343results about How to "Accurate placement" patented technology

Disposable bandage apparatus for use in oximetry having adhesive on at least a portion of at least one face thereof, at least one plastic receptacle mounted thereon and a radiation transparent window bounded by said receptacle.

Multi-filar, open and closed coil, tubular medical stents that are introduced to a site in a body lumen and released to expand at the site to provide a passageway through the stent lumen are disclosed. Each stent filar is a coil wound in substantially the same pitch through the majority of its length between the ends thereof. The coils are attached together at least at one coil end to form an end of the stent and wound in an interleaved manner such that the adjacent coils are substantially evenly spaced apart or in close contact in the released state and do not cross over one another. In one open coil stent embodiment, both ends of each coil are attached in respective first and second common attachment junctions, and the resulting coils have relatively even predetermined spacing between adjacent coil turns through the majority of the length of the stent between the first and last coil turns when the stent is released. Preferably, the first and second stent ends are formed by attaching the coil ends in common, and the stent ends are squared by decreasing the pitch of the first coil turn extending from the stent end such that the spacing of the stent end from the adjacent coil is reduced from the predetermined spacing. Additionally, multi-filar closed coil stent embodiments are disclosed having only one end of each coil attached in common and adjacent coil turns in substantial mutual and overlying contact in the restrained state during implantation and non-overlying contact in the released state. Preferably each common attachment junction of attached coil ends and each free coil end is formed into an enlarged stent end in at least one dimension for ease of attachment to and release from a stent delivery catheter. The common attachment junction can be snared or grasped by a stent retrieval system and retracted from the body lumen.

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.

Described is a prosthetic valve, comprising: an expandable stent including an inner lumen and having a first and a second end; and a spring attached to the first end of the expandable stent; wherein the expandable stent and the spring can expand radially to a desired diametric configuration in order to anchor the prosthetic valve at an implantation position in a body lumen. Related systems and methods.

A signal source coupled to one or more electrodes in the vicinity of the diaphragm for mapping therapeutic electrode sites. A stimulus signal from the signal source may be applied to the one or more electrodes to produce activation of the diaphragm. Activation of the diaphragm is sensed to provide information that may be correlated with the stimulus signal. The correlated information may be used to identify a therapeutic locus for a therapeutic electrode. An electrical stimulus comprising a series of pulses may be applied to the one or more electrodes to elicit a desired breathing response. The electrical stimulus may be applied between intrinsic breathing cycles, or between regulated breathing cycles. More than one electrode may be supported on a single substrate. The substrate may configured to be positioned on the diaphragm. A hierarchy of stimuli may be applied to a set of electrodes.

Osteochondral sockets are formed using a retrograde drill assembly. The retrograde drill assembly includes a guide pin having a fluted tip and an externally threaded portion. A removable cutter head has internal threads that engage the threads of the guide pin. The guide pin is drilled through bone, exposing the external threads in a joint space requiring repair. The cutter is threaded onto the guide pin, and the assembly is retrograded with rotation to form a socket in the bone. The cutter is disengaged from the guide pin for disassembly and removal from the bone, making way for an implant to be installed in the pocket. The implant can be drawn into the socket using an attached strand threaded through the bone socket and out of the bone.

Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device in a reflector having a moat positioned between a lower and an upper sidewall thereof, the upper and lower sidewall defining a reflective cavity, include dispensing encapsulant material into the reflective cavity including the light emitting device therein to cover the light emitting device and to form a convex meniscus of encapsulant material in the reflective cavity extending from an edge of the moat without contacting the upper sidewall of the reflector. The encapsulant material in the reflective cavity is cured. Packaged semiconductor light emitting devices and reflectors for the same are also provided.

A distractor for separating adjacent elements, such as vertebrae. The distractor preferably has a scissors-type distracting mechanism, either in a simple scissors or double-acting scissors configuration. A set of blades is provided on each jaw such that an implant may be inserted between the spaced apart blades. The set of blades includes at least two blades.

A fastening device having a bellows made of a material that changes shape when activated by a catalyst, and having a pleated structure that contracts from an extended state to a contracted state upon activation. The shape changing material may be a shape memory metal alloy, shape memory polymer or elastic memory composite. A method of using this fastener provides apposition and compression of abutment surfaces to join together two pieces of material, and is suitable for joining apposing bone surfaces together to heal fractures via the use of orthopedic hardware.

