Surgery inventions 08/09

20090216217 - Method and systems for laser treatment of presbyopia using offset imaging: An ophthalmic surgery system and method for treating presbyopia by performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface. The offset image of a variable aperture, such as a variable width slit and variable diameter iris diaphragm, is scanned in a preselected pattern to perform ablative sculpting of predetermined portions of a... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090216218 - Presbyopia correction through negative spherical aberration: Devices, systems, and methods for treating and/or determining appropriate prescriptions for one or both eyes of a patient are particularly well-suited for addressing presbyopia, often in combination with concurrent treatments of other vision defects. High-order spherical aberration may be imposed in one or both of a patient's eyes, often as... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090216219 - Photon therapy device: The invention provides a controller unit for controlling the emission of at least on photon emitted source, the controller unit includes a central processing unit pre-programmed with selectable pre-programmed photonic emission protocols. The photonic emission protocols include parameters for regulating photonic emission from photon emitting sources, with the protocols having... Agent: Smith Hopen, Pa

20090216220 - Medical system and method of use: An instrument and method for tissue thermotherapy including an inductive heating means to generate a vapor phase media that is used for interstitial, intraluminal, intracavity or topical tissue treatment. In one method, the vapor phase media is propagated from a probe outlet to provide a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090216221 - Systems and methods for reduction of atrial fibrillation: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to ablation catheter systems configured, for example, to ablate tissue adjacent an ostium of the pulmonary vein in a left atria of a heart. In one embodiment, an ablation catheter system includes a handle including an actuator and a catheter coupled to the... Agent: Holland & Hart LLP/coherex Medical

20090216222 - Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer: An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090216223 - Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer: An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090216224 - Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer: An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090216226 - Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer: An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090216227 - Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer: An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090216225 - Thermal capsulotomy tool and system: A system and tool for performing a capsulotomy procedure. The system includes an air pressure unit, a capsulotomy and movement control unit providing electrical current and movement control, and a capsulotomy tool, and an extendable-retractable burning element coupled to the tool. A capsulotomy and movement control unit provides electrical current... Agent: Edward Langer C/o Shiboleth Yisraeli Roberts Zisman & Co.

20090216228 - Surgical operating apparatus: A surgical operating apparatus includes a sheath having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, a shaft-shaped probe body which is inserted in the sheath and has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and in which ultrasonic is transmitted, a probe distal end portion which... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20090216229 - Monocoque jaw design: A jaw member for use with an electrosurgical forceps includes a support member having a first surface and a pair of depending sides which extend therefrom forming a generally U-shaped configuration. The free end of the sides each including a flange which extends outwardly therefrom which is designed to attach... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090216230 - Percutaneous patellar osteosynthesis system applicable to dislocated patella fractures: The present invention relates to a percutaneous patellar osteosynthesis system applicable to any type of fracture of the knee cap, formed by two arms that contain two multidirectional movable securing devices for fitting to any type of knee cap, in which the arms close in a parallel manner by means... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20090216231 - Pelvic clamp: A pelvic clamp has a rail-like straight guide for two arms which are displaceable relative to one another along this straight guide and project from the straight guide and on each of the free ends of which an approximately tubular carrier for a tip intended for bone contact is provided.... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20090216232 - Modular segmented intramedullary system, apparatus and methods: A modular implantable segmented intramedullary structure adapted to be received in the intramedullary canal of a bone configurable between a relatively flexible, bent configuration for implantation or extraction and a relatively rigid, straightened configuration for bone treatment. The segmented intramedullary structure comprises a plurality of interconnected segments with a first... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090216233 - Biostaples suitable for wrist, hand and other ligament replacements or repairs: The disclosure describes implantable medical products, that include dry or partially hydrated biocompatible biostaples suitable for ligament repairs or replacements comprising collagen fibers that may be configured to expand in situ after implantation to frictionally engage a bone tunnel wall or bone sleeve to thereby affix the construct in the... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20090216234 - Spinal access systems and methods: A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. The location may be at the L4-L5 vertebral level, and the curved path may lie in a... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20090216235 - Drill bit and method for producing a drill bit: One or more recesses are provided for directing away debris produced whilst drilling, the at least one recess having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion having a first portion extending along the shaft and a second portion which extends along the drill tip; wherein the.... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090216284 - 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

20090216285 - Bone resurfacing system and method: The present disclosure relates to bone resurfacing. One embodiment includes a method for preparing an implant site in bone, comprising establishing a first working axis extending from said bone; establishing a second working axis extending from said bone, the second working axis is displaced from the first working axis; creating... Agent: Grossman, Tucker, Perreault & Pfleger, Pllc

20090216236 - Device for orienting the tibial tunnel position during an acl reconstruction: A device for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction is provided. The device includes a portion insertable into a pre-formed opening in the femur. Also provided is a method for positioning a tibial tunnel during ACL reconstruction. The method includes the steps of forming an opening in a femur... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090216237 - Instrument for moving a vertebra: The invention concerns an instrument for moving a vertebra (1) relative to another (2) comprising: a stem (3) consisting of a substantially horizontal crosspicce (5) and a first arm (4) whereof the lower end (15) has means (24) to be anchored to a first vertebra (2); and a second arm... Agent: Blank Rome LLP

20090216238 - Tools for performing less invasive orthopedic joint procedures: A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one... Agent: Dardi & Associates, Pllc

20090216241 - Instrumentation and methods for inserting an intervertebral disc prosthesis: Embodiments of instrumentation and methods are provided for the insertion of intervertebral disc prosthesis. The instrumentation of the embodiments comprises a guide comprising at least two lateral faces, at least one upper plate, at least one lower plate, at least one retainer, a cage defining an insertion axis for the... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.c.

20090216239 - Positioning device for a prosthesis device and system therefore: A positioning device (1) for placing a prosthesis device (2) in a spinal column of a living mammal, including at least one holding device (6) for cooperation with the prosthesis device and for guiding thereof during positioning, wherein it includes fixing means (7) for fixation with respect to at least... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20090216240 - Surgical insertion device for use in orthopedic surgery: A device, and a method for using it, for implanting a cup liner within a cup attached to the acetabulum of the hip bone, during hip replacement surgery. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a main body with proximal and distal ends. The distal end may terminate in a... Agent: Michael P. Mazza, Llc

20090216243 - Guide for creating femoral tunnel during acl reconstruction: A guide for positioning a guide wire on a femur to allow a tunnel to be formed in the femur along the guide wire is provided. The guide includes an elongated body having proximal and distal ends, and a distal tip formed on the distal end of the elongated body,... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090216242 - Kirschner wire clamp: A Kirschner wire clamp is used to reliably and simply fix bone plates to a bone surface. The wire clamp consists of a tubular guide member for receiving a Kirschner wire. The guide member has a bore surrounded by a wall and a base for engaging a hole in a... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090216244 - Two stage plunger for intraocular lens injector: A plunger (30) for an IOL injector device includes a shaft (37) with a distal tip (32) and a compressible sleeve (40) positioned about the shaft with the tip extending forwardly of the sleeve. In a first stage of IOL (12) advancement through the injector device, the plunger tip engages... Agent: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

20090216245 - Flexible hollow spine with locking feature and manipulation structure: An apparatus is disclosed for introducing surgical instruments into a body cavity. The apparatus includes a series of interconnected segments configured to pivot relative to one another allowing an end effector to be steered into position. The apparatus is also capable of achieving a rigidized state wherein the interconnected segments... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090216246 - Ultrasound catheter devices and methods: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, an ultrasound catheter device includes an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090216248 - Manipulator: A manipulator includes a hollow joint shaft, wires extending through the joint shaft, pulleys mounted on an end of the joint shaft, for imparting a drive force to the wires, a distal-end working unit mounted on another end of the joint shaft, for being actuated by the wires, and a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20090216249 - Manipulator: A manipulator has a treating portion, a driving portion which are connected by a connecting portion, a first pulley on which a first wire which passes through inside of the connecting portion and is driven by the driving portion is hung for rotation, and a main shaft portion which rotatably... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20090216247 - Sighting instrument for determining the mechanical axis of the femur: A device for the determination of a plane containing the mechanical axis of the femur includes a mechanical member of articulated and or/sliding elements for the determination and memorization of two positions in space (F1 and F2) of the same point (F) of the knee, freely selected, when the knee... Agent: Young & Thompson

20090216250 - Device and method for carrying material through tissue: A material carrying device comprising a delivery element having a tapered distal end for penetrating target tissue and a central channel for housing an axially movable carrier element. The delivery element may further comprise an actuating member for both advancing the carrier element to an extended position and withdrawing the... Agent: Hayworth, Chaney & Thomas, P.a.

20090216251 - Surgical suturing device, method and tools used therewith: A suture insertion device is provided for positioning a suture inside a layer of subcutaneous tissue from a remote access point. A tether insertion device is provided for positioning a tether within subcutaneous tissue for operating on the suture from a remote access point. The suture insertion device and the... Agent: Gary M. Cohen, Esq.

20090216252 - A coupling device enabled by mechanical continuity of cellular scaffolding across tissue boundaries: A device and method for achieving load-bearing living-tissue-to-living-tissue coupling comprises a myriad of fine fibers extending directly from within the substance of one tissue to within the substance of the other tissue. Fibers are similar in cross-sectional area to, or smaller than, host tissue cells. This enables fibers to provide... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20090216254 - Device for preventing dilation of an anatomical lumen or body object: A novel device is provided for the treatment or prevention of a disorder of a patient characterized by regaining lost weight after RNY surgery as a result of dilation failure of the gastro-jujunal stoma. One embodiment the device involves inserting an envelope-like device into the patient's body during or post... Agent: Peter S. Harris

20090216253 - Methods and apparatus for treating ventral wall hernia: This invention relates to a surgical implant system for repairing abdominal hernias and is particularly useful for repairing ventral hernias. In particular, the present invention relates to an implant, a delivery device and a method for implanting the implant. The implant is implanted in a substantially slackened condition relative to... Agent: Scott Evans

20090216255 - Controlling pressure in adjustable restriction devices: Methods and devices are provided for regulating a hydraulic restriction system. In general, the methods and devices can allow for non-invasive pressure control using a flow control mechanism. The flow control mechanism can be disposed between an implantable restriction device and a fluid source and include an adjustable, variably-sized fluid... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090216256 - Method of and apparatus for prevention of adjustable gastric band slips: A gastric restrictive device positionable around a human stomach to limit the flow of food therethrough is provided with structure for facilitating suturing of the gastric restrictive device to the stomach and thereby preventing movement of the gastric restrictive device relative to the stomach.... Agent: Michael A. O'neil, P.c.

