Surgery inventions 03/09

20090082759 - Laser apparatus for the reduction of pain and inflammation caused by injections: This invention discloses a laser apparatus to be used pre, during, and/or post medical injections for the reduction of pain caused by the injection. Applications include cosmetic injections such as Botox or dermal filling, mesotherapy, immunization shots, etc. The laser apparatus may comprise a wand or pad/bandage through which laser... Agent: Frank F. Tian

20090082760 - Guidewire tipped laser fiber: A device for application of energy within a tubular bodily structure including an optical fiber couplable to a source of laser energy and a guidewire tip. The optical fiber has a laser emitting portion remote from the source of laser energy and a distal end. The guidewire tip is operably... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20090082761 - Cryosurgical instrument with embedded separating unit: A cryosurgical instrument, in which a separator is installed in a central feeding lumen and/or in a cryotip to separate gaseous and liquid components of a cryogen.... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti PC

20090082764 - Methods for creating tissue effect utilizing electromagnetic energy and a reverse thermal gradient: A method of creating a tissue effect at a tissue site delivers electromagnetic energy through a skin surface from an electromagnetic energy delivery device coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. At least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or electromagnetic energy source includes a memory. A reverse thermal gradient... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20090082762 - Radio frequency energy transmission device for the ablation of biological tissues: A radio frequency energy transmission device comprises a hollow coaxial electrically conductive cable adapted for conduction of radio frequency (RF) energy, particularly microwave energy, for the ablation of biological tissue. The hollow cable has a proximal end and a distal end and comprises coaxial inner and outer conductors extending substantially... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20090082763 - Shapeable electrosurgical scalpel: The invention is directed to an electrosurgical device having a shapeable elongate cutting electrode having a free distal end with an exposed length of at least 0.5 inch and secured by its proximal end to the distal end of a handle. The electrosurgical device is designed for use with a... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20090082765 - Real-time arc control in electrosurgical generators: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a radio frequency waveform and a sensor circuit configured to measure a property of the radio frequency waveform during a predetermined sampling period to determine whether an arc event has occurred. The generator also... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082768 - Bipolar medical instrument: A bipolar medical instrument has a shaft and two jaw parts arranged at said distal end thereof. An axially movable force transmission element is disposed with said shaft and is surrounded by an isolating element. Said isolating element is connected to at least one of said two jaw parts in... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20090082766 - Tissue sealer and end effector assembly and method of manufacturing same: A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes at least one shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second opposing jaw members movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082767 - Tissue sealer and end effector assembly and method of manufacturing same: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface. The method also includes the steps of: coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082769 - Tissue sealer and end effector assembly and method of manufacturing same: A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082770 - Medical foot implant and system: A medical foot implant (1) with a fastening section (2) for fixing the foot implant (1) to two adjacent bones or bone segments and with a wedge section (3). The wedge section (3) has an end-side tip (12), in a plan view at least approximately punctiform, for easier introduction of... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C.

20090082772 - Adapter driver for orthopaedic reamer: An adapter for a crossbar surgical reamer having a base with an interface for connecting with another style of reamer such as a crossbar reamer. Intersecting axially facing recesses are provided on the end of the base for connection with a crossbar type of reamer. A pair of grips are... Agent: Taylor & Aust, P.C.

20090082771 - Dual reamer driver: The disclosure illustrates a dual driver for surgical reamers in which either of a crossbridge and crossbar style reamers are axially inserted in the distal end of a central shaft for the reamer driver. A pair of L shaped grips are adapted to connect and disconnect the different style of... Agent: Taylor & Aust, P.C.

20090082773 - Method and apparatus for wireplasty bone resection: A cutting tool to be utilized in the resection or removal of bone tissue from patients includes a handle that tensions a wire or cable-like cutting member with a small diameter between at least two features on the handle to present a thin cutting profile. The design of the cutting... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20090082821 - Tightly binding device for bone joining cable: A bone-tying cable tightening device with improved easiness of handling of is disclosed. The device comprises a grip portion, a rod-like member extending forward, a knot-supporting means at the tip, a cable-holding means to grip and hold the tow arms together, and a sliding block mounted around the rod-like member... Agent: Millen, White, Zelano & Branigan, P.C.

20090082822 - Transpedicular, extrapedicular and transcorporeal approaches to the intervertebral discs: A method of surgically accessing intervertebral disc space involves a less invasive technique than prior procedures. The method avoids violation of the disc annulus and utilizes the annulus for containment of artificial disc material. The less invasive technique results in less blood loss and minimization of surgical trauma. The method... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20090082774 - Surgical cutting guide: A surgical cutting guide is adapted to receive a cutting instrument during a surgical procedure. The surgical cutting guide comprises at least one body portion including a bone engaging surface. A plurality of separate plates are secured to the at least one body portion. At least one cutting slot is... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20090082775 - Spondylolisthesis reduction system and method: A percutaneous spondylolisthesis reduction instrument and method are disclosed for minimally invasive surgery. The spondylolisthesis reduction instrument includes tangs threadingly connected to an upper knob at the proximal end and configured to connect with a tower construct at the distal end. When connected to a tower which is attached to... Agent: Rimas Lukas Vertiflex, Inc.

20090082776 - External fixation tensioner: A tensioner for tensioning a wire/cable coupled to an external orthopedic device. The tensioner can include a housing, an outer sleeve movable relative to the housing, a movable tension actuator handle operable to move the outer sleeve relative to the housing, and a plurality of movable jaws supported in the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090082777 - Insertion aid with interference fit: The present disclosure relates to an insertion device including a shaft with a head supported on a distal end thereof. The shaft includes a proximal end with an engagement member that is configured to frictionally engage a distal end of a surgical fastening apparatus such that an interference fit is... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082778 - Applicator, assembly, and method for connecting an inlet conduit to a hollow organ: The invention provides an applicator for forming a hole in a wall of a hollow organ and for connecting a hemostatic connection assembly to the hollow organ, wherein, when the hole is formed in the wall of the hollow organ, a first fluid seal exists between the hemostatic connection assembly... Agent: Nixon Peabody, LLP

20090082779 - Medical instrument with stop motion override and associated method: A medical instrument comprises a tubular introducer member, an operative element, an elongate shifter connected at a distal end to the operative element, a handle, at least one stop component, and an override. The shifter and the operative element are movable relative to the tubular member, while the first part... Agent: Coleman Sudol Sapone, P.C.

20090082780 - Wire capture surgical device with fixable handle: A medical device including a wire capture member such as, for example, a lithotripsy basket or a snare member, as well as a motion limiting means configured to limit a maximum expanded diameter of the wire capture member.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090082781 - Implantable ultrasound system for maintaining vessel patency and perfusion: An apparatus comprising an implantable acoustic transducer, an acoustic transducer interface circuit communicatively coupled to the acoustic transducer, and a controller circuit communicatively coupled to the acoustic transducer interface circuit. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving an indication of a patient condition associated with a development of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20090082783 - Control unit for mri-guided medical interventional systems: A control unit for a medical interventional system includes a housing and a plurality of elongate control devices. The housing includes opposite first and second sides and a plurality of adjacent, spaced-apart passageways extending through the housing from the first side to the second side. Each elongate control device is... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20090082784 - Interventional medical system: The invention relates to an interventional medical diagnosis or therapy system comprising: an imaging device, which is embodied for recording 3D images of an object under examination, with a control unit and an image processing unit; an at least two-axis robot arm, having means for yield control of the robot... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20090082782 - Needle to port trajector indicator: A system includes (i) a needle for insertion into a port of an implantable infusion device, and (ii) a receiver apparatus having a port location signal receiver module capable of receiving a signal from the implantable infusion device regarding spatial orientation of the port. The system further includes a processor... Agent: Campbell Nelson Whipps, LLC

20090082785 - Anvil delivery device accessory: An anvil delivery system includes an anvil assembly, a flexible tube, and a fitting. The fitting is coupled to the flexible tube and includes a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a tip disposed on the distal end portion. The proximal end portion of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082786 - Medical devices, systems, and methods for using tissue anchors: Medical devices, systems and related methods for delivering a tissue anchor. The medical devices generally comprise a needle and a sheath that assist in retaining the tissue anchor at the distal end of the need during manipulation of the medical device. The medical systems include one or more tissue anchors... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090082787 - Suturing device: A suturing device is disclosed. The suturing device comprises a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end and a passage extending therebetween disposed on a longitudinal axis. A rod is disposed within the shaft passage and is capable of moving axially along the longitudinal axis. A loop-forming opening... Agent: Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC

20090082789 - Insertion shroud for surgical instrument: A shroud is provided which includes a rounded atraumatic distal configuration. The shroud is configured and dimensioned to be positioned on the distal end portion of a surgical instrument. The shroud is movable between a first position in which a distal portion of the shroud extends beyond a distal end... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090082790 - Sternal closure device: A device to facilitate post-operative sternal closure by twisting the opposite end regions of the suture wire together comprises spaced guides in the form of limbs (1 and 2) with passageways (3 and 4) through which the proximal wire ends (12) and (13) may be fed and a cross-piece (7)... Agent: Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20090082788 - Suture management method and apparatus: An instrument for minimally invasive surgery includes a shank attachable to a handle, the shank extending lengthwise along a shank axis between a handle end and a tip end; and a tip joined to the tip end of the shank, the tip comprising a slender, elongate body extending between a... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20090082792 - Hernia mesh support device: A hernia mesh support device includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of ring support members extending between and interconnected to the outer ring and inner ring. On a first axial side of the outer ring and inner ring is situated a layer of mesh material. On... Agent: Bodner & O'rourke, LLP

20090082791 - Self-anchoring tissue lifting device, method of manufacturing same and method of facial reconstructive surgery using same: A self-anchoring tissue lifting device for use with facial cosmetic reconstructive surgery includes an implant and a removable foil cover disposed on the implant. The implant includes an elongated mesh strip having a distal end on which is situated a tissue anchoring fleece material. Opposite lateral edges of the mesh... Agent: Bodner & O'rourke, LLP

20090082793 - Releasably-securable one-piece adjustable gastric band: A releasably-securable gastric band (12) having a tail end (10a) and a head end (10b) for receiving the tail end (10a) is disclosed. The gastric band (12) also includes a releasable locking means (20) that releasably secures the head (10b) and tail ends (10a) together. The tail end (10a) may... Agent: Allergan, Inc.

