159 results about "Passer" patented technology

A suture and needle combination is disclosed for use during surgical and non-surgical procedures comprising a suture needle 16 with a breakaway tip 20, insertable tip 24 or reusable tip 32. Suture 10 passes freely through hollow needle 16 after a user removes needle tip (20,24, or 32) during use. This suture needle combination reduces the amount of room needed within a surgical site, reduces the length of needle 16 needed to exit tissue (for example) while suturing, and decreased trauma to at risk anatomical structures during a surgical procedure or other use.

A device allows easy and unencumbered interaction between a person and a computer display system using the person's (or another object's) movement and position as input to the computer. In some configurations, the display can be projected around the user so that that the person's actions are displayed around them. The video camera and projector operate on different wavelengths so that they do not interfere with each other. Uses for such a device include, but are not limited to, interactive lighting effects for people at clubs or events, interactive advertising displays, etc. Computer-generated characters and virtual objects can be made to react to the movements of passers-by, generate interactive ambient lighting for social spaces such as restaurants, lobbies and parks, video game systems and create interactive information spaces and art installations. Patterned illumination and brightness and gradient processing can be used to improve the ability to detect an object against a background of video images.

A device allows easy and unencumbered interaction between a person and a computer display system using the person's (or another object's) movement and position as input to the computer. In some configurations, the display can be projected around the user so that that the person's actions are displayed around them. The video camera and projector operate on different wavelengths so that they do not interfere with each other. Uses for such a device include, but are not limited to, interactive lighting effects for people at clubs or events, interactive advertising displays, etc. Computer-generated characters and virtual objects can be made to react to the movements of passers-by, generate interactive ambient lighting for social spaces such as restaurants, lobbies and parks, video game systems and create interactive information spaces and art installations. Patterned illumination and brightness and gradient processing can be used to improve the ability to detect an object against a background of video images.

A needle passer instrument for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including arthroscopy. The instrument has upper and lower jaws for engaging tissue and a handle. A removable needle engaging cartridge is mounted to the upper jaw. A surgical needle with attached suture is mounted in a needle passage in the lower jaw. A needle actuation rod engages the surgical needle and pushes the needle through tissue contained between the jaws. The needle is engaged by the cartridge, and the needle may be cut away from the suture.

Described herein are methods of repairing tissue using a continuous suture passer. In particular, described herein are methods for forming complex suture patterns using a continuous suture passer. The continuous suture passer is typically configured so that the tissue penetrating element (e.g., needle) may be completely withdrawn into the device. The continuous suture passer may be configured as a grasper having two jaws, wherein the tissue penetrating member may pass the suture between the two jaws. The jaws may open and close so that the tissue contacting surfaces of the jaws are parallel, and so that the suture may be passed between the jaws when they are in any position.

An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the handle assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. A suture is placed in a slot at the tip of the lower jaw. By advancing the needle relative to the body of the instrument, the needle is pushed forward to capture the suture and to pull it through the tissue to be sutured in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

A suture passer comprising:a handle;a shaft extending distally from the handle;first and second jaw members mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the first jaw member having a suture support for supporting a length of suture;a pitch adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pitch of the first and second jaw members relative to the shaft;a lever mechanism for opening and closing the first and second jaw members relative to one another; anda needle mechanism for selectively urging a needle having a groove therein so that the groove in the needle can engage a length of suture supported by the suture support.

A system and method for notifying emergency responders, family, and other contact parties of an urgent vehicle condition such as a breakdown or crash, by using a short-range wireless communicator mounted on the vehicle to employ a peer-to-peer communications capability to find and co-opt a nearby long-range communication device, such as a Bluetooth enabled phone, which is not mounted on the vehicle, such as a passer's-by telephone. The invention obtains authorization from the co-opted device to use it as a forwarding proxy, and transmits a notification message to one or more parties, such as emergency dispatchers, family members, etc., via the short-range link to the co-opted device, which then transmits the message to the recipient via the long-range network, such as via a telephone network.

An advanced photo booth comprises a camera, a kiosk printer; and attraction means for inducing patronage of passers-by. The attraction means comprises: a camera and a touch screen for capturing and displaying passerby images; and interactive communication with passers-by. Interactive communication may include personalized greetings made possible through facial recognition techniques that compare a presently captured passerby image with previous passerby and patron images stored in a memory. Digital image processing techniques automatically permit proper tilting of a head in the display screen, regardless of a head position in captured passerby images. The attraction means also comprises a second exterior display screen usable for advertising and CATV broadcasts. The passerby touch screen or a touch screen display within the enclosure permits customization of digital images, including: face replacement, hair replacement, and background selection; and also permits previewing of customized images. Remote control capabilities enhance the flexibility of booth operations.

Apparatus and method embedding a camera in a street light includes structure and / or function whereby the street light, comprising has a first compartment having an LED array configured to illuminate an area beneath the street light. A second compartment is coupled to the first compartment and has a camera directed toward the area beneath the street light. The second compartment has a window covering the camera such that the camera can receive light from area beneath the street light, but passers-by do not see the camera. A third compartment is coupled to the second compartment and is configured to attach the street light to a vertical support. A passive air channel is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment, and is configured to direct air from beneath the street light to the top of the street light. Preferably, the power supply for the LED array is disposed in a compartment different that the first compartment. An anti-glare device is preferably mounted to a bottom of at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment, and is configured to shield the camera from light glare and / or reflections from the LED array.

A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is within the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly independently of the shaft, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector.

A surgical instrument for suturing soft tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument is capable of probing tissue, and preferably provides tactile feedback concerning the condition of the tissue. The instrument can then be used to pass and retrieve a suture without the need for an additional suture retrieval tool.

A surgical instrument and method of using same are provided. The instrument includes a jaw portion extending along an axis and a handle portion rotatably connected with the jaw portion and configured to at least partially rotate about the axis with respect to the jaw portion. A needle assembly can be configured to pass through the jaw portion and along the axis by cooperation with the handle portion. The jaw portion, or a shaft portion connecting the jaw portion and the handle portion, can include at least one spring-assisted bearing and the handle portion can include at least one depression configured to engage the at least one spring-assisted bearing in an orientation that temporarily locks the shaft portion with respect to handle portion. A method includes rotating the handle portion with respect to the jaw portion and actuating the instrument to pass a portion of a suture through tissue.

An apparatus and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a handle assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a needle mounted on the handle assembly and through a cannulation of the shaft. A suture is placed in a slot at the tip of the lower jaw. By advancing the needle relative to the body of the instrument, the needle is pushed forward to capture the suture and to pull it through the tissue to be sutured in a direction about parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is coaxial with and slideably coupled to the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector. A suture needle includes a suture needle body and a suture needle tip, the suture needle body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is thicker than the second portion, and the first portion is configured to mate with a needle spacer that enables actuation of a suture needle passer device.

The present invention is a football counting device that utilizes a microcomputer so that a proper count can be given for backyard or sandlot football games as to when the defense can rush the passer. A push-button switch will start the sequence and the microcomputer (1) controls an audio sound that counts “1 Mississippi”, “2 Mississippi” and (2) gives a visual display as to when the quarterback can be rushed. The length of time delay and the voice utilized can be selected by the players. The sequence repeats for each new down.

Devices, systems and methods for passing a suture. In general, described herein are suturing devices, such as suture passers, as well as methods of suturing tissue. These suture passing devices are dual deployment suture passers in which a first distal jaw member is moveable at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body of the device and the second distal jaw member is retractable proximally to the distal end region of the elongate body and / or the first jaw member. Methods of suturing tissue using a dual deployment suture passer are also described.

The invention relates to daily life supplies, in particular to a multifunctional wheelchair armrest. A GPS satellite positioning navigation system and an alarm are integrated; the multifunctional wheelchair armrest is simple in structure, complete in functions, and easy to operate; when an elder gets lost, buttons can be pressed to default a terminal point, cumbersome operations of the elder are reduced, and convenience is brought to the elder; when an accident of the elder occurs, the alarm can be pressed to send help signals to passers and get external assistance.

A cable passing apparatus useful in passing a cable around a bone. The cable is used to repair broken bone during an orthopaedic surgery. The cable passer comprises a cannulated internal assembly that is extendable at least partially around a bone. A cable suitable for surgical applications can be threaded through the apparatus and removed as desired.

Described herein are methods and apparatuses for use in repair of a patient's tissue by connecting the tissue to the bone using a transosteal tunnel and anchor configured to pass through the transosteal tunnel. In particular, described herein are methods of repairing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and torn meniscal root. These anchoring apparatuses and method of using them are particularly well suited for use with the low-profile suture passers described herein, since these suture passers may allow access to previously inaccessible regions of the knee (or other body regions).

Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

An apparatus includes an elongate member, an actuator, and a thread member. A portion of the elongate member defines a central axis. The elongate member defines a slot which extends along an axis parallel to the central axis. The actuator is coupled to the elongate member and is accessible through the slot. The actuator is moveable from a first position to a second position different than the first position. The thread member is coupled to the actuator and has a receiving portion. The thread member is moveable from a first position to a second position different than the first position when the actuator is moved from its first position to its second position. A portion of the thread member is disposed within a lumen defined by the elongate member when the thread member is in its first position. At least a portion of the thread member extends from a distal opening defined by the elongate member when the thread member is in its second position.

Described herein are meniscus suture passers for repair of the meniscus of the knee. These devices are typically continuous suture passers that may include an elongate body having a pair of arms. One or more of the arms may be angled or bent at the distal end region relative to the long axis of the device, forming a distal-facing opening that is configured to fit meniscus tissue. One or both arms may be movable in the axial direction (e.g., the direction of the long axis of the device). The devices typically include a tissue penetrating element housed within one of the arms but configured to extend across the distal opening between and communicate with one or more docking regions on the opposite arm to alternately retain and release a suture (or a suture connected to a suture shuttle). Thus, a suture may be passed from a first side of the tissue to a second side and back to the first side multiple times.

The invention relates to an automatic ticket checking device which can be arranged at track traffic stations, docks, tourist attractions and the like. A depth image video camera 30 is used for shooting a depth image of a scene of a ticket checking channel 20 of the automatic ticket checking device, and a passer detection unit can judge and track the positions of passers and objects in the ticket checking channel according to the depth image. A master control unit is used for controlling a ticket checking port door 13 to open and close at appropriate time according to the positions of the passers and tracking information which are judged by the passer detection unit. Therefore, the invention provides the automatic ticket checking device which can accurately track the positions of the passers, eliminate error detection or error judgment and realize high reliability.

Described herein are methods and devices for use in repair of a patient's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These methods (and devices for performing them) allow the repair, rather than merely replacement, of the ACL. For example, described herein are anchoring devices that may be inserted into a bone and may anchor a scaffolding / support (e.g., graft) material within the bone so that the torn or damaged end of the ACL may be secured to the scaffolding / support material within the femoral notch. These anchoring devices and method of using them are particularly well suited for use with the continuous suture passers described herein, since these suture passers may allow access to previously inaccessible regions of the knee (or other body regions).