20090216257 - Surgical treatment apparatus: A surgical treatment apparatus includes a first unit including a first vibration transmission member and a first holding member, a second unit including a second vibration transmission member, a second holding member, and an elastic member provided between the second vibration transmission member and the second holding member, configured to... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20090216258 - Medical hand attachment: A hand-held medical instrument, in particular a surgical cutting instrument, preferably for use in ophthalmology, with a housing that serves a grip, and with a tool holder that is provided in particular for a knife and is arranged so as to be displaceable in the housing via an actuation member,... Agent: Moore & Van Allen Pllc

20090216259 - Insertion needle and lancet with the same: The present invention relates to a puncture needle (11) formed with a first blade surface (12A), a second blade surface (12B), and a third blade surface (12C). The first blade surface (12A) has a site most distant from a needlepoint formed within a range of 1.5 and 2.5 mm as... Agent: Rader Fishman & Grauer Pllc

20090216260 - Interlocking handle: Described herein are interlocking surgical tools (e.g., trocars, cannula, etc.) that form a composite surgical device having a handle and a finger grip region that are separate, when the component portions are interlocked. In particular, these tools are configured so that the separate handle and finger grip regions are perpendicular... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090216261 - Device and method for treating a vessel: A device and method for treating bodily diseases and/or conditions, for example, varicose veins, tumors and aneutisms including for example insertion of a blocking device toward a target destination using a catheter and delivery of sclerosing or other agents to the vessel while maintaining minimal, for example zero pressure in... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20090216262 - Gastric retaining devices and methods: Methods, devices and systems facilitate gastric retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve or esophagus wherein a retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090216263 - Occlusion device: An occlusion device for occluding a body vessel is provided. The occlusion device has a tubular expandable body having an interior side and an exterior side. A restricting ring is located around the exterior side of the tubular expandable body and collapses a portion of the tubular expandable body. The... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090216267 - Closure device with rapidly dissolving anchor: Closure devices with a rapidly dissolving anchor, systems delivering closure devices, and methods for making and using the same. An example closure device for closing an opening in a body lumen may include a plug, a rapidly dissolving anchor, and a suture coupling the plug to the anchor. The rapidly... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, Llc

20090216264 - Implantable closure apparatus and methods: Implantable closure apparatus and methods for sealing or closing openings at internal body locations. The apparatus and methods may involve the delivery and attachment of a patch, patch and plug, or plug only to seal or close the opening. The closure apparatus and methods may be used to close a... Agent: Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt, P.a.

20090216266 - Tissue closing device: A tissue closing device includes a closure configured to close a hole penetrating a tissue membrane. The closure has a seal part for covering a hole penetrating a tissue membrane and a peripheral part of the hole from one surface side of the tissue membrane, and a deformable deformation part.... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20090216265 - Tissue fasteners and related deployment systems and methods: Surgical tissue fasteners and related deployment systems and methods are disclosed. A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers includes a first member, a second member, and a connecting member connecting the first and second members. In some embodiments, the first and second members are configured to expand from... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20090216268 - Suture and suturing technique for facilitating knotting: A suture for facilitating tying of knots includes a length of suture material fixed to a needle. At least part of the length of the suture material is resiliently biased to a coiled state which is straightenable under applied tension but which returns to its coiled state when released. In... Agent: Dr. Mark M. Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn - Discovery Dispatch

20090216269 - Multicomponent fused suture loop and apparatus for making same: A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop are described. Portions of one or more segments of elongated material may be fused in an ultrasonic welding process to form a welded joint. Multiple materials each with different a different melting... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090216271 - Device and method for securing sutures and the like: A bandage and method for securing a tension member comprising a central body and a plurality of tabs disposed about the central body. A tension member may be disposed across or through a slit or aperture of the central body. A body adhesive on the lower surface of the central... Agent: Hayworth, Chaney & Thomas, P.a.

20090216270 - Fixable suture anchor plate and method for tendon-to-bone repair: A fixable suture anchor plate including an anchor plate having a tunnel aperture that aligns with one or more bone tunnels formed in the bone. The anchor plate also includes one or more suture passages that align with one or more grooves formed along an edge of the anchor plate... Agent: Holland Law Office P.l.l.c.

20090216273 - Curved facet joint fixation assembly and associated implantation tool and method: The present disclosure relates to a curved facet joint fixation assembly and an associated implantation tool and method. The curved facet joint fixation assembly includes an elongated curved shaft adapted to conform to various spinal morphologies. The implantation tool includes a bone fastening device with an angled lower end portion... Agent: Clements Bernard Pllc

20090216272 - Method and system for trans-lamina spinal fixation: A method of providing spinal stabilization is provided herein. More specifically, the method includes positioning a plurality of fixation assemblies within a plurality of vertebrae in a trans-lamina orientation wherein each fixation assembly includes a proximal portion configured to securely receive a stabilization element (e.g., a stabilization rod). The proximal... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090216274 - Expandable interspinous process spacer with lateral support and method for implantation: An interspinous process spacer and method of implanting same is provided for maintaining separation between adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The spacer has two lateral portions and a medial portion therebetween, the medial portion adapted to reside between the adjacent superior and inferior spinous processes in the deployed configuration... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, Llc

20090216275 - Facet joint prosthesis: A prosthetic implant for replacing a facet joint of a spinal motion segment includes a generally conical superior component adapted to be implanted at a surgically prepared site on a lower articular process of a cephalad vertebra of a spinal motion segment, and a cup-shaped inferior component adapted to be... Agent: Miles & Stockbridge Pc

20090216276 - Intervertebral implant for lumbosacral joint: The invention relates to an implant for placing between the sacrum of a patient and the fifth lumbar vertebra. It comprises a connection bar (22), fastener means (24, 26) for fastening each end of the connection bar to the sacrum, and a spacer (20) having a first end for co-operating... Agent: Leffert Jay & Polglaze, P.a.

20090216277 - Posterior lumbar joint prosthesis: There is provided a posterior lumbar joint prosthesis which includes prosthetic elements reproducing the movements of the joint facets and vertebral anchors which adapt to the variations in the anatomy of vertebra. In use, the prosthesis has lower and upper connectors on each side of the lumbar vertebra. The lower... Agent: Young & Thompson

20090216279 - Artificial facet joint and method: An artificial facet joint includes a pair of connectors, each having a first device connecting member having structure for slidably engaging a rod, and a second device connecting member having an aperture for slidably engaging a screw. The first and second device connecting members are rotatably engaged to one another.... Agent: Akerman Senterfitt

20090216278 - Method and device for stabilization: A method and device for percutaneously mating a spinal connecting rod to spinal screws utilizing guide wires. Numerous embodiments are described whereby a connecting rod is passed over a guide wire through the skin and into the heads of spinal screws.... Agent: Taylor & Aust, P.c.

20090216281 - Installation systems for spinal stabilization system and related methods: A system for implantation of a spinal stabilization system includes a vertebral anchor having a top portion. The top portion has a perimeter and a first engaging element. The first engaging element has a first longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the top portion.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, Llc

20090216280 - Methods for correction of spinal deformities: A method of treating a spinal column shape deformation includes fixing at least two fixation screw assemblies to respective vertebrae, sliding a rod between the arm extensions on each of the fixation screw assemblies, swinging the channels of the screw assemblies relative to the fixation screws so that the channels... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090216282 - Systems and methods for retaining a plate to a substrate with an asynchronous thread form: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for retaining a plate, such as a cervical plate, to a substrate, such as bone, through a locking screw with upper asynchronous threads and lower cancellous threads. The present invention utilizes the locking screw with cancellous-type threads to draw the screw into the... Agent: Clements Bernard Pllc

20090216283 - Blocking device for a broken or cracked bone: Locking mechanism for a broken or fractured bone, comprising a medulla nail with a proximal portion which may incorporate perforations and a distal portion, and at least one locking aid, characterised in that the distal portion has a surface structure which is designed so that the bone can be stabilised... Agent: Mccarter & English, LLP Stamford

20090209947 - Interchangeable tips and tool box for assisting surgical procedures: P

20090209946 - Interchangeable tools for surgical instruments: A surgical tool system. Various embodiments of the surgical tool system may comprise surgical instrument that has a handle assembly that operably supports a drive system therein for generating drive motions upon actuation of a movable handle portion operably coupled to the handle assembly. An elongated body protrudes from the... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090209948 - Laser handpiece for treatment of the human body and a controlling laser radiation emission: The object of the present invention is a laser handpiece (1) for the treatment of deep regions of the human body. There is provided a plurality of emitters (30) arranged so that the emission cones remain disconnected at least up to the treatment depth. Moreover, the object of the present... Agent: Shoemaker And Mattare, Ltd

20090209949 - Apparatus and methods for uniformly distributing coolant within a cryo-ablation device: Apparatus and methods for uniformly distributing coolant within a cryo-ablation device. A nozzle apparatus includes a tubular member having a plurality of angled apertures that induce swirling of coolant streams dispersed through the angled apertures. Coolant swirling round the tubular member and along an inner surface of an inflatable balloon... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090209950 - Electrophysiology catheter system: Described herein are devices and methods for treating tissue, comprising a catheter with a plurality of access sites and a plurality of sensors associated with the access sites. The catheter may be positioned along a tissue surface and the sensors may be used to identify a target site along the... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090209951 - Treating internal body tissue: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system for treating tissue internal to a body, such as heart tissue. For example, the system may be used to ablate tissue as a treatment for atrial fibrillation. In certain embodiments, the system is capable of causing scar tissue to form in... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20090209952 - Device, assembly and method for cold treating a tissue: The invention relates to a device for cold treating a tissue. The invention also relates to an assembly of such a device and a container comprising a cryogenic liquid, such as a spray can. The invention further relates to a method for cold treating a tissue.... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20090209953 - Multi-layer return electrode: An electrosurgical return pad including a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and an insulative layer disposed therebetween. A switch element is mounted on the first conductive material and is activatable upon reaching a threshold condition, such as temperature. Upon reaching the threshold condition, the switch... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090209955 - Prosthetic valve implant site preparation techniques: Prosthetic valves implantation methods and systems, especially as related to preparing the native site of a native stenotic or incompetent aortic valve for receipt of a prosthetic replacement valve are described. The subject tools and associated site preparation techniques may be employed in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures.... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20090209954 - System and method for reshaping an eye feature: A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one... Agent: Nixon Peabody, LLP

