1500results about How to "Reduce the risk of infection" patented technology

A surgical system and the associated methods for use in Minimally Invasive Surgical procedures for use in the short- and long-term termination of signals through nerves. Such a procedure is an improvement over the current state-of-the-art because of the use of a tightly coupled single-needle bi-polar probe. The proximity of both electrodes, to the nerve or tissue targeted for the treatment, is such that it reduces the losses experienced with external electrodes (e.g. plates or probes). Further, the probe has features associated with locating the probe and dispensing or sampling far above the probes currently available. The resulting improvements provide a quantum leap in technology for the associated medical industries and a base line for these procedures in the future.

A improved flexible annular stapler for joining annular organs (163, 164) is disclosed. The novel stapler features greater accuracy of operation and better control by the operator, as well as additional functions, such as internal illumination (76) and viewing facility (82), and accommodation of a large number of accessories, such as fibroscopes (90) and catheters. The novel stapler features easy attachability of both stapling jaws (18, 25) and easy detachability of the head (11). The novel features of the flexible stapler, and associated methods performed thereby, are particularly useful for closed surgery.

A transcutaneous access device includes a sleeve having a flexible extensible main body with opposite ends defining collars. A catheter is loosely received in the main body and extends through the collar. Connectors permanently connect each collar to the catheter and an annular flexible skirt snugly surrounds the main body. The skirt is adjustable along the sleeve and / or the sleeve is bifurcated to accommodate two catheters for optimum fluid flow.

A tissue interface device (10) suitable for positioning on or about one or more artificial openings in a biological membrane of an organism and for coupling to a monitor and control unit and a vacuum source. The tissue interface device (10) comprises a housing (100), a sensor channel (130), and a sensor (150). The housing (100) defines an orifice (120), the orifice (120) having an open inlet port (122) on the bottom end (102) of the housing (100) and a distal end (124) that is in fluid communication with the sensor channel (130). The orifice (120) is in fluid communication with fluid that flows from the artificial opening formed in the biological membranes. The sensor channel (130) is for coupling to, and fluid communication therewith, the vacuum source. The sensor (150) is positioned in the sensor channel (130) in a flow path of the fluid for sensing a characteristic of the fluid as it flows out from the artificial opening. The sensor generates a sensor signal representative thereof.

A system and method for developing customized apparatus for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises a plurality of complementary surfaces based on a plurality of data points from the MRI or CT data. Thus, each apparatus may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and / or matched with at least one other apparatus used during the surgical procedure.

The invention relates to a surgical data carrier for the identification of a medical implant, in particular, a surgical plate for the fixing of bones or bone fragments, wherein the data carrier has a carrier element and a connecting device which comprises a receptacle for the insertion of at least part of the implant. In order to make such a surgical data carrier available which has an improved handling capability, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the data carrier have an actuating device which can be actuated by a user and with which the connecting device can be transferred from a connecting position, in which the implant is held in the receptacle, into a release position, in which the data carrier can be detached from the implant. The invention relates, in addition, to a surgical implantation system.

A modular prosthesis for replacement of a joint articulating surface of a bone, where the modular prosthesis generally comprises a head with a recessed socket, an elongate stem, and a connecting member including a patrix member having a generally spherical surface and adapted to be attached to an end of the stem and to be received in the head, and a locking member adapted to lock the head to the stem in a desired orientation; a system for use in surgical repair of a joint including a selection of components for assembling the modular implant prosthesis, a selection of components for assembling a trial prosthesis, and a transfer device for arranging the components of the implant prosthesis in the same orientation as the components of the trial prosthesis; and methods of using the modular prosthesis and system of the invention.

A system and method for developing customized apparatus, such as guides, for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus or guide. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises at least one patient-specific surface and or contour, which may be derived from MRI or CT data. Apparatus may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and / or matched with at least one other apparatus during the surgical procedure.

A percutaneous luminal access system comprises a thin-walled, collapsible sheath, an introducer, a hemostatic valve, and an access catheter. An introducer may comprise either a pusher tube or an elongate member, or where the introducer is used to axially advance the sheath into a blood vessel or other target lumen. A hemostatic valve may be connected to a proximal end of the sheath, and the access catheter introduced through the hemostatic valve. Pressurized fluid may also be introduced through the hemostatic valve and delivered through a flow region around the catheter within the sheath and optionally through the catheter to the target luminal site.