20090082794 - Simultaneous proportional control of surgical parameters in a microsurgical system: A microsurgical system, and a foot controller for the improved operation of a microsurgical system, are disclosed. A surgeon may use the foot controller to simultaneously control multiple surgical parameters based upon movement of a foot pedal of the foot controller in a single plane of motion.... Agent: Alcon

20090082795 - Medical gripping and/or cutting instrument: The invention relates to a medical gripping and/or cutting instrument having a shaft on whose distal end a tool is positioned consisting of at least two jaw members and on whose proximal end a handle is positioned consisting of at least two gripping members. For opening and closing, at least... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20090082796 - Modified tenotomy scissors with conjunctiva risers: A tenotomy scissors for implantation procedures generally includes a first blade having a handle and a tip with a cutting edge thereon, a second blade having a handle and a tip with a cutting edge thereon, along with a swivel pivotally attaching the first and second blades for enabling insertion... Agent: Allergan, Inc.

20090082797 - Devices and methods for remote suture management: Described here are devices and methods for suture management. In some variations, the devices comprise an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therebetween, a cantilever blade positioned near the distal end of the elongate tubular member, and an expandable member positioned adjacent the cantilever... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090082798 - Lancing device for one skin puncture: A lancing device comprises a main housing, a movable housing, and a damping ring. The main housing forming an inner aperture that encloses a portion of a lancet assembly. The lancet assembly has a lancet body, a lancet-plunger housing, and a lance. The lancet assembly is adapted to move between... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090082799 - Medical instrument for punching out tissue: Medical instrument serves to punch out tissue. punching out tissue. It has a shaft, a first cap-shaped tool arranged at a distal end of said shaft and having a circular cutting edge. A second tool has a circular cutting edge at a distal end thereof. Said first and said second... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20090082800 - Distal embolic protection devices with a variable thickness microguidewire and methods for their use: A distal embolic protection device for dedicated use in cerebral arterial blood vessels is described. The distal embolic protection device comprises a variable-thickness micro-guidewire and a collapsible filtering device mounted on the microguidewire over two mobile attachment points so that in its collapsed configuration, the thickness of the microguidewire and... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20090082801 - Tool for inserting a receiver of a hearing apparatus into an auditory canal: The insertion of an external receiver of a hearing apparatus and in particular a hearing device into an auditory canal of a user is to be facilitated. Provision is made for this purpose for a tool comprising a pair of tweezers with a first and a second tweezer arm, which... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20090082803 - Braided vascular devices having no end clamps: In some embodiments, a medical device may include one or more of the following features: (a) a metal fabric formed of braided metal strands, (b) the medical device having a collapsed configuration for delivery through a channel in a patient's body and having a generally dumbbell-shaped expanded configuration with two... Agent: Aga Medical Corporation

20090082804 - Defect-closure device and delivery apparatus: A defect-closure device D for closing a passage-like defect O in a living body having: a free enlargement-contraction first member 1 mounted so as to close an opening Or at the one end of the defect O; and a free enlargement-contraction second member 2 having a protruded member 7, which... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20090082802 - Mechanism and method for closing an arteriotomy: Devices and methods for closing an arteriotomy by gripping surfaces of tissue disposed about the arteriotomy, without piercing the tissue, and drawing the gripped tissue together to approximate the edges of the arteriotomy, and, while holding the tissue, applying a more permanent closure to the tissue.... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20090082805 - Adjustable knotless loops: Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. At least one adjustable loop of a flexible construct is passed through the soft tissue. The at least one adjustable loop is passed through a passage construct. A locking member is passed through the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090082806 - Meniscal repair system: A meniscal repair system including a pair of elongate needles with a suture filament attached between respective proximal ends of the needles. Two implants are attached to the suture (e.g., molded thereon) between the needles so as to form a suture bridge between the implants. One implant may comprise a... Agent: Workman Nydegger 1000 Eagle Gate Tower

20090082807 - Suture anchor having a suture engaging structure and inserter arrangement: A suture anchor and inserter arrangement, including a suture anchor for implanting in hard tissue, such as bone, and an inserter device for installing the suture anchor in hard tissue. The suture anchor carries thereon a suture-engaging structure formed from suture, which structure cooperates with working suture associated with the... Agent: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.

20090082808 - Expandable spinal spacer: A spinal spacer or stenotic device is expandable, inflated and/or filled in situ or ex vivo through the addition of a biocompatible fill material into the spinal implant once inserted or implanted in like manner to an angioplasty bag. Once implanted, expansion or inflation of the present expandable spinal spacer... Agent: Bruce J. Bowman Bowman & Davis, P.A.

20090082809 - System and method for minimally invasive posterior fixation: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for aligning and implanting orthopedic fixation or stabilization implants within the body. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two bone anchors, at least one of which is provided with an angularly adjustable connector. In one aspect, the system also... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090082811 - Devices and methods for positioning a spinal fixation element: Methods for delivering a spinal fixation element to a surgical site are provided herein. More specifically, the method includes delivering a plurality of percutaneous access devices to a corresponding number of spinal locations, inserting a spinal fixation element through tissue, and manipulating the element through opposed sidewall openings formed in... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090082810 - Spinal fixation with selectively applied bone growth promoting agent: A spinal fixation system including a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent is disclosed. The types of spinal fixation systems which may include a selectively applied bone growth promoting agent include systems comprised of rods, plates, screws, and hooks as well as other types of prostheses.... Agent: Plumsea Law Group, LLC

20090082812 - Provisional locking pedicle screw system and method: Provisional locking pedicle screw systems and associated methods for surgery are provided. A bone screw assembly may be provided that includes a bone screw, an anchor bracket, and a provisional locking member. The provisional locking member may exert a frictional force against the bone screw that semi-rigidly fixes the anchor... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20090082813 - Modular bone plate system: A modular bone plating system in one embodiment is a bone plate kit including a plurality of bone plates, each of the plurality of bone plates including a male coupling portion, a female coupling portion and a shaft extending between the male coupling portion and the female coupling portion, wherein... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20090082814 - Method and apparatus for securing an object to bone: an expander adapted for positioning through the opening in the sleeve, the expander being sized so as to (i) radially expand the distal end of the sleeve so that the sleeve is secured to the bone, and (ii) radially expand the enlarged head of the sleeve so that the sleeve... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20090082815 - Spinal stabilization system with transition member: A spinal stabilization system generally comprises an anchor member configured to be secured to the patient's spine, a transition member received by the anchor member, and a flexible element coupled to the transition member. The transition member is positioned between a rigid member and a flexible member, which are each... Agent: William A. Barrett

20090082817 - Coupling apparatus for a bone anchored hearing device: A coupling apparatus for a bone anchored hearing device for anchoring hearing aid devices or extra-oral prostheses in the form of ear and orbital prostheses in the skull bone. The apparatus comprises a screw-shaped anchoring fixture configured to be inserted into the skull bone and a skin-penetrating abutment coupled to... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20090082816 - Remodelable orthopaedic spacer and method of using the same: A remodelable spacer for use in a bone plating procedure is fabricated from an extracellular matrix material. The remodelable spacer is positionable between a bone plate and a bone during an orthopaedic plating procedure. A method of using a remodelable spacer is also disclosed.... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20090082818 - Canulated titanium implant for correcting flat feet in children: It is possible to satisfy all the requirements of minimal invasiveness with maximal permanent result by placing the invented implants (screw). The shape of the screw solves all mentioned technical problems that occurred thus far, i.e. it can be directed through a small gap in the skin by Kirschner's guide-wire... Agent: Young & Thompson

20090082819 - Spinal stabilization device: A bone attachment device comprises an attachment collar having a hinged lid is disclosed. The bone attachment device may also comprise a bone fastener (such as a bone screw). A bone attachment device including an attachment collar and a spinal rod locking device is disclosed. A bone attachment device as... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20090082820 - Spinal implant and method for restricting spinal flexion: A spinal implant system for restricting flexion of a spine includes an elongate band proportioned to engage at least two spinous processes. During use, the band is positioned engaging the spinous processes at a spinal segment of interest, where it restricts flexion at the segment. The length and tension of... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090076487 - Methods and systems for laser calibration and eye tracker camera alignment: The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating a laser ablation system, such as an excimer laser system for selectively ablating a cornea of a patient's eye. The invention also facilitates alignment of eye tracking cameras that measure a position of the eye during laser eye surgery. A... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076488 - Thermal surgery safety suite: A laser surgical method is disclosed including: providing a laser surgical device including a handpiece including: an optical delivery component that transmits laser energy from a source to a treatment volume; and an accelerometer configured to provide information indicative of the position of the handpiece. The method includes using the... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090076490 - Fiber tip fluid output device: A fiber tip fluid output device is provided for holding a fiber tip in an electromagnetic energy cutting apparatus and for directing water particles over a radiation delivery end of the fiber tip. The fiber tip fluid output device includes a generally cylindrical body having an outer surface, a proximal... Agent: Kenton R. Mullins Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins, LLP

