the medullary canal of the lateral and medial fragments of the fractured clavicle while the fragments are reduced, enlarging a medial portion of the pilot hole in the lateral fragment and a... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.c.

20080221577 - Intramedullary implant with locking and compression devices: An intramedullary fixation device includes an intramedullary implant having a longitudinal bore along a longitudinal axis, a two-component compression device and a two-component locking device, both devices preassembled in the longitudinal bore. The intramedullary implant includes an elongated slot and first and second apertures transversely crossing the longitudinal axis. The... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080221578 - Sternum reinforcing device to be used after a sternotomy or a sternal fracture: A sternum reinforcing device to be used after a sternotomy or a sternal fracture, made of a biocompatible material, comprises an elongated modular member (10) with a pair of legs (20, 30), that are joined each other by a body portion (4), and a pair of arms (6, 7). The... Agent: Alexander R Schlee Schlee Ip International P.c.

20080221579 - Apparatus to trace and cut a tendon or other laterally extended anatomical structure: A harvesting apparatus is disclosed for harvesting anatomical structures such as tendons, fine muscles, nerves and blood vessels, where the apparatus includes an elongate member having two longitudinally extending tubes or tubular apertures extending from the member's proximal end to its distal end. The distal end includes opposing heads and... Agent: Robert W Strozier, P.l.l.c

20080221580 - Powered driver: An apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver having a gear assembly and a motor. The powered driver may include an indicator operable to show status of a power supply associated with the powered driver. The power supply may include... Agent: Baker Botts L.l.p. Patent Department

20080221626 - Force limiting persuader-reducer: An apparatus and method for advancement of a spinal rod in a spinal implant, wherein the apparatus includes a body and a handle attached to the body. A shaft is slidably attached to the body, the shaft is coupled to the handle and has a first end adapted to engage... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080221627 - Surgical instrument for moving vertebrae: A surgical instrument extendable through a cannula for moving a first bone portion relative to a second bone portion includes a first portion having a longitudinal axis engageable with a first member connected with to the first bone portion. A second portion is engageable with a second member connected with... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, Llc

20080221628 - Devices and methods for spine repair: Surgical methods of repairing defects and deficiencies in the spine are disclosed. The methods involve delivering a single part in-situ polymerizing fluid to (i) close a weakened segment or fissure in the annulus fibrosus, (ii) strengthen the annulus, (iii) replace or augment the disc nucleus, or (iv) localize a disc... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20080221581 - Bone drilling cannula: A drilling guide cannula, having a serrated distal end in the form of axially moveable teeth which enables all or most of the teeth to maintain biting contact with the bone surface, essentially independently of the curvature of the bone surface and the drilling angle. The cannula outer wall incorporates... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080221582 - Pulmonary stent removal device: A removal tool for an implanted device, including pulmonary stents, occlusive devices, valved devices, and flow-restrictive devices, is provided. The removal tool includes an elongate tube having a central passage, a slideable inner member within the passage, and a coupling member disposed on the distal end of the inner member.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221583 - Polyaxial screwdriver for a pedicle screw system: A polyaxial screwdriver for inserting a bone screw in a vertebra. A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a coupling element. When a screw engaging end of the polyaxial screwdriver is lowered on the head of the bone screw, the complimentary surfaces of the screw engaging end of the screwdriver and... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080221584 - Lens delivery system: A lens delivery system delivery system having a plunger, an injector body and a nozzle portion connected to the injector body. A sliding gate is attached to a flange located on the proximal end of the injector body. The gate engages a receptor slot in the plunger and prevents movement... Agent: Alcon

20080221585 - Lens delivery system cartridge: A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that folds open along its longitudinal axis on two pairs of hinges. The interior of the cartridge is hollow and contains a folding chamber connected to a nozzle. The folding chamber has a pair of rails that help to assist in providing an... Agent: Alcon

20080221586 - Curviliner spinal access method and device: A curvilinear spinal access device for performing a procedure on a spine of a patient is disclosed. The device includes a working portal configured to be advanced toward a surgical site located at the spine of the patient. The working portal includes a distal end and a proximate end, a... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo Attn: Patent Intake Customer No. 35437