20090209956 - Ablation performance indicator for electrosurgical devices: Ablation performance indicator for electrosurgical devices is described where ablation is typically characterized by the generation of a plasma discharge at the electrode assembly of an electrosurgical probe. When the electrode begins firing, the current waveform assumes a distinct appearance characterized by a spike at the leading edge of each... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090209958 - Electrosurgical system and method for treating chronic wound tissue: An electrosurgical method for treating chronic wound tissue, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the chronic wound, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode sufficient to develop... Agent: Arthrocare Corporation

20090209957 - Method and system for sterilizing an electrosurgical instrument: An apparatus and method for use in sterilizing a surgical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a surgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes one or more grooves defined therein that extends at least partially along the length thereof. The one or more... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090209959 - Electrosurgical instrument and type series for electrosurgical instruments: The invention relates to a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle and a tool head. In the case of bipolar instruments, at least two mutually separate conducting paths must be provided within the instrument to supply the bipolar tool head. Reliable electrical insulation of these conducting paths relative to one... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20090209960 - End effector assembly for electrosurgical device: A bipolar forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom which defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The housing including a drive assembly disposed therein and is operable to reciprocate an actuation tube within the shaft. The bipolar forceps includes an end effector assembly operatively connected... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090209961 - Orthopaedic implant and fastener assembly: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of an implant, such as an intramedullary nail, and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The implant in some embodiments has a proximal section with... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20090209962 - Device and method for allograft and tissue engineered osteochondral graft surface matching, preparation, and implantation: A device and technique for the preparation and implantation of osteochondral allografts for resurfacing of a human joint. The grafts are prepared to a uniform shell thickness using the described invention.... Agent: Stainbrook & Stainbrook, LLP

20090209963 - Device and method for allograft total hip arthroplasty: Method and apparatus for preparing bone and cartilage transplants for the reconstruction of the acetabulum, femoral head, or both with tissue engineered osteochondral constructs or and osteochondral allograft transplant.... Agent: Stainbrook & Stainbrook, LLP

20090210017 - Anterior lumbar interbody graft inserter: An anterior lumbar interbody graft (ALIG) inserter includes prongs at the tip of the inserter which can optionally grasp, and thus insert, anterior and anterior-lateral grafts.... Agent: Cermak Kenealy Vaidya & Nakajima LLP

20090209964 - Trephine designed for removal of a bone core and equipped with a device guiding it inside the bone and combining a drill bit and tubular cutting tool: A trephine for removal of a bone core comprising a tubular tool and a gripping shaft allowing the tool to be driven in rotation by an instrument, means for guiding the tool comprising a rod which protrudes from the tool and which is provided with means for centering on the... Agent: Hedman & Costigan P.C.

20090209965 - Spinal decompression system: A device useful for spinous process decompression includes a pair of prongs which can be moved apart from each other by rotation of a gear which mates with a threaded rod.... Agent: Cermak Kenealy Vaidya & Nakajima LLP

20090209966 - Surgical instrument: An instrument is provided for controlling the distribution of bone cement on a surface of a prepared bone so as to prepare the bone to receive a resurfacing prosthesis. The instrument includes a shaft having a shaft axis configured to at least partially disposed within the bore of the bone,... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090209967 - Implant insertion apparatus and method of use: An apparatus for use with a spinal implant includes a handle structure with a passage. A shaft with a screw thread is moveable within the passage in the handle structure. A pusher block is linked to the shaft, and has a forward surface configured to engage the spinal implant. A... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090209968 - Surgical extractor: Disclosed is a surgical extractor (20) for surgically removing intervertebral prostheses that are provided with two support plates (3, 4) with one respective joint part (5, 6). The inventive extractor (20) comprises two legs (21, 21′) which are interconnected in a prong-shaped manner, can be inserted into an intermediate space... Agent: Lempia Braidwood LLC

20090209969 - Expandable access sheath: An expandable access sheath. In one embodiment, the sheath includes a lumen defining an inner passage and an outer surface, and a balloon that is provided on the lumen outer surface, wherein when the balloon is inflated the balloon expands the lumen to increase the size of the inner passage.... Agent: Rutan & Tucker, LLP.

20090209970 - Single-phase surgical procedure for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A single-phase surgical procedure is disclosed for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In a single-phase technique the pleurodesis is formed at the same time as the pneumostoma and does not require a separate step. The thoracic cavity is accessed to visualize the lung, the pneumostomy catheter... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20090209971 - Surgical instruments for creating a pneumostoma and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Surgical instruments and techniques are provided for creating a pneumostoma through the chest wall into the lung of a patient. The pneumostomy instruments and techniques may be used to create a pneumostoma which allows gases to escape from the lung through the chest wall and thereby treat chronic obstructive pulmonary... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20090209972 - Ventilation device and insertion system therefor: A ventilation device includes a hollow body having a main portion, at least one distal member coupled to a distal end of the main portion and at least one proximal member coupled to a proximal end of the main portion. The at least one distal member is formed of a... Agent: Westman Champlin & Kelly, P.A.

20090209973 - Surgical apparatus and the use thereof: v

20090209974 - Amniotomy device and assembly: An amniotomy device includes a shaft having a rupture crown disposed along a distal end portion of the shaft. The rupture crown includes a distal end defined by at least two leading bite wings and a recess formed in the distal end of the rupture crown between the leading bite... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja

20090209975 - Catheter shape forming system: A catheter assembly (10) includes a handle body (12) having a proximal end (14) and a distal end. An introducer carrier (18) is displaceably arranged relative to the handle body (12). An electrode sheath component is arranged at a distal end of the handle body (12), the electrode sheath component... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20090209976 - Surgical robot: The present invention provides a surgical robot for performing surgery of the minimally invasive type on a body to be operated upon, which surgical robot includes a number of surgical arms having respective distal ends, to each of which distal ends a surgical instrument is connected for performing surgical procedures... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20090209977 - Epilating apparatus and cooling/heating pad for the same apparatus: The invention is directed to an epilating apparatus (10) comprising a compartment (12) for receiving a cooling/heating pad (14). The invention is also directed to a cooling/heating pad (14) for an epilating apparatus (10), wherein the cooling/heating pad (14) comprises a bag portion (16) containing a cooling/heating medium and a... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20090209978 - Systems and methods for real-time winding analysis for knot detection: Embodiments of systems, methods, and computer-readable media for real-time winding analysis for knot detection are disclosed. For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method having the steps of receiving a first wrapping signal indicating a first wrapping of the simulated thread around a second tool to create... Agent: Patent Department (51851) Kilpatrick Stockton LLP

20090209979 - Motorized cutting and fastening instrument having control circuit for optimizing battery usage: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft connected to the end effector. The shaft comprises a drive train for powering the end effector. The instrument also comprises a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090209980 - Suturing and knot-tying device: A tool for use in placing sutures and tying knots is disclosed. The tool has a handle for grasping by a user of the tool, an elongate neck extending from the handle, and a moveable head attached to the neck. A needle is operatively connected to the head. The needle... Agent: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

20090209981 - Al-geizawi laparoscopic auto-knot sutures device: The Auto-Knot Device will be used to make suture knots. Can be made of material not harmful to the human body. FIG. 2 shows the device with reference numbered arrows pointing to the components of the device. FIG. 7 shows the direction of movement of the suture thread (6) to... Agent: Hakim M. Aljizawi

20090209982 - Biodegradable scaffold: The present invention relates to a biodegradable scaffold for a prosthetic implant, such as a prosthetic vessel and/or a prosthetic heart valve. The implantable prosthetic further comprises a biological tissue-like matrix. The present invention further provides methods of assembling or manufacturing a biodegradeable prosthetic implant using pre-formed jig components.... Agent: Drinker, Biddle & Reath

20090209983 - Polyhydroxyalkanoate nerve regeneration devices: Nerve regeneration devices are provided with improved rates of axonal regeneration, and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed. The devices are formed from a biocompatible, absorbable polymer, known as poly-4hydroxybutyrate. Growth factors, drugs, or cells that improve nerve regeneration may be incorporated into the devices. The devices are administered... Agent: Pabst Patent Group LLP

20090209984 - Methods for performing gastroplasty: Methods for performing gastroplasty include reducing the effective volume or cross-sectional area of the stomach via approximation of gastric tissue. Such reduction preferably is achieved endoluminally, either with or without laparoscopic ports. In one variation, a sleeve, pouch, Magenstrasse and Mill, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (“VBG”), etc., is formed within the... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20090209986 - Devices, tools and methods for atrial appendage exclusion: Devices, tools and methods for occluding fluid flow between two walls of tissue in a patient. Two walls of tissue are compressed together with sufficient compressive force to prevent fluid flow between the two walls, while ensuring that the compressive force is not so great as to cause tissue necrosis.... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20090209985 - Sensor and pacemaker imbedded with a gastric banding: A device for controlling food intake including a band, is configured to be placed around the stomach of a patient, dividing the stomach into lower and upper pouches. At least one sensor, located on the band detects pressure against the band caused by food ingestion collected in the upper pouch.... Agent: Sofer & Haroun LLP.

20090209987 - Snare with capture-area enhancement: A surgical snare for ensnaring an object in a patient includes a flexible section that selectively switches between an insertion shape and an ensnaring shape; and a capture-area enhancer deployed when the flexible section assumes the ensnaring shape. An actuator coupled to the flexible section causes the flexible section to... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20090209989 - Micro-flail assembly and method of use for the preparation of a nucleus/vertebral end cap of a spine: The present disclosure provides a micro-flail assembly and associated method of use for the preparation of a nucleus/vertebral end cap of a spine. The micro-flail assembly is utilized in the formation of a nucleus/vertebral end cap between adjacent vertebrae while simultaneously protecting an adjacent annulus with a protective sheath. The... Agent: Clements Bernard PLLC

20090209988 - Patient configured device, a kit and a method for treatment of disorders in the heart rhythm regulation system: A patient-configured tissue cutting device is disclosed, which is structured and arranged to be inserted through the vascular system into a body vessel adjacent to the heart and/or into the heart, and to be subsequently subjected to a change of shape in order to penetrate into the heart tissue. The... Agent: The Nath Law Group

20090209990 - Motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having handle based power source: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. The handle also comprises... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090209991 - Surgical instrument for grasping and cutting tissue: A surgical instrument for cutting and grasping tissue comprising a handle assembly, an elongated member and first and second jaws. A first movable member moves the second jaw in a first direction about a first pivot axis in a grasping action and a second movable member moves the second jaw... Agent: Neil D. Gershon

20090209992 - Disposable sterilized tattoo machine: A disposable sterilized tattoo machine comprising a pre-assembled tattoo machine which is sterilized as an assembled tattoo machine and stored and/or sold in sterilized package prior to use and disposed of as an assembled tattoo machine after use on a client. The sterilized tattoo machine according to the present invention... Agent: Italia Ip

20090209993 - Therapy device: A therapy device includes an electric acupuncture band and an electric acupuncture element. The electric acupuncture band is provided with an electric acupuncture portion and a bonding portion connected to the electric acupuncture portion. The electric acupuncture portion is formed by means of joining an accommodating layer and an electric... Agent: Hdls Patent & Trademark Services

20090209994 - Methods and devices for the treatment of urinary incontinence: Methods and devices for treating female stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. The methods include transvaginally accessing the pelvic cavity and introducing a suburethral sling into the retropubic space. In some embodiments the ends of the sling are attached to an anatomical support structure. In other embodiments, the ends of the... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20090209995 - Implantable adjustable sphincter system: An implantable adjustable sphincter system is comprised of a band configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, a manual pump, a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the band and the manual pump. The valve assembly is comprised of... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090209997 - Medical device: A collapsible filter element (40) for a transcatheter embolic protection device (1). The filter element (40) comprises a collapsible filter body (41) which is movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through a vascular system and an expanded position for extension across a blood vessel such that blood passing... Agent: Sughrue Mion-abbott Labs

20090209996 - Removable blood clot filter with edge for cutting through the endothelium: A removable blood clot filter includes anchor members with a sharp edge configured so that when the filter is removed the sharp edge aids in passing the anchor members through endothelial tissue. The filter may also include a sharp edge on locator members configured to aid pulling the locator members... Agent: C. R. Bard, Inc. Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.