20090076489 - Thermal surgery safety apparatus and method: A laser surgical method is disclosed including: providing a laser surgical device including a handpiece including: an optical delivery component that transmits laser energy from a source to a treatment volume; and an accelerometer configured to provide information indicative of the position of the handpiece. The method includes using the... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090076491 - Methods for maintaining the patency of collateral channels in the lungs using cryo-energy: The methods disclosed herein are directed to altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. More particularly, these methods produce and maintain collateral openings or channels through the airway wall so that expired air is able to... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090076493 - Electrosurgical medical system and method: A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20090076492 - Frequency tuning in a microwave electrosurgical system: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the ablation of biological tissue to produce a therapeutic effect. An adjustment is made to the output frequency of an electrosurgical generator during the ablation cycle to accommodate changes in the electrical properties of the apparatus and the biological tissues that occur as... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090076494 - Transurethral systems and methods for ablation treatment of prostate tissue: Transurethral systems and methods for delivering electrical energy and controlled, mild heating to a prostate tissue of a patient for destruction of cancerous and/or hyperplastic tissue. A method includes positioning an elongate urethral probe having an expandable member with electrode elements at a target location in the patient's urethra, and... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076496 - Prostate cancer ablation: Methods and systems for delivering electrical energy and controlled, mild hyperthermia to a prostate tissue of a patient for destruction of cancerous and/or hyperplastic tissue. A method includes positioning a plurality of electrodes in a target tissue region comprising the prostate tissue, and establishing an alternating electrical current flow through... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076501 - Cardiac treatment devices and methods: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076503 - Conduction block verification probe and method of use: Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in... Agent: Gregory Smith & Associates

20090076499 - Multi-layer electrode ablation probe and related methods: Electric field delivery and ablation of target tissue regions, including cancerous cells and solid tumors. Methods and systems include delivering an electric field to a target tissue, and may include positioning a first electrode or plurality to at least partially define a first treatment volume in the target tissue; positioning... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076500 - Multi-tine probe and treatment by activation of opposing tines: The present invention provides devices and systems, as well as methods, of electric field delivery and non-thermal or mild hyperthermia, and preferential or selective ablation of cancerous cells of target tissue regions. A method can include, for example, advancing a probe comprising a plurality of electrodes to a target tissue... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076502 - Prostate cancer ablation: Methods and systems for delivering electrical energy and controlled, mild hyperthermia to a prostate tissue of a patient for destruction of cancerous and/or hyperplastic tissue. A method includes positioning a plurality of electrodes in a target tissue region comprising the prostate tissue, and establishing an alternating electrical current flow through... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076497 - Tissue surface treatment apparatus and method: A method of controlling ablation volume depth includes providing a treatment apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing having a proximal and distal end including a tissue contacting surface. The housing defines an interior with an energy delivery device positionable in the interior. The energy delivery device includes at least one... Agent: Afs / Angiodynamics

20090076498 - Visualization and ablation system variations: Visualization and ablation system variations are described which utilize various tissue ablation arrangements. Such assemblies are configured to facilitate the application of bipolar energy delivery, such as RF ablation, to an underlying target tissue for treatment in a controlled manner while directly visualizing the tissue during the bipolar ablation process.... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090076504 - Four-position rocker switch for electrosurgical handpiece: A surgical apparatus includes an actuation unit disposed on a handle and a control unit providing at least three modes for controlling the electrical instrument. The actuation unit contains a switching rocker with an operating element, which is rotatable about a rocker axis that can be shifted perpendicular to the... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090076505 - Electrosurgical instrument: An electrosurgical instrument provides pressurized gas to a surgical site and includes a hand-held applicator having a housing with proximal and distal ends and a tube defined therethrough. The tube is adapted to connect to a source of pressurized gas and is configured to selectively deliver a volume of pressurized... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090076506 - Electrosurgical instrument and method: An electrosurgical working end and method for sealing and transecting tissue are provided. An exemplary electrosurgical working end has openable-closeable first and second jaws for progressively clamping a selected tissue volume. A method of the invention comprises applying electrosurgical energy to the tissue in either a first mode or a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076507 - Femoral head center locating apparatus and method: A femoral head center locating mechanism and method for using same. The femoral head center locating mechanism may include a frame and a plurality of lasers which emit laser beams which intersect to identify a reference point relative to a center of a femoral head.... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20090076508 - Implantable prosthesis: An implant having a substantially solid basic structure and a porous jacket structure at least partially enclosing the basic structure for attachment of cellular tissue wherein the basic structure and the jacket structure are connected integrally to each other and the porous jacket structure is formed substantially by a structure... Agent: Bryan Cave Powell Goldstein

20090076509 - Dynamic cervical plate: A dynamic subsidence plate is described having a first plate member and a second plate member in sliding engagement that may infinitely subside between a first and second assembled position. The plate includes a lock assembly associated with the first and second plate members. The lock assembly includes a ramp... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090076510 - Surgical staple line reinforcements: A surgical staple line reinforcement is provided for use with a variety of surgical staplers to protect against tissue damage from surgical staples. The surgical staple line reinforcement is made up of a tubular structure of bio-implantable material with one or more stiffening members attached to or integrated within the... Agent: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

20090076511 - Intervertebral disc reamer: An intervertebral disc reamer includes a flexible shaft having a shaft channel, and a reamer head attached to the flexible shaft and movable relative to the flexible shaft. The reamer head has a reamer channel. The shaft channel and the reamer channel are aligned to define a continuous guide wire... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20090076512 - Method and apparatus for reconstructing a ligament and/or repairing cartilage, and for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy:

20090076513 - Spherical osteotomy device and method: A spherical osteotomy device for the efficient surgical sectioning of bone includes a part spherical body and a shank. The part spherical body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a cutting end between the outer surface and the inner surface, an axis extending from the outer surface through the... Agent: Trask Britt

20090076514 - Methods and apparatus for improved profile based resection: Alignment guides, cutting guides, cutting tools and soft tissue management techniques for profile based resection (PBR) arthroplasty facilitate intraoperative and postoperative efficacy and ease of use. In one embodiment, a manual alignment guide is provided that permits less invasive incisions by providing soft tissue accommodating contours or reliefs. In another... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20090076516 - Device and method for tissue retraction in spinal surgery: The invention relates to a system and methods for retracting soft tissue during spinal repair or reconstruction procedures, particularly procedures within intervertebral sites of degenerated discs and associated neural compression. A retractor system includes an implantable bone plate, two or more retractor blades, the bone plate and retractor blades being... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090076515 - Instrument for disimpacting a damaged vertebral body: The invention relates to an instrument for disimpacting a damaged vertebral body, comprising a unit, whose effective length can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction and whose underside can be positioned on the skin above a damaged vertebral body. According to the invention, supports that can be displaced in relation... Agent: Crompton Seager And Tufte, LLC

20090076518 - Method and system for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae: A method of stabilizing adjacent vertebrae including the steps of forming at least one annulotomy in an annulus. At least a portion of the nucleus material is removed through the annulotomy to form a cavity in an intervertebral disc space between the adjacent vertebrae. A reservoir containing a flowable biomaterial... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20090076517 - Systems and methods for treating bone using expandable bodies: A tool served to convey a bone filling material into a cancellous bone volume. The tool carries an expandable structure, which is sized and configured for expansion within the cancellous bone volume to condition the cancellous bone volume for receiving the bone filling material.... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLPIPSection

20090076519 - System, method and tool for ensuring correct insertion of an artificial hip joint: The present invention relates to the area of orthopaedic surgery, and in particular to a system for ensuring that prosthesis components or parts thereof are inserted correctly upon implantation of artificial hip joints and to methods for ensuring correct insertion of the parts of an artificial hip joint or femoral... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20090076495 - Ablation catheter with sensor array and discrimination circuit to maximize variation in power density: A catheter is designed with a virtual electrode structure for creating a linear lesion. The catheter includes a sensor array that measures temperatures of adjacent tissue along the length of the virtual electrode section. The sensors in the sensor array include a conductive material that is substantially coated with an... Agent: Sjm/afd - Trenner

20090076520 - Apparatus for treating bone: An apparatus for treating a bone, which provides a path from the skin to a bone, is provided which comprises a cannula with an improved coupling structure, an expander, a needle, and a spacer. With the apparatus, operation time can be reduced. The cannula and the expander can be easily... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20090076521 - Apparatus and method for inserting implants into the body: An apparatus includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member. The first tubular member defines a longitudinal axis and a lumen substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The lumen of the first tubular member is configured to receive at least a portion... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20090076522 - Toolkit for implanting an intracorporeal lead such as for cardiac pacing or sensing: A toolkit for implanting an intracorporal lead, preferably a cardiac sensing/pacing lead. This toolkit includes a guide-catheter (10), having a sheath (12) with an internal lumen (42) opened at its distal and proximal ends, and cuttable along a generatrix in order to allow extracting of the guide-catheter after use. A... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20090076523 - depilator: A depilator includes a depilating head and a depilating head support. The depilating head has two clamping devices on its main shaft radically, so that the depilator can depilate hair twice when the main shaft rotates a circle. The depilating head support has a support body. A depilating head locating... Agent: Greer, Burns & Crain

20090076524 - Monolithic epilator: The present invention relates to an epilator comprising a holder and a deformable unitary epilating element prestressed into a curved configuration and mounted rotatably on said holder, said unitary element being made up of a plurality of adjacent discs connected together by spacers and hinge elements arranged in such a... Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C.

