Surgery inventions 11/08

20080294149 - Corneal viewing chamber: Viewing chamber for preserving a corneal tissue. The cornea viewing chamber has a container and a lid. The container includes a corneal basket formed by a plurality of prongs for supporting the corneal tissue. The prongs are dimensioned such, that they accommodate corneas ranging in size from large to small.... Agent: Bohan Mathers

20080294150 - Photoselective islets in skin and other tissues: Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”) to produce lattices of photoselective islets and other energy selective islets in tissue are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080294152 - Cooling system for a photocosmetic device: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080294153 - Cooling system for a photocosmetic device: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080294151 - Pivoting roller tip for dermatological treatment apparatus: A mechanical element allows the tip of the handpiece of a dermatological treatment system to rotate to adjust for deviations in handpiece angle with respect to the surface of the treatment area. The tip may glide over the surface of the skin, the tip may include wheels or rotating cylinders... Agent: Reliant / Fenwick C/o Fenwick & West, LLP

20080294154 - Cardiac ablation systems and methods: Cardiac ablation systems and methods of their use and manufacture involve an ablation mechanism, a stabilizer mechanism, and a cinching mechanism that urges the ablation mechanism toward a patient tissue. Embodiments encompass methods for administering epicardial and endocardial lesions, including box lesions and connecting lesions, to patient tissue.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080294155 - Radiation applicator and method of radiating tissue: A dipole microwave applicator emits microwave radiation into tissue to be treated. The applicator is formed from a thin coax cable having an inner conductor surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by an outer conductor. A portion of the inner conductor extends beyond the insulator and the outer conductor.... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080294156 - Electrosurgical generator: An electrosurgical generator includes one or more radio frequency (RF) power sources and an output stage including at least two output lines for connection to an electrosurgical instrument. The generator includes means for measuring a parameter associated with the electrosurgical procedure, such as the impedance measured across two of the... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080294157 - Electrosurgical system and an electrode assembly for an electrosurgical system: In an electrosurgical system having a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power and an electrosurgical instrument, the instrument includes a passive electrical identification component having a parameter of finite non-zero value identifying the instrument. The generator has a sensing circuit with a second electrical component, a signal source providing... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080294158 - Ablation catheter with flexible tip and methods of making the same: A flexible tip electrode for an ablation catheter and methods for making the same are disclosed. The electrode has a surface configuration that improves flexibility of the electrode. Also, the surface configuration may allow electrode lengthwise freedom of movement, such that the electrode may be shortened when pressed against the... Agent: John D. Tran Buus, Kim, Kuo, & Tran, LLP

20080294159 - High frequency surgical instrument: A high frequency surgical instrument having a forceps assembly at a fore distal end of an elongated insertion member, the forceps assembly being constituted by a pair of opening and closing grasper members which are shaped with a series of saw teeth on an inner meeting side in such a... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080294160 - Rf endoscopic electrosurgical instrument: A unipolar electrosurgical electrode or probe that is configured for use in MIS electrosurgical procedures. The electrosurgical electrode comprises an elongated tubular member configured to cooperate with the small cannula of a mini-endoscope to reach interior tissue. The active end comprises a pair of jaws that can be normally closed... Agent: Jack Oisher

20080294161 - Electrical cautery device: An electrical surgical cautery device for delivering thermal energy to cauterize and provide hemostasis to a bleeding tissue comprises an electrically powered flexible thermal delivery element having a substantially planar resistive coil embedded in a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material comprises a tissue contact surface and a non-tissue... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080294162 - Energy delivery conduits for use with electrosugical devices: A conduit assembly for transmitting energy between an electrosurgical energy generator and an energy delivering device comprises a first cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; a second cable sub-assembly including a cable having a flexibility and an energy attenuation; wherein the flexibility of the... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080294163 - Intramedullary fixation device for fractures: An intramedullary fixation device for fractures having a core guide wire, and distal and proximal petal segments mountable on the core guide wire and being able to be moved towards each other. Each petal segment has multiple petals able to be expanded for gripping an internal wall of a medullary... Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department

20080294164 - Lockable intramedullary fixation device: An orthopedic device can include an intramedullary nail with a longitudinal bore, first and second bone fasteners with sleeves and a cannulated movable member received within the longitudinal bore. The movable member defines first and second guiding bores for receiving respectively the first and second fasteners. Each of the first... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080294165 - Combination bone fixation device and bending tool: A combination of bone fixation device and bending tool. The bone fixation device comprising a plurality of screw receiving members. Each screw receiving member having an aperture extending there through for receiving a screw. The screw receiving members being connected together in a line by plastically deformable connecting arms extending... Agent: Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.

20080294167 - Articulating cavitation device: Provided is an articulating cavitation device configured to cut cancellous bone wholly within a vertebra. The articulating cavitation device includes an end effector, having an extendable cutting element, configured to articulate relative to an insertion tube. The end effector of the cavitation device may be articulated and rotated with the... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC

20080294166 - Extendable cutting member: Provided is a minimally invasive cavity formation instrument for forming tissue cavities. The instrument includes an end effector having an aperture through which a cutting element is laterally extended and retracted. The cutting element may be retracted for minimally invasive insertion into a tissue region and extended to form a... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, LLC

20080294169 - Bone-reaming system: A bone-reaming system for use in bone cavities which allows for a less invasive and more precise surgical procedure is disclosed. An apparatus according to such a system may include a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and a cutter attached to the motor and extendable through the aperture,... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080294168 - Reaming device: A bone reamer has an ablation device for forming cavities in body tissue, the ablation device is movable with respect to a head of the reamer, and is capable of protruding at least partially beyond a surface of the head. The amount of protrusion the ablation device protrudes beyond the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080294206 - Apparatus and method for direct vertebral rotation: An instrument for spinal rotation that aligns and holds direct vertebral rotation (DVR) lever arms relative to each other to achieve an initial axial alignment of a segment of vertebrae and allows the final DVR rotation by rotating the instrument and lever arms together. A method of direct vertebral rotation... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080294205 - Expandable support device and method of use: A deployment system and a method of using the deployment system are disclosed. The deployment system can have an expandable support device that can be used to treat orthopedic injuries. The expandable support device can be deployed with or between bones. The deployment system can be integral with the expandable... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080294170 - Self-supporting osteotomy guide and retraction device and method of use: An improved osteotomy guide and retraction device for use during the performance of bunionectomies, whereby the improved device provides a self-supporting instrument that does not require independent fastening means to secure the device in the desired position at the surgical site, and a method of use of the device.... Agent: Anthony D. Pellegrini Rudman & Winchell, LLC

20080294171 - Device and method for lumbar interbody fusion: A method for performing percutaneous interbody fusion is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide needle posteriorly to the disc space, inserting a dilator having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide needle over the guide needle to the disc space to... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080294172 - Instrument set for minimally invasive preparation for bone nailing: An instrument set for minimally invasive preparation for a bone nailing comprises at least one base sleeve (10) which has a selected axial length with a drive-in end and a tool working end (12) and an inner diameter selected for holding working sleeves (60) or a nail, in particular a... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20080294173 - Radiolucent screwdriver for orthopedic surgery: A surgical tool for inserting a surgical implant in a body and a method of performing a surgical procedure, wherein the tool is composed of materials consisting essentially of radiolucent materials. In one embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise plastic. In another embodiment the radiolucent materials comprise carbon fibers. In still... Agent: Gibb & Rahman, LLC

20080294174 - Methods and apparatus for pericardial access: An access tube has a central passage and at least one lumen extending axially between the central passage and an outside wall of the access tube. The lumen carries therein a piercing member for accessing an anatomic space, such as a pericardial space between the parietal pericardia and the visceral... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C.

20080294175 - Left atrial appendage closure: A medical device is disclosed for tissue, body lumen and/or cavity closure inside a body of a patient. In one particular application, the medical device can be used for minimally invasive access and closure of a left atrial appendage of the heart. The medical device generally includes a tool used... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C.

20080294176 - Hair removal apparatus: A hair removal apparatus includes three plucking rollers configured to rotate on respective roller shafts which extend generally parallel to a skin surface during epilation, each plucking roller having tweezing mechanisms for grasping hairs, and a driver for turning each plucking roller on a rotary axis which is kept generally... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080294177 - Methods and devices for termination: Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080294178 - Surgical clip application assembly: An apparatus for the transoral invagination and fundoplication of the stomach to the esophagus includes a clip applier having sharp toothed jaws for grasping and damaging the fundus prior to applying the clip. The clip applier has an overall diameter of less than 7 mm. The clip applier jaws are... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.A.