A composite magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery system provides targeted controlled release chemotherapies for cancerous tumors and inflammatory diseases. The magnetic nanoparticle includes a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, a magnetic nanoparticle, the biological targeting agent human serum albumin, and a therapeutic pharmaceutical composition. The composite nanoparticles are prepared by oil-in-oil emulsion/solvent evaporation and high shear mixing. An externally applied magnetic field draws the magnetic nanoparticles to affected areas. The biological targeting agent draws the nanoparticles into the affected tissues. Polymer degradation provides controlled time release delivery of the pharmaceutical agent.

An improved needle assembly is provided. A distal portion of the needle can be formed of a first material which does not interfere with MRI imaging of a tissue receiving port disposed in the distal needle portion. A proximal needle portion can be formed of a second, different material. The proximal needle portion can provide strength and stiffness.

Method and apparatus are disclosed employing ionizing radiation for forming lines of ablation or lesions in cardiac tissue to treat atrial fibrillation or other electrophysiological problems with the heart. The apparatus may include a catheter in which the radiation source is advanced hydraulically after the catheter is in place within the heart. Various fixation devices are also disclosed for fixing the location of the catheter within the heart.

A patient matched instrument for a patient's femur is disclosed. The instrument includes a body having a cutting slot and a patient matched surface that mates with the patient's trochlear groove, a first leg portion extending from the body, a second leg portion extending from the body; and each leg portion has a contacting pad for tangential contact with the patient's femoral medial and lateral condyles.

A dental implant system comprising an implant member, an abutment member and a transfer key with cooperatively engaging structures for ensuring proper alignment and orientation of an abutment assembled on the implant member and for preparing an accurate dental impression and mold which represents the implantation site and its relationship to adjacent teeth structures. The abutment has the advantage of being easily removed for maintenance, repair or replacement with minimal or no discomfort to the patient. The invention also includes a dental implant with an improved bone-engaging structure for enhancing implant stability and fixation as well as an O-ring type abutment assembly with a reduced footprint in its assembled state when compared with similar conventional systems. Further, dental reconstruction and abutment installation methods utilizing the dental implant system and instruments of the invention are disclosed.

An anchor for an implantable sensing device, a sensor unit formed by the anchor and sensing device, and a surgical procedure for implanting the sensor unit for monitoring a physiological parameter within a cavity of a living body, such as an intracranial physiological property. The anchor includes a shank portion and a head portion. The shank portion defines a distal end of the anchor and has a bore defining an opening at the distal end. The head portion defines a proximal end of the anchor and has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the shank portion. The sensor unit comprises the anchor and the sensing device placed and secured within the bore of the anchor so that a sensing element of the sensing device is exposed for sensing the physiological parameter within the cavity.

An oral airway consists of an elongate tubular member having a leading distal end and a proximal end, the leading distal end leading the elongate tubular member as it is inserted into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. An opening at the leading distal end of the elongate tubular member is inclined so that a posterior portion of the distal portion extends beyond an anterior portion of the distal end. A flexible tip portion extends distally beyond the opening to aid in insertion of the oral airway into the mouth and pharynx of a patient. The tip is configured to flex toward the opening as it abuts tissue within the mouth and pharynx of a patient.

A single, multichannel catheter is useful for extracorporeal circulation of blood to a patient undergoing cardiovascular treatments or surgery. The catheter has three independent channels and an expandable balloon at one end of the catheter. The first channel is largest and allows for delivery of blood to a patient in an amount sufficient to maintain the patient's metabolism and perfusion throughout the treatment or surgery. The second and third channels are smaller and integrated into the wall of the first channel. The second channel is for delivering a biologically active fluid to the heart and/or venting the left heart. The third channel is for delivering a fluid to the balloon for its expansion when positioned in the ascending aorta to occlude the flow of blood to the heart. One or more perfusion openings may be located in the descending aorta.

