62results about How to "Avoid expulsion" patented technology

The nucleus of an intervertebral disc is replaced with a construct including a distendable sack or balloon which is inflated with a hardenable material and is detached in situ when the injected material has hardened. Alternatively, two nested balloons may be inserted, and then filled with materials which have different hardnesses when cured, to simulate a natural disc.

Embodiments of the present invention provide spinal implant systems and methods. According to one embodiment, a plate attached to one or more vertebrae can prevent expulsion of an interbody device from a disc space. The plate and interbody device can be coupled by an attachment member. According to one embodiment, the attachment member is coupled to the plate and includes a portion inserted in a threaded or non-threaded cavity. Preferably, the coupling between the plate and attachment member allows rotation in three dimensions thereby allowing the plate to rotate relative to the interbody device. This allows the plate to be better positioned for attachment to the spine during an operation.

Implant devices, systems and methods for insertion into a punctum of a patient optionally comprises a drug core and a sheath body disposed over the drug core. The drug core includes a therapeutic agent deliverable into the eye, and the sheath defines at least one exposed surface of the drug core. The exposed surface(s) of the drug core may contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at therapeutic levels over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use. The implant may include a retention element to retain the drug core and sheath body near the punctum, optionally comprising a shape memory alloy that can resiliently expand. An occlusive element may be attached to the retention element to at least partially occlude tear flow through the canalicular lumen.

Embodiments of the present invention provide spinal implant systems and methods. According to one embodiment, a plate attached to one or more vertebrae can prevent expulsion of an interbody device from a disc space. The plate and interbody device can be coupled by an attachment member. According to one embodiment, the attachment member is coupled to the plate and includes a portion inserted in a threaded or non-threaded cavity. Preferably, the coupling between the plate and attachment member allows rotation in three dimensions thereby allowing the plate to rotate relative to the interbody device. This allows the plate to be better positioned for attachment to the spine during an operation.

The nucleus of an intervertebral disc is replaced with a construct including a distendable sack or balloon which is inflated with a hardenable material and is detached in situ when the injected material has hardened. Alternatively, two nested balloons may be inserted, and then filled with materials which have different hardnesses when cured, to simulate a natural disc.

An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.

Devices and methods for preventing the migration or expulsion of a nucleus disc replacement implant are provided. In one embodiment, an anti-expulsion device includes a body that is movable between a compressed configuration where it is adapted to fit through an opening in an annulus of a spinal disc, and an expanded configuration where it has a size that is larger than a size of the opening in the annulus of a spinal disc. The body can also include one or more mating features that allow the body to interact with a nucleus disc replacement implant and / or an annular wall of an annulus. As a result, since the body is larger than the opening of the annulus in the expanded configuration, the interlocking connection between the body and the nucleus disc replacement implant and / or annular wall will allow the body to prevent the nucleus disc replacement implant from being expulsed from the opening in the annulus.

This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.

Scleral plug system for occluding a hole in the eye and for controlling irrigation during vitreo-retinal surgery in order to maintain a closed system during the procedure, and angled forceps for handling a scleral plug.

An interbody fusion device in one embodiment includes a tapered body defining a hollow interior or chamber for receiving bone graft or bone substitute material. The body defines exterior threads which are interrupted over portions of the outer surface of the device. The fusion device includes truncated side walls so that on end view the body takes on a cylindrical form. In another embodiment, the tapered body is solid and formed of a porous biocompatible material having sufficient structural integrity to maintain the intradiscal space and normal curvature. The material is preferably a porous tantalum composite having fully interconnected pores to facilitate complete bone tissue ingrowth into the implant. In further embodiments, the fusion devices are provided with osteogenic material to facilitate bone ingrowth. A cap is also provided to block the opening of hollow fusion devices. The cap includes an occlusion body and an elongated anchor. In some embodiments the anchor includes a lip which is engageable to openings in the body wall. Tools are also provided for manipulating caps for interbody fusion devices. In one embodiment the tool includes a pair of prongs each having facing engagement surfaces for engaging the fusion device, and a shaft slidably disposed between the prongs. The shaft has a first end defining a cap-engaging tip for engaging a tool hole in the cap. In one embodiment the cap engaging tip defines threads. In another embodiment the prongs include a pair of releasing members on each of the facing engagement surfaces. The releasing members have a height and a width for being insertable into apertures in a body wall in the fusion device to disengage the elongate anchors from the apertures.

An osmotic pump includes a capsule having at least one delivery port formed at a first end and a membrane plug retained in a second end of the capsule remote from the delivery port to provide a fluid-permeable barrier between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The membrane plug has a columnar body and at least one slot formed in the columnar body to vent pressure from the interior to the exterior of the capsule when the columnar body extends a predetermined distance relative to the second end of the capsule, thereby preventing expulsion of the membrane plug from the second end.

