5805results about "Suction devices" patented technology

A qualifying connection for an instrument attaches to a source of electrosurgery energy to and the instrument and has first and second parts coupled to the instrument and the source, respectively. Optical couplings on the connection transmit invisible energy to identify the instrument and are proximate on the first and second parts. A light modifier on the first part is proximal to the second part for modification of radiation in the infrared wavelengths so infrared transmitters encode signals and non contact coded proximity detectors on the second part are the coupled detectors. Non contact coded proximity detectors respond to modified infrared light establishing an Nth bit identification code. An infrared light supply in the source pass from the transmitters across the communicating couplings for encoding signals by modification of the infrared light with a light modifier. Mechanical attachments include conjugating male and female portions physically extending between the parts for mating engagement. The attachments juxtaposition the parts when the attachments geometrically conjugate to geographically positioning the couplings proximate for communicating. The attachments have one or more conductors for delivery of high frequency energy from the source to the instrument. A cable fits between the first part of the connection and the instrument and has electrical conductors for carrying energy passing through the first part of the connection from the source to the instrument. An identifying circuit couples to the second part and responds to invisible light optically communicated across the couplings for verifying the type of instrument connected by the cable to the source.

Abstract of the Disclosure

Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and/or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction.

A system and method for powered surgical handpiece capable of powering various micro-cutting instruments is described. The system is comprised of a controller adapted for controlling/interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece based upon user-defined procedural information. A data entry device is used for entering the user-defined procedural information used by the controller for configuring and operating the motor control system.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.

A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a liquid and gas permeable transmission layer, an absorbent layer for absorbing wound exudate, the absorbent layer overlying the transmission layer, a gas impermeable cover layer overlying the absorbent layer and comprising a first orifice, wherein the cover layer is moisture vapor permeable.

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

A biocompatible wound dressing comprised of a pad for insertion substantially into a wound site and a wound drape for sealing enclosure of the foam pad at the wound site. The pad, comprised of a foam or other like material having relatively few open cells in contact with the areas upon which cell growth is to be encouraged so as to avoid unwanted adhesions, but having sufficiently numerous open cells so that drainage and negative pressure therapy may continue unimpaired, is placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source for promotion of fluid drainage, as known in the art. The pad is further comprised of an ultra-low density fused-fibrous ceramic, or a bioabsorbable branched polymer, or cell growth enhancing matrix or scaffolding.

A piston-type infusion pump is provided having an improved method of occlusion detection. The infusion pump includes processing circuitry for controlling the drive mechanism to infuse medication to a patient, including a sensor to track the position of the syringe plunger, thereby metering the amount of medication dispensed to the patient. The processing circuitry also includes a force sensor for providing signals indicative of the presence of occlusions along the infusion path. The operation of the drive mechanism causes delivery of medication to the patient. The infusion pump is constructed to be watertight.

Apparatus and methods for treating an intervertebral disc by ablation of disc tissue. A method of the invention includes positioning at least one active electrode within the intervertebral disc, and applying at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s), wherein the volume of the nucleus pulposus is decreased, pressure exerted by the nucleus pulposus on the annulus fibrosus is reduced, and discogenic pain of a patient is alleviated. In other embodiments, a curved or steerable probe is guided to a specific target site within a disc to be treated, and the disc tissue at the target site is ablated by application of at least a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s). A method of making an electrosurgical probe is also disclosed.

A drug administration controller has a sensor that generates a sensor signal to a physiological measurement device, which measures a physiological parameter in response. A control output responsive to the physiological parameter or a metric derived from the physiological parameter causes a drug administration device to affect the treatment of a person, such as by initiating, pausing, halting or adjusting the dosage of drugs administered to the person.

Devices, systems and methods for performing image guided interventional and surgical procedures, including various procedures to treat sinusitis and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, ears, nose or throat.

A system and method for the temporary closure of a wound, especially an abdominal wound, to facilitate re-entry, final closure, and long term healing of the wound. An abdominal wound dressing and methods of use are described that enable the application of negative pressure to the wound site in a site healing promoting manner while also limiting the formation of adhesions that would prevent the removal of the dressing. The dressing comprises a layer of porous foam material (36) enclosed by sheets of elastomeric material (38) punctuated by a number of appropriately placed holes (34). Multiple layers of porous foam may also be used. A suction tube connector (16) is provided on an upper surface of a layer of foam (12) for connection to a negative pressure source. At least one layer of foam is enclosed in elastomeric material and is placed in direct contact with the tissue within the open wound. Fluids are drawn by negative pressure through the holes positioned in the elastomeric envelope, and through the foam. If multiple foam layers are employed, the lower layer(s) of foam are of a finer porosity while the upper layer of foam is coarse. An adhesive elastomeric sheet (14) covers the entire wound dressing and seals the edges to the skin surrounding the wound. An appropriate vacuum device is attached to the suction tube connector.