20090209998 - Surgical instrument: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a shank and a slide which is mounted so as to be slideable along the shank. At least one guide element guided in at least one longitudinal groove is provided on the shank or the slide. The shank and the slide are... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20090209999 - Device and method for closure of atrial septal defects: The present invention is directed towards implantable, inflatable, bioabsorbable medical prostheses. In particular, the present invention relates to an implantable, inflatable, bioabsorbable method and device for occluding septal defects such as an atrial septal defect. A double button shaped device is contained in a catheter to allow for easy positioning... Agent: Michael Afremov

20090210001 - Device for implanting an occlusion device in the heart: A device (1) used for the implantation of an occlusion (2) in an undesired opening in a septum (3) in a heart (4) is provided and has a catheter (5) with a displacement element (7) (pusher) that can move in a longitudinal direction of the catheter in the interior and... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20090210000 - Percutaneous pedicle plug and method of use: A percutaneous pedicle plug for use insertion into a screw opening in a vertebral body is described. The percutaneous pedicle plug includes a first end, a tapered second or tail end 44, a threaded body 46 to allow for threaded insertion of the plug into the screw opening of the... Agent: Intellectual Property Dept. Dewitt Ross & Stevens Sc

20090210002 - Method of forming a conformable solvent-based bandage and coating material: Liquid hemostatic coating materials comprise a cyanoacrylate monomer and a solvent system comprising a volatile, non-reactive liquid that is non-stinging and non-irritating to a user. The material forms a coating or bandage in the form of a film that when applied and adhered to a surface or to the skin... Agent: J. Rodman Steele Novak Druce & Quigg LLP

20090210005 - Method and system for displacing hyoid bone: A system and method for moving a hyoid bone closer to thyroid cartilage in a patient. Systems and methods may comprise sutures, suture anchors, clips and grommets to move the hyoid bone closer to the thyroid cartilage.... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

20090210003 - Surgical suture material and method for the application thereof: A surgical suture material and a method to the use thereof are represented by different needles and surgical threads. The main embodiments comprises a needle (6), consisting of two needles (7, 8) jointed by a temporary connection having a tetrahedral, diamond or another shape in such a way that a... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.C.

20090210004 - Vascular hole closure device: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and a first spherical retainer positionable external of the vessel. The covering member has a dimension to prevent egress of... Agent: Neil D. Gershon

20090210006 - Compound barb medical device and method: A compound barb medical device is provided which includes an elongated body having at least one barb formed along the length of the body, the barb defining an inner surface with a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body, and a... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090210007 - Cross-connector assembly: An assembly including a connector element including a receptacle from which extends a neck, a lug element sized to fit in the receptacle of the connector element, ears pivotally connected to the lug element, and a mechanical fastener that fastens the connector element together with the lug element, thereby causing... Agent: David Klein Dekel Patent Ltd.

20090210012 - Laminoplasty devices and methods: Laminoplasty plates are engageable to at least one portion of a divided lamina to maintain a desired spacing relative to the spinal canal. The laminoplasty plates include a spacer portion having a first end and a second end that spans a gap formed by at least one of a divided... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090210008 - Modular spine plate with projection and socket interface: A modular spine plate is formed of two or more spine plate components that connect to one another through projection and socket interfaces. The projection and socket interfaces may provide for snap fit features that allow locking connectivity between the spine plate components. The modular spine plate components constitute a... Agent: Bowman & Associates

20090210011 - Orthopedic plate for use in the midfoot: An orthopedic plate is specifically configured for implantation at the mid-foot. The plate has a first radius along the x-axis in the y direction and a second radius along the y-axis in the y direction The plate has an ring-shaped footprint with two diagonal sets, (one set of longer and... Agent: Hudak, Shunk & Farine, Co., L.p.a.

20090210010 - Orthopedic plate for use in the mtp joint: The present invention is a MTP plate that has a first embodiment with a profile having bilateral mirror symmetry of the about a transverse plane with an angle of about 5° for dorsiflexion and an angle of about 10° for valgus. Both ends of the plate include a central arm... Agent: Hudak, Shunk & Farine, Co., L.p.a.

20090210009 - Vertebral fixation plate assembly: A vertebral fixation plate assembly for insertion into the resection site between two vertebrae of a patients vertebral column and fixation to front or lateral side of the two adjacent vertebral bodies above and below the resection site by means of surgical implantation is disclosed to include a fixation plate... Agent: Guice Patents PLLC

20090210014 - Bone fixation system: A bone fixation system includes a fixation plate including at least one fixation hole and at least one fastener. The fastener includes a coupler and a shank for engaging a bone. The coupler is threadably engaged with the fixation hole and includes an aperture receiving a proximal portion of the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090210013 - Orthopedic plate for use on a single ray in the midfoot: An orthopedic plate is specifically configured for implantation at the mid-foot and can be used for a variety of indications. The plate has a set of tabs comprising one longer tab and one shorter tab opposing each other along the length of the plate. In each set of tabs, one... Agent: Hudak, Shunk & Farine, Co., L.p.a.

20090210015 - Bottom mounted pedical screw assembly and method of use: A bone screw, which can be a pedicle screw, is generally tulip-shaped. A bore in the bottom of the tulip permits a threaded shaft to be partially inserted into the open interior of the tulip. A seat is formed on the threaded shaft and receives the bottom of the tulip,... Agent: Cermak Kenealy Vaidya & Nakajima LLP

20090210016 - Joint fusion device: A device and method are disclosed for the fusion of joints (particularly finger joints or toe joints) in a bent (or angled) position. In certain embodiments, a device for the fusion of joints preferably allows for one or more of various angled positions, and the particular angle may differ for... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20090204107 - Apparatus and process for delivering a silicone prosthesis into a surgical pocket: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.... Agent: J. Bennett Mullinax, LLC

20090204108 - Device for introducing and positioning surgical instruments and corresponding method: This invention relates to a device (20) for inserting and positioning surgical instruments (10) in the body of a patient, with an outer cover (22), into which outer cover (22) at least a front part (11) of the surgical instrument (10) is insertable, and which outer cover (22) is removable... Agent: Wrb-ip LLP

20090204110 - Broadband or mid-infrared fiber light sources: A broadband light source includes one or more laser diodes that are capable of generating a pump signal having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns, a pulse width of at least 100 picoseconds and a pump optical spectral width. The light source also includes one or more optical amplifiers that... Agent: Baker Botts L.L.P.

20090204109 - Eye-safe dermatologic treatment apparatus and method: A dermatologic treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more housings with at least one housing configured for manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure, a light source, and an electrical circuit. The circuit energizes the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path includes an aperture through... Agent: Law Offices Of James E. Eakin

20090204111 - Light delivery device: A light delivery device comprising an optical fiber having a non-feature portion and a feature portion having features that force light to couple out radially from the feature portion and provide a desired radial light output pattern. A method of photodisinfection of a cavity comprising of providing this device, apply... Agent: Dobrusin & Thennisch PC

20090204112 - Appraratus and method for vessel sealing and tissue coagulation: Disclosed is a working end of a surgical instrument for delivering heat energy to tissue. The working end includes paired first and second jaw members movable between open and closed positions, with each jaw member defining a jaw body and jaw end-effecter for engaging and heating tissue. At least one... Agent: The Farrell Law Firm, LLP

20090204113 - High density atrial fibrillatrion cycle length (afcl) detection and mapping system: Systems and methods to assist in locating the focus of an atrial fibrillation include the association of atrial fibrillation cycle length values and statistics relating thereto with temporal locations on an electrogram of a given electrode, and/or the coordination of electrode locations with respective the spectral analyses of electrogram signals... Agent: Leason Ellis LLP

20090204114 - Electrosurgical forceps with slow closure sealing plates and method of sealing tissue: An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue includes electrosurgical bipolar forceps and an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical bipolar forceps includes a shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end. The end effector assembly includes jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090204115 - Locking instrument assembly: A locking instrument assembly for use in conjunction with an intramedullary device is disclosed. The locking instrument assembly includes an inner collet, an outer body, and a knob. The inner collet has a collar and a fastener member. The knob engages the fastener member to press the outer body against... Agent: Diana Houston Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20090204116 - Multiphasic absorbable compositions of segmented /-lactide copolymers: Absorbable, multiphasic, crystalline, solid blend compositions having at least two first order thermal transitions, are formed of a segmented l-lactide copolymer as the principal or major component and at least one additional crystalline thermoplastic absorbable polyester having glycolide-based sequences, a fraction of which participated in ester-ester interchange reactions with lactide-based... Agent: Leigh P. Gregory

20090204117 - Orthopaedic implant fixation using an in-situ formed anchor: An orthopaedic implant fixation using a surgically created bone cavity as a mold for forming an anchor from an in-situ hardenable material. An in-situ formed anchor of the present invention is especially useful for attaching an implant to osteoporotic cancellous bone. The injectable nature of the in-situ formed anchor allows... Agent: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Intellectual Property Section

20090204118 - Surgical cable with malleable leader segment: A surgical cable comprises a core segment, at least one leader segment, and an outer jacket. The core segment is made from a material having a high tensile strength and which is capable of elongation. Each leader segment is arranged axially in tandem with the core segment and comprises a... Agent: Koppel, Patrick, Heybl & Dawson