The invention relates to one or more systems and methods for creating a mixture of cultures used to replace intestinal flora. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and systems of treating diseases including Clostridium difficile and Crohn's disease by introducing a mixture of pure cultures of viable bacteria into the gastrointestinal tract.

Prophylactic treatment methods are provided for protection of individuals and / or populations against infection from airborne pathogens. In particular, prophylactic treatment methods are provided comprising administering a sodium channel blocker or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to one or more members of a population at risk of exposure to or already exposed to one or more airborne pathogens, either from natural sources or from intentional release of pathogens into the environment.

An external wound dressing retainer includes a frame having an opening substantially surrounded by the frame, wherein the opening is bounded by a plurality of edges, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side including an adhesive for adherence to skin of a patient; a flap having a plurality of edges, wherein the dimensions of the flap substantially correspond to the dimensions of the opening, and the flap is attached to the frame via a corresponding edge of the flap and the frame; and a sealing mechanism for releasably engaging non-attached edges of the flap to corresponding non-attached edges of the frame. The sealing mechanism is a zipper arrangement that includes complementary interlocking first and second grooves situated on the non-attached edges of the flap and the frame, respectively, further comprising a sliding element adapted to sealably join the first groove to the second groove.

An ophthalmic lens comprising a receptor moiety can be used to determine the amount of an analyte in an ocular fluid. The receptor moiety can bind either a specific analyte or a detectably labeled competitor moiety. The amount of detectably labeled competitor moiety which is displaced from the receptor moiety by the analyte is measured and provides a means of determining analyte concentration in an ocular fluid, such as tears, aqueous humor, or interstitial fluid. The concentration of the analyte in the ocular fluid, in turn, indicates the concentration of the analyte in a fluid or tissue sample of the body, such as blood or intracellular fluid.

Prophylactic treatment methods are provided for protection of individuals and / or populations against infection from airborne pathogens. In particular, prophylactic treatment methods are provided comprising administering a sodium channel blocker or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to one or more members of a population at risk of exposure to or already exposed to one or more airborne pathogens, either from natural sources or from intentional release of pathogens into the environment.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area. In one embodiment, the integrated fusion cage is an expandable integrated fusion cage.

Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with prolonged strength retention have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available, and could offer additional benefits such as anti-adhesion properties, reduced risks of infection or other post-operative problems resulting from absorption and eventual elimination of the device, and competitive cost. The devices may also be particularly suitable for use in pediatric populations where their absorption should not hinder growth, and provide in all patient populations wound healing with long-term mechanical stability. The devices may additionally be combined with autologous, allogenic and / or xenogenic tissues to provide implants with improved mechanical, biological and handling properties.

The invention produces polyethylene alcohol hydrogel dressing containing medicine and chitosan with 60Co gamma-radial or high energy electron beam radial cross linking. Additional, adds in some humectant, plasticizer, medicine, the solvent is the secondary distilled water, physiological saline or phosphate neutral buffer liquid. The product can release medicine slowly and has natural amylose chitosan with biology sterilization activity, it has active sterilization function, at the same time, it has high water quantity, and good water reserving performance, the mechanical intensity is moderate, and the light penetration and air penetration are excellent. It can accord the demands for curing each kind of wound. It can used as the permanent dressing for light skin injuries, and it also can be applied to the temporally close of severe skin organization wound or burn wound.

The invention relates to the use of gelsolin to treat infections and to monitor the treatment of infections. The invention also provides methods up-regulating interleukin expression and methods for down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area.

This invention relates to a composition suitable for use in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals comprising a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium longum and a fucosylated oligosaccharide selected from the group comprising 2′-fucosyllactose, 3′fucosyllactose, difucosyllactose, lacto-N-fucopentaose, lacto-N-fucohexaose, fucosyllacto-N-hexaose and fucosyllacto-N-neohexaose. The invention further extends to the use of such a composition in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals.

