79 results about "Foramen" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve use of a catheter having at least one closure device at its distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter also includes one or more energy transmission members for delivering energy to the closure device(s) and to the tissue adjacent the PFO to induce closure of the PFO. Closure devices may comprise, for example, a bioresorbable matrix or a non-resorbable matrix. In some embodiments, the closure device contains particles dispersed within the closure device to increase conductance and / or to reduce resistance and / or impedance. An exemplary method involves advancing a catheter to position its distal end into the tunnel of the PFO and fixing the closure device within the tunnel of the patent foramen PFO.

A system, apparatus, and method for locating, measuring and evaluating the enlargement of a foramen are provided. An instrument has a handle, an angled region, and a tip to be inserted into the foramen. An instrument can be pressed onto the foramen to determine its location and whether the empty space within the foramen is large enough for the maximum width of the tip to be inserted. If the tip cannot insert, the foramen can be cut to enlarge it enough for the tip to insert. A kit of several instruments or a single instrument with tips of different maximum widths are provided for determining the amount of empty space within the foramen through the course of the enlargement.

Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) generally involve use of a catheter having at least one closure device at its distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter also includes one or more energy transmission members for delivering energy to the closure device(s) and to the tissue adjacent the PFO to induce closure of the PFO. Closure devices may comprise, for example, a bioresorbable matrix or a non-resorbable matrix. In some embodiments, the closure device contains particles dispersed within the closure device to increase conductance and / or to reduce resistance and / or impedance. An exemplary method involves advancing a catheter to position its distal end into the tunnel of the PFO and fixing the closure device within the tunnel of the patent foramen PFO.

Method embodiments to implant a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A method embodiment begins by inserting a needle posterior to the sacrum through an entry point. The needle is guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead. The needle is removed from the insertion path. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location. The dilator is removed from the insertion path. Additionally if the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer. The stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. After the stimulation lead has been anchored, the incision can be closed, or the stimulation lead proximal end can be tunneled to where an implantable neurostimulator is located and then the incision can be closed. A implanted sacral stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a sacrum are disclosed herein. In one variation, a method includes imaging a spine with a fluoroscopy device to provide a view of the sacrum. An anatomical landmark is identified based on the imaging, and a breach zone is defined based on the imaging. The anatomical landmark is used to identify an entry point and guide a medical device in a medial-to-lateral approach into a sacral ala region of the sacrum to perform a medical procedure within the sacral ala. In some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a pedicle, and in some embodiments, the anatomical landmark can be, for example, a V notch. In some embodiments, an entry point is identified using two anatomical landmarks. For example, the anatomical landmarks can be an S1 foramen of the side being accessed and a sacroiliac joint.

A method for locating, measuring and evaluating the enlargement of a foramen are provided. An instrument has a handle, an angled region, and a tip to be inserted into the foramen. An instrument can be pressed onto the foramen to determine its location and whether the empty space within the foramen is large enough for the maximum width of the tip to be inserted. If the tip cannot insert, the foramen can be cut to enlarge it enough for the tip to insert. A kit of several instruments or a single instrument with tips of different maximum widths are provided for determining the amount of empty space within the foramen through the course of the enlargement.

Methods and apparatus for implanting a stimulation lead in a patient's sacrum to deliver neurostimulation therapy that can reduce patient surgical complications, reduce patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. A surgical instrumentation kit for minimally invasive implantation of a sacral stimulation lead through a foramen of the sacrum in a patient to electrically stimulate a sacral nerve comprises a needle and a dilator and optionally includes a guide wire. The needle is adapted to be inserted posterior to the sacrum through an entry point and guided into a foramen along an insertion path to a desired location. In one variation, a guide wire is inserted through a needle lumen, and the needle is withdrawn. The insertion path is dilated with a dilator inserted over the needle or over the guide wire to a diameter sufficient for inserting a stimulation lead, and the needle or guide wire is removed from the insertion path. The dilator optionally includes a dilator body and a dilator sheath fitted over the dilator body. The stimulation lead is inserted to the desired location through the dilator body lumen or the dilator sheath lumen after removal of the dilator body, and the dilator sheath or body is removed from the insertion path. If the clinician desires to separately anchor the stimulation lead, an incision is created through the entry point from an epidermis to a fascia layer, and the stimulation lead is anchored to the fascia layer. The stimulation lead can be connected to the neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat pelvic floor disorders such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic pain.

Devices and methods for protecting the neurovascular structures about the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a neuroprotective stent or device adapted for placement in an intervertebral foramen of a vertebral column and configured to resist compression or impingement from surrounding structures or forces. The stent or device may further comprise a flange or hinge region to facilitate attachment of the device to the vertebrae or to facilitate insertion of the device in the foramen, respectively.

