1021 results about "Fissure" patented technology

The invention provides an apparatus and system for ablation of body structures or tissue in the region of the rectum. A catheter is inserted into the rectum, and an electrode is disposed thereon for emitting energy. The environment for an ablation region is isolated or otherwise controlled by blocking gas or fluid using a pair of inflatable balloons at upstream and downstream locations. Inflatable balloons also serve to anchor the catheter in place. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the catheter and at least one such electrode is selected and advanced out of the catheter to penetrate and ablate selected tissue inside the body in the region of the rectum. The electrodes are coupled to sensors to determine control parameters of the body structure or tissue, and which are used by feedback technique to control delivery of energy for ablation or fluids for cooling or hydration. The catheter includes an optical path disposed for coupling to an external view piece, so as to allow medical personnel to view or control positioning of the catheter and operation of the electrodes. The catheter is disposed to deliver flowable substances for aiding in ablation, or for aiding in repair of tissue, such as collagen or another substance for covering lesions or for filling fissures. The flowable substances are delivered using at least one lumen in the catheter, either from at least one hole in the catheter, from an area of the catheter covered by a microporous membrane, or from microporous balloons.

Surgical methods of repairing defects and deficiencies in the spine are disclosed. The methods involve delivering a single part in-situ polymerizing fluid to (i) close a weakened segment or fissure in the annulus fibrosus, (ii) strengthen the annulus, (iii) replace or augment the disc nucleus, or (iv) localize a disc prosthesis. The methods may include placing a delivery conduit adjacent to the repair site and providing a liquid tissue adhesive to bond to and repair a disc defect or deficiency

A device is described that may be positioned at a location in an intervertebral disc for diagnosis or treatment of the disc. Treatment may include, for example, applying energy or removing material, and may decrease intradiscal pressure. Radiofrequency energy may be applied. A percutaneous method of repairing a fissure in the annulus pulposus comprises placing an energy source adjacent to the fissure and providing sufficient energy to the fissure to raise the temperature to at least about 45-70° C. and for a sufficient time to cause the collagen to weld. An intervertebral fissure also can be treated by placing a catheter with a lumen adjacent to the fissure and injecting sealant into the fissure via the catheter, thereby sealing the fissure. An intervertebral fissure additionally can be treated by providing a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and an intradiscal section at the catheter's distal end on which there is at least one functional element. The next step is applying a force longitudinally to the proximal of the catheter which is sufficient to advance the intradiscal section through the nucleus pulposus and around an inner wall of an annulus fibrosus, but which force is insufficient to puncture the annulus fibrosus. Next the functional element is positioned at a selected location of the disc by advancing or retracting the catheter and optionally twisting the proximal end of the catheter. Then the functional unit treats the annular fissure. Optionally, there is an additional step of adding a substance to seal the fissure. An externally guidable intervertebral disc apparatus also is disclosed.

A hemostatic valve couples to a sheath proximal hub having an inside and an outside surface. The hemostatic valve has a valve body having a proximal porting and end, and a distal portion and end. A passageway extends longitudinally through the valve body between the proximal and distal ends. A sealing element is positioned within the passageway. The distal portion of the valve body includes a pair of contact surfaces forming an annular gap receiving the sheath proximal hub of the sheath so that the contact surfaces sandwich the sheath proximal hub forming a seal on both the inside and outside surfaces of the hub. The valve body and the sheath proximal hub includes two oppositely placed longitudinal lines of fissure that allow the hub to be separated into two halves with the valve body.

The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich tissue to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for contracting a portion of the nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc by applying a high frequency voltage between an active electrode and a return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, where contraction of the portion of nucleus pulposus inhibits migration of the portion nucleus pulposus through the fissure.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for accessing the interior of an intervertebral disc to perform a function within the disc. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a lumen; and a guide wire having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and configured to be positioned within and moved relative to the lumen of the catheter; wherein the guide wire is capable of navigating itself within an intradiscal section of the intervertebral to a selected section of the disc and the catheter is capable of being advanced relative to the guide wire such that the catheter follows a path of the guide wire within the intradiscal section of the disc to the selected section. These apparatus and methods may be used for the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders such as sealing fissures of the annulus fibrosus, which may or may not be accompanied with contained or escaped extrusions. These apparatus and methods may also be used for the removal or addition of material to the intervertebral disc.

