1046 results about "Tear production" patented technology

The present invention is a more durable expanded material that enables thinner wall thicknesses and a more flexible reinforcement suitable for stenting. The present invention is especially useful in the construction of grafts, stents, and stent-grafts which are used, for example, in repairing or replacing blood vessels that are narrowed or occluded by disease, aneurismal blood vessels, or other medical treatments. The inventive material and configurations allow expansion or contraction in size or adjustment in size in an incremental manner so that the optimum size, shape, and fit with other objects can be obtained. The present invention is also optionally capable of more accurately delivering one or more active ingredients such as drugs over longer periods of time. The present invention optionally includes surface modifications and additives that increase the surface adhesion of active ingredients, coatings, or combinations thereof. Finally, the present invention optionally includes growing cells on the inventive material so that the expanded material, reinforcement, or combinations thereof are useful, for example, in producing lab-grown blood vessels or organs.

Nucleus pulposus implants that are resistant to migration in and/or expulsion from an intervertebral disc space are provided. In one form of the invention, an implant includes a load bearing elastic body surrounded in the disc space by an anchoring, preferably resorbable, biocompatible material which may be in the form of an outer shell. In certain forms of the invention, the elastic body is surrounded by a supporting member, such as a band or jacket, and the supporting member is surrounded by the outer shell. Kits for forming such implants are also provided. In another form of the invention, an implant is provided that has locking features and optional shape memory characteristics. In yet another aspect of the invention, nucleus pulposus implants are provided that have shape memory characteristics and are configured to allow short-term manual, or other deformation without permanent deformation, cracks, tears, breakage or other damage. Methods of forming and implanting the implants are also described, as are delivery devices and components thereof for delivering the implants.

Disclosed is a cartilage repair product that induces both cell ingrowth into a bioresorbable material and cell differentiation into cartilage tissue. Such a product is useful for regenerating and/or repairing both vascular and avascular cartilage lesions, particularly articular cartilage lesions, and even more particularly mensical tissue lesions, including tears as well as segmental defects. Also disclosed is a method of regenerating and repairing cartilage lesions using such a product.

A knotless suture anchor provides a method for securing soft tissue to a rigid structure such as bone. The anchor has an inner member that receives suture thread and rotates within an outer tubular member. As the inner member rotates, the suture thread is wrapped onto the inner member thereby increasing contact with the outer tubular member which applies pressure to the wrapped suture thread to retain it in position on the inner member while simultaneously and adjustably tensioning the suture thread. A ratchet prevents undesirable counter-rotation, although the ratchet can be released to permit loosening of the suture thread. Also described is a suture bridge and suture platform for providing further stabilization of a tendon. A method for repairing rotator cuff tears is also described.

A chain of loops of braided high strength suture for soft tissue to bone fixation. The suture chain is advantageous for use in knotless fixation of soft tissue to bone, and can be used for knotless side-to-side suturing of U-shaped defects, such as rotator cuff tears. The soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices being an anchor; (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices being a knotless fixation device, (iii) providing a suture loop construct that includes at least two loops formed of and connected by suture; and (iv) fixating the suture loop construct so that it extends over the soft tissue and is secured in place by at least one of the fixation devices or anchors.

A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane.

The invention describes a process for determining a biological state through the discovery and analysis of hidden or non-obvious, discriminatory biological data patterns. The biological data can be from health data, clinical data, or from a biological sample, (e.g., a biological sample from a human, e.g., serum, blood, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, needle aspirantas, semen, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate.), etc. which is analyzed to determine the biological state of the donor. The biological state can be a pathologic diagnosis, toxicity state, efficacy of a drug, prognosis of a disease, etc. Specifically, the invention concerns processes that discover hidden discriminatory biological data patterns (e.g., patterns of protein expression in a serum sample that classify the biological state of an organ) that describe biological states.

The present invention provides contact lens with integrated biosensor for the continuous, non-invasive monitoring of physiological glucose by employing biocompatible nanostructure-laden lens materials. These contact lenses can be worn by diabetics who can colorimetrically see changes in their contact lens color or other fluorescence-based properties, giving an indication of tear and blood glucose levels. This invention for the glucose biosensor based on the new disposal contact lens provides a safe, convenient and non-expensive glucose sensing device. The sensing device disclosed herein provides an efficient and noninvasive solution for monitoring blood glucose.

This invention provides a polymeric drug delivery system including a hydrogel containing one or more drugs for the treatment of a posterior segment disease. Exemplary drugs are anti-angiogenesis compounds for the treatment of macular degeneration. Allowing passive transference of this drug from a dilute solution into the hydrogel produces the delivery system. The hydrogel, when placed in contact with the eye, delivers the drug. The delivery of the drug is sustained over an extended period of time, which is of particular utility in the eye, which is periodically flushed with tears. This sustained delivery accelerates the treatment process while avoiding potential damaging effects of localized delivery of high concentrations of compounds, e.g., from eye drops.

A method and soft tissue cleat device for improving the repair of soft tissue damage. A disc having projections pierces soft tissue and securely joins with a second disc to coapt the interposed soft tissue. This provides an increased pull-out strength of the suture and resistance to shear stresses, improving the quality of the repair. The present invention may be used with any bone fixation devices to reattach soft tissue to bone, and may also be used to rejoin soft tissues after a tear in the tissue.

