264results about How to "Reduce trauma" patented technology

A surgical stapling device is disclosed for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The anvil assembly of the stapling device may include an approximation mechanism having an anvil retainer including an elongated distal extension dimensioned to be telescopingly received within a longitudinal bore of an anvil center rod of the anvil assembly. The elongated distal extension is of a length to provide telescopic engagement with the anvil center rod without obstructing visualization of the surgical site. A kit including a surgical instrument having a removable anvil assembly and an anvil assembly insertion handle is also disclosed. The kit may also include a speculum, an anal dialator and / or an obturator.

A surgical stapler that may have a head assembly, a stapling assembly, a shield, a base head, a handle assembly, and a shaft assembly. A head assembly may have an anvil and anvil shaft, as well as a stapling assembly. A stapling assembly may have a trocar that can be removeably detachable with the anvil, a cannula extension, and a plurality of staples. A shield may be configured to retract from a first extended position where the shield generally covers the stapling assembly or the head assembly, to a second retracted position where the shield generally exposes the stapling assembly or the head assembly. The shield may be integral with the stapler, or provided after-market as an add-on. A surgical stapler may additionally or alternatively include an air or gas pump assembly that can be used to insufflate the rectum and intestinal tract during insertion and advancement of the stapler.

A jaw heating element of a handpiece of a thermal tissue operating system is tested on an ongoing basis by supplying a test heater power signal to the jaw heating element between individual thermal tissue operations. Voltage and current through the jaw heating element is sensed and the resistance of the jaw heating element is calculated. If the calculated resistance is outside a range of predetermined acceptable values, an error condition is indicated.

The invention relates to methods and devices for remote or distributed continuous monitoring of physiologically relevant states. The invention provides for methods to automatically detect deviations or other states in physiological parameters and automatically alert a measured subject, user or other authorized party. The device provides for a universal platform for sensors, and further provides for the automatic compensation or distribution of devices or bioactive agents at appropriate levels and / or intervals in response to deviations or other states sensed in various physiological parameters.

A spinal implant may be used to stabilize a portion of a spine. The implant may promote bone growth between adjacent vertebrae that fuses the vertebrae together. An implant may include an opening through a height of a body of the implant. The body of the implant may include curved sides. A top and / or a bottom of the implant may include protrusions that contact and / or engage vertebral surfaces to prevent backout of the implant from the disc space. A variety of instruments may be used to prepare a disc space and insert an implant. The instruments may include, but are not limited to, a distractor, a rasp, and one or more guides. The implant and instruments may be supplied in an instrument kit.

The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.

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 debulking catheter comprising a debulking assembly for debulking a body lumen. The catheters of the present invention can include a flexible proximal portion coupled to a rigid distal portion. A tissue debulking assembly can be disposed within the rigid portion to debulk the body lumen. In exemplary embodiments, the rigid portion is rotatably coupled to the flexible portion such that rotation or deflection of the rigid portion, relative to the flexible portion, can expose the tissue debulking assembly through a window in the catheter to debulk the body lumen.

Pressure is measured on both sides of an occluding member for determining when pressure forces on the occluding member may cause migration of the occluding member. An alarm indicates when the pressure force on the balloon exceed a predetermined threshold. In another aspect of the invention, a pressure monitor determines when a rate of pressure increase with respect to the fluid volume in the balloon reaches a predetermined threshold when inflating the occluding member. A predetermined amount of fluid is then added to the balloon so that the balloon is not under inflated or over inflated.

A stent radially expandable from a radially contracted introduction state into a radially expanded position state, in which the final shape of the stent can be controlled by varying the amount and places energy is delivered onto the interior surfaces of the tubes from which the stent is fabricated, and means to seal the opening into the aneurysm, thereby causing the blood therein to clot and preventing the aneurysm from growing or rupturing.

The present invention encompasses tools and a tool-holding retractor assembly. The retractor assembly spreads an incision and holds the incision open. At least one extension device, having a tool holder on one end, attaches to the assembly. The holder includes a selectively locking multi-axis adjustable mounting element adapted to grip a tool shaft. The mounting element acts as a universal mounting providing rotational and sliding movement of the tool shaft. The extension device adjusts to position the tool holder peripherally of the surgical field. Once the retractor is placed, the extension device provides full access to regions below the incision. The extension device allows the surgeon to chose the insertion point and insertion angle of the tool shaft.