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and / or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and / or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

In the case where an integrated circuit formed of a thin film is formed over a substrate and peeled from the substrate, a fissure (also referred to as crack) is generated in the integrated circuit in some cases. The present invention is to restrain the generation of a fissure by fixing the proceeding direction of etching in one direction to make a peeled layer warp in one direction in accordance with the proceeding of etching. For example, the proceeding of etching can be controlled by utilizing the fact that a portion where a substrate is in contact with a base insulating layer is not etched in the case of patterning a peeling layer provided over the substrate, then forming the base insulating layer, and then fixing a peeled layer by the portion where the substrate is in contact with the base insulating layer.

Surgical methods of repairing defects and deficiencies in the spine are disclosed. The methods involve delivering a single part in-situ polymerizing fluid to (i) close a weakened segment or fissure in the annulus fibrosus, (ii) strengthen the annulus, (iii) replace or augment the disc nucleus, or (iv) localize a disc prosthesis. The methods may include placing a delivery conduit adjacent to the repair site and providing a liquid tissue adhesive to bond to and repair a disc defect or deficiency.

Intervertebral disc implants are provided for augmenting the annulus of the disc in a manner to bear at least part of the axial and / or torsional load on the annulus so that rents, fissures and subsequent herniation of the disc are prevented or substantially delayed. An aspect of the subject devices is that they have an operative height dimension that is equal to or less than the disc height of a normally functioning, healthy disc. Methods and tools are also provided for the minimally invasive implantation of the device within an intervertebral disc.

A method for treating a spinal disc having an outer relatively intact annulus defining a disc space and an inner defective nucleus pulposus within the disc space, comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus; providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus without removing any tissue from the annulus or from the nucleus pulposus; and sealably injecting curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the nucleus pulposus at a second pressure correlated with the first pressure. The integrity of the annulus may be determined by a pre-operative discogram using a contrast medium that has a viscosity substantially similar to the viscosity of the biomaterial to be injected. The needle is placed initially within the center of the nucleus pulposus and then withdrawn during the injection to approximately the inner border of the annulus. The second pressure is then maintained until the biomaterial is substantially cured. In steps, the curable biomaterial has strong adhesive properties and is capable of injection under pressure to fill fissures in the nucleus pulposus. The curable biomaterial may be injected under a pressure sufficient to distract opposing vertebral bodies communicating with the disc space.

Methods and devices are disclosed for detecting vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, or plaque at risk of reducing blood flow in a vessel, by identifying a region of elevated temperature along a living vessel wall. The disclosure that human atherosclerotic plaque with measurable temperature heterogeneity has the morphological characteristics of plaque that is likely to ulcerate provides a new and sensitive technique for detecting and treating these dangerous plaques before myocardial infarction and its consequences occur. The disclosed methods are advantageous over conventional plaque detection techniques because they are capable of differentiating between those plaques that are at great risk of rupture, fissure, or ulceration, and consequent thrombosis and occlusion of the artery, and those that are not presently at risk. Infrared heat-sensing catheters useful for identifying potentially fatal arterial plaques in patients with disease of the coronary or other arteries are also described. In some embodiments a coherent infrared fiber optic bundle is employed to radially and longitudinally explore a luminal wall to identify inflamed, heat-producing, atherosclerotic plaque. Certain other methods and devices are disclosed which are particularly suited for non-invasively identifying and then monitoring the progression or amelioration of an inflamed plaque in a patient, and for monitoring for onset of inflammation in an implanted arteriovenous graft. Also disclosed are thermocouple basket catheters and thermistor basket catheters which are also capable of detecting temperature heterogeneity along a vessel wall.

In the case where an integrated circuit formed of a thin film is formed over a substrate and peeled from the substrate, a fissure (also referred to as crack) is generated in the integrated circuit in some cases. The present invention is to restrain the generation of a fissure by fixing the proceeding direction of etching in one direction to make a peeled layer warp in one direction in accordance with the proceeding of etching. For example, the proceeding of etching can be controlled by utilizing the fact that a portion where a substrate is in contact with a base insulating layer is not etched in the case of patterning a peeling layer provided over the substrate, then forming the base insulating layer, and then fixing a peeled layer by the portion where the substrate is in contact with the base insulating layer.

Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and / or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and / or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.

