112results about How to "Reducing circumference" patented technology

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

The present invention involves new interventional methods and devices for reconfiguring a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The procedures are generally performed laparoscopically and may generally be described as laparoscopic plication gastroplasty (LPG) in which, after obtaining abdominal access, spaced apart sites on a gastric wall are engaged, approximated and fastened to create one or more tissue folds forming one or more plications projecting into the gastrointestinal space. The serosal tissue may optionally be treated during the procedure to promote the formation of a strong serosa-to-serosa bond that ensures the long-term stability of the tissue plication. These procedures are preferably carried out entirely extragastrically (i.e. without penetrating through the gastrointestinal wall), thereby minimizing the risks of serious complications.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

An improved crimping mechanism well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula / dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula / dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site. In still another embodiment, the light fibers may be replaced by light emitting diodes in a more remote light source or alternatively at the distal-tip of the CMOS or CCD camera device.

A plication clip comprises a first end portion; a second end portion; and a central portion connecting the first end portion to the second end portion. The first end portion is curved toward the second end portion, and the second end portion is curved toward the first end portion. The central portion has a curvilinear profile such that when the clip is deployed, a shorter length between the first end portion and the second end portion is formed. A delivery catheter and methods for deploying the plication clip are also provided.

An improved crimping mechanism well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

A device for removing obstructions from vessels or small openings in the body, comprising a rotatable ablator tip which is guided to the obstruction in a reduced diameter configuration, expanded and rotated to remove the obstruction, and contracted to remove the device from the body. The variably expandable abrasive tip coil in one embodiment of the invention is actuated by a piston means disposed within the coil. A pair of collars is attached to the ends of the coil, and the piston effects relative longitudinal axial movement of the collars and, hence, the respective ends of the coil tip. When the ends of the coil tip are so moved with respect to one another, expansion and contraction of the diameter of the coil tip results. In another embodiment of the invention, the expansion tip coil is actuated by an expandable and contractible bellows means disposed within the coil, instead of the piston means. In another embodiment of the invention, the expansion and contraction of the coil tip are effected by longitudinal axial movement of an internal coil attached to one end of the coil tip, within an outer coil attached to the other end of the coil tip. In another embodiment of the invention, expansion and contraction of the coil tip are effected by an inflatable balloon disposed within the coil tip. The balloon expansion means enlarges preferably at the central portion of the coil to make a bulge. +RR The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90 / 003,360, filed Mar. 15, 1994, and 90 / 003,723 filed Feb. 14, 1995, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).

Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation.

A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

An apparatus and method of performing a minimally invasive posterior spine fusion. More specifically an apparatus with a handle and a forked head on the distal end of the handle is used to grasp implant material and introduce the material to an implant site. The shaft of the apparatus is shaped so as to allow the affixation of a drill guide and drill while simultaneously holding the implant material in the implant site. After removal of the boring tools and assembly of the fusing element, the apparatus can be selectively removed from the implant site. A method of achieving facet joint fusion with near simultaneous fixation is also disclosed.

The present invention involves new interventional methods and devices for reducing gastric volume, and thereby treating obesity. The procedures are generally performed laparoscopically and may generally be described as laparoscopic plication gastroplasty (LPG) in which, after obtaining abdominal access, spaced apart sites on a gastric wall are engaged and approximated to create one or more tissue folds that are then secured to produce one or more plications projecting into the gastrointestinal space. The serosal tissue may optionally be treated during the procedure to promote the formation of a strong serosa-to-serosa bond that ensures the long-term stability of the tissue plication. These procedures are preferably carried out entirely extragastrically (i.e. without penetrating through the gastrointestinal wall), thereby minimizing the risks of serious complications. Methods for reversing the procedure are also disclosed.

An apparatus and method of performing a minimally invasive posterior spine fusion. More specifically an apparatus with a handle and a forked head on the distal end of the handle is used to grasp implant material and introduce the material to an implant site. The shaft of the apparatus is shaped so as to allow the affixation of a drill guide and drill while simultaneously holding the implant material in the implant site. After removal of the boring tools and assembly of the fusing element, the apparatus can be selectively removed from the implant site. A method of achieving facet joint fusion with near simultaneous fixation is also disclosed.

