2415 results about "Lumbar" patented technology

Arrangement for the intra-operative determination of the spatial position and angular position of a joint replacement implant, especially a hip socket or shoulder socket or an associated stem implant, or a vertebral replacement implant, especially a lumbar or cervical vertebral implant, using a computer tomography method, having: a computer tomography modeling device for generating and storing a three-dimensional image of a joint region or vertebral region to be provided with the joint replacement implant, an optical coordinate-measuring arrangement for providing real position coordinates of defined real or virtual points of the joint region or vertebral region and/or position reference vectors between such points within the joint region or vertebral region or from those points to joint-function-relevant points on an extremity outside the joint region or vertebral region, the coordinate-measuring arrangement comprising a stereocamera or stereocamera arrangement for the spatial recording of transducer signals, at least one multipoint transducer, which comprises a group of measurement points rigidly connected to one another, and an evaluation unit for evaluating sets of measurement point coordinates supplied by the multipoint transducer(s) and recorded by the stereocamera, and a matching-processing unit for real position matching of the image to the actual current spatial position of the joint region or vertebral region with reference to the real position coordinates of the defined points, the matching-processing unit being configured for calculating transformation parameters with minimalization of the normal spacings.

An instrument useful in performing lumbar arthrodesis with a minimal approach which spares the lumbar muscles from surgical disruption and includes one of two retractor designs having blades angled approximately 90° with respect to each respective retractor handle. One blade is bent at an end portion thereof in a direction away from the handle portion. The other blade has first and second blade faces, with the second face having at least two toothed structures located thereon.

A system for treating pain uses spinal cord stimulation and peripheral subcutaneous field stimulation separately or in combination. The system includes an implantable device that is configured to deliver several electrical signals. Several electrical leads are connected to the implantable device. The electrical leads are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow between a subcutaneous lumbar region of the patient and a spinal cord region of the patient. The system can also include electrical leads that are implanted in the patient such that an electrical signal induces a current to flow across a lumbar region of the patient. A method for treating leg and back pain is also disclosed.

A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc is presented. The method comprises implanting a lead with one or more electrodes in a placement site in or adjacent to one or more discs at any spinal level from cervical through lumbar, connecting the lead to a signal generator, and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the disc. Additionally, a system for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc is presented that comprises a lead with one or more electrodes, an introducer for introducing the lead to a placement site in or adjacent to the disc, a removable stylet for guiding the lead to the placement site in the disc, and a generator connected to the lead for generating electrical pulses to the lead for stimulating the disc.

The invention relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for the total replacement of a natural intervertebral disc within the lumbar and cervical spine, comprising articulating sliding partners, where the upper sliding partner has means for a firm assembly to an upper vertebral body and the lower sliding partner has means for a firm assembly to a lower vertebral body and at least one sliding surface that is between two sliding partners. According to the invention, functional two- and three part designs are planned and both prostheses have in common, that only a dorsoventral- and rotation movement is possible as a result of laterolaterally aimed, transversally arched, ventrally curved cylindrical convexity(ies) and corresponding concavity(ies), however without an inclination of the sliding partners in a lateral direction. In a further design, the cylindrical articulation surfaces are un-curved, enabling a motion of the sliding partners in only a ventrodorsal direction. According to the invention, the intervertebral disc prostheses are suited for an implantation from lateral and ventrolateral, particularly in revision surgeries.

A portable system is provided for sensing and training a user to maintain correct posture while seated in a chair with a seat portion and a back portion. The system includes a first pad attachable to the seat portion of a chair, said first pad having a front area and a rear area, and a second pad attachable to the back portion of a chair and having a lower area and an upper area. There is a first sensor located in the first pad capable of sensing that a user is seated in the seat portion of the chair, a second sensor located in the first pad capable of sensing whether the lower posterior portion of the user's body is in contact with the rear area of the first pad, a third sensor operably attached to the lower area of the second pad capable of sensing whether the user's lumbar region is in contact with the second pad, a fourth sensor operably attached to the upper area of the second pad capable of sensing the distance between the user's upper back and the upper area of the second pad and a neck-position sensor operably attached to the second pad and capable of sensing the distance between the neck-position sensor and the user's neck. The system also includes a microprocessor operably connected to the first sensor, second sensor, third sensor, fourth sensor and neck-position sensor and capable of collecting data from each of the first sensor, second sensor, third sensor, fourth sensor and neck position sensor. The system also includes software for a personal computer, which configures the personal computer to receive the data from the microprocessor and to display the data received from the microprocessor, so that the user can utilize the ergonomic seat pad to receive feedback regarding his posture and over time, improve his posture.