A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.

Devices and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache and trigeminal neuralgia and the like, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of nerves of the head, particularly supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, and mental nerves in the vicinity of their foramen or notch. The system comprises a handheld mobile device, such as a smartphone, that is applied to the surface of the patient's head. One or more electrodes on the mobile device apply electrical impulses transcutaneously through the patient's skin to the targeted nerve to treat the medical condition. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present.

The present application is directed to devices and methods that can treat dementia or other brain disorders via electrical stimulation. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize brain stimulation of brain areas involved in memory and cognition through an intraventricular approach. Brain stimulation is combined with CSF flow in an intraventricular electrode having one or more passageways to permit fluid to flow therethrough. For example, an intraventricular electrode shunt catheter can be safely placed in any part of the ventricular system and through any foramen or aqueduct of the ventricular system without fear of obstruction to CSF flow.

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides devices, implants, and methods for distracting and / or stabilizing a facet joint of the spine of a patient or other similar joint or bony structures, optionally including modifying the facet joint and implanting an implant in the facet joint so as to distract the foramen in order to reduce compression on nerve roots.

A posterior spinal prosthesis is configured to cover exposed portions of a spinal column especially, but not necessarily, as a result of a medical spinal procedure and particularly, to provide posterior coverage of an exposed spinal cord, soft tissue, Foramen and / or adipose tissue, associated with one or more vertebrae as a result of the removal the spinous processes and / or the spinous process and laminar hoods from the one or more vertebrae of the spine as a result of a spinal decompression procedure or other reason. A plate forming the prosthesis is connectable to spine rod constructs implanted on lateral sides of the vertebrae and projects in the posterior direction relative to the connection. The plate is generally curved in the superior / inferior direction to provide either a lordotic or kyphotic curvature depending on the portion of the spine to which the prosthesis is utilized. As such, the posterior spinal prosthesis may be used on any portion of the spine such as the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae and / or the lumbar vertebrae. The present posterior spinal prosthesis also provides posterior stabilization of the associated vertebrae as well as aiding in preventing post operative soft tissue cavitation at the decompression site.

The invention provides a method for preparing a macroreticular polyvinyl alcohol foam carrier, which comprises the steps: polyvinyl alcohol, limestone and water are mixed and stirred to lead the polyvinyl alcohol to be fully and evenly dissolved; the mixture is added with dilute hydrochloric acid for acidification and is frothed to have foramen; by adopting the circulation of freezing-unfreezing, and refreezing-unfreezing again, macroreticular polyvinyl alcohol gel foam is formed; then, the polyvinyl alcohol gel foam is cut into pieces and is dipped into the dilute hydrochloric acid with the mass concentration of 0.5-1% until no bubble is generated; the polyvinyl alcohol is caused to form more stable cross-linked structure by chemical crosslinking reaction; after that, the polyvinyl alcohol is soaked in water to be washed to be neutrality, so that the white macroreticular polyvinyl alcohol foam carrier is obtained. The macroreticular polyvinyl alcohol foam carrier prepared by the invention has stable macroreticular structure, takes on good hydrophilicity, physical and chemical durability as well as biological degradability resistance, is applicable to immobilized enzyme and microorganism to form a bioreactor with multiple bed types, and can be used in the fields of modern biological engineering such as sewage disposal, etc.

An implantable medical lead for stimulation of the sacral nerves comprises a lead body which includes a distal end and a proximal end, and the distal end having at least one electrode contact extending longitudinally from the distal end toward the proximal end. The lead body at its proximal end may be coupled to a pulse generator, additional intermediate wiring, or other stimulation device. The electrode contact of the permanently implantable neurostimulation lead comprises an elongated, flexible, coiled wire or mesh electrode having an exposed electrode length that is adapted to be inserted through the foramen from a posterior access to locate the coiled wire electrode alongside the sacral nerve extending anteriorly and / or posteriorly therefrom. The coiled wire or mesh electrode structure is flexible and bendable to enable its placement through the foramen and alongside the sacral nerve and to conform to the surrounding nerves and tissue. Preferably, further shorter length electrodes are provided along the distal segment of the lead body to enable testing of the positioning of the elongated wire coil or mesh electrode or to provide alternate stimulation electrodes upon dislocation of the elongated wire coil or mesh electrode.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed generally to systems and methods for delivering an implant to a body vessel of a patient. Such disclosed implants may be a monofilament implant, and disclosed systems for implanting the implant may be automatic. Some embodiments may enable retraction of said implant back into the delivery system following partial exteriorization of the implant from the delivery system. Some embodiments may be configured for retraction of said implant from the patient's body following complete exteriorization of the implant from the delivery system. Some of the embodiments are directed at delivering a monofilament implant for preventing embolic stroke. Other embodiments are directed at preventing pulmonary embolism, occluding a body vessel such as the left atrial appendage, occluding a body passageway such as a patent foramen ovalae, stenting a body vessel, or releasing a local therapeutic agent such as a drug or ionizing radiation.

