2868results about "Restraining devices" patented technology

A robotic surgical system includes a sterile surgical instrument, a robotic surgical manipulator, and a sterile drape covering at least a portion of the robotic surgical manipulator. The surgical instrument has a proximal interface and a distal end effector. The proximal interface includes a gimbal assembly with two intersecting rotational axes coupled to the distal end effector. The robotic surgical manipulator has a drive plate that bears against the gimbal assembly. The drive plate has two degrees of rotational freedom about a center of motion that is coincident with an intersection of the axes of the gimbal assembly. The sterile drape includes a sterile sheet covers at least a portion of the robotic surgical manipulator, a frame bonded to the sterile sheet, an instrument interface that covers the drive plate of the robotic surgical manipulator, and a diaphragm that connects the instrument interface to the frame.

The invention is a device for application in the sterile area for controlling an electric instrument provided in the non-sterile area, with the sterile area being separated from the non-sterile area substantially by a covering. The invention comprises at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field which is provided in the non-sterile area and a unit generating a magnetic field is provided in the sterile area. The at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field and the unit generating a magnetic field are separated from each other at least by the covering. The unit generating the magnetic field is disposed relative to the at least one sensor responsive to a magnetic field so that a variation of the magnetic field in space and / or time, which is induced by the unit generating the magnetic field, is detectable by the at least one sensor responsive to the magnetic field and a sensor signal can be generated. A controller unit is provided that generates a control signal for controlling the electric instrument in response to the sensor signal.

A wound protector and retractor device comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a sleeve extending between the distal ring and the proximal ring. The sleeve is fixed to the proximal ring at a first end portion and axially slidable over the proximal ring at a second end portion.

An access device particularly adapted for use in laparoscopic surgery facilitates access with instruments, such as the hand of the surgeon, across a body wall and into a body cavity. The device can be formed of a gel material having properties for forming a zero seal, or an instrument seal with a wide range of instrument diameters. The gel material can be translucent facilitating illumination and visualization of the surgical site through the access device.

A surgical instrument and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.

An assembly for protecting biological tissue from the effects of heating. The assembly contains a conductor in contact with the biological tissue and forming an electrical circuit comprising the biological tissue. The assembly contains a device for modifying the impedance of the electrical circuit such that, at a frequency of from about 10 megahertz to about 150 megahertz, such impedance is at least about 0.5 ohms per centimeter of length of said conductor. The assembly also contains a device for limiting the flow of current through the biological tissue such that, when the assembly is exposed to an alternating current electromagnetic field at a frequency of 64 megahertz and a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla for 15 minutes, the temperature of the biological tissue does not exceed 42 degrees Celsius.

The invention teaches the use of a surgical instrument for creating and preparing a cavity in a bony intervertebral body. Asymmetrical cutting structures selectively open a cavity which has a relatively large surface area in the vertical direction.

Generally described the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for aligning the lower extremities of a patient with a mechanical axis. More specifically, the present invention provides an exoskeleton or external framework that positions a patient's leg into a desired mechanical axis in preparation for surgery or other medical treatment.

A system and method for knee arthroplasty procedures, using a novel leg rotation fixture to enable the leg mechanical axis, the tibia and the femur to be mutually disposed such that the load bearing, mechanical axis of the leg runs through the center of the knee joint. A measurement gauge is provided for mounting on the tibia and for aligning a baseplate in a known position on the tibia. This baseplate supports an X-ray target plate in a known position relative to the tibia, used in determining the mechanical axis, and an optional surgical robot, used to perform tibial and femoral cuts. The position of the femur relative to the robot may be determined from X-ray imaging of the pelvic region after attachment to the baseplate of an additional target extending to the pelvic region. The system enables improvement in the accuracy of knee arthroplasty procedures.

Medical component systems are described in which individual hand-held components are enhanced by adjacent restraint and by combinations of function, including: suction devices with a port for regulating suction with single-finger-operable valve for repeatable incremental user control of suction-vacuum variation by aperture shapes like triangles and slots and tactile feedback means like plane changes for amplifying tactile feedback to a user to enhance distinguishing of control increments; clips and tubing restraints for attachment between devices; endotracheal tubes with feedback features so a user knows where the distal end is; wound kits and splash shields for use in combination with various irrigation sources; combination cough shields with medical components; endotracheal tube adapters with less dead space and improved flanges and monitoring ports; and improved long syringes and medical lights.

Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity. The devices may be configured to include leak paths to regulate the expiratory pressure when worn by a subject. Methods for using these devices may include securing a device over or at least partially within (or both of) a subject's nasal cavities.

At least one elongated body is sized and configured for implantation in a desired orientation in a tissue region in an airway. An array of projections extends from the elongated body and is resiliently coupled to the elongated body. The array or projections is in a normally biased outward extending condition sized and configured to engage tissue and resist a reorientation of the elongated body within the tissue region out of the desired orientation after implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region. The array of projections is sized and configured to resiliently yield by flexing inward against the elongated body during implantation of the elongated body in the tissue region.

An ankle support (100) is constructed using a molded pad (110) and a rigid shell (112). The pad (110) and the shell (112) may be sealed together to form a bladder-pad cushion for comfort. The internal structure of the pad (110) is molded to include geometrically shaped cells of various size, shape and thickness to provide differing levels of localized comfort to the user of the ankle support (100). The pad may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is spring-like and resists compression sets. The pad may include integrally-molded fingers extending to the shell. The fingers may have different lengths in one or more regions, in order to increase the cushioning effect in a particular region. The pad / shell combination may form a sealed bladder, and a pneumatic pump may be provided in conjunction with the shell so that the user can inflate the bladder.

The present invention provides a therapeutic limb covering and an associated method of treating chronic swelling of a limb. The limb covering is uses hydrostatic pressure provided by liquid contained within the covering to apply pressure to the limb. The limb covering comprises a substantially non-distensible flexible outer layer, a distensible flexible inner layer joined together and a liquid tight bladder therebetween. The covering may be adapted for releasable securement about a limb such as an arm or a lower leg and foot of a patient. After placement on the limb, when the bladder is filled with a liquid, such as water, it expands to contact and apply pressure to the limb.

A suspension walker having a hard, outer boot shell with upright brace members attached on either side and a soft boot receivable thereon. The soft boot has a main pad in it with a removable, fitting pad or pads on top of the main pad. A cuff member is also provided that is securable to the patient's calf and to the upright brace members. In use, the fitting pad is removed during the initial fitting and subsequent uses to suspend the patient's foot in the walker. The cuff member is also infinitely adjustable along the brace members to vary the fit as desired.

A protective helmet apparatus of modular construction to be worn by anesthetized patients for facial support during surgery. The helmet apparatus is assembled using one of a plurality of interchangeable, substantially transparent helmet casings, which are removably attachable to a plurality of dismountable facial cushions providing even support to the facial surface of a patient. The removable facial cushions are dimensioned on and interior surface to accommodate different sized facial structures of different patients to yield maximum pressure diffusion on the face and chin of the patient and are replaceable when worn. The exterior surface of the facial cushions are dimensioned for cooperative engagement with the interior surface of the helmet casing. A plurality of different facial cushions and helmet casings are modular in design and dimension to be interchangeable with each other thus providing accommodate the broad differences in facial structure and size of patients using them for surgery. The cushions may be marked with printed or color coded indicia to designate size. A view of the patients eyes and surrounding area is afforded through in line ocular apertures extending around a front surface area and up at least one sidewall. The ocular aperture is in line with a cushion ocular aperture when the cushion is engaged with the casing thereby allowing a view of the patent eye and surrounding face through the ocular aperture from the side of the device. Additional utility is provided by variable elevation above a registered engagement with a mount which also may provide a mirrored surface to reflect the patent facial features for viewing by upright doctors and operating staff. An optional integral heating element aids in temperature control of the patient's head during surgery.

The invention comprises a laying, semi-vertical, or seated patient positioning, alignment, and / or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Patient positioning constraints are used to maintain the patient in a treatment position, including one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are movable and / or under computer control for rapid positioning and / or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and / or in system verification and validation.