A system and method for exercising core muscles, particularly the lumbar intrinsic musculature, including the multifidi. A system is disclosed that includes: a first sensor for detecting upper body exertions of a user engaged in an exercise; a second sensor for detecting lower torso exertions for the user engaged in the exercise; a third sensor for detecting lower extremity exertions for the user engaged in the exercise; a control system for processing sensor data from the first, second and third sensor, said control system including: a user interface system for communicating information with the user; a data collection system for collecting sensor data; an analysis system for analyzing the sensor data and determining if the user is performing the exercise in a technically correct manner; and a feedback system for alerting the user when the exercise is not being performed in the technically correct manner.

A seating unit includes a back support with a perimeter frame defining an opening, and a plurality of resilient members spanning the opening. An upholstery cover extends over and covers the resilient members and a front of the perimeter frame. A bow-tie-shaped lumbar device is positioned between the cover and sides of the perimeter frame for vertical adjustment. The lumbar device includes a body with end sections defining a greater dimension than a middle of the body. Upper and lower edges of the end sections are thin and serve to wedgingly slip between the cover and the resilient members in a manner leading the middle over irregular surfaces between the resilient members. A thick area between the upper and lower edges causes a change in lumbar support force and shape as the lumbar device is adjusted. Handles are attached to the body by stretchable fabric.

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is provided which includes a stabilizing stent portion for placement at a mitral annulus, with a narrowed waist portion to avoid significantly dilating the annulus, and expanded bulb portions at the atrial and ventricular ends to secure the device in position. A housing is attached to the stabilizing stent and reduces in diameter to a smaller tract portion where replacement valve leaflets are secured. The resulting smaller replacement mitral valve offers benefits including a lower introduction profile, yet fits and secures to the native annulus by the securing stent and housing. Expansion limiting elements can limit expansion of portions of self-expanding stent if desired, avoiding excessive mitral annulus dilation or providing a fixed diameter in other portions of the stent or housing. Two-step implantation can be accomplished by making the housing functional as a temporary valve.

A lumbar support for a car seat includes a support element formed of a plate spring having a high elasticity to be positioned between traverse fixing bars which are mounted at upper and lower parts in a seat back for supporting a lumbar portion of a driver, and having a plurality of support wings formed at both sides and folded outwardly for surrounding the lumbar portion of the driver and a curved protrusion optionally formed in the center for supporting the lumbar portion of the driver, coupling units for coupling the support plate with the traverse fixing bars, a supporting height control element for steplessly controlling a protruded height of the support plate which is selectively and curvedly protruded at a side of the support plate, and a pelvic supporting element formed at a lower part of the support plate and connected to the support plate to contact and support hips of the driver, wherein the contact between the seat and the driver may be improved by forming the pelvic supporting element at the lower part of the support plate for stably supporting the lumber region and the pelvic region of the driver seating in the seat, so that it is possible to promote the safety driving by preventing the driver from being tired easily even in case of the long time driving, and to prevent the bad pose of the driver by the stable supporting of the lumbar region and the pelvic region of the driver, thereby maintaining the safety and the health of the driver.

A buttocks seat is supported by a post tiltably affixed at a lower end to an upper face of a base. The post is also axially rotatable relative to the base, and threadably engaged with an underside of the seat for supporting the seat on the post, the seat squarely facing upright when the post is vertical. A hand wheel is affixed to the post for rotating the post relative to the seat and the base for selectively raising or lowering the seat relative to the base. A resilient bias urges the post to be vertical unless a seated user flexes his or her lumbar with sufficient force to overcome the bias. Preferably the post is tiltable over a conical range and the bias comprises a resiliently compressible, cylindrical ring coaxial with the post, and extending between and abutting the base and the underside of the seat.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for performing image-guided spinal surgery using an anterior surgical approach. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a surgical navigation reference device, mounting the reference device to bone at a location remote from the spinal column and in a substantially fixed position relative thereto, accessing a portion of the spinal column from an anterior direction, and performing an image-guided surgical procedure on the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach. In another embodiment, the mounting of the reference device comprises anchoring the reference device to a portion of the patient's pelvic bone, and more specifically the anterior region of the iliac crest. In a further embodiment, the image-guided surgical procedure comprises a spinal implantation procedure wherein a spinal implant is inserted into an intervertebral opening formed along the lumbar region of the spinal column using an anterior surgical approach.