20080221587 - Two-stage snare-basket medical device: The present invention relates to a medical device which can be used to resect and remove polyps, stones or foreign bodies. It accomplishes this goal by using a two stage snare basket.... Agent: Dreier LLP

20080221588 - Specimen retrieval device: The present invention provides a surgical specimen retrieval device that allows one-handed use by incorporating a geared spool to amplify take up of a flexible line to close the mouth of the specimen bag after the surgical specimen is deposited in the bag. The retrieval device includes a spool with... Agent: Sturm & Fix LLP

20080221589 - Device and method for manipulating and inserting electrode arrays into neural tissues: An insertion device for inserting a therapeutic device into organic tissue is disclosed and described. The device is particularly suited to insertion of such as nerve stimulating electrode arrays. The insertion device has at least one controllable positive pressure source (greater than atomospheric), two vacuum sources and a dual vacuum... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20080221590 - Apparatus for positioning and holding in place a manually manipulated medical device during the performance of a robotically assisted medical procedure: An apparatus includes two clamp assemblies on opposing sides of an operating table. A cross bar is attached to the assemblies and extends across a lowered leg section of the table. A pivot joint is coupled to the cross bar, a first linkage couples the pivot joint to a first... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20080221592 - Medical control apparatus: A controller includes a servo controller that performs attitude control of the bending portion. A point lock computing section is provided at the servo controller. Based on supplied distal end command value information and position F/B information, the point lock computing section performs computational processing by a distal end link... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080221591 - Methods, systems, and devices for surgical visualization and device manipulation: A surgical device includes a console having a visual display and a manipulator arm, a robotic device having a camera and a connection component. The robotic device is configured to be positioned completely within a body cavity. The camera is configured to transmit visual images to the visual display. The... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20080221593 - Apparatus and method for the ligation of tissue: A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080221595 - Apparatus and methods for delaying gastric emptying to treat obesity: Medical devices and methods for the treatment of obesity. The medical devices generally include an attachment portion for attaching the medical devices on or adjacent the pylorus and a limitation portion for limiting the passage of stomach contents through the pylorus to delay emptying the stomach. The limitation portion may... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20080221594 - Resorbable truss: A method and apparatus for repairing a bone defect in a cranium includes a frame defining a plurality of openings. The frame may be adapted to generally span the bone defect in an implanted position. Bone-growth promoting material may generally overlap the openings and secured to the frame to cover... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080221596 - Applier for fastener for single lumen access anastomosis: An applier (1) for an anastomosis ring device (9) having proximal (10), center (11), and distal rings (12) connected by proximal (13) and distal hinged arms (14) which have a generally oblong radially retracted shape when the ring device (9) is un-actuated and a folded radially protruding shape when actuated,... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080221599 - Devices, methods, and kits for gastrointestinal procedures: Devices, methods and kits for restricting a portion of a GI tract by tightening tissue are provided. The devices, methods and kits can be used to treat GERD or obesity. The devices, methods, and kits do not require the formation of plications in tissue walls and may result in faster... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080221600 - Isolation devices for the treatment of aneurysms: Device, systems and methods are provided to isolate aneurysms, particularly at bifurcations, while maintaining adequate blood flow through nearby vessels. These devices are deliverable to a desired target area and maintain position in a desired orientation so as to occlude flow in some aspect while allowing flow in others. In... Agent: Nfocus Neuromedical Inc.,c/o Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080221597 - Methods and devices for intragastrointestinal fixation: A device for fixating a gastrointestinal device may include a band of material that may be wrapped around the gastrointestinal tract, for example, by wrapping the band around the outside of the stomach or wrapping the band in such a way that it is integrated into and/or with the stomach... Agent: Davol Inc. (anthony Colesanti, Esq.)