A medical patch having a multi-piece bottom liner including a central liner sequentially removable independently of two outer perimeter liners. The multi-piece liner covering two adhesives of different peel force. Removal of the central liner exposes a first temporary / repositionable adhesive. Once properly positioned, the outer perimeter liners are removed to expose a second stronger adhesive. A foam cushioning layer is disposed beneath and extends beyond a footprint of every printed circuit board to prevent skin irritation. The medical patch may be designed specifically for stimulation of the sacral (S3 foramen) spinal nerve without the use of a separate mechanical placement tool or assistance by another.

The invention discloses a filter paper separated hole suspended spore ejection method, which firstly prepares a sterile potato culture medium slab with the thickness of 0.5cm and processes a sterile filter paper which is provided with a hole with the diameter of Phi 0.5 to 2 cm; then a culture dish cover is removed from a super clean workbench, and the sterile filter paper with the hole is arranged on a lower dish which is provided with the culture medium slab; a large-scale fungal sporophore block which is collected at the field is arranged on the filter paper hole of the sterile filter paper with the hole for still placement for 20 to 60min, then the filter paper and the sporophore are removed, the culture dish cover is covered, and a constant temperature culture is carried out after transferring the fungal sporophore block into a culture box at 22 - 26 DEG C; finally, the mycelia are selected after spore germination and transferred into the slope of a test tube for continual culture till the tube is full; the configuration identification is further carried out, so as to obtain a wild large-scale fungal pure culture. The invention has the advantages of reducing the opportunity of hybrid bacteria pollution, improving the success rate of the obtainment of large-scale fungal pure culture and having simplified operation.

The invention discloses a spinal closed puncture guide, which can be specifically used for the puncture positioning of various parts of the spinal column such as intervertebral foramen, intervertebral disc, articular process and pedicle. It consists of an angle ruler, a ruler, a puncture needle guide, a positioning needle needle guide, an aiming ruler, a puncture needle and a positioning needle, the angle ruler is in the shape of a semi-circle, and the ruler slides vertically through the angle ruler , and can be locked by the angle ruler, the puncture needle guide is provided with two pieces, which are respectively slid on both ends of the angle ruler, and can be locked at any angle of the angle ruler, the two puncture needle guides no matter from the angle Any angle of the ruler guides the puncture needle to the same point on the center line of the angle ruler. The positioning needle needle guide is provided with two pieces, one is fixed on one end of the ruler, and the other is slid on the other side of the ruler. One end can be locked, and the positioning needle guide device guides the positioning needle to stick to the bone near the patient's lesion.

The invention discloses an individual customized bone-cutting shape-righting guide plate. The bone-cutting shape-righting guide plate is characterized in that the working face of the bone-cutting shape-righting guide plate is attached to the bone surface, or a skeleton and the part in contact with the skeleton can be embedded into the guide plate, the outer surface of the guide plate is determined by the thickness required by all positions of the surface in contact with a target bone, and all the sides of the guide plate are controlled through arcs of apophysis marks and are made to be aligned with the apophysis marks. A fabrication method includes the steps of modeling the target bone through a reverse engineering technology to obtain a digital model of the skeleton, and measuring the position for bone cutting and shape righting, the bone cutting angle, and the plane where the angle is located; designing characteristics of all sides, bone cutting grooves, through holes, foramen lacerums and rounded angles of the guide plate in sequence through the bone cutting parameters, and performing 3d printing finally. The bone-cutting shape-righting guide plate has the advantages of being high in accuracy, simple and practical, rapid in mold forming and wide in application range.

To enable the user to see if the field of view of an infrared sensor faces an eardrum direction. A biological information collecting device (100) includes: an infrared sensor (108) for sensing the infrared radiation emitted from inside an acoustic foramen (200); an acoustic wave output section (152) that is arranged so as to emit an acoustic wave toward the field of view (F) of the infrared sensor (108); and a computing section (110) for deriving biological information based on the output of the infrared sensor (108).

