44results about How to "Minimal invasiveness" patented technology

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.

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.

A surgical assistance system for operating on biological tissue using a surgical tool attached to an arm of an automatically-controlled surgical instrument so that an optimal feed rate of the tool is calculated and outputted to the surgical instrument, the system including: a device for storing and voxelizing medical image data obtained from a biological tissue subject to surgery; a device for setting an operative location based on the shape of the biological tissue; a device for calculating a tool path along which the tool travels to perform surgery at an operative location; a device for determining the region of interference between the tool and the voxels; a device for determining the hardness of the biological tissue in the interference region; a device for calculating an optimal tool feed rate corresponding to the hardness; and a device for outputting the feed rate obtained by the calculations to the surgical instrument.

A method and apparatus for electrochemical detection of analyte in a sample makes use of a binding interaction and relies on the discovery that asymmetric distribution of a redox enzyme between two electrodes that occurs when a redox enzyme-containing reagent is immobilized at the surface of one electrode can be detected as a chemical potential gradient arising from an asymmetry, in the distribution of oxidized or reduced redox substrate. This chemical potential gradient can be detected potentiometrically by observing the potential difference between the electrodes in an open circuit, or amperometrically by observing the current flow between the electrodes when the circuit is closed. In both cases, the observation of asymmetry can be done without the application of an external potential or current to the electrodes.

The invention provides a fiber-optic sensing system, utilizing a fiber-grating-based sensor, for a physical parameter, e.g., a pressure or a temperature. Different kinds of fiber-grating-based sensors may be used for this purpose but in-fiber gratings such as Fiber Bragg Grating, Long Period Grating and Surface Corrugated Long Period Fiber Grating are particularly suitable. Due to the small size of the optical fiber and the fact that same fiber acts as the sensing element as well as the signal conducting medium, it is possible to install the sensor in a small diameter needle which is commonly used for medical diagnosis and treatment. As a result, when the fiber-optic sensing system of the invention is used for in-vivo measurement of a biological parameter, such a sensing needle can be used for different in-vivo pressure or temperature sensing applications without causing too much harm and discomfort to the subject tested.

Methods and device are provided for delivery of biologics to an intervertebral disc. Device described herein include a needle assembly and handle assembly that optimize biologic delivery parameters to a target location within a disc. The needle assembly includes the capability of advancing into the disc at pre-configured pathways that allow for minimized damaged and maximized positioning of the biologic.

A surgical procedure for correcting cystocele, comprising the steps of:identifying a center of the cystocele;performing an infiltration of the cystocele with physiological solution;performing a longitudinal incision;identifying the pubocervical fascia and performing a longitudinal incision therein;defining four paravesical tunnels directed toward the upper and lower poles of the obturator foramina bilaterally;introducing a mesh with four articulated arms, each arm being introduced in a corresponding tunnel;suturing the longitudinal incision.

An implantable system includes cells that produce and release a therapeutic agent, or agents, to a host in need. The system can include cells capable of eluting therapeutic agents in response to changing physiological conditions within a host. The system may comprise naked cells, encapsulated cells, or a mixture of non-encapsulating and encapsulated cells. The system may also comprise cells, and / or cell groups, of different origins. The implantable device may be placed intra-vascular, within bone marrow, within soft tissue, in the peritoneal cavity, or intra-hepatic, etc. The system can be comprised of a stent, or like devices. Such stents and like devices may optionally include port(s), catheter(s), and containment envelope systems for holding the above cells.

A method, and associated kit, for assaying the activity of lysosomal enzymes present in dried bodily fluids and cell tissue samples, such as α-L-iduronidase, β-D-galactosidase, β-D-glucosidase, chitotriosidase, total α-D-galactosidase and α-D-galactosidase A, hexosaminidase A and B, α-D-mannosidase, β-D-mannosidase, α-L-fucosidase, N-acetyl-α-galactosaminidase, arylsulfatases, sphingomyelinase, β-galactocerebrosidase, iduronate-2-sulfatase and β-D-glucuronidase. The method includes: (a) combining with a dried bodily fluid or cell tissue sample containing at least one type of lysosomal enzyme: (1) an eluent, (2) an incubation buffer and (3) a substrate or substrates capable of reacting with the assayed lysosomal enzymes and producing their corresponding enzyme product or products, (b) allowing the dried bodily fluid or cell tissue sample to react with the eluent, incubation buffer and substrate or substrates for an adequate time and temperature, and (c) applying measuring means to the enzyme product to determine the activities of the lysosomal enzymes present.