20090076525 - Pfo closing device: A PFO closing device includes a suction and hold portion at a distal portion of a catheter for sucking and holding biological tissue of a foramen ovale valve and an atrial septum secundum from one side, an electrode portion on the side contacting the biological tissue; a negative pressure supply... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20090076526 - Compression, banding and percutaneous airway ligation of emphysematous lung tissue: A lung volume reduction system includes a percutaneously, laparoscopically or thorocospically insertable delivery element comprising a control end which remains outside the body and an insertion end which, when in an operative position, is adjacent to an external surface of a target portion of a lung and a constriction element... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20090076527 - Surgical instrument: In a surgical instrument, a treatment portion continuously provided at a distal end of an insert section has a needle holding member made of an elastic body capable of holding a needle when the needle is pierced into the elastic body.... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20090076529 - Removable support clamp for balloon angioplasty: An apparatus consists of two or more semi-circular clamshell clamps to surround a lumen externally during balloon angioplasty procedure. When the clamps are closed, they are prevented from opening during the procedure, with the use of a positive stop or a fastener. The procedure facilitates the use of higher than... Agent: Sastry K. Ganti

20090076530 - Scaffold:

20090076528 - System for putting reinforcement-forming means for a suture into place: The invention relates to a placement system for putting into place means that form reinforcement for a suture. The system comprises reinforcement-forming means for reinforcing a zone that is to be sutured, said means comprising a first reinforcement portion and a second reinforcement portion, a catching portion interconnecting said first... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20090076532 - Fragmentable device for the anastomosis of hollow organs: Fragmentable compression device for the anastomosis of hollow organs consisting of a pot-shaped body composed of two elements (1, 2), inserted one into the other and consisting of a plurality of composable sectors (5, 6), a third ring-shaped or hollow cylinder-shaped element (3) intended to be inserted into said pot-shaped... Agent: Steinfl & Bruno

20090076531 - Method and apparatus for bypass graft: A vascular connector includes a main tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough and opposed ends adapted to be connected to a vascular structure; and at least one inlet tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough, a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end adapted... Agent: Trego, Hines & Ladenheim, PLLC

20090076533 - Method for blood vessel clip application: In an alternate embodiment, a variety of blood vessel clips having different shapes, cross-sections and grooves are suitable for use with the blood vessel clip applicator. The alternate blood vessel clip preferably have two legs in a “V” configuration and a head connecting the two legs. The constricted region compresses... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090076534 - Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrument: A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090076535 - Tissue markings and methods for reversibly marking tissue employing the same: Provided are methods of applying a tissue marking to a tissue and rendering said tissue marking colorless when desired, comprising implanting into the tissue an amount of the tissue marking in sufficient quantity to form a detectable marking, said tissue marking comprising at least one colored compound comprising a thermally... Agent: Bingham Mccutchen LLP

20090076536 - Medical inflation, attachment, and delivery devices and related methods: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to procedural space maintenance devices, medical device positioning devices, and devices that provide both procedural space maintenance and device positioning. Further embodiments relate to medical device insertion and/or retraction devices.... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20090076537 - Methods and devices for minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrial fibrillation: Devices for enhancing minimally invasive cardiac surgery include a visualization device including an inflatable balloon at or near the distal end. Some visualization devices also include one or more lumens for allowing the introduction of one or more devices to a surgical site through the visualization device. Systems of the... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090076538 - Helical embolic protection device: An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion. The device further comprises an expandable filter formed helically about the distal... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090076539 - Helical thrombus removal device: A device for removing thrombus from a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a flexible wire having a proximal end and a distal end. The device further comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion attached to the distal end of the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090076540 - Intracorporeal occlusive device and method: An intracorporeal space filling device and a delivery system and method for using the device is disclosed. The space filling device is preferably configured for percutaneous delivery from a peripheral conduit of a patient. The space filling device has an elongated tubular or interconnected bead structure which may have a... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20090076542 - Adhesive-containing wound closure device and method: A tissue bonding article includes a flexible material, an adhesive substance applied over at least a portion of a bottom side of the flexible material, and a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout at least a portion of the flexible material.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090076541 - Occlusion device with centering arm: The present invention is an occlusion device having a centering arm network that self-centers across a defect and can be retrieved and redeployed in situ. A self centering system allows the center of the occlusion device to remain properly positioned within the defect, which increases the effectiveness of the occlusion... Agent: Kinney & Lange, P.A.

20090076543 - Method of forming barbs on a suture: A method is provided for forming a barbed medical device which includes the steps of providing a blank workpiece and forming at least one barb on the blank workpiece by applying vibrational energy to a tool and bringing the tool and the blank workpiece into contact with each other at... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090076544 - Dual thread cannulated suture anchor: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The suture... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090076545 - Methods for anchoring suture to bone: Methods and devices are provided for anchoring suture to bone. In one exemplary embodiment, a cannulated suture anchor is provided and it includes a suture-engaging member formed therein and configured to receive a suture therearound such that trailing ends of the suture can extend through the suture anchor. The suture... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090076546 - Suture lock: A suture lock according to the present invention provides sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laproscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that... Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c.

20090076547 - Tissue anchor and anchoring system: A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20090076548 - Teething fingers: A teething device for use by an infant. The teething device has a base manufactured from a first predetermined material and the base has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. There is at least one projection protruding from a first predetermined side of the base such that... Agent: James Ray & Associates

20090076549 - Orthopedic implant system: A system is provided for use in orthopedic surgery, for example to connect a spinal rod with a vertebral screw or hook. The system generally includes a receiver member for receiving an elongated member, a bone implant member, such as a bone screw, and a locking washer to assist in... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090076550 - Spinal fixation system connectors: Disclosed are embodiments of spinal fixation system connectors and related methods and apparatus. In one embodiment, a connector body is provided which comprises a slot configured to allow a spinal fixation rod to extend therethrough. The connector may also include a cap configured to be connected with the connector body... Agent: Stoel Rives LLP - Slc

20090076551 - Methods and surgical kits for minimally-invasive facet joint fusion: Disclosed herein are methods and surgical kits that can be used to fuse facet joints via a minimally invasive procedure (including an arthroscopic or percutaneous procedure). An exemplary method includes creating an incision; locating a facet joint with a distal end of a pin; sliding a substantially hollow drill guide... Agent: Don J. Pelto Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20090076552 - Vertebral anchoring device: A vertebral anchoring device includes connectors (2) linked to one another by connecting rods (3) and fixed on bone-anchoring screws (5) implanted in the vertebrae (4) of a vertebral column, each connector (2) being composed of a connection element (6) that includes receiving and fixing members to permit immobilization of... Agent: C/o Young & Thompson

20090076553 - Fixation system for bones: The invention takes the form of a fixation system for bones with a force carrier (1) having holes (2, 3, 4), two of which are adjacent, and bone screws (36 to 41) adapted to be inserted into the holes (2, 3, 4) the heads of the bone screws (36 to... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20090076554 - Insertion tool for bone plates: System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for installation of a bone plate using an insertion tool attached to a bone plate and providing a blade for lifting soft tissue off bone in front of the bone plate as the insertion tool is advanced along a surface of the bone.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20090076555 - Transcorporeal spinal decompression and repair system and related method: A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090076556 - Transbuccal plate holding cannula: The present invention relates to a transbuccal plate holding cannula used in osteofixation procedures. The transbuccal plate holding cannula of the present invention can be releasably secured to a bone plate such that tools and fasteners may be passed through the plate holding cannula in order to secure the bone... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20090069793 - Cool tip junction: A conduit junction for use with an electrosurgical system includes a body having a lumen defined therein and at least one positioning structure. The lumen is configured to receive to receive at least a portion of a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes at least one of a conductor and... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090069794 - Apparatus, systems and techniques for interfacing with an eye in laser surgery: Apparatus, techniques and systems are provided for interfacing with an eye in laser surgery.... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20090069795 - Apparatus and method for selective treatment of tissue: Methods, systems, and devices to selectively treat a target tissue located in a region of skin. The region of skin undergoes a series of energy applications to selectively treat a target tissue. The region of skin may also be cooled to reduce damage to surrounding tissue.... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP

20090069796 - Thermal ablation system with dispensable therapeutic agent: A cassette for a heated fluid ablation system, comprises a fluid supply lumen receiving an ablation fluid from an external fluid source and a fluid chamber containing a therapeutic agent in combination with an impeller pumping the ablation fluid out of the cassette via to a fluid delivery lumen when... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20090069797 - Bipolar devices for modification of airways by transfer of energy: This relates to a device for treating lung disease, and more particularly, relates to a device for exchanging energy with airway tissue such as that found in the airways of human lungs. The exchange of energy with this airway tissue in the airways reduces the ability of the airways to... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent Sea

20090069799 - Electrosurgical medical system and method: A medical device system and method provide an RF electrosurgical generator coupled to an electrosurgical electrode via a patient box disposed in close proximity to the patient. An RF signal is delivered from the generator to the patient box where signal power is increased and the RF signal delivered to... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20090069798 - Eye therapy system: A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the... Agent: Nixon Peabody, LLP

20090069800 - Surface electrode multiple mode operation: A surface electrode for ablating tissue is provided. The surface electrode comprises a base, a plurality of tissue penetrating needle electrodes extending from the surface of the base an adjustable distance, and an electrical interface coupled to the plurality of needle electrodes. The adjustability of the needle electrodes allows the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090069801 - System and method for transmission of combined data stream: An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument configured to generate a first and second data streams and a transmission circuit configured to convert the first and second data streams into a pulsed transmission signal. The first signal property of the transmission signal is representative of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090069802 - Electrosurgical electrode and method for use: An electrosurgical electrode for use in a surgical procedure includes an elongated body in the shape of a Freer elevator having a working end portion in the shape of a spoon at a distal end thereof. The working end portion is an active electrosurgical end capable of supplying electrosurgical currents... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20090069804 - Apparatus for efficient power delivery: A delivery apparatus for supporting an electrosurgical instrument and for connecting the electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical energy source is provided. The delivery apparatus includes a selectively positionable housing including a plurality of rigid segments and a joint member interposed between each adjacent rigid member; and a transmission medium extending... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090069803 - Selective depth electrode deployment for electrical stimulation: The invention is directed toward stimulation of a selected tissue layer. A device is attached to a target tissue by applying vacuum pressure to a vacuum cavity of the device and advancing a needle into tissue within the vacuum cavity. The depth on the vacuum cavity is selected to permit... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20090069805 - Endoscopic surgical instrument: The application relates to an endoscopic surgical instrument, and in particular to an instrument for endoscopic mucosa resection. The instrument includes a device for feeding in at least one liquid (for injection and/or dissection) and a device for high frequency surgery. These devices are combined within a single surgical instrument,... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090069806 - Apparatus and methods for internal surgical procedures: Apparatus and methods for internal surgical procedures are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may involve supporting internal body locations, creating submucosal separations (blebs), and/or for resecting mucosal tissue separated from underlying tissue by a bleb.... Agent: Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt, P.A.