20090204119 - Devices and methods for tissue modification: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090204120 - Bone cement application system: The invention relates to a device for the application of bone cement, in particular in the field of vertebroplasty, comprising an application conduit (1) guiding the bone cement towards the application area and a flexible piston rod (2) longitudinally movable in the application conduit (1) and provided with a piston... Agent: Reed Smith LLP

20090204121 - Drill sleeve: A drill sleeve is provided for guiding a bone drill in alignment with the screw holes and drill guides. The drill sleeve includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The cylindrical body includes a longitudinal bore therethrough that is sized... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20090204122 - Intraocular lens inserting instrument: An intraocular lens inserting instrument capable of folding a lens and pressing it by a plunger to discharge it into an eye and alternatively capable of taking out the folded lens by tweezers. The intraocular lens inserting instrument for inserting a foldable intraocular lens into an eye has a tubular... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20090204123 - Lens delivery system cartridge: A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that has an injector tip geometry designed to reduce stresses at the incision wound edges generated during insertion of an IOL into an eye.... Agent: Alcon

20090204124 - Obstetrical vacuum extractor with over-traction release: A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20090204126 - Cutting instrument: A cutting instrument (10) comprises a generally elongate handle (12) configured to be gripped by a user; and an elongate blade (14) generally axially aligned with the handle, and having a proximal end connected to the handle and a distal end, the blade having a tip (32) on the distal... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20090204125 - Suture and ligature device for medical treatment: A ligature device for medical treatment has an operating device that has a ligature tool for medical treatment fitted onto a distal end portion thereof. The operating device is provided with a cutting member that is able to move freely backwards and forwards and is used to cut a ligature... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20090204127 - System and method for tying surgical knots: A system and method for passing a suture through a tissue and tying a surgical knot. The system may comprise a suture and a first and a second arm. The first arm may comprise a needle and the second arm may comprise a tube configured to allow the needle of... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20090204129 - Bioactive wide-weave mesh: A wide-weave mesh is disclosed which is coated with a bioactive material to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the mesh. The mesh may be used for the treatment of hernias, vaginal prolapses and other similar injuries.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090204128 - Devices, systems and methods for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and other conditions: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Neotract

20090204130 - Method of performing transgastric ventral hernia repair and tissue anchors and deployment devices therefor: A translumenal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20090204132 - Automatically adjusting band system: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general,... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204131 - Automatically adjusting band system with mems pump: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general,... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204133 - Occluder: An occluder (7) for sealing body orifices (6, 6a) of the human or animal body is illustrated and described, in particular an occluder (7) for percutaneous transcatheter sealing of atrium septum defects of the human or animal heart (1). According to the invention it is provided that the occluder (7)... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20090204134 - Devices, systems, and methods for removing stenotic lesions from vessels: The present application provides various devices, systems, and methods for removing stenotic lesions from vessels. In at least one embodiment of an exemplary device, the device comprises at least one sizing portion and at least one treatment portion. Such a device may be useful to, for example, remove a stenotic... Agent: Ice Miller LLP

20090204136 - Hand tool: A hand tool includes a holder and a movable head portion to which a blade body is secured. The movable head portion is supported by the holder in a manner movable relative to the holder between an accommodated state Q, in which the movable head portion is accommodated in the... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20090204135 - Retractable safety knife: A retractable safety knife has a hollow handle with an opening at an end thereof, a pusher that is movably disposed within the handle and is operable by a user, and a blade that is connected with an end of the pusher. When the pusher moves from a blade-retracted position... Agent: David W. Highet, Vp & ChiefIPCounsel Becton, Dickinson And Company

20090204137 - Safety scalpel: A scalpel enabling both safe blade engagement or disengagement and safe passing among personnel during surgical procedures. The blade arm assembly of the scalpel is positionable in three positions, including a retracted position, an operational extended position and a fully extended position for engagement and disengagement of the blade.... Agent: John S. Pratt, Esq Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP

20090204138 - Lancet having a ground tip and method for producing: A lancet made of lancet wire having a ground tip. The lancet has a first ground face and a further ground face, which are located at a defined angle relative to one another, the length of the lancet being at most 16 mm. Also disclosed is a method for producing... Agent: Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20090204139 - Lancet cassette and lancet ejecting device, and lancet assembly composed of these members: A lancet cassette includes a lancet having a pricking member for piercing a predetermined portion and a container having a space in which the lancet moves, characterized in that the lancet cassette is capable of mounting a thin sensor element thereon, and a moving direction of the pricking member of... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.

20090204140 - Surgical trocar: A surgical trocar includes a trocar needle with a sharp tip for puncturing and passing through the skin of a patient. A hose barb disposed on a distal end of the trocar needle retains a drain tubing while they are being threaded through a skin puncture. A head formed aft... Agent: Robert Charles Hill

20090204141 - Powering implantable restriction systems using kinetic motion: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204142 - Nasolacrimal system surgical tool and method: A device and method for performing probing, irrigation, suction and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction includes a tubular probe (47) through which a tracer fluid is injected and collected in the nasal cavity to verify that the tip of the probe has passed through... Agent: Carstens & Cahoon, LLP

20090204143 - Distal protection filter with improved wall apposition: In accordance with the present invention, a distal protection and embolic material retrieval device with improved apposition to both large and small vessel walls of varying geometries for enhancing the filtering of embolic material during intravascular procedures while allowing for the passage of blood is provided. The device includes a... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090204144 - Device for the control of urinary incontinence: A device for the control of urinary incontinence includes a support (1) having a transverse opening (3) positionable around the body (10a) of a penis (10) so that an area of the penis (10) adjacent to the urethra ductus (10b) is subject to the action of a mobile arm (5).... Agent: Amin Talati, LLC

20090204145 - Spiral occluding device with an occlusion sail: An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a coil having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending longitudinally from the proximal portion. The coil has an initial tension along the distal and proximal portions and is configured have... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090204146 - Method for soft tissue attachment: An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090204147 - Methods and apparatuses for delivering achoring devices into body passage walls: Described, in certain embodiments, are methods and apparatuses for delivering anchoring devices such as T-anchors into body passage walls. Some inventive methods involve inserting one or more anchoring devices into a wall of an organ in a direction from a luminal surface to an abluminal surface of the wall. In... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20090204148 - Adjustable vertebral body elevator: An adjustable vertebral body elevator is disclosed and can include a handle and a spoon rotatably coupled to the handle by a locking assembly. The handle can rotate with respect to the spoon around an axis or rotation. Further, the locking assembly can be coaxial with the axis of rotation.... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090204149 - Interlaminar hook: A medical apparatus for alleviating the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis have a body including first and second supports disposed along the length of the body. The first support is configured to accommodate at least a portion of a vertebral component of a first vertebra disposed above or below a... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090204150 - Interlaminar stabilization system: A spinal stabilization system includes vertebral engagement members and an intermediate structure. The vertebral engagement members are configured to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The vertebral engagement members generally include seating surfaces for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of adjacent vertebra... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery

20090204151 - Spinal implant device, procedure and system: A spinal implant procedure and system includes vertical rods fastened to the spine on opposite sides. A cross connector is arranged on each vertical rod and to opposite ends of a cross member. The cross member includes a block having a lateral opening and that includes a forked end that... Agent: Bradley D. Goldizen

20090204152 - Vertebral facet joint prosthesis and method of fixation: Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090204153 - Rod connector: A rod connector for connecting, to each other, opposed ends of a plurality of rods held by a rod holding tool which is fixed to a vertebra, wherein a cylindrically formed connector body is previously curved or bent according to a curve of the vertebral column constructed by the vertebra,... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20090204154 - expandable rod system to treat scoliosis and method of using the same: Correction of a scoliotic curve in a spine comprises the steps of implanting an expanding rod isolated completely under the skin and attached to selected portions of the scoliotic curve of the spine at opposing ends of the rod; and producing a controlled force by means of expansion of the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090204155 - Polyaxial bone anchor with headless pedicle screw: A polyaxial bone anchor has a headless anchor member (e.g., a screw, hook, or other structure for attaching to bone) that allows the size of the bone anchor to be small. A locking element securely snap-fits over the headless anchor member such that inadvertent separation from the anchor member is... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090204156 - Automatic lengthening bone fixation device: A bone fixation device adapted to be coupled to bone anchors that allows movement of rods to permit a screw-rod construct to lengthen in response to bone growth without necessitating post surgical installation adjustment of the device. The bone fixation device includes a locking mechanism that is operably associated with... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20090204157 - Locking bone plates with controlled locking screw misalignment: A bone plate system for fixing bone fractures includes a locking bone plate and a conically-shaped drilling sleeve. The bone plate has at least one threaded hole, and with the drilling sleeve screwed into the bone plate hole, a drill bit guided through the sleeve drills a hole into bone... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20090204158 - Method and device for delivering medicine to bone: Bone screws and inserts disposed therein or thereon are provided for the delivery of medicants to bone. The bone screws provide a method to strengthen or repair damaged bones, or to promote bony fusion, and in conjunction with the inserts, provide a method of delivering a continuous or regulated amount... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090204159 - Methods and devices for deformity correction: An adapter including a coupling portion defining a lumen to receive a pedicle post, an intermediate portion including a first end fixedly attached to a side of the coupling portion and including a second end distal from the coupling portion, and a bolt. A proximal end of the bolt is... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090204107 - Apparatus and process for delivering a silicone prosthesis into a surgical pocket: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.... Agent: J. Bennett Mullinax, LLC

20090204108 - Device for introducing and positioning surgical instruments and corresponding method: This invention relates to a device (20) for inserting and positioning surgical instruments (10) in the body of a patient, with an outer cover (22), into which outer cover (22) at least a front part (11) of the surgical instrument (10) is insertable, and which outer cover (22) is removable... Agent: Wrb-ip LLP

20090204110 - Broadband or mid-infrared fiber light sources: A broadband light source includes one or more laser diodes that are capable of generating a pump signal having a wavelength shorter than 2.5 microns, a pulse width of at least 100 picoseconds and a pump optical spectral width. The light source also includes one or more optical amplifiers that... Agent: Baker Botts L.L.P.