20080294179 - Devices and methods for stomach partitioning: A device and method for remodeling or partitioning a body cavity, hollow organ or tissue tract includes graspers operable to engage two or more sections of tissue within a body cavity and to draw the engaged tissue between a first and second members of a tissue remodeling tool. The two... Agent: Stallman & Pollock LLP

20080294180 - Gastric belt: The inventive gastric belt is characterised in that the wall of a chamber (3) forming a working face (5) has a length (l5), in the flat position of the belt, equal or greater than the length (l4) of the wall of the chamber (3) which forms the back side (4)... Agent: Clark & Brody

20080294181 - Clot capture coil: 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

20080294182 - Disposable oral hygiene instruments and packages and methods for storing and dispensing same: An oral-care system is disclosed. The system includes a handle portion and an attachable yoke structure for coupling tongue scraping ribbons or strips to the handle portion. The tongue scraping ribbons or strips are coated with or include a whitening agent, an anti-bacterial agent, an anti-microbial agent, a flavoring agent... Agent: Jag Patent Services

20080294184 - Access sheath with blade: A surgical penetrating system includes a cannula and an obturator. The cannula has an outer wall arranged about a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal opening. At least one substantially linear penetrating member is mounted with respect to the outer wall of the cannula and extends in a general longitudinal direction... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080294183 - Pain-reducing device: Disclosed is a pain-reducing device that has a simple structure providing intramuscular stimulation to relieve pain of an affected part. The pain-reducing device includes a butterfly-shaped handle 51, a scalp needle 54 having a canaliculus shape that is provided at a side of the handle 51 and communicates with a... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20080294185 - System and method for piercing and positioning body or ear jewellery: A system (1) for piercing and positioning a piece of body jewelry or ear jewelry (100) in a skin portion is provided. The system includes a pinching and sighting device having first and second gripping members (10a, 10b) which are adapted to grip a skin portion between them. The gripping... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080294186 - Surgical portal apparatus with armature assembly: A surgical portal apparatus includes a portal housing, an elongated portal member connected to the portal housing and depending therefrom and an armature assembly. The portal housing and the portal member have an axial bore for reception and passage of a surgical object. The armature assembly includes at least two... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080294187 - Neurosurgical balloon retractor: A method of performing surgery can include, identifying a line of resection on tissue. A bladder can be placed adjacent to the line of resection. The bladder can be inflated to form a barrier against tissue along the line of resection.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080294188 - Implant holder and method of deploying the implant: An implant holder for use with a delivery catheter to deploy an implant, such as a filter, in a tubular body part is provided. The holder includes a cartridge body having a lumen extending between two ends and holding a collapsed implant, and an implant image disposed on the cartridge... Agent: Harry Ahn, Esq Abelman, Frayne & Schwab

20080294189 - Vein filter: A vein filter includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart elongated legs having opposed proximal and distal leg portions. Adjacent distal leg portions are connected to one another by bridging structure and the legs are adapted and configured for movement between a first position and a second position. In the... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080294190 - Adjustable length forceps: An adjustable hand-held surgical instrument is provided and includes a first elongated member; and a second elongated member pivotally connected to the first elongated member. Each of the elongated members includes a handle portion selectively extendable from the proximal end of the elongated member; and a tool member selectively extendable... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080294192 - Dismantable medical forceps system: A dismantlable medical forceps system has a first force transmission element, which is designed to transmit a first maximum force, at least a second force transmission element, which is designed to transmit a second maximum force greater than the first maximum force, and at least a first grip, which has... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20080294191 - Surgical instrument: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to... Agent: David M. Driscoll

20080294193 - Unitary surgical device and method: Unitary surgical devices (10) are disclosed. One group of the illustrated devices has a pair of biocompatible, bioresorbable anchors (16,18) connected to fixed lengths suture. The anchors (16,18) and fixed length of suture are connected to each other prior to surgery. Another group of unitary surgical devices has a pair... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080294198 - Dynamic spinal stabilization assembly with torsion and shear control: A dynamic stabilization assembly includes a flexible inner cord, an outer spacer, and a pair of anti-torque and anti-shear sleeves located on either end of the spacer and rotationally fixed with respect to the spacer, each sleeve having at least one and up to a plurality of protrusions or radially... Agent: Law Office Of John C. Mcmahon

20080294195 - Intervertebral stabilization system: d

20080294196 - Intervertebral stabilization system:

20080294197 - Intervertebral stabilization system:

20080294194 - Spinal stabilization systems and methods: A spinal stabilization system, apparatus, and method are disclosed which include an interconnection mechanism for engaging stabilization members to one another. In one embodiment, the interconnection mechanism comprises a locking member having first and second threaded segments. An anchor member is provided having an upper segment and a lower segment,... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080294199 - Spinous process implants and methods of using the same: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a first C-shaped implant to a first spinous process. A second C-shaped implant is coupled to an adjacent second spinous process of the spinal column. At least a portion of... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080294200 - Spinous process implants and methods of using the same: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes disposing an implant adjacent a side of a spinous process. A first portion of the implant is placed over a top side of the spinous process in a lateral direction. A... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080294201 - Anterior adherent thoracolumbar spine plate: The implant is a fixation device shaped in the form of a plate for use in the fixation and stabilization of the thoracolumbar spine. The design and the configuration of the device allows for an anatomic fit of the plate in the spine. The improved fixation allows for an anatomical... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080294202 - Bone anchor with locking cap and method of spinal fixation: A bone anchor (100) for attaching a rod (108) to a bone has an anchor member (106) for attachment to the bone and an anchor head (104) having a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod. The bone anchor also includes a locking cap (102) that has a main body (900)... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20080294203 - Pedicle screw fixation system: A locking mechanism for locking a rod in a screw and rod fixation assembly includes a cap having a sidewall and a locking element extending from at least a portion of the sidewall. Locking mechanism cooperates with a receiver component for a spinal fixation rod to lock the rod in... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20080294204 - Systems, methods, and devices for soft tissue attachment to bone: The soft tissue anchor devices, systems and methods described herein may aid in the attachment of ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues to bone. These soft tissue anchor devices typically include a self-expanding bone anchor region including an elongate shaft that may be positioned within bone and expanded to... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080287925 - Handheld medical device: A handheld medical device comprises an internal flow passage that is in axial alignment with an output drive shaft. The drive shaft is powered by a motor assembly that is offset from the internal flow passage and the output drive shaft. The drive shaft and the motor assembly can be... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080287924 - Hospital operating room re-design: An improved operating room design is disclosed. Interfering connection devices, such as wires, cables, and hoses, are eliminated from the working area by use of disappearing floor pods mounted between a sub-floor and a finished floor. The floor pods recess flush with said finished floor, thereby allowing floor cleaning by... Agent: Hunton & Williams/new York Intellectual Property Dept.

20080287923 - Loading a tissue closure device onto a delivery device: A compression tool is configured to compress one or more components of a delivery device, such as a closure element and one or more flanges of a pusher tube. The compression tool includes clamping means configured to close or release with rotation of actuating means (e.g., rotating means). In a... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080287926 - Multi-purpose minimally invasive instrument that uses a micro entry port: A multi-purpose minimally invasive instrument having a small diameter elongated rod with a distal end that receives different interchangeable tools for a variety of uses, and also a handle used by an operator to control the interchangeable tool by manipulating the electricity it receives from a generator. The rod enters... Agent: Dorothy S. Morse

20080287929 - Customized laser epithelial ablation systems and methods: Systems and methods to treat a region of a cornea of an eye having an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer. The system comprises a device to map a thickness of the epithelial layer over the region of the cornea to generate a map of epithelial thickness over the... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew LLP/intralase Corp.

20080287928 - Operator-controlled scanning laser procedure designed for large-area epithelium removal: Systems and methods for removing an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer in a cornea irradiate a region of the epithelial layer with a pulsed beam of ablative radiation. The ablative radiation is scanned to vary the location of the beam within the region in accordance with a pulse... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080287927 - Protective device for ophthalmic laser treatment: A protective device for ophthalmic laser treatment comprises a transparent foil for protecting an eye from direct contact by a reference body disposed between a laser applicator and the eye. The protective device further comprises means for disposing the foil between the reference body and the eye, for example a... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20080287930 - Thermal energy applicator: An apparatus and method, for selective thermal treatment of tissue, below the surface, while avoiding injury to the superficial layers of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a reflective beam conversion system for providing a pre-selected therapeutic dose of light energy of optimal spectrum and optimal pulse duration to a confined... Agent: Alex Rapoport

20080287931 - Use of iontophoresis and ultrasound to deliver melanin or other chromophores for laser hair removal:

20080287932 - Apparatus and method for treatment and particularly laser treatment of a cancer or precancerous condition: An apparatus for treatment of a cancer or precancerous condition which includes a therapeutic light source for outputting a therapeutic light beam at a wavelength between 1.2 μm and 1.3 μm. This light source is preferably a laser for outputting a pulsed beam.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080287934 - Laser handle and fiber guard: A protective handle for a mobile laser unit wherein the protective handle provides protection to a front section of the mobile laser unit from damage due to bumps and other impacts as the mobile laser unit is transported between treatment locations. The protective handle simultaneously acts to protect an attached... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080287933 - Multifiber instrument for contact laser surgery: The surgical instrument comprises a handpiece (1), associated with which is a tip (5) forming a wave guide and terminating with an operating end, intended to act on the tissues and from which a laser radiation is emitted and which receives said laser radiation from fiber optic means (4). The... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, PC

20080287935 - System and method for photoablation using multiple focal points using cyclical phase modulation: e

20080287936 - Telescope with integrated optical filter: A medical laser system having a telescope and a laser unit, wherein the laser unit includes an optical fiber for performing medical surgical procedures, and a telescope designed to view a target area during the medical procedure and to illuminate the target area. The telescope includes a tubular case, an... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080287937 - Surgical instrument for illuminating and monitoring a surgical site: The present application discloses embodiments of a surgical instrument to monitor a surgical site within a patient. In one embodiment, the instrument includes an elongated extender including a distal end and a proximal end. A body may be attached to the distal end of the extender. A plurality of light... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080287939 - Endovascular thermal treatment device with flexible guide tip and method: An elongated thermal energy delivery device for use in endovenous thermal treatment of blood vessel is provided. The energy device includes a flexible guide tip attached to its distal portion which provides for direct tracking and advancement of the energy device through the vein without the use of a treatment... Agent: Afs / Angiodynamics