20090069807 - System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation: An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (58) at its distal end and a connector (19) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply (28). The shaft includes a return electrode (56) recessed from its distal end and... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090069808 - Method for ablating with needle electrode: A method for ablating tissue in or around the heart to create an enhanced lesion is provided. The distal end of a catheter including a needle electrode at its distal end is introduced into the heart. The distal end of the needle electrode is introduced into the tissue. An electrically-conductive... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20090069810 - Biological tissue closing device: A biological tissue closing device includes a clamper comprising a stick portion provided at a distal portion of a catheter for sticking to a biological tissue, and a sandwich member for sandwiching the biological tissue in cooperation with the stick portion, and an electric energy supply unit for supplying electric... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20090069809 - Pfo closing device: A PFO closing device includes: a clamper including a stick portion provided at a distal portion of a catheter for sticking to a foramen ovale valve and a sandwich member for sandwiching a biological tissue composed of the foramen ovale valve and an atrial septum secundum in cooperation with the... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20090069811 - Device and method for fixation of equipment to the head of a patient during neurological diagnosis, therapy or surgery: A device is provided for fixation of equipment to the head of a patient during neurological diagnosis, therapy or surgery, comprising a ring-shaped frame having at least three fixation pins which are attachable against the skull of the patient with a contact force for fixation of the device thereto. At... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20090069812 - Rib fixation with an intramedullary nail: Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing rib bones with a fixation device including an intramedullary nail connected to a generally U-shaped plate.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20090069813 - Method and apparatus for bone fixation with secondary compression: Disclosed is a fracture fixation device, for reducing and compressing fractures in a bone. The fixation device includes an elongate body comprising a first portion and a second portion that are detachably coupled to each other. The first portion defines a helical cancellous bone anchor and the second portion defines... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090069814 - Medical device for rapid and accurate entry through soft tissue and bone: A device for entering soft tissue and bone of a body, including a spike with a grommet thereabout.... Agent: Walter A. Hackler, Ph.d. Patent Law Office

20090069815 - Method and composition for use in reinforcing bone: The invention provides a method and a kit for administering bone cement to the interior cavity of a bony member to enhance bone strength, stabilizing an existing fracture thus reducing susceptibility of the bone to further fracture and/or collapse. The method and kit may include additional components, such as, bone... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20090069816 - Intramedullary nail distal targeting device: The present invention relates to an intramedullary nail distal targeting device (20) adapted to be installed to an external jig system (A) having a proximal attachment (B) to support an intramedullary nail (C) thereon and an extension arm (D) secured to the proximal attachment (B), the nail distal targeting device... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20090069818 - Individual surgical instruments, surgical instrument set and method for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye: An instrument and method for inserting a dual optic IOL into an eye includes in one aspect a three prong forceps and in another aspect a folder for folding the IOL. The three prong forceps and folder are cooperatively configured to allow a user to first fold the IOL with... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20090069817 - Intrastromal corneal modification: A method for modifying the curvature of a live cornea to correct a patient's vision. The live cornea is first separated into first and second opposed internal surfaces. Next, a laser beam or a mechanical cutting device can be directed onto one of the first and second internal surfaces, or... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090069819 - Compressible deployment device: A cannula for a marker deployment system is provided, including a tubular sidewall and at least one slit intersecting through the sidewall. The slit selectively permits at least a portion of the sidewall adjacent the slit to deform generally radially outward from an axis of the cannula.... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20090069820 - Laser-resistant basket: A medical device includes a sheath defining a lumen, an elongate member disposed within the lumen, and a basket connected to a distal end of the elongate member and being retractable within and extendable from the lumen. The basket includes a plurality of legs. At least one leg of the... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20090069821 - Robotic devices with agent delivery components and related methods: Various robotic devices and related medical procedures are disclosed herein. Each of the various robotic devices have an agent delivery component. The devices include mobile robotic devices and fixed base robotic devices as disclosed herein. The agent delivery component can have at least one agent reservoir and a discharge component... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20090069823 - Implant and delivery system for soft tissue repair: Implant and delivery systems for soft tissue repair which affix soft tissue portions to a region of bone are described. Generally, the assembly includes two bone anchors preloaded through an inserter handle such that each anchor is penetrated into the bone directly. The first anchor is inserted through the tissue... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090069822 - Tissue fastening tool, stent, applicator for placing the same, and tissue fastening method through natural orifice: The tissue fastening apparatus includes: a tissue fastening tool provided with a first tissue fixing section which is hooked onto a first biological tissue and a second tissue fixing section which is hooked onto a second biological tissue adjacent to the first biological tissue; a stent provided with a dilating... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20090069824 - Suture passer: An apparatus includes an elongate member, an actuator, and a thread member. A portion of the elongate member defines a central axis. The elongate member defines a slot which extends along an axis parallel to the central axis. The actuator is coupled to the elongate member and is accessible through... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20090069827 - Reversible vasectomy device and method: A reversible vasectomy device includes a first and a second connector piece for attachment to the severed ends of the vas deferens. Each connector piece has an outer vas deferens attaching end, an opposite inner end, and a passage from the outer to the inner end. A midpiece has end... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20090069825 - Scaffold and method of forming scaffold by entangling fibres: A porous scaffold is provided, which comprises tangled fibres. A porous scaffold can be formed by applying a fluid to fibres to entangle them. The fibres comprise a polyelectrolyte complex and a cross-linker. The cross-linker links polyelectrolytes within individual fibres and inhibits secondary polyelectrolyte complication between adjacent fibres.... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP

20090069826 - Surgical implant: A surgical implant has a mesh-like base structure (2) and a film (4). The film (4) extends over at least part of the base structure (2), is connected to the base structure (2) in partial regions, and has a coefficient of kinetic friction, relative to rat skin, of not more... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090069828 - Articulating retrieval devices: The devices and methods described herein relate to improved structures for removing obstructions from body lumens. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within the... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090069829 - Rotational atherectomy device with distal protection capability and method of use: A rotational device for removing a stenotic lesion from within a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft having a distal end insertable into the vessel and an abrasive element located on the drive shaft proximal to the distal end of the drive... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt

20090069830 - Eye surgical tool: The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting device having a body, a piezoelectric actuator received within and secured to the body and a blade associated with and in communication with the actuator. The actuator is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the... Agent: The Webb Law Firm, P.C.

20090069831 - Surgical cutting instrument: A surgical cutting instrument for cutting tissue includes an outer cannula with a cutting opening and a cutting member within the cannula. The cutting member is connected to a source of reciprocation, and as the cutting member reciprocates the cutting member head is guided by a sloped member within the... Agent: Promex Technologies, LLC

20090069832 - Pricking device, and lancet assembly and injector assembly that constitute the same: s

20090069833 - Disposable lancet: The disposable lancet mainly contains a resilient needle body with two arms extended forward into a Y shape with a needle between the two arms. The two arms and the needle of the needle body are housed inside a sleeve member and the combination is slidably installed inside an enclosure.... Agent: Leong C Lei

20090069834 - Auxiliary tool for formation of implant pre-hole: Auxiliary tool provides an implant pre-hole smaller than the implant hole without requiring much experience or imposing much burden on patients during the implant pre-hole formation. In addition, implant pre-holes allow safe and easy formation of implant hole(s) at the next stage and further development of the implant technique. Consequently,... Agent: Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts

20090069835 - Balloon catheter for endoscopic mucosectomy: The balloon is fixed to a catheter close to its distal portion; the catheter has two ducts passing through within in; one duct can be used for a guide wire, while the other is used to pump air in or out; after passing through the catheter, the air emerges from... Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C.