A disposable sterile surgical drape with pre-attached disposable sterile instruments for use in a selected surgical procedure is provided. The disposable sterile surgical drape basically comprises a drape having a size for covering an operating table and a patient thereon and having an incision opening formed therein, a patient heat distributing pad pre-attached to the bottom side of the drape, an absorbent cloth surrounding the incision opening pre-attached to the bottom side of the drape, a cover for the incision opening in the drape pre-attached to the top side of the drape, and the surgical instruments and connecting tubes or wires required to accomplish the surgical procedure pre-attached to the drape.

An operation support device having a surgical instrument unit and a surgical instrument unit support section, includes: an intermediate member connected to the surgical instrument support section and configured to hold the surgical instrument unit; a shielding member having a hole portion engaged with the intermediate member; and a driving force supply unit installed at the surgical instrument support section. A first space and a second space are formed by an assembly constituted by the shielding member and the intermediate member engaged with the hole portion as a boundary. The intermediate member is connected to the surgical instrument support section at a side of the first space, and holds the surgical instrument unit at a side of the second space. The driving force supply unit and the surgical instrument support section are disposed in the first space.

An upper tray adapted to receive a wearer's maxillary teeth. A lower tray adapted to receive the wearer's mandibular teeth. A first upper ridge is carried on a maxillary occlusal surface of the upper tray. A second upper ridge is carried on the maxillary occlusal surface of the upper tray posterior to and spaced from the first upper ridge. A lower ridge is carried on a mandibular occlusal surface of the lower tray received between the first upper ridge and the second upper ridge. The lower tray is movable to a forward position where the lower ridge abuts the first upper ridge to limit forward movement of the lower tray in relation to the upper tray, and the lower tray is movable to a rearward position where the lower ridge abuts the second upper ridge to limit rearward movement of the lower tray in relation to the upper tray.

Acoustic shielding system and method for protecting and shielding non-targeted regions or tissues that are not intended to be treated by ultrasonic procedures from acoustic energy using a shield. In some embodiments, the shield comprises multiple layers made of one or more materials with one or more acoustic impedances. In some embodiments a multilayered shield includes materials with relatively different acoustic impedance levels. In some embodiments, the shield includes active components such as energy diversion devices, heating, cooling, monitoring, and / or sensing. In some embodiments, the shield is configured to protect an eye, mouth, nose or ear while allowing the ultrasound to treat the surrounding tissue. One embodiment of an eye shield is configured to fit under at least one eyelid and over a portion of the eye.

A method of forming a finFET transistor using a sidewall epitaxial layer includes forming a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer above an oxide layer above a substrate, forming a cap layer above the SiGe layer, removing portions of the SiGe layer and the cap layer to form a feature, forming sidewalls along lateral walls of the feature, and removing the feature.

An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.

Methods and devices to prevent and / or treat breathing disorders (e.g., upper airways disorders) in mammals related to impaired airflow are described. Methods and devices apply force to soft tissue that avoids obstruction of airflow in the mammel's airway. Breathing disorders that are avoided by the methods and / or devices include apnea.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and / or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

A compression garment for selective application for treatment of lymphedema and related illnesses manifested at various locations of the body. The garment includes a pair or series of layers of hermetically sealed material, that can capture pressurized air, when applied therein, and is formed through the patterned sealing of the layers of the garment together, at select locations, to form air pockets that can selectively apply isolated points of pressure to the patient's affected area, without disrupting normal vascular and lymphatic functioning. The garment is design cut, for application to various segments of the body, and applies encompassing pressure over the entire affected area, and includes valves that can allow for the injection of measurable air, to the desired pressure points, or its deflation, after treatment.

An apparatus for stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint comprises in one embodiment a base having an opening, a buttress secured to the base sheet member, a tensioning member secured to the base sheet member, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the buttress, a pair of tensioning arms secured to the tensioning member, a pair of compression members formed from the base, and a stabilizing member secured to an edge of the base. A method of stabilizing movement of the patella in the patellofemoral joint during physical activities comprises in one embodiment the steps of positioning a support brace having an opening against the knee, extending a portion of the brace against the knee to apply a first force against portions of the knee in the opening, and extending another portion of the brace against the knee to apply a second force against the knee.