19852results about "Chiropractic devices" patented technology

A battery-powered, modular surgical device includes an electrically powered surgical instrument operable to surgically interface with human tissue and a handle assembly connected to the surgical instrument. The handle assembly has a removable hand grip and a handle body. The hand grip is shaped to permit handling of the surgical device by one hand of an operator, has an upper portion and a cordless internal battery assembly that powers the surgical instrument. The internal battery assembly has at least one energy storage cell. The handle body is operable to removably connect at least the upper portion of the hand grip thereto and create an aseptic seal around at least a portion of the hand grip when connected thereto and electrically couple the internal battery assembly of the hand grip to the surgical instrument and thereby power the surgical instrument for interfacing surgically with the human tissue.

According to some embodiments, a microdermabrasion device for treating skin comprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly includes at least one delivery conduit and at least one waste conduit. The microdermabrasion device additionally comprises a tip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, wherein the tip is adapted to contact skin surface. In several embodiments, the tip comprises a lip, a first opening in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit and a second opening in fluid communication with the waste conduit. In one embodiment, the device includes one or more abrasive elements positioned along a distal end of the tip, wherein the abrasive elements are configured to selectively remove skin as the tip is moved relative to a skin surface. In some embodiments, the delivery conduit is configured to selectively deliver at least one time-release material to the skin surface being treated.

An ultrasonic system useful for providing imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring generally comprises an acoustic transducer assembly configured to enable the ultrasound system to perform the imaging, therapy and temperature monitoring functions. The acoustic transducer assembly comprises a single transducer that is operatively connected to an imaging subsystem, a therapy subsystem and a temperature monitoring subsystem. The ultrasound systems may also include a display for imaging and temperature monitoring functions. An exemplary single transducer is configured such that when connected to the subsystems, the imaging subsystem can generate all image of a treatment region on the display, the therapy subsystem can generate high power acoustic energy to heat the treatment region, and the temperature monitoring subsystem can map and monitor the temperature of the treatment region and display the temperature on the display, an through the use of the single transducer. Moreover, the acoustic transducer assembly is configured such that the imaging, therapeutic heating and temperature monitoring of the treatment region can be conducted substantially simultaneously.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for using a remote control to control an electrosurgical instrument, where the remote controlled (RC) electrosurgical instrument has a universal coupling mechanism to allow switching between an interchangeable catalog of diagnostic tools. A controller within the base of the RC electrosurgical instrument identifies the type of disposable tip attached to the base. The controller, then, activates necessary features for use with the identified tip and deactivates any unnecessary features. A surgeon uses a remote with at least one momementum sensor to control the RC electrosurgical instrument 10. The surgeon rotates his hand mimicking movements of a handheld electrosurgical instrument, the movements of which are translated and sent to the RC electrosurgical instrument. The surgeon may use an augmented reality (AR) vision system to assist the surgeon in viewing the surgical site.

A catheter introduction apparatus provides an ultrasound assembly for emission of ultrasound energy. In one application the catheter and the ultrasound assembly are introduced percutaneously, and transseptally advanced to the ostium of a pulmonary vein. An anchoring balloon is expanded to center an acoustic lens in the lumen of the pulmonary vein, such that energy is converged circumferentially onto the wall of the pulmonary vein when a transducer is energized. A circumferential ablation lesion is produced in the myocardial sleeve of the pulmonary vein, which effectively blocks electrical propagation between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end is provided. The instrument also includes an ultrasonically-actuated cutting element having a tissue contacting surface and a clamp member supported adjacent to the cutting element for clamping tissue. The clamp member includes a sensing mechanism that senses load variations. A handle member located at the proximal end of the transmission member moves the clamp member relative to the cutting element. Also, a feedback mechanism is operatively coupled to the sensing mechanism that supplies information related to the load variations where the output of the tissue cutting element is adjusted based on the sensed load variations.

Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical instrument that combines end-effector geometry to best affect the multiple functions of a shears-type configuration. The shape of the blade is characterized by a radiused cut offset by some distance to form a curved geometry. The cut creates a curved surface with multiple asymmetries causing multiple imbalances within the blade. Imbalance due to the curve of the instrument is corrected by a non-functional asymmetry proximal to the functional asymmetry. Imbalance due to the asymmetric cross-section of the blade is corrected by the appropriate selection of the volume and location of material removed from a functional asymmetry. The shape of the blade in one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by two radiused cuts offset by some distance to form a curved and potentially tapered geometry. These two cuts create curved surfaces including a concave surface and a convex surface. The length of the radiused cuts affects, in part, the acoustic balancing of the transverse motion induced by the curved shape.

