941 results about "Percutaneous" patented technology

The percutaneously delivered temporary valve assembly of the present invention, and method of using the same, provides an elongate element and a temporary valve disposed on the elongate element. The temporary valve can comprise struts and a membrane attached to the struts. The elongate element can include at least one lumen. The percutaneously delivered temporary valve assembly can be used to replace an aortic valve by locating a temporary valve in a patient's ascending aorta; deploying the temporary valve; removing the native aortic valve past the temporary valve; implanting the prosthetic aortic valve past the temporary valve; collapsing the temporary valve; and removing the temporary valve from the patient. The temporary valve can be sized to the patient and can be left in place while the prosthetic aortic valve heals in.

Apparatus is described for use with a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus including (1) a prosthetic valve support, comprising an upstream support portion, the upstream support portion having (a) a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration in which the upstream support portion has an inner perimeter that defines an opening; and (2) a prosthetic valve, advanceable into the opening defined by the upstream support portion, and intracorporeally couplable to the upstream support portion by being expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the apparatus being configured such that, when the prosthetic valve is expanded within the opening defined by the upstream support portion, the expansion of the prosthetic valve is restricted by the inner perimeter of the upstream support portion, without causing the prosthetic valve support to apply a radially-expansive force to the native annulus. Other embodiments are also described.

The invention provides a transcutaneous medical device (502, 250, 150, 600) comprising a lower surface adapted for application towards the skin of a subjet, attaching means (571, 272, 161) for securing the lower surface relative to the skin, and a transcutaneous device (530, 182, 213, 651) adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject. The transcutaneous device is mounted for movement be-tween an extended position in which the transcutaneous device projects relative to the lower surface and a retracted position in which the transcutaneous device is retracted relative to the lower surface. The medical device further comprises release means (550, 275, 162) which can be oper-ated from a first state through an intermediate state to a second state, whereby operation of the release means from the first to the intermediate state causes the transcutaneous device to be moved from the extended position to the retracted position, and operation of the re-lease means from the intermediate to the second state causes release of the attaching means.

According to the present invention, a method for enhancing transdermal transport is disclosed. The method includes the steps of increasing a permeability of an area of a membrane with a permeabilizing device. The membrane may be, inter alia, biologic skin or synthetic skin. The permeabilizing device may be an ultrasound-producing device. A substance is transported into and through the area of the membrane. The substance may be a drug, a vaccine, or a component of interstitial fluid.

The present invention generally relates to the insertion of a transcutaneous device of the type comprising a cannula (651) and a therein moveably arranged insertion needle (661), as well as the connecting of such a transcutaneous device with a fluid supply. Thus, a device is provided comprising an insertion needle and a cannula disposed on and being axially moveable relative to the insertion needle, the insertion needle comprising a proximal fluid inlet, a seal (655) being provided between the cannula and the insertion needle allowing fluid to be transported from the fluid inlet to the distal fluid outlet, wherein the insertion needle after having been used to insert the cannula is arranged at a retracted position proximally of the initial position, thereby allowing the fluid inlet to be connected to a fluid supply when it is moved from its initial to its retracted position.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a trocar and a reducer cap that magnetically attaches to the trocar. The trocar and the cap each include a magnetic member, at least one of which is a first magnet, and the other of which is either a second magnet or a non-magnetized magnetically permeable member. Including a magnet of sufficient strength in the trocar and/or the cap will create a magnetic field that automatically holds a surgical instrument having a magnetically permeable member at its tip in axial alignment with the cap or trocar lumen. Introduction of the surgical instrument into the lumen can be further facilitated by providing the trocar or cap lumen with a funnel-shaped opening. A lumen seal can be provided by one or more compliant toroidal seal members that expand radially inwardly when compressed axially by the magnetic attraction between the cap and trocar. The alignment feature is particularly advantageous when incorporated in a mini-trocar having a lumen on the order of 1-3 mm in diameter. In that case, a trocar cap can be a small disc magnetically attracted to the trocar to cover the lumen. Magnetic aligning devices according to the invention can be used internally of a patient or transdermally. Another embodiment of the invention is an ostium plug with a lumen therethrough that can be used in tubal sterilization. The plug is permanently implanted in the patient, but a cap is coupled magnetically to the proximal end of the plug to permit reopening of the lumen when desired.

