Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker configured for implantation in electrical contact with a left ventricular cardiac chamber and configured for leadless triggered left-ventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in response to conducted signals from a pulse generator.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing electromagnetic field treatment to a subject having a metal-containing implant or prosthesis at or near the treatment site. These treatment methods can include calibrating the treatment devices such that the treatment field provided is not distorted or affected by the presence of metal in the target location. Additionally, embodiments of the invention provide for wearable and adjustable electromagnetic treatment devices with reinforcing support members to maintain the structure of flexible metal applicators, which generate the therapeutic electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The patient identification system of the preferred embodiments includes a transponder that is affixed to a patient and functions to communicate information that identifies the patient to a device or series of devices. The series of devices includes at least a first device that collects data from the patient and communicates with the transponder. The patient identification system is preferably designed to identify a patient, and more specifically to identify a patient to be associated with the data collected by the device. The patient identification system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: A cannula for an ocular implant delivery system. In some embodiments, the cannula includes a tubular member having a curved portion, a distal opening surrounded by a distal opening surface, and a distal tip, the distal tip being adapted to be inserted into an anterior chamber of a human subject's eye, through trabecular meshwork and into Schlemm's canal of the eye, a proximal portion of the tubular member being adapted to extend from a location exterior to the eye when the distal tip is in Schlemm's canal of the eye, the cannula being further adapted to cooperate with an advancement mechanism to advance an ocular implant through the tubular member toward and through the distal opening into Schlemm's canal of the eye when the distal tip is disposed in Schlemm's canal.

Abstract: A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient which includes the steps of implanting a device into tissue adjacent an airway, the device having a bioerodable material wound around a resiliently deformable body to temporarily maintain the deformable body in a stretched, deformed state, and permitting the bioerodable material of the device to bioerode to apply a force to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.

Abstract: Accommodating intraocular lenses containing a flowable media and their methods of accommodation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing needle guided interventions and especially needle guided dilations of tissue to create a therapeutic conduit between two luminal organs or structures. The device is particularly useful for creation of an artificial lumen between two hollow body organs using the working lumen of an endoscope.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for making an access channel through a vertebral body to access a site of neural compression, decompressing it, and repairing the channel to restore vertebral integrity. System elements include an implantable vertebral plate, a guidance device for orienting bone cutting tools and controlling the path of a cutting tool, a bone cutting tool to make a channel in the vertebral body, a tool for opening or partially-resecting the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine, a tool for retrieving a herniated disc, an implantable device with osteogenic material to fill the access channel, and a retention device that lockably-engages the bone plate to retain it in position after insertion. System elements may be included in a surgery to decompress an individual nerve root, the spinal cord, or the cauda equina when compressed, for example, by any of a herniated disc, an osteophyte, a thickened ligament arising from degenerative changes within the spine, a hematoma, or a tumor.

Abstract: Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining patient specific treatment parameters for delivering vapor to the lung to treat lung tissue. In some embodiments vapor is delivered to the lung to cause coagulative necrosis, inducing fibrosis and thereby reducing the volume of at least one segment of the lung. The delivery parameters can be adjusted depending on the desired degree of injury to be induced in the lung tissue.

Abstract: Systems and their methods of use for testing intraocular lenses outside of the lens capsule. In some embodiments the systems measure an accommodative response based on a force applied to the intraocular lens.

Abstract: A stem-like bone fixation device allows for bony in-growth on its surface and across fracture fragments or between bones that are to be fused.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy is described may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element.

Abstract: Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided.

Abstract: Whole-nose nasal respiratory devices and methods of making and using whole-nose nasal respiratory devices are described and illustrated herein. These devices are typically configured to be adhesively secured to a subject so that they engage both of the subject's nostrils and allow airflow from both nostrils to communicate with an airflow resistor. The airflow resistor is configured so that it inhibits exhalation through the nostrils more than it inhibits inhalation through the nostrils.

Abstract: A medical assist device for a patient has a rotatable platform with a seat adjacent the platform and a lift mechanism for moving the seat from a lowered position for supporting a patient to a raised position and likewise able to move said seat from a raised position for supporting a patient to a lowered position. The rotatable platform can be rotated only if the seat is in the lowered position and the lift mechanism for raising the seat can be actuated only if the rotatable platform is in a predetermined position at which an open space between support bars is facing the seat.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for determining if a nerve is nearby a device or a region of a device. In general, a device for determining if a nerve is nearby a device includes an elongate body having an outer surface with one or more bipole pairs arranged on the outer surface. Bipole pairs may also be referred to as tight bipoles. The bipole pairs may be arranged as a bipole network, and may include a cathode and an anode that are spaced relatively close together to form a limited broadcast field. In general, the broadcast filed is a controlled or “tight” broadcast field that extends from the bipole pair(s). Methods of using these devices and system are also described.

Abstract: A lens for correcting human vision, for example an IOL, contact lens or corneal inlay or onlay, that carries and interior phase or layer comprising a pattern of individual transparent adaptive displacement structures. In the exemplary embodiments, the displacement structures are actuated by shape change polymer that adjusts a shape or other parameter in response to applied energy that in turn displaces a fluid media within the lens that actuates a flexible lens surface. The adaptive optic means of the invention can be used to create highly localized surface corrections in the lens to correct higher order aberrations-which types of surfaces cannot be fabricated into and IOL and then implanted. The system of displacement structures also can provide spherical corrections in the lens.

Abstract: A switch operated therapeutic agent delivery device is described. The device comprises two parts, which are assembled by a user prior to use. A first part contains a power supply and circuitry for the device; and a second part comprises electrodes and reservoirs containing the therapeutic agent to be delivered. The action of combining the two parts of the device causes the two parts to be irreversibly coupled together, completes an electrical connection between the two parts, and closes one or more switches, thereby connecting a power source, such as a battery, into the device's circuitry, thereby powering the device on so that it is ready for use. The device can then be attached to a patient, who can operate the device by pressing a button in a proper sequence.