Surgery inventions 10/08

20080262480 - Instrument assembly for robotic instrument system: A robotic medical instrument system for driving a segment of a catheter or other instrument. A segment, such as the distal end, of a catheter may be axially and/or rotatably driven. Drive elements include an internal and retractable catheter drive shaft, an actuation element coupled to an internal portion of... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262479 - Medical device for preventing passive regurgitation: The present invention includes a medical device including a base member having a receiving element and an engagement member connected to the base member. In the various embodiment described below, the engagement member includes a user end, an engagement end, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is adapted to... Agent: Kennedy, Ltd.

20080262481 - Hand skin care apparatus: The present invention relates to a hand skin care apparatus for performing multiple functions of drying and cosmetically treating hands, caring hand skin, aiding health, therapeutic activation, and fomentation, therapeutic activation, and fomentation, and employs a cover pivotally opened and closed about a hinge shaft of a main body for... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080262482 - Method and device for tightening tissue using electromagnetic radiation: Methods and devices for treatment of skin are disclosed. These methods and devices use electromagnetic radiation to create networks or patterns of treatment zones. The networks or patterns of treatment zones comprise at least four treatment zones, at least two of the treatment zones in the network or pattern are... Agent: Reliant / Fenwick C/o Fenwick & West, LLP

20080262483 - Method for removing permanent tissue markings: A method of removing markings, such as a tattoos, from the tissue of a subject that includes steps of generating one or more shock wave pulses external to the subject's body and focusing the one or more shock wave pulses within one or more portions of the tissue, each of... Agent: Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott

20080262484 - Motion-controlled laser surface treatment apparatus: An exposure apparatus for skin treatment or other applications includes a laser diode module controller that is configured to operate one or more laser diodes that are situated to provide optical radiation to an exposure aperture. A two-dimensional position sensor is secured to the exposure aperture and provides an exposure... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP

20080262485 - Method and system for photoselective vaporization of the prostate, and other tissue: A method for photoselective vaporization of prostate tissue includes delivering laser radiation to the treatment area on the tissue, via an optical fiber for example, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and irradiance in the treatment area on the surface of the tissue sufficient because vaporization of a substantially... Agent: Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP

20080262486 - Planning and facilitation systems and methods for cryosurgery: Systems and methods for planning a cryoablation procedure and for facilitating a cryoablation procedure utilize integrated images displaying, in a common virtual space, a three-dimensional model of a surgical intervention site based on digitized preparatory images of the site from first imaging modalities, simulation images of cryoprobes used according to... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080262487 - Clot capture coil and method of using same: A clot and foreign body removal device is described which comprises a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture coil that is connected to an insertion mandrel. In one embodiment, the clot capture coil is made out of a solid elastic or superelastic... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080262488 - Tissue treatment system and a method of cosmetic tissue treatment: A tissue treatment system includes a radio frequency (r.f.) generator, a treatment instrument connectible to the generator and to a source of ionisable gas and operable to produce a plasma jet at a nozzle of the instrument when supplied with the ionisable gas and energised by the generator. The generator... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080262489 - Thrombus removal: A catheter and catheter system can use energy tailored for remodeling and/or removal of target material along a body lumen, often of thrombus from a blood vessel of a patient. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable structure may have a plurality of electrodes or other energy delivery... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080262490 - Minimal device and method for effecting hyperthermia derived anesthesia: A method and device for inducing anaesthesia in mammals by the application of RF energy to create hyperthermia derived neural anaesthesia. An RF generator drives a plurality of electrodes placed in tissue surrounding the target nerve fibre to desiccate the desired length of nerve fibre to be desiccated in a... Agent: Moore Patents

20080262492 - Surgical instrument: An endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via bendable motion members.... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20080262491 - Tuna device with integrated saline reservoir: Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080262493 - Bipolar scissors with curved shear blades: Bipolar scissors (1) with two curved shear blades (2, 3) are provided with insulation on each of the shear blades (2, 3), which is distributed on the two shear blades (2, 3) such that each of the shear blades (2, 3) is insulated only over a part of its length,... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080262494 - Spinal tool: A spinal tool is disclosed and can include a first arm and a second arm. A rack can extend from the first arm. Further, a pinion gear can be coupled to the second arm. The pinion gear can engage the rack. The spinal tool can also include a worm gear... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080262495 - Intramedullary nail comprising elements of shape-memory material: An intramedullary nail (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) suitable for insertion in a fractured elongate bone (12), of the type comprising a stem (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) extended between a proximal end (16, 116, 216, 416, 516, 616) and a distal end (18, 118, 218,... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080262496 - Surgical nail: A surgical nail (1), in particular, an intramedullary nail, has a central axis (2) and is formed of a material (M) having a modulus of elasticity (E). A plurality of transversal openings (5) run transversally to the central axis (2) and have a cross-sectional profile (F) and a transversal axis... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080262497 - Medical device for treating broken bones or fixing stabilising elements to bone parts: A medical device for fixing bone parts or for fixing stabilising elements to bone parts, comprising a rigid outer tube, which is provided with at least two opposed recesses on the side that is positioned in the bone, wherein a second inner tube is accommodated in said rigid outer tube,... Agent: Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, PLLC

20080262498 - Double locked hip implant: A novel apparatus for treating fractures of the femur is disclosed. The assembly includes two hip implants positioned into the head and neck of the femur. The hip implants solidly lock into each other, while retaining the possibility of being slided together through either the oblique bore of an intramedullary... Agent: Alberto Fernandez Dell'oca

20080262499 - Self retaining acetabular component alignment device for total hip arthroplasty: A spring-loaded, self-retaining, clamp like alignment device used to guide the placement of the acetabular component during total hip arthroplasty is disclosed. The device comprises two longitudinal elements: the first longitudinal element has a proximal end with a handle, a groove within and a spring loaded into the groove. The... Agent: Nicholas John Giori

20080262500 - Cutting guide with internal distraction: A cutting guide for performing a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed. The cutting guide includes a first arm having a first cutting guide surface formed therein, a second arm having a second cutting guide surface formed therein pivotably connected to the first arm and a distractor operatively connected to the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262501 - Multi-function corpectomy instrument: A multi-functional surgical instrument assembly for installing an implant between adjacent bone structures is disclosed that is capable of distracting adjacent bone structures, generating a measurement for a prosthetic implant, and installing the prosthetic implant without being removed from the patient. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a pair... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080262504 - Femoral ring loader: An instrument for inserting an implant between vertebral bodies, including a holder adapted to hold the implant during insertion of the implant between the vertebral bodies, a retractor adapted to retract the holder away from the implant after the insertion, and a guard adapted to prevent the implant from being... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262502 - Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus: Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. The outermost membrane may help protect the innermost membrane from trauma... Agent: The Eclipse Group LLP

20080262503 - Surgical tool and method: Surgical tool for knocking out and/or inserting of prostheses (1), in particular joint prostheses, in particular hip and/or shoulder prostheses, with in particular continuously curved head (2) of the tool, which exhibits a passage (3) for the seating of a prosthesis neck (4) and a bolt mechanism, which blocks detachably... Agent: Greenberg & Lieberman, LLC

20080262506 - Catheter: A retrieval catheter 1 for retrieval of an embolic protection filter from a vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a proximal hypotube 3, a radially offset distal shaft 4 and a centering shank 9. A guidewire lumen 13 is provided through the shank 9 in communication with a larger guidewire lumen... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080262507 - Instrument and method for in situ deployment of cardiac valve prostheses: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20080262505 - System and method for the simultaneous automated bilateral delivery of pressure equalization tubes: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262510 - Disposable iontophoresis system and tympanic membrane pain inhibition method: Systems and methods for treating a patient having an ear canal and a target tissue function by positioning a fluid or gel in the ear canal, the fluid or gel comprising a therapeutic agent; retaining the fluid or gel with a support structure, the support structure supporting an electrode and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262509 - System and method for the simultaneous bilateral integrated tympanic drug delivery and guided treatment of target tissues within the ears: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262508 - System and method for the simultaneous bilateral placement of pressure equalization tubes: Systems and methods for bilateral treatment of a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by aligning a first device with a target tissue of the first ear; aligning a second device with a target tissue of the second ear; and therapeutically remodeling, with... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262511 - Anoscope for inspection and/or surgery: An anoscope for inspection and/or surgery is provided. The anoscope includes a tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, where the tubular body includes at least one elongated slot. The anoscope also includes an insert removably attached to the at least one... Agent: Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP Attn:IPDepartment Docket Clerk

20080262512 - Thrombolysis in retinal vessels with ultrasound: Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080262513 - Instrument driver having independently rotatable carriages: An instrument driver operable to control catheter instruments. First and second carriages are movably coupled to a frame of an instrument driver. Each carriage is configured to support a catheter instrument. The first and second carriages are independently rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the respective first and second catheter... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262515 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools and assemblies for treating a patient to effect weight loss. One method embodiment involves passing a device including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration and a buoyancy member through an opening in the skin of a patient and into the abdominal cavity of the patient, and... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262514 - Systems and methods for endoscopic treatment of diverticula: Systems and methods are disclosed for the inversion of gastro intestinal diverticula and repair of associated intestinal wall tissue by means of endoscopy through a natural orifice such as the mouth or anus without making incisions in the abdominal wall or opening the peritoneal cavity.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080262516 - 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.

20080262518 - Implantable device: In an implantable device (1) for use in the human and/or animal body for closure or partial closure of defect openings (2), cavities, organ passages etc or for providing a defined communicating opening between walls, organs, cavities etc comprising a carrier structure (17) which in a primary form has a... Agent: Donn K. Harms Patent & Trademark Law Center

20080262517 - Implantation pin, fixation device and method for implanting the implantation pin: An implantation pin for implantation in a target structure has a pinhead and a shaft. The pinhead comprises a pinhead moulding portion comprising a moldable material which can be liquefied by application of mechanical energy such as ultrasonic vibration energy. A channel extends through the pinhead and the shaft, the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262519 - Compositions and methods for joining non-conjoined lumens: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080262520 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262521 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262523 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262522 - Minimally invasive percutaneous restrictive bariatric procedure and related device: This invention provides the instrumentation and method to perform a percutaneous restrictive bariatric procedure with very low associated risks as compared to other types of bariatric surgery because the procedure is truly minimally invasive. The procedures of the present invention are performed percutaneously and do not rely on laproscopic or... Agent: Mcglinchey Stafford, PLLC

20080262524 - Systems and methods for closing of fascia: An opening in a fascia is closed by inserting a cannula through the fascia, and attaching a tissue anchor to the fascia from the exterior or through a side of the cannula.... Agent: Searete LLC

20080262525 - Tissue penetration and grasping apparatus: A tissue grasping apparatus includes a control member, an elongated shaft, and a tissue penetrating and grasping member attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. An activation mechanism provides an user-operable connection between the control member and the tissue penetrating and grasping member. In an embodiment, the tissue... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262526 - Nerve stimulating drill bit: A nerve stimulating drill bit is provided and can include a shank and a body attached to the shank. The body can include a plurality of flutes and a cutting tip. Further, a first conductor can extend through the shank and the body. The first conductor can be insulated and... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080262527 - Method and apparatus for assisting in the introduction of surgical implements into a body: A tissue penetration device is provided that includes a bell-like, at least partially transparent housing. A valved port is provided in the housing for introduction of a penetrator therein. The valved port includes both a valve control and a port. A vacuum system, including a vacuum source, is securely and... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080262528 - Complex wire formed devices: The devices and methods described herein relate to jointless construction of complex structures. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262530 - Device and method for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262529 - Gastric balloon devices and methods of use: A gastric balloon devices and systems (8) for occupying space within a stomach of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a gastric balloon device (8) includes a shaft element (14) for insertion into a stomach (52) of a patient and a generally elongated balloon element (12) having at... Agent: Holland & Hart LLP

20080262531 - Nasal inserts: A device for nasal insertion may include an open-ended tubular element. The tubular element may extend along a central tube axis between a first end and a second end, the first end being larger than the second end. The tubular element may define at least one groove along a lateral... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080262532 - Complex wire formed devices: The devices and methods described herein relate to jointless construction of complex structures. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262533 - Adaptive surgical tourniquet apparatus and method: An adaptive surgical tourniquet comprises: an inflatable cuff for encircling a limb of a patient; pressurizing means for pressurizing the cuff; pressure relief means for depressurizing the cuff; cuff pressure sensing means for sensing cuff pressure; limb occlusion pressure sensing means for sensing the patient's initial limb occlusion pressure at... Agent: Hancock Hughey LLP