Methods for noninvasively measuring, or estimating, functional residual capacity or effective lung volume include obtaining carbon dioxide and flow measurements at or near the mouth of a subject. Such measurements are obtained during baseline breathing and during and shortly after inducement of a change in the subject's effective ventilation. The obtained measurements are evaluated to determine the amount of time required for exhaled carbon dioxide levels to return to normal—effectively an evaluation of carbon dioxide “washout” from the subject's lungs. Conversely, carbon dioxide and flow measurements may be evaluated to determine the amount of time it takes carbon dioxide to “wash in,” or reach peak levels within, the lungs of the subject following the change in the subject's effective ventilation. Apparatus for effective such methods are also disclosed.

The invention provides a fiber-optic sensing system, utilizing a fiber-grating-based sensor, for a physical parameter, e.g., a pressure or a temperature. Different kinds of fiber-grating-based sensors may be used for this purpose but in-fiber gratings such as Fiber Bragg Grating, Long Period Grating and Surface Corrugated Long Period Fiber Grating are particularly suitable. Due to the small size of the optical fiber and the fact that same fiber acts as the sensing element as well as the signal conducting medium, it is possible to install the sensor in a small diameter needle which is commonly used for medical diagnosis and treatment. As a result, when the fiber-optic sensing system of the invention is used for in-vivo measurement of a biological parameter, such a sensing needle can be used for different in-vivo pressure or temperature sensing applications without causing too much harm and discomfort to the subject tested.

The invention provides a liquid-immersion objective optical system including a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens component having positive refractive power, an object side thereof being a flat surface and a convex surface thereof facing an image-plane side; a second lens component having positive refractive power, a convex surface thereof facing the image-plane side; a third lens component having positive refractive power as a whole, formed by cementing a biconvex positive lens and a negative lens; and a fourth lens component formed by cementing a negative lens and a biconvex positive lens. The second lens group includes a fifth lens component formed by cementing a lens having a concave surface facing the object side and a lens having a convex surface facing the image-plane side; a sixth lens component having positive refractive power; and a seventh lens component having negative refractive power. The focal length F1 of the entire first lens group, the magnification M of the objective optical system, the distance LT between the object plane and the image plane, and the distance LG between the object side of the first lens component L1 and the image side of the fourth lens component L4 satisfy the following conditional expressions: 0.2<|M·F1 / LT|<0.45 0 / 2<|LG1 / LT|<0.4

Described are methods for early noninvasive or minimally invasive detection of pathological changes in organ systems / organs / tissues / cells by quantifying organ system- / organ- / tissue- / cells type-enriched miRNA in bodily fluids.

The invention provides a method for aiding the diagnosis or prognostic monitoring of Alzheimer's disease in a subject, said method comprising; providing a sample of blood obtained from said patient; assaying the amount of gelsolin present in said sample; comparing the amount of gelsolin present in said sample to a reference amount of gelsolin present in a sample from a healthy subject, wherein detection of a gelsolin level in the sample from said patient which is lower than the gelsolin level in the reference sample indicates an increased likelihood of Alzheimer's disease in said patient. Other markers are C1 protease inhibitor and ceruloplasmin. Both blood samples and tissue samples have been investigated.

Reducing the outer diameter and effectively correcting various aberrations realizes a small-diameter objective optical system suitable for in vivo observation with a high numerical aperture. The invention provides a small-diameter objective optical system comprising, in order from an object plane a first lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one plano-convex lens whose convex surface faces an image plane; a second lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one concave lens; and a third lens group including a cemented lens of which a cemented surface has negative refractive power. The focal length of the third lens group is larger than the focal length of the first lens group.

The invention provides a liquid-immersion objective optical system including a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group includes a first lens component having positive refractive power, an object side thereof being a flat surface and a convex surface thereof facing an image-plane side; a second lens component having positive refractive power, a convex surface thereof facing the image-plane side; a third lens component having positive refractive power as a whole, formed by cementing a biconvex positive lens and a negative lens; and a fourth lens component formed by cementing a negative lens and a biconvex positive lens. The second lens group includes a fifth lens component formed by cementing a lens having a concave surface facing the object side and a lens having a convex surface facing the image-plane side; a sixth lens component having positive refractive power; and a seventh lens component having negative refractive power. The focal length F 1 of the entire first lens group, the magnification M of the objective optical system, the distance LT between the object plane and the image plane, and the distance LG between the object side of the first lens component L 1 and the image side of the fourth lens component L 4 satisfy the following conditional expressions: <?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"?>0.2<|M.F1 / LT|<0.45<?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"?> <?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"?>0 / 2<|LG1 / LT|<0.4.<?in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"?>

A method of assessing the in vivo state of phagocytes in a patient, possibly indicating diagnostically important states such as inflammation or infection, which method utilizes chemiluminescent (CL) light emitted during the reaction in vitro between a CL substrate and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed in a fluid sample obtained from the patient. The measurement is performed in two or more portions of the sample, with stimulated phagocytes affected by one or more priming agents which shift the functional state of the phagocytes, providing a plurality of measurements, which are analyzed so as to distinguish intracellular and extracellular contributions to the CL kinetics. The results are compared with a range of control measurements performed with patients suffering from various diagnostic conditions.