20090204109 - Eye-safe dermatologic treatment apparatus and method: A dermatologic treatment apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more housings with at least one housing configured for manipulation in a dermatologic treatment procedure, a light source, and an electrical circuit. The circuit energizes the light source to produce output light pulses. A light path includes an aperture through... Agent: Law Offices Of James E. Eakin

20090204111 - Light delivery device: A light delivery device comprising an optical fiber having a non-feature portion and a feature portion having features that force light to couple out radially from the feature portion and provide a desired radial light output pattern. A method of photodisinfection of a cavity comprising of providing this device, apply... Agent: Dobrusin & Thennisch PC

20090204112 - Appraratus and method for vessel sealing and tissue coagulation: Disclosed is a working end of a surgical instrument for delivering heat energy to tissue. The working end includes paired first and second jaw members movable between open and closed positions, with each jaw member defining a jaw body and jaw end-effecter for engaging and heating tissue. At least one... Agent: The Farrell Law Firm, LLP

20090204113 - High density atrial fibrillatrion cycle length (afcl) detection and mapping system: Systems and methods to assist in locating the focus of an atrial fibrillation include the association of atrial fibrillation cycle length values and statistics relating thereto with temporal locations on an electrogram of a given electrode, and/or the coordination of electrode locations with respective the spectral analyses of electrogram signals... Agent: Leason Ellis LLP

20090204114 - Electrosurgical forceps with slow closure sealing plates and method of sealing tissue: An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue includes electrosurgical bipolar forceps and an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical bipolar forceps includes a shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end. The end effector assembly includes jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090204115 - Locking instrument assembly: A locking instrument assembly for use in conjunction with an intramedullary device is disclosed. The locking instrument assembly includes an inner collet, an outer body, and a knob. The inner collet has a collar and a fastener member. The knob engages the fastener member to press the outer body against... Agent: Diana Houston Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20090204116 - Multiphasic absorbable compositions of segmented /-lactide copolymers: Absorbable, multiphasic, crystalline, solid blend compositions having at least two first order thermal transitions, are formed of a segmented l-lactide copolymer as the principal or major component and at least one additional crystalline thermoplastic absorbable polyester having glycolide-based sequences, a fraction of which participated in ester-ester interchange reactions with lactide-based... Agent: Leigh P. Gregory

20090204117 - Orthopaedic implant fixation using an in-situ formed anchor: An orthopaedic implant fixation using a surgically created bone cavity as a mold for forming an anchor from an in-situ hardenable material. An in-situ formed anchor of the present invention is especially useful for attaching an implant to osteoporotic cancellous bone. The injectable nature of the in-situ formed anchor allows... Agent: Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Intellectual Property Section

20090204118 - Surgical cable with malleable leader segment: A surgical cable comprises a core segment, at least one leader segment, and an outer jacket. The core segment is made from a material having a high tensile strength and which is capable of elongation. Each leader segment is arranged axially in tandem with the core segment and comprises a... Agent: Koppel, Patrick, Heybl & Dawson

20090204119 - Devices and methods for tissue modification: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20090204120 - Bone cement application system: The invention relates to a device for the application of bone cement, in particular in the field of vertebroplasty, comprising an application conduit (1) guiding the bone cement towards the application area and a flexible piston rod (2) longitudinally movable in the application conduit (1) and provided with a piston... Agent: Reed Smith LLP

20090204121 - Drill sleeve: A drill sleeve is provided for guiding a bone drill in alignment with the screw holes and drill guides. The drill sleeve includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The cylindrical body includes a longitudinal bore therethrough that is sized... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20090204122 - Intraocular lens inserting instrument: An intraocular lens inserting instrument capable of folding a lens and pressing it by a plunger to discharge it into an eye and alternatively capable of taking out the folded lens by tweezers. The intraocular lens inserting instrument for inserting a foldable intraocular lens into an eye has a tubular... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20090204123 - Lens delivery system cartridge: A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that has an injector tip geometry designed to reduce stresses at the incision wound edges generated during insertion of an IOL into an eye.... Agent: Alcon

20090204124 - Obstetrical vacuum extractor with over-traction release: A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20090204126 - Cutting instrument: A cutting instrument (10) comprises a generally elongate handle (12) configured to be gripped by a user; and an elongate blade (14) generally axially aligned with the handle, and having a proximal end connected to the handle and a distal end, the blade having a tip (32) on the distal... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20090204125 - Suture and ligature device for medical treatment: A ligature device for medical treatment has an operating device that has a ligature tool for medical treatment fitted onto a distal end portion thereof. The operating device is provided with a cutting member that is able to move freely backwards and forwards and is used to cut a ligature... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20090204127 - System and method for tying surgical knots: A system and method for passing a suture through a tissue and tying a surgical knot. The system may comprise a suture and a first and a second arm. The first arm may comprise a needle and the second arm may comprise a tube configured to allow the needle of... Agent: Medicinelodge Inc.

20090204129 - Bioactive wide-weave mesh: A wide-weave mesh is disclosed which is coated with a bioactive material to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the mesh. The mesh may be used for the treatment of hernias, vaginal prolapses and other similar injuries.... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090204128 - Devices, systems and methods for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and other conditions: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Neotract

20090204130 - Method of performing transgastric ventral hernia repair and tissue anchors and deployment devices therefor: A translumenal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.C.

20090204132 - Automatically adjusting band system: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general,... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204131 - Automatically adjusting band system with mems pump: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general,... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204133 - Occluder: An occluder (7) for sealing body orifices (6, 6a) of the human or animal body is illustrated and described, in particular an occluder (7) for percutaneous transcatheter sealing of atrium septum defects of the human or animal heart (1). According to the invention it is provided that the occluder (7)... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20090204134 - Devices, systems, and methods for removing stenotic lesions from vessels: The present application provides various devices, systems, and methods for removing stenotic lesions from vessels. In at least one embodiment of an exemplary device, the device comprises at least one sizing portion and at least one treatment portion. Such a device may be useful to, for example, remove a stenotic... Agent: Ice Miller LLP

20090204136 - Hand tool: A hand tool includes a holder and a movable head portion to which a blade body is secured. The movable head portion is supported by the holder in a manner movable relative to the holder between an accommodated state Q, in which the movable head portion is accommodated in the... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20090204135 - Retractable safety knife: A retractable safety knife has a hollow handle with an opening at an end thereof, a pusher that is movably disposed within the handle and is operable by a user, and a blade that is connected with an end of the pusher. When the pusher moves from a blade-retracted position... Agent: David W. Highet, Vp & ChiefIPCounsel Becton, Dickinson And Company

20090204137 - Safety scalpel: A scalpel enabling both safe blade engagement or disengagement and safe passing among personnel during surgical procedures. The blade arm assembly of the scalpel is positionable in three positions, including a retracted position, an operational extended position and a fully extended position for engagement and disengagement of the blade.... Agent: John S. Pratt, Esq Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP

20090204138 - Lancet having a ground tip and method for producing: A lancet made of lancet wire having a ground tip. The lancet has a first ground face and a further ground face, which are located at a defined angle relative to one another, the length of the lancet being at most 16 mm. Also disclosed is a method for producing... Agent: Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20090204139 - Lancet cassette and lancet ejecting device, and lancet assembly composed of these members: A lancet cassette includes a lancet having a pricking member for piercing a predetermined portion and a container having a space in which the lancet moves, characterized in that the lancet cassette is capable of mounting a thin sensor element thereon, and a moving direction of the pricking member of... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.

20090204140 - Surgical trocar: A surgical trocar includes a trocar needle with a sharp tip for puncturing and passing through the skin of a patient. A hose barb disposed on a distal end of the trocar needle retains a drain tubing while they are being threaded through a skin puncture. A head formed aft... Agent: Robert Charles Hill

20090204141 - Powering implantable restriction systems using kinetic motion: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090204142 - Nasolacrimal system surgical tool and method: A device and method for performing probing, irrigation, suction and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction includes a tubular probe (47) through which a tracer fluid is injected and collected in the nasal cavity to verify that the tip of the probe has passed through... Agent: Carstens & Cahoon, LLP

20090204143 - Distal protection filter with improved wall apposition: In accordance with the present invention, a distal protection and embolic material retrieval device with improved apposition to both large and small vessel walls of varying geometries for enhancing the filtering of embolic material during intravascular procedures while allowing for the passage of blood is provided. The device includes a... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20090204144 - Device for the control of urinary incontinence: A device for the control of urinary incontinence includes a support (1) having a transverse opening (3) positionable around the body (10a) of a penis (10) so that an area of the penis (10) adjacent to the urethra ductus (10b) is subject to the action of a mobile arm (5).... Agent: Amin Talati, LLC

20090204145 - Spiral occluding device with an occlusion sail: An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a coil having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending longitudinally from the proximal portion. The coil has an initial tension along the distal and proximal portions and is configured have... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20090204146 - Method for soft tissue attachment: An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20090204147 - Methods and apparatuses for delivering achoring devices into body passage walls: Described, in certain embodiments, are methods and apparatuses for delivering anchoring devices such as T-anchors into body passage walls. Some inventive methods involve inserting one or more anchoring devices into a wall of an organ in a direction from a luminal surface to an abluminal surface of the wall. In... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20090204148 - Adjustable vertebral body elevator: An adjustable vertebral body elevator is disclosed and can include a handle and a spoon rotatably coupled to the handle by a locking assembly. The handle can rotate with respect to the spoon around an axis or rotation. Further, the locking assembly can be coaxial with the axis of rotation.... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090204149 - Interlaminar hook: A medical apparatus for alleviating the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis have a body including first and second supports disposed along the length of the body. The first support is configured to accommodate at least a portion of a vertebral component of a first vertebra disposed above or below a... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090204150 - Interlaminar stabilization system: A spinal stabilization system includes vertebral engagement members and an intermediate structure. The vertebral engagement members are configured to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The vertebral engagement members generally include seating surfaces for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of adjacent vertebra... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery

20090204151 - Spinal implant device, procedure and system: A spinal implant procedure and system includes vertical rods fastened to the spine on opposite sides. A cross connector is arranged on each vertical rod and to opposite ends of a cross member. The cross member includes a block having a lateral opening and that includes a forked end that... Agent: Bradley D. Goldizen