20080262535 - Method and an apparatus for adjusting blood circulation in a limb: A mechanized tourniquet adapted for application in a surgery, emergency or military situation to stop arterial blood loss in an injured limb, which is optionally activated by a user or automatically by detecting therein the free tip of its pressure-applying band. The tourniquet and its electromechanical tension device are automatically... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080262534 - Method and apparatus for restricting blood flow: The present invention is an apparatus and method for applying a tourniquet device to an injured appendage requiring only one hand comprising the steps of providing a releasable cable tie having an elongate band portion with regularly spaced grooves or projections on a first surface and a relatively smooth second... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080262536 - Apparatus for treating soft tissue injuries during physical activity: An apparatus is provided for treating injured muscles during physical activity. Using the present involves pressing a plurality of support members against the skin proximate to a muscle for a sustained period of time. The support members pressed against have an arc spanning a base along at least one axis.... Agent: Bacoustics, LLC

20080262538 - Articulating instrument: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080262537 - Surgical instrument: The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20080262539 - Tissue grasping apparatus: A tissue grasping apparatus includes a control member, an elongated shaft, and a tissue grasping member attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. An activation mechanism provides an user-operable connection between the control member and the tissue grasping member. In an embodiment, the tissue grasping member includes a... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262540 - Systems and methods for approximating surfaces: Tissue is approximated by adhering anchors to opposing sides of a wound and coupling the anchors together.... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080262541 - Blood vessel closure: A stapling arrangement and method for closing a percutaneously formed arteriotomy includes a plurality of staple prongs commonly connected at their proximal ends and having distal ends adapted to engage tissue on opposite sides of the arteriotomy. The prongs have an arrangement of stops configured to present different degrees of... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080262542 - Method of performing a cosmetic operation: A surgical thread for cosmetic surgery is provided with serially arranged inclined-notched protrusions (2) in the form of conical barbs (3) having flexible and elastic sharpened ends (4b). The barbs are arranged on one or several sides along the section of the thread (for example in an offset manner) and... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20080262544 - Self-reinforcing tissue fixation: Self-reinforcing mechanical systems with application to biological fixation of a first tissue (for example, soft tissue) to a second tissue (for example, bone). As a repair construct is stressed, there is a feedback mechanism (self-reinforcing) against failure that is initially triggered by early failure. The construct “detects” its early/impending failure... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080262543 - Systems and methods for approximating surfaces: Tissue is approximated by adhering anchors to opposing sides of a wound and coupling the anchors together.... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080262545 - Artificial facet joint and method: An artificial facet joint includes a spinal implant rod and a connector. The connector includes a screw and a rod connecting member having structure for engagement of the rod. The rod connecting member is pivotally engaged to the screw. The rod may also be held slideably within the connector enabling... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080262546 - Modular vertebral stabilizer: Stabilizer of the spinal column adapted to connect to each other at least two adjacent vertebrae using flexible connection elements that allow for some limited motion to the vertebrae and/or stiff connection elements, further comprising an elongated block, stiff or flexible, having two ends operatively connected or compressed between the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080262547 - Connector for attaching an alignment rod to a bone structure: A connector for a spinal alignment system includes a base, a hook, a guide aperture, and a locking portion. The base includes a channel extending therethrough to receive a fixation rod. The hook extends from the base. The guide aperture is adapted to receive a bone fastener and the locking... Agent: Patton Boggs LLP

20080262548 - Elongated stabilization member and bone anchor useful in bone and especially spinal repair processes: The elongated stabilization member comprises a composite rod (R) having a uniform cross-section essentially throughout its length. The rod (R) has at least first and second segments (A, B, C) each of which has a different modulus of elasticity. Preferably the rod (R) is comprised of plastic with carbon fibers... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20080262550 - Cross-coupled vertebral stabilizers incorporating spinal motion restriction: Methods for stabilizing upper and lower spinal vertebrae having a disc situated between the upper and lower vertebrae are described. First and second fasteners are inserted into the upper vertebra. Third and fourth fasteners are inserted into the lower vertebra. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth... Agent: O''melveny & Myers LLP Ip&t Calendar Department La-1118

20080262549 - Methods and systems for deploying spinous process constraints: An exemplary method for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of a spinal segment comprises piercing an interspinous ligament to form a first penetration above an upper side of an upper spinous process and advancing a first end of a first tether through the first penetration. The interspinous ligament... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080262551 - Method and associated instrumentation for installation of spinal dynamic stabilization system: 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

20080262552 - Spinal stabilization apparatus: A spinal stabilization apparatus can reduce side effects from occurring in free spines adjacent to stiffly stabilized spines and reduce additional injury on a patient by easily extending new rod to adjacent, free spines without removing pre-installed spinal stabilization apparatus during re-surgery. According to one embodiment of the present invention,... Agent: Jason Y. Pahng And Associates, LLC

20080262554 - Dyanamic rod: A dynamic rod implantable into a patient and connectable between two vertebral anchors in adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The dynamic rod fixes the adjacent vertebral bodies together in a dynamic fashion providing immediate postoperative stability and support of the spine. The dynamic rod comprises a first rod portion having... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20080262553 - Spinal connector: A spinal connector includes a first seat having a first opening for coupling to a first spinal connecting member along a first longitudinal axis and a second seat having a second opening for coupling to a second spinal connecting member along a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080262555 - Percutaneous delivery of facet screws using depth control indicator: Instrumentation systems that facilitate the reproducible deployment and placement of fixation device such as a screw, via an aligned, percutaneous access and approach, designed to relieve lower back pain and possibly improve disc health and prevent progression or transition of disease. Information about methods and equipment for accessing and preparing... Agent: The Eclipse Group LLP

20080262556 - Modular polyaxial pedicle screw system: There is provided a modular polyaxial 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... Agent: Gallagher & Kennedy, P. A.

20080262480 - Instrument assembly for robotic instrument system: A robotic medical instrument system for driving a segment of a catheter or other instrument. A segment, such as the distal end, of a catheter may be axially and/or rotatably driven. Drive elements include an internal and retractable catheter drive shaft, an actuation element coupled to an internal portion of... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262479 - Medical device for preventing passive regurgitation: The present invention includes a medical device including a base member having a receiving element and an engagement member connected to the base member. In the various embodiment described below, the engagement member includes a user end, an engagement end, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is adapted to... Agent: Kennedy, Ltd.

20080262481 - Hand skin care apparatus: The present invention relates to a hand skin care apparatus for performing multiple functions of drying and cosmetically treating hands, caring hand skin, aiding health, therapeutic activation, and fomentation, therapeutic activation, and fomentation, and employs a cover pivotally opened and closed about a hinge shaft of a main body for... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080262482 - Method and device for tightening tissue using electromagnetic radiation: Methods and devices for treatment of skin are disclosed. These methods and devices use electromagnetic radiation to create networks or patterns of treatment zones. The networks or patterns of treatment zones comprise at least four treatment zones, at least two of the treatment zones in the network or pattern are... Agent: Reliant / Fenwick C/o Fenwick & West, LLP

20080262483 - Method for removing permanent tissue markings: A method of removing markings, such as a tattoos, from the tissue of a subject that includes steps of generating one or more shock wave pulses external to the subject's body and focusing the one or more shock wave pulses within one or more portions of the tissue, each of... Agent: Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott

20080262484 - Motion-controlled laser surface treatment apparatus: An exposure apparatus for skin treatment or other applications includes a laser diode module controller that is configured to operate one or more laser diodes that are situated to provide optical radiation to an exposure aperture. A two-dimensional position sensor is secured to the exposure aperture and provides an exposure... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP

20080262485 - Method and system for photoselective vaporization of the prostate, and other tissue: A method for photoselective vaporization of prostate tissue includes delivering laser radiation to the treatment area on the tissue, via an optical fiber for example, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and irradiance in the treatment area on the surface of the tissue sufficient because vaporization of a substantially... Agent: Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP

20080262486 - Planning and facilitation systems and methods for cryosurgery: Systems and methods for planning a cryoablation procedure and for facilitating a cryoablation procedure utilize integrated images displaying, in a common virtual space, a three-dimensional model of a surgical intervention site based on digitized preparatory images of the site from first imaging modalities, simulation images of cryoprobes used according to... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080262487 - Clot capture coil and method of using same: A clot and foreign body removal device is described which comprises a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture coil that is connected to an insertion mandrel. In one embodiment, the clot capture coil is made out of a solid elastic or superelastic... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080262488 - Tissue treatment system and a method of cosmetic tissue treatment: A tissue treatment system includes a radio frequency (r.f.) generator, a treatment instrument connectible to the generator and to a source of ionisable gas and operable to produce a plasma jet at a nozzle of the instrument when supplied with the ionisable gas and energised by the generator. The generator... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080262489 - Thrombus removal: A catheter and catheter system can use energy tailored for remodeling and/or removal of target material along a body lumen, often of thrombus from a blood vessel of a patient. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable structure may have a plurality of electrodes or other energy delivery... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080262490 - Minimal device and method for effecting hyperthermia derived anesthesia: A method and device for inducing anaesthesia in mammals by the application of RF energy to create hyperthermia derived neural anaesthesia. An RF generator drives a plurality of electrodes placed in tissue surrounding the target nerve fibre to desiccate the desired length of nerve fibre to be desiccated in a... Agent: Moore Patents

20080262492 - Surgical instrument: An endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via bendable motion members.... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20080262491 - Tuna device with integrated saline reservoir: Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080262493 - Bipolar scissors with curved shear blades: Bipolar scissors (1) with two curved shear blades (2, 3) are provided with insulation on each of the shear blades (2, 3), which is distributed on the two shear blades (2, 3) such that each of the shear blades (2, 3) is insulated only over a part of its length,... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080262494 - Spinal tool: A spinal tool is disclosed and can include a first arm and a second arm. A rack can extend from the first arm. Further, a pinion gear can be coupled to the second arm. The pinion gear can engage the rack. The spinal tool can also include a worm gear... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080262495 - Intramedullary nail comprising elements of shape-memory material: An intramedullary nail (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) suitable for insertion in a fractured elongate bone (12), of the type comprising a stem (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614) extended between a proximal end (16, 116, 216, 416, 516, 616) and a distal end (18, 118, 218,... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080262496 - Surgical nail: A surgical nail (1), in particular, an intramedullary nail, has a central axis (2) and is formed of a material (M) having a modulus of elasticity (E). A plurality of transversal openings (5) run transversally to the central axis (2) and have a cross-sectional profile (F) and a transversal axis... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080262497 - Medical device for treating broken bones or fixing stabilising elements to bone parts: A medical device for fixing bone parts or for fixing stabilising elements to bone parts, comprising a rigid outer tube, which is provided with at least two opposed recesses on the side that is positioned in the bone, wherein a second inner tube is accommodated in said rigid outer tube,... Agent: Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, PLLC

20080262498 - Double locked hip implant: A novel apparatus for treating fractures of the femur is disclosed. The assembly includes two hip implants positioned into the head and neck of the femur. The hip implants solidly lock into each other, while retaining the possibility of being slided together through either the oblique bore of an intramedullary... Agent: Alberto Fernandez Dell'oca

20080262499 - Self retaining acetabular component alignment device for total hip arthroplasty: A spring-loaded, self-retaining, clamp like alignment device used to guide the placement of the acetabular component during total hip arthroplasty is disclosed. The device comprises two longitudinal elements: the first longitudinal element has a proximal end with a handle, a groove within and a spring loaded into the groove. The... Agent: Nicholas John Giori

20080262500 - Cutting guide with internal distraction: A cutting guide for performing a bone osteotomy procedure is disclosed. The cutting guide includes a first arm having a first cutting guide surface formed therein, a second arm having a second cutting guide surface formed therein pivotably connected to the first arm and a distractor operatively connected to the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262501 - Multi-function corpectomy instrument: A multi-functional surgical instrument assembly for installing an implant between adjacent bone structures is disclosed that is capable of distracting adjacent bone structures, generating a measurement for a prosthetic implant, and installing the prosthetic implant without being removed from the patient. The surgical instrument includes a frame having a pair... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080262504 - Femoral ring loader: An instrument for inserting an implant between vertebral bodies, including a holder adapted to hold the implant during insertion of the implant between the vertebral bodies, a retractor adapted to retract the holder away from the implant after the insertion, and a guard adapted to prevent the implant from being... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262502 - Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus: Multi-membrane prosthetic nucleus and implants using same are disclosed having an outermost membrane that is semi-compliant and limits the innermost membrane and any intermediate membranes that are highly compliant from bulging out of any opening in the annulus fibrosus. The outermost membrane may help protect the innermost membrane from trauma... Agent: The Eclipse Group LLP