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.

A human lower extremity exoskeleton walking aid rehabilitation robot belongs to the technical field of medical rehabilitation equipment, and comprises a lower back movement module, a hip joint movement module, a knee joint movement module and an ankle joint movement module, wherein a back servo motor drives a hip joint to move through a crank and rocker mechanism and a space four-links mechanism; an electric knee push rod drives a knee joint to move; an electric ankle push rod drives an ankle joint to move. The human lower extremity exoskeleton walking aid rehabilitation robot helps a patient with lower limb paralysis to stand and walk, and the flexion and extension movement of the hip joint, the knee joint and the ankle joint is controlled by acquiring pressure signals of soles of feet, so that the patient is helped to stride; the construction and model design of the ankle joint inversion and eversion passive driving degree of freedom can help to reduce impact from the ground, is conductive to reducing the burden of a user keeping balance of the self and the exoskeleton robot in a frontal plane, is beneficial for the patient to walk comfortably, and improves the rehabilitation training efficiency.

A new and improved portable ergonomic cushion for relieving pressure on the coccyx (tailbone) and on the ischial tuberosities, for promoting correct positioning of the sacroiliac joint and for supporting the lower back of the user is described. The portable ergonomic cushion includes a narrow ridge back support allowing the cushion to be used with numerous styles of chairs and seats, and a lumbar support cushion that is removably attached to the back support. The portable ergonomic cushion may also make use of inflatable cushions for increasing the flexibility of the sitting cushion by allowing users to adjust the cushions to their desired support by varying the amount the cushions are inflated. The portable ergonomic cushion is also foldable into a compact non-use position for easy transportation and storage, and futher does not require the use of straps for retaining the cushion while in use.

A system for detecting and analyzing electrical activity in the anatomy of an organism underlying an electrode array provides signals corresponding to electrical activity adjacent each electrode. Such signals are correlated to the underlying anatomy of the organism and representative outputs presented through various types of output devices. Such outputs may include variations in coloration or other qualities in correspondence with representations of underlying anatomical structures. The system includes novel electrode structures (200, 224, and 284) and methods for producing and attaching electrode arrays (240 and 280) to the organism. The exemplary form of the invention is used in connection with the diagnosis of muscle activity in the lower lumbar regions of humans. Levels of muscle activity detected are analyzed by correlation with the muscular structures underlying the electrode array. Forms of the invention may be used in other applications.

An interbody spinal implant is formed of cortical bone adapted for placement across an intervertebral space formed across the height of a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies. An asymmetrical leading end on the implant is adapted to sit upon the peripheral areas, such as the apophyseal rim and the apophyseal rim area, of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies without protruding therefrom. The asymmetrical leading end allows for the safe use of an implant of maximum length for the implantation space into which it is installed. The implant can also include an asymmetric trailing end adapted to sit upon the more peripheral areas of the vertebral end plate region of the vertebral bodies.

There is provided a combined two-part intervertebral implant configured to restore the spacing between adjacent vertebrae. The implant generally includes a spacer ring having upper and lower vertebral engaging surfaces and a bore for receipt of a locking element. The implant further includes a locking element which is engagable within the spacer ring and has a diameter or height greater than the thickness of the spacer ring. In one embodiment, the spacer ring may be formed as a C-shaped element. In an alternative embodiment, the spacer ring may be formed as an intact ring having a side bore for receipt of the locking element. One or both parts of the implant may be partially or wholly surface demineralized to provide a flexible surface on implant. A method of using the spacer ring and locking element to secure the assembled implant between adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.

A system for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system may include electrodes coupled to an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a handheld activator configured to transfer a stimulation command to the IPG, and an external programmer configured to transfer programming data to the IPG. The stimulation command directs the programmable controller to stimulate the tissue in accordance with the programming data. The system may include a software-based programming system run on a computer such that the treating physician may program and adjust stimulation parameters.