20080287938 - Illuminated directional laser probe: An ophthalmic surgery illuminated directional laser probe has a handle and a rigid tubular tip projecting from the handle, and has an illumination optic fiber and a laser optic fiber that extend through the handle and the tip. A mechanism on the handle is operable to extend distal ends of... Agent: Thompson Coburn, LLP

20080287940 - Fiber pole tip: A medical laser unit having a fiber pole tip providing protection and maneuverability to an optical fiber. The fiber pole tip includes a longitudinal channel for retaining the optical fiber so as to limit a bending radius of the optical fiber and prevent the creation of sharp stress risers in... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080287941 - Tapered fused waveguide for teeth whitening: A radiation emitting apparatus is disclosed that emits a substantially homogenous beam of radiation from an irregularly shaped output end. As described herein, a radiation emitting apparatus includes a bundled fiber guide coupled to an energy distribution tuner. The bundled fiber guide is coupled to the energy distribution tuner to... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080287946 - Cool-tip thermocouple including two-piece hub: A surgical device for performing a surgical procedure on a patient is provided and includes a handle assembly including a housing having a distal end and a proximal end; a tissue engaging member supported in and extending from the distal end of the housing of the handle assembly; at least... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080287945 - Linear ablation assembly: An intravascular device for the formation of linear lesions which has particular utility in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and flutter. The intravascular device has an outer delivery member with a distal section which has an elongated opening and a support element coextending with the opening. An EP device having... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20080287942 - Rf ablation catheter with side-eye infrared imager: An ablation catheter has an imager useful in connection with an ablation operation such as used in the treatment of a cardiac arrhythmia. The catheter has an ablation electrode positioned on a catheter tip, and the imager is located on a side of the catheter. Because the catheter tip is... Agent: Peter F Weinberg Gibson Dunn And Crutcher LLP

20080287944 - Tissue ablation apparatus and method: A method and apparatus for carrying our thermal ablation of target tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes an RF ablation device having a multi-electrode electrode assembly designed to be deployed in target tissue, defining a selected-volume tissue region to be ablated, and having infusion channels for infusing a liquid into... Agent: Angiodynamics, Inc.

20080287943 - Treatment apparatus and methods for inducing microburn patterns in tissue: Treatment apparatus and methods for inducing microburn patterns in tissue. The treatment apparatus comprises a delivery device positionable adjacent to the tissue and a plurality of energy-transfer elements. The energy-transfer elements are adapted to contact the skin surface over discrete surface contact areas and transfer energy to the tissue for... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080287947 - Rf intervertebral electrosurgical probe: An electrosurgical instrument for spinal procedures comprises an elongated tubular member configured to fit within and be extended down a standard sized cannula. The instrument comprises a proximal end including a handle for the surgeon and supplied with fittings for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and a source... Agent: Jack Oisher

20080287948 - Electrosurgical system: An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency power, an electrosurgical instrument including at least first and second bipolar electrodes carried on the instrument, and a monopolar patient return electrode separate from the instrument. The generator comprises a source of radio frequency (RF) power, and has a first... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080287950 - Intramedullary, longitudinal implant: A device for implantation in an intramedullary space of a bone via a curved insertion path, the device comprises a curved proximal portion extending along an arc substantially similar to an arc of the curved insertion path, the proximal portion including a coupling arrangement at a proximal end thereof adapted... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080287949 - Method and apparatus for securing a bone screw to an intramedullary nail: An intramedullary nail configured for use in a bone, the nail including at least one bore configured to receive a bone screw. The bore includes at least one member configured to engage the threads of the screw to prevent axial motion of the screw within the bore after application. The... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080287951 - Segmented intramedullary structure: An implantable intramedullary fixation structure adapted to be received in the intramedullary canal of a long bone is disclosed comprising a plurality of elongated segments. Each segment has a first end and a complementarily-shaped second end such that the first end of a segment cooperatively engages the second end of... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080287952 - Medical device: An attachment for a surgical instrument, comprising: a drive input hub for connecting, in use, to a power source; a drive output hub for connecting, in use, to a surgical instrument; and a body connecting the drive input hub to the drive output hub, the body comprising means for transferring... Agent: Joel R. Petrow Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080288005 - Orthopedic implant rod reduction tool set and method: A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws... Agent: John C. Mcmahon

20080288006 - Endoscopic bone debridement: The invention described includes an osteoendoscopic cylinder for tamponading bleeding along a longitudinal canal surface of an osteocentral canal of a femoral neck so as to allow endoscopic visualization of a segment of osteonecrotic bone within a femoral head. The osteoendoscopic cylinder is of a dimension adapted to receive an... Agent: Arthur K. Shaffer/intellectual Property Center, LLC

20080287953 - Custom-fit implantable surgical guide and associated milling tool, method for the production and use thereof: The invention relates to a custom-fit implantable surgical guide (1) and an associated milling tool (4), which is positioned in straddling on the alveolar ridge (7) of a maxillary or mandible arch (2) and comprises at least one drilling barrel (11) for axially guiding said milling tool (4), wherein said... Agent: William H. Holt Law Offices Of William H. Holt

20080287954 - Patient-specific surgical guidance tool and method of use: Presented is a preoperatively designed guidance tool for intraoperative use during bone or joint surgery wherein the guidance tool is specific to the anatomy of the patient being treated. The guidance tool comprises a body portion, a mating surface provided on the body portion for positioning the guidance tool on... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20080287955 - Distractor for use in spinal surgery and method of use thereof: 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

20080287957 - Insertion blade assembly and method of use: A spinal implant insertion device is hereby provided. The device includes an insertion blade assembly having a set of opposed insertion blades wherein the assembly is adapted to slide from a retracted position to an extended position relative to an elongate shaft. In the extended position, a blades are adapted... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080287956 - Instruments for implanting implantable prostheses: An instrument including a grip portion, a first substantially rigid extension arm projecting outwardly from the grip portion along a first longitudinal axis, and a second substantially rigid extension arm projecting outwardly from the grip portion along a second longitudinal axis. The first has a straight portion adjacent the grip... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080287958 - Flexible intramedullary rod: An elongated rod for insertion into a bowed canal of a bone such as a femoral medulla of a femur bone, wherein the canal is bowed in one plane. The rod has a longitudinal axis disposed on a first plane and one or more cutouts formed in at least a... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080287959 - Measurement and trialing system and methods for orthopedic device component selection: The present invention provides tools and methods designed to aid in the placement of artificial facet joints at virtually all spinal levels. One aspect of the present invention is a measurement tool for installing an artificial cephalad facet joint, the tool including a trial marker having a portion configured to... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080287960 - Umbilical cord clamp and cutter: An umbilical cord clamping and cutting device assembled within opposing shields for minimizing the spray of blood during severing of the umbilical cord.... Agent: William H. Quirk Law Offices Of William H. Quirk

20080287961 - Elongated medical member and procedure method using elongated medical member: An elongated medical member of the invention includes: an insertion portion having a long length which is provided with a lumen through which an operation treatment instrument for carrying out a predetermined medical action can be penetrated; a guide portion for guiding the insertion portion, which is extended from a... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080287962 - Determining a joint orientation for an implantation:

20080287963 - Methods and apparatus to shape flexible entry guides for minimally invasive surgery: In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for performing surgical procedures is disclosed including a flexible entry guide tube, and a first steering device. The flexible entry guide tube has one or more lumens extending along its length from a proximal end to substantially at or near a distal... Agent: Intellectual Property Dept. Intutive Surgical, Inc.

20080287964 - Epilation device: Techniques for implementing an epilation device are described, including a body including a first half and a second half, the first half having a first arm and the second half comprises a second arm, an axle having a third arm disposed at an end of the axle and a fourth... Agent: Chan Law Group Lc

20080287965 - Radiopaque band ligator: The technology described herein relates to a system for capturing tissue with one or more ligating bands comprising radiopaque material that are removably disposed on a ligating barrel and methods of marking a bodily tissue for treatment using the ligating systems comprising one or more ligating bands comprising radiopaque materials.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20080287966 - 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

20080287967 - Device and methods for suturing tissue: Systems for suturing a tissue layer having two sides with a suture be releasably retaining at least a portion of the suture in a stationary position on one side of the tissue layer. The portion of the suture is retrieved through the tissue layer from the opposite side whereby the... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080287969 - Gastric band with supply tube check valve: A balloon-type gastric band includes a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe the stomach at a predetermined location. The balloon includes a longitudinally extending body. A supply tube is secured to the balloon for fluid communication with an internal cavity of the balloon, wherein the supply tube includes a valve... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080287968 - Implants and methods for pelvic floor repair: A pelvic floor implant including a central body portion having an anterior edge having a centrally located recess therein, a posterior edge having a centrally located tab, and first and second lateral side edges. First and second strap-like extension portions extend outwardly to first and second distal ends from first... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080287971 - Needle instruments and implantable sling assembly; kits comprising these components; and methods for use: Insertion instruments for implanting various types of biocompatible slings and sling assemblies for repair, reconstruction and repositioning of internal anatomical structures are provided. In general, the insertion instruments have an a curved needle portion mounted at a distal end of a handle, wherein the handle has opposing side surfaces that... Agent: Speckman Law Group PLLC