20080221598 - Pressure sensors for gastric band and adjacent tissue: An apparatus for providing a restriction and sensing an associated operational parameter, comprises a restriction device and a sensing device. The restriction device is configured to be secured around a portion of an anatomical structure. The restriction device is operable to form a restriction within the anatomical structure. The sensing... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, Llc

20080221601 - Guidewire for crossing occlusions or stenoses having a shapeable distal end: A hollow guidewire with a shapeable distal end, for removing tissue from a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The hollow guidewire comprises an elongate, tubular guidewire body that has an axial lumen. A tissue removal assembly, such as a rotating drive shaft, is positioned at or near a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080221602 - Appliance for water-jet surgery: An appliance for water-jet surgery is provided that includes a plurality of supply cylinder and piston arrangements in each of which is stored a working fluid that can be expelled, by means of the piston, through an outlet into a pressure conduit. At least one actuation device is provided to... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080221603 - Ultrasonic treatment device: An ultrasonic treatment device, includes at least a pair of electrodes disposed so as to be spaced from each other in an insulated state, an actuator main body formed from an electrostrictive polymer that disposed between the respective electrodes, where the electrostrictive polymer is driven in a stretching and shrinking... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080221605 - Cutting device positioned via control wire to perform selective discectomy: A cutting device for performing a selective discectomy is disclosed along with a method for using the device whereby the device is inserted into the intervertebral disc at a point contralateral, anterior, or anterolateral to a site of herniation. The device includes a shaft with a cutting mechanism at its... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20080221604 - Tissue shredding device and tissue shredding method: A tissue shredding device is provided which includes a shredding pipe which is inserted into a patient body in which a plurality of opening portions is formed in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of wires which is withdrawn from the opening portion, bent back outside the shredding pipe, and... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080221606 - Surgical bone punch: In a surgical bone punch having a stationary shaft joined to a handgrip, a slide shaft mounted for longitudinal displacement on this stationary shaft, and a motorized drive in the handgrip for displacement of the slide shaft from a proximal inoperative position to a distal operative position with a preset... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, Llc

20080221608 - Expandable blade device for stabilizing compression fractures: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and medical methods, in particular, devices and methods useful for stabilizing compression fractures of the spine. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device comprising a housing having a lumen; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distal portion, where... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20080221607 - Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with a ratcheting mechanism: A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman Llc

20080221611 - Embolic protection device having expandable trap: An embolic protection device for use in medical, veterinary, non-medical or industrial applications where removal of an obstruction from a small diameter vessel or vessel-like structure could produce particles, which, if allowed to remain in the vessel, could cause undesirable complications and results. One embodiment comprises a catheter for insertion... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080221610 - Small diameter deployment system with improved headpiece: A medical apparatus for placing an embolic coil at a preselected position within a vessel comprising a coil assembly having an embolic coil attached to a cylindrical headpiece having at least one bending point formed by a circumferential groove and a deployment catheter having a distal section for retaining the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080221609 - Vein filter: A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the... Agent: Neil D. Gershon

20080221612 - Internal tourniquet system: An internal tourniquet system may comprise as many as eight tourniquets strategically positioned, two per extremity, so as to optimize the inversely proportional relationship between the force applied to the tourniquet and the blood flow from the laceration on the extremity farther from the body than the positioned tourniquet. Each... Agent: Peter A. Shaddock Ii Bowman Green Hampton & Kelly, Pllc

20080221613 - Oculopression device: An oculopression device (10) including a mass portion (11) for application of gravity assisted force onto a patient's eye; and a timer component (12) as part of the device to time the application of the mass portion to the patient's eye to prevent application for a duration sufficient to restrict... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080221615 - Locator and closure device and method of use: The present invention is directed to a method for sealing a puncture in a wall of a lumen of a body comprising the steps of deploying a deployment member of a sealing device through an elastic membrane adjacent the wall of the lumen and the puncture, wherein the sealing device... Agent: Dergosits & Noah LLP

