584 results about "Biomedical engineering" patented technology

A prosthetic stented heart valve which includes a compressible and expandable stent structure having first and second opposite ends, an expanded outer periphery, and a compressed outer periphery that is at least slightly smaller than the expanded outer periphery when subjected to an external radial force. The valve further includes a valve segment comprising a dual-layer sheet formed into a generally tubular shape having at least one longitudinally extending seam, and a plurality of leaflets formed by attachment of an outer layer of the dual-layer sheet to an inner layer of the dual-layer sheet in a leaflet defining pattern. The valve segment is at least partially positioned within the stent structure. The valve may further include at least one opening in the outer layer of the dual-layer sheet that is spaced from both the first and second ends of the stent structure.

A device for grasping an implant is provided. The implant has a first and second surface, with at least one of the first and seconds surfaces being non-planar. The device includes a first grasping element having a first grasping surface that conforms to the first surface of the implant, and a second grasping element having a second grasping surface conforming to the second surface of the implant. At least one of the first grasping element and the second grasping element can be moved to grasp the implant, such that the first grasping surface contacts the first surface of the implant and the second grasping surface contacts the second surface of the implant.

Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

An anchor element serves for knotless fixing of a tissue to a bone by means of at least one suture threaded through said anchor element. A body of that anchor element has an outer surface with projections. A transverse bore is arranged in a distal end section of said body for receiving a threading passing therethrough. A clamp element serves for clamping the suture threaded transversely through the bore. The clamping element has a portion arranged within the body and is movably within the body towards that transverse bore.

Embodiments of a smart surgical drape are disclosed. The surgical drape includes an insulating material and one or more sensors mounted with the insulating material, the one or more sensors detecting proximity between the surgical drape and a device. Some embodiments of the smart surgical drape can be utilized on surgical robots or other devices in the surgical area to detect potential collisions.

The instant invention relates generally to catheters and to introducer catheters used to help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within the human body. In particular, the instant invention relates to large diameter catheters and introducer catheters having a torque transfer layer that includes at least two flat wires braided into a wire mesh. The flat wires have a width of at least about 0.007 inches and a depth of at least about 0.003 inches. The lumen diameter of the catheter is at least about 6 French. The torque transfer layer provides increased strength, flexibility, and kink resistance.

A battery module, including a plurality of unit cells and a cell barrier interposed between the unit cells, is provided. The cell barrier includes a body member and a fixing part disposed on the edge of the body member and connected to an adjacent cell barrier while housing a unit cell.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering energy substantially distal to an electrosurgical device. Embodiments of a device of the present invention may comprise an elongate member having one or more electrically insulated portions and a distal face comprising one or more electrically exposed conductive portions for delivering energy substantially distal to the elongate member. At least one of the one or more electrically insulated portions may extend from a proximal region of the elongate member to a distal end of the elongate member. In addition, a method is provided for creating a lesion at a target site within a body of a human or animal using an electrosurgical device. The method may comprise the steps of: inserting the electrosurgical device into the body such that the electrosurgical device is generally upstanding relative to the target site; and delivering energy from an energy source through a distal face of the electrosurgical device such that the energy is directed substantially distal to the distal face towards the target site.

An intervertebral implant has two U-shaped inserts set over each other with a center piece in between. The two inserts each have an opposing base surface, two lateral side surfaces, and a contact surface. The contact surface has a channel configured to receive a spinal process of a vertebral body. The center piece has two resting surfaces corresponding respectively to each contact surfaces. The contact and resting surfaces each have corresponding structures that can engage each other such that the U-shaped inserts can each be fastened in a detachable manner to the center piece. The U-shaped inserts each have on the same lateral side surface connecting means to fasten the inserts to gripping elements of a surgical instrument. And the first and second structures can be engaged or disengaged only by the lateral side surface fitted with the connecting means.

The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises a vessel support member, a handle, and a tubular cutting device. The vessel support member is introduced into the vessel section to be harvested. The tubular cutting device may comprise an outer tubular member or an outer and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member carries at least one cutting element. The tubular member or members are advanced over the vessel section and vessel support member to core out the vessel section and tissue adjoining the vessel section.

A surgical implant namely a tissue expander or adjustable implant having a synthetic mesh loosely attached to the surface. The mesh is elastic in all directions and the implant adjustable or expandable. The expandable implant is filled to an over filled volume into the surrounding tissue until a new capsule forms. At this stage the volume of the implant is reduced leaving the supporting capsule with the mesh at a larger volume. The volume of the implant is then reduced thus rendering a tension free capsule around the implant. The filling tube of the adjustable implant is then removed leaving the adjustable implant in position. Alternatively the tissue expander may be removed and a new implant placed in the expanded tension free pocket.

Retrievable intravascular filters for insertion within a blood vessel are disclosed. A retrievable intravascular filter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes an apical head operatively coupled to a number of elongated filter legs that can be used to collect blood clots contained within a blood vessel. A bendable anchoring member coupled to or formed integrally with one or more of the elongated filter legs can be used to temporarily or permanently secure the intravascular filter to the wall of the blood vessel.