20080262503 - Surgical tool and method: Surgical tool for knocking out and/or inserting of prostheses (1), in particular joint prostheses, in particular hip and/or shoulder prostheses, with in particular continuously curved head (2) of the tool, which exhibits a passage (3) for the seating of a prosthesis neck (4) and a bolt mechanism, which blocks detachably... Agent: Greenberg & Lieberman, LLC

20080262506 - Catheter: A retrieval catheter 1 for retrieval of an embolic protection filter from a vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a proximal hypotube 3, a radially offset distal shaft 4 and a centering shank 9. A guidewire lumen 13 is provided through the shank 9 in communication with a larger guidewire lumen... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080262507 - Instrument and method for in situ deployment of cardiac valve prostheses: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20080262505 - System and method for the simultaneous automated bilateral delivery of pressure equalization tubes: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear, function by aligning a first device with a tympanic membrane of the first ear; inputting a command to an input device operatively coupled to the first device to generate a signal; and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262510 - Disposable iontophoresis system and tympanic membrane pain inhibition method: Systems and methods for treating a patient having an ear canal and a target tissue function by positioning a fluid or gel in the ear canal, the fluid or gel comprising a therapeutic agent; retaining the fluid or gel with a support structure, the support structure supporting an electrode and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262509 - System and method for the simultaneous bilateral integrated tympanic drug delivery and guided treatment of target tissues within the ears: Systems and methods for treating a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by mounting a support system to the head of the patient so that the support system is aligned with a target tissue of the first ear; applying a therapeutic agent to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262508 - System and method for the simultaneous bilateral placement of pressure equalization tubes: Systems and methods for bilateral treatment of a patient having a head with a first ear and a second ear function by aligning a first device with a target tissue of the first ear; aligning a second device with a target tissue of the second ear; and therapeutically remodeling, with... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP Acclarent, Inc. (73608)

20080262511 - Anoscope for inspection and/or surgery: An anoscope for inspection and/or surgery is provided. The anoscope includes a tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, where the tubular body includes at least one elongated slot. The anoscope also includes an insert removably attached to the at least one... Agent: Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP Attn:IPDepartment Docket Clerk

20080262512 - Thrombolysis in retinal vessels with ultrasound: Systems and methods are described providing for the use of ultrasound energy to effect the dislodging of one or more blood clots inside blood vessels. Such clots can include those inside retinal vessels, especially in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080262513 - Instrument driver having independently rotatable carriages: An instrument driver operable to control catheter instruments. First and second carriages are movably coupled to a frame of an instrument driver. Each carriage is configured to support a catheter instrument. The first and second carriages are independently rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the respective first and second catheter... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262515 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools and assemblies for treating a patient to effect weight loss. One method embodiment involves passing a device including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration and a buoyancy member through an opening in the skin of a patient and into the abdominal cavity of the patient, and... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262514 - Systems and methods for endoscopic treatment of diverticula: Systems and methods are disclosed for the inversion of gastro intestinal diverticula and repair of associated intestinal wall tissue by means of endoscopy through a natural orifice such as the mouth or anus without making incisions in the abdominal wall or opening the peritoneal cavity.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080262516 - 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.

20080262518 - Implantable device: In an implantable device (1) for use in the human and/or animal body for closure or partial closure of defect openings (2), cavities, organ passages etc or for providing a defined communicating opening between walls, organs, cavities etc comprising a carrier structure (17) which in a primary form has a... Agent: Donn K. Harms Patent & Trademark Law Center

20080262517 - Implantation pin, fixation device and method for implanting the implantation pin: An implantation pin for implantation in a target structure has a pinhead and a shaft. The pinhead comprises a pinhead moulding portion comprising a moldable material which can be liquefied by application of mechanical energy such as ultrasonic vibration energy. A channel extends through the pinhead and the shaft, the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080262519 - Compositions and methods for joining non-conjoined lumens: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080262520 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262521 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262523 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080262522 - Minimally invasive percutaneous restrictive bariatric procedure and related device: This invention provides the instrumentation and method to perform a percutaneous restrictive bariatric procedure with very low associated risks as compared to other types of bariatric surgery because the procedure is truly minimally invasive. The procedures of the present invention are performed percutaneously and do not rely on laproscopic or... Agent: Mcglinchey Stafford, PLLC

20080262524 - Systems and methods for closing of fascia: An opening in a fascia is closed by inserting a cannula through the fascia, and attaching a tissue anchor to the fascia from the exterior or through a side of the cannula.... Agent: Searete LLC

20080262525 - Tissue penetration and grasping apparatus: A tissue grasping apparatus includes a control member, an elongated shaft, and a tissue penetrating and grasping member attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. An activation mechanism provides an user-operable connection between the control member and the tissue penetrating and grasping member. In an embodiment, the tissue... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262526 - Nerve stimulating drill bit: A nerve stimulating drill bit is provided and can include a shank and a body attached to the shank. The body can include a plurality of flutes and a cutting tip. Further, a first conductor can extend through the shank and the body. The first conductor can be insulated and... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080262527 - Method and apparatus for assisting in the introduction of surgical implements into a body: A tissue penetration device is provided that includes a bell-like, at least partially transparent housing. A valved port is provided in the housing for introduction of a penetrator therein. The valved port includes both a valve control and a port. A vacuum system, including a vacuum source, is securely and... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080262528 - Complex wire formed devices: The devices and methods described herein relate to jointless construction of complex structures. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262530 - Device and method for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080262529 - Gastric balloon devices and methods of use: A gastric balloon devices and systems (8) for occupying space within a stomach of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a gastric balloon device (8) includes a shaft element (14) for insertion into a stomach (52) of a patient and a generally elongated balloon element (12) having at... Agent: Holland & Hart LLP

20080262531 - Nasal inserts: A device for nasal insertion may include an open-ended tubular element. The tubular element may extend along a central tube axis between a first end and a second end, the first end being larger than the second end. The tubular element may define at least one groove along a lateral... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080262532 - Complex wire formed devices: The devices and methods described herein relate to jointless construction of complex structures. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within body lumens, such as the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262533 - Adaptive surgical tourniquet apparatus and method: An adaptive surgical tourniquet comprises: an inflatable cuff for encircling a limb of a patient; pressurizing means for pressurizing the cuff; pressure relief means for depressurizing the cuff; cuff pressure sensing means for sensing cuff pressure; limb occlusion pressure sensing means for sensing the patient's initial limb occlusion pressure at... Agent: Hancock Hughey LLP

20080262535 - Method and an apparatus for adjusting blood circulation in a limb: A mechanized tourniquet adapted for application in a surgery, emergency or military situation to stop arterial blood loss in an injured limb, which is optionally activated by a user or automatically by detecting therein the free tip of its pressure-applying band. The tourniquet and its electromechanical tension device are automatically... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080262534 - Method and apparatus for restricting blood flow: The present invention is an apparatus and method for applying a tourniquet device to an injured appendage requiring only one hand comprising the steps of providing a releasable cable tie having an elongate band portion with regularly spaced grooves or projections on a first surface and a relatively smooth second... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080262536 - Apparatus for treating soft tissue injuries during physical activity: An apparatus is provided for treating injured muscles during physical activity. Using the present involves pressing a plurality of support members against the skin proximate to a muscle for a sustained period of time. The support members pressed against have an arc spanning a base along at least one axis.... Agent: Bacoustics, LLC

20080262538 - Articulating instrument: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080262537 - Surgical instrument: The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20080262539 - Tissue grasping apparatus: A tissue grasping apparatus includes a control member, an elongated shaft, and a tissue grasping member attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft. An activation mechanism provides an user-operable connection between the control member and the tissue grasping member. In an embodiment, the tissue grasping member includes a... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080262540 - Systems and methods for approximating surfaces: Tissue is approximated by adhering anchors to opposing sides of a wound and coupling the anchors together.... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080262541 - Blood vessel closure: A stapling arrangement and method for closing a percutaneously formed arteriotomy includes a plurality of staple prongs commonly connected at their proximal ends and having distal ends adapted to engage tissue on opposite sides of the arteriotomy. The prongs have an arrangement of stops configured to present different degrees of... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080262542 - Method of performing a cosmetic operation: A surgical thread for cosmetic surgery is provided with serially arranged inclined-notched protrusions (2) in the form of conical barbs (3) having flexible and elastic sharpened ends (4b). The barbs are arranged on one or several sides along the section of the thread (for example in an offset manner) and... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20080262544 - Self-reinforcing tissue fixation: Self-reinforcing mechanical systems with application to biological fixation of a first tissue (for example, soft tissue) to a second tissue (for example, bone). As a repair construct is stressed, there is a feedback mechanism (self-reinforcing) against failure that is initially triggered by early failure. The construct “detects” its early/impending failure... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080262543 - Systems and methods for approximating surfaces: Tissue is approximated by adhering anchors to opposing sides of a wound and coupling the anchors together.... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080262545 - Artificial facet joint and method: An artificial facet joint includes a spinal implant rod and a connector. The connector includes a screw and a rod connecting member having structure for engagement of the rod. The rod connecting member is pivotally engaged to the screw. The rod may also be held slideably within the connector enabling... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080262546 - Modular vertebral stabilizer: Stabilizer of the spinal column adapted to connect to each other at least two adjacent vertebrae using flexible connection elements that allow for some limited motion to the vertebrae and/or stiff connection elements, further comprising an elongated block, stiff or flexible, having two ends operatively connected or compressed between the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080262547 - Connector for attaching an alignment rod to a bone structure: A connector for a spinal alignment system includes a base, a hook, a guide aperture, and a locking portion. The base includes a channel extending therethrough to receive a fixation rod. The hook extends from the base. The guide aperture is adapted to receive a bone fastener and the locking... Agent: Patton Boggs LLP

20080262548 - Elongated stabilization member and bone anchor useful in bone and especially spinal repair processes: The elongated stabilization member comprises a composite rod (R) having a uniform cross-section essentially throughout its length. The rod (R) has at least first and second segments (A, B, C) each of which has a different modulus of elasticity. Preferably the rod (R) is comprised of plastic with carbon fibers... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20080262550 - Cross-coupled vertebral stabilizers incorporating spinal motion restriction: Methods for stabilizing upper and lower spinal vertebrae having a disc situated between the upper and lower vertebrae are described. First and second fasteners are inserted into the upper vertebra. Third and fourth fasteners are inserted into the lower vertebra. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth... Agent: O''melveny & Myers LLP Ip&t Calendar Department La-1118

20080262549 - Methods and systems for deploying spinous process constraints: An exemplary method for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of a spinal segment comprises piercing an interspinous ligament to form a first penetration above an upper side of an upper spinous process and advancing a first end of a first tether through the first penetration. The interspinous ligament... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080262551 - Method and associated instrumentation for installation of spinal dynamic stabilization system: 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

20080262552 - Spinal stabilization apparatus: A spinal stabilization apparatus can reduce side effects from occurring in free spines adjacent to stiffly stabilized spines and reduce additional injury on a patient by easily extending new rod to adjacent, free spines without removing pre-installed spinal stabilization apparatus during re-surgery. According to one embodiment of the present invention,... Agent: Jason Y. Pahng And Associates, LLC

20080262554 - Dyanamic rod: A dynamic rod implantable into a patient and connectable between two vertebral anchors in adjacent vertebral bodies is provided. The dynamic rod fixes the adjacent vertebral bodies together in a dynamic fashion providing immediate postoperative stability and support of the spine. The dynamic rod comprises a first rod portion having... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20080262553 - Spinal connector: A spinal connector includes a first seat having a first opening for coupling to a first spinal connecting member along a first longitudinal axis and a second seat having a second opening for coupling to a second spinal connecting member along a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080262555 - Percutaneous delivery of facet screws using depth control indicator: Instrumentation systems that facilitate the reproducible deployment and placement of fixation device such as a screw, via an aligned, percutaneous access and approach, designed to relieve lower back pain and possibly improve disc health and prevent progression or transition of disease. Information about methods and equipment for accessing and preparing... Agent: The Eclipse Group LLP

20080262556 - Modular polyaxial pedicle screw system: There is provided a modular polyaxial 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... Agent: Gallagher & Kennedy, P. A.