A surgical stapling device is disclosed for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The anvil assembly of the stapling device may include an approximation mechanism having an anvil retainer including an elongated distal extension dimensioned to be telescopingly received within a longitudinal bore of an anvil center rod of the anvil assembly. The elongated distal extension is of a length to provide telescopic engagement with the anvil center rod without obstructing visualization of the surgical site. A kit including a surgical instrument having a removable anvil assembly and an anvil assembly insertion handle is also disclosed. The kit may also include a speculum, an anal dialator and / or an obturator.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of the pudendal or other nerves, and optional means for delivering drugs in association therewith. A method of precisely positioning and implanting a medical electrical lead so as to provide optimal stimulation of the pudendal nerve or a portion thereof is also described. Placement of a stimulation lead next to or on the pudendal nerve may be performed using conventional prior art techniques through gross anatomical positioning, but usually does not result in truly optimal lead placement. One method of the present invention utilizes neurophysiological monitoring to assess the evoked responses of the pudendal nerve, and thereby provide a method for determining the optimal stimulation site. Additionally, one or more electrical stimulation signals are applied, and optionally one or more drugs are infused, injected or otherwise administered, to appropriate portions of a patient's pelvic floor and pudendal nerve or portions thereof in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and / or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of the pudendal and sacral nerves, or portions thereof, and optional means for delivering drugs in association therewith. Two or more electrical stimulation regimes are applied on a continuous, alternating, intermittent or other basis to the sacral and pudendal nerves, and optionally one or more drugs are infused, injected or otherwise administered, to appropriate portions of a patient's pelvic floor and pudendal nerve and / or sacral nerve, or portions thereof, in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and / or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.

A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes a bulbous indicator which preferably extends above a top surface of the handle assembly of the device. The indicator includes indicia to identify to a surgeon that the device has been approximated and is in a fire-ready position. Preferably, the indicator includes a cover which is formed of a magnification material to prominently display the indicia. The anvil assembly of the stapling device preferably includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head. The retainer clip preferably includes at least one resilient arm which is positioned to engage a cutting ring during unapproximation of the stapling device.

A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a retractor section disposed at or near the distal end. The retractor section is adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The retraction device can be configured for use with a second therapeutic device or such a therapeutic device may have a retraction device integrated within it or adapted for cooperative use therewith.

Systems and methods of detecting an impending cardiac decompensation of a patient measure an electrocardiogram signal of the patient. An incidence of cardiac arrhythmias is determined from the electrocardiogram signal. A risk of impending decompensation is determined in response to the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. In many embodiments, the impending decompensation can be detected early enough to avoid, or at least delay, the impending decompensation, such that patient trauma and / or expensive ICU care can be avoided. Although embodiments make specific reference to monitoring electrocardiogram and other physiological signals with an adherent patch, the system methods and devices are applicable to many applications in which physiological monitoring is used, for example wireless physiological monitoring with implanted sensors for extended periods.

An electrical device utilized to control the body weight of a medically overweight human being comprises of at least two electrical leads for implanting on the fundus of the stomach. An electrical generator / controller (pacemaker) generates and regulates the frequency and degree of electrical stimulation. The device can be used surgically, laproscopically, and / or endoscopically.

A surgical instrument has a channel dimensioned to receive a viewing instrument and enable the viewing instrument to be moved to or from a position near an optically transparent portion of a blunt, enclosed distal end of a shaft to provide unobstructed viewing through the distal end, and a position to the proximal side of an enclosed working area to provide viewing of the enclosed working area. A surgical instrument also or alternatively has a fluid routing switch within a shaft which can selectively connect a fluid infusion channel to at least one fluid export pore or a return channel. A method involves moving a viewing instrument to or from a position near an optically transparent portion of a blunt, enclosed distal shaft end and a proximal side of an enclosed working area. A method also or alternatively involves changing a position of a fluid routing switch within the shaft.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by means of electrical stimulation of the pudendal or other nerves, and optional means for delivering drugs in association therewith. A method of precisely positioning and implanting a medical electrical lead so as to provide optimal stimulation of the pudendal nerve or a portion thereof is also described. Placement of a stimulation lead next to or on the pudendal nerve may be performed using conventional prior art techniques through gross anatomical positioning, but usually does not result in truly optimal lead placement. One method of the present invention utilizes neurophysiological monitoring to assess the evoked responses of the pudendal nerve, and thereby provide a method for determining the optimal stimulation site. Additionally, one or more electrical stimulation signals are applied, and optionally one or more drugs are infused, injected or otherwise administered, to appropriate portions of a patient's pelvic floor and pudendal nerve or portions thereof in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and / or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.