20080287970 - Repair of defect in inguinal canal and other muscular structures: A space in a muscle wall such as the inguinal canal is dilated to break up fibrotic bands by divulsion. While the space is dilated a dynamic plug is advanced into it, with the plug expanding and contracting with the space. Shields may be placed against opposite sides of the... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080287972 - Systems for anastomosing an everted vessel with another vessel: Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates are guided to each other in a parallel orientation by guides. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus or an externally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20080287973 - Variable parietal/visceral pleural coupling: A variable parietal/visceral pleural coupling may be utilized to create an air-tight seal in the pleural space between the parietal and visceral pleura. This coupling may be utilized to create a seal for other implantable devices.... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20080287974 - Gastric band with contrasting supply tube: A balloon-type gastric band includes a balloon shaped and dimensioned to circumscribe a stomach at a predetermined location. A supply tube is secured to the balloon for fluid communication with an internal cavity of the balloon, wherein the supply tube includes both at least one colored section and at least... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080287976 - Gastric band with engagement member: A gastric band includes a gastric band body having a first end and second end. The first end and the second end are provided with a respective first latching member and a second latching member. The first end includes a tip and an engagement member proximal the first latching member... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080287975 - Tissue contrasting gastric band: A balloon-type gastric band that includes a balloon and a belt secured to the balloon. The balloon includes a mechanism for contrasting the balloon from surrounding tissue when placed within a patient.... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080287977 - Gear driven knife drive mechanism: A surgical apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body portion defining a first longitudinal axis, a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion to form a pivot axis, and a flexible drive assembly that includes a flexible drive member extending from a position... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080287978 - Medical mapping device: A medical tattooing device is disclosed. A needle and attached needle cap have a drive spring seated against them in a pre-loaded position so that the needle and needle cap need only be released to send the needle forward and create the tattoo. Anchoring tabs temporarily anchor the needle and... Agent: Robert R. Waters, Esq. Waters Law Office, PLLC

20080287979 - Device for piercing and positioning of body jewellery having a bent bar: The invention concerns a device for piercing and positioning a piece of body jewelry with a bent bar in a skin portion. The device comprises an inner boundary surface which defines a cavity for holding a bent bar, the bar being movable out of the cavity to the surroundings through... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080287980 - Divisible cartridge for piercing and positioning a body jewellery: A cartridge for piercing in a body part for positioning a piece of body jewelry comprises a bar and a locking mechanism. The cartridge comprises two sections which are articulated to each other along a pivot and which are movable between a closed state and an open state by being... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20080287982 - Catheters for electrolytically detachable embolic devices: Disclosed herein are catheters for electrolytically detachable vaso-occlusive devices. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these catheters and methods of using these catheters and assemblies.... Agent: Robins & Pasternak

20080287981 - Dilation introducer and methods for orthopedic surgery: A method is provided for a minimally invasive procedure utilizing the telescoping dilation introducer to insert a bone fixation device into a patient's spine for posterior spine fusion. The dilation introducer has a locked assembled configuration for placement of the dilation introducer against a patient's bone tissue to be treated,... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080287983 - Tissue securing and sealing apparatus and related methods of use: Embodiments of the invention may be directed to apparatuses for securing and sealing tissue and related methods of use.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080287984 - Medical balloons and methods of making the same: Medical balloons are provided that have enhanced properties, such as thinner walls, enhanced tensile strength, and/or electrical conductivity. Methods are also disclosed.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080287985 - Disposable surgical instrument having a locking device: The present invention discloses a surgical instrument having a locking device which locks the instrument in a closed position while bearing a load. The surgical instrument, which may function as forceps, or a tanaculum, is constructed of a disposable material in order to provide a single use medical instrument. By... Agent: Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

20080287986 - Closure device: The present invention is for an arterial closure device which can be used to implement and augment the closure of a femoral artery or other related, adjacent or similar members of the vasculature and to reduce compression times associated therewith. A resorbable tubular plug is introduced through a delivery sheath... Agent: Gregory L Bradley Medrad Inc

20080287987 - Dispensing system for tissue sealants: The present invention discloses a medical device comprising a dispenser adapted to dispense a tissue sealant or one or more precursor compounds, the dispenser being operably coupled to a surgical stapler, which in turn is configured to deliver one or more surgical staples or fasteners in an area of bodily... Agent: Searete LLC Suite 110

20080287988 - Tissue aperture securing and sealing apparatuses and related methods of use: Embodiments of the invention may be directed to apparatuses for securing and sealing apertures in tissue and related methods of use.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080287989 - Tissue holding implants: Tissue holding implants which enable two or more layers of tissue to be held in approximation for an extended period. One and two-piece implants are described, made from materials that are biocompatible, and may also be biodegradable. Some embodiments include a portion which is deformed to capture the tissues to... Agent: Koppel, Patrick & Heybl

20080287990 - Elongated surgical repair product based on uhmwpe filaments: The invention relates to an elongated surgical repair product comprising an elongated member of core-sheath structure, wherein the core contains a plurality of high-strength ultra-high molar mass polyethylene (UHMWPE) filaments, and wherein the elongated member has a UHMWPE sheath that is substantially non-porous. This product combines high tensile strength, good... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080287991 - Endobutton continuous loop for bone tendon with double loop knot: A method of securing a tissue graft within a bone passage includes providing a graft fixation member comprising a closed double-loop having a pair of differently sized loop sections and capturing both sections of the closed-loop within the fixation member. The longer loop section is passed through an opening in... Agent: Wilmerhale/dc

20080287992 - Surgical method for suturing soft tissue to a bone, in particular the rotator cuff to the humerus: the link is again fastened, at least one third segment of the perimeter of said link belonging to the at least one portion of the second part of the link running on the soft tissue, to the fastening means, the link thus drawing the soft tissue even tighter.... Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C.

20080287993 - Pacifying apparatus: A pacifier comprises a nipple and a supporting surface, the nipple being attached to and protruding from a first side of the nipple supporting surface, characterized in that pacifier is arranged to releasably interlock with at least one like pacifier.... Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.c. Attn: Linda Kasulke, Docket Coordinator

20080287995 - Compressor distractor tool: A combined compressor and distractor tool is provided that includes a mechanism capable of switching the mode of operation of the tool from a compression tool to a distraction tool. The tool includes engagement tips and handles at opposed ends of the tool that are pivotally connected to a central... Agent: Boyle Fredrickson S.c.

20080287994 - Pedicle screw and rod system: A pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and... Agent: MillerIPGroup, PLC Mi4 Spine, LLC

20080287996 - Method and device for treating scoliosis: This invention relates to a spinal facet cap for treating scoliosis, the facet cap comprising a shim portion for inserting into a facet joint of a spine, and an alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the shim portion within the facet joint. The invention also provides a method for treating... Agent: Parteq Research & Development Innovations

20080287997 - Interspinous spacer: An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20080287998 - Polyaxial bone screw: A fastening system for bone screws used in spinal fixation systems for reshaping the spine of a patient. The bone screw has threads on one end for anchoring in the spine. The other end has a spherical head with a multi sided recess formed therein for engagement with an appropriate... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20080287999 - Anterior cervical plate with independent spring-loaded locking slides for each screw: An anterior cervical plate and method includes a plurality of retaining slots comprising a first and second hole each adapted to permit bone retaining members to pass partially therethrough; and a platform separating the first hole from the second hole. The plate further comprises a pair of locking slides matingly... Agent: Gibb & Rahman, LLC

20080288000 - Cervical plate locking mechanism and associated surgical method: The cervical plate locking mechanism of the present invention is elegant in its design and effective in its performance, and utilizes a plate with holes that each incorporate a locking lip structure and locking screws that each incorporate a head portion having petal structures that are outwardly biased prior to... Agent: Clements Bernard Miller

20080288001 - Cervical plate locking mechanism and associated surgical method: The cervical plate locking mechanism of the present invention is elegant in its design and effective in its performance, and utilizes a plate with holes that each incorporate a locking lip structure and locking screws that each incorporate a head portion having petal structures that are outwardly biased prior to... Agent: Clements Bernard Miller

20080288002 - Spinal stabilization systems and methods: One embodiment provides a bone fastener including a collar, a fastener member, and a pin. The collar can have an upper portion with slot to receive an elongated member and a lower portion with a socket and an opening. The fastener member can have head and shank portions. The socket... Agent: Paul D. Yasger Abbott Laboratories

20080288003 - Reversibly expandable fixation device: A reversibly expandable vertebral fixation screw and minimally invasive techniques for inserting the screw are provided. The screw incorporates a divided tip and an expansion device that allows for the divided components of the tip of the screw to expanded outward to engage the internal surfaces of the vertebral body.... Agent: Kauth , Pomeroy , Peck & Bailey ,llp

20080288004 - Tissue suspension device: The present invention is an apparatus for suspending a soft tissue near a bone opening, which includes a bone anchor, a soft tissue anchor, a spacer, and a depth stop. The device of the present invention allows soft tissues to change positions and be held until sufficient healing has occurred.... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20080281302 - Detachable aneurysm neck bridge: In one embodiment, a neck bridge for bridging the neck of an aneurysm includes a junction region, a number of radially extending array elements attached to the junction region, and a cover attached to one or both of the junction region and an array element. The array elements are configured... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080281299 - Endoscopic tool assembly: A surgical tool assembly is provided having a surgical tool, a scope; and a detachable clip which couples the tool and scope. The clip includes a first grip which engages a peripheral surface of the tool and a second grip which engages a peripheral surface of the scope. Additionally, the... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080281300 - Methods and devices for ostium measurement: Devices and methods are provided which shield at least one turbinate from trauma or damage during sinus surgery that could be caused by direct contact with diagnostic and therapeutic devices. The devices and methods provided are particularly useful for protecting nasal turbinates during FESS and FTIS procedures.... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Acclarent, Inc.