An improved crimping mechanism and method well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves. The crimping mechanism includes a plurality of jaws configured for linear non-rotational movement toward a central axis. A rotational plate is formed with a plurality of spiral grooves or tracks for engaging the jaws. Rotational movement of the spiral tracks produces linear movement of the jaws. Nesting of the inner ends of the jaws permits each to be acted on along different radial lines while their inner faces move together evenly to reduce the crimping aperture in a smooth fashion. The crimping mechanism is particularly well-suited for use with stented prosthetic heart valves, such as a prosthetic aortic valve, though it can also be applied to other stented heart valves, venous valves, and even stent grafts which tend to be fairly large.

The invention relates to the use of low intensity light therapy for the treatment of various medical conditions, either alone, or in combination with a second procedure.

A system and method for attaching a Radio Frequency operable transaction device to an article using various attachment apparatus are disclosed. The invention includes attaching a transaction device to an article using apparatuses comprised of bands, clips, clamps, drawstrings, and adhesives. The present invention allows for the securing of an RF transaction device (e.g., a payment fob) to a consumer's person thereby enabling a transaction to be completed without the need for the consumer to manually present the transaction device.

A golf club with an improved interchangeable hosel is disclosed herein. More specifically, the improved interchangeable hosel is independent of the golf club head as well as the shaft; and has a non-threaded connection mechanism that releasably connects the shaft to the golf club head quickly and easily. The non-threaded connection mechanism disclosed in accordance with the present invention may generally utilize a circumferentially constricting clamping force to secure the shaft of the golf club to the head of the golf club.

A multi-sectional utility pole includes at least two sections of straight pipe, which are joined and connected by a slip joint connection. The slip joint preferably consists of two mating conical sections, with one attached to each section of the pole. The slip joint is compressed with the aid of rings, which are attached to the pipe, and a key and slot. The two conical sections are fastened together with bolts that pass through the female conical section and thread into the male conical section of the slip joint. The pole is easily assembled on the ground and the pole sections are fungible with other sections of the same diameter. The sections are also inexpensively manufactured. The conical sections can be swaged from the ends of the pipe, or can be fabricated separately and welded on to the ends of the pipe.

A pleated neckdown bag for lining a receptacle is disclosed wherein the bag is made of a flexible plastic film. The disclosed bag has one or more pleat portions (18) fixed at points around the mouth portion (26) of the bag to reduce the circumference of the mouth portion relative to the circumference of the body portion (14). The reduced circumference mouth portion of the neckdown bag can be fitted over a supporting receptacle. The top portion (12) of the bag is thereby more securely held to the support, and the mouth portion is more securely held in an open state, since the narrowed mouth portion of the bag can better engage a support such as the rim of a waste bin. Bag embodiments having flat and flat rectangular constructions, convenient for manufacture, storage, shipping, and dispensing, are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a tabbed neckdown bag embodiment with a tab (52) modifying means to advantageously modify stress and strain at and near the conjunction of a seam and mouth portion of a neckdown bag. The tab is intended to reduce or eliminate the possibility of tearing of the bag at or near a seam in the neighborhood of the tab. The tab projects from a tab base (58), defined between first (54) and second (56) reentrant arcuate portions of a mouth edge (36), and a top seam portion (20) of the bag extends across the tab base and into the tab. Also disclosed is a tab embodiment, usable in a pleated neckdown bag having a flat construction, where inclusion of the tab does not limit certain advantages pertaining to a flat bag construction.

Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An illustrative annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. An improved protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.

In a vehicle driving apparatus including a rotating electrical machine having a rotor and a case housing a power transmission device, a second projecting portion formed on a front cover member of the power transmission device is supported rotatably relative to a first projecting portion formed on a support wall of the case via a support bearing, a positioning fitting portion is provided to position a rotor support member for supporting the rotor relative to the front cover member in the radial direction, a torque transmitting coupling portion is provided on a radial direction outer side of the positioning fitting portion to couple the rotor support member and the front cover member so as to be capable of transmitting torque, and the positioning fitting portion and the torque transmitting coupling portion are respectively disposed to overlap a rotary support portion in an axial direction.