20080221614 - Method for closing an arteriotomy: A method for closing an arteriotomy includes providing a guiding system and a closure system. The guiding system advanced through a sheath extending through the arteriotomy and into the blood vessel lumen. The guiding system includes a pair of stabilization wire guides, each guide including a retention foot disposed at... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20080221616 - Integrated vascular device with puncture site closure component and sealant and methods of use: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an integrated vascular device having a sheath with a closure component and puncture sealant. The closure component is disposed on and advanceable over the exterior of the sheath and may comprise any of a... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080221617 - Barbed tissue connector: A barbed bodily tissue connector for insertion into tissue comprises an elongated body having a substantially polygonal periphery in cross-section including at least three sides. Each side meets an adjacent side at an edge of the elongated body. A plurality of barbs project from the edges of the body. The... Agent: Moore & Van Allen Pllc

20080221618 - Co-extruded tissue grasping monofilament: A co-extruded tissue grasping monofilament and a method for making the same. The monofilament includes a core made of a first material and extending along a length of said monofilament, and a plurality of tissue grasping elements extending outwardly from the core at least along a predetermined portion of the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080221619 - Surgical suture anchors and deployment device: A suture anchor is provided which includes a hollow member having an outer surface defining an enclosure therein, the member having a longitudinal axis and a slot through a portion of the outer surface in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the slot providing an opening into the enclosure.... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20080221620 - Flexible spine components: An improved flexible component used for dynamic stabilization of spinal segments for the treatment of vertebrae deformities and injuries and for the replacement of a complete or segment of the body of a vertebra in the spine is described. The flexible component is comprised of a solid, suitable implant material... Agent: Parker Intellectual Property Law Office

20080221621 - Tension fixation system: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for fixation of a bone anchor to a structural member used for spinal fixation, whereby spinal deformity can be corrected and mechanical stability of the spine is provided so that load is carried fully or partially through the structural member. This invention... Agent: Keown & Zucchero, LLP

20080221622 - Facet joint replacement: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The inferior implant may comprise an inferior strut, and a polyaxially adjustable, lockable mechanism which couples the inferior articular surface with a first end of the inferior... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20080221623 - Systems and methods for the medical treatment of structural tissue: The present invention is directed generally to a biomedical system(s) and method(s). More specifically, some embodiments may include system(s) and method(s) used in medical treatment(s). Various embodiments may include medical system(s) and method(s) that may use an anchoring mechanism and screw (bolt, etc.) arrangement that increases the strength of attachment.... Agent: Wolff Law Office, Pllc

20080221624 - Systems and methods for the medical treatment of structural tissue: The present invention is directed generally to a biomedical system(s) and method(s). More specifically, some embodiments may include system(s) and method(s) used in medical treatment(s). Various embodiments may include medical system(s) and method(s) that may use an anchoring mechanism and screw (bolt, etc.) arrangement that increases the strength of attachment.... Agent: Wolff Law Office, Pllc

20080221625 - Medical clamp, in particular spinal clamp, device for providing a reference position and method for determining a reference position: A medical clamp, in particular a spinal clamp, includes two clamp limbs connected to a grip part. The grip part executes a clamping movement of the clamp limbs and the clamp limbs are connected to the grip part in a releasable manner. The clamp permits particularly safe, minimally invasive percutaneous... Agent: Lerner Greenberg Stemer LLP

20080215038 - Hair removing system: The invention relates to a system and method for removing hair The system comprises a hair detection device and a hair-removing device (20). Since 3D information on hairs (32) is required, but due to the very dispersed presence of, e.g., human hairs (32) on skin (30), known detection devices are... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080215039 - Method and apparatus for inhibiting pain signals during vacuum-assisted medical treatments of the skin: An apparatus adapted to inhibit pain signals generated by pain receptors in the skin during a skin related medical treatment such as an injection. An evacuation chamber is provided with an essentially rigid interface element through which a medical treatment can be administered to a selected skin region, one or... Agent: Kevin D. Mccarthy Roach Brown Mccarthy & Gruber, P.C.