20080281301 - Personal surgical center: A personal surgical center embodied as a general purpose computer (e.g. laptop) with wireless technology for monitoring the operation of an independent surgical center and/or handheld instruments. The computer tracks procedures in the operating room and instruments used during those procedures, and accounts for billing, supply management, and payment options.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080281304 - Combined wavefront and topography systems and methods: Methods, software, and systems are provided for determining an ablation target shape for a treatment for an eye of a patient. Techniques include determining wavefront information from the eye of the patient with a wavefront eye refractometer, determining anterior corneal shape information from the eye with a corneal topography device,... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080281303 - Method and apparatus for creating ocular surgical and relaxing incisions: A system and method of treating target tissue in a patient's eye, which includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form first and second treatment patterns, delivering the first treatment pattern to the target tissue to form an incision that provides access to an... Agent: Dla Piper US LLP

20080281305 - Method and apparatus for relieving angina symptoms using light: An implantable medical device includes a light emitting circuit incorporated into an intravascular stent. The light emitting circuit emits a light to an ischemic region. The light has characteristics suitable for reliving the angina symptoms associated with ischemia.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080281306 - Selective photocoagulation: A method of scanning a laser beam across a set of cells includes during a first interval, causing a galvanometric scanner to scan a laser beam across a set of cells; and during a second interval, causing the galvanometric scanner to deflect the laser beam away from the set of... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080281307 - Therapeutic device incorporating light and cold therapy modalities: A therapeutic device for human and animal use comprises light emitters for applying light energy to a chosen target area of a patient in combination with target area cooling. Control over the intensity, duration and/or sequencing of the light energy is provided, and the light energy therapy may be combined... Agent: Schweitzer Cornman Gross & Bondell LLP

20080281308 - Device and method for improved vascular laser treatment: An improved treatment set and an improved method for endovascular laser treatments are described. The treatment set comprises an introducer sheath or tip and an optical waveguide for allowing the treatment set to be guided within a blood vessel. The s introducer sheath itself acts as the guide wire in... Agent: Bolesh J. Skutnik Ceramoptec Industries, Inc.

20080281309 - Capacitive electrosurgical return pad with contact quality monitoring: A return pad includes a backing, at least one return electrode, and at least one ring sensor. The backing has a top side, a bottom side, and a periphery. The return electrode is disposed on the bottom side of the backing layer and is adapted to connect to a current... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281310 - Temperature monitoring return electrode: An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes a first and second flexible conductive material layers and a material layer disposed between the first and second conductive material layers. The material layer is transitionable between a solid state and a non-solid state, the material layer is also configured... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281311 - Temperature monitoring return electrode: An electrosurgical return electrode includes a conductive pad including a patient-contacting surface configured to conduct electrosurgical energy, and a temperature sensing circuit coupled to the conductive pad. The temperature sensing circuit includes a plurality of switching elements connected in series, wherein each of the plurality of switching elements is configured... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281312 - Ablation therapy system and method for treating continuous atrial fibrillation: An ablation therapy system and systematic method is provided for treating continuous atrial fibrillation. The therapy system includes a Multi-Channel RF Ablation Generator, an ECG interface, an assembly of at least three ablation catheters, and an ECG interface operably coupling and interfacing the catheters to both an ECG unit and... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080281314 - Methods and apparatuses for tissue treatment: Disclosed in the present application are devices for localized delivery of energy and methods of using such devices, particularly for therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. The disclosed devices may contain one or more energy delivery members. The disclosed methods may involve positioning and deploying the energy delivery members in a... Agent: Angiodynamics, Inc.

20080281313 - System and method for laparoscopic nerve detection: A surgical system aids identification of nerves in a body to help prevent damage to the nerves during surgery to the body proximate the nerves. An electrode introduced to within a body cavity through a catheter is placed proximate a nerve within the body cavity by a laparoscopic or robotic... Agent: Hamilton & Terrile, LLP

20080281315 - Electrosurgical generator with adaptive power control: An electrosurgical generator has an output power control system that causes the impedance of tissue to rise and fall in a cyclic pattern until the tissue is desiccated. The advantage of the power control system is that thermal spread and charring are reduced. In addition, the power control system offers... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281316 - Adjustable impedance electrosurgical electrodes: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes at least one electrosurgical electrode having a resistive element and a capacitive element configured in series. The electrosurgical system also including an electrosurgical generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy having a first frequency which generates a first impedance in the at... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281319 - Assessment of electrode coupling for tissue ablation: An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a... Agent: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division

20080281320 - Catheter having circular ablation assembly: A catheter particularly useful for ablation lesions within a tubular region of or near the heart is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends. An ablation assembly is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body. The ablation... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080281317 - Endometrial ablation catheter: An apparatus for ablating tissue with the uterine cavity is provided. The apparatus includes an ablation catheter and an expansible member. The expansible member is attached to the ablation catheter and it has a residual volume greater than the volume of the uterine cavity and exhibits residual dimensions greater than... Agent: Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc. Catherine E. Wolf

20080281318 - Systems and methods for inductive heat treatment of body tissue: Apparatus and methods for treating body tissue by heat energy. The apparatus includes: a coil for transmitting an alternating electrical current therethrough to generate an alternating electromagnetic field that is capable of exciting material positioned in the body, the material being operative to inductively generate the heat energy in response... Agent: Patent Office Of Dr. Chung S. Park

20080281321 - Treatment and diagnostic catheters with hydrogel electrodes: Straight and curved catheters for treatment or diagnoses of tissue, including cardiac tissue, using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are disclosed. Each catheter comprises at least one conductive hydrogel electrode, whether a virtual electrode or a sensing electrode. Hydrogel virtual electrodes may be used to deliver ablative energy... Agent: Sjm/afd - Trenner

20080281322 - Rf energy delivery system and method: A radio frequency tissue ablation system with a radio frequency generator, the generator comprising a radio frequency source, at least four independently controllable radio frequency outputs, a user interface and a controller configured to delivery radio frequency energy from the radio frequency source to the radio frequency outputs in one... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080281323 - Tissue specimen isolating and damaging device and method: A device and method for treatment of a tissue specimen disposed in surrounding tissue has a tissue specimen isolating toot and a tissue specimen damager. The tissue specimen isolating tool isolates the tissue specimen from the surrounding tissue. The tissue specimen damager damages the tissue, with a possible end result... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20080281324 - External fixation assembly and method of use: An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient's bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create... Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman

20080281325 - Fixation device for delivery of biological material between soft tissue and bone: A method for attaching soft tissue to bone. The method includes forming a bore in a bone, placing the soft tissue adjacent to the bone and above the bore, at least partially inserting a fixation device into the bore, and delivering biologic material through the soft tissue at an interface... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080281326 - Orthopaedic plate and screw assembly: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures and other bone maladies. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of a stabilizing structure, such as an implant, bone plate, or other device and a fastening assembly, such as an engaging member and a compression member. The... Agent: Chief Patent Counsel Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080281327 - Sliding plate with reinforced slot: A bone plate that may be used to maintain relative position of two pieces of fractured bone, for example, a fractured jaw bone. The bone plate has a slot and holes. The holes are surrounded by walls and the slot is also surrounded by walls. The thickness of walls surrounding... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080281364 - Systems, devices and methods for stabilizing bone: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for treating bone, particularly for restoring bone dimension in compression fractures. Self-expanding stabilization devices for repairing bone may include two or more continuous curvature of bending struts that extend from a central shaft in the deployed configuration. The stabilization device may be attached... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080281328 - Surgical tools for arthroplasty: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080281329 - Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools: 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

20080281330 - Medical securing member placement system: SOLUTION: The guide 1 for the perforating pin includes a main body section 2 which is equipped with a contacting section 8, a guiding channel 3 for the perforating pin and an operation section 9, a first advancing direction of the perforating pin displaying section 5 with which the advancing... Agent: Chief Patent Counsel Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20080281331 - Targeting device: A targeting device used in the insertion of an intramedullary nail into a bone. The targeting device includes a guide barrel having a frame portion formed of a non-radiolucent material. The guide barrel also includes a radiolucent material molded over the frame. In addition, the frame includes openings configured to... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080281332 - Surgical screwdriver: A surgical screwdriver is disclosed and can include a motor, a microprocessor coupled to the motor, and a key sensor coupled to the microprocessor. The key sensor can be configured to sense a key tag.... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080281333 - Ophthalmic implant injector and folding cartridge: A cartridge (12) for folding an ophthalmic implant (11) comprises a pliers consisting of two articulated arms (34, 36), which are provided with substantially coaxial channels (46, 48) and each of which is boarded by two longitudinal edges (46A, 46B, 48A, 48B), wherein said channels (46, 48) are open in... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080281334 - Method and device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails: A method for computer assisted localization of the distal locking holes (11; 14) of an implanted intramedullary nail (2) having a nail axis (19) and a first and second distal locking hole (11; 14) by A) acquiring one single image IM of the distal end section (25) of said intramedullary... Agent: Rankin, Hill & Clark LLP

20080281335 - System and method for shaping an anatomical component: A system and method for shaping an anatomical component having an existing shape and a desired reconstructed shape include an applicator for depositing material on the anatomical component and a controller in communication with the applicator, the controller controlling the deposition of material by the applicator based on a relationship... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20080281336 - Multiple member interconnect for surgical instrument and absorbable screw fastener: An absorbable surgical screw fastener is provided which includes a head and a tapered shaft extending distally of the head. Buttress threads are provided about the tapered shaft to secure the fastener in tissue. The fastener includes slots formed in the head and buttress threads. A gap is provided between... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281337 - 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

20080281338 - Surgical suture system: A surgical suture system (1, 21, 41) is illustrated and described. The object, namely to permit simple correction of the suture course or of an incorrect position, is achieved by a suture system (1) with a needle-like applicator (2, 22, 42) having a tip (26, 50) in its front end... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080281339 - Flexible cranial clamp and method of anchoring to cranium: A flexible clamp for plugging an aperture in a bone, including a plurality of flexible anchoring members, where each flexible anchoring member has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a locking tab connected to the second end of each flexible anchoring member; and, a stabilization... Agent: Matthew R. Jenkins, Esq.