Methods and devices are provided for repairing a tear in a meniscus. A pair of fixation member each entailing a preformed knot configuration coupled together by a suture length. The fixation members are placed on the meniscal tissue with the suture length spanning the tear, the knot configurations are expanded to form anchoring knots and the suture length is shortened to close the tear.

The invention broadly facilitates reconstruction of the Annulus Fibrosus (AF) or the AF and the Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Such Reconstruction prevents recurrent herniation following Microlumbar Discectomy (MLD) other procedures. The invention may also be used in the treatment of herniated discs, annular tears of the disc, or disc degeneration, while enabling surgeons to preserve the contained NP. The methods and apparatus may be used to treat discs throughout the spine including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines of humans and animals. In the preferred embodiment, a spinal repair system according to the invention comprises a first end portion adapted for placement within an intervertebral body, a second end portion adapted for placement within an adjacent intervertebral body, and a bridge portion connecting the first and second end portions, the bridge portion being adapted to span a portion of an intervertebral disc space and prevent excessive outward bulging.

A shoulder model and methods of shoulder arthroscopy using the shoulder model. The shoulder model includes an acromioclavicular (AC) joint assembly, a joint capsule assembly, a scapula mount, a shoulder musculature, a skin, and a base. The AC joint assembly is mounted on the scapula mount and the joint assembly is attached to the AC joint assembly and fastened using a screw/nut to form the shoulder assembly. The shoulder assembly is placed in the shoulder musculature and the skin is rolled over the shoulder musculature and zipped in place. The bones of the shoulder assembly are made of foam-cortical shell, the shoulder musculature is made of foam, the soft tissue components are made of thermoplastic elastomers, and the skin is made of vinyl. A method of practicing shoulder arthroscopy using the shoulder model includes mounting the shoulder model in a beach chair position, making anatomical references, establishing a posterior viewing portal, inserting cannulas into the glenohumeral joint or the subacromial space, creating a labral disruption or a rotator cuff tear, and repairing the rotator cuff tear or labral disruption.

The present inventions provide apparatuses and methods for repairing or otherwise treating an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may be used to treat or repair a tear, rent, incision, defect, aperture or delamination of the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc. The apparatus and methods may employ fixation delivery apparatuses, fixation apparatuses, patch delivery tools and patches positioned in or on aspects of an intervertebral disc for treatment or repair of the intervertebral disc or its components.

A system and method are provided for measuring the thickness of a tear film layer and the heights of tear menisci around upper and lower eyelids of an eye. A plurality of images are acquired between consecutive blinks the eye using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The images depict the tear film layer and tear menisci as distinct from the cornea of the eye. In an embodiment, a plurality of reflectivity profiles from an OCT image are aligned and averaged. The difference between a first peak and a second peak of the average reflectivity profile is measured to determine the thickness of the tear film layer. The heights of the upper meniscus and the lower meniscus can also be measured from the same OCT image. In an embodiment, thickness measurements from the plurality of OCT images are combined. The measurements can be used to diagnose tear disorders, analyze treatments of dry eye and evaluate artificial tears.

A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor affixed to an end of a cable and supported for insertion on a delivery device, the manipulation of which permits placement of the anchor on a far side of the tissue. A tensioning, crimping and cutting tool designed for use along the cable's longitudinal axis, thus reducing the number of incisions required. A suture anchoring system is also described for introducing a loop of suture into a surgical site and anchoring it, for instance, across a tear in soft tissue.

Methods and devices for repairing the TFCC of a patient's wrist are provided. In general, the device includes first and second anchor bodies that are connected to one another by a suture. The first anchor body is configured to be passed through a portion of the TFCC of a patient's wrist and an anchoring tissue, preferably using a delivery device, such that the first anchor body is positioned across a torn portion of the TFCC, the second anchor body is positioned across the anchoring tissue, and the suture extends therebetween. The suture can then be tensioned to anchor the TFCC to the anchoring tissue.

Apparatus and methods for repairing damaged tendons or ligaments. Various repair apparatus include an elongate tensile member and a pair of anchor assemblies connected for movement along the tensile member on either side of a repair site, such as a tear or laceration. The anchor assemblies or structures may take many forms, and may include barbed, helical, and crimp-type anchors. In the preferred embodiments, at least one anchor structure is movable along the elongate tensile member to assist with adjusting a tendon segment to an appropriate repair position and the anchor structure or structures are then lockable onto the elongate tensile member to assist with affixing the tendon at the repair position. Tendon and/or ligament-to-bone repair apparatus and methods employ similar concepts.

A corneal contact lens for use in treating myopia by controlled corneal molding. The lens includes a central zone having a central zone radius of curvature and a tear zone. The tear zone is located concentrically around the central zone and has a radius of curvature which is smaller than the central zone. A transition zone is provided between the central zone and the tear zone wherein the transition zone has at least one transition ring. The lens may also include a peripheral zone which is located concentrically around the tear zone wherein the peripheral zone includes multiple peripheral curves having radii of curvature equal to or greater than the central zone.