1164 results about "Constriction" patented technology

A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spaced from one other by a distance which is dictated by the geometry of the plication band. Subsequent constriction of the plication band causes these points to move toward each other, thereby constricting the tissue trapped between these points and thus reducing the overall circumference of the valve annulus. In a second embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by linking multiple plication bands to one other, using a linkage construct, and then using a shortening of the length of the linkage construct between each plication band so as to gather the tissue between each plication band, whereby to reduce the overall circumference of the valve annulus.

A device, kit and method may include or employ an implantable device (e.g., annuloplasty implant) and a tool operable to implant such. The implantable device is positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) and operable to constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The tissue anchors may be guided into precise position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guide frame of the tool and embedded in an annulus of the orifice. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished via a variety of structures, for example by cinching a flexible cable or via a anchored annuloplasty ring, the cable or ring attached to the tissue anchors. The annuloplasty ring may be delivered in an unanchored, generally elongated configuration, and implanted in an anchored generally arch, arcuate or annular configuration. Such may approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve, to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly, thereby improving leaflet coaptation to eliminate mitral regurgitation.

A purely refractive projection objective suitable for immersion microlithography is designed as a single-waist system with five lens groups, in the case of which a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power, a third lens group with negative refractive power, a fourth lens group with positive refractive power and a fifth lens group with positive refractive power are provided. A constriction site of narrowest constriction of the beam bundle lies in the region of the waist. A waist distance AT exists between the object plane and the constriction site X. The condition AT/L≦0.4 holds for a distance ratio AT/L between the waist distance AT and an object-image distance L of the projection objective. Embodiments of inventive projection objectives reach very high numerical apertures NA>1.1 in conjunction with a large image field and are distinguished by a compact overall size and good correction of the lateral chromatic aberration.

Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

A bag for use in the intravascular treatment of saccular aneurysms and a method of forming the bag are disclosed. The bag is formed from a plurality of flexible, resilient filamentary members braided into a tubular sleeve and biased into a first shape having an expanded first diameter sized to substantially fill the aneurysm. The bag is resiliently deformable into a second shape having a diameter smaller than the first and sized to slidingly interfit within the lumen of a catheter. An opening is provided in the bag to receive a clotting medium, such as a platinum wire, on which blood clots can be induced to form by mechanical or electrolytic means. A closure is provided by biasing the filamentary members to form a constriction around the opening. In use the, bag is inserted into a saccular aneurysm via the catheter and expands to its first diameter upon release therefrom. Interstices between the interbraided filamentary members provide pores allowing blood from the aneurysm to enter the bag when the bag is positioned within the aneurysm. The clotting medium wire is packed into the bag, blood clots on the wire and occludes the aneurysm, sealing it off from the blood stream and preventing rupture. The wire is released from the catheter and is contained within the bag in the aneurysm.

The present invention provides a system and method of quantifying flow, detecting a location of an obstruction and quantifying a degree of the obstruction in a pipe characterized in pulsatile flow. The method includes the steps of (a) attaching at least two spaced pressure sensors onto inner walls of the pipe; (b) using the at least two spaced pressure sensors for recording pressure records associated with each of the at least two pressure sensors within the pipe; and (c) using the pressure records for quantifying the pulsatile flow in the pipe, for detecting the location of the obstruction in the pipe and for quantifying the degree of the obstruction in the pipe.

A constriction device that constricts body tissue is viewable under X ray fluoroscopy. The device includes an elongated sleeve. The sleeve includes opposed opened ends and is formed from expandable or elastic material to receive therein, when in an expanded condition, body tissue to be constricted and to constrict the body tissue therein when released from the expanded condition. At least a portion of the sleeve includes X ray opaque material rendering the device visible under X ray fluoroscopy.

A gastric constriction device (160) comprises a sheet (131) extending over part of the wall of the stomach (24). Five bands (151) extend around the stomach (24) to fix the sheet (131) in position relative to the stomach (24). The lower two bands (151) extend from the first side (152) of the sheet (131) around the stomach (24) only partially towards the second side (153). These lower two bands (151) are not fixed to the second side (153). This arrangement results in an unconstricted portion of the stomach (161). In this manner, the device (160) restricts expansion of the majority of the stomach wall while facilitating expansion of this unconstricted portion (161). The unconstricted portion (161) is therefore free to expand or bulge outwardly upon ingestion. This expansion may trigger the feeling of satiation due to the presence of the vagal nerves in this portion (161) of the stomach (24).

A sheath attached to a guide wire, a tubular shaft member slidable on the guide wire and a filtering assembly constricted within the sheath are movable in a vessel to a position distal to a lesion in the direction of fluid flow. The filtering assembly may be formed from a plurality of angularly spaced splines and a mesh disposed on the splines having properties of passing fluid in the vessel while blocking the passage of emboli in the fluid. The splines may be provided with shape memory for expanding against the wall of the vessel when released from constriction by the sheath. The sheath may be moved relative to the filtering assembly and the support member to release the filter for expansion against the vessel wall. An interventional device can be used to treat the lesion. Any emboli released into the vessel as a result of the interventional treatment are blocked by the filter member while fluid is allowed to pass there through.

A device, kit and method may include or employ an implantable device (e.g., annuloplasty implant) and a plurality of tissue anchors. The implantable device is positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) and operable to constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). Each of the tissue anchors may be guided into precise position by an intravascularly or percutaneously techniques. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished via a variety of structures, for example an articulated annuloplasty ring, the ring attached to the tissue anchors. The annuloplasty ring may be delivered in an unanchored, generally elongated configuration, and implanted in an anchored generally arched, arcuate or annular configuration. Such may approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve, to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly, thereby improving leaflet coaptation to reduce mitral regurgitation.

A microfluidic device comprises first and second inlet passages (13) for respective immiscible fluids, these inlet passages merging into a third passage (8) along which the two fluids flow under parallel laminar flow conditions, the third passage being formed with a constriction or other discontinuity (9) causing the two fluids to form into a flow of alternate segments.

Embodiments relate to a structure of reactors in a deposition device that enables efficient removal of excess material deposited on a substrate by using multiple-staged Venturi effect. In a reactor, constriction zones of different height are formed between injection chambers and an exhaust portion. As purge gas or precursor travels from injection chambers to the exhaust portion and passes the constriction zones, the pressure of the gas drops and the speed of the gas increase. Such changes in the pressure and speed facilitate removal of excess material deposited on the substrate.

Apparatus and methods are provided comprising an implantable non-hydraulic ring that encircles and provides a controllable degree of constriction to an organ or duct and an external control that powers and controls operation of the ring. The ring includes a rigid dorsal periphery that maintains a constant exterior diameter, and a compliant constriction system that reduces intolerance phenomena. A high precision, energy efficient mechanical actuator is employed that is telemetrically powered and controlled, and maintains the ring at a selected diameter when the device is unpowered, even for extended periods. The actuator provides a reversible degree of constriction of the organ or duct, which is readily ascertainable without the need for radiographic imaging. Methods of use and implantation also are provided.

Apparatus and methods are provided comprising an implantable non-hydraulic ring that encircles and provides a controllable degree of constriction to an organ or duct and an external control that powers and controls operation of the ring. The ring includes a rigid dorsal periphery that maintains a constant exterior diameter, and a compliant constriction system that reduces intolerance phenomena. A high precision, energy efficient mechanical actuator is employed that is telemetrically powered and controlled, and maintains the ring at a selected diameter when the device is unpowered, even for extended periods. The actuator provides a reversible degree of constriction of the organ or duct, which is readily ascertainable without the need for radiographic imaging. Methods of use and implantation also are provided.

Aspiration catheters generally comprise a tube or shaft with an aspiration opening at or near its distal end and a suction device that is at or near the proximal end of the catheter. An aspiration lumen extends from the suction device to the aspiration opening. The aspiration catheter can be associated with an extendable device such that their functions can be combined advantageously. The extendable device can function as a treatment structure and/or as a flow modifier. A treatment structure can be used to expand a constriction in a vessel or to deliver a treatment element into the vessel. A flow modifier generally controls the flow to decrease flow in the vicinity of the aspiration opening to improve the efficiency of the aspiration. Various relationships between the extendable structure and the aspiration catheter are described. Balloons can be used effectively as treatment structures or flow modifiers, although self-extending stents can be used as treatment structures and flaps or the like can be used as flow modifiers.

Chest compressions are measured and prompted to facilitate the effective administration of CPR. A displacement detector produces a displacement indicative signal indicative of the displacement of the CPR recipient's chest toward the recipient's spine. A signaling mechanism provides chest compression indication signals directing a chest compression force being applied to the chest and a frequency of such compressions. An automated controller and an automated constricting device may be provided for applying CPR to the recipient in an automated fashion. The automated controller receives the chest compression indication signals from the signaling mechanism, and, in accordance with the chest compression indication signals, controls the force and frequency of constrictions. The system may be provided with a tilt compensator comprising a tilt sensor mechanism outputting a tilt compensation signal indicative of the extent of tilt of the device, and may be further provided with an adjuster for adjusting the distance value in accordance with the tilt compensation signal. An ECG signal processor may be provided which removes the CPR-induced artifact from a measured ECG signal obtained during the administration of CPR.

A constriction device that constricts body tissue and is formed of relatively thin elastic material includes a tear resistance structure to preclude an inadvertent tear in the device from propagating through the device. The tear resistance structure includes a plurality of intersecting ribs formed in the elastic material. The ribs circumscribe the device and define rectangular, square, diamond, wavy, or knurled patterns.

A method and system to obtain a high power density plasma to efficiently generate high concentrations of plasma downstream from one or more plasma sources. A first embodiment of the invention involves a method to provide an improved power density for dissociating one or more gases to create plasma. A second embodiment of the invention involves a method to provide multiple chambers for dissociating one or more gases to create plasma. A third embodiment involves an apparatus using a constriction in a discharge chamber containing one or more gases, to provide an improved power density for dissociating one or more gases to create plasma. A fourth embodiment involves an apparatus using a constriction in multiple discharge chambers containing one or more gases, to provide an improved power density for dissociating one or more gases to create plasma.

An endoscopically implantable device is provided that cinches the stomach together to create a reduced diameter for a portion of the stomach. The device may be, for example, a gastrorestrictive device used to treat overweight or obese patients. The device may be used, for example, to treat gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD).

The present invention provides methods for delivering a transient and/or reversible complex into a cell including passing a cell suspension through a constriction, wherein said constriction deforms the cell, thereby causing a perturbation of the cell such that the complex enters the cell.

To be able to secure a bone screw, in particular one that can be aligned polyaxially, especially fixedly and nevertheless easily and detachably in an osteosynthesis plate or a comparable implant, a clamping bore is proposed in addition to a receiving bore, whereby the receiving bore holds a bone screw directly or indirectly, and the clamping bore runs essentially perpendicular to the osteosynthesis plate or parallel to the receiving bore, and with a recess in the area of the bores, preferably between the bores, being arranged in relation to the receiving bore in such a way that widening of the clamping bore results in a constriction of the receiving bore.

A system for regulating the functioning of an organ or duct generally includes an implantable band structured to at least partially circumscribe an organ or duct and an actuating mechanism operable to effect constriction of the band. The system further includes a plurality of incompressible cushion segments defining a substantially star-shaped inner circumference of the band, the star-shape effective to prevent pinching and necrosis of tissue during adjustment.

A device for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left atrium and right atrium comprises an hourglass-shaped stent comprising a neck region and first and second flared end regions, the neck region disposed between the first and second end regions and configured to engage the fossa ovalis of the patient's atrial septum; and a one-way tissue valve coupled to the first flared end region and configured to shunt blood from the left atrium to the right atrium when blood pressure in the left atrium exceeds blood pressure in the right atrium. The inventive device may include a biodegradable material that biodegrades to offset flow changes caused by tissue ingrowth. The inventive device may reduce left atrial pressure and left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and may increase cardiac output, increase ejection fraction, relieve pulmonary congestion, and lower pulmonary artery pressure, among other benefits.

The invention discloses a calculating method of text similarity degree and vocabulary meaning similarity degree and system and application system, which comprises the following steps: basing on vocabulary data bank; proceeding initialize; calculating; getting initial vocabulary meaning similarity degree among vocabulary in the vocabulary data bank; basing on the initial vocabulary meaning similarity degree; calculating initial semantic similarity degree among text; iterating semantic similarity degree among each text and vocabulary meaning similarity degree among vocabulary till constriction; constructuring final vocabulary meaning similar matrix with final vocabulary similarity degree; transforming the text vocabulary frequency vector of the initial text to the new text vocabulary text vocabulary frequency vector; calculating text similarity degree in the text collection. This invention can improve related property of current text especially about short text.