20080215040 - Variable depth skin heating with lasers: Treating biological tissue can include selecting parameter for electromagnetic radiation based on at least one parameter of a target region within the biological tissue. Treating biological tissue also includes methods, systems, and kits for delivering the electromagnetic radiation through a surface of the biological tissue to the target region to... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080215041 - Cannula/optical fibre assembly and laser instrument including said assembly: The assembly includes a cannula, which comprises an opening at a so-called distal extremity and electromagnetic radiation wave guiding means, which include an optical fibre introduced inside the cannula and which enable the electromagnetic radiation to be guided to the opening of the distal extremity of the cannula, in such... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080215042 - Therapeutic apparatus having insulated region at the insertion area: Apparatus and methods for insulating tissue during therapeutic procedures.... Agent: Henricks Slavin And Holmes LLP Suite 200

20080215043 - Wide area ablation of myocardial tissue: The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body having a substantially fixed diameter, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen for permitting passage of... Agent: Christopher & Weisberg, P.A.

20080215044 - Needle or catheter for the thermal coagulation of blood vessels: Needle or catheter for thermally coagulating blood vessels, which mainly consists of an elongated body (2) with a proximal end (3) and a distal end (4), whereby a tip (6) in a conductive material is provided at the distal end (4), whereby a first conductor (7) which makes contact with... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20080215045 - Multi-port side-fire coagulator: An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080215047 - Esophageal electrocatheter: An esophageal catheter comprises an insertion element (1) able to be inserted into a patient's esophagus and having a distal end (2) and a sheath (3) containing the cables (7) for connection to at least two temperature sensors (4) fitted along the element (1) in the vicinity of the distal... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20080215046 - Medical device control system: A medical device for use by an operator to perform a medical procedure in a body includes a handle to be held by the operator, a shaft attached to the handle and an actuating assembly to control functions associated with the medical procedure. The shaft includes an operative distal portion... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080215048 - Electrosurgical instrument: m

20080215049 - Electro-cautery catheter: An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080215050 - Tissue engaging hemostasis device: Various methods and devices are provided for cauterizing tissue. In one embodiment, a device for cauterizing tissue is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be inserted through a body lumen, and a bipolar hemostasis probe disposable through the flexible elongate shaft and having a distal end adapted to... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080215051 - Laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument: A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto. The tube includes first and second jaw members having electrically conductive sealing surfaces attached to a distal end thereof which are movable from a first position for approximating tissue to a second position... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080215052 - Allograft implant workstation: The invention is directed toward a portable surgical workstation for implant formation comprising a base with a central planar section with integral handles extending from the central planar section at an angle to the plane of the central planar section. The central planar section has a plurality of tracks and... Agent: John S. Hale Gipple & Hale

20080215053 - Prevention of re-use of a medical device: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080215054 - Devices and methods for minimizing the hemorrhage from and minimizing infection of a divided sternum during cardiac surgery: A device for capping a severed sternum. The device comprises an end wall configured to extend along a length of severed sternum. A gasket is attached to the end wall configured to abut at least part of the length of a severed sternum when deployed thereon.... Agent: Swanson & Bratschun, L.L.C.

20080215055 - Method and apparatus for a planar drill: A method of preparing a surface of a joint for receipt of a graft is provided. The method can include providing a cutting tool having a solid, shallow angle cutting surface. The method can also include cutting a shallow section out of the anatomy with the solid, shallow angle cutting... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080215056 - Powered drivers, intraosseous devices and methods to access bone marrow: Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver may include a housing having a gear assembly, a motor and a power supply disposed therein. A penetrator assembly may be releasably engaged with one end of a drive shaft... Agent: Baker Botts L.L.P. Patent Department

20080215057 - Instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head: The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head (11) embodied on a femoral neck (19). Said instrument comprises tactile forceps (91) that are provided with two forked levers (13, 15) and two tactile jaws (23, 25), each of which is assigned to one of the... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080215058 - Spine distraction implant and method: A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080215059 - Marking template for installing a custom replacement device for resurfacing a femur and associated installation method: A replacement device for resurfacing a joint surface of a femur and a method of making and installing such a device is provided. The custom replacement device is designed to substantially fit the trochlear groove surface, of an individual femur. Thereby creating a “customized” replacement device for that individual femur... Agent: Greenberg Traurig LLP (la)