An osmotic pump includes a capsule having at least one delivery port formed at a first end and a membrane plug retained in a second end of the capsule remote from the delivery port to provide a fluid-permeable barrier between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The membrane plug has a columnar body and at least one slot formed in the columnar body to vent pressure from the interior to the exterior of the capsule when the columnar body extends a predetermined distance relative to the second end of the capsule, thereby preventing expulsion of the membrane plug from the second end.

An osmotic delivery system has a membrane plug retention mechanism which can also be used to control the delivery rate of a beneficial agent from the osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery device includes an implant capsule containing a beneficial agent and an osmotic agent. Holes are formed along a side wall of the implant capsule at an open end of the capsule. When the membrane plug is inserted into the open end of the capsule, the membrane material swells into the holes in the capsule side wall creating a large frictional force which prevents expulsion of the membrane plug. A beneficial agent delivery rate of the osmotic delivery system is controllable by varying the size and number of the holes to change the amount of exposed surface area of the membrane plug. An increase in the surface area of the membrane plug exposed to the exterior environment causes a corresponding increase in the liquid permeation rate of the membrane and thus, increases the beneficial agent delivery rate.

The invention relates to a nucleus or inter-vertebral disc prosthesis that comprises at least two plates capable of movement relative to each other through at least one articulation interface defined by a female surface and a male surface each having an essentially spherical shape and essentially equal diameters. The two articulation surfaces are respectively intersected by surfaces that define between them a relative mobility space for the plates when the articulation surfaces are coapted; the surface intersecting the female surface being contained in the volume defined by an equatorial plane of said sphere except for said equatorial plane itself, the surface intersecting the male surface being planar or convex.

Aluminum-base alloy workpieces have surfaces with films of aluminum oxide which inhibit good contact with weld faces of resistance spot weld electrodes and the faying surfaces of, for example, sheet workpieces stacked for welding. Sometimes, the surfaces of the sheets also are coated with an adhesive or a sealer which further complicates welding. But in accordance with this invention, weld faces of opposing, round, copper welding electrodes are pressed against opposite outside surfaces of the sheets at a spot weld site and weld current is applied to the electrodes in accordance with a three-stage weld schedule to better form each weld. The weld schedule comprises a Conditioning stage (stage 1), a weld nugget Shaping stage (stage 2), and a weld nugget Sizing stage (stage 3).

There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided.

Stent devices comprising an inflatable inner balloon defined by an envelope and an outer balloon surrounding the inner balloon concentrically, the outer balloon serving as a therapeutic agent reservoir used for controlled therapeutic agent delivery. In some embodiments, the outer balloon has two separate walls which define its volume and is independently inflatable. In some embodiments, the two concentric balloons form a substantially cylindrical structure which has a proximal end and a distal end. A catheter carrying inflation and drainage lumens extends outward from the proximal end. In some embodiments, the distal end includes an embedded cervix accommodating tip or has a non-embedded cervix accommodating tip attached thereto. The stent devices can be used to maintain the integrity and placement of vaginally placed mesh or graft after reconstructive procedures, prevent vaginal hematoma formation and bleeding, provide pain control after surgery and deliver antibiotics or hormones to the vaginal epithelium.

There is provided an implant retaining device, which has the effect of preventing an intervertebral implant from jutting out of the receiving bed. The implant retaining device generally includes a plate having at least one throughbore to receive a screw, and a screw for securing the plate to the vertebrae. The plate may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the opening of a receiving bed, and thus, need only be secured to a single vertebral body. In an alternate embodiment, the plate may be used during bone fracture correction procedures to prevent a bone screw from backing out of engagement with adjacent bone sections. A method of retaining an intervertebral implant using the device is also provided.

Non-invasive Ocular Drug Delivery Insert Technology. The invention concerns an ocular insert which is a new biocompatible polymer-based controlled drug delivery system (CDDS) applicable to a variety of drugs and other compounds for the treatment of different ocular pathologies. This ocular insert allows releasing of at least one drug under suitable concentration levels during suitable periods of time. The device may be inserted in the lower or upper fornix conjunctiva, in a non-invasive way, meaning that the patient will be able to place the device himself, without intervention of medical specialized staff. The insert of the invention will release the drug in such a controlled rate that will allow the drug release up to 300 days by either a “Fickian” or a linear profile according to the intend purpose or pathology. The insert can be prepared with different shapes (spherical or spherical dome) and / or architectures (monolithic / layered either with or without a drug core) allowing the incorporation of at least one drug which can be released at different rates. The size, shape and design of the insert is adjusted in order to tune the drug(s) delivery profile(s) and to inhibit the risk of displacement or expulsion.