20080255544 - System for guiding instruments having different sizes: A system and procedure for using the system are disclosed for guiding instruments of varying sizes. The instruments can be guided into various portions of the anatomy for performing a procedure, providing a treatment, measuring a physiological response, or the like. Two or more instruments of varying sizes can be... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080255545 - Apparatus and method for treating the inside of an eye: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen, and a second body defining a second lumen. The first body is disposed within the lumen of the second body. The lumen of the first body is configured to... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080255546 - Eye accommodation recovery: A method for eye accommodation recovery comprises transscleral pulse infrared laser radiation treating ciliary muscle and using the visible light for fixing sight direction, wherein in one alternative of the method color of light used for fixing the sight direction and treating eye retina is altered, hence, controlling the state... Agent: Patent, Copyright & Trademark Law Group

20080255547 - Uv lamp for treatment of the skin: UV lamp for treatment of the skin, which lamp has a radiation capacity substantially entirely in the UV spectrum and in the red-light spectrum, wherein the radiation capacity of the lamp in the red light spectrum between 600 nm and 700 nm is at least 3% of the radiation capacity... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080255548 - Hair shortening device: The invention relates to a hair-shortening device. The device is based on the principle of laser-induced optical breakdown, wherein a laser pulse causes mechanical effects in tissue, which are used to cut the hair (20). The invention uses the insight that, when two or more such laser pulses are provided... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080255549 - Photodynamic therapy device: The invention described herein is an apparatus for performing photodynamic therapy comprising: a waveguide, a light source in communication with one end of the waveguide, a photodynamic tip in communication with another end of the waveguide wherein the photodynamic tip is designed to be securely but removably attached to a... Agent: Dobrusin & Thennisch PC

20080255550 - Systems and methods for less invasive neutralization by ablation of tissue including the appendix and gall bladder: Systems and methods for ablation of the gall bladder and appendix through a natural orifice.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080255551 - Cryosurgical system with low pressure cryogenic fluid supply: A liquid cryogen fluid system for providing cryogenic liquid to a cryoprobe in a cryosurgical system for treating fibroadenomas and other lesions in the body.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett, P.C.

20080255552 - Fast fibroadenoma treatment system and method: A method of treating fibroadenomas with optimized freezing periods at a single freezing temperature and minimal thawing time between freezing periods, and a system for accomplishing the method.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett, P.C.

20080255553 - Radiofrequency ablation device: A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080255554 - External fixator for osteosynthesis or bone gap manipulation: The invention relates to an external fixator which has a retaining member (1) and connecting elements (2) which can be connected without screws to a bone or bone parts (5), in particular to both halves of an opened sternum, and provide possibilities for increasing or reducing the compressive stress between... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080255556 - Electrical screw: The present invention relates to the electrical stimulation of bone growth utilizing implantable bone fixation devices and implants to which are attached a screw of nonconductive material powered by a battery for the purpose of creating an electrical-magnetic field to promote bone healing and bone formation. The electric magnetic field... Agent: John S. Hale Gipple & Hale

20080255557 - High strength suture with absorbable core and suture anchor combination: A novel high tensile strength semi-absorbable composite suture with minimized non-absorbable mass. The suture has a core made from a bioabsorbable polymer. The core is covered by a braided sheath. The braided sheath is made from an absorbable yarn and a bioabsorbable yarn. The bioabsorbable yarn is made from a... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080255555 - Temporary anchorable tether systems and methods: A surgical apparatus for guiding the position of a medical device to a desired location includes an outer sleeve, a tether, and at least one elastic anchor hook engaged with the tether. The tether may be slideably moveable within the outer sleeve. Additionally, the anchor hook is configured to anchor... Agent: Medtronic Spinal And Biologics Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20080255559 - Orthopaedic trauma hip screw assembly and associated method: A hip screw assembly for fixation of a fractured femur is provided. The hip screw assembly includes a screw for engagement with the femur. The hip screw assembly also includes a barrel defining a cavity in the barrel. The barrel is fixedly secured to the plate. The screw including a... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080255558 - Surgical nail: An intramedullary nail comprising a central axis and a transverse borehole, provided with an insert which can be introduced into the transverse borehole, said insert also containing a longitudinal slit.... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080255560 - Fracture fixation and site stabilization system: A system for percutaneous fixation and stabilization of a fracture with a spanning, expandable structural frame placed in the intramedullary canal of the bone, comprising a column of surgical fluid such as bone cement, within which the structural frame acts as a reinforcing cage, and a sheath positioned at the... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080255561 - Medical device: A medical device for surgical applications including a body. The body includes bioabsorbable basic material and has a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inner region and a peripheral region transverse to the longitudinal axis so that the peripheral region surrounds the inner region. The inner region is made of... Agent: Venable LLP

20080255564 - Bone cutting device: Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in... Agent: Martin & Ferraro, LLP

20080255562 - Cutting instrument and method of use for preparing an osteochondral plug for implantation: A cutting instrument and method of use for preparing an osteochondral plug for implantation into a bone defect site. The instrument includes a dual function cutting block, a base holder, a rod mechanism and a trimming mechanism. The cutting block has a bore sized to receive the plug, at least... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C.

20080255563 - Instrumentation and method for providing surgical access to a spine: A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. A targeting post may be inserted adjacent the spine to determine the location. A peritoneal retractor and... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20080255565 - Broach handle for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery: A broach handle for attachment to a broach comprising a distal working end and a proximal connector end, the proximal connector end comprising a bore extending distally into the broach, and a finger comprising a recess and extending proximally away from the broach, the broach handle comprising: a body having... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P. C.

20080255624 - Methods and devices for multipoint access of a body part: Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing body parts using a plurality of access points to facilitate the repair of such body parts. The multipoint access devices and methods of the present invention may facilitate manipulating tools and materials that can be used in the repair of bone and other... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080255623 - Osteochondral allograft cartilage transplant workstation: The invention is directed toward a portable surgical workstation and kit of accessory devises for cartilage implant formation comprising a base, a vise assembly mounted to the base, the vise assembly comprising a fixed jaw member and a moveable jaw member, each jaw member defining grasping surfaces for holding a... Agent: John S. Hale Gipple & Hale

20080255566 - Osteochondral autograft transplantation procedure and apparatus: A surgical procedure according to which a cutting device is connected in a spaced relationship to an anchor, and the anchor is located over a first area of the bone. The distance between the cutting device and the anchor is adjusted so that the cutting device extends over a second... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080255567 - Spinal distraction system: A spinal distraction apparatus includes substantially parallel fixed and movable legs, each of which has opposite front and rear ends. A rear rod projects rigidly from the rear end of the fixed leg and passes slidably through the rear end of the movable leg. A front rod extends rigidly from... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20080255568 - Ancillary tool and method for positioning a prosthetic acetabulum of a hip prosthesis: s

20080255569 - Bone support device, system, and method: A bone support and/or barrier device, system, kit, and method can include an implantable structure having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone contact portion. The structure can be collapsible to an undeployed configuration capable of percutaneous insertion to the interior of... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080255570 - Bone treatment systems and methods: Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080255571 - Bone treatment systems and methods: Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080255572 - Device for following the penetration of an instrument in an anatomical structure: A device to monitor penetration of an instrument into an anatomical structure including a voltage source supplying at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes carried by a part of the penetration instrument intended to penetrate the anatomical structure, the penetrating part having at least one detachable longitudinal... Agent: Ip Group Of Dla Piper US LLP

20080255573 - Surgical laser trajectory instrument: A system for illuminating patient anatomy to locate a site for an incision.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080255574 - Instrument for insertion of prosthetic components: An instrument configured to receive and retain a prosthetic component to facilitate the implantation of the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes an actuator and holder secured to the actuator. The holder may include an elongate body and a head portion having a plurality of resiliently deformable arms... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080255575 - Instruments and methods for sizing a connecting element for positioning along a bony segment: Instruments and methods for determining the spacing between locations in an animal subject are employed to size a connecting element to secure along a bony segment in the animal subject. The instruments and methods include a measuring instrument mountable to proximal ends of extensions extending from anchors engaged to the... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080255576 - Multiple implant dispensing driver: Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to multiple implant locations in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant. The implants can be sequentially engaged using the delivery instrument to the patient... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080255578 - Corneal endothelial tissue inserter: The present invention is a an instrument to be utilized in a procedure to transfer donor endothelial cells to the cornea without injuring or destroying cells during the transfer process. Currently there are no instruments/techniques that facilitate the transfer process. Techniques today include forcing the tissue through a 3-5 mm... Agent: Michael Ries

20080255579 - Implantation tool for intraocular lenses: The object of the invention is to permit a smooth advance movement of intraocular lenses (25) by means of a compact design of the implantation tool (1) and a short operating cycle, the push rod in the main body (2) of the implantation tool (1) being driven by a two-stage... Agent: Baker & Mckenzie LLP

20080255577 - Lens delivery system cartridge and method of manufacture: A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that has a straight thinned walled distal nozzle. The transition region between the tapered folding portion of the cartridge and the nozzle contain reinforcing gussets to help prevent splitting of the cartridge. Flow leaders in the nozzle direct the flow of material during... Agent: Alcon

20080255580 - Medical device delivery system with sheath separation: Medical device delivery systems and associated methods are provided. Delivery systems according to the invention include an elongated tubular member and a body member, such as a dilator, disposed therein. An intraluminal medical device is disposed on the dilator and within the tubular member prior to deployment. The delivery system... Agent: Buchanan Intellectual Property Office LLC

20080255581 - Short sleeve stent delivery catheter and methods: A stent delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending from the distal end to at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end. A balloon is disposed over the catheter body near the distal end, and... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20080255582 - Methods and template assembly for implanting an electrode array in a patient: Templates and their methods of use for creating a plurality of holes or openings at predetermined locations in the skull of a patient, wherein the plurality of holes or openings are configured to receive a plurality of electrodes that may monitor brain activity signals from the patient and/or deliver a... Agent: Neurovista / Shay Glenn

20080255584 - Acetabular cup positioning: A computer aided surgery system, method, surgical method and instrument for guiding the positioning of an acetabular cup in a pelvis are described. The position of the transverse acetabular ligament of the pelvis and the position of the acetabular labrum of the pelvis are determined. The orientation of an acetabular... Agent: Philip S. Johnson, Esq. Johnson & Johnson

20080255583 - Method for guiding instruments having different sizes: A system and procedure for using the system are disclosed for guiding instruments of varying sizes. The instruments can be guided into various portions of the anatomy for performing a procedure, providing a treatment, measuring a physiological response, or the like. Two or more instruments of varying sizes can be... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080255585 - Resiliently deformable tool guide for use in minimally invasive telesurgical system: A tool guide for guiding an end effector of a robotically controlled surgical instrument from a position outside a patient body to a position in close proximity to an internal surgical site within the patient body is provided. The tool guide typically comprises a body, a seat formation on the... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20080255586 - Assembly for use in dermabrasion having an abrasive disc: The present invention relates to an assembly having a handle, cap and abrasive disc for use in dermabrasion. The assembly is able to be used to vigorously abrade the skin when said abrasive disc protrudes beyond and through an opening in said cap. The abrasive disc can then be retracted... Agent: Francis Law Group

20080255587 - Medical apparatus and method of making the same: The invention relates to a medical apparatus including a device used in the treatment of weight loss, obesity and potentially other associated health problems, e.g., type II diabetes. The device is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., bypassing a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The... Agent: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

20080255588 - Tool with multi-state ratcheted end effector: The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. These tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements of the end... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080255589 - Multi-function clipping and harvesting device: A multi-function minimally invasive vessel clipping and harvesting device includes at least two clipping devices positioned to advance surgical clips onto a tissue, and a severing device positioned to sever the tissue between the clips.... Agent: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Attn: Gael Diane Tisack

20080255590 - Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongated barrel; a suturing needle having... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080255591 - Medical suturing tool with multiple puncture needles: A suture tool for fixing the gastric wall to the abdominal wall comprises a first puncture needle for insertion, a suture thread, a second puncture needle for removing the suture thread, a linear grasping member and one or more anchor member. The tip end portion of the suture thread is... Agent: Tyco Healthcare - Edward S. Jarmolowicz

20080255592 - Methods and devices for treating obesity and gerd by intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue: Described here are devices and methods for intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue. Typically the intussusception is created at a position near, but distal to the gastroesophageal junction, and a pouch capable of storing a volume (from about 0 cc up to about 100 cc) is created proximal the intussuscepted... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080255593 - Prosthetic repair patch with suture retaining structure: A prosthetic repair patch has a sheet and a plurality of retaining structures connected thereto. The sheet, with first and second sheet surfaces, completely under covers a hernia in tissue of a patient with the first sheet surface adjacently abutting a first surface of the tissue that faces away from... Agent: Franz Bonsang C/o Protections Equinox Inc.