20090204152 - Vertebral facet joint prosthesis and method of fixation: Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090204153 - Rod connector: A rod connector for connecting, to each other, opposed ends of a plurality of rods held by a rod holding tool which is fixed to a vertebra, wherein a cylindrically formed connector body is previously curved or bent according to a curve of the vertebral column constructed by the vertebra,... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20090204154 - expandable rod system to treat scoliosis and method of using the same: Correction of a scoliotic curve in a spine comprises the steps of implanting an expanding rod isolated completely under the skin and attached to selected portions of the scoliotic curve of the spine at opposing ends of the rod; and producing a controlled force by means of expansion of the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090204155 - Polyaxial bone anchor with headless pedicle screw: A polyaxial bone anchor has a headless anchor member (e.g., a screw, hook, or other structure for attaching to bone) that allows the size of the bone anchor to be small. A locking element securely snap-fits over the headless anchor member such that inadvertent separation from the anchor member is... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090204156 - Automatic lengthening bone fixation device: A bone fixation device adapted to be coupled to bone anchors that allows movement of rods to permit a screw-rod construct to lengthen in response to bone growth without necessitating post surgical installation adjustment of the device. The bone fixation device includes a locking mechanism that is operably associated with... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20090204157 - Locking bone plates with controlled locking screw misalignment: A bone plate system for fixing bone fractures includes a locking bone plate and a conically-shaped drilling sleeve. The bone plate has at least one threaded hole, and with the drilling sleeve screwed into the bone plate hole, a drill bit guided through the sleeve drills a hole into bone... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20090204158 - Method and device for delivering medicine to bone: Bone screws and inserts disposed therein or thereon are provided for the delivery of medicants to bone. The bone screws provide a method to strengthen or repair damaged bones, or to promote bony fusion, and in conjunction with the inserts, provide a method of delivering a continuous or regulated amount... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20090204159 - Methods and devices for deformity correction: An adapter including a coupling portion defining a lumen to receive a pedicle post, an intermediate portion including a first end fixedly attached to a side of the coupling portion and including a second end distal from the coupling portion, and a bolt. A proximal end of the bolt is... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198221 - Apparatus and methods for directional delivery of laser energy: In some embodiments, without limitation, the invention comprises a catheter having an elongated housing with a channel disposed therein. A laser delivery member is movable and at least partially disposed within the channel. A ramp is disposed within the housing at an angle to its central axis and proximate to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090198222 - Dermal scar treatment equipment: Provided is a dermal scar treatment equipment. The treatment equipment includes a pad, a plurality of pins, and an insulating layer. The pad electrically connects with a high frequency generator. The pins are protrusively coupled to a front of the pad, are inserted into collagen fibers in the dermis through... Agent: Hyun Jong Park Tuchman & Park LLC

20090198223 - Systems and methods for cardiac ablation using laser induced optical breakdown: Systems and methods for achieving sub-surface, highly spatially selective cardiac ablation by means of laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) are disclosed. Damage to non-targeted heart and artery/vein tissue is to be minimized according to the present disclosure. A catheter enters the heart, e.g., via a vein, and catheter location is... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20090198224 - Integrated metalized ceramic heating element for use in a tissue cutting and sealing device: A tissue cutting and sealing device, having a pair of opposing elements dimensioned to grasp tissue therebetween; and a heating assembly on at least one of the opposing elements, wherein the heating assembly includes: a ceramic body; and a metalized portion extending along a top surface of the ceramic body.... Agent: Gordon & Rees LLP

20090198227 - Articulating ablation device and method: An ablation device including a handle portion, a shaft and at least one cable. The shaft extends distally from the handle portion and includes an inner conductor and an outer conductor that substantially surrounds at least a portion of the inner conductor. The cable extends from the handle portion along... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198228 - Bipolar scissors for adenoid and tonsil removal: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for use in excising tissues. The disclosed bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of jaws or legs having shearing surfaces, one of which is electrically nonconductive. The disclosed bipolar surgical instrument also includes conductive surfaces on the legs which allow energy flux to flow... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198225 - Electrosurgical system: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, and a plurality of output connections, only one of the output connections at any one time being active in that it is able to receive radio frequency power from the source. The generator... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20090198226 - Medical device including member that deploys in a spiral-like configuration and method: A medial device including a handle portion, and a deployable member disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle portion is disclosed. The deployable member includes a distal tip and a bend that is disposed adjacent the distal tip. The deployable member is extendable form the handle portion such that the... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198229 - Hybrid contact quality monitoring return electrode: An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes an intermediary layer formed from a dielectric material, the intermediary layer having a top surface and a patient-contacting surface. The return electrode also includes a capacitive return electrode formed from a conductive material disposed on the top surface of the... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198230 - System and method for return electrode monitoring: A return electrode monitoring (“REM”) system is disclosed. The REM system includes a return electrode pad having a pair of split electrode pads and a detection circuit coupled to the pair of split electrode pads. The detection circuit and the pair of split electrode pads are adapted to resonate across... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198232 - Ablation probe with flared electrodes: An ablation device includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and a first array of electrodes at least partially disposed within the lumen, the first array of electrodes slidable relative to the cannula, each of the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20090198231 - Methods to treat unwanted tissue with electric pulses: Provided are methods for selecting parameters of an electrical pulse for electroporation to induce apoptosis in a tissue in need of therapeutic removal in a patient. Also provided are methods and apparatuses for treating a disease by inducing apoptosis in a tissue in need of therapeutic removal in a patient.... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090198233 - End effector assembly for electrosurgical device and method for making the same: An end effector assembly for use with a forceps is provided. The end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members operatively connected to each other about a pivot. Each jaw member includes a structural support member having a seal plate secured thereto. Each of the seal plates defines... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198235 - Strut joint for an external fixator: A ball joint for use with an external fixator has a sleeve in engagement with a rod of a strut for the external fixator. A ring insert and a blocking element are provided, having a combined circumferential surface being able to be introduced into a hole of a ring of... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090198234 - Telescopic strut for an external fixator: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator includes a tube and a rod, especially a threaded rod being in threaded engagement with the tube. The tube comprises at least one hole for accommodating a ball, the ball having the spherical shape for engagement with the threaded rod. A... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090198236 - Clamping pin: A clamping pin is intended to be inserted into and held in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090198237 - Method for augmenting, reducing, and repairing bone with thermoplastic materials: The present invention is directed to an improved nail and an associated method for implanting the nail into a patient's bone. The nail preferably includes a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of spiral blades (e.g., vanes) and a cannulated bore extending from the proximal end to the distal... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090198238 - Bone preparation tool kit and associated method: A prosthesis (20) for use in performing joint arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis (20) is to be fitted to a long bone (3). The prosthesis includes a first body (22) having a first body articulating surface (24) defining a generally circular outer periphery (26) of the first body articulating surface... Agent: Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP Chase Tower

20090198239 - Apparatus and procedure for anterior cervical microdiskectomy: A method is provided to perform an anterior cervical microdiskectomy to remove at least one bone spur on a pair of adjacent vertebrae in a spinal column that includes a posterior longitudinal ligament. Each vertebra contacts a disk positioned therebetween. The disk includes an annulus and a nucleus. The method... Agent: Tod R Nissle

20090198240 - Femoral tibial spreader with tensor measurement: A femoral tibial spreader (100) for spreading adjacent bones includes a radial measurement gauge (111) for providing incidia corresponding to an amount of force being applied to the forward ends (105,106) of the femoral tibial spreader (100). The femoral tibial spreader (100) may be used, for example, to separate the... Agent: Philip H. Burrus, Iv

20090198241 - Spine distraction tools and methods of use: An apparatus includes a measurement tool having a size configured to change when the measurement tool is moved between a first configuration and a second configuration. The measurement tool includes a first spacer member and a second spacer member configured to move relative to each other when the tool is... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198242 - Bone treatment systems and methods: Systems and methods for treating vertebral compression fractures are discussed. In an embodiment, a method includes mixing bone cement precursors thereby causing a first chemical curing reaction characterized by a first time-viscosity profile, controllably applying energy to the bone cement from an external source to modify the first time-viscosity profile... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20090198243 - Device and method for stabilizing a damaged bone with a bone cement mixture: In at least one embodiment, a device for introducing a bone cement mixture into a damaged bone of a patient is provided. The device comprises a needle including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending therefrom. An aperture is formed through the distal portion and the distal portion is... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20090198244 - Instrument for implanting a wrist prosthesis: A wrist instrument and methods for identifying a location for implantation of a wrist prosthesis are disclosed in the present application.... Agent: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

20090198246 - Instruments, implants and methods for positioning implants into a spinal disc space: Instruments, implants and methods are provided for positioning spinal implants in a spinal disc space between adjacent vertebrae. The instruments provide a low profile engagement with the implants and facilitate insertion while minimizing tissue retraction and exposure of the tissue and neural elements to the instrumentation in the approach to... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198245 - Tools and methods for insertion and removal of medical implants: Medical devices and related methods for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first elongate member that defines a lumen and a second elongate member that is movably disposed within the lumen of the first elongate member. A distal end portion of... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198247 - Intraocular lens implantation kit: Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation kit for assisting in implanting an accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) assembly in a human eye. The AIOL assembly includes an AIOL having a rigid tubular main body with opposite leading and trailing surfaces, and a haptics system having a leading haptics and a trailing haptics for... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20090198248 - Device for disc shunt implantation and peri-shunt injection: Pain emitting from the avascular disc is extremely difficult to treat due to lack of penetration or permeability of drug. The lumens of the introducer needle are also used to retain a peri-shunt injectable into the disc shunt for delivery into the painful disc. The peri-shunt injectable can be an... Agent: Jeffrey E. Yeung

20090198250 - Medical device: A stone retrieval suction device facilitates the retention and then relocation and/or removal of objects disposed in a patient's urinary system. The device includes an elongated member for placement in a channel of a flexible ureteroscope. The elongated member defines a suction passageway which extends longitudinally therethrough. The elongated member... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20090198249 - Medical retrieval devices: A medical retrieval device includes a retrieval assembly comprising a plurality of filaments knotted together at a distal end of the retrieval assembly. The knotted distal end provides the device with an atraumatic distal tip. Various knotting arrangements can be used at the knotted distal end. The retrieval assembly can... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20090198252 - Guide catheters for accessing cardiac sites: A method and apparatus for introducing a cardiac lead to an implantation site that includes a catheter body having an outer wall and a distal leader and having a proximal portion extending from the first proximal end to a second distal end. An inner member is positioned within an outer... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20090198251 - Lead delivery, fixation and extraction devices and methods for use with intravascular implantable medical devices: A lead delivery and fixation device for use with an intravascular implantable device includes a sidecar having a selectively retractable fixation element. A lead is releasably coupled to the sidecar, with an electrode portion exposed for delivering a stimulation therapy. A manipulable catheter is coupled to the fixation element and... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20090198253 - Medical manipulator and medical robot system: A manipulator includes a yaw axis and a pitch axis disposed as joints on a distal end of a joint shaft and which are actuatable by motors, a needle variable in orientation by the joints, a coaxial connector disposed at a position closer to a proximal end of the manipulator... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20090198254 - Methods and devices for tissue reconfiguration: Methods and devices are provided for reconfiguring a tissue within a hollow body organ using an entirely endoscopic approach in order to effectively reduce flow of fluid contents into a second hollow body organ in fluid communication with the first.... Agent: Ethicon Endo-surgery/nutter, Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20090198255 - Hemorrhoid ligation apparatus, ligation kit containing the apparatus and method for ligating hemorrhoid: [MEANS FOR SOLVING] The hemorrhoid ligation apparatus (10) includes a main cylinder (12) to which an O-ring (50) for ligating the hemorrhoid is to be attached on an outer circumferential surface of a front end portion, a sub cylinder (14) air-tightly and slidably provided inside the main cylinder (12), so... Agent: Smith, Gambrell & Russell