A multi-layer reduced pressure delivery apparatus is provided for applying reduced pressure tissue treatment to a tissue site. The multi-layer apparatus includes a tissue contact layer, a release layer, and a manifold layer. The tissue contact layer includes a scaffold adapted to contact the tissue site, the release layer includes a hydrogel-forming material and a plurality of flow channels, and the manifold layer includes a distribution manifold. The release layer is positioned between the tissue contact layer and the manifold layer to allow easy release of the manifold layer from the tissue contact layer following the administration of reduced pressure tissue treatment.

A device for delivering fluid to a patient including an exit port assembly, a reservoir including a side wall extending towards an outlet connected to the exit port assembly, a threaded lead screw received at least partly in the reservoir and longitudinally extending towards the outlet, and a plunger secured to the lead screw and having an outer periphery linearly slideable along the side wall of the reservoir. A tube is coaxially received on the lead screw and includes a longitudinal slot, a pin extending through the lead screw and the slot of the tube, and a gear is secured to the tube for rotation therewith.

A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.

Methods and devices for implanting pacing electrodes or other apparatus, or for delivering substances, to the heart of other tissues within the body. A guided tissue penetrating catheter is inserted into a body lumen (e.g., blood vessel) or into a body cavity or space (e.g., the pericardial space) and a penetrator is advanced from the catheter to a target location. In some embodiments, a substance or an apparatus (such as an electrode) may be delivered through a lumen in the penetrator. In other embodiments, a guidewire may be advanced through the penetrator, the penetrating catheter may then be removed and an apparatus (e.g., electrode) may then be advanced over that guidewire. Also disclosed are various implantable electrodes and electrode anchoring apparatus.

Implantable devices and methods for delivering drugs and other substances to locations within the body of a human or animal subject to treat or diagnose sinusitis and a variety of other disorders. The invention includes implantable substance delivery devices that comprise reservoirs and barriers that control the rate at which substances pass out of the reservoirs. The delivery devices may be advanced into the body using guidewires, catheters, ports, introducers and other access apparatus. In some embodiments the delivery devices may be loaded with one or more desired substance before their introduction into the body. In other embodiments the delivery devices are loaded and/or reloaded with a desired substance after the delivery device has been introduced into the body.

The phacoemulsification needle according to the invention comprises a shaft, a tip disposed at a distal end of said shaft, the tip having a larger outer diameter than said shaft and an aspiration lumen extending through said shaft and said tip. The tip has an opening communicating with said aspiration lumen, a ball-shaped surface and a flat distal end comprising said opening. This needle can be used for removal of the cataract nucleus as well as for removal of the residual tissue.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and devices for sustained medical infusion with controlled rate injection of a liquid into a body. Such a system may include a first separate reusable unit, a second separate depletable unit a third separate disposable unit having a cannula, and may include a fourth separate remote control unit. Emission of appropriate instructions from the fourth unit, when the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are coupled together in associative operation and disposed on the skin, power is supplied to an engine for generating motion to a fluid transfer system, and when the cannula is inserted in the well and in the body, liquid is transferred from the reservoir to the body, via the tube and the cannula, under control of the controller and transceiver.

A method and apparatus for the transcutaneous monitoring of blood gases generally comprises a blood gas data acquisition device, a vacuum source and a blood gas transducer unit. The blood gas transducer unit is adapted for application to a patient's skin and administration of a local vacuum at the area of patient application. It further comprises an electrochemical blood gas transducer, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which is disposed entirely within the local vacuum at the area of patient application. The vacuum source is placed in fluid communication with the blood gas transducer unit, through a hydrophobic membrane filter for safety purposes, in order to induce a condition of hyperperfusion in the locality of the electrochemical blood gas transducer. Under the control of a microcontroller, or equivalent means, the blood gas acquisition device is then utilized to capture a measure of skin surface oxygen or carbon dioxide pressure. The microcontroller can then utilize this measure to arrive at an estimate of arterial partial pressure of oxygen or carbon dioxide, accordingly. Because vacuum induced perfusion produces the requisite condition of hyperperfusion without local heating and, therefore, without acceleration of the local metabolic function, the present invention results in more accurate than previously available estimates of partial pressure blood gas pressures and does so while eliminating a significant risk for injury to the patient.