20080255594 - Medical apparatus and method of making the same: The invention relates to a novel medical apparatus for treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or other obesity-associated health problems. The apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus can be implanted using minimally invasive... Agent: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

20080255596 - Thrombectomy apparatus and method: A thrombectomy system may include an elongate shaft that defines a high pressure lumen and a low pressure lumen. The high pressure lumen may terminate near an end of the low pressure lumen. An expandable capture basket may be disposed near the end of the low pressure lumen. A thrombectomy... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080255595 - Valvulotome: A valvulotome device for cutting valves inside a lumen of a vein having a deployable assembly with deployable cutting blades and guide fins which permit continual centralizing, self-alignment of the cutting blades within the lumen of the vein as the valves are being excised is disclosed. The valvulotome device further... Agent: Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC

20080255597 - Method and apparatus for tissue morcellation: The invention relates to a tissue morcellator for minimally invasive surgery. The morcellator has a metallic cutting ring mounted on a visually transparent hollow cylinder, which in combination with a visually transparent outer morcellator tube enables a surgeon to visualize the inside of the morcellator shaft for detection of loose... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20080255598 - Lancing device with replaceable multi-lancet carousel: A housing having an actuator mechanism and a replaceable carousel having a series of lancets. The carousel is removably received in the housing and the actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the individual lancets. In exemplary embodiments the lancing device has, amongst other features, key and detent mechanisms for orienting... Agent: Gardner Groff Greenwald & Villanueva. PC

20080255599 - Acupuncture needle: An acupuncture needle gives skin a favorable stimulus without invading the skin when in contact with or pressed against the skin. The acupuncture needle includes a base plate and projections formed on a surface of the base plate integrally therewith. Each of the projections have elasticity and includes a base... Agent: Egbert Law Offices

20080255600 - Endoscopic dissector: A dissection device comprising an elongate cannula having proximal and distal ends and a central axis and arranged to receive at least a remote viewing device therein, a handle arranged to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate cannula and a dissection tip arranged to be attached to... Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

20080255601 - Apparatus and method for remote deflation of intragastric balloon: An intragastric balloon and apparatus for remote deflation of the balloon are disclosed. The apparatus for remote deflation allows the physician to cause the valve of the intragastric balloon to open without surgery using a remote control from outside of the body. The remote deflation mechanism may be powered internally... Agent: Allergan, Inc.

20080255602 - Devices and methods for treatment of obesity: Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080255604 - Embolic protection device with locking device: A device and method for locking onto a guidewire. The device includes an element transversely movable along the guidewire. The element may have a plurality of portions and a biasing member connecting first and second portions of the transversely moveable element such that the first portion and another of the... Agent: Sughrue Mion-abbott Labs

20080255606 - Filtering device for use within a body lumen: A filtering apparatus for collecting emboli or thromboli in a body lumen. The apparatus may be a temporary filtering device mounted on a core wire for use during interventional procedures or a semi-permanent filtering device that is left within a body lumen for a therapeutically appropriate length of time. The... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20080255603 - Implant device particularly useful for implantation in the intravascular system for diverting emboli: A device for implantation in the body of a subject to divert solid particles from entering branch passageways, particularly useful for diverting emboli from branch blood vessels. The implant device includes an anchoring section for firmly anchoring in the branch blood vessel, and a diverter section projecting into the main... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080255605 - Migration resistant embolic filter: An embolic filter is disclosed and can include a head. A plurality of bent legs can extend from the head. Each bent leg can be configured to engage an inner wall of a vein and prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a cranial direction. A plurality of straight legs... Agent: C.r. Bard, Inc. Bard Peripheral Vascular

20080255607 - Powered surgical instrument: A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080255608 - Tool with end effector force limiter: The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. In some embodiments these tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080255609 - Labeled vascular patch: The present invention relates generally to a labeled vascular patch to be applied during surgical repair of blood vessels, which have become diseased by atherosclerosis or injured by trauma. More particularly, the present patch comprises a label, useful for locating the patch during post-operative recovery to assess the success of... Agent: Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (main)

20080255610 - Adhesive-containing wound closure device and method: An article, such as a tissue bonding article, includes a flexible material, a polymerization initiator or rate modifier disposed in or on the flexible material, and a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout at least a portion of the flexible material, where the polymerization initiator or rate modifier is a polymerization... Agent: Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Lione

20080255611 - Self-retaining systems for surgical procedures: The present invention relates generally to self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, methods of manufacturing self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, and their uses.... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20080255612 - Self-retaining systems for surgical procedures: The present invention relates generally to self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, methods of manufacturing self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, and their uses.... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20080255613 - Adjustable knotless loops: Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. An adjustable loop region of a flexible construct contained in a bore defined by a fastener is passed through a tissue. The adjustable loop is passed through the tissue. The fastener is passed back... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080255614 - Teething holder: A teething holder for use with a child's teething item, and more particularly a teething device having a flexible and elastic loop, a lock for releaseably locking the loop around a teething object, such as a biscuit, and an attachment element, for attaching the teething device, such as to a... Agent: Douglas C. Wyatt Wyatt, Gerber & O'rourke, L.L.P.

20080255616 - Devices and methods for the treatment of spinal disorders: Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080255615 - Treatments for correcting spinal deformities: The present application is directed to methods of treating a spinal deformity. The methods may begin by initially testing the spinal deformity. An implant may be chosen to treat the deformity based on the results of the testing. The implant may then be attached to vertebral members to begin treating... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080255617 - Vertebral support device: A vertebral support device (1) is disclosed, which in various embodiments comprises at least two osseous anchoring implants (2), each designed to be anchored to a vertebra, and at least one linking element (3) fixed to the osseous anchoring implants (2) by fasteners (20) that maintain a fixed angle between... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080255618 - Articulating facet fusion screw: A spinal implant is provided having an elongate member with a longitudinal axis and threads extending over at least a portion of the outer surface thereof. The implant includes a stabilization feature associated with the elongate member that is selectively configurable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080255619 - Posterior spinal fixation with colinear facet screw: A three element spinal fixation system for implantation from a posterior lateral incision. The first element in the form of a translaminar cannula is adapted to be implanted along a longitudinal axis of a lamina of a vertebra. A bracket is provided as a second element with a first end... Agent: Bradley P. Heisler Heisler & Associates

20080255620 - Anterior vertebral plate with spike fixation: Provided is a novel system that includes an anterior vertebral body plate with at least one bone spike pivotally attached to the plate and capable of being manually inserted into underlying bone to securely fix the plate to the bone. Also provided is a method of stabilizing cervical vertebrae using... Agent: Perry E. Van Over & Associates, PLLC

20080255621 - Sleeve: The invention relates to a sleeve (1), for a bone fixation element, in particular, a wire (10), comprising A) two tubular elements (3; 4), having a common longitudinal axis (2), each with a central drilling (8) of the same diameter (D), an external end (20; 21) and an intermediate end... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080255622 - Facet fixation and fusion screw and washer assembly and method of use: A spinal implant including a stabilization member coupled to an elongate member is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet configuration. Also, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080249513 - Apparatus for treatment of material, in particular for refractive surgery: A device and a computer program for material processing, in particular refractive eye surgery, operate with a pulsed femtosecond laser and the individual focal points are positioned in such a way that the spacings of neighbouring focal points for the most part vary, in order to avoid a regular grating... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080249514 - Method and apparatus for multi-step correction of ophthalmic refractive errors: A technique of refractive eye correction employs multiple steps to correct refractive errors in the eye. In the first step, gross decentrations of the refractive error are corrected, allowing the subsequent steps to be relatively symmetric in their treatment profile. Then, the eye's refractive error is again measured, and a... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20080249512 - Surgical visual feedback and eye fixation method and apparatus: A fixation apparatus is provided that limits rotation of the ocular globe of an eye, to facilitate alignment of an instrument with the axis of astigmatism of the eye. The apparatus includes fixation target means (12) for locating in the field of view of the eye so that the eye... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080249515 - Interventional devices and methods for laser ablation: Laser catheter systems include catheters, mandrels, guidewires, and fiber optics configured to reduce or remove occlusions in a lumen or vessel of a patient. Rotation or translation of a mandrel, a guidewire, or a catheter can induce relative rotational or translational movement between the mandrel or guidewire and the catheter... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080249516 - Device for creating openings in pressurized vessels with deformable walls: The catheter (1) has a fastener (10) for firmly holding the wall (19) of vessel (18) when it is cut by optical fibers (3). The fastener (10) has an engaging element which can be a pin (20), roughened surface (23), spiral grooves (27), dendritic grooves (31), adhesive surface (34) or... Agent: Joyce Von Natzmer Pequignot + Myers LLC

20080249517 - Light coupling adapter device for photodynamic or photothermal therapy or photodynamic diagnosis, corresponding system and method: A system configured for photodynamic or photothermal therapy and photodynamic diagnosis of a tissue is 5 disclosed. The system comprises in combination an assembly of: a proximal end adapter for a catheter comprising an adapter body (32), having proximal and distal ends, defining an axial lumen extending between the proximal... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20080249518 - Ablation devices with sensor structures: A cardiac ablation device, including a steerable catheter (10) and an expandable ablation element (18) incorporating one or more balloons (20, 22) at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway (28, 30) extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080249519 - Method and apparatus for applying energy to biological tissue including the use of tumescent tissue compression: An electrode catheter is introduced into a hollow anatomical structure, such as a vein, and is positioned at a treatment site within the structure. Tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the treatment site to produce tumescence of the surrounding tissue which then compresses the vein. The solution may... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080249520 - System and method for providing even heat distribution and cooling return pads: A return pad for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a conductive layer, a contact layer configured to engage a patient's skin and an intermediate layer disposed between the conductive layer and the contact layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to distribute energy.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249521 - System and method for providing even heat distribution and cooling return pads: A return pad for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a conductive layer, a contact layer configured to engage a patient's skin and an intermediate layer disposed between the conductive layer and the contact layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to distribute energy.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249523 - Controller for flexible tissue ablation procedures: An electrosurgical system including a generator configured to supply radiofrequency (RF) energy is disclosed. The system includes at least two electrodes configured to apply RF energy to tissue and at least one return electrode for returning the RF energy to the generator. The generator may operate in a first operational... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249522 - Irrigated catheter with improved fluid flow: An irrigated catheter with uniform cooling and/or uniform fluid distribution in longitudinally spaced apart elution holes by varying the diameter of a fluid delivery lumen. A number of elution holes are provided in a tip region of a catheter body, and these elution holes are in fluid communication with the... Agent: John D. Tran Buus, Kim, Kuo, & Tran, LLP

20080249525 - Radio frequency ablation electrode for selected tissue removal: The present invention relates to a radiofrequency electrode for selective ablation of a body tissue, comprising a first electrode 110 and a second electrode 120 to be inserted, through a catheter 60, into the body tissue, wherein the first electrode tip 112 formed at the end of the first electrode... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080249524 - System and method for providing even heat distribution and cooling return pads: The present disclosure relates to a return pad for use with an electrosurgical system and includes a contact layer configured to engage patient skin, a conductive layer disposed on the contact layer, and a heating layer operatively associated with at least one of the contact layer and the conductive layer.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249526 - Method and apparatus for surgical dissection: An apparatus for dissecting tissue in a substantially uniform plane of dissection includes a housing configured to be advanced under a tissue layer, and control one of a depth of dissection or tissue flap thickness. The housing thermally shields at least a portion of the tissue flap. A roller is... Agent: Goodwin Procter LLP Attn: Patent Administrator