An automated procedure for correcting teeth misalignment in orthodontics using the steps of Generating a 3D digital model of a jaw having the misaligned teeth. Processing the 3D model to generate a corrective plan. Designing a set of corrective elements capable of applying corrective forces to the misaligned teeth through elastic forces. Designing a set of attachments that react to the corrective forces. identifying locations for applying the attachments to the surfaces of the teeth; Bonding the attachments to the identified locations. Rescanning the jaw of the patient and generating a final 3D model of the jaw with aligned teeth. Fabricating the corrective element in accordance with geometry of the final 3D model of the jaw. Applying the corrective element to the teeth wherein. Removing the attachments. A second 3D scan can be made to determine errors, and finite element analysis may be used to determine force vectors.

A medical tool arrangement according to the present invention comprises a hand-held casing. The hand-held casing comprises a tool assembly having a plurality of tools. The hand-held casing further comprises a driving mechanism for moving the plurality of tools independently of each other. The medical tool arrangement is for use with a mechanical energy source remote from the hand-held casing. The mechanical energy source is couplable to the driving mechanism of the hand-held casing by means of at least a first and a second mechanical energy transferring means. At least one of the first, and second mechanical energy transferring means has a length and an axial direction and comprises an energy transferring medium suitable for transferring mechanical energy by making a translational movement longitudinally along its axial direction.

The invention discloses a precession-type backfill grouting ground source thermal energy conversion precast pile device, which comprises a plurality of precession-type backfill grouting prefabricated screw piles respectively embedded into pile holes, wherein a vertical heat exchanger is embedded in each screw pile; the inlet end and the outlet end of each vertical heat exchanger respectively extend out of an opening at the upper end of the screw pile to be respectively connected with a horizontal liquid-feeding collecting pipe and a horizontal liquid outlet collecting pipe in a bearing platform or a cushion layer; centring brackets are arranged at an interval of 1-3 m along the length direction of each vertical heat exchanger; each precession-type backfill grouting prefabricated screw pile comprises a hollow pile core, wherein the bottom of the pile core is provided with a cone-shaped pile head; a screw blade is arranged on the position far away1-3m from the lower part of the outer wall of the pile core; and a post grouting reinforcing layer is poured between the middle upper part of the outer wall of the pile core and a pile hole wall. The precession-type backfill grouting ground source thermal energy conversion precast pile device comprises a plurality of precession-type backfill grouting prefabricated screw piles, and the vertical heat exchanger is embedded in each screw pile; the pile foundation construction and the ground source heat pump construction are integrated so as to avoid a drilling and pipe-laying program of a ground source heat pump system on the ground, greatly lower the front-end investment cost and save the land use area; and the post grouting reinforcing layer is poured between the middle upper part of the outer wall of the pile core and the pile hole wall so as to enlarge a heat conduction area, improve the heat conduction performance and simultaneously improve the pile body bearing capacity.

Indirect bonding trays for orthodontic treatment are made from a model of the patient's dental arch that is manufactured using digital data and rapid prototyping processes. The model includes one or more guides for orienting an orthodontic appliance in a desired position on a model tooth of the dental arch model. A holder is connected to the archwire slot of the appliance and is brought into contact with the guide in order to move the appliance to its intended position for subsequent manufacture of the indirect bonding tray.

Methods, devices and systems facilitate retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. Devices generally include an anchoring element, which has been designed to promote fibrotic ingrowth, and an anchored device, which has been designed to firmly engage the complementary region of the anchoring element. The anchoring element may be placed in a minimally invasive procedure temporally separated from the deployment of the anchored device. Once enough time has passed to ensure appropriate fixation of the anchoring element by tissue and cellular ingrowth at the site of placement, the anchored device may then be deployed during which it firmly engages the complementary region of the anchoring element. In this manner, a firm attachment to the implantation site may be made with a minimum of required hardware. Some embodiments are delivered through a delivery tube or catheter and while some embodiments may require laparoscopy or open surgery for one or more of the placement procedures. Some embodiments anchor devices within the cardiovascular tree while others may anchor devices within the gastrointestinal, peritoneal, pleural, pulmonary, urogynecologic, nasopharyngeal or dermatologic regions of the body. An alternative embodiment provides for the placement of the anchoring element and anchored device simultaneously, but allows for their removal separately. This embodiment allows the device, which may be placed only temporarily and be designed to be removed, to experience significant fibrotic ingrowth, but then to be easily detached from the ingrowth-anchored region to allow for simple and quick device removal.