20080281340 - Surgical cutting device: A surgical cutting device that clamps and cuts a graft creating optimal geometry for end-to-end anastomosis is disclosed. Methods of making and using the surgical cutting device are also disclosed.... Agent: Withers & Keys, LLC

20080281341 - Apparatus and method for endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue transport and delivery: A method for endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue transport and delivery to a recipient's eye, such as in DLEK, DSEK and DSAEK procedures, comprises the steps of: attaching endothelial keratoplasty donor tissue to a tissue holder, wherein the attachment between the tissue holder and the donor tissue is not on the... Agent: Blynn L. Shideler The Blk Law Group

20080281342 - Surgical tool for removing a block of tissue from an organ: A surgical tool for removing a block of tissue or other material from an organ or other body has an elongated support element which carries a first blade assembly including a pair of arms pivotally mounted about a first transverse axis, and a first blade element pivotally mounted to the... Agent: Dr. Mark M. Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn - Discovery Dispatch

20080281343 - Surgical tool: A surgical tool (10) includes a cutting element (20), a first portion (30, 60; 40, 70) configured to supply a fluid to a surgical site, and a second portion (40, 70; 30, 60) configured to apply a pressure to the surgical site. The first portion, the cutting element, and the... Agent: Fay Sharpe LLP

20080281344 - Safety trocar with lancet feature: A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing having a blunt distal end and a proximal end; a blade assembly having a sharp tip and being slideable within the trocar housing between and armed position wherein the sharp tip extends distally beyond the blunt distal end and a relaxed position wherein... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C.

20080281346 - Expandable support device: A device for providing support for biological tissue is disclosed. The device can expand and be implanted in lieu of removed or otherwise missing bone, such as a vertebra, and/or soft tissue, such as a intervertebral disc. The device can be configured to radially expand in a single plane when... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20080281345 - Method and apparatus for treating pelvic pain: A method and apparatus for treating self treating internal muscle and trigger point related to pelvic pain in women and men. The apparatus includes a rod having a handle attached to a straight portion at a first end of the rod and a pressure applicator attached to a second end... Agent: Young & Basile, P.C.

20080281347 - Transoral placement of extragastric devices: Methods and devices to externally create a restriction on the stomach are described. In some embodiments, the devices are contoured to fit the stomach and can be further anchored to the stomach. In further embodiments, the degree of deployment of the extragastric restriction device is controllable after implantation. In other... Agent: Michael Gertner

20080281348 - Medical devices: At least a portion of the medical device may be guided to a desired position within a patient. For example, the medical device may include an expandable member, such as a balloon, which may be guided to a desired position within a patient. When in the desired position, the expandable... Agent: Workman Nydegger

20080281349 - Balloon catheters and methods for treating paranasal sinuses: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90.degree. to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter... Agent: Charmasson, Buchaca & Leach, LLP

20080281350 - Aneurysm occlusion devices: An implantable occlusion device for bridging the neck of an aneurysm comprises a biocompatible matrix. The device is movable between a compressed position prior to implantation and a generally concave or cup-shaped position following implantation. The device may comprise a frame having a plurality of elements. The frame elements have... Agent: King & Spalding

20080281351 - Portable pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet: A portable pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet for occlusion of the abdominal descending aorta to restrict blood supply to a non-compressible arterial hemorrhage in the abdominal region. The tourniquet comprising an adjustable waist strap for securing around an abdomen; a directed air bladder mounted to the waist strap having a generally... Agent: Mcnair Law Firm, P.A.

20080281352 - Lung volume reduction therapy using crosslinked non-natural polymers: One aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant nucleophilic groups and a crosslinker comprising at least two pendant electrophilic groups. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hydrogel comprising a non-natural polymer comprising a plurality of pendant electrophilic groups... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080281353 - Powered tacker instrument: There is provided a powered tacker device for use in installing multiple surgical fasteners through a prosthetic mesh in into tissue. The powered tacker device generally includes a handle assembly and a tacker assembly extending distally from handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a motor and self-contained power assembly to... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080281354 - Surgical fastener: A surgical fastener for fastening tissue. The fastener includes a first piece of sheet material formed to have a generally planar base and an elongate needle portion extending upward from the base. The fastener includes a second piece of sheet material formed to have a generally planar base and an... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080281355 - Joining element: Disclosed is a joining element (10), especially a suture material for surgical use. Said joining element (10) is composed of a first material (12) that is essentially rigid during impingement by a relatively short-lasting tensile load on opposite sides as well as a second material (11) which is connected to... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20080281357 - Looped tissue-grasping device: A looped tissue-grasping device includes a looped suture having two ends swaged to a needle and a plurality of tissue-grasping elements provided on the looped suture. The device is used for joining bodily tissue in surgical applications and wound repair. The configuration of the tissue-grasping elements permit movement of the... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20080281356 - Suture-fastening clip: A clip for securing suture to tissue includes a generally tubular body, with at least one bend area along the length of the generally tubular body and one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular body. The clip in the open configuration is generally straight along... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20080281358 - Dynamic spinal stabilization systems and methods of use: In a spinal implant device, a frictionless pivot member is used to interconnect multiple links and produce a scissor jack-like device with minimal frictional wear characteristics. The device is attached to at least two vertebrae, wherein a first device segment is attached to a first vertebra and at least one... Agent: Mink S. Abdou

20080281359 - Spinal stabilization systems and methods of use: An orthopedic device is adapted to fixate the spinous processes of vertebral bones. The device includes at least one bone engagement member. When implanted, a bone engagement member is located on each side of a spinous process and adapted to forcibly abut the side of each spinous process.... Agent: Mink S. Abdou

20080281360 - Spinous process implants and methods: Devices and methods for replacing one or more spinous processes of a patient include a replacement body with a lamina portion positionable anteriorly toward the spinal canal along with a spinous process portion extending posteriorly from the lamina portion to replace a removed spinous process. Connecting elements extend from opposite... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080281361 - Posterior stabilization and spinous process systems and methods: Posterior spinal stabilization devices and methods include first and second elongate elements engageable along the spinal column and a spinous process replacement body positionable between the elongate elements. Connection mechanisms are provided to adjustably connect the spinous process replacement device to the elongate elements so that the spinous process replacement... Agent: Coats & Bennett/medtronic

20080281362 - Device and system for cranial support: A device and system for supporting the cranium, and a method for manufacturing. Embodiments of the present invention provide fixed or rotatable angled connectors to connect the cranial support rods and support greater mechanical loads and stresses over sharper angles. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention include pre-shaped cranial support... Agent: Paul D. Yasger Abbott Laboratories

20080281363 - Surgical fixation pin: The invention concerns a pin (1) for usage in fractures (2) in bones (3) in arms (14) or other body parts to achieve support of the aforementioned bone (3) while healing the fracture. The pin (1) presents at opposite ends an angled, rounded front section and a double bent, extra... Agent: Alfred J Mangels

20080275431 - Anchor assembly and method of use: The present teachings provide a flexible member securing assembly. The flexible member securing assembly includes a shaft, an arm extendable from the shaft, an anchor, and a flexible member grasper formed on a distal end of the arm. Methods of securing a flexible member are also provided.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080275432 - Photodynamic foam composition and sclerosis treatment: A photodynamic composition and a method for in vivo photonic treatments that is minimally invasive, versatile and precise are described. The invention allows for photonic treatments with only minimal insertions into the area of treatment, often a single one. The invention may be used with a standard insertion component making... Agent: Bolesh J. Skutnik Ceramoptec Industries, Inc.