20080249527 - Electrosurgical instrument reducing current densities at an insulator conductor junction: An electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another, includes a pair of electrodes each including an electrically conductive surface (e.g., which can be dimensioned for sealing, clamping and/or cutting), an insulating substrate having a first edge, and... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249580 - Methods and instruments of reducing a fracture: An instrument for reduction of a bone fracture is disclosed. The instrument includes an orthopaedic surgical implant (112), an implant member (190, 200, 270), and a driving member (180, 210, 260). The implant member (190, 200, 270) has a bone engagement portion (195, 203, 275) and a driven portion (197,... Agent: Joel R. Petrow Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080249528 - Rotating interspinous device: The invention concerns an implant which consists in a device used between the spinous processes to produce a distraction and a decompression. It consists of two separate parts, one female (1) and the other male (2), each fixed to a spinous process through indentations (3) adapted, and socketed into each... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080249529 - Dual incision disc repair device and method: The invention includes a device and method for positioning the device within a disc space of a patient. In one embodiment, a method of positioning an implant within a disc space of a patient includes making a first incision in an annulus of an intervertebral disc, making a second incision... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080249530 - Bone treatment systems and methods: Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080249531 - Instruments and methods for minimally invasive insertion of dynamic implants: Instruments and methods for dynamic implant placement into a desired location in the patient include a guide instrument that defines a minimally invasive pathway to an implantation location and an inserter instrument guided by the guide instrument to position the dynamic implant along the pathway to the implantation location. The... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080249532 - Securing device to secure fixation devices to bone portions: The present invention discloses a securing device that is used to secure a fixation device to two bone portions to promote healing between the two bone portions. The bone portions commonly include a skull bone portion and a skull bone flap or implant, and the fixation device is commonly a... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080249533 - Medical device and method for controlling obesity: A method of, and device for, slowing the passage of food through a digestive tract of a patient and thereby treating obesity. The device is an obesity tube comprising (A) an upper ring of a size corresponding to a point under a patient's esophagus and above the patient's diaphragm muscle,... Agent: Cozen O'connor, P.C.

20080249534 - Method and device for distending a gynecological cavity: Method and device for distending a gynecological cavity. According to one embodiment, a mechanical, non-fluid device is used to distend the gynecological cavity. Such devices include, for example, self-expanding members, such as resilient baskets, coils, whisks, prongs, and loops, or mechanically expanded members, such as inflatable balloons, mechanically-expanded cages and... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080249535 - Vaginal spring loaded delineator: A gynecological instrument for delineating the formix of the vagina during laparoscopic surgeries having a spring, which proximal end is affixed to a solid ring and the distal end is affixed to a base. The extension of the base can be inserted into the head of the Valtchev® Uterine Mobilizer... Agent: Konstantin L. Valtchev Suite 501

20080249536 - Interface assembly for controlling orientation of robotically controlled medical instrument: Interface assemblies for controlling an orientation of a working instrument of a robotic medical instrument system. A base member is coupled to a distal end of an instrument such as a robotically controllable catheter. A spacer element is retained between the base member and a platform member, which is movable... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080249537 - Skin resurfacing device: A skin resurfacing device for peeling the outermost layer of the skin for renewing the skin surface and repairing skin damage including a housing, a skin sensor, and a skin treater. The skin treater consists of an abrasive tip, a first end, a transparent portion, a first filter, and a... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20080249538 - 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

20080249539 - Device for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A device for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The device has an elongated member with distal and proximal ends. The distal end is for insertion into a body cavity. The elongated member has an end effector at its distal end. The end effector includes an outer cylinder having... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249541 - Device for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A device for maintaining a plication within a hollow organ. The device includes an elongated member having distal and proximal ends. The distal end is for insertion into a body cavity. The elongated member has an end effector at its distal end. The end effector has an outer cylinder having... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249542 - Device for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A device for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The device includes an elongated member having distal and proximal ends. The device has an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongated member. The end effector has a substantially hollow housing, a fixed jaw extending distally from... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249540 - Method for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A method for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The method uses an elongated member having an end effector at its distal end. The end effector has an outer cylinder having at least one opening in its cylindrical wall, and an inner cylinder having at least one opening in... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249543 - Ligature carrier: A ligament carrier and suturing device (20) comprising an elongate shaft member having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle carrier (40) is located at or adjacent the distal end of said elongate shaft member, said needle carrier comprising a rigid arcuate tooth member and having a first... Agent: Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080249544 - Medical device for applying purse string sutures: A surgical instrument for applying purse string sutures to tissue is provided that includes two circular discs that each have notches within a perimeter of the disc for receiving tissue and through which a suture wire may pass. The device also includes push plates for advancing the suture wires through... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080249545 - Suturing, crimping and cutting device: A percutaneous surgical device is provided, which comprises a combination wound suturing and crimping and cutting device. In one exemplary embodiment a crimping and cutting device portion nests within a suturing device portion. The combined device may locate a vessel wound and pass suture through the vessel walls surrounding the... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080249546 - Anastomosis systems and methods: A surgical connection apparatus including a plurality of delivery assemblies, a housing assembly, and a drive mechanism. The delivery assemblies each include an outer member, an inner member, and optionally a retention member. The inner member is disposed within the outer member, terminates at a distal tip and forms an... Agent: Medtronic Cardiovascular

20080249547 - Tissue clamp: The present invention relates to a tissue clamp, a tool for grasping the clamp and a method of using the clamp for surgical procedures. The clamp has a fixture or fixtures positioned on the proximal end of the arms of the clamp so that a tool can be used by... Agent: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP

20080249548 - Corneal graft preparation: There is disclosed a method of separating a posterior endothelial layer of a donor cornea having an epithelium, layers of stroma, a Descemet's membrane and an endothelium, after the donor cornea has been harvested from a cadaver. The method comprises the steps of mounting the donor cornea on an artificial... Agent: Ira S. Dorman

20080249550 - Miniature disposable safety scalpel: A disposable safety scalpel comprises a handle and a blade carrier, which fit together such that the blade carrier can shift between a retracted position whereby a front portion of the handle covers or otherwise blocks contact with the sharp edge of the blade, and an extended position whereby the... Agent: Alix Yale & Ristas LLP

20080249549 - Skin lesion exciser and skin-closure device therefor: A device for excising tissue and closing a wound that results from excision of the tissue includes structure defining an aperture into which tissue to be excised is exposed. The device also includes a cutting member for excising the tissue, a closure member for closing the wound, and an actuatable... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20080249551 - Manipulator system and control apparatus: A manipulator has an operation command unit and an exchangeable working unit. The working unit comprises an end effector operable under actions of a control apparatus, and an ID retaining section holding an ID for individualized discrimination of the working unit. The control apparatus includes an ID identification section for... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080249553 - Method, system and device for tissue removal: A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080249552 - Working tool for medical purposes with rotating blade of adjustable size and a method thereof: The present invention relates to a cost effective working tool useful for lateral resection of biological tissues by means of a flexible blade with an adjustable curve size. Said rod-like tool has a distal end, adapted to be inserted into a body cavity, and a proximal end, located adjacent to... Agent: Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP

20080249554 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out... Agent: Goodwin Procter LLP Attn: Patent Administrator

20080249555 - Puncturing system: A puncturing system for obtaining a body fluid sample includes a lancet that is accelerated by a puncturing drive for a puncturing motion in the direction of puncturing, whereby the puncturing system comprises an adjustment facility for adjusting the puncturing depth up to which a lancet penetrates into the body... Agent: Baker & Daniels LLP / Roche

20080249556 - Dissection apparatus and dissection method: A dissection apparatus includes a main body portion which extends from a proximal end side to a distal end side, and a dissecting portion which is provided to a distal end of the main body portion and adapted to dissect a blood vessel from a living tissue, the dissecting portion... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080249557 - Screw for vascular occlusion: A vascular occlusion screw (100) for essentially blood-tight occlusion of a blood vessel, the vascular occlusion screw comprising: a. a basically rigid screw head (102) for fixing the vascular occlusion screw inside the lumen of the blood vessel, the screw head comprising at least one groove (106) for attachment with... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080249558 - Implant recovery device: The present invention provides a device for delivering and/or recovering an object, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder. According to one embodiment of the invention, a device contains an outer sleeve and an inner sheath. The inner sheath has a proximal portion and a distal portion; the distal... Agent: Wilmerhale/boston

20080249559 - Compression device with improved moisture evaporation: A circumferential compression sleeve has bladder openings extending through a bladder, making the sleeve generally breathable and comfortable for the wearer. The device has a static evaporation rate through the device of at least about 20 mg/minute. The device has a convective evaporation resistance of less than about 75. In... Agent: Tyco Healthcare - Edward S. Jarmolowicz

20080249560 - Method for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A method of implanting a device to maintain a plication within a hollow organ. The method uses an elongated member having an end effector at its distal end. The end effector has an outer cylinder having at least one opening, and an inner cylinder having at least one opening. The... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249561 - Method for plicating and fastening gastric tissue: A method for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The method uses an elongated member having an end effector attached to its distal end. The end effector has a substantially hollow housing, a fixed jaw extending distally from the housing, and a retractable jaw located within the housing. The... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080249562 - Septal closure device with centering mechanism: In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for occluding an aperture in a body, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), including a first side adapted to be disposed on one side of the septum and a second side adapted to be disposed on the opposite side of... Agent: Wilmerhale/boston

20080249563 - Method and apparatus for tissue fastening: Methods and apparatus directed to tissue capture, presentation and retention using a surgical apparatus. One or more tissue capture arms can include surface features that engage captured tissue and provide omni-directional support during capture and retention of the tissue. The tissue clamping arm can include improved centering features for positioning... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080249564 - Absorbable surgical fasteners: The present disclosure provides absorbable surgical fasteners.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080249565 - Endovascular flexible stapling device: The present invention concerns a flexible stapling device (1). More particularly, this invention concerns a flexible endovascular stapling device (1) for an intavascular procedure such as patent foramen ovale closure, which is designed to avoid open heart surgery by permitting the closure of the defect utilizing a stapling means (26)... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20080249566 - Methods and devices for reducing gastric volume: The present invention involves new interventional methods and devices for reducing gastric volume, and thereby treating obesity. The procedures are generally performed laparoscopically and may generally be described as laparoscopic plication gastroplasty (LPG) in which, after obtaining abdominal access, spaced apart sites on a gastric wall are engaged and approximated... Agent: Speckman Law Group PLLC

20080249567 - Surgical instruments: A surgical instrument having an anchor and a plug is capable of anchoring a suture. The suture anchor has an anchor body having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface, a transverse bore and a well, the well having an outer surface, an inner surface, and... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080249568 - Crossbar spinal prosthesis having a modular design and systems for treating spinal pathologies: An adaptable spinal facet joint prosthesis, including a pedicle fixation element; a laminar fixation element; and a facet joint bearing surface having a location adaptable with respect at least one of the pedicle fixation element and the laminar fixation element. The invention also includes a method of implanting an adaptable... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080249569 - Implant face plates: A faceplate for at least partially covering a plurality of anchor member apertures in an implantable member includes a main body sized to at least partially overlap the plurality of anchor member apertures of the implantable member and configured to inhibit anchor member back-out from the plurality of anchor member... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080249570 - Adjustable multi-axial spinal coupling assemblies: Coupling assemblies and systems and methods are provided with an anchor member movably coupled with a receiver member extending along a receiver axis. A seat member is movable in the receiver member to assume any one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to an orientation of a connecting element extending... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080249571 - Replacement facet joint and method: Prostheses and methods for repair of a cervical fact joint. The articulating surfaces of the natural facets of the facet joint are removed only a sufficient amount to allow the insertion of flat or slightly curvilinear portions of protheses therebetween in an overlapping relationship. The portions are so inserted and... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080249572 - Bone plate: A bone plate (15) is provided with a keyhole shaped aperture (10) having a first wide portion (20) leading into a second narrow portion (22) by way of a discontinuous narrowing (24). The narrow portion (22) has a concave recess (26) in the upper surface (11) of the plate and... Agent: Dennison, Schultz & Macdonald

20080249573 - Bone connection device: An implantable orthopedic device having a load-bearing element, such as a bone plate, with at least one opening for a fixation element and one insert which can be inserted in an inclined opening in a receptacle in the bore. This insert has an external form that is at least partially... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080249574 - Bone screw system: A set of screws sized and configured for fixing a Jones fracture in a fifth metatarsal bone of a patient by preserving a bone thread path. Each screw has a low profile head on a trailing end, a thread portion on a leading portion, and a smooth shank portion between... Agent: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.

