Abstract: An improved medical implant device is provided which is designed and adapted for use in laparoscopic surgery. This medical implant device is especially adapted for precise and proper placement of the electrodes relative to the tissue to be treated. Additionally, the medical implant device, once properly placed, can be secured so as to substantially reduce the risk of displacement of the device, and especially the electrodes, during normal movement of the tissue. This medical implant device is especially adapted for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera.

Abstract: A method for placement of electrostimulation leads in the mediastinum is provided. More particularly, this invention relates to placement of electrostimulation leads in the mediastinum using minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Abstract: A sensor based gastric stimulator system and method for gastric stimulation of a patient employing an implantable gastric stimulator, which includes an information processor, an electrical stimulator circuit, and telemetry circuitry. The implantable stimulator senses intrinsic, gastric electrical activity (slow waves and/or peristaltic waves) and delivers electrical stimulation to intentionally disrupt or disorganize that activity. The stimulation is triggered by (tracks) normal gastric electrical activity and can be delivered with a spatial offset to anticipate the propagating gastric electrical activity or may be delayed temporally to anticipate the next propagating slow or peristaltic wave. The stimulator may be programmed to disrupt/disorganize all or a percentage of the intrinsic, normal gastric electrical activity. The programmer (via radio frequency data link) may non-invasively program stimulation parameters and intervals.

Abstract: An improved medical implant device for laparoscopic surgery is especially adapted for precise and proper placement of electrode leads relative to tissue to be treated. Once properly placed, the device and the electrode leads can be secured to substantially reduce the risk of displacement during normal movement of tissue. The implant device is adapted for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera. The device comprises: 1) an elongated body with immobilizing mechanisms or devices to secure it to the tissue or viscera to be treated, 2) two or more electric poles that are electrically connected to an electric connection terminal for connection to a power source, 3) a mechanism for penetration of the tissue or viscera to be treated, and 4) a quick-release connecting device to separate the penetration device from the elongated body.

Abstract: An implant device specifically for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera is provided. The implant device has an elongated body equipped with devices to secure it to the tissue to be treated and two or more electric poles that are electrically connected to an electric connection terminal for connection to a power source to penetrate the tissue to be treated, and quick-release connecting devices to separate the penetration device from the elongated body.

Abstract: An improved handle for a medical device used in laparoscopic surgery is provided. This handle is especially adapted for use with an implant device specifically for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera is provided. The implant device has an elongated body equipped with devices to secure it to the tissue to be treated and two or more electric poles that are electrically connected to an electric connection terminal for connection to a power source, means to penetrate the tissue to be treated, and quick-release connecting devices to separate the penetration device from the elongated body. The handle, which is an elongated body, is attached to the proximal end of the implant device or other medical device and has a grasping means at its opposite end for manipulation with laparoscopic forceps.

Abstract: The present invention provides laparoscopic forceps which can grasp surgical and/or laparoscopic implements and automatically orient the surgical and/or laparoscopic implements to a predetermined orientation. The forceps are fashioned specifically for grasping the laparoscopic implement, and include grasping mechanisms located at one end of the shaft. The grasping mechanisms include orienting mechanisms effective to orient the implement in a predetermined orientation with respect to the forceps. In favorable embodiments, the grasping mechanism is effective to orient the implement automatically in the predetermined orientation, and consists of two jaws, each jaw including a flat surface and a recessed seat for receiving a portion of the implement defined on the flat surface of at least one of the jaws.

Abstract: An improved handle for a medical device used in laparoscopic surgery is provided. This handle is especially adapted for use with an implant device specifically for electrostimulation and/or electrical monitoring of endo-abdominal tissue or viscera is provided. The implant device has an elongated body equipped with devices to secure it to the tissue to be treated and two or more electric poles that are electrically connected to an electric connection terminal for connection to a power source, means to penetrate the tissue to be treated, and quick-release connecting devices to separate the penetration device from the elongated body. The handle, which is an elongated body, is attached to the proximal end of the implant device or other medical device and has a grasping means at its opposite end for manipulation with laparoscopic forceps.