20090069837 - Hand and instrument access device: A surgical sealing device 1 for providing hand or instrument access during a surgical procedure is mounted to a wound retractor device 10 which is used to retract the sides of an opening into an internal cavity. The sealing device 1 comprises a first sealing member 5 and a second... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20090069836 - Twisted primary coil for vascular therapy: A flexible metal wire coil is formed with a twisted coil pattern, by forming a primary coil on a special mandrel formed from two or more strands of material twisted helically about a longitudinal axis to have a helical shape. The primary coil wire is wound around the mandrel to... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20090069838 - Inflatable occlusion devices, methods, and systems: Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the deployment and filling of an inflatable occlusion... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20090069841 - Device for filtering of blood during removal of heart valve stenosis and method of removing heart valve stenosis: The invention relates to a device and a method for the removal of a heart valve stenosis, in which a filter catheter is arranged in a vessel section located downstream of the heart valve, and a valvuplasty catheter is arranged in the area of the heart valve. The filter catheter... Agent: Houston Eliseeva

20090069840 - Percutaneous permanent retrievable vascular filter: Retrievable vena cava filters for the temporary or permanent prevention of Pulmonary embolism (PE) are disclosed. A filter in accordance with the present invention has a tube-within-tube structure with overlapping semi-spheres. The semi-spheres comprise a plurality of expandable legs. The first tube may have a first set of expandable legs... Agent: Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP Attn. Michael A. Davitz

20090069839 - Vascular filter with sleeve: A covered vascular filter can be placed in a blood vessel, for the purpose of intercepting thrombus. The filter may be introduced to a desired site for medical treatment through a catheter which defines a lumen or passage and a distal port or opening. The filter tends to resiliently expand... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090069842 - Surgical instrument: A medical instrument having a proximal control handle and a distal tool that are intercoupled by an elongated instrument shaft that is meant to pass internally of an anatomic body, proximal and distal movable members that respectively intercouple the proximal control handle and the distal tool with the instrument shaft,... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20090069844 - Closure device, deployment apparatus, and method of deploying a closure device: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for sealing and closing passages formed through tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for sealing or closing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin... Agent: Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC

20090069843 - Fistula plugs including a hydration resistant component: Described, in certain aspects, are devices and methods for treating fistulae. In one embodiment, a fistula plug includes a hydratable component and hydration resistant component incorporated on or in the hydratable component. Illustratively, an inventive plug can include a first component and a second component, wherein the first component is... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20090069845 - Method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint: A method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint.... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20090069846 - Tendon repair: An assembly is described for repairing torn tendons by reattaching them to a bone, in particular although not exclusively for repairing a torn rotator cuff tendon, which allows for reduction of the gap between the tendon and the humerus by pushing the tendon onto its attachment site. Also described is... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20090069847 - Suture lock: A suture lock, as well as related methods, are provided for fixing strands of one or more sutures relative to tissue. The suture lock and method are simple and reliable in use, facilitate complete perforation closure and adjustment of the suture strands, and are adaptable to a variety of suture... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090069848 - Oral stimulatory device for soothing gums: An aspect of the invention includes an oral stimulatory device. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured... Agent: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky And Popeo, P.c

20090069849 - Dynamic screw system: A dynamic screw system for stabilizing a vertebral body includes a bone screw adapted to connect to the vertebral body, the bone screw including an open concave head, a connecting element coupled to the bone screw, a joint element coupled around a middle cylindrical portion of the connecting element, an... Agent: Rahman LLC

20090069850 - Device for straightening and stabilizing the vertebral column: A device for straightening and stabilizing the vertebral column, particularly for stabilizing broken vertebrae, includes a supporting implant which is plastically expandable by internal pressure. The supporting implant can be placed into the interior of a vertebral body which has been fractured under compression or between adjacent vertebral bodies. A... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090069851 - Bone fixation with slender spanning members disposed outside bone: System, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components, for bone fixation using a pair of slender spanning members to span a fracture outside bone.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20090069852 - Multi-axial bone anchor assembly: In one aspect, a bone anchor assembly is provided. The bone anchor assembly includes a bone anchor, a crown member, a saddle, and a sleeve. The bone anchor assembly is configured such that the bone anchor is moveable with respect to the saddle when the sleeve is positioned around the... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLPIPSection

20090069853 - Surgical retaining screw: In order to simplify the construction and handling capability of a surgical retaining screw comprising a shaft which has an external thread, a head part which is connected to the shaft securely or movably and has an interior space open towards the upper side located opposite the shaft as well... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20090062780 - Methods for treating eye conditions: Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as... Agent: Kenton R. Mullins, LLP

20090062779 - Methods for treating eye conditions with low-level light therapy: Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal and other manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye,... Agent: Kenton R. Mullins Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins, LLP

20090062781 - Method of using gel sheets for laser treatment: A method and combination for performing laser therapy, involving the steps of providing a sheet of clear film of appropriate size and thickness, and placing the sheet of clear film over an area of a skin to be treated prior to laser therapy. The method may further include steps of... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20090062782 - Laser delivery apparatus with safety feedback system: An apparatus and method for delivery of energy to a tissue within a patient includes optical or electrical feedback to detect effects of overheating and/or burning of tissues, bodily fluids, or the apparatus itself, circuitry for controlling the delivery apparatus, and/or indicators to facilitate operator control. Provision is also made... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20090062783 - Ice tip hypodermic needle: An ice tip is placed on the front end of a hypodermic needle to cool the flesh during insertion. The ice tip front end is sharp, for penetration, and the rear is provided with a recess, for reception of a hypodermic needle front end. The mold for forming the ice... Agent: Clyde I. Coughenour

20090062785 - Compositions and methods for cancer treatment using targeted single-walled carbon nanotubes: The present invention is a method for detecting and destroying cancer tumors. The method is based on the concept of associating a linking protein or linking peptide such as, but not limited to, annexin V or other annexins to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) to form a protein-SWNT complex. Said linking... Agent: Dunlap Codding, P.C.

20090062784 - Needle electrode device for medical application: A thermocouple (6) is provided for detecting a temperature of the tip of a needle electrode (1). The thermocouple (6) includes a tip connecting portion (18) where the tips of a pair of coated wires (8, 9) are electrically connected to each other and a tip coated portion where the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20090062786 - Tri-frequency electrosurgical instrument: An electrosurgical instrument that is capable of generating high-quality RF energy carriers at one of three different frequencies and combining any of the three carriers with any one of four electrosurgical mode waveform modulations and selectively supplying the modulated carriers to either a monopolar or a bipolar handpiece. In a... Agent: Jack Oisher

20090062790 - Direct visualization bipolar ablation systems: Direct visualization bipolar ablation systems are described which utilize bipolar electrode arrangements. Such assemblies are configured to facilitate the application of bipolar energy delivery, such as RF ablation, to an underlying target tissue for treatment in a controlled manner while directly visualizing the tissue during the bipolar ablation process.... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090062788 - Electrical ablation surgical instruments: A surgical instrument includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member includes first and second lumens. A first needle electrode is configured to slideably move within the first lumen. A second needle electrode is located... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090062787 - Irrigated ablation device assembly: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090062789 - Magnetically steerable catheter assembly: A magnetically steerable catheter system and method of using the system is provided. The system comprises an outer elongated, flexible member having a proximal and distal end, an inner elongated, flexible, member having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner member slidably disposed within the outer member. The... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090062793 - Cutting wire electrode: The present invention pertains to a cutting wire electrode, comprising at least one elongated shaft with a main longitudinal axis having at least one bore located at its distal portion, said bore being approximately perpendicular to said main longitudinal axis; and at least one wire loop located in the distal... Agent: Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco Pl

20090062792 - Electrical ablation surgical instruments: An electrical ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A clamp jaw portion is located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member. The clamp jaw portion is operatively movable from an open position to a closed position. A cutting blade... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090062791 - Integrated smoke evacuation electrosurgical pencil and method: An electrosurgical pencil includes an adjustable-length suction tube which surrounds a stationary electrode to evacuate smoke and electrosurgical byproducts from a surgical site. An electrode anchor unit is located within the interior of the suction tube to allow relative movement of the suction tube relative to a stationarily-retained electrode, and... Agent: John R Ley, LLC

20090062794 - Electrosurgical instrument which reduces collateral damage to adjacent tissue: An electrode assembly for use in combination with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing having one portion which is removably engageable with the electrosurgical instrument and a pair of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090062795 - Electrical ablation surgical instruments: An electrical ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A clamp jaw portion is located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member. The clamp jaw portion is operatively movable from an open position to a closed position. A blunt dissection... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090062796 - Modular, blade-rod, intramedullary fixation device: The intramedullary fixation device for use in fixing the relative position between a tubular bone and an adjoining bone has, according to the present invention, an intramedullary nail that is inserted into the medullary canal of the tubular bone whose position is to be fixed, an elongated blade for insertion... Agent: Larry J. Guffey

20090062797 - Rod-based system for bone fixation: Systems, including methods, apparatus, kits, and components for rod-based fixation and/or longitudinal compression of bones.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20090062798 - Internal bone transport: An internal bone transport device and method for lengthen bone that, once surgically implanted will allow for a segment of bone to be transported along the length of the rod without changing the overall length of the rod. The segment from one bone end is transported to the other in... Agent: Maryellen Feehery Hank, Esq. Reed Smith LLP

20090062800 - Clip-like implant for osteosynthesis: The invention relates to a clip-like implant for osteosynthesis of at least two repositioned bone fragments, with at least two retainer web sections and with one connection web section connecting the retainer web sections, wherein the free ends of the at least two retainer web sections can be at least... Agent: Hoffman Wasson & Gitler, P.c Crystal Center 2, Suite 522

20090062799 - Surgical staple with adjustable width backspan: A surgical staple comprising a first deformable leg member having at least a first portion of a staple backspan extending therefrom and a second deformable leg member having at least a second portion of the staple backspan extending therefrom. At least one of the first and second portions of the... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090062801 - Arrangement for securing instrument to bone: An instrument for attachment to a bone is disclosed herein. The instrument comprises a body portion providing a cutting guide. At least one hole extends through the body portion. The at least one hole includes a first portion configured to engage a handle. The at least one hole further includes... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20090062802 - Cutting apparatus: A cutting apparatus comprises a flexible elongate cutting member, and a tensioning arrangement to maintain the flexible elongate member in a tensioned condition. The tensioning arrangement comprises a carrying arrangement on which the flexible elongate member is arranged. The cutting apparatus further includes a driving arrangement to move the carrying... Agent: Patenttm.us

20090062803 - Medical cutting tool manufacturing apparatus and method: A medical cutting tool manufacturing apparatus, which can form cutting blades to the top face with a simple structure, and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The medical cutting tool manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, which manufactures a medical cutting tool such as a steel bar having... Agent: Smith Patent Office