The invention discloses a mould for manufacturing a fissure surface of a rock like test block. The mould comprises a sliding groove, a sheet steel locating rod, a protractor, a sliding rod and a sheet steel, wherein the sliding groove is a long strip type metal component provided with a straight groove hole; the sheet steel locating rod is a metal rod; the sliding rod is a metal rod marked with ascale; a sheet steel fixing sheet is a hard sheet provided with a notch and stuck on the bottom surface of the test block mould; the sliding groove is fixed on the top of the side wall of the test block mould; the sheet steel locating rod is fixed above the sliding groove; the circle centre of the protractor passes through any bolt and is fixed above the sheet steel locating rod; the sliding rod passes through holes at two ends of the sheet steel locating rod and is vertical to the sheet steel locating rod; one end of the sheet steel is fixed in a through groove of the sheet steel locating rod; and the other end of the sheet steel is clamped in the notch of the sheet steel fixing sheet. The mould disclosed by the invention is capable of conveniently and rapidly adjusting parameters of thefissure surface of the test block, such as an inclination angle, an interval, a communication rate and the like. The mould is easy to process and can be repetitively utilized, thus, the manufacture efficiency and the precision of the test block are increased.

The invention relates to a method and a device for predicting the capacity of a fissure-hole type oil deposit. The method includes the steps of acquiring oil deposit bubble point pressure Pb, a volumetric factor B, in-place oil viscosity mu, the shaft radius rw, the oil reservoir thickness h, matrix permeability Km, fissure permeability Kf, oil deposit supply boundary pressure Pe, the boundary radius re, shaft bottom flow pressure Pw, a matrix permeability damage factor alpha m, a double-medium reservoir permeability damage factor alpha A and fissure closing pressure Pf. Fissure-hole type double-medium reservoir permeability KA is obtained according to the matrix permeability Km and the fissure permeability Kf; on the basis of permeation fluid mechanics, the stratum fissure closed radius rf is obtained by the acquired parameters; on the basis of inner and outer boundary conditions and reservoir permeability stress sensitive effects, the relation between the capacity of the fissure-hole type oil deposit and shaft bottom pressure is obtained by the acquired parameters; and the capacity of the fissure-hole type oil deposit is predicted according to the relation between the capacity of the fissure-hole type oil deposit and the shaft bottom pressure.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for accessing the interior of an intervertebral disc to perform a function within the disc. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a lumen; and a guide wire having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and configured to be positioned within and moved relative to the lumen of the catheter; wherein the guide wire is capable of navigating itself within an intradiscal section of the intervertebral to a selected section of the disc and the catheter is capable of being advanced relative to the guide wire such that the catheter follows a path of the guide wire within the intradiscal section of the disc to the selected section. These apparatus and methods may be used for the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders such as sealing fissures of the annulus fibrosus, which may or may not be accompanied with contained or escaped extrusions. These apparatus and methods may also be used for the removal or addition of material to the intervertebral disc.

A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.

The invention relates to a method for controlling caving and lane-guarding. The method is characterized in that in a working surface roadway, drilling, blasting or cracking are carried out on a roof of a coal seam of complete hard strata with large thickness of a hanging arch in a goaf; bursting or cutting off are carried out on a complete hard roof strata with large thickness to facilitate the hanging arch in the goaf to collapse at the back of a force piece; collapsed waste rock fills the goaf, supports superincumbent stratum in a fissure zone and releases high bearing stress passed into the coal body adjacent to the goaf from weight of the large-thickness complete hard strata of the hanging arch in the goaf and the superincumbent stratum in the fissure zone thereof, so that the bearing stress in the coal body adjacent to the goaf is reduced and laneways in the space are protected. The method of the invention fundamentally improves stability of surrounding rock of laneways adjacent to the goaf and increases coal mining rate of ends of thick coal seam caving coal working surface.

A method for fabricating butt-coupled electro-absorptive modulators is disclosed. A butt-coupled electro-absorptive modulator with minimal dislocations in the electro-absorptive material is produced by adding a dielectric spacer for lining the coupling region before epitaxially growing the SiGe or other electro-absorptive material. It has been determined that during the SiGe growth, the current process has exposed single crystal silicon at the bottom of the hole and exposed amorphous silicon on the sides. SiGe growth on the amorphous silicon is expected to have more dislocations than single crystal silicon. There should also be dislocations or fissures where the SiGe growth from the each nucleation source finally join. Thus, a dielectric sidewall can protect an exposed waveguide face from any etching from an aggressive surface preparation prior to epi growth.

