Abstract: Devices and methods for altering gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of an individual, particularly individuals having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The methods and devices create channels in lung tissue and maintain the patency of these surgically created channels in tissue. Maintaining the patency of the channels allows air to pass directly out of the lung tissue which facilitates the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and/or decompresses hyper-inflated lungs.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymer transducers that produce out-of-plane deflections. The transducers form a set of surface features based on deflection of an electroactive polymer. The set of surface features may include elevated polymer surface features and/or depressed electrode surface features. Actuation of an active area may produce the polymer deflection that creates one or more surface features. A passive layer may operably connect to a polymer. The passive layer may comprise a thicker and softer material to amplify polymer thickness changes and increase surface feature visibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural.

Abstract: A modular combination toy and desktop writing accessory apparatus comprising a plurality of structural elements each having at least one nodal connector portion to which a complementary connector portion of another structural element can be coupled. The structural elements can be assembled into a barrel-like form that is configured with a passageway for carrying a writing component of the invention. The writing component can be a pen, pencil, marker, crayon, eraser or the like. The modular combination toy and writing instrument has multiple functions in playtime as well as in everyday desk-bound activities.

Abstract: The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cryo-therapy are disclosed herein. This includes a hollow guidewire disposed within a catheter having helical loops contacting tissue. A coolant delivery tube disposed within can have a coolant delivered from a proximal end into the guidewire lumen. The coolant flows back proximally through the guidewire while cooling the guidewire surface and cooling or cryogenically ablating the contacting tissue. To minimize guidewire exposure to surrounding fluids or tissue, insulative barriers can be attached to the guidewire. A coolant delivery tube and return lumen can be integrated from a single extrusion in various configurations. Expandable balloons can also be used to expand the loops of the guidewire to contact the tissue. Also, helical loops with a coolant delivery tube or stem disposed longitudinally within the loops can be used and the loops can also have a variable collapsible cooling region.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia; tendon or ligament shrinkage; or articular cartilage removal. The surgical device integrates a suction mechanism with the coagulation mechanism improving the lesion creation capabilities of the device. The surgical device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about conductive elements capable of coagulating soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through the insulative covering expose regions of the conductive elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. Suction causes the soft tissue to actively engage the opening thus the integrated, exposed conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, continuous, and transmural.

Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point and moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to, or in line with, a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point, thereby forming the tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold from a vicinity of the second tissue contact point. Adjustable anchor assemblies; as well as anchor delivery systems, shape-lockable guides and methods for endoluminally performing medical procedures, such as gastric reduction, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, resection of lesions, and treatment of bleeding sites; are also provided.

Abstract: Tissue manipulation and securement systems are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member and has a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member pivotably coupled to the lower jaw member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the upper jaw member and is used to urge the jaw members from a low-profile configuration to an open configuration for receiving tissue. The tissue manipulation assembly may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses devices and methods for creating multiple lesions using ablation devices in anatomical regions such as the heart, for example to treat cardiac arrhythmias. The present invention discloses methods and devices to create continuous lesions using area ablation devices. The present invention discloses various embodiments of reference assemblies for accurately positioning ablation devices having ablating portions, especially deployable ablation portions adapted for area ablation. The ablation devices are positioned using the reference assemblies in the anatomy to create one or more lesions. The present invention also discloses several method embodiments for creating continuous lesions using deployable ablating portions to produce two or more overlapping lesions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning and securing anchors are disclosed herein. The anchors are adapted to be delivered and implanted into or upon tissue, particularly tissue within the gastrointestinal system of a patient. The anchor is adapted to slide uni-directionally over suture such that a tissue plication may be cinched between anchors. A locking mechanism either within the anchor itself of positioned proximally of the anchor may allow for the uni-directional translation while enabling the anchor to be locked onto the suture if the anchor is pulled, pushed, or otherwise urged in the opposite direction along the suture. This uni-directional anchor locking mechanism facilitates the cinching of the tissue plication between the anchors and it may be utilized in one or several anchors in cinching a tissue fold.

Abstract: Apparatus & methods for optimizing anchoring force are described herein. In securing tissue folds, over-compression of the tissue directly underlying the anchors is avoided by utilizing tissue anchors having expandable arms configured to minimize contact area between the anchor and tissue. When the anchor is in its expanded configuration, a load is applied to the anchor until it is optimally configured to accommodate a range of deflections while the anchor itself exerts a substantially constant force against the tissue. Various devices, e.g., stops, spring members, fuses, strain gauges, etc., can be used to indicate when the anchor has been deflected to a predetermined level within the optimal range. Moreover, other factors to affect the anchor characteristics include, e.g., varying the number of arms or struts of the anchor, positioning of the arms, configuration of the arms, the length of the collars, etc.