A kit for preparing a medical catheter from catheter sections comprises a tubular protective member surrounding a first, proximal one of the catheter sections. The kit further comprises a joint for interconnecting the catheter sections, the joint defining a substantially liquid tight seal at one end of a substantially annular and longitudinally extending cavity provided between the proximal end portion of the first catheter section and an inner wall of the tubular protective member. Following removal of the tubular protective member, one of the catheter sections is exposed and ready for insertion into the urethra.

The invention relates to a flue-cured tobacco mulch film well cellar type seedling transplanting method. The method comprises the following steps: (1) preparing soil, forming ridge and coating a film; (2) selecting a transplantation period; (3) digging a transplanting well cellar; (4) transplanting tobacco seedlings; (5) spraying root-fixing water and fertilizing; and (6) filling soil and sealingthe film. The method is a technical revolution of flue-cured tobacco mulch film cultivation and has the advantages of solving the problems caused by weak tobacco seedlings in the optimal transplanting period in a flue-cured tobacco cultivation district, the problem that weather is drought in the transplanting period so as not to be beneficial to transplantation, the problem caused by irregular transplantation, the problem that transplantation schedule is slow and the problems that seedling-returning period is long and the uniformity and consistency of field tobacco plants are poor, and also reducing the generation of aphid-transmitted virus diseases in the field period. The method is suitable for cultivation of crops such as flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, sun-cured tobacco and the like.

A system and method for developing customized apparatus for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises a plurality of complementary surfaces based on a plurality of data points from the MRI or CT data. Thus, each apparatus may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and / or matched with at least one other apparatus used during the surgical procedure.

An external wound dressing retainer includes a frame having an opening substantially surrounded by the frame, wherein the opening is bounded by a plurality of edges, wherein the frame includes a first side and a second side including an adhesive for adherence to skin of a patient; a flap having a plurality of edges, wherein the dimensions of the flap substantially correspond to the dimensions of the opening, and the flap is attached to the frame via a corresponding edge of the flap and the frame; and a sealing mechanism for releasably engaging non-attached edges of the flap to corresponding non-attached edges of the frame. The sealing mechanism is a zipper arrangement that includes complementary interlocking first and second grooves situated on the non-attached edges of the flap and the frame, respectively, further comprising a sliding element adapted to sealably join the first groove to the second groove.

The present invention relates to a device and method for delivery of bone graft material to any portion of a patient which requires bone graft material. The device according to various embodiments delivers bone graft to a bone graft receiving area. The bone graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area.

A laser system and method are described that will improve dental treatments in small animals, particularly in situations where periodontal disease has progressed to the advanced stages of periodontitis and when dental pulp is exposed by fracture or disease. A laser system is employed to achieve enhanced precision by selectively ablating affected tissue without damaging the collateral tissue. The laser system is also capable of sealing the tubules and eradicating bacteria within the periodontium to significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additional pre-treatment methods may be employed to further enhance the laser therapy.

The present invention provides an implantable medical device having a substrate with a hydrophilic coating composition to limit in vivo colonization of bacteria and fungi. The hydrophilic coating composition includes a hydrophilic polymer with a molecular weight in the range from about 100,000 to about 15 million selected from copolymers acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, isocrotonic acid and combinations thereof.

An electrosurgical instrument for delivering radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) energy and microwave frequency EM energy from a coaxial feed cable through an instrument tip into tissue. The instrument tip comprises a dielectric body separating first and second conductive elements, which act as active and return electrodes to convey the RF EM radiation by conduction, and as an antenna to radiate the microwave EM radiation. The instrument also has a fluid feed incorporated into its tip, e.g. in an additional dielectric element mounted on the underside of the tip, for delivering fluid. The delivered fluid may be a gas plasma to assist treatment or a liquid to plump up a tissue region before treatment. The instrument may fit in an endoscope.

A method for sterilizing a medical device comprising a hydrophilic coating using radiation said method comprising the steps of bringing the medical device-having such coating in contact with an aqueous liquid for wetting the hydrophilic coating, said liquid comprising a solution of a hydrophilic polymer and sterilizing the device by applying a sufficient amount of radiation provides coated devices showing a significantly increased and prolonged water retention and lower friction coefficient when wet.