A disposable diaper that includes a cover member and a body fluid absorbent member attached to an inner side of the cover member. The absorbent member is composed of a liquid-pervious topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core member disposed therebetween. The absorbent member is formed on a side adjacent the backsheet with at least one first groove concaved in a direction from the backsheet toward the topsheet.

A pressure-detecting mat includes a plurality of communication modules that are configured to communicate with each other using the two dimension diffusive signal-transmission technology, a module layer that includes the plurality of communication modules scattered therein, a plurality of conductive layers that electrically interconnect the plurality of communication modules, at least two insulating layers that sandwich the module layer and the plurality of conductive layers, and a plurality of pressure sensors that are arranged in one of all the layers except the farthest layer in a pressure applying direction. Each of the pressure sensors being capable of detecting a pressure and communicating with each of the communication modules to send an output signal according to the detected pressure to each of the communication modules. The total stiffness of the layers that are farther in the pressure applying direction than the layer in which the pressure sensors are arranged is higher than the total stiffness of the layers that are closer in the pressure applying direction than the layer in which the pressure sensors are arranged.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for attaching cardiac devices onto a natural heart by employing arrays of gripping elements, such as hooks or barbs. The gripping elements are designed to penetrate and lodge themselves in the epicardial tissue in order to secure the device to at least a portion of the surface of the heart muscle. The gripping elements, although designed to penetrate the surface of the heart, have limited depth penetration so as to avoid puncture of blood vessels. The attachment mechanisms disclosed herein can also permit both attachment and detachment of device.

Systems for detecting when catheter electrodes enter into and exit from an introducer are disclosed. In one form, a system detects a relative position of a catheter (comprising a marker band and an electrode) and an introducer (comprising a proximity sensor adapted to sense the marker band), while the catheter and introducer are in a human body. The system may comprise an electronic control unit to analyze signals from the catheter and/or the introducer, to determine whether the catheter electrode is within the introducer; and to disregard data collected from the electrode when that electrode is in the introducer. The sensor may be on the catheter and the sensed element may be on the introducer. The sensed element may comprise one or several marker bands. A marker band may be applied during the manufacture of a medical device or during its use and is any element capable of electromagnetic detection.

An implantable prosthesis comprised of a solid elastomer made from a synthetic organic polymer that is biocompatible, compliant, and has water content greater than 5%. The solid construction prevents leaks and ruptures that are prevalent in other implants. The implant has the look, fit and feel of human tissue from various parts of the body.

A self-contouring spinal rod assembly. The assembly has a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A plurality of rod elements extend along the length, such that each of the plurality of rod elements is in contact with an adjacent rod element. The plurality of rod elements are fixed against movement relative to each other at the distal end. The plurality of rod elements are movable relative to each other along a length proximal the distal end. A method of assembling the spinal rod assembly is also provided.

A hand held device for removing hard skin from calluses comprises a handle (1) and a cutting head (2) having a base plate (8), and several tubular cutting elements (10) inclined so that their cutting edges lie in inclined planes at an angle of 5° to 45° to a skin contact plane defined by the extremities of the cutting elements. The cutting elements can be arranged in an array of staggered rows.

A medical apparatus includes a medical assist device to process signals to relating biological functions. A first lead is operatively connected to the medical assist device, the first lead having a distal end and a proximal end. A second lead is operatively connected to the medical assist device, the second lead having a distal end and a proximal end. The first electrode is operatively connected to the distal end of the first lead, and a second electrode is operatively connected to the distal end of the second lead. A filter circuit is operatively connected near the distal end of the first lead and the distal end of the second lead. A compensation circuit, operatively connected to the first lead, provides a compensation voltage to enable the filter to effectively block changing magnetic fields induced current in the second lead from passing through the second electrode of the distal end of the second lead.

A catheter system and method is provided for overcoming various problems commonly associated with the application of regional anesthesia. Disclosed herein are several embodiments for providing continuous regional anesthesia. In general, the catheter system includes an epidural catheter, an epidural needle, tubing for optional fluid administration, an attached conductive wire (for connection to a nerve stimulator) and a catheter introducer, which is integrated within the proximal hub of the insulated needle. The embodiments may differ in several ways.

A method and apparatus for customizing an intervertebral implant includes the initial step of obtaining a 3D anatomy of a series of vertebrae including an abnormal vertebra in a computer. The 3D anatomy of the series is then repositioned in the computer to eliminate the deformity caused by the abnormal vertebra. It is next determined whether a superior or inferior surface of the abnormal vertebra is an abnormal surface which causes the deformity, whereby an approximate gap between the abnormal surface and a desired normal surface is determined. Using that gap determination, a custom implant is constructed to engage the abnormal surface and fill the determined gap. Thus, when the implant is implanted between the abnormal surface and an adjacent surface of an adjacent vertebrae, the deformity is substantially compensated for. The implant may have articulation between the endplates to allow relative movement therebetween.