A prosthetic device for replacing a facet joint in the spine of a patient is provided. The prosthetic device includes an anchoring member and a plate member rotatably and pivotably connected to each other by a ball and socket mechanism. The anchoring member is preferably in the form of a bone screw for placement into the pedicle / facet intersection of a vertebrae, and the plate member is provided with securing holes for securing the plate member to an adjacent vertebrae. A minimally invasive, percutaneous surgical method is also provided for replacing the facet joint in the spine, and a kit for performing the surgical method is also provided.

An expandable introducer with embodiments that may include a fastener, tubular member, sleeve and combinations thereof. The sleeve may have a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve may include a slit through the wall, which may allow the sleeve to be decreased in diameter for implantation and / or increased in diameter after implantation for alignment. The sleeve may include two slits in the tubular wall thereby forming two semi-tubular members. The semi-tubular members may be placed separately at the implantation site then aligned to form a tubular member. The tubular member may include threads, pebbles, bumps, ridges, hills, openings and combinations thereof.

Systems, methods and apparatus for acquiring an image from within a body lumen are provided. Systems embodying features of the invention include an intracorporeal imaging component for acquiring imaging information, an image information recording component, and an image information playback component. Methods for acquiring image information from within a body lumen include steps of acquiring imaging information, storing image information, and playing back imaging information. Imaging information may be played back as acquired, or non-sequentially, or composite images may be formed by combining, filtering, enhancing, or subtracting images and the composite images displayed. Devices embodying features of the invention include optical imaging components such as an optical IGW, an optical imaging recording component, and an optical image playback component. The systems, methods and devices are suitable for use with angiopoplasty, stent delivery, and other intracorporeal clinical procedures.

A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue treatment device attached to the distal end of the elongated body. The tissue treatment device includes a first jaw opposite a second jaw, and each jaw is adapted to acquire tissue. A retractor is disposed along the tissue treatment device and adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The medical device also includes a collapsible barrier disposed between the first and second jaws of the tissue treatment device to direct tissue into the first and second jaws separately.

A catheter with valve for implantation in a vascular structure of a living being. The catheter is in the general shape of a "T" with the top of the "T" implanted within the lumen of a vascular structure, and the leg of the "T" extending out of the vascular structure through an incision in the vascular structure. The lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter completely occupies the lumen of the vascular structure, causing all blood flow through the vascular structure to be directed through the implanted portion of the catheter. A valve is placed in the wall of the implanted portion of the catheter which opens into the lumen of the leg of the "T" of the catheter upon application of sufficient differential pressure between the lumens of the two portions of the catheter. The leg of the "T" is connected to the side wall of the implant portion of the catheter at an angle, such that the axis of the lumen of the leg of the "T" intersects the axis of the lumen of the implanted portion of the catheter at approximately a 45 degree angle.

The invention provides a catheter for placement within a vessel of a patient. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body, a septum extending longitudinally through the interior of the catheter body from the dividing the interior of the catheter body into a first lumen and a second lumen. Each lumen has curved or angled internal walls at the distal end of the catheter that terminate at ports located on opposing sides of the catheter body. The invention also provides a method for exchanging fluids in a patient comprising the step of positioning the catheter of the present invention in communication with a fluid-containing vessel of a patient. The method is particularly well-suited for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, and other therapies which require removal and return of blood from a patient.

Disclosed is an introducer apparatus comprising an sleeve fixation mechanism or introducer member, such as a catheter, introducer, or ring-like structure, which is attached to a protective sleeve comprising a thin flexible material such a polymeric film. The sleeve is inverted into the passageway of a second member, such as a catheter, feeding tube, introducer, etc., that is advanced through the passageway of the introducer member and is introduced into a bodily passage of a patient, such as the bile duct, nasal passages, colon, etc. The sleeve everts from the passageway of the second member during its advancement to lay down a friction-reducing surface. The sleeve prevents frictional contact between the second member and delicate or sensitive tissues.