20080249575 - Anchor member locking features: An implantable medical device may include an implant member having an aperture extending therethrough. An anchor member may be configured to extend through the aperture. A locking ring may be supplied to inhibit back-out of the anchor member.... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080249576 - Pedicle screw system configured to receive a straight or curved rod: A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw in a first position, while securely locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw when in... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20080249577 - Dome shaped implant and inserter: An implant for resurfacing a joint and a driver for the implant. The inserter attaches to the head of the implant. The inserter is designed to facilitate the handling and insertion of an implant at a surgical site. The inserter is provided with a plurality of arms that securely engage... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080249578 - Fastener for securing two separate workpieces: A locking or fastener system for joining or attaching a first workpiece spaced apart from a second workpiece. A threaded opening is provided in the first workpiece for receiving a screw/collar combination. The screw has a threaded end and a head end. The screw head is rotatingly attached within a... Agent: Jackson Walker, L.L.P.

20080249579 - Variable flank bone screw: A bone screw comprising a threaded shank having a longitudinal axis and including a first helical threading extending along a first length of the threaded shank portion and a second helical threading extending from a location proximately adjacent the first helical threading and along a second length of the threaded... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080243106 - Detachable end effectors: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080243105 - Surgical footswitch with movable shroud: The present invention provides a surgical footswitch with a movable shroud. The footswitch is capable of controlling different kinds of surgical instruments and is adaptable by moving the shroud to meet the convenience and safety requirements of each kind of surgical instrument.... Agent: Alcon

20080243108 - Ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam for treatment of an affected part of a patient's eye; an optical fiber that transmits the laser beam emitted from the laser source; and a delivery optical system that irradiates the laser beam emitted from the... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080243107 - Safety mechanism for laser treatment apparatus: The invention relates to a laser treatment unit for performing eye surgery, comprising a contact glass (23), which can be placed onto the eye (21) and via which a treatment laser beam (2) passes. A safety mechanism (24, 25) is provided that displaceably holds the contact glass (23) in such... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080243109 - Method and device for producing cuts in a transparent material: The invention relates to a method for producing cuts in a transparent material, in particular in the cornea, by creating optical openings in said material by means of laser radiation that is focused in said material, whereby the focal point is displaced in order to produce the cut from a... Agent: Douglas J Christensen Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen

20080243110 - Laser apparatus for medical treatment of skin disease: The present invention provides a laser apparatus for medical treatment of skin disease. The laser apparatus comprising: a laser generator 12 for generating a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength range; a handpiece 14 having a microlens array 11 installed therein for forming a plurality of laser spots; and an... Agent: Frommer Lawrence & Haug

20080243111 - Surgical method and apparatus for treating atrial fibrillation: 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, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen; a second lumen; and an ablation element expandable from... Agent: Christopher & Weisberg, P.A.

20080243112 - Device and method for assisting heat ablation treatment of the heart: A heat exchange balloon assembly (11) for cooling the esophagus during heat ablation treatment to the heart is disclosed. The heat exchange balloon assembly includes an inflatable balloon (4) adapted for insertion into the esophagus, provided with an exterior heat-transfer surface and a lumen within the inflatable balloon (4) adapted... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080243113 - Modification of stent surfaces to impart functionality: In a yet further aspect, at least one nanoparticle or microparticle is positioned within one or both of the anionic polymer layer and the cationic polymer layer. In a still further aspect, the outermost polymer layer has a surface having fractal characteristics. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool... Agent: Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP

20080243114 - Instrument for plasma coagulation: For the coagulation of tissue by plasma, instruments are known that comprise a tubular probe body through which inert gas is conducted and an ignition electrode within the lumen in the region of an outlet of the probe body. A current conductor is provided to supply a coagulation current to... Agent: Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP

20080243115 - Catheter actuator: A catheter actuator 10 includes at least two carriers 12, 14 displaceably arranged relative to each other. A first catheter sheath component of a catheter sheath assembly is connectable to a first carrier 12 and a second catheter sheath component of the catheter sheath assembly is connectable to a second... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080243116 - Catheter assembly: A catheter sheath 10 includes an electrical lead 12 carrying a plurality of electrical conductors 16. A sleeve 20 is co-axially arranged about the electrical lead 12. At least one of a distal end of the lead 12 and a distal end of the sleeve 20 defines a plurality of... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080243118 - Electrosurgical pencil with drag sensing capability: An electrosurgical pencil configured and adapted to support an electrocautery blade. A strain gauge is affixed to the proximal end of the electrocautery blade and measures the displacement of the blade as a result of resistance and drag acting on the blade. The electrosurgical pencil also includes a meter electrically... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243117 - Systems and methods for electrosurgical prevention of disc herniations: The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20080243119 - Vacuum coagulation probe for atrial fibrillation treatment: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soil tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080243120 - Bipolar forceps having monopolar extension: An endoscopic forceps for treating tissue includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto which has first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes an actuator for moving jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243121 - Curative treatment system, curative treatment device, and treatment method for living tissue using energy: A treatment system that applies energy to a living tissue includes first and second holding members, an operating section, an energy source, and a plurality of energy applying portions that apply energy supplied from the energy source. Each of the first and second holding members has a holding surface to... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080243122 - Apparatuses and methods for bone screw augmentation: An apparatus includes an expandable member and a cutting member coupled to the expandable member. The expandable member is configured to form a cavity within a cancellous portion of a bone. The cutting member is configured to cut a cortical portion of the bone.... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080243124 - Contoured reamer teeth and method of manufacture: An acetabular reamer (10′) for cutting a required cut shape. The reamer has a cutting shell (12′) (12′) having a series of doubly curved cutting teeth (16′) thereon of a quantity to substantially reduce a cutting pressure on each tooth as well as to reduce a size of a typical... Agent: Moetteli & Associates Sarl

20080243123 - Maxillary bone cutting system, kit, and method of using the same: A device includes a tubular element, and a cutter spring-biased relative to the tubular element. In an unloaded configuration the cutter is displaced relative to the tubular element by a displacement distance, and when the cutter is in a loaded configuration the displacement distance is reduced. A first structure is... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20080243125 - System, apparatus, and method for cutting bone during an orthopaedic surgical procedure: A bone saw tool includes a bone saw and a bone saw blade assembly. The bone saw blade assembly includes a bone saw blade and a bone saw blade guard. The bone saw blade guard is movable to an extended position to reduce the cutting effectiveness of the bone saw... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080243126 - Rotary angled scraper for spinal disc space preparation: A scraper instrument for preparing an intervertebral disc space is disclosed. The scraper instrument incorporates a uniquely configured end bit having a cutting head with a cavity for passing debris therethrough. Variations of the scraper instrument include one or more angled portions and shaft assemblies that transmit rotational torque applied... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20080243194 - Articulating instrumentation for dynamic spinal stabilization: Dynamic stabilization apparatus and methods in the context of a spinal implant configured to constrain intervertebral movement, where the constraint is meant to eliminate unwanted, non-physiologic motions. The system provides dynamic stability to motion in a compromised spinal joint by allowing motion along a centrode of the instant axis of... Agent: John P. O'banion O'banion & Ritchey LLP

20080243128 - Surgical instruments and method of using same: The present invention relates to surgical instruments particularly suitable for preparing vertebral endplates during spinal interbody surgical procedures. Methods of using such instruments are also disclosed.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080243127 - Surgical tools for arthroplasty: A patellar 3-D guidance tool includes a template. The template includes at least one contact surface for engaging a surface of the patella. The at least one contact surface substantially conforms with the surface associated with the patellar. At least one guide aperture directs movement of a surgical instrument, wherein... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080243129 - Device for injecting high viscosity material: A device for injecting a high viscosity material into a cannula, comprising a container being non-compliant and having an outlet adapted to communicate with the cannula for transferring the high viscosity material thereto, a pressure applicator in fluid communication with the container, the pressure applicator defining a fluid flow path... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20080243130 - Device for the delivery of viscous compositions: Devices and kits, and methods of their use, for the delivery of viscous compositions are described.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080243131 - Implant inserter having a bifurcated adjustable stop: An insertion tool for inserting a spinal motion disc, wherein the insertion tool has a bifurcated adjustable stop.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080243132 - Tensioning system and method for the fixation of bone fractures: A gauge device that measures and displays the tension applied to a first object portion and a second object portion is disclosed. An exemplary gauge device comprises a first and second housing portion, a tension member, a compression member and a connector portion. The components of the gauge device may... Agent: Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (main)

20080243134 - Bidirectionally ratcheting surgical instrument: A tool for driving a workpiece during surgical procedures has a handle. A gear with teeth thereon is rotatably supported along an axis within the handle. Two pawls are pivotally supported by the handle adjacent the gear and are orbital about the axis upon rotation of the handle. Each pawl... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080243135 - Driver-fixator system, method, and apparatus: The invention may be characterized as a method, apparatus and bone-fixation system. The system includes a plurality of drivers, each of the drivers including a handle coupled to a shaft, the shaft including a distal tip opposite the handle that is configured to couple with a head of a surgical... Agent: Neugeboren O''dowd PC

20080243136 - Screwdriver for bone screws: A screwdriver for bone screws, especially for compression screws and locking screws, has a handle and shaft extending out centrally from the handle. The shaft has a screw-driving tool on its free end. The shaft, includes a flexible shaft portion, wherein the shaft has two rigid, solid portions on both... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080243133 - Surgical driver: Apparatus, methods, systems, and kits related to surgical procedures and instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for securing a fixation device to a driver for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises engaging a first portion of the driver with the fixation device to limit... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLP

20080243137 - System and methods for clearance of obstructions: The present invention is a system and methods to clear obstructions including foreign objects and food boluses during an EGD procedure. The medical device according to the present invention includes a flexible tubular housing, power transfer device, clamp, tool element, power source, and optional hood. The present invention drills through... Agent: Allison M. Dudley Valauskas & Pine LLC

20080243138 - Insertion system for corneal implants: Provided therein are apparatuses, systems and methods for storing and retrieving a corneal implant and for delivering the corneal implant in or on the cornea. In an embodiment, a insertion system comprises an inserter for delivering a corneal implant to a desired location in or on the cornea. The inserter... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080243139 - Method for assembling a ring used in a small pupil phaco procedure: A ring that can maintain a pupil in an extended position during an ophthalmic procedure. The ring has a plurality of loops that capture iris tissue. The ring is configured to extend the pupil when iris tissue is inserted into each loop. An ophthalmic procedure such as phacoemulsification can then... Agent: Irell & Manella LLP

20080243140 - Spacing devices for releasing active substances in the paranasal sinus: The invention relates to a spacing device (stent) for use in fenestrations of the paranasal sinus. Said device consists of a sheath which forms a hollow body, surrounding an internal cavity. An active substance, which is released in a controlled manner by the spacing device, is contained in the sheath... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080243141 - Surgical instrument with separate tool head and method of use: Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080243142 - Videotactic and audiotactic assisted surgical methods and procedures: The present invention provides video and audio assisted surgical techniques and methods. Novel features of the techniques and methods provided by the present invention include presenting a surgeon with a video compilation that displays an endoscopic-camera derived image, a reconstructed view of the surgical field (including fiducial markers indicative of... Agent: Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

20080243144 - Methods and systems for manipulating tissue: An endoluminal treatment device and method includes introducing an endoluminal device into a lumen of a patient and engaging a wall of the lumen with an implant device. The implant device can be a drug delivery device or medical device.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080243143 - Surgical instrument having a fastener delivery mechanism: A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical fasteners. The delivery device includes a drive mechanism having distal and proximal ends. The drive mechanism has a moving member and a fixed opposing member, wherein the moving member is moveable proximally and distally with respect to the delivery device.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080243145 - Endoscopic surgical clip applier: An apparatus for application of surgical clips is provided and includes a lockout system selectively engageable with a pusher bar to prevent the pusher bar from returning to a home position and to prevent a trigger from completing a full stroke when a plurality of clips are substantially exhausted. The... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243146 - Locating and occluding vessels: A medical device for blood vessel detection and occlusion includes an elongated member, a sensor, and an occluder. The elongated member includes a distal portion configured and dimensioned for accessing anatomical regions. The distal portion includes a recessed area. The sensor of the device can sense a blood vessel disposed... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080243147 - Replaceable tip suturing devices, system, and methods for use with differing needles: Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic or open surgeries, 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. Portions of the devices may be disposable, replaceable, and/or reusable, with... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080243148 - Suture instrument: A suture instrument that is inserted into a body and ejects an elongated anchor to be engaged to tissue, consisting of: an elongated member that extends from a proximal end on a hand side to a remote end that is introduced to tissue and has flexibility; a needle that is... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080243150 - 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