20090198256 - Organopexy tool and organopexy kit: The present invention provides an organopexy tool (10, 40) comprising a locking part (11, 41) and suture thread (12, 42). Locking part (11, 41) is made of a rod-shaped part (13, 14), and the coil spring (14) that covers the rod-shaped part (13, 43) and is affixed to one end... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198257 - Organopexy tool and organopexy kit: Organopexy tool set (S) is comprised of suturing tool (30) comprised of rod-shaped securing section (31) and suture (32), puncture needle (10) for insertion that accommodates plural securing sections with the ends of sutures protruding to the outside, and extruding device (20) that is arranged at the base end of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20090198258 - Curved arthroscopic guide: A rigid, curved and hollow guide (100) that can be used to facilitate a variety of arthroscopic surgeries is provided. A longitudinal bore (201) extends from end to end within the guide, at least a portion of which is curved. At least one slotted region (303) extends along at least... Agent: Patent Law Office Of David G. Beck

20090198259 - Apparatus and method for facilitating access to vessels: A device and method for facilitating access to a perimeter surface of a body structure is provided. The device includes an elongate flexible member configured to be positioned adjacent the perimeter surface of the body structure, an atraumatic tip positioned at a distal end of the elongate flexible member, and... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20090198260 - Implantable prosthesis: An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle wall hernia, including an umbilical hernia, and for preventing the occurrence of a hernia at a small opening or weakness in a tissue or muscle wall, such as at a puncture tract opening remaining after completion... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

20090198261 - Gastric inflation band with integrated infusion catheter: An inflatable gastric band incorporates a fluid channel within an outer surface of the band and an inflatable bladder on a stomach-facing side of the band. The gastric band attaches to a double lumen catheter, which communicates with a dual infusion port. One lumen communicates with the fluid channel and... Agent: Blank Rome LLP

20090198262 - Disposable tongue scraper: The present invention relates to a dental implement such as tongue scraper that is disposable and is adapted for prophylactic and/or therapeutic action for the oral cavity. The dental implement may include a tongue scraper, a dental floss, a toothpick, a toothbrush or combinations thereof. The dental implement may include... Agent: Discus Dental, LLC

20090198263 - Device for performing surgery: A scalpel for performing complex surgeries, such as c-sections, is formed of a body that is preferably elongated and shaped and sized to fit ergonomically into the hands of surgeons. The body has surfaces that are joined to each other by smooth transition elements to insure that the body has... Agent: Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman PC

20090198264 - Method and system for improving surgical blades by the application of gas cluster ion beam technology and improved surgical blades: Methods and systems for the improvement of a crystalline and/or poly-crystalline surgical blade include gas cluster ion beam irradiation of the blades in order to smooth; or to sharpen; or to reduce the brittleness and thus reduce susceptibility of the blade to crack, chip, or fracture; or to render the... Agent: Burns & Levinson, LLP

20090198265 - Puncture device and puncture needle cartridge: A puncture device is constituted such that a plunger (2) is provided with a lever (3) which is partially restricted in rotation, and a forward urging force is obtained by a contraction restorative force of a tension spring (4), and the tension spring (4) is again expanded with the lever... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson LLP

20090198266 - Devices and methods for abdominal surgery: A method includes expanding a first balloon distally of a gastro-esophageal junction, and contacting the first balloon to a proximal portion of a stomach. The method can be used for abdominal surgery, such as, for example, bariatic surgery (e.g., gastric bypass surgery), anti-reflux surgery (e.g., fundoplication), and other esophageal-related surgeries... Agent: Jbm Medical LLC

20090198267 - Methods and systems for endovascular aneurysm treatment: Aneurysms are treated by filling a double-walled filling structure with a curable medium. The structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. The filling structures are preferably used in pairs for providing flow into the iliac arteries when treating abdominal aortic... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090198268 - Nasal dilation apparatus: A device for dilating nasal passageways and improving nasal breathing capacity is disclosed. A curved resilient member having divergent first and second ends is provided. After pinching the ends of said resilient member toward one another, the first and second ends can be positioned in respective nostrils of a user's... Agent: Ted M. Anthony

20090198269 - Device for the removal of thrombi from blood vessels: The invention relates to a device for the removal of foreign objects and thrombi from body cavities and blood vessels (12) using at least one guide wire (6, 7) provided with a distal element (2), said distal element (2) being provided with fibers (3) projecting radially outward and the device... Agent: Berliner & Associates

20090198271 - Electrode based filter: Apparatus is described including a filter, configured to be implanted in a blood vessel of a subject. An electrode is configured to be disposed in a vicinity of the blood vessel. A control unit breaks up matter that aggregates on the filter, by driving the electrode to drive a current... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20090198270 - Vein filter: A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the... Agent: Neil D. Gershon

20090198272 - Method and apparatus for articulating the wrist of a laparoscopic grasping instrument: A medical instrument has a set of opposing jaws that can be articulated, both left and right, from centerline. The instrument has a proper bend radius and support for the jaw actuation member and cutter driving member. The bendable support for the drive members comprises tightly wound coil springs. Another... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20090198273 - Pedicle screw: The present invention includes a pedicle screw made with a bone fastener and a rod coupling head, the rod coupling head comprising an upper rod coupling: the lower rod coupling having a lateral rod opening adapted to receive a permanent rod; an angled bore extends into the lateral rod opening;... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20090198274 - Method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint: a bridge post anchor comprising a body adapted for disposition in bone and having a retention element thereon for retaining the body in bone, the bridge post anchor including a capture element for capturing the second portion of the suture to the bone, such that when the center post anchor... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20090198275 - Pacifier and pacifier system: The invention relates generally to a pacifier, and more particularly, but without limitation, to a pacifier that is configured to activate one or more output devices based on whether a nipple of the pacifier is located in a baby's mouth. An embodiment of the invention provides a pacifier that includes:... Agent: Law Office Of Steven R. Olsen, PLLC

20090198276 - Pelvic balancer: A pelvic balancer is disclosed. The pelvic balancer includes a first correction part to support any one of user's left and right pelvic bones placed thereon, a second correction part to support the other one of the user's left and right pelvic bones placed thereon, and a central shaft connected... Agent: Ampacc Law Group

20090198277 - Bone tissue fixation device and method: Systems, methods, and kits incorporating a clamp for securing to bone tissue. The clamp includes gripping members to secure the clamp to the bone tissue without the use of screws. The clamp may be used to treat spinal conditions, and may be secured to the spinous process of vertebrae. Systems,... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

20090198278 - Spinous process spacer: To provide a spinous process spacer that can be stably inserted and fixed between split faces of a split spinous process in a gapless manner, without made-to-order production for each patient. There is provided a spinous process spacer (1) for insertion between split halves of a spinous process resulting from... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20090198279 - Spinal rod link reducer: The present invention includes a rod link reducer of a spinal fixation system that includes a first and a second spinal rod manipulator; a first spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the first spinal rod manipulator and a second spinal rod manipulator joint connected to the second spinal rod manipulator;... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20090198280 - Assembly for orthopaedic surgery: e

20090198283 - Methods and apparatus for vascular protection in spinal surgery: Methods and apparatus provide for: coupling an elongate guide substantially at a first end to at least one vertebral body of a spinal column of a patient; and extending a second end of the guide to a structure of the patient spaced in an anterior direction away from the at... Agent: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

20090198282 - 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

20090198281 - System and method for insertion of flexible spinal stabilization element: A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20090198284 - Hybrid plate system and method: A bone plate system is disclosed which includes a bone plate having at least one plate hole, at least one pin adapted to be disposed in the at least one plate hole, and a polymer component disposed between the at least one pin and the bone plate. The polymer component... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20090198285 - Subcondylar fracture fixation plate system for tubular bones of the hand: A medical implant plate including at least two sets of apertures through an elongated shaft body to individually accommodate and orient set screws or pegs at various angles that may be selected depending on application, i.e., the apertures don't have fixed angled, but allow for a range of angles. Once... Agent: Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

20090198286 - Bone fracture fixation system: A bone fracture fixation system comprising a metallic bone plate having a first composition comprising titanium or a titanium alloy and an opening for receiving a metallic fastener that has a second composition comprising titanium, a titanium alloy, or a stainless steel, and is sized to be received in the... Agent: Lando & Anastasi, LLP

20090198287 - Bone fixation device and method of use thereof: A device for flexibly connecting bones, and a method of using the device for repairing a syndesmotic joint of an ankle are disclosed. The connector has, spaced sequentially, a first portion, a central portion and a second portion, and the portions define a longitudinally extending axis. The method comprises securing... Agent: Bereskin And Parr LLP/s.e.n.c.r.l., S.r.l.

20090198288 - Self-tapping biocompatible interference bone screw: A biocompatible interference screw for soft tissue or bone-to-bone fixation comprises a screw body extending from a screw head to a distal tip of the screw. The screw body has an outer surface, and comprises polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) material. Advantageously, the body outer surface has a textured surface finish for substantially... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20090198289 - Fortified cannulated screw: A cannulated screw is provided having internal threads in a lumen to accommodate a fortifying screw. The fortifying screw is screwed into the threads in the lumen of the cannulated screw after the cannulated screw has been accurately placed in the bone by following a guide pin or guide wire... Agent: Curtis D. Kinghorn Sirius Strategic, LLC

20090198291 - Bone screw: A bone screw and method of inserting a bone screw into a bone is disclosed. In one example, the bone screw includes a tip segment for creating a starter hole in the bone. A pilot segment is located proximally of the tip segment for creating a pilot hole in the... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198290 - Non-clamping fastening mechanism with anti-splay feature: A device for attaching an elongate support member to the spinal column includes a head portion and a fastening member. The head portion may have a U-shaped portion defining a transverse passage therethrough. The passage may be sized to receive a portion of the elongate support member. The head portion... Agent: Medtronic Attn: Noreen Johnson -IPLegal Department

20090198292 - Wire fixation device: A wire fixation device for fixing a tensioned wire or a pin to a medical device has a wire post having a head portion with an opening having a predetermined longitudinal axis for reception of a wire or pin. The wire post has a neck portion for being in engagement... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik