50 results about "Partial obstruction" patented technology

Methods, devices and systems facilitate intermittent and / or partial obstruction of a pyloric valve. Devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve and a tissue engagement portion for contacting tissue adjacent the pyloric valve to obstruct the valve. Some embodiments also include a positioning member extending from the tissue engagement portion for helping position the device for obstructing the valve. A retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded.

An automated test to tell computers and humans apart is disclosed, comprising displaying on a computer screen an animation comprising of a foreground and a background, one of the foreground comprising a plurality of typographical characters and the other comprising partial obstruction of the typographical characters, and wherein the animation comprises relative motion between the background and foreground. The automated test may comprise displaying on a computer screen an image, and requiring the user to perform operation on the image to resolve an encoded solution. The test may also comprise displaying on a computer screen a video clip, and requiring a user to provide an input corresponding to subject matter presented in the video clip.

This is a medical device for bridging, and at least partially obstructing, the neck of a vascular aneurysm. In general, it is a device used to stabilize the presence of vaso-occlusive devices (such as helically wound coils) in the aneurysm. The device forms a support framework, including a base and strut(s) extending from and fixed to the base. It also includes swellable material selectively attached to the struts covering the neck portion of the aneurysm. The device, placed inside the aneurysm sac, provides therapeutic effect to the aneurysm.

Catheter devices having low profile shafts and laterally deployable members (e.g., cannulas, needles, etc.) that may be extended or advanced laterally from the catheter shaft. Also disclosed are methods for bypassing a vascular obstruction (e.g., a chronic total occlusion or other full or partial obstruction) wherein a guidewire is entrapped in a subintimal space adjacent to the obstruction. A catheter of the foregoing character is advanced over the entrapped guidewire and into the subintimal space. The laterally deployable member is then advanced or extended from the subintimal space back into the true lumen of the blood vessel distal to the obstruction. A second guidewire is then advanced through or along the laterally deployable member. The catheter and first guidewire are then removed and one or more working device(s) (balloons, atherectomy devices, setnts, etc.) is / are advanced over the second guidewire and used to establish a subintimal bypass channel through which blood may flow around the obstruction.

Methods and devices provide for temporary partial aortic occlusion to achieve diversion of blood flow to the brain in patients suffering from cerebral ischemia. The device includes an expandable frame and membrane that is inserted into the aorta to partially occlude blood flow.

Methods are provided for partial aortic obstruction for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. Alternatively, the methods can be used to partially obstruct aortic blood flow to condition the spinal cord to secrete neuroprotective agents prior to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Partial obstruction of a vessel can be accomplished by a device comprising an elongate catheter and a distally mounted expandable member. The expandable member may comprise one or two balloons. Other medical devices, such as an angioplasty, stent, or atherectomy catheter, can be inserted distal the expandable member to provide therapeutic intervention.

Methods, devices and systems facilitate intermittent and / or partial obstruction of a pyloric valve. Devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve and a tissue engagement portion for contacting tissue adjacent the pyloric valve to obstruct the valve. Some embodiments also include a positioning member extending from the tissue engagement portion for helping position the device for obstructing the valve. A retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded.

Methods are provided for partial aortic obstruction for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. Alternatively, the methods can be used to partially obstruct aortic blood flow to condition the spinal cord to secrete neuroprotective agents prior to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Partial obstruction of a vessel can be accomplished by a device comprising an elongate catheter and a distally mounted expandable member. The expandable member may comprise one or two balloons. Other medical devices, such as an angioplasty, stent, or atherectomy catheter, can be inserted distal the expandable member to provide therapeutic intervention.

Methods, devices and systems facilitate intermittent and / or partial obstruction of a pyloric valve. Devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve and a tissue engagement portion for contacting tissue adjacent the pyloric valve to obstruct the valve. Some embodiments also include a positioning member extending from the tissue engagement portion for helping position the device for obstructing the valve. A retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded.

Methods and apparatus for determining the occurrence of an apnea, patency and / or partial obstruction of the airway are disclosed. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by calculating the variance of the air flow signal over a moving time window and comparing the variance with a threshold value. One determination of partial obstruction of the airway is performed by detecting the inspiratory part of the air flow signal, scaling it to unity duration and area and calculating an index value of the amplitude of the scaled signal over a mid-portion. Alternatively, the index value is a measure of the flatness of the air flow signal over the mid-portion. One determination of patency of the airway is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating the magnitude of the component of said air flow signal at the known frequency induced by the oscillatory pressure waveform and comparing the calculated magnitude with a threshold value. Alternatively, the air flow signal is analysed to detect the presence of a component due to cardiogenic activity.

Methods, devices, and computer program products facilitate characterization of a patient's upper airway including nose, palate, oral cavity, epiglottis, pharynx and larynx. Identification of full or partial obstructions in the upper airway enables the production of a full assessment the patient's airway. A report is produced that details the various contributing factors to the patient's airway obstructions. The comprehensive assessments can be utilized to effectively carry out various surgical and non-surgical procedures for treating sleep apnea.

A device useful for treatment of conditions relating to an eating disorder comprises: a) a duodenum obstructing component configured to partially obstruct the lumen of a duodenum in which deployed, preferably so as to reduce the rate of passage of materials through the duodenum; and b) an anchoring component configured to substantially maintain a position of the obstructing component inside a duodenum wherein deployed. The obstructing component does not block entry of food into the duodenum but rather causes a given volume of food that enters the duodenum to induce a greater degree of satiety and / or to induce a perception of satiety for a longer period of time and / or to induce a perception of satiety faster than otherwise.

Methods are provided for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. Methods include partial or complete obstruction of the femoral or iliac arteries or the inferior vena cava, external compression of the iliac, femoral, or brachial arteries, placing the patient in a trendelenberg position, applying one or more compression members to the extremities, or removing portion(s) of cerebral spinal fluid. Partial obstruction of a vessel can be accomplished by a device comprising an elongate catheter and a distally mounted expandable member. The expandable member may comprise one or two balloons. Other medical devices, such as an angioplasty, stent, or atherectomy catheter, can be inserted distal the expandable member to provide additional therapeutic intervention.

A micro-electro-mechanical, micro-fluidic flow sensor (14) includes a flow separating element (15) for separating a first portion (24) of a fluid flow (25) from a second portion (26) of the fluid flow. The flow sensor also includes a flow obstructing member (17) disposed in the first portion of the flow for at least partially obstructing the first portion of the flow. The flow obstructing member deflects in response to the first portion of the flow so that a degree of partial obstruction of the first portion of the flow by the flow obstructing member varies in response to the first portion of the fluid flow.

A micro-electro-mechanical, micro-fluidic flow sensor (14) includes a flow separating element (15) for separating a first portion (24) of a fluid flow (25) from a second portion (26) of the fluid flow. The flow sensor also includes a flow obstructing member (17) disposed in the first portion of the flow for at least partially obstructing the first portion of the flow. The flow obstructing member deflects in response to the first portion of the flow so that a degree of partial obstruction of the first portion of the flow by the flow obstructing member varies in response to the first portion of the fluid flow.

A minimally invasive endovascular device for treating a blocked or obstructed biological lumen, such as a blood vessel fully or partially obstructed by deposits of biological matters in or non-biological matters. Certain embodiments of the present invention comprise two capture members that are configured to be placed on either side of the obstruction and enclose around the obstruction for removal. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods for implementing an endovascular device according to aspects of the present invention.

A removable intraoral apparatus for improving airway patency is described. Wearing the apparatus alters the position, configuration and freedom of movement of the tongue, the muscles of mastication, as well as the pharyngeal and facial muscles. The apparatus is useful for correcting snoring and / or obstructive sleep apnea due to intermittent closures or partial obstructions occurring in the oropharynx during sleep. The apparatus of the invention can improve various types of airway disorders and improve oral functions by changing the position, configuration and freedom of movement of selected portions of the tongue and mouth, reducing the resistance to air flow in the mouth and pharynx, re-orienting and reprogramming the muscles of the mouth and tongue, and maintaining a proper oral systemic balance.

Disclosed herein is an in-line inspection system for providing recorded measurements of internal deviations of pipeline walls. It is particularly adapted for use with pipelines carrying gas or liquid (fluids) to diagnose pipeline defects including partial obstructions by dents, out-of-round portions, or valves which reduce the available cross section and carrying capacity of the line as well as restrict the insertion of other in-line inspection technologies. Moreover, certain embodiments are light, maneuverable, and designed to be useable by any individual to obtain immediate results. Such embodiments offer new business models for providing inspection services and should result in sharply reduced inspection costs.

This is directed to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing circuitry that can be used to control multiple solar cells to generate power for a portable electronic device. For example, in response to determining that one or more of the solar cells is generating a reduce voltage output (e.g., due to a partial obstruction of one or more of the solar cells), the connections among the solar cells can be configured to generate a constant preset voltage, as long as a subset of the solar cells is operating. The voltage generated by the solar cells can then be boosted to a value suitable for powering the portable electronic device and / or any of its individual components. As another example, the connections among the solar cells can be configured to generate a startup voltage to directly power the portable electronic device and / or any of its components.

An automated test to tell computers and humans apart is disclosed, comprising displaying on a computer screen an animation comprising of a foreground and a background, one of the foreground comprising a plurality of typographical characters and the other comprising partial obstruction of the typographical characters, and wherein the animation comprises relative motion between the background and foreground. The automated test may comprise displaying on a computer screen an image, and requiring the user to perform operation on the image to resolve an encoded solution. The test may also comprise displaying on a computer screen a video clip, and requiring a user to provide an input corresponding to subject matter presented in the video clip.

A method for detecting a complete or partial obstruction in a vessel through an intervening fluid includes receiving spectroscopic responses at different locations of a vessel wall, e.g., a vein or artery, through an intervening fluid, preferably blood. Spectroscopic responses are generated by irradiating the vessel wall at different locations and detecting spectra at those locations. In preferred embodiments, the radiation used is in the near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The thrombus is located by determining whether fluctuations, spatial and / or spectral, of the spectral responses are indicative of thrombus.

A dosage-dispensing unit serving to store and dispense pulverous or granular dosage material has a housing which includes at least one receptacle space for dosage material and an outlet orifice connected to the receptacle space. The dosage-dispensing unit further includes at least one electrostatic coagulant means which affects the build-up and / or the break-down of a closure plug consisting of dosage material and / or of an aperture shutter consisting of dosage material in the outlet orifice. The closing or narrowing of the outlet orifice thus occurs as a result of the electrostatic attraction and coagulation of dosage material leading to at least partial obstruction of the outlet orifice with the dosage material by the build-up of a closure plug or an aperture shutter.

A method for detecting a complete or partial obstruction in a vessel through an intervening fluid includes receiving spectroscopic responses at different locations of a vessel wall, e.g., a vein or artery, through an intervening fluid, preferably blood. Spectroscopic responses are generated by irradiating the vessel wall at different locations and detecting spectra at those locations. In preferred embodiments, the radiation used is in the near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The thrombus is located by determining whether fluctuations, spatial and / or spectral, of the spectral responses are indicative of thrombus.

A dosage-dispensing unit serving to store and dispense pulverous or granular dosage material has a housing which includes at least one receptacle space for dosage material and an outlet orifice connected to the receptacle space. The dosage-dispensing unit further includes at least one electrostatic coagulant means which affects the build-up and / or the break-down of a closure plug consisting of dosage material and / or of an aperture shutter consisting of dosage material in the outlet orifice. The closing or narrowing of the outlet orifice thus occurs as a result of the electrostatic attraction and coagulation of dosage material leading to at least partial obstruction of the outlet orifice with the dosage material by the build-up of a closure plug or an aperture shutter.

Catheter devices having low profile shafts and laterally deployable members (e.g., cannulas, needles, etc.) that may be extended or advanced laterally from the catheter shaft. Also disclosed are methods for bypassing a vascular obstruction (e.g., a chronic total occlusion or other full or partial obstruction) wherein a guidewire is entrapped in a subintimal space adjacent to the obstruction. A catheter of the foregoing character is advanced over the entrapped guidewire and into the subintimal space. The laterally deployable member is then advanced or extended from the subintimal space back into the true lumen of the blood vessel distal to the obstruction. A second guidewire is then advanced through or along the laterally deployable member. The catheter and first guidewire are then removed and one or more working device(s) (balloons, atherectomy devices, setnts, etc.) is / are advanced over the second guidewire and used to establish a subintimal bypass channel through which blood may flow around the obstruction.

An apparatus (100, 100′) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112′) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100′) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112′). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may also have a non-uniform wear profile. The at least one distal probe portion (110) may include two or multiple components to improve performance and reliability.