20080215060 - Fastener insertion method: A method may include rotating a threaded fastener at a first rotational speed to provide a kinetic energy force component for the fastener based on the first rotational speed and driving the fastener into a structure based on the rotating. The structure may provide a torsional resistance during the driving... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080215061 - Screwdriver for bone screws: In a screwdriver for bone screws, having a handle and rotationally fixedly held thereon a shaft, the free end of which has a non-circular cross section and is insertable in a positively locked manner in a non-circular receiving opening in the head of a bone screw, at least one expander... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20080215063 - Method and apparatus for anastomosis including an anchoring sleeve: Apparatus for performing a surgical anastomosis include a tubular body having an onion portion formed near the distal end of the tubular body. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a radius sized and dimensioned to slidably receive the tubular body therein. The apparatus includes a plunger assembly sized and dimensioned... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080215062 - Packaging for holding an ophthalmic shunt: Packaging for holding an ophthalmic shunt, the ophthalmic shunt having a foot, a head, and a body connecting the foot and head, the packaging having an elastomeric membrane with an aperture for receiving the shunt in the packaging.... Agent: David W. Highet, Vp & ChiefIPCounsel Becton, Dickinson And Company

20080215064 - Endoscopic treatment instrument: An endoscopic treatment instrument is provided comprising: a cylinder adapted to be fitted over a tip of an insertion section of an endoscope; a loop-shaped snare wire which protrudes in the cylinder from a snare sheath that is extendable and retractable with respect to the insertion section and which is... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080215066 - Apparatus for positioning a medical instrument relative to a patient: The present device provides an apparatus for securely positioning a medical instrument through an incision within a patient. The apparatus comprises a trocar for extending through the incision in the patient and receiving the medical instrument. The apparatus also comprises a drive assembly for moving the medical instrument within the... Agent: Lott & Friedland, P.A.

20080215067 - Manipulators employing multiple deformable elongate members: A manipulator is configured with three or more substantially concentric, elongate members configured such that relative rotation and translation of the elongate members adjusts both the spatial position and orientation of the distal end of the manipulator and the spatial positioning of the manipulator along its length. In one arrangement,... Agent: Bainwood Huang & Associates LLC

20080215065 - Medical robotic arm that is attached to an operating table: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures includes a pair of surgical instruments coupled to a pair of robotic arms with end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller to produce a... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20080215068 - Skin treatment system: Apparatus for abrading skin and simultaneously delivering a liquid topical solution to the skin includes a vacuum source, a hand-held applicator wand including a skin abrading brush, and a collection canister for collecting exfoliated skin particles and any liquids associated therewith entrained by an air flow between the hand-held applicator... Agent: Thomas R. Lampe Bielen, Lampe & Thoeming

20080215069 - Endoscopic tissue apposition device with multiple suction ports: The present invention relates to an improved endoscopic tissue apposition device having multiple suction ports. The invention permits multiple folds of tissue to be captured in the suction ports with a single positioning of the device and attached together by a tissue securement mechanism such as a suture, staple or... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

20080215070 - System and method for tensioning a suture: The present invention provides a novel forceps for use in suturing. The forceps include a pulley or pulley-like feature that provides an advantageous mechanism for putting tension on a suture. In certain embodiments, the pulley or pulley-like device can measure or set the tension applied to a suture. Use of... Agent: Vinson & Elkins

20080215071 - Implantable prosthesis for repairing hernia defects: An implantable prosthesis for repairing hernia defects comprises a basic structure (6) which is provided with concertina pleats (3) that are parallel to a direction of extension. They are fixed by a fixing arrangement so that the basic structure (6) is approximately hourglass-shaped in a plan view.... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, PC

20080215074 - Method and apparatus for external stabilization of the heart: The present disclosure is directed to an external cardiac basal annuloplasty system (ECBAS or BACE-System: basal annuloplasty of the cardia externally) and methods for treatment of regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves. The BACE-System provides the ability to correct leakage of regurgitation of the valves with or without the use... Agent: Gordon & Rees LLP