20080275433 - Apparatus and method for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye for correction of ametropia: An apparatus for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia is provided, said apparatus comprising a laser unit, which can focus pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and move it therein in order to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080275434 - Corneal topography-based target warping system: Systems and methods for treating a tissue of an eye with a laser beam include at least one processor that determines angles between a curved surface and a laser beam, controlling an ablative treatment in response to the angles. Angles between a surface of a cornea and a laser beam... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080275435 - Illuminated laser probe with multiplied area of illumination: A microsurgical laser probe has a handle and a tubular tip that projects from the handle, and three optic fibers that extend through the handle and the tip. One of the optic fibers is a laser optic fiber that is adapted to be connected to a source of laser light... Agent: Thompson Coburn, LLP

20080275437 - Connector device for electrophysiology probe: A flexible connector for securing an ablation probe in a looped configuration around the pulmonary veins of a heart includes a flexible base member having first and second apertures dimensioned to receive the ablation probe and wherein the flexible base member is slidable along a length of the ablation probe... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080275436 - Radiation applicator and method of radiating tissue: A radiation applicator (102) for applying electromagnetic radiation to tissue, comprising: an axial central conductor (124) adapted to be coupled to a source of electromagnetic radiation and defining an axis; an elongate dielectric member (126), the dielectric member surrounding at least part of said central conductor along an axial length... Agent: Cesari And Mckenna, LLP

20080275438 - Accordion style cable stand-off: A cable stand-off for use with an electrosurgical system includes an accordion body portion having a plurality of panels, and a plurality of hinges. Each panel has at least one hole formed therethrough. The holes of the plurality of panels are axially aligned with one another. The plurality of hinges... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080275439 - Cardiac ablation and electrical interface system and instrument: A system for ablating tissue and electrically interfacing with a heart including an electrosurgical instrument, an energy source, and a controller. The instrument includes a shaft maintaining first and second electrodes at a distal section. The electrodes are electrically isolated from one another. The controller controls delivery of energy from... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja, PLLC Attn: Md Matters

20080275443 - Atrial ablation catheter adapted for treatment of septal wall arrhythmogenic foci and method of use: An atrial ablation catheter with an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a proximally oriented electrode array that can be pulled against the septal... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080275441 - Jawed surgical instrument fitted with an electrode and a cable: A jawed surgical instrument fitted at the distal end of a jaw head which is affixed at the distal end of a longitudinally elongated stem and which supports two mutually oppositely displaceable jaw parts, said jaw head being connectable by means of an actuation bar to one of two drive... Agent: Rankin, Hill & Clark LLP

20080275440 - Post-ablation verification of lesion size: This disclosure is directed to a method of providing feedback regarding the outcome of ablation therapy. Measuring one or more tissue properties after the ablation procedure may allow the clinician to verify the size of the lesion formed or other therapy results. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20080275442 - Systems and methods for electrode contact assessment: Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode 10 housed within a distal portion of a catheter shaft 14. At least one electromechanical sensor 20 is operatively associated with the electrode 10 within the catheter shaft 14.... Agent: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division

20080275444 - Endoscopic treatment instrument and tissue incision method: An endoscopic treatment instrument according to the present invention includes: a flexible catheter inserted through a channel in an endoscope; a conductive electrode capable of freely extending and retracting through the catheter; and an insulator extending a retracting together with the electrode relative to the catheter so that the insulator... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080275445 - Method and apparatus for gastrointestinal tract ablation for treatment of obesity: Devices and methods for ablating tissue in the wall of various organs of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to cure or ameliorate metabolic pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes mellitus are provided. Ablational treatment of target areas may be fractional or partial,... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080275446 - Two-piece jaw for bipolar ablation device: A method and device for transmural ablation using an electrosurgical device having a pair of angled clamping jaws designed to be disassembled outside the patient and reassembled within the patient in a series of method steps. This disassemble and reassemble design of the electrosurgical device fits within the narrow gap... Agent: Cook Alex Ltd

20080275447 - Assembly for minimally invasive reduction of hip fracture: An assembly includes a holder having a first arm and a second arm, the holder being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The assembly further includes an actuator movable in relation to the holder between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuator from... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20080275448 - Expandable proximal reamer: A reamer for reaming a portion of a long bone cavity for use in implanting a joint prosthesis. The reamer is used in cooperation with a portion of an orthopaedic implant component and includes an expandable body that is adapted to adjust between a plurality of diameters. A plurality of... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080275449 - Expandable proximal reamer: A reamer for reaming a portion of a long bone cavity for use in implanting a joint prosthesis. The reamer is used in cooperation with a portion of an orthopaedic implant component and includes an expandable body that is adapted to adjust between a plurality of diameters. A plurality of... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080275450 - Minimally invasive surgical driver: A method of removing bone material including the steps of drivingly connecting a bone removal tool to an output shaft; and rotating a plurality of drive shafts in an open frame, one of the plurality of drive shafts being connected to the output shaft.... Agent: Taylor & Aust, P.C.

20080275512 - Arthroscopic unicompartmental knee technique and instrumentation: A method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080275451 - Distal femoral cutting guide: A device and a method for establishing a position and orientation for a preliminary saw cut in a distal end of a femur to prepare the femur for installation of a prosthetic knee joint. A guide block defining a cutting plane is carried on an adjustably positioned locating arm that... Agent: Chernoff, Vilhauer, Mcclung & Stenzel

20080275452 - Surgical cutting guide: The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting guide for guiding a surgical instrument along a cutting path located on a biological tissue. The surgical guide includes a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with the tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20080275454 - Lumbar pedicular-facet fixation system and instrumentation: An implant and surgical system designed to guide and promote segmental instrumentation and stabilization through a pediculo-facet fixation technique. The implant varies in size, diameter and attachments for maximal fixation across this axis. A targeting device and surgical technique for placement of said implants through an open or minimally invasive... Agent: Jackson Walker LLP

20080275453 - Method and apparatus for repairing separations in the capsular labrum structure: A method of repairing separations in the capsular labrum structure, in which the head of the humerus bone separates from the glenoid cavity of the glenoid, by: producing a first plurality of anchor points in an anterior face of the rim of the glenoid; producing a second plurality of anchor... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan D/b/a Prtsi, Inc.

20080275455 - Apparatus and methods for inserting an implant: A system and method for inserting an implant into a cavity is disclosed, which may include advancing an implant insertion instrument toward a pair of adjacent bodies, the implant insertion instrument having two opposed ramps, wherein each ramp has a distal tip and wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.L.P.

20080275456 - Installation systems for spinal stabilization system and related methods: A system for implantation of a spinal stabilization system includes a vertebral anchor having a top portion. The top portion has a perimeter and a first engaging element. The first engaging element has a first longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the top portion.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080275457 - Orthopedic tool for altering the connection between orthopedic components: An orthopedic tool for loosening the connection between orthopedic components. In one embodiment, the orthopedic tool includes a housing and a wedge. The housing has a head, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an opening between the upper and lower portions. The wedge is positioned at least partially between... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080275458 - Guidewire exchange systems to treat spinal stenosis: Guidewire exchange systems, devices and methods, for positioning and actuating surgical devices in a desired position between two tissues in a patient's body are described. A guidewire may be coupled to a surgical device for positioning and actuating (e.g., urging against a target tissue). The guidewire may be exchanged between... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080275459 - Surgical instrument attachment mechanism: An instrument attachment mechanism is disclosed that is operable to be temporarily, but securely, connected with a surgical device. The attachment mechanism includes a body that has a drive member protruding outwardly from a portion of the body. The drive member includes a plurality of side walls and a passageway... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080275460 - Airway suction spoon: A suction catheter having a spoon-shaped distal end designed to assist manual removal of large airway occluding particles from the oropharynx and mouth opening to near the epiglottis of a patient by an emergency caregiver. The tip of the spoon-shaped distal end defines an ovular orifice of sufficient size to... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20080275461 - Capsular ring: A capsular guide for conducting capsulorhexis in an eye has a guide ring adapted to be retaine against the capsular bag. In a first version the retaining element is at least one haptic. In another version the retaining element is a second ring flexibly attached to the first ring.... Agent: Law Offices Of Jerry A. Schulman

20080275462 - Intracorneal lens insertion system: An opthalmologic lens insertion device that holds a lens between a pair of leaf springs and has a plunger that moves between the leaf springs to eject the lens onto the cornea or into a corneal pocket.... Agent: Lawrence S. Cohen, Attorney

20080275463 - Cystotomy catheter capture device and methods of using same: A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound and a sleeve that utilizes balloon inflation to capture the catheter. A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound and a clamshell device. The clamshell device comprises two halves, one of which comprises two pins. One pin passes through the lateral holes... Agent: John D. Wright Dickinson Wright PLLC

20080275464 - Articulating retrieval device: Device and methods for removing a foreign object from a body lumen are disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an elongated member including a flexible collector element, and a core wire that can be engaged by the physician to actuate... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20080275465 - Design of handle set for ablation catheter with indicators of catheter and tissue parameters: An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the... Agent: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division

20080275466 - Dual cannula system and method for using same: A cannula system and corresponding method for locating a tip of an elongate member (e.g., a catheter or other therapy delivery device) in a three-dimensional space such as a cranial cavity. One embodiment of the invention may utilize a secondary or device placement cannula that fits within a primary or... Agent: Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt, P.A.

20080275467 - Intraoperative guidance for endovascular interventions via three-dimensional path planning, x-ray fluoroscopy, and image overlay: A method for planning a path for an endovascular intervention includes acquiring and displaying 3D angiographic images; selecting a target on the displayed images; extracting a skeleton of a vascular tree from the displayed images; extracting a symbolic vessel path to the target based on the skeleton of the vascular... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080275468 - Skin permeation device for analyte sensing or transdermal drug delivery: Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism,... Agent: Patrea L. Pabst Pabst Patent Group LLP

20080275469 - Tack anchor systems, bone anchor systems, and methods of use: Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using tack anchors, bone anchoring systems are described. The tack anchor may include a body and a securing element. The body may include one or more compressible flanges, an opening and, a cavity. The cavity may include an opening near or... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20080275470 - 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

20080275471 - Energy stored in spring with controlled release: There is provided a surgical instrument including a handle having an elongated tubular member extending distally from the handle and one or more end effectors mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A driver is movably mounted within the handle and elongate tubular member in order to... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080275472 - Assisted apparatus for anastomosis and method thereby of reconnecting the urethra to the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy: An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit (1a) and a bladder suturing unit (1b), at least a section of said... Agent: Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco Pl

