2487 results about "Organ of Corti" patented technology

A device for protecting tissues and structures adjacent to a tubular organ during performance of a surgical procedure on a portion of the tubular organ. Various embodiments may comprise a member that may be deployed through a surgical instrument in a first configuration and expanded to a second configuration such that when in the second configuration, the protective member may extend substantially around an outer circumference of the portion of the tubular organ.

A two piece anastomosis device for attaching two organs together and creating a passage between the organs is disclosed. The anastomosis device has a first tissue clamping ring and a second tissue clamping ring that are brought together to clamp tissue therebetween and cut off the flow of blood to the tissue. The tissue clamping rings are locked together with an adhesive, and over time, causes the clamped tissue to necrose and slough off. The sloughed tissue creates a passageway through the anastomosis device. A method of using the fastener to create a bypass passageway between the stomach and small intestine is disclosed.

Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic of therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube, a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The overtube may be removable from the handle, and have a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle relative to the handle. The overtube may be selectively stiffened to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.

A method of laparoscopic (or robotic) surgery, using a hand-port, comprising providing a trocar port operably disposed within a first abdominal incision opening of a patient, providing a hand-port operably disposed within a second abdominal incision opening, introducing an elongate positioner dimensioned to extend through the trocar, introducing a spatulate element through the hand port and joining the spatulate element to the positioner. The procedure further comprises removing an internal organ or other tissue from the operating area in order to make room and add visibility for the laparoscopic intervention, detaching the spatulate element from the positioner, and withdrawing the positioner through the trocar port and the spatulate through the hand port.

A method for forming an anastomosis between first and second organs in a patient using a hollow receptacle that is inflatable with magnetic material. The method may include forming openings through the first and second organs utilizing a hole-forming instrument inserted into the organs through a natural orifice in the patient. The hollow receptacle may be supported on a catheter assembly that is also inserted through the patient's natural orifice and through the openings in the first and second organs and is positioned within the second organ. The hollow receptacle is then inflated with magnetic material and magnetic force is applied within the force organ to draw the inflated receptacle toward the first organ such that the inflated receptacle retains the second organ in sealing contact with the first organ while maintaining the alignment between the first and second openings to create an anastomosis between the first and second organs.

A biocompatible deformable retractor provides desired advanced organ retaining during surgical procedures. The retractor is generally self-retaining once deployed and provides surgical field without the interference from the retained organs. The deployed retractor may adopt convex, planar, or concave configurations inside a body cavity. The retractor comprises a deformable resilient frame and a deformable membrane, is approximately planar or a non-planar convex shape in its natural un-deformed configuration. The membrane can be transparent to provide additional viewing capability of the retained organs.

Methods and devices for use in tissue approximation and fixation are described herein. The present invention provides, in part, methods and devices for acquiring tissue folds in a circumferential configuration within a hollow body organ, e.g., a stomach, positioning the tissue folds for affixing within a fixation zone of the stomach, preferably to create a pouch or partition below the esophagus, and fastening the tissue folds such that a tissue ring, or stomas, forms excluding the pouch from the greater stomach cavity. The present invention further provides for a liner or bypass conduit which is affixed at a proximal end either to the tissue ring or through some other fastening mechanism. The distal end of the conduit is left either unanchored or anchored within the intestinal tract. This bypass conduit also includes a fluid bypass conduit which allows the stomach and a portion of the intestinal tract to communicate.

In a first aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample. These methods may be used to differentiate or detect fetal DNA in a maternal sample or to differentiate DNA of an organ donor from DNA of an organ recipient. In preferred embodiments, the DNA species are differentiated by observing epigenetic differences in the DNA species such as differences in DNA methylation. In a second aspect, the present invention features methods of detecting genetic abnormalities in a fetus by detecting fetal DNA in a biological sample obtained from a mother. In a third aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from an organ donor from those of an organ recipient. In a fourth aspect, the present invention features kits for differentiating DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample.

A prosthetic repair fabric and method for repairing an inguinal hernia in the inguinal canal. The prosthesis including a layer of mesh fabric that is susceptible to the formations of adhesions with sensitive tissue and organs, and a barrier layer that inhibits the formation of adhesions with sensitive tissue and organs. The mesh fabric including a medial section and a lateral section that are configured to be positioned adjacent the medial corner and the lateral end of the inguinal canal, respectively, when the prosthesis is placed in the inguinal canal to repair the defect. The barrier layer is positioned on the mesh fabric to inhibit the formation of adhesions between the spermatic cord and the mesh fabric. At least a portion of the lateral section of the mesh fabric is free of the barrier layer on both of its sides to promote enhanced tissue ingrowth therein. The barrier layer may include at least one flap that is to be folded through the mesh fabric to isolate the spermatic cord from internal edges of the fabric when the spermatic cord is routed through the prothesis.

Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for three-dimensional reconstruction of a tubular organ (for example, coronary artery) using a plurality of two-dimensional images. Some of the embodiments may include displaying a first image of a vascular network, receiving input for identifying on the first image a vessel of interest, tracing the edges of the vessel of interest including eliminating false edges of objects visually adjacent to the vessel of interest, determining substantially precise radius and densitometry values along the vessel, displaying at least a second image of the vascular network, receiving input for identifying on the second image the vessel of interest, tracing the edges of the vessel of interest in the second image, including eliminating false edges of objects visually adjacent to the vessel of interest, determining substantially precise radius and densitometry values along the vessel in the second image, determining a three dimensional reconstruction of the vessel of interest and determining fused area (cross-section) measurements along the vessel and computing and presenting quantitative measurements, including, but not limited to, true length, percent narrowing (diameter and area), and the like.

A medical procedure utilizes a high-intensity focused ultrasound instrument having an applicator surface, a liquid-containing bolus or expandable chamber acting as a heat sink, and a source of ultrasonic vibrations, the applicator surface being a surface of a flexible wall of the bolus, the source of ultrasonic vibrations being in operative contact with the bolus. The applicator surface is placed in contact with an organ surface of a patient, the source is energized to produce ultrasonic vibrations focused at a predetermined focal region inside the organ, and a temperature of liquid in the bolus is controlled while the applicator surface is in contact with the organ surface to control temperature elevation in tissues of the organ between the focal region and the organ surface to necrose the tissues to within a desired distance from the organ surface.

At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient associated with vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient at an innervation site are treated by positioning a neurostimulator carrier within a body lumen of the patient. An electrode disposed on the carrier is positioned at a mucosal layer of the lumen. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal.

A woven mesh is provided for supporting tissue or an organ within a female patient's pelvis, and a method for using the same. The mesh includes a central portion having a width, a length, first and second ends, and first and second side edges, and first and second wing portions extending from the first and second ends of the central portion respectively. The first and second wing portions each have a width, a length, and first and second peripheral edges. The width of the wing portions are each greater than the width of the central portion, and when positioned within the female patient, the central portion is positioned below and supports the tissue or organ. A mesh is also provided having woven fibers with voids therebetween, and having a central portion and first and second ends. The average size of the voids at least in the central portion is at least 25–50 mm², and when positioned within the patient, the central portion is positioned below and supports the tissue or organ.