The discovery of a new coefficient named “Radicular Spectral Attenuation Coefficient-RSAC”, applicable in electronic foramen locators is described. The novelty is the use of the spectral attenuation of a multifrequency electrical current signal, applied through the endodontic file into the tooth canal (TC), to determine the root length and the foramen position. FIG. (2): (2.1), (2.4), (2.8) and (2.2), (2.5), (2.9) are the amplitude and frequency axes, respectively; (2.3) is the electrical current frequency spectrum applied into the TC; (2.6) shows the spectrum exponential decay (2.7) of the signal measured over the TC. In (2.10) the axes (2.4) and (2.5) were logaritmized to linearize the exponential decay. The RSAC is the average inclination of the line (2.11), which is proportional to the distance between the tip of the endodontic file and the apical foramen. The RSAC changes as the tip of the file gets near the foramen.

The present application is directed to devices and methods that can treat dementia or other brain disorders via electrical stimulation. Embodiments disclosed herein utilize brain stimulation of brain areas involved in memory and cognition through an intraventricular approach. Brain stimulation is combined with CSF flow in an intraventricular electrode having one or more passageways to permit fluid to flow therethrough. For example, an intraventricular electrode shunt catheter can be safely placed in any part of the ventricular system and through any foramen or aqueduct of the ventricular system without fear of obstruction to CSF flow.

Catheter system, devices and methods for diagnosing and treating lateral stenosis causing back pain and or leg pain. The devices comprise a tubular part for insertion into a working cannula to self-position itself safely within the foramen, and minimize the risk of displacement medially or laterally, to prevent nerve or dura injury. An expandable membrane is configured to maintain the catheter device within the foramen. Expansion of this membrane would decompress the nerve within the foramen by opening the foraminal canal as the membrane expands.

A method for locating, measuring and evaluating the enlargement of a foramen are provided. An instrument has a handle, an angled region, and a tip to be inserted into the foramen. An instrument can be pressed onto the foramen to determine its location and whether the empty space within the foramen is large enough for the maximum width of the tip to be inserted. If the tip cannot insert, the foramen can be cut to enlarge it enough for the tip to insert. A kit of several instruments or a single instrument with tips of different maximum widths are provided for determining the amount of empty space within the foramen through the course of the enlargement.

The invention discloses a three-dimensional foramen intervertebral lens which is simple in structure. A surgical operation position can be accurately located. An operator can carry out learning and operation conveniently. The three-dimensional foramen intervertebral lens comprises a lens pipe body, a camera shooting component, imaging channels, a water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe and a lighting pipe. An operation channel, the imaging channels, a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel which are independent are arranged on the lens pipe body, and left end openings of the channels are formed in the left end of the lens pipe body. The middle portions of the imaging channels are communicated with the lighting pipe. Another opening of the water inlet channel is communicated with a water inlet pipe. Another opening of the water outlet channel is communicated with the water outlet pipe. The water inlet pipe, the water outlet pipe and the lighting pipe are fixedly connected with the side wall of the lens pipe body. The camera shooting component and the imaging channels further comprise two three-dimensional endoscopes and two optical fibers. The two three-dimensional endoscopes are fixedly arranged at the left end openings of the two imaging channels respectively. The two optical fibers are arranged in the two imaging channels respectively. One end of each optical fiber is connected with a corresponding three-dimensional endoscope. The other ends of the optical fibers extend out of right side openings of the imaging channels.

The invention relates to a 3D printing intervertebrale foramen mirror targeting puncturing percutaneous surgery guide plate, and further provides a puncturing method by adopting the surgery guide plate. The 3D printing intervertebrale foramen mirror targeting puncturing percutaneous surgery guide plate comprises a base and a guide plate body; the guide plate body is supported by the base and positioned on a human body, the guide plate body is internally formed by a positioning segment connected with the base and a puncturing guide segment used for puncturing and positioning, a positioning groove formed in a guide plate positioning hole is exactly matched with a positioning protrusion of the base in an embedded mode, and then puncturing is carried out along an oblique guide channel of a guide pipe arranged at the front end of the puncturing guide segment. The 3D printing intervertebrale foramen mirror targeting puncturing percutaneous surgery guide plate and the puncturing method have the advantages that a puncturing route is decided by the 3D printing percutaneous surgery guide plate before surgery is carried out, the puncturing depth is measured, nerves and vessels are prevented from being damaged in the surgery, puncturing is carried out along guide holes in the surgery, the surgery time can be obviously shortened, the fluoroscopy radiant quantity is reduced, preconditions are provided for hole expanding, pipe arranging and under mirror operating in follow-up periods, and meanwhile the damage probabilities of the nerves and the vessels are reduced.