355 results about "Synovial membrane" patented technology

A surgical implant for replacing hyaline cartilage in a knee or other articulating synovial joint has an anchoring side on one side of the implant adapted for fixing the implant to one of the bones in the joint, and a bearing surface on the opposite side of the implant for lubricious rubbing and sliding contact with another bone in the joint. The anchoring side can be configured with an irregular surface for tissue ingrowth. The bearing side can include hydrogel. The implant can be rolled up from an original shape and surgically inserted by arthroscopic means, and opens into its original shape when released inside the joint.

Electrosurgical methods, systems, and apparatus for the controlled ablation of tissue from a target site, such as a synovial joint, of a patient. An electrosurgical probe of the invention includes a shaft, and a working end having an electrode array comprising an outer circular arrangement of active electrode terminals and an inner circular arrangement of active electrode terminals. The electrode array is adapted for the controlled ablation of hard tissue, such as meniscus tissue. The working end of the probe is curved to facilitate access to both medial meniscus and lateral meniscus from a portal of 1 cm. or less.

A composite tissue formed in situ is provided. The composite tissue includes a synovial joint tissue; and a barrier material adhered thereto for sealing the synovial joint tissue against synovial fluid. Also provided is a method for regenerating synovial joint tissue in situ by excluding synovial fluid therefrom. The method includes providing a synovial joint tissue having a defect; and placing a barrier material in intimate contact with the defect for sealing the defect against synovial fluid. The barrier material includes a curable protein copolymer. The method further includes curing the protein copolymer in situ. The barrier material can include a crosslinked network, or a self gelled network of repeating elastin-like and fibroin-like polymer chains.

Hydrogel devices for surgical implantation to replace damaged cartilage in a mammalian joint (such as a knee, hip, shoulder, etc.) are disclosed, with one or more of the following enhancements: (1) articulating surfaces that have been given negative surface charge densities that emulate natural cartilage and that interact with positively charged components of synovial fluid; (2) anchoring systems with affixed pegs that will lock into accommodating receptacles, which will be anchored into hard bone before the implant is inserted into a joint; (3) a three-dimensional reinforcing mesh made of strong but flexible fibers, embedded within at least a portion of the hydrogel.

A method of intra-articular drug delivery may include selecting an attachment zone in a synovial joint; affixing a drug release device in the attachment zone, the drug release device comprising a base affixable in the attachment zone, a sustained-release drug carrier, and a drug, the device positioned so that the device releases the drug into the synovial fluid of the synovial joint, and so that agitation of the synovial fluid facilitates elution of the drug from the drug release device.

Methods and apparatus for treating meniscal tissue damage are disclosed, including a biocompatible meniscal repair device comprising a biocompatible tissue repair scaffold and a cell growth conduit flap. The tissue repair scaffold is adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in the meniscus and can preferably provide a structure for supporting meniscal tissue and / or encouraging tissue growth. The cell growth conduit flap, which is attached to the tissue repair scaffold, allows communication between the synovium and the tissue repair scaffold.

Anatomic models of the abdominopelvic region of a male human patient's body to assist in demonstrating or in training medical personnel in microsurgical techniques are disclosed. The anatomic models preferably demonstrate the passage of elongated medical instruments through the perineum to or into the prostate. The anatomic models preferably comprise a substantially transparent elastomer body mass encasing a relatively rigid skeletal frame and at least a prostate model. The elastomer mass is shaped to simulate the perineum overlying the prostate between a penis model and an anal opening.

Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.

Methods and apparatus for immobilizing a synovial joint, such as a sacroiliac (SI) joint are disclosed. In one form, a multipiece fixation device, such as a dowel, includes multiple expandable fasteners that are configured to fix adjacent bones of a synovial joint with respect to one another. The expandable fasteners include expansion portions that are expanded radially via insertion of another expandable fastener or an expansion device to fix the expandable fasteners to the bone. The fixation device may be configured to provide for compression or distraction of the bones of the synovial joint while at the same time stabilizing the joint.