A system and method for controllably releasing laser radiation in percutaneous laser treatment is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an optical fiber is inserted below the skin or into a vascular lumen to a predetermined point. The fiber is connected to a source of electromagnetic radiation such as a laser. Radiation is then delivered to the treatment site while the fiber is simultaneously drawn out to the entry point. The fiber is manually withdrawn at a predetermined rate and radiation is administered in a constant power or energy level. To maintain a constant proper energy density, the speed of withdrawal is measured and sent to a controlling mechanism. The controlling mechanism modifies the power emitted, pulse length or pulse rate to ensure that the vein or tissue receives a consistent dose of energy. In one preferred embodiment, an imaging device provides the controlling device with speed information based on fiber surface textural properties or based on a series of bar code like markings. In another embodiment, additional information is collected, such as vein diameter prior to treatment, position of the distal end of the fiber, and/or impact measurements such as vibration or temperature during treatment, and the controlling mechanism adjusts output power or pulse rate in response to measurements to maintain a desired power density.

A system is provided comprising an optically-guided catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen. A light-emitting means is coupled to the catheter, the catheter is inserted into place in the patient, and light is emitted as a point or points from a selected location, usually the distal tip, of the catheter to which it is coupled. The system further comprises an external detection device that detects the transdermally projected light, emitted by the light-emitting point from within the patient, thereby indicating precise placement of the catheter within the patient. A system and method for three-dimensional visualization using an internally positioned light emitter and an externally positioned detection array are also provided.

Apparatus for use at a native heart valve of a subject is described. For some applications, the apparatus comprises a prosthetic valve support, configured (a) to be implanted at the native valve, (b) to facilitate, at a first period, implantation at the native valve of a first prosthetic valve, and (c) to facilitate, at a second period, implantation at the native valve of a second prosthetic valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided including a percutaneously-implantable implant and an adjustment device. The adjustment device can comprise an adjustment mechanism, coupled to the implant, and configured to change a dimension of the implant upon actuation of the adjustment mechanism and a lock. The adjustment device can have a locked state in which the lock inhibits actuation of the adjustment mechanism and an unlocked state in which the adjustment mechanism is actuatable. The adjustment device can be reversibly movable between the locked state and the unlocked state. The apparatus can include a longitudinal guide member and an adapter. An unlocking mechanism can be configured such that, while the adapter is coupled to the adjustment device, actuation of the unlocking mechanism moves the lock between the locked state and the unlocked state. Other applications are also described.

A minimally invasive method of placing a delivery device substantially adjacent to vascular tissue and a device for use with such a method are disclosed. The delivery device may be a flexible biological construct with a flexible tethering means. The delivery device may be percutaneously inserted near vascular tissue such as, for example, peritoneal tissue. When the delivery device has been inserted, the tether may be used to pull the delivery device toward the vascular tissue and secure the device thereto. Contact between the front surface of the delivery device and the vascular tissue may be maintained by making and keeping the tether substantially taut. The delivery device may serve accomplish sustained delivery of active agents.

Instrumentation and methods are provided for mounting a surgical navigation reference frame to a patient for performing an image-guided surgical procedure on an anatomical component. In one embodiment of the invention, a trocar is positioned within a cannula to form an insertion device adapted for percutaneous introduction into the patient. A bone anchor having a bone engaging portion is inserted through the cannula and is anchored to bone. The bone anchor cooperates with the cannula to form a mounting device adapted for coupling with the surgical navigation reference frame. In one embodiment of the invention, an image-guided surgical procedure is performed at a location remote from the anchoring location. In a specific embodiment, an image-guided surgical procedure is performed adjacent the spinal column, with the bone engaging portion of the bone anchor anchored to the iliac region of the pelvic bone, and more specifically to the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.

Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the percutaneous delivery of an occlusion device inverted within a cannula, its deployment and filling, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.

A system for measuring and converting to an observer intelligible form an internal physiological parameter of a medical patient. The invention allows transcutaneous telemetry of the measured information intracranial pressure via a system which includes a patient implanted sensor module and a processing and display module which is external of the patient and optically coupled to the sensor module via an external coupling module. A sensor within the implanted module transduces the measured information and a near infrared (NIR) emitter transmits this telemetry information when interrogated by the complementary external coupling module. Alternately, a set of tuned inductor-crystal circuits versus inductor-crystal comprised in part of a cylindrical crystal oscillator whose resonant frequency is sensed by a dipper circuit arrangement is provided. Power for the sensor module is derived inductively through rectification of a transcutaneously-applied high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field which is generated by a power source within the external coupling module, in concept much like a conventional electrical transformer. A computer within the processing and display module calculates the parameter value from the telemetry signal and represents this data either in numerical, graphical, or analog format.