The invention provides a fissure-cave type carbonate-reservoir reservoir body modeling method, and belongs to the field of carbonate reservoir exploitation geology. The method comprises the steps of (1) distinguishing karst cave reservoir body development segment in a single well; (2) building karst zone models along the vertical direction, building ancient landform unit distribution models in a plane; (3) respectively imitating three-dimensional distribution of the karst cave reservoir body in different karst zones and different ancient landform units, obtaining a three-dimensional distribution model of the karst cave reservoir body of a modeling target stratum; (4) counting development occurrence of a fissure reservoir body and single-well fissure development density; and (5) under control of a fault, building a three-dimensional discrete distribution model of the fissure reservoir body. According to the fissure-cave type carbonate-reservoir reservoir body modeling method, accuracy of the class of reservoir modeling is improved, a true condition of the reservoir is approached in a more objective mode, and important practical significance is provided for exploitation of the reservoir.

The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich tissue to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for contracting a portion of the nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc by applying a high frequency voltage between an active electrode and a return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, where contraction of the portion of nucleus pulposus inhibits migration of the portion nucleus pulposus through the fissure.

A method for fabricating a surface-conduction electron emitter includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate; (b) disposing two lower layers on the surface of the substrate, the two lower layers are parallel and apart from each other; (c) disposing a plurality of carbon nanotube elements on the lower layers; (d) disposing two upper layers on the two lower layers, and thereby, sandwiching the carbon nanotube elements therebetween; and (e) forming a micro-fissure between the carbon nanotube elements.

A method for using RF energy to facilitate the production of oil from formations separated from the RF energy source by a rock stratum comprises operating an antenna to transmit RF energy into a hydrocarbon formation, the hydrocarbon formation comprised of a first hydrocarbon portion above and adjacent to the antenna, a second hydrocarbon portion above the first hydrocarbon portion, and a rock stratum between the first hydrocarbon portion and the second hydrocarbon portion. The operation of the antenna heats water in the hydrocarbon formation to produce steam in the hydrocarbon formation, and the steam heats hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon formation and fractures the rock stratum to produce fissures in the rock stratum. The heated hydrocarbons in the second hydrocarbon portion flows into the first hydrocarbon portion through the fissures in the rock stratum.

Surgical methods of repairing defects and deficiencies in the spine are disclosed. The methods involve delivering a single part in-situ polymerizing fluid to (i) close a weakened segment or fissure in the annulus fibrosus, (ii) strengthen the annulus, (iii) replace or augment the disc nucleus, or (iv) localize a disc prosthesis. The methods may include placing a delivery conduit adjacent to the repair site and providing a liquid tissue adhesive to bond to and repair a disc defect or deficiency

The invention discloses a double-computer backup system and a backup method. The system comprises a working server and a backup server, wherein a system monitoring module is used for mutually monitoring through an interior heartbeat cable and another system monitoring module of a local server and also used for detecting the state information of detection resources sent by a resource object module connected with the system monitoring module, sending a warning to a management module of the local server and sending heartbeat information marked to be false to a system monitoring module of an end server through an exterior heartbeat cable when the resource object module is determined to have a fault; the resource object module is used for detecting various resource objects in the resource object module; the management module is used for judging whether the switching operation of double-computer resources needs to be executed or not according to the condition of warning receiving of the management module; and the resource object module is also used for providing various resource objects of the local server. The invention solves the problems of faulty switching of the double-computer resources and fissure faults caused by self faults of double-computer backup at present.

The invention discloses a negative pressure absorption climbing type robot used for detecting a fissure of a bridge. The negative pressure absorption climbing type robot used for detecting the fissure of the bridge comprises a camera shooting unit, a front mechanical foot, a rear mechanical foot and a wireless communication unit. According to the negative pressure absorption climbing type robot used for detecting the fissure of the bridge, the front mechanical foot is connected with the rear mechanical foot through a joint coupling mechanism, the front mechanical foot and the rear mechanical foot are respectively provided with a negative pressure absorption assembly and a walking driving assembly, and therefore the front mechanical foot and the rear mechanical foot can be sucked on the surfaces of bridges under different work conditions to achieve climbing and walking; the camera shooting unit is arranged on the front mechanical foot and is used for shooting an area to be detected and sending the shot results to the wireless communication unit; the wireless communication unit is arranged on the rear mechanical foot and is used for receiving the results shot by the camera shooting unit and transmitting the results to a control terminal and receiving a control command from the control terminal. The negative pressure absorption climbing type robot used for detecting the fissure of the bridge has the advantages that the detection of the fissure of the bridge can be achieved conveniently, fast and accurately, the detection of the fissure of the bridge can be controlled conveniently, subjective interference factors of people can be effectively eliminated, and detection cost is reduced. The negative pressure absorption climbing type robot used for detecting the fissure of the bridge is particularly suitable for detection of the bottom surfaces of various complicated bridges.