A furnace apparatus to incinerate solid waste comprises a chamber, a solid waste feed inlet, air inlet pipes, and air outlet pipes. The chamber includes an upper pyrolysis section and a lower combustion section, and the solid waste feed inlet is positioned at an upper portion of the chamber to feed solid waste to the lower combustion section. The air inlet pipes receive air for combustion of the solid waste within the lower combustion section. The air outlet pipes exhaust combusted air from the lower combustion section, where multiple magnets are operably attached on the air inlet pipes and the air outlet pipes. The paramagnetic oxygen present in the received air is concentrated via the magnets, and the concentrated oxygen is introduced into a plasma generated within the combustion section to accelerate the combustion process, and to oxidize toxic matter present in the solid waste.

A regulator valve for managing a fluid in an appliance is provided. The regulator valve comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a filter, a pressure regulator, a solenoid valve, a mounting structure, and a locking tab depending from the mounting structure. The inlet and outlet utilize quick connect adaptors. The pressure regulator maintains the fluid in the housing within a desired pressure range and the solenoid valve alternatively permits and prevents expulsion of the fluid from the outlet. The twist mount is inserted through a twist mount aperture on, e.g., a drinking fountain and rotated until a portion of the twist mount engages with a portion of the drinking fountain and the locking tab rests in a tab aperture on the drinking fountain. Therefore, the regulator valve is secured to the drinking fountain and can clean, regulate, and manage the fluid.

An interbody spacer comprising a series of stacked walls connected by a common base, wherein the spacer collapses when pressed into an access delivery tube. During insertion, the walls can flex as a unit, like bending a deck of cards, to traverse bends in the access tube. Upon distally exiting the portal of the access delivery tube, the walls track apart (like spreading fingers) to create a wide base of support for the vertebral body endplate. A graft delivery device that uses a conveyor belt-type approach to deliver bone graft from the device to a location in a patient. In some embodiments, the conveyor-belt is manually actuated.

A cervical transfer catheter (10) for transferring a therapeutic substance to an endocervix or other internal mucosal surfaces of a recipient, the catheter (10) comprising: a catheter body (12) having first and second lumens (14) and (16), the second lumen (16) being adapted, in use, to allow passage and retention of a structure containing the therapeutic substance that will be released slowly and continuously. The catheter (10) also comprises an inflatable balloon (20) provided at a distal end of the first lumen (14), the inflatable balloon (20) being designed to be as small as possible in its inflated condition whilst still being retained in the uterus by virtue of its shape.

A power clamp for use in a manufacturing environment. The power clamp includes a unitized body having a bore in one end thereof The power clamp also includes a piston arranged within the bore and an end cap secured to the body on the end having the bore. The power clamp has a plurality of first links, one of the first links connected to the piston and at least one second link connected to the first link at a pivot point. A plunger is arranged within an orifice of the body and that plunger is connected to a second link. The power clamp also includes a plurality of identical pins with the pins connecting the links. The power clamp also includes a side plate connected to the body to enclose the clamp and protect it from the manufacturing environment.

A spark ignition device, metal shell, and methods of construction are provided. The spark ignition device has a ceramic insulator extending along a longitudinal axis and a metal shell. The metal shell extends along the longitudinal axis to a distal end. A center electrode is received in the ceramic insulator and extends along the longitudinal axis. A ground electrode has an attachment end fixed by a weld joint to the distal end of the shell and a free end extending from the distal end to provide a spark gap. The weld joint includes a resistance weld joint and a laser weld joint, which in combination inhibit material expulsion; provide a reliable, strong attachment of the ground electrode to the shell; provide an improved heat transfer path between the ground electrode and the shell, and facilitate repeatable and accurate positioning of the ground electrode to the shell.

A water pump for delivering water from a well to the surface has a housing with a reciprocable plunger disposed therein. The housing is preferably comprised of PVC and tubulars which are connected to make up the plunger assembly are likewise PVC. A proximity bushing is disposed in the housing and the plunger assembly reciprocates in the housing through the proximity bushing. Reciprocation of the plunger assembly draws water into the housing and forces water from the housing into the plunger assembly to the surface.

A colostomy bag comprises an inner bag and outer bag. The inner bag comprises a sealing device that may be operated before removal from the outer bag to prevent spilling of the contents of the inner bag. A plurality of new inner bags may be stored within the outer bag, and one of the new inner bags may be repositioned inside the outer bag to receive waste from the patient's stoma after an old inner bag has been removed. An air release tube may be coupled to the inner bag to allow air to escape from the inner bag, and the air release tube may be detached from an inner bag that is being discarded and attached to a new inner bag. The new inner bag may be suspended from the outer bag, for example by a hook.

An implant and method for fusing adjacent spinal vertebrae is disclosed. In an embodiment for a spinal implant of the present invention, the implant includes a spacer body assembly and two retention members. The two retention members each include split fork tangs wherein the tangs of each retention member are simultaneously extendable from the spacer body assembly into the adjacent vertebra. A method of fusing adjacent vertebrae includes the step of inserting an implant between adjacent vertebrae with retention members. The method also includes the step of configuring the retention members wherein a portion of each tang of a retention member simultaneously extends from the implant into one of the adjacent vertebra.