20090062804 - Devices and methods for dynamic boring procedure reconfiguration: Various embodiments are directed to a method of switching horizontal directional drilling procedures during bore path turning. Such methods can include identifying a hierarchal arrangement of a plurality of different boring procedures utilizing different boring techniques, the hierarchy arrangement representing boring procedures of increasing ability to bore through harder soil... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20090062805 - Rongeur: A rongeur (40) has a stem (b), comprising a manipulating end (A) and a working end, and at the manipulating end a grip (42, 44) that is angled in a direction away from the stem. Arranged at a second, working end is a mouth (50), which lies substantially on the... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20090062806 - Tibial preparation apparatus and method: An apparatus and method for preparing a tibia for knee surgery. The apparatus includes a tibial base having a center axis, and a handle coupled to the base at an anterior base location that is offset relative to the center axis.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090062871 - Balloon cannula system for accessing and visualizing spine and related methods: Balloon cannula systems may be used for accessing and visualizing the spine and related methods of treatment, including a forward-looking balloon system for creating a working space and the balloon system having atraumatic dissection capability to allow visualization in spine. The devices and methods described may be used, for example,... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090062872 - Balloon cannula system for accessing and visualizing spine and related methods: Balloon cannula systems may be used for accessing and visualizing the spine and related methods of treatment, including a forward-looking balloon system for creating a working space and the balloon system having atraumatic dissection capability to allow visualization in spine. The devices and methods described may be used, for example,... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090062870 - Method of arthroscopic osteochondral resurfacing using prp strengthened with fibrin glue: Methods of arthroscopic resurfacing of a joint utilizing a biological component strengthened with fibrin glue. The biological component is selected from the group consisting of PRP, bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and autologous conditioned plasma (ACP). The biological component/fibrin glue composition may be inserted (by injection or by employing a biologic... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090062807 - Device and method for placement of interbody device: A method for performing percutaneous interbody preparation and placement of an interbody device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting a guide mechanism into the disc space from a posterolateral orientation and then working over the guide mechanism with cannulated, self-distracting tools and implants to prepare and place... Agent: John K. Song

20090062808 - Apparatus and method for the dispensing of bone cement: Apparatus and method to dispense PMMA bone cement including a temperature controller, a disposable cement cartridge and a means for extracting cement from the cement cartridge so that the temperature of the extracted cement is first cooled to discourage polymerization and to prolong working time, then warmed so as to... Agent: George R. Schultz Schultz & Associates, P.C.

20090062809 - Cartilage bore depth gauge: The invention is directed toward a depth gauge instrument for simultaneously taking a number of height measurements around the surface of the area surrounding a bore from the base of the bore. The instrument has an individual cylindrical base member which has a diameter the same as the bore allowing... Agent: John S. Hale Gipple & Hale

20090062811 - Devices and methods for storing, loading, and delivering an intraocular lens: A cartridge for delivering an intraocular lens into the eye of a subject that comprises a body disposed along a longitudinal axis having a distal end and a proximal end, and a tapered lumen disposed along the longitudinal axis having an aperture at the distal end of the body. The... Agent: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.

20090062810 - Surgical edged tool: A blade plate 2 includes cutting edges 5 on both sides in a lateral direction Y. The cutting edges 5 extend along a longitudinal direction X. Each cutting edge 5 includes an arcuate distal cutting edge 8 and a main cutting edge 10. The distal cutting edges 8 are continuous... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20090062812 - Detachable coil incorporating stretch resistance: An implantable embolic device having a stretch-resistant member passing therethrough that also serves as a tether for connecting the device to a delivery system. The stretch-resistant member is attached at a proximal and distal end of the device and extends proximally to the delivery device. The proximal attachment point serves... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20090062814 - Medical manipulator system: A medical manipulator system includes a manipulator, an operating unit for entering operation commands, motors for actuating a working unit, and a controller for energizing the motors based on operation commands supplied from the operating unit. When an activation resetting switch and a resetting switch are operated according to a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20090062813 - Medical robotic system with dynamically adjustable slave manipulator characteristics: A slave manipulator manipulates a medical device in response to operator manipulation of an input device through joint control systems. The stiffness and strength of the slave manipulator are adjustable according to criteria such as the mode of operation of the slave manipulator, the functional type of the medical device... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20090062815 - Handheld microdermabrasion device: In one embodiment, a handheld microdermabrasion device includes a treatment head and a motor for driving, e.g., oscillating or rotating, the treatment head to abrade or exfoliate the skin. The treatment head may be abrasive or non-abrasive, and includes a passage or opening in communication with a reservoir for containing... Agent: Fountainhead Law Group, PC

20090062817 - Medical device and method of fixing internal organ: A medical device (1) includes a main body (2); a first piercing needle (4) provided slidably with respect to the main body (2); a first holding plate (61) adapted to hold the first piercing needle (4) and provided slidably on the main body (2); and a second holding plate (62)... Agent: Michael A. Makuch Smith, Gambrell & Russell

20090062816 - Suturing instrument with dual needles and method of passing suture: An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and two needles mounted on the handle assembly and through... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090062818 - Suturing instrument with pivotable distal portion: Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate; ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open; mini-incision, trans-vaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the suturing instruments include a distal portion that is deflectably and/or pivotally coupled to the remainder... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20090062819 - In-line suture passer and method of passing suture: An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the handle assembly and through... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090062820 - Methods and devices for treating obesity and gerd by intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue: Described here are devices and methods for intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue. Typically the intussusception is created at a position near, but distal to the gastroesophageal junction, and a pouch capable of storing a volume (from about 0 cc up to about 100 cc) is created proximal the intussuscepted... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090062822 - Adaptable clamping mechanism for coupling a spinal fixation element to a bone anchor: An adaptable clamping mechanism for coupling an elongate spinal fixation element to a bone anchor is provided. A seat element and a clamp element of the adaptable clamping mechanism adapt to seat and clamp an elongate spinal fixation element whose longitudinal axis is non-perpendicular relative to the as central axis... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062823 - Amorphous metal alloy medical devices: Specifically, this invention provides orthodontic and orthopedic implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The orthodontic implants contemplated by this invention include permanent implants (e.g., tissue growth limiters) as well as temporary implants (e.g., orthodontic wires and braces used in orthodontic braces for realigning teeth). The orthopedic implants are in the form... Agent: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

20090062821 - Composite scaffold structure: A composite resilient scaffold may be used to grow, repair, and/or regenerate tissue such as articular cartilage. The composite scaffold is porous and at least substantially bioremovable. The composite scaffold includes a support structure coated with a discontinuous coating of separate and discrete particles of a ceramic material such as... Agent: Holland & Hart LLP

20090062826 - Adaptive device and adaptive method for automatically adapting the stomach opening of a patient: In an adaptive device and an adaptive method for adapting the stomach opening of a patient, a gastric band having a non-elastic back part on the exterior and a first expandable chamber on the interior are placed around the stomach of the patient for adapting the stomach opening, and the... Agent: Wrb-ip LLP

20090062825 - Adjustable implant and method of use: A system includes an adjustable implant configured for implantation internally within a subject, the adjustable implant having a permanent magnet configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the permanent magnet operatively coupled to a drive transmission configured to alter a dimension of the adjustable implant. The system further includes... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090062824 - Magnetic gastric band or the like, and related methods: A structure that can be used as a gastric band (and that may also have other uses as an implant elsewhere in a patient) includes a plurality of magnetic elements in a serial array that can be implanted so that the array extends in a circumferential direction around the patient's... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20090062827 - Vacuum-based method for obstruction of uterine arteries to treat uterine fibroids: A device for degenerating a fibroid comprises a receptacle sized and shaped so as to receive a uterine artery therein and a vacuum source connected to the receptacle. The vacuum source is capable of creating a vacuum sufficient to draw a uterine artery into the receptacle, and to fold it... Agent: Greenberg Traurig, LLP

20090062828 - Magnetic field-based colloidal atherectomy: Methods, devices, and systems for performing a non-invasive form of angioplasty are provided. The device may include one or many magnetically controlled colloidal particles that can be used to scrub the interior walls of arteries or the like. The colloidal particles may be organized in any number of configurations and... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20090062829 - Microsurgical cutting instrument for refractive ophthalmological treatments: A surgical cutting instrument for refractive opthalmological treatments includes an instrument base body unit (12) to be placed on the eye and that can be fixed relative to the latter, wherein guide holding means (30, 44) are associated with the instrument base body unit, the said means being intended and... Agent: Haynes And Boone, LLPIPSection

20090062830 - Puncture apparatus with automatic puncture function: The present invention is a puncture apparatus with an automatic puncture function, that includes: a hollow needle tube; a flexible sheath having the needle tube inserted therethrough; a main body having one of the ends of the sheath fixed thereto; a slider attached to the main body, the slider being... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20090062831 - Guide device for an acupuncture needle: A guide device (100), in particular for an acupuncture needle (1), includes a guide tube (10) for accommodating the acupuncture needle (1), with a needle part (3) and a needle handle (2), and a clamping device (20) for releasably fixing the acupuncture needle (1) to the guide tube (10), wherein... Agent: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow, Ltd.