An antibiotic delivery system including an intramedullary stem that is adapted to be removably mounted into a medullary canal of a bone. The stem includes a body having an inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of liquid-borne antibiotic and a plurality of outlets disposed along the stem. A channel extends between the inlet and the plurality of outlets for delivering a fluid-borne antibiotic from the inlet to the plurality of outlets so as to distribute the antibiotic along the medullary canal in a controlled fashion. A method of treating an infected joint during a two-stage re-implantation of an orthopedic implant is also disclosed.

There is provided a synovial cell growth inhibitor, or a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis based on the synovial cell growth inhibitor.The pharmaceutical composition for treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis or synovial cell growth inhibitor contains an IL-6 antagonist, such as IL-6 antibody or IL-6R antibody, as an effective component.

A human T cell clone recognizing an antigen expressed by a synovial cell of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient in HLA-DR-restricted manner is disclosed, which clone is very useful in exploring the pathogenesis of RA and developing a method for treating and preventing RA.

Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.

A method of intra-articular drug delivery may include selecting an attachment zone in a synovial joint; affixing a drug release device in the attachment zone, the drug release device comprising a base affixable in the attachment zone, a sustained-release drug carrier, and a drug, the device positioned so that the device releases the drug into the synovial fluid of the synovial joint, and so that agitation of the synovial fluid facilitates elution of the drug from the drug release device.

Abstract of Disclosure A therapeutically effective compound is locally administered by associating the compound with a piece of orthopedic hardware that is implanted at an appropriate site within a body. The compound is adapted, such as through a sustained release device, to administer an effective dosage continuously over an extended period of time. The compound may be administered, for example, to a joint of a mammal by intraarticularly implanting a sustained release device to deliver the therapeutically effective compound within a synovial capsule of the joint, such that synovial fluid concentration of the compound is greater than plasma concentration of the compound. A wide range of orthopedic hardware, such as bone screws and staples, may be adapted to use in the systems described herein to provide treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and / or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a proximal entry into the carpal tunnel from an incision in the volar aspect of the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the incision, and severing the transverse carpal ligament from proximal to distal with the cutting blade of the cuffing member under direct endoscopic visualization.

The invention aims at acid, alkali and heat labile features of sinomenine molecular structure, and provides an innovative structural reconstruction idea for new chemical synthesis of ring A, ring C, and ring D sinomenine derivatives. The chemical synthetic method includes amination and acylation of 1-position, C-C or C-O connection of 1 position, dicarbonylation and six-membered N heterocyclization of 3-position and 4-position, two molecule sinomenine adduction of connection of 4-hydroxyl and 1-amino, amination and acylation of 6-position, simultaneous amination and x-membered N heterocyclization of 6-position and 7-position, and opening of D ring and terminal amino group modification thereof. The method is novel and unique. The sinomenine derivatives have good antiinflammation activity and bioactivity evaluated by synovial membrane tumor cell (SW982), and can be used in drug and health products for resisting rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods and compositions are disclosed for an intra-articular injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The methods and compositions comprising combinations of hyaluronic acid and a bone morphogenetic protein, like rhGDF-5, can be useful for any synovial joint, including the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, hands, spinal facet, or temporomandibular joint, both for the relief of pain and for slowing disease progression.

The invention discloses a silicon micro resonant type pressure sensor and a manufacturing method of the silicon micro resonant type pressure sensor, relates to a pressure sensor and provides a silicon micro resonant type pressure sensor which is based on synovial membrane damping and a double pressure membrane structure, and a manufacturing method of the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensitive layer, a resonant structure layer, a vacuum encapsulation blocking layer and lead electrodes, wherein the upper part of the border frame of the pressure sensitive layer is connected with the lower part of the border frame of a resonant structure layer; the upper border frame of the pressure sensitive layer is internally provided with two pressure membranes and is provided with two cavities for holding parallel silicon islands; the top ends of the silicon islands are connected with a first transmission beam and a second transmission beam on the resonant structure layer; channels are formed between the two cavities, so that the first resonant beam, the second resonant beam, a first mass block and a second mass block on the resonant structure layer have space for free vibration; the upper part of the border frame of the resonant structure layer is connected with a lower border frame of the vacuum encapsulating blocking layer; a cavity is formed inside a lower border frame of the blocking layer; lead holes are formed on the vacuum encapsulating blocking layer; and the lead electrodes are connected with the resonant structure layer through the lead holes.