20080243149 - Hernia mesh fabric for inguinal or hiatus hernia repair: A hernia mesh fabric for repair of in particular inguinal or hiatus hernias comprises a base sheet (1) of layered, flexible mesh material; a passage (3) in the base sheet (1) for a body canal, in particular for the spermatic cord or the oesophagus; an insertion slit (5) between the... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, PC

20080243151 - Luminal structure anchoring devices and methods: The present invention relates to a device for endoscopy or endosonography-guided transluminal interventions whereby two luminal structures in the body may be drawn toward each other and a fluid conduit formed in between. The device may have a hollow central member to which is coupled a distal retention member and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080243152 - Atraumatic surgical band: A surgical band comprising a flexible strip (2) which is designed to be closed essentially at the two ends thereof in order to form a closed loop, the strip (2) comprising an annular compression chamber (7) having a volume that can be adjusted with the injection or removal of fluid.... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080243153 - Methods and apparatus for thrombectomy system: In certain embodiments, the system is configured to remove from or fragment materials in a vessel by inserting a catheter into a vessel, wherein the distal tip of the catheter is placed at the surgical site and a liquid spray is applied to materials to remove or fragment (as defined... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080243154 - Surgical instrument of the ablation of diseased veins, particularly saphenous veins: The invention relates to a surgical instrument for the ablation of diseased veins, particularly saphenous veins. The surgical instrument includes a stripping member or olive-shaped member, a traction probe, and a return thread, which can be used to move the olive in opposite directions. In addition, the anterior part of... Agent: Egbert Law Offices

20080243156 - Ophthalmic surgical instrument & surgical methods: Surgical instruments and their methods of use enable a surgeon to form a precut lamellar disk that is removed by the same through a single incision along the perimeter of the cornea. This may be done using one this one instrument. Another instrument enables the surgeon to scrap off adhering... Agent: Connors Associates

20080243155 - Stepped microkeratome blade holder: A blade holder 16 includes a bottom surface 18 for attachment to a blade 30. A top surface 20 interfaces with a drive-pin 32 of a microkeratome 38. A drive slot 22 is formed in the top surface 20 for engagement with the drive-pin 32 for allowing oscillation of the... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20080243157 - Applicator for water-jet surgery: Customary applicators for water-jet surgery comprise a handle, a pressure conduit to supply a working fluid from a pressure source and a nozzle at the end of the pressure conduit to generate a fluid jet with specified properties. It is now proposed to provide a set of molded parts that... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080243159 - Lancet device with combined trigger and cocking mechanism and method: Lancet device including a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle may extend, a movably mounted holding member configured to receive a lancet, and a combined triggering and cocking system structured and arranged to move the holding member to a retracted position during a... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080243158 - Scalpel blade holder: A scalpel blade holder including a handle, a blunt probe, and a blade. A method of using the scalpel blade holder including inserting the blunt probe into a small incision, and advancing the scalpel blade holder to create the incision.... Agent: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

20080243160 - Ultrasonic dissector: An ultrasonic surgical instrument for dissection and coagulation of tissue is provided. The surgical instrument includes a vibration coupler supported within a housing and operably connected to an ultrasonic generator. An angled blade member is connected to the distal end of the vibration coupler to conduct high frequency vibration from... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243161 - Disposable lancet with re-cocking prevention means: A lancet includes a proximal mounting platform; a shuttle biasing spring extending distally from the mounting platform; a shuttle having distally protruding needle, the shuttle being mounted on the shuttle biasing spring; a housing first section having a tubular first section side wall engagingly fitted to the mounting platform and... Agent: Frank L. Kubler

20080243163 - Perforating trocar: The invention concerns the field of surgical instruments. The inventive trocar (1) is of the type comprising a rigid tube (2) wherein may slide a rod (3) with a perforating distal tip, and it is characterized in the distal tip zone of the rod forms a perforating drill capable of... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20080243162 - Trocar: A trocar is provided with an inner needle unit including an optical observing device and a puncture-assisting device that is provided on an outer peripheral face of the inner needle unit and assists puncture of the inner needle unit into a body cavity, where the puncture-assisting device includes at least... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080243164 - Tissue moving surgical device: Devices and methods for moving tissue and/or moving the devices relative to the tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. In... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080243165 - Introducer assembly and method therefor: An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a handle assembly disposed at an angle of about 10-30 degrees relative to the sheath axis. In addition, the introducer assembly includes a dilator having a grip... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080243167 - Intragastric balloon with improved forming means and increased mechanical strength: An expandable intragastric balloon implantable in the stomach for the treatment of obesity, comprising an outer casing (2) which is sufficiently flexible to change from a reduced volume configuration to an expanded configuration, thereby imparting the balloon (1) with its functional shape. The balloon further comprises means (3) for forming... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080243166 - Pouch-equipped intragastric balloon: An expandable intragastric balloon comprising a first flexible pouch (2) comprising a port; a second pouch (20) which contains the first pouch (2) and which is equipped with a hole (21); and, a sealing member (4) which is hermetically fixed to the second pouch (20) and which is intended to... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080243168 - System and method for embolic protection: A balloon catheter system distinguishing a proximal balloon catheter system and a distal balloon catheter is provided. The proximal balloon catheter system has a first and a second catheter. These two catheters are positioned side-by-side over at least part of the longitudinal area of their outer surfaces, and they are... Agent: Lumen Patent Firm, Inc.

20080243169 - System and method for establishing vascular access: Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243171 - Emboli protection devices and related methods of use: An embolic protection system for treating a lesion in a blood vessel is provided. The embolic protection system includes a guide catheter, an evacuation sheath, a guidewire, and an infusion catheter. The guide catheter has a guidewire lumen. The evacuation sheath has an evacuation lumen and a sealing surface and... Agent: O''melveny & Myers LLP Ip&t Calendar Department La-1118

20080243170 - Embolic capturing devices and methods: Disclosed is an emboli capturing device having a first support hoop at a distal portion of a first elongate member, and a support member that is coupled to the first support hoop. The support member can comprise a second elongate member. In some cases, the second elongate member can be... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080243173 - Bi-directional tourniquet: A tourniquet comprising a band comprised of an elastic and flexible material, the band having a width and a length, a first end and a second end, and a first face and second face, where at least a portion of the first face comprises hook-type fastener means located within a... Agent: Bullivant Houser Bailey PC

20080243172 - Garment with affixed tourniquet: The invention provides an article of clothing having a tourniquet affixed to the clothing at one end of the tourniquet, the tourniquet comprising a band comprised of an elastic and flexible material, the band having a width and a length, a first end and a second end, and a first... Agent: Bullivant Houser Bailey PC

20080243174 - Finger mounting for surgical instruments particularly useful in open and endoscopic surgery: A finger mounting for a surgical instrument includes a sleeve dimensioned to be received on the outer end of a finger of a user. The sleeve has an open proximal end for application to the outer end of the user's finger, an open distal end for exposing the outer tip... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080243176 - Guide tube systems and methods: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080243175 - Surgical gripping tool having dual-linkage, force multiplying coupler and shaped to grip multiple size rods: A surgical gripping tool includes a dual-linkage, force multiplying coupling that increases the force applied to surgical rods for a given force applied to the tool handles. In some embodiments, recesses in the tool that grip surgical rods have complex surfaces comprising multiple radii, allowing the tool to securely grip... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080243178 - Surgical instrument particularly useful as tweezers for grasping and holding objects of different thicknesses: A surgical instrument useful as a tweezers for grasping and holding objects of different thicknesses includes: an elongated arm having a distal end defining a fixed jaw; a pivotal jaw having a distal end movable towards and away from the fixed jaw to a fully open position, a fully closed... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080243177 - Surgical instrument usable as a grasper and/or probe: A finger-mountable surgical instrument usable as a tweezers or as a probe, includes a sleeve dimensioned to be received on the outer end of a finger of a user; an elongated arm having a proximal end fixed to the sleeve and a distal end projecting forwardly of the sleeve and... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080243179 - Grooming device for eyebrows: Presented herein is a grooming device for the removal of hair and for eyebrow care and maintenance, said device comprising a pair of tweezers and a brush head disposed on said tweezers. Some embodiments of the grooming device of the present invention further comprise a protective storage case comprising a... Agent: Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco Pl

20080243180 - Surgery fixation forceps: A pair of surgery fixation forceps which includes a pair of tweezers having an upper end, a blade holder including a U-shaped base and a rod portion, the rod portion being formed with two grooves, the U-shaped base having two arms, an adjusting screw for securing the blade holder to... Agent: Leong C Lei

20080243181 - Touch-switched luminous plastic tweezers: Luminous tweezers are described having two tweezer branches (3), at the ends of which gripping/illuminating jaws (9) are provided, and at least one light source (5) with a switchable electricity supply (6; 7), the tweezer branches (3) consisting at least partially of transparent plastic and forming a light guide for... Agent: Norris, Mclaughlin & Marcus, Pa

20080243182 - Vascular hemostasis device and deployment apparatus: A hemostasis device for percutaneously sealing a puncture in the wall of a blood vessel includes a rigid post, and a foot, a seal and a retaining member mounted on the rigid post. The hemostasis device may be deployed in the puncture so that the foot is positioned within the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080243183 - Devices, systems, and methods for closing the left atrial appendage: Described here are devices, systems and methods for closing the left atrial appendage. Some of the methods described here utilize one or more guide members having alignment members to aid in positioning of a closure device. In general, these methods include advancing a first guide having a first alignment member... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080243184 - Cannulated suture anchor system: A system and associated method for arthroscopic repair is particularly adapted in reattaching a ligament and/or tendon to cortical bone of the shoulder. A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, preferably, a screw anchor, and an installation tool for installing the suture anchor in tissue. The suture anchor defines... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080243186 - Spinal stabilization systems and methods of use: Devices and methods are adapted to permit fixation and stabilization of the bony elements of the skeleton. The devices permit adjustment and maintenance of the spatial relationship between neighboring bones. The motion between adjacent skeletal segments may be maintained, limited or completely eliminated.... Agent: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky And Popeo, P.c Attn: Patent Intake Customer No. 64046

20080243185 - Spinal stabilizing system: A bone stabilizing system includes a collar that has a tubular sidewall with an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the interior surface at least partially bounding a longitudinal passage extending therethrough. The collar also includes a pair of... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080243187 - Vertebral body fixation apparatus: A cage device is disclosed that includes, in one embodiment, a body and a pair of pedicle tabs attached thereto and potentially for connecting other orthopedic devices, such as anchors, screws, or rods, to the vertebral body replacement and potentially other vertebrae. The body also has a central opening for... Agent: Medtronic Spinal And Biologics Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20080243188 - 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

20080243189 - Variable angle spinal screw assembly: A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae.... Agent: John C. Mcmahon

20080243190 - In-line rod reduction device and methods: The present invention provides methods and devices for placing a spinal fixation rod into a rod receiving opening in a spinal anchor and installing a fastener to secure the rod to the spinal anchor. In one embodiment, the system can include a cap having a bore extending therethrough, an elongate... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080243191 - Adjustable bone plate fixation system and metho: An improved bone plate system which permits a user to customize the number and location of the fasteners so as to secure to a bone in a desired location. A bone plate system may comprise a frame, a track, an insertion niche, and one or more adjustable fastening plates and... Agent: Snell & Wilmer L.L.P. (main)

20080243192 - Passive screw locking mechanism: Methods and devices are provided for passively locking a bone screw within a bone plate. In particular, the methods and devices allow a bone screw to be locked within a thru-hole in a bone plate without requiring any additional locking steps. In an exemplary embodiment, an annular feature is provided... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080243193 - Low profile pedicle screw assembly: A pedicle screw and rod assembly is provided which has a low profile in the final position. The pedicle screw includes a screw having a threaded portion and a head portion. A tulip body is positioned on the head portion of the screw. A tulip saddle is coupled to the... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC