328 results about "Dura mater" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. In a method of the invention high frequency (RF) electrical energy is applied to one or more active electrodes on an electrosurgical probe in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to remove, contract or otherwise modify the structure of tissue targeted for treatment. In one aspect, a dura mater and spinal cord are insulated from the electrical energy by an insulator positioned on a non-active side of the probe. In another aspect, a plasma is aggressively formed in the electrically conductive fluid by delivering a conductive fluid to a distal end portion of the probe and aspirating the fluid from a location proximal of the return electrode. In another aspect, a distal end of an electrosurgical probe having at least one electrode on a biased, curved, bent, or steerable shaft is guided or steered to a target site within an intervertebral disc having a disc defect for treatment of tissue to be treated at the target site by the selective application of electrical energy thereto.

A method and implantable medical device system capable of being anchored in a head or spinal cord of a patient. During implant, the dura of the patient is partially removed and the medical device component is placed on one side of the dura. The medical device component contains one or more anchors that mate with one or more nuts placed on the other side of the dura. The medical device component is thereby attached to the dura in a substantially fixed position relative to the head or spinal cord.

The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. A brain stimulator, preferably a deep brain stimulator, stimulates the brain in response to neural recordings in a closed feedback loop. The device is advantageous in providing neuromodulation therapies for neurological disorders such as chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, or similar disorders. The invention and components thereof are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain.

The invention comprises a surgically implantable hearing aid for hearing impaired persons. The hearing aid includes a vibrational element which is vibrated by sound waves and attached to the skull of the person, and a connector which crosses the mastoid cavity and delivers the sound waves to the dura mater of the human being thereby vibrating the dura mater, the cerebrospinal fluids, and the brain to create a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to act as a tinnitus masker or used in conjunction with a cochlear implant. It can also be used in a modified form to connect directly through the skull of the human being.

A prosthetic hearing system is described that provides multi-path stimulation of the patient auditory system. A mechanical stimulation component applies mechanical stimulation signals to cerebral tissue such as the dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, vestibular structures, etc. using multiple separate mechanical stimulation channels. And an electrical stimulation component provides electrical stimulation of auditory neural tissue of the patient user.

A bone-anchored surgical mesh has slot-like anchoring members that allow for the variable placement of screws and other bone fasteners. This permits the surgeon discretion in the placement of bone fasteners used to attach the mesh to the patient's bone. The elongate openings of the anchoring members allow for a sliding motion between the bone fasteners and the anchoring members, and facilitates positioning and articulation of the mesh. The anchoring members may include bushings to aid the sliding motion of the anchoring member on the bone fastener. In one embodiment, the mesh consists of shorter modular strips that overlap each other such that a single bone fastener is passed through two overlapping anchoring members to lock the two modular mesh strips together. Additional modular mesh strips can be added on at either end, as desired, to provide the desired length of dural coverage.

A method of using a substantially non-porous equine collagen foil to repair and regenerate dura mater tissue of mammals when the dura mater tissue is damaged as a result of injury, tumors, surgery, and the like. The non-porous equine collagen foil comprises collagen fibrils which provides a replacement dura mater composition that is elastic, liquid-tight, and which has a high tensile strength. The non-porous equine collagen foil is furthermore resorbable and provides a biomatrix, wherein a neodura is rapidly formed which becomes indistinguishable from the autologous dura mater in a matter of weeks. The process for making the equine collagen foil reduces the likelihood of disease transmission.

The invention comprises a surgically implantable hearing aid for hearing impaired persons. The hearing aid includes a vibrational element which is vibrated by sound waves and attached to the skull of the person, and a connector which crosses the mastoid cavity and delivers the sound waves to the dura mater of the patient thereby vibrating the dura mater, the cerebrospinal fluids, and the brain to create a hearing percept. The invention can also be adapted to act as a tinnitus masker or used in conjunction with a cochlear implant. It can also be used in a modified form to connect directly through the skull of the person.

A surgical retractor may be provided for a surgical procedure such as spinal surgery. The surgical retractor may include a pair of tissue retainers and a pair of separators. The separators may be positioned in channels of the tissue retainers to move distal ends of the tissue retainers apart, retract tissue, and enlarge an opening in a patient. In some embodiments, a nerve root retractor may be removably coupled to a surgical retractor to retain dura on one side of the spinal column and provide working room for the surgical procedure.

The present invention relates to a method for directed cell in-growth and controlled tissue regeneration to prevent post-surgical or post-traumatic adhesion and fibrosis formation on the injured surface of a tissue selected from the group consisting of spinal column tissue, dura mater, and spinal nerves in a mammal, comprising the step of providing, covering and separating the tissue with a bioactive biofunctional, non-porous, microscopically multilayered collagen foil biomatrix, and to a method for treating a defect in a mammal comprising the step of providing, covering and separating said tissue with a bioactive biofunctional, non-porous, microscopically multilayered collagen foil biomatrix.

The invention provides a nano artificial dura mater with a plurality of functional layers, which comprises a structure with at least two layers; the layer facing the brain is a hydrophobic anti-adhesion electrospun layer; and the layer back to the brain is a hydrophilic nano cytoskeletal layer. The invention also provides a method for preparing the nano artificial dura mater, which comprises the following steps: preparing an electrospun solution of a hydrophobic polymer; preparing an electrospun solution of a hydrophilic polymer; preparing the prepared electrospun solution of the hydrophobic polymer into the hydrophobic anti-adhesion electrospun layer through static spinning; and preparing the hydrophilic nano cytoskeletal layer on the anti-adhesion electrospun layer from the prepared electrospun solution of the hydrophilic polymer through static spinning, receiving a membrane structure, and obtaining the nano artificial dura mater. The mechanical features of the nano artificial dura mater can meet the requirements on tensile strength and flexibility of adaptation diseases; and the nano artificial dura mater can be freely cut as required, and has wide application prospect.

A dual lumen catheter provides for percutaneous drainage of a subdural hematoma to irrigate and drain the subdural space. The dual lumen catheter comprises a drainage channel dimensioned to drain subdural fluid collection from the subdural space and an irrigation channel dimensioned to irrigate the subdural space. Several methods are disclosed for inserting the dual lumen catheter into the subdural space through a small burr hole drilled in the skull. The dual lumen catheter 310 then both irrigates and drains the subdural space in order to both effectively evacuate a subdural hematoma as well as cleanse the subdural space. The subdural space is thereby effectively collapsed, and the brain returns to be adjacent to the dura mater and skull.

Compositions which self-assemble under physiological conditions are formulated for application to wounds. The formulations include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or are provided as part of a medical device or coating. The formulations may also include other therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents. The formulation can be administered as appropriate for treatment of one or more disorders or conditions. For example, the formulation may be applied to repair an injury or during surgery of the lung, eye or dura, or following an epidural or spinal tap, to stop leakage of blood, interstitial fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. The formulation may be administered to a burn or ulcer. The formulation may be dispersed in a suture or adhesive for administration at the time of or as released following suturing or gluing of a wound, thereby limiting bleeding, loss of tissue fluids, or other fluids such as those produced by parenchymal tissues such as the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. The formulation may be applied to any site of bleeding, in a bandage, gauze, sponge, or other material, for immediate control of bleeding, or released later to control bleeding if the initial treatment such as suturing or pressure is insufficient. In one embodiment, the formulation is provided as a dry or lyophilized powder. In another embodiment, the material is provided in water. In another embodiment, the material is provided in combination with an oil and forms a laminate. In another embodiment, the formulation is provided as a coating on a device, for example a stent or a catheter. The material is also useful to isolate tissue, for preservation of tissue for subsequent transplantation or reattachment, and as a bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agent.

A method and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion is disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion from a posterior approach to the spine. One instrument is a retractor having a lockable pivotally mounted handle. Another instrument is a template for straddling the dura. A modular distractor is also provided and preferably includes a tapered shaft with a visualization window disposed therein. Yet another instrument is a depth gauge to verify bone opening depth and dimension, preferably including a radiopaque portion. A method contemplates the use of these instruments to prepare a disc space to receive an implant.

Disclosed are an artificial dura mater and manufacturing method thereof. The artificial dura mater includes electrospun layers prepared by electrostatic spinning, at least one of which is a hydrophobic electrospun layer. Further, above the hydrophobic electrospun layer, there can be at least one hydrophilic electrospun layer. A transition layer can be further included between the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic electrospun layers. Additionally, cytokines and / or medicines can be affixed to either or both of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic electrospun layers, by way of bio-printing. The disclosed artificial dura mater shows good biocompatibility, enhances dural tissue regeneration, achieves excellent repairing effects, prevents adhesion, allows complete absorption, has good mechanical properties, ensures low infection rates, and can be loaded with therapeutic agents.

Natural and / or synthetic materials to form a strong barrier between the skeletal system and the great vessels. In the preferred embodiments, a natural or synthetic material is used to prevent scar tissue from forming around the vessels and / or to act as barrier placed between the vessels and the skeletal system, including the spine. Devices according to the invention may also be used over the dura and nerves following laminectomy procedures, between the sternum and the pericardium or heart following cardiac procedures, in intra-abdominal procedures such as intestinal or vascular surgery, over the brain in intra-cranial surgery, over the ovaries or other organs or tissues in the female genitourinary system, over the prostate or other organ or tissues in the male genitourinary system, or in other surgeries on humans or animals.

The invention provides an artificial dura mater with bioactivity, which is formed from a nano-bionic scaffold and hydrosol attached on the nano-bionic scaffold, wherein cell factors and / or a medicament are / is coated in the hydrosol; the nano-bionic scaffold at least contains two layers of connected structures, wherein the structure layer facing to the brain is a hydrophobic anti-adhesive electrospinning layer, and the structure layer opposite to the brain is a hydrophilic nano-cytoskeleton layer. The invention also provides a preparation method of the artificial dura mater, which comprises the following steps: preparing an electrospinning solution, a hydrosol solution containing the cell factors and / or the medicament and a cross linker solution; preparing the artificial dura mater through electrostatic spinning and biological printing. By simultaneously utilizing a biological printing technology and an electrostatic spinning technology for preparing the artificial dura mater, the cell factors can be effectively distributed according to the requirements of concentration and positions, a brain membranization process is the fastest and optimal, and meanwhile, the following adverse reaction of the medicament is reduced because the artificial dura mater can be accurately positioned and quantified by using the biological printing technology.

A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

A method of inserting a drainage catheter into a sagittal sinus having blood flow from an upstream to a downstream direction. A burr hole is created, if necessary, in the cranium of the patient proximate the sagittal sinus. A distal end of a catheter is inserted through the burr hole and the dura into the sagittal sinus. The distal end of the catheter is positioned so that the distal end points generally in the upstream direction with respect to the blood flow. A sagittal sinus catheter is adapted for placement through the dura of a patient proximate a superior sagittal sinus. The catheter is formed of semi-rigid material and has at least a ninety degree bend.

The invention discloses an absorbable endocranium healing patch and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises: firstly processing a degradable high molecular material into a film impervious layer; at the same time weaving the degradable high molecular material into a netted sheet layer; then performing heat sealing processing on the film impervious layer and the netted sheet layer to prepare a double-layer composite material containing the impervious layer and the netted layer; and finally coating a bioactive component on the surface of the netted layer of the double-layer composite material to prepare the absorbable endocranium healing patch. The absorbable endocranium healing patch has excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, biological absorbability, excellent flexibility, no repulsion reaction, and no toxicity, no carcinogenic and teratogenic effects, and can be completely absorbed after cambium is generated, and thus the absorbable endocranium healing patch can be more safely and more effectively applied to endocranium healing correlated medical operations.

The invention provides a nano artificial dura mater capable of being used as a medicine sustained-release system, having the structure which comprises at least two layers, i.e. a hydrophobic anti-blocking electro-spun layer which faces the cerebrum, and a hydrophilic nano cytoskeleton layer which backs on to the cerebrum; and cell factors and / or medicines are arranged in any layer of the artificial dura mater by way of blended spinning. The invention also provides a method for preparing the nano biomimic artificial dura mater. Compared with an artificial mater prepared by the single utilization of the electro-spinning technology, the artificial mater to which the medicines and the cell factors are added by blending technology can effectively prevent infection and faster promote the regeneration process of the artificial mater. The invention also provides a novel medicine loading and releasing mode for treating cerebral diseases, the loaded medicines can be directly and efficiently transferred into the cranial cavity along with the implantation of the dura mate and can be released according to requirements, and therefore the invention realizes favorable treatment effect and has broad application prospect.

Subdural arrays transmit electrocorticogram recordings wirelessly, across the patient's skull, allowing the craniotomy used for surgical placement of the arrays to be completely closed. In various embodiments, the arrays also respond to commands, applying signal patterns to the patient's brain for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

An implantable system for the treatment of hydrocephalus includes a plurality of microneedles in a fixed array relative to each other adapted to extend from the subarachnoid space containing CSF surrounding the brain, through dura mater forming the wall of the superior sagital sinus. A microvalve is associated with a proximal end of each of the microneedles and is adapted to permit the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space through the wall of the superior sagital sinus and deposited in the venous return of the brain. The method of treating hydrocephalus with the system of this invention also constitutes a part of the invention.