20080275473 - Systems and techniques for minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080275474 - Suture anchor loader: A suture anchor loader comprises a housing with a port. A channel extends into the housing from the port, the channel being dimensioned to receive a surgical needle. A suture anchor is preloaded in the channel with a length of suture connected to the suture anchor and stored in the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080275475 - Loader for knotting element: A device for loading a surgical knotting element on an applicator tool. One embodiment of the device includes a channel dimensioned to receive an applicator tool comprising a coupling. A surgical knotting element comprises a coupling complementary to the coupling of an applicator tool and a suture path. A carriage... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080275477 - Suture tensioning device: A device for tensioning suture which includes a cannulated tube that allows a suture to be fed through at least a portion of the tube. An adjustment device (for example, a wheel or a knob) is actuated to turn a threaded post on the end of the tube. A length... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20080275476 - Threader for knotting element: A device for threading suture into a surgical knotting element. In one embodiment the device comprises a knotting element having an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member, and a nonlinear suture path. A flexible suture guide has a proximal portion, a distal portion comprising a flared loop positioned outside... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080275478 - Motor-operated gastric banding device or gastric ring comprising at least one misaligned receiving antenna for power supply, remote control and data transmission by means of induction: A motorized gastric ring or “AGM” including a motor acting on a diameter of the ring and actuated by induction toward an integrated receiving antenna from at least one outer transmitting antenna, wherein the ring includes at least one receiving antenna, the at least one antenna being disoriented relative to... Agent: Ip Group Of Dla Piper US LLP

20080275479 - Anastomotic seal loading tool: Described herein are methods and devices for loading an anastomotic seal into a delivery lumen. A loading device can fold the seal into a configuration for insertion into the delivery lumen. For example, the loading device can fold the seal into a prolate spheroidal shape. The delivery lumen can then... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080275480 - Vertically oriented band for stomach: An adjustable band or clamp or non-adjustable clamp is placed about the greater curvature of the stomach in a vertical orientation. The band or clamp completely compartmentalizes the stomach between a small vertical pouch and the fundus and body of the stomach. The fundus and body of the stomach are... Agent: Christopher J. Mcdonald Hoffman, Wasson & Gitler, P.C.

20080275481 - Ultrasound guided percutaneous cutting tool with gradations and adjustable stop ring: A surgical cutting instrument which has an ultrasonic reflective coating and gradations thereon is used in association with an adjustable stop ring on the surgical cutting instrument for internal surgical procedures guided by ultrasonic scanning. The surgical cutting instrument is inserted into the introducer and the stop ring stops the... Agent: Donald W. Meeker Patent Agent

20080275482 - Facial lift: A facial lift device to be placed behind the lips and above the gums disposed alongside the buccal and facial surface of a living human maxilla or a human mandible no further than the most posterior tooth of one side to the most posterior tooth of the opposite side of... Agent: Craig A Bruce

20080275483 - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Acclarent, Inc.

20080275484 - Per os placement of extragastric devices: Methods and devices to externally create a restriction on the stomach are described. In some embodiments, the devices are contoured to fit the stomach and can be further anchored to the stomach. In further embodiments, the degree of deployment of the extragastric restriction device is controllable after implantation. In other... Agent: Michael Gertner

20080275496 - Crossover retrievable medical filter: A retrievable medical filter which can be placed in a blood vessel or other body passage. The filter has improved structural features for enhancing its filter effectiveness and to facilitate its retrieval from the body passage. The filter has a longitudinal spine with struts extending from each longitudinal to form... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275498 - Embolic basket: An intravascular basket device for use in capturing either naturally occurring or foreign debris found in blood vessels or other regions of the body. The basket device is fabricated from a tube and includes a mid-section having at least one ring configured in an alternating V-pattern. The basket device specifically... Agent: Fulwider Patton, LLP (abbott)

20080275486 - Extended duration medical filter: A medical filter for placement inside a body passage such as a vessel has a first filter half and a second filter half each of which have generally longitudinally extending legs with free ends. The first filter half has a docking station centrally located at one longitudinal end and a... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275493 - Extended duration medical filter system with caged filter: A removable, radially compressible and expandable medical filter system for placement in a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel. The medical filter system comprises in radially expanded form, an elongated tubular cage with a hollow interior and an elongated filter disposed within the hollow interior of the cage... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275492 - Extended duration medical filter with bio-absorbable barbs: A removable, radially compressible and expandable medical filter for placement in a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel. In radially expanded form, the medical filter has a main structure with a plurality of barbs extending radially outwardly from the main structure. The barbs are spaced circumferentially around the... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275488 - Extended duration removable medical filter: A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage of a patient has a generally longitudinally extending central spine with a retrieval element at one end; and a plurality of filter sections attached to and spaced along the spine, each of the filter sections having a plurality of... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275494 - Extended duration removable medical filter with tissue barrier: A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage of a patient has a filter frame with a cell growth inhibiting sheet attached to the struts of the frame to prevent or minimize growth of cells over the frame after it has been implanted in a vessel or... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275485 - Guidewire with collapsible filter system and method of use: A guidewire with collapsible filter system and method of use where a deployable, collapsible and retrievable filter attached to a guidewire tube is utilized for filtering thrombotic particulate from blood flow in the vascular system during thrombectomy or other interventional vascular procedures.... Agent: Gregory L Bradley Medrad Inc

20080275490 - Medical filter with partial baskets: A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having a plurality of truncated baskets positioned along a spine. Each of the baskets is rotated about the axis of the spine to be out of alignment with... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275491 - Removable helical medical filter: A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having a plurality of arms radiating from an elongated spine in a helical pattern.... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275489 - Removable medical filter: A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having an end member at one end of the longitudinal axis of the filter. The end member supports a retrieval element and a plurality of struts defining a... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275487 - Removable medical filter with stand-off arms: A medical filter for placement in a tubular body passage. The filter has a main structure with a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the main structure to stand off the main structure from the wall of the tubular body passage. The filter is removed by first rotating the... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275495 - Retrievable medical filter with diverse baskets: An elongated medical filter is radially expandable and compressible and is intended for placement inside a tubular body passage, such as a blood vessel, of a patient. In expanded form, the medical filter has a spine with a retrieval element and a pair of longitudinally spaced filter baskets, one of... Agent: Ronald L. Hofer

20080275497 - Snare: An intravascular snare device for use in capturing debris found in blood vessels. The snare device is fabricated from a tube and includes longitudinally and circumferentially extending members. The snare device specifically embodies structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse.... Agent: Fulwider Patton, LLP (abbott)

20080275499 - Non-pneumatic tourniquet device: This invention presents a non-pneumatic tourniquet device designed for quick, easy application to an injured digit, such as a finger or a toe. One preferred embodiment comprises an inner frame that is surrounded by a flexible layer or membrane and allows for an opening for the insertion of the injured... Agent: David Hong, Law Office Of David Hong

20080275500 - Implants for creating connections to tissue parts, in particular to skeletal parts, as well as device and method for implantation thereof: Implants (7) for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants (7) are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while... Agent: Rankin, Hill & Clark LLP

20080275501 - Medical device loading and delivery systems and methods: Described herein are systems and methods for inserting a hemostatic seal into a delivery device. One such system can include a loading tool and a delivery device configured to detachably mate with one another. The loading tool can house a hemostatic seal in its unfolded configuration and can fold the... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080275502 - Lifting instrument for removing skinfolds and plasty method of removing skinfolds using the same: The lifting instrument and method can be applied to any body region through an easy and simple surgery, can achieve the same surgery result for each surgery regardless of a doctor's experiences or skills so that the doctor and a patient are all satisfied with the surgery result, can keep... Agent: Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn, PLLC Suite 400

20080275503 - Method of heart valve repair: Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080275504 - Constructs for dynamic spinal stabilization: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchors engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connector assembly engageable with the anchors to provide a desired stabilization effect. The connector assembly includes a pair of bumper assemblies extending between the bone anchors and a... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080275505 - Prostheses, tools and methods for replacement of natural facet joints with artificial facet joint surfaces: Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra.... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080275506 - Spinal implant: A spinal implant for insertion in the intervertebral space is formed as a hollow cage, wedge shaped in profile, with a lesser height leading end for a low profile entry. The cage has two open sides with a plurality of angled teeth along opposite longitudinal edges for engaging the end... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20080275507 - Facet joint replacement: A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The inferior implant may comprise an inferior strut, and a polyaxially adjustable, lockable mechanism which couples the inferior articular surface with a first end of the inferior... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20080275508 - Bone end (epiphysis) fracture fixation device and method of use: A bone end (epiphysis) fracture device including a rotatable fixation plate having a guide pin aperture and a plurality of fixation screw apertures formed therethrough. The guide pin aperture is used by a surgeon to position the fixation plate so that one or more fixation screw apertures are properly positioned... Agent: David W. Pettis, Jr., Pa

20080275509 - Mounts for implantable extra-articular systems: A mount usable with an implantable extra-articular system including a body having a first end opposite a second end. The mount includes a coupling connection positioned at the first end of the mount for attaching the mount to a base component. The mount also includes a multi-dimensional articulating connection component... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Exploramed Nc4, Inc.

20080275510 - Fixation device, combination of a fixation device with an elongate element, arrangment with such a combination and osteosynthesis set: A fixation device is used to fix an elongate element, in particular a wire, in an opening of a retaining structure, in particular of an implant plate. The fixation device has a main body. The main body is provided with a bore for receiving the elongate element. The main body... Agent: Shoemaker And Mattare, Ltd

20080275511 - Cranium fixing device: The cranium fixation device (1) includes a cranium clamp (2) having a first clamping element and a second clamping element (3, 4) and also a rod (5), with the rod (5) extending from the first clamping element and ending in an end portion (5d). The second clamping element (4) is... Agent: Fish & Associates, PC Robert D. Fish