An ultrasonic surgical blade, and an instrument, having a gain step. The blade body has, in any half wave length of the ultrasonic-surgical-blade body, a first vibration antinode, a vibration node, a second vibration antinode, and a gain step. The gain step is located between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The gain step is spaced apart from the vibration node by a gain-step distance greater than 5% of the distance between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The instrument includes the blade, a handpiece having an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic transmission rod whose proximal end is operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and whose distal end activates the blade. In one option, the first vibration antinode is the distal tip, and the gain step is located between the vibration node and the distal tip, resulting in an increased active length of the blade.

An orthopedic surgical device with compound ultrasound vibration that comprises a handpiece, a surgical cutter fixed on the anterior top of the handpiece, and an ultrasound signal generator. Inside the outer casing of said handpiece, there are provided: an ultrasound transducer for transforming the ultrasound signals from said ultrasound signal generator into ultrasound mechanical waves; a horn (or amplitude transformer) for amplifying vibration amplitude of ultrasound mechanical waves generated from said transducer and then transmitting the amplified ultrasound mechanical waves to said surgical cutter to lead to longitudinal vibration of the surgical cutter; a driving motor fixed in the back end of said handpiece for driving said ultrasound transducer and horn to accomplish the movement of swing and rotation; an adapter provided between said driving motor and said transducer for supplying ultrasonic electrical signals generated by said ultrasound signal generator to said ultrasound transducer.

A system and methods are provided for the therapeutic treatment of brain-plaques, fibrils, abnormal-protein related or aggregation-prone protein related deposition-diseases. The system employs acoustic exposure therapy means for delivering therapeutic energy to at least one brain region. The therapy supports at least one of the following processes: (i) physical breakup, erosion, disentanglement, de-aggregation, dissolution, de-agglomeration, de-amalgamation or permeation of the deposits, (ii) interference in at least one deposit formation process, deposition related chemical reaction or biological or genetic pathway contributing to the deposits or deposition-related processes, and (iii) aiding the recovery, growth, regrowth or improved functionality of brain-related cells or functional pathways negatively impacted by, stressed by or disposed to the deposits, deposition-processes or deposition disease state, or supporting the growth of newly transplanted cells anywhere in the brain-related anatomy. The system and methods treat Alzheimer's and other deposition-related disorders of the brain, with minimal adverse side effects to the patient and may be used in cooperation with a drug.

A method for ablating tissue with ultrasonic energy is provided. The method including: generating ultrasonic energy from one or more ultrasonic transducers; and focusing the ultrasonic energy in the radial direction by one of: shaping the one or more ultrasonic transducers to focus ultrasonic energy in the radial direction; and arranging one or more lenses proximate the one or more ultrasonic transducers for focusing the ultrasonic energy from the one or more ultrasonic transducers in a radial direction.

Apparatus and method for the treatment of tissue, such as hard and soft tissues, wounds, tumors, muscles, and cartilage, through the direct contact of ultrasound energy is disclosed. Ultrasound energy is delivered to a target area through direct contact with an ultrasound tip. Ultrasound energy is also delivered through direct contact with a coupling medium. The ultrasound tip is specially designed to comprise of a cavity area for controlled fragmentation and the simultaneous sonication of a target area. The specially designed ultrasound tip allows for ultrasound energy to focus on a target area. The ultrasound apparatus may be moved in a variety of different directions during the treatment of tissue.

A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and / or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.

A method and apparatus for producing lysis of adipose tissue underlying the skin of a subject, by: applying an ultrasonic transducer to the subject's skin to transmit therethrough ultrasonic waves focussed on the adipose tissue; and electrically actuating the ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic waves to produce cavitational lysis of the adipose tissue without damaging non-adipose tissue.

A system for the destruction of adipose tissue utilizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) within a patient's body. The system comprises a controller for data storage and the operation and control of a plurality of elements. One elements is a means for mapping a human body to establish three dimensional coordinate position data for existing adipose tissue. The controller is able to identify the plurality of adipose tissue locations on said human body and establish a protocol for the destruction of the adipose tissue. A HIFU transducer assembly having one or more piezoelectric element(s) is used along with at least one sensor wherein the sensor provides feed back information to the controller for the safe operation of the piezoelectric element(s). The sensor is electronically coupled to the controller, and the controller provides essential treatment command information to one or more piezoelectric element(s) based on positioning information obtained from the three dimensional coordinate position data.