Provided is an optical fiber ribbon capable of achieving higher density and reduction in diameter and accurately placing optical fibers in V-shape grooves in a fusion machine without failure. The optical fiber ribbon 1 includes three or more of optical fibers 2 arranged in parallel and connecting portions 3 connecting adjacent two optical fibers 2 together, the connecting portions 3 being intermittently provided in each of a ribbon longitudinal direction and a ribbon width direction. The connecting portions 3 are each formed in such a manner as to fill resin into a gap S formed between adjacent two optical fibers 2, and both surfaces of the respective connecting portions 3 are each formed into a recess having a concave shape curved toward a center of the gap S to separate from lines 4,5 each connecting contact points of the optical fibers 2 when being placed on a horizontal surface.

A system for cutting a bone at a desired location may include an image guided drill cylinder configured to receive either a drill bit to create a bore at a target location on the bone or a pin for insertion into the target location, and a cutting block having a plurality of adjustable guides, each defining a cutting path to guide a cutting instrument, a mounting location configured to attach to the bone at the target location, and a plurality of adjustors for adjusting the position of the guides relative to the target location. The system may further include a tracking instrument for providing image guidance of the adjustments to the positions of the guides.

The present invention relates to compositions for intradermal delivery of an antigenic or immunogenic agent in combination with one or more adjuvants. The immunogenic compositions of the invention comprise an antigenic or immunogenic agent and at least one adjuvant, which enhances the immune response to the antigenic or immunogenic agent, once delivered to the intradermal compartment of a subject's skin. The immunogenic compositions of the invention have enhanced efficacy as the adjuvants of the composition promote recruitment of antigen presenting cells to the intradermal compartment and thus enhance presentation and/or availability of the antigenic or immunogenic agent to the antigen presenting cells. The enhanced efficacy of the immunogenic compositions of the invention results in a therapeutically and/or prophylactically effective immune response after a single intradermal dose, with lower doses of adjuvant than conventionally used, achieving therapeutic efficacy from a single administration.

A medical device (10) for use in passageways of the human or animal body comprises a catheter (30) having an expandable arrangement (38), such as a balloon arrangement, located at the distal portion of the catheter, and capable of deploying a stent apparatus (20) mounted at the distal portion of the catheter (30). The stent apparatus (20) is a hybrid stent apparatus having a central part (21) that is self-expanding, and end parts (22, 23) that are expandable by the balloon arrangement.

A medical instrument for performing microfracturing in a bone comprises a body, a plurality of points project in the distal direction.

An improved guidewire for assisting in implantation of a cardiac lead includes three sections. The most distal zone is sufficiently floppy to prevent trauma to the vessel walls through which the guidewire and lead are inserted. An intermediate zone is generally stiffer and has a cross-section less than or equal to the cross-section of the distal zone. The third zone is stiffer yet and is joined to the intermediate zone by a shoulder. The shoulder cooperates with protrusions on the lead to transfer forces between the guidewire and lead. A finishing wire having temporary locking means to lock the finishing wire to the lead is employed to remove the guide catheter without moving the lead from its desired location. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the lead and guidewire.

Medical apparatus are disclosed for optoacoustic monitoring of an indwelling unit of the apparatus, where the indwelling unit includes one or more optical components capable of directing pulsed light into an overlying tissue. The apparatus also include one or more acoustic components in contact with an exterior surface of the tissue to detect induced pressure waves producing an acoustic output analyzed with an optoacoustic unit to monitor and confirm proper placement of the indwelling unit. Methods for using the apparatus are also disclosed.

A disposable diaper having an attachment assembly including a subassembly bonded or attached to an exterior surface of a front waist region of the diaper and extending laterally from opposing side edges of the front waist region to form laterally opposing front ears. A reduced-size attachment panel is properly positioned and bonded to the subassembly to improve the functionality of a fastening system of the diaper without interfering with or limiting the extensibility of the diaper chassis, while minimizing the use of relatively expensive attachment panel material.