A device for delivering fluid, such as insulin for example, to a patient. The device includes a flow path having an exit port assembly adapted to connect to a transcutaneous patient access tool, and a reservoir connected to the exit port assembly. The device also includes a flow restriction system having an air removal filter communicating with the flow path and allowing air to exit the flow path and preventing fluid from exiting the flow path, and a flow restrictor positioned within the flow path between the air removal filter and the exit port assembly. Among other features and advantages, the flow restriction system of the present invention allows the flow path of the fluid delivery device to be purged of air, or “primed” prior to operation, such that desired volumes of fluid can be accurately delivered by the device.

An automated injection module is comprised of a housing, a piston drug capsule disposed within the housing, a piston core including a puncture seal membrane defining a reservoir for holding a drug between the puncture seal membrane and the piston drug capsule, an injection device having at least one sharp end for puncturing the puncture seal upon activation of the device, an end cap on a distal end of the housing, and a pressure source on a proximal end of the housing. The pressure source is preferably a propellant that ignites and forces the piston toward the distal end. Substantially simultaneously, the injection device pierces the puncture seal membrane, the piston core is forced into the piston drug capsule, and the drug is evacuated from the reservoir through the injection device and into a patient.

The invention provides an apparatus and system for ablation of body structures or tissue in the region of the rectum. A catheter is inserted into the rectum, and an electrode is disposed thereon for emitting energy. The environment for an ablation region is isolated or otherwise controlled by blocking gas or fluid using a pair of inflatable balloons at upstream and downstream locations. Inflatable balloons also serve to anchor the catheter in place. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the catheter and at least one such electrode is selected and advanced out of the catheter to penetrate and ablate selected tissue inside the body in the region of the rectum. The electrodes are coupled to sensors to determine control parameters of the body structure or tissue, and which are used by feedback technique to control delivery of energy for ablation or fluids for cooling or hydration. The catheter includes an optical path disposed for coupling to an external view piece, so as to allow medical personnel to view or control positioning of the catheter and operation of the electrodes. The catheter is disposed to deliver flowable substances for aiding in ablation, or for aiding in repair of tissue, such as collagen or another substance for covering lesions or for filling fissures. The flowable substances are delivered using at least one lumen in the catheter, either from at least one hole in the catheter, from an area of the catheter covered by a microporous membrane, or from microporous balloons.

A computer implemented method and associated apparatus for the combined control of insulin bolus dosing and basal delivery for the goal of achieving normal glycemic response to meals, exercise, stressors, and other perturbations to blood glucose levels. A run-to-run algorithm is used to monitor blood glucose levels and adjust insulin delivery as conditions are varied.

The invention relates to membrane pumps for delivering liquids. More specifically, a pump is provided having a pump housing with a pump cavity formed between first and second wall portions thereof, and an pump membrane pump membrane having first and second membrane surfaces arranged within the pump cavity, whereby a pump chamber is provided between the first wall portion and the first membrane surface, and an actuation chamber is provided between the second wall and the second membrane surface. Inlet means comprising an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and outlet means comprising an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber are provided. The pump membrane has a maximum volume position, and a drained volume position in which the first membrane surface in a stretched state abuts the first wall. To drive the membrane, actuating means for periodically shifting the pump membrane between the maximum volume position and the drained volume position is provided, thereby, in a situation of use, providing a flow of fluid.

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.

The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head and neck of a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the ear, nose and throat. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid to remove and/or modify the structure of tissue structures. The present invention is particularly useful for treating sleep obstructive disorders, such as sleep apnea and snoring.

An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism provides accurate cutting operations on soft tissues. The electromagnetically induced cutter is adapted to interact with atomized fluid particles. A tissue remover comprises an aspiration cannula housing a fluid and energy guide for conducting electromagnetically induced cutting forces to the site within a patient's body for aspiration of soft tissue. The cannula is provided with a cannula distal end. The proximal end of the cannula is provided with fluid flow connection to an aspiration source. Separated soft tissue and fluid are aspirated through the cannula distal end and the cannula by an aspiration source at the proximal end of the cannula.

A dispenser for medicaments comprises a first metering pump for insulin and a second metering pump for glucose or glucagon. A controller for both pumps is programmed to maintain a basal supply of insulin, and is responsive to a signal from a separate glucometer to dispense additional insulin or glucose or glucagon as appropriate.

Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of glaucoma. An ocular implant is adapted such that aqueous humor flows controllably from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork. The implant may utilize one or more bioactive agents effective in treating glaucoma or other pathology.