Compositions and methods are provided for treatment of cartilage defects in animals and humans. The compositions of the invention include synovial tissue, synovial cells and matrices containing synovial (or cambium) tissue or cells for use in filling a cartilage defect. The matrix and synovial tissue or cell preparations may also contain a proliferation agent, transforming factor or other active agents to promote healing. A controlled-release delivery system may be used to administer the transforming factor. The compositions of the invention also include a synovial covering membrane or devitalized fascial sheet for covering the cartilage defect. The methods of this invention are those in which a minimally invasive surgical intervention is performed to remove a small portion of synovial membrane from a joint. Portions of the synovial membrane, or cells expanded in vitro, are implanted alone or within a matrix, into the defect site, where they produce new cartilage tissue and repair the defect. Alternatively, partially transformed synovial-derived tissue may be formed in situ and implanted into the defect site.

Methods of detecting synovial sarcoma using differentially expressed genes are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of identifying agents for treating synovial sarcoma. Further, a method for treating or preventing a disease that is associated with Frizzled homologue 10 (FZD10) in a subject is provided.

Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical engagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.

The invention provides compositions useful for the treatment and / or prevention of damage to diarthrodial (synovial) joints and, in particular, traumatic synovitis, inflammation of the synovial membrane, and damage to the articular cartilage of the joint. Specifically, provided are compositions specially formulated for intra-articular and / or parenteral use in the treatment and / or prevention of traumaticsynovitis and / or damage to articular cartilage. Compositions adapted specifically for post surgical joint lavage or treatment and / or prevention of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) and / or degenerative joint disease (DJD) are also provided. Compositions adapted for intra-articular and / or systemic administration comprised of therapeutic amounts of: chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) are provided.

Methods for the determination and the classification of a rheumatic condition in a synovial sample of a subject afflicted with a rheumatic condition are disclosed. Methods include the steps of determining in the level of expression of at least 20 genes or gene fragments in the synovial sample and identifying whether the level of expression of the genes in the sample correlates with the presence of a rheumatic condition. Kits are also described for the determination and the classification of rheumatic conditions which contain a low density microarray having probes suitable for hybridizing with at least 20 genes or gene fragments. On the basis of the hybridization results, the rheumatic condition is determined.

A synovial joint implantable apparatus for the reconstruction of skeletal defects with a flexible member, which is preferably resorbable, attached to a rigid structural prosthesis such as a total hip or total knee replacement implant. The cavitary space defined and surrounded by the flexible member is filled with osteoconductive and / or inductive materials which eventually matures into new column of bone. The prosthesis is supported by the bed of graft material surrounding it and is gradually unloaded as the bed matures into solid bone. The fixation of the prosthesis into native bone depends on the specific implant and the anatomic area of its use. The flexible member is secured to the margins of the prosthesis using rails, runners, sutures, or other attachment devices that prevent the escape of the bone graft and maintain an initial column of support for the implant. Should the metal implant even need removal, the reconstituted bone can be separated from the implant in such a way as to restore bone stock and facilitate future revision surgical procedures.

The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating arthritis, a cartilage protecting agent, a joint destruction inhibitor and a synovial membrane growth inhibitor comprising an anti-FGF-8 neutralizing antibody as an active ingredient, as well as a diagnostic agent of arthritis comprising an anti-FGF-8 antibody as an active ingredient and a method for judging arthritis using the antibody.