20090062834 - Aneurysm occlusion device containing bioactive and biocompatible copolymer shell and biocompatible metallic frame member: An endovascular device for occluding a vascular aneurysm is disclosed. The device includes a polymeric shell member that, in one embodiment, may be constructed from a bioactive and biocompatible polyurethane-diol-glycosaminoglycan copolymer, and a biocompatible metallic frame member. The copolymer is sufficiently flexible and strong for endovascular delivery into a vascular... Agent: Patent Docket Department Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20090062833 - Device and method for placement of interbody device: A method for performing percutaneous interbody preparation and placement of an interbody device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of inserting dilators into the interbody space and then working through a tube to prepare the interbody space and place an implant. Once the device is placed, the tube is... Agent: John K. Song

20090062832 - Stoma dilator: A stoma dilator is provided which has a base dilator and a plurality of dilators which are coaxially disposed over the base dilator. The base dilator has a hub and an opening therethrough. The base dilator is configured to be positioned over a wire into a patient's tissue. Each of... Agent: Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc. Catherine E. Wolf

20090062835 - Catheter having an improved distal tip: An elongated balloon catheter having a distal tip member on the distal end of the catheter and having a sleeve surrounding and secured at least to the proximal end of the distal tip member.... Agent: Fulwider Patton, LLP (abbott)

20090062836 - Balloon assisted occlusion device: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes an elongate member having an inflation lumen, an occlusion lumen, and a first portion extending distally from a proximal end and a second portion extending distally from the first portion to the distal end. An inflatable proximal balloon... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090062837 - Outer tube for natural orifice surgery: An outer tube for natural orifice surgery. The outer tube can have interchangeable inserts to establish a desired size and number of lumens. A distal tapered soft plastic plug may be provided to cover the distal end of the tube. Different segments of the tube may have different stiffness characteristics.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20090062839 - Barbed stent vascular occlusion device: A vascular occlusion device for occluding a body cavity. The device includes a tubular scaffold extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The scaffold is formed from a plurality of interconnected and articulated members configured to self-expand into an open configuration. A plurality of barbs extend from the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090062838 - Spider device with occlusive barrier: An occlusion device for occluding a body vessel. The occlusion device includes a first hub extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a tubular wall defining a lumen having a central axis. A plurality of arcuate legs are attached to the first hub and extend distally to... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090062841 - Device for occluding vascular defects: A multi-layer occluder for treating a target site within the body is provided. The occluder may include first and second layers. For example, the first layer may include braided strands of metallic material, and the second layer may include braided strands of polymeric material. At least one of the first... Agent: Alston & Bird LLP

20090062840 - Multi-lumen central access vena cava filter apparatus and method of using same: A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter including ports proximal and distal the filter for fluid infusion and/or pressure sensing and infusion ports in the catheter to permit infusion of bioactive agents, flushing agents and/or contrast agents. The embolic filter may be removably coupled to the multi-lumen... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates, P.C.

20090062842 - Tourniquet and method of use: A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part comprises a first elongated member, and a second elongated member in slidable engagement with the first elongated member. In addition, the tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied... Agent: Holme Roberts & Owen LLP

20090062843 - Tourniquet cuff with a tightness indicator: A tourniquet cuff has a body configured for being wrapped around a limb. The body has an unpressurized state and a pressurized state. A securing portion on the body is releasably engageable to the body. The cuff also has an indicator that operates in response to movement of the securing... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20090062845 - Barrel occlusion device: An occlusion device for occluding a body vessel including a first hub having a tubular wall defining a lumen having a longitudinal axis and a second hub disposed distally along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of arcuate members extend between the first hub and the second hub. The arcuate members... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090062846 - Closure medical device: A closure device for closing a puncture wound has a distal section that can be placed against the interior wall of a vessel and a proximal section that bunches in the tissue tract to close the wound.... Agent: Leigh Hunt Firestone

20090062847 - Closure medical device: A closure device for closing a puncture wound has a distal section that can be placed against the interior wall of a vessel and a proximal section that bunches in the tissue tract to close the wound.... Agent: Texas Instruments Incorporated

20090062848 - Closure medical device: A closure device for closing a puncture wound has a distal section that can be placed against the interior wall of a vessel and a proximal section that bunches in the tissue tract to close the wound. One variation of the device provides for removing the distal section from the... Agent: Leigh Hunt Firestone

20090062844 - Spider pfo closure device: A device for occluding septal defects or other bodily passageways including PFOs, includes an occluding body formed from a plurality of flexible outwardly radiating occluding wires connected to one or more biocompatible sheet materials. The occluding wires are joined together at proximal wire ends. Linking members connectively link the occluding... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090062849 - Advanced functional biocompatible polymeric matrix used as a hemostatic agent and system for damaged tissues and cells: A hemostatic tissue sealant sponge and a spray for acute wounds are disclosed. The sponge comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. The seal is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood inside the boundaries of the... Agent: Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP Attn: Gregory M Stone

20090062850 - Closure medical device: A closure device for closing a puncture wound has a distal section that can be placed against the interior wall of a vessel and a proximal section that bunches in the tissue tract to close the wound.... Agent: Leigh Hunt Firestone

20090062852 - Annular repair device and methods: Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods to repair, bridge and protect defects in an annular ligament, such as an annulotomy site or other defect in the annulus fibrosis, wherein loops of suture are placed through the adjacent walls of the defect forming an “annular net” to prevent recurrent disc... Agent: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky And Popeo, P.c

20090062851 - Systems and methods for soft tissue reconstruction: Suture-based fasteners and fastening methods for soft tissue reconstruction are described that can include a needle tip swaged onto two sutures and loaded onto the end of a curved needle shaft. The needle shaft and tip can be driven through the tissues to be sutured and back out to where... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20090062854 - Method and apparatus for coupling soft tissue to bone: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. A bone engaging fastener is coupled to bone. A second fastener is coupled to a suture construction. The second fastener is coupled to the first fastener. Soft tissue is coupled... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090062853 - Suture retention hub: A suture retention hub is provided. It includes a base configured to moveably hold a handle within at least a portion of the base. The base has an aperture which extends through the base. The hub also includes a handle configured to moveably fit into the portion of the base.... Agent: Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc. Catherine E. Wolf

20090062855 - Baby nebulizer: The present invention features a pacifier comprising (a) a nipple with a first end and a second end, the first end has a perforation; (b) an attachment device having a first end and a second end, the first end of the attachment device fluidly mates with the second end of... Agent: Nw-ip-law

20090062856 - Integrated lumbar combined variable angular distraction structure: A spinal treatment apparatus for applying a force to a patient includes a base portion, a telescoping support, a spinal distraction device and an actuator. The telescoping support is mounted on the base portion and includes a bottom member and a top member. The top member is engaged with the... Agent: Bryan W. Bockhop, Esq. Bockhop & Associates, LLC

20090062857 - Minimally invasive guide system: A minimally invasive fixation system and installation method is provided. The system includes a rod having an anchor fixation head, an anchor system for anchoring the rod using the anchor fixation head, and a guide system configured to attach to the anchor fixation head of the rod for the insertion... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062859 - Method and system for securing a rod to a bone anchor with a connector: A rod anchoring system including a bone anchor and a connector is provided. The connector of the rod anchoring system is configured to be inserted in one orientation and then transitioned to a second orientation to connect the rod to the anchor. The bone anchor includes a detachable extension shaft... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062858 - Methods and instruments for approximating misaligned: Methods and instruments are provided for connecting a rod extending along a patient's spinal column to a misaligned vertebra. The method comprises implanting a bone anchor in the misaligned vertebra, attaching an approximating device to the implanted bone anchor and rod, approximating the vertebra toward the rod using the approximating... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062861 - Spanning connector for connecting a spinal fixation element and an offset bone anchor: A spanning connector for connecting an offset bone anchor to a previously inserted spinal fixation element and method of use is provided. The spanning connector includes a first connecting mechanism for connecting the spanning connector to the bone anchor, and a second connecting mechanism for connector the spanning connector to... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062860 - Spinal fixation implants: The present invention provides an implant that can be inserted on top of a previously placed spinal fixation element. The implant includes a bone anchor and a connector body. The bone anchor includes a proximal head and a distal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis configured to engage bone. The... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062862 - Bone plate system: Bone plate systems for surgical implants and bone repair are provided. The bone plate is multi-tiered for receiving bone anchors for securing a plurality of bones or bone fragments in a desired relationship. The plate members include throughbores for receiving a pivot base therein, with head ends of the bone... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20090062863 - Screw back-out prevention mechanism: A screw back-out prevention mechanism for a bone fixation system is provided. The mechanism, when engaged, either locks or retains the screws of the bone fixation system in place thereby preventing the screws of the bone fixation system from backing out of the bone, and in turn reducing the risk... Agent: Kauth , Pomeroy , Peck & Bailey ,llp

20090062864 - Offset connection bone anchor assembly: A bone anchor assembly for coupling an offset bone anchor with a previously inserted spinal fixation element and method of use is provided. Exemplary embodiments of a bone anchor assembly are particularly suited for use in a rod-first spinal surgical technique in which a bone anchor inserted into a patient... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP Floor 30, Suite 3000

20090062865 - Orthopedic retaining system: In an orthopedic retaining system comprising at least one bone screw which has a head part and a threaded shaft pivotally mounted thereon, a clamping element which is mounted in the head part, can be pressed against the threaded shaft from its upper side and, as a result, secures the... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20090062866 - Polyaxial bone anchor with helical capture connection, insert and dual locking assembly: A medical implant assembly includes a polyaxial bone anchor having a shank, a receiver, a lower compression insert with surfaces for closely receiving an elongate connecting member and a dual closure structure that may include a single flange or helical flange. The dual closure structure independently engages the connecting member... Agent: Law Office Of John C. Mcmahon

20090062867 - Surgical retaining system: In order to simplify the producibility of a surgical retaining system comprising a head part and a threaded shaft which is mounted thereon so as to be pivotable, passes through an opening in the underside of the head part and has on its upper side a spherical thickened area which... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20090062868 - Pedicle screw: The invention relates to a pedicle screw comprising a head (11) for coupling to an elastic intervertebral stabilizing or supporting system and comprising a shank, which is to be anchored inside a vertebra and which, when implanted, extends through the pedicle and into the vertebral body. The shank comprises, in... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20090062869 - Minimally invasive bone fixation clamp for navigated surgeries: In one embodiment, a device for fixing a first object to a second object during a navigated surgery includes a body; a pair of articulating arms that are pivotally connected to the body; and a pair of deformable, elastic components that are detachably coupled to an inner face of the... Agent: Leason Ellis LLP