20080215072 - Methods and apparatus for utilization of barbed sutures in human tissue including a method for eliminating or improving blood flow in veins: A method and apparatus for eliminating or improving blood flow within incompetent veins to correct venous insufficiency using a barbed bidirectional suture with predetermined breaking point. Said suture may also be utilized for other tissue applications. A two-way barb suture is placed in an insertion device comprised of a tubular... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20080215073 - Tissue construct-forming substrate, tissue construct-forming kit, method for forming tissue construct using the same and three-dimensional tissue construct formed by the method: The present invention provides a tissue construct-forming substrate for forming a three-dimensional tissue construct containing proliferating cells, the substrate including a porous film having through-holes, and the porous film having, on the surface of the film, a cell adhesive region capable of retaining cells and a cell non-adhesive region located... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080215075 - Implantable coil for insertion into a hollow body organ: An implant for placement within a hollow body organ including a member having an undeployed shape for delivery to the hollow body and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The member has a plurality of links pivotably connected to each other, and a flexible elongated tether connected to the member... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080215076 - Gastro-intestinal therapeutic device and method: A gastro-intestinal therapeutic device and method includes providing a therapeutic device having a body and an anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism is adapted to resist distal migration of said body in a gastro-intestinal tract. The body is generally configured to a portion of the gastro-intestinal tract and has a first... Agent: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP

20080215077 - Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel: Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20080215078 - Surgical blade and trocar system: The present invention provides an improved surgical blade and trocar system for accessing the retina and other parts of the eye while doing vitreo-retinal and cataract surgeries, including surgeries for macular degeneration. The eye surgeon uses an improved surgical blade for vitreo-retinal and cataract surgeries having a generally flat, V-shaped,... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20080215079 - Intraoperative membrane cutting tool: A tool for forming a predetermined shaped and sized piece of tissue membrane from a sheet of surgically implantable tissue membrane comprising a body having a cutting portion configured to engage and to form a piece from a sheet of tissue membrane and a drive portion configured to apply a... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20080215080 - Method for prolonging the action on acupuncture points including for reducing the excessive body weight and for correcting the body, a device and a needle (variants) for carrying out said method: The invention relates to medicine, in particular to acupuncture reflexotherapy. The inventive method consists in introducing a needle provided with a volume, plate or annular-shaped head into one of the predetermined, for example, auricular acupuncture points of a patient, wherein taking it through under the skin, the needle free end... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080215081 - Expansion mechanism for minimally invasive lumbar operation: An expansion mechanism for minimally invasive lumbar operation has a support member, a plurality of sliders movably assembled on the support member, at least a couple of outside muscle hook members mounted on adjacent sliders, an inside muscle hook member assembled on the slider, and a nerve hook member assembled... Agent: Troxell Law Office PLLC

20080215083 - Method for treating obstructed paranasal maxillary sinuses: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90 degrees to a proximal segment and a balloon... Agent: Charmasson, Buchaca & Leach, LLP

20080215082 - Method for treating obstructed paranasal sphenoid sinuses: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sphenoid sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90 degrees to a proximal segment and a... Agent: Charmasson, Buchaca & Leach, LLP

20080215084 - Delivery systems for embolic filter devices: A delivery system for an expandable filter device includes a dual lumen delivery sheath which has a lumen for receiving the expandable filter device and a lumen for receiving a primary guide wire. The primary guide wire is utilized to place the delivery sheath and expandable filter into the desired... Agent: June James

20080215087 - Bodily lumen closure apparatus and method: An absorbable and expandable closure member used to occlude or exclude a body lumen or cavity, such as a blood vessel, fallopian tube, duct, aneurysmal sac, etc., comprising a closure member comprising one of more sheets of a biomaterial that are rolled, stacked, or folded to form a multilayer construct... Agent: Charles W. Agnew Patent Agent