Optical transducers are provided for detecting forces such as, for example rotational and transversal forces acting on them, wherein, for the purpose of detecting said forces, optical signals are transmitted through an optical path defined by optical fibers. Moreover, optical means are provided, adapted to modify the transmission of the optical signals through the optical path, as a result of forces acting on them. The resulting optical signals exiting the transducer are then used for the purpose of detecting the forces acting on the transducer.

In a first broad aspect, there is provided herein a bioactive device and system for fusion between two bones, two parts of a bony joint, or a bony defect, such as of the spine. The fusion device includes a screw having a head and a threaded shaft. The fusion device also includes a bone dowel having an internal bore of which at least a distal portion is threaded to engage the threads of the screw shaft. The bone dowel is made of a bone-like, biocompatible, or allograft material to provide a layer of bone-like, biocompatible, or allograft material between the screw and the spinal bone. The device is generally coaxial and is further described in the drawings and description herein.

A biocompatible composition for replacing / regenerating articular tissues, in particular tissues of the nucleus pulposus but also not articular tissues such as bony tissues, providing a hydrogel matrix comprising a first and a second natural polymer, cells adapted to regenerate the tissue of the disc core, a cross linking agent suitable to cross-link at least one of said natural polymers in situ, thus giving to the biocompatible composition an appropriate resistance, and molecules adapted to stimulate the growth and / or the differentiation of cells, wherein one of the two natural polymers is sodium alginate. In a particular exemple, the above described composition before the cross-linking step has a starting density such that it is injectable. In particular, the cross linking action on sodium alginate is caused by a cross linking agent contained in biodegradable polymeric particles, released in a controlled way from natural polymers, for example gelatin, or starting from synthetic polymers, for example polylactic acid or copolymers of acid lactic-glycolic acid.

A fusion device includes a screw having a head and a shaft. A hollow bone dowel is disposed about the shaft of the screw. The bone dowel is formed from a bone-like, biocompatible, or allograft material.

A system and method for forming a hip implant offering minimal invasiveness is described. The system comprises means for positioning the implant under optical and X-ray control, an implant and an applicator for screwing and expanding the implant. The implant includes an insert body and an expansion tube with cut-outs and slits defining legs. The legs expand radially through windows in the insert body when the expansion tube is pushed against the sloped distal portion of the insert body. The expansion process may be ensured by using an anti-rotation device to prevent the insertion tube from rotating within the insert body. Applicator and implant are provided with means preventing cold welding during the implantation process.

A method, and associated kit, for assaying the activity of lysosomal enzymes present in dried bodily fluids and cell tissue samples, such as α-L-iduronidase, β-D-galactosidase, β-D-glucosidase, chitotriosidase, total α-D-galactosidase and α-D-galactosidase A, hexosaminidase A and B, α-D-mannosidase, β-D-mannosidase, α-L-fucosidase, N-acetyl-α-galactosaminidase, arylsulfatases, sphingomyelinase, β-galactocerebrosidase, iduronate-2-sulfatase and β-D-glucuronidase. The method includes: (a) combining with a dried bodily fluid or cell tissue sample containing at least one type of lysosomal enzyme: (1) an eluent, (2) an incubation buffer and (3) a substrate or substrates capable of reacting with the assayed lysosomal enzymes and producing their corresponding enzyme product or products, (b) allowing the dried bodily fluid or cell tissue sample to react with the eluent, incubation buffer and substrate or substrates for an adequate time and temperature, and (c) applying measuring means to the enzyme product to determine the activities of the lysosomal enzymes present.

As shown in one preferred embodiment, a two-blade vice-type nail clipper comprising a thin safety-cover-guard with ergonomic upward angle and wrap-around safety edges, that is permanently mounted just below said nail clipper's lower cutting blade and that follows or mirrors the shape of said nail clipper's lower cutting surface, including wrapping around the sharp sides, corners and edges of said lower cutting surface, so as to provide an industry advancing level of nail cutting safety with minimal invasiveness.

A method of interrupting the life cycle of sperm that includes subjecting a user to a first and a second treatment session in a male birth-control cycle. The first treatment session including a mature-sperm inhibition step of emitting, through at least one transducer, an amount energy for a predetermined period of time that is directed to the entire male reproductive system including but not limited to at least one of an epididymal tubules and an ejaculation ducts of the user, via a constant coupling configuration of the transducer with the user, to render a plurality of sperm transported therein to be immotile. The second treatment session includes subjecting the user to the mature-sperm inhibition step before a sperm-maturation time whereby sperm carried by the user are in a mature state.