Described is a system and method for the destruction of adipose tissue using an energy applicator such as a HIFU transducer. The system has a scan head containing an energy applicator, a mechanical arm for carrying the weight of the scan head, and a therapy controller such as a computer for controlling the operation of the scan head. The therapy controller may be part of a general purpose computer, and may be used as a robotic controller to automate the procedure. Methods are included for destroying adipose tissue in a quick, non-invasive manner.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing the absorption of light in targeted skin structures and for the inhibition of pain transmission during light based treatments of the skin. After applying a vacuum to a vacuum chamber placed on a skin target and modulating the applied vacuum, the concentration of blood and / or blood vessels is increased within a predetermined depth below the skin surface of the skin target. Optical energy associated with light directed in a direction substantially normal to a skin surface adjoining the skin target is absorbed within the predetermined depth. The apparatus is suitable for treating vascular lesions with a reduced treatment energy density level than that of the prior art and for evacuating condensed vapors produced during the cooling of skin. The vacuum chamber may also have a skin flattening transmitting element which inhibits pain transmission upon applying a sufficiently high vacuum.

A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated islets in the tissue are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.

A system and method for an improved biological interface system that processes multicellular signals of a patient and controls one or more devices is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals and a processing unit for producing the control signal based on the multicellular signals. The system may include improved communication, self-diagnostics, and surgical insertion tools.

A system for forming linear lesions in tissue, the system comprising a control unit having an ultrasound vibration driving section, and an ultrasonic applicator operatively connected to the control unit. The ultrasonic applicator comprises an ultrasonic transducer having an acoustic window, and an ultrasonic vibratory element, the ultrasonic vibratory element having a convergent shape with a focus located in the direction of the acoustic window. An air gap is adjacent to the ultrasonic vibratory element in an opposite direction from the focal point. The system further comprises means for controlling the depth of the lesion formed in the tissue.

Obesity or fat deposits are treated with ultrasound. In one embodiment, a waveguide-based apparatus and method are disclosed for applying ultrasound to a treatment-subject for the purpose of providing treatment or therapy for obesity, fat-deposits, cosmetic benefit or other bodily therapy tasks. In another embodiment, a novel apparatus and method are disclosed for providing at least one such treatment or therapy using a liquid-based waveguide. In yet another embodiment, a wearable apparatus is disclosed that incorporates a waveguide of the invention. Any of the embodiments has application to hospital use, clinical use or home use, for example, and the place of use will likely be determined by which treatment mechanism is employed and at what power-level.

A first method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes obtaining an end effector having an ultrasound medical-treatment transducer assembly, identifying a blood vessel which supplies blood to a portion of the uterus, and medically treating the blood vessel with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to substantially seal the blood vessel to substantially stop the supply of blood from the blood vessel to the portion of the uterus. In one example, shrinkage of a uterine fibroid is accomplished through use of the end effector endoscopically inserted into the uterus. A second method for ultrasound uterine medical treatment includes endoscopically inserting the end effector into the uterus and medically treating the endometrium lining with ultrasound from the transducer assembly to ablate a desired thickness of at least a portion of the endometrium lining to substantially stop abnormal uterine bleeding from the endometrium lining.

Methods and devices that provide ultrasonic energy used to cause one or more nerves to become dysfunctional. A nerve to be treated is placed in the focal zone of ultrasonic energy emitted by ultrasound transducer. A first level of ultrasonic energy is provided to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the first level sufficient to stimulate the nerve. A verification is made that the desired nerve is being stimulated by the first level of ultrasonic energy. For example, the patient may be asked to confirm that the ultrasonically stimulated nerve corresponds to the pain that is affecting the patient. Subsequent to verifying the stimulated nerve is the nerve desired for the reduction of pain, a second level of ultrasonic energy is delivered to the nerve using the ultrasound transducer, the second level of ultrasonic energy sufficient to cause nerve dysfunction.

A focused ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transducer device forming an opening, and having a plurality of transducer elements positioned at least partially around the opening. A focused ultrasound system includes a structure having a first end for allowing an object to be inserted and a second end for allowing the object to exit, and a plurality of transducer elements coupled to the structure, the transducer elements located relative to each other in a formation that at least partially define an opening, wherein the transducer elements are configured to emit acoustic energy that converges at a focal zone.

The invention provides a convenient and non-invasive means to prepare cells, tissues, and organs for electrical transmission and reception. In an embodiment of the invention, a control method comprises the use of at least one skin electrode, as a reference electrode, and an electrical sensor to measure periodically or continuously the skin's electrical conductance at the site of preparation. The dynamic change in the conductance through the skin is measured while the ultrasound is applied. Signal processing is performed on the measurement and the level of skin impedance change is controlled by performing a mathematical analysis and using the results of such analysis to control the application of ultrasonic energy. A desired level of skin impedance can be set at a predetermined value or based on a chosen level of skin integrity, subject's sensation of discomfort, or duration of the ultrasound application.