20080215085 - Compliant electrode for patent foramen ovale closure device: A medical device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a compliant electrode. The compliant electrode can include a shape memory material, such as NITINOL, to facilitate the electrode having at least one relaxed orientation. The electrode can... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080215086 - Single disc intraluminal fixation patent foramen ovale closure device: A device and method for deploying a mechanical closure device for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart. The single disc mechanical closure device is comprise of a distal and proximal anchor constrained by a closure line to facilitate mechanical closure... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080215088 - Systems, methods, and compositions for achieving closure of suture sites: Systems and methods employ functional instruments to close incisions and wounds using a suture knot in combination with a biocompatible material composition. The systems and methods are well suited for use, for example, at a vascular puncture site following a vascular access procedure.... Agent: Daniel D. Ryan Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20080215089 - Stomach wall closure devices: In a method for sealing an incision in an interior body wall such as a gastrotomy opening in a stomach, a closure device is positioned within the incision. The closure device includes a seal and an anchor coupled to the seal. The seal is positioned in sealing contact against a... Agent: Stallman & Pollock LLP

20080215090 - Method and system for tissue fastening: Fastening devices are provided that are designed to effectively close tissue as well as instruments for applying the inventive fastening devices. The devices are useful for closing tissue such as mucosa in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, laryngeal surfaces, oronasopharynx, or other mucosal tissues. In particular, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), uvulopalatal flap... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

20080215091 - Graft fixation using a plug against suture: A method for securing soft tissue to bone which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. Suture is passed through the graft at desired points. A cannulated plug or screw is pre-loaded onto the distal end of a driver provided with... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080215092 - Pacifier coupling system: A two-piece joint designed to allow a one-piece silicone pacifier to be removably attached to an appealing stuffed toy, soothing blanket, or other article that might be attractive to an infant. One section of the joint includes the back of the pacifier, and the second section of the joint is... Agent: Troutman Sanders LLP

20080215093 - Degradable cage coated with mineral layers for spinal interbody fusion: A cage for facilitating fusion of bones, such as vertebrae, or fusion of adjacent bone surfaces is disclosed. In one form, the cage includes a plurality of spaced apart walls comprising a biodegradable polymeric material (e.g., polycaprolactone); an osteoconductive mineral coating (e.g., a calcium compound) on at least a portion... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080215094 - Equipment for surgical treatment of two vertebrae: two rigid walls (3) that can be connected to the bone anchor elements (2), that will be arranged on each side of the spinous process (101) of the second treated vertebra (100) with no connection to it and sized to extend over at least the height of the spinous process... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080215095 - Stabilization device for stabilizing bones of a vertebra and rod connector used therefor: A stabilization device for stabilizing bones of a vertebra includes a first rod, a second rod, a rod connector connecting the first rod and the second rod, the rod connector comprising a receiving portion for receiving the first rod and a fixation element for fixing the first rod in the... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080215096 - Devices to stabilise the lamina: A surgical implant device for stabilising a lamina of the spine following a procedure in which a cut is made in the lamina to form two lamina portions. The device has a longitudinally extending spacer component 211 adapted to extend across the cut between the lamina portions and adapted to... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP

20080215097 - Active compression orthopedic plate system and method for using the same: An active compression orthopedic plate includes a first and a second end cross member, at least one longitudinal member slideably coupling the first and second end cross member, and at least one compressive member configured to exert a compressive force on the first and second end cross members.... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20080215098 - Porous implant: An implant comprising a shaped body having a first region with a mean porosity P2 and a second region with a mean porosity P3<P2; wherein the second region with the lower mean porosity P3 is effective for handling and fixation of the implant.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner / Synthes

20080215099 - Orthodontic bone screw: A mechanism for separating the driver tip (28) of a driver tool (27) from an orthodontic bone screw (25) is shown. The mechanism includes a driver sleeve (36) formed with a female thread (38) that is threaded onto a male threaded portion (39) of the driver tool adjacent to the... Agent: John A. Haug

20080215100 - Bone anchoring device: A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra, a receiving part connected to the shank the receiving part having a first end opposite to the shank and a second end facing the shank, a longitudinal axis passing through... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP