Abstract: An implantable artificial sphincter system provides long-term adjustment via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), minimizing invasive adjustment through adding or removing fluid via a syringe. An infuser device provides bi-directional fluid transfer via a flexible conduit to a sphincter band, such as a gastric band. Materials are nonferrous and nonmagnetic so as to be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safe, being substantially immune to strong magnetic fields and not introducing an electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMIC) hazard.

Abstract: An implant for placement within a hollow body organ having a member with an undeployed shape, for delivery within a hollow body, and one or more deployed shapes, for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant also includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body.

Abstract: A device, including an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The device includes a wearable element configured to be worn by a patient, and has an external device coupled thereto and configured to send and/or receive a wireless signal to control the means for changing the deployed shape.

Abstract: An implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes an implantable distension device having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The implantable distension device has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The implant includes a powered means for changing the deployed shape of the implantable distension device while implanted within the hollow body. The implant also includes an implantable sensing device in communication with the implantable distension device and configured to sense a parameter related to the implantable distension device and to communicate the parameter to a filter, the filter transmits a selected portion of the parameter to a data storage device.

Abstract: A device, including an implant for placement within a hollow body organ. The implant includes a member having an undeployed shape for delivery within a hollow body and one or more deployed shapes for implantation therein. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. The device includes a means for changing the deployed shape of the member while implanted within the hollow body. The means includes an antenna configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device. The external device is configured to communicate telemetrically with the member. The device further includes at least one means to limit rotational movement of the antenna relative at least one of the member and the external device.

Abstract: A system is operable to detect the orientation of an implant component. The system comprises an implantable component, an external component, and a logic component. The implantable component comprises a first coil operable to transmit a first signal having a phase. The external component comprises a second coil operable to transmit a second signal having a phase. The logic component is operable to compare the phase of the first signal with the phase of the second signal. The logic component is further configured to determine an orientation of the first coil relative to the second coil based on a comparison of the phase of the first signal with the phase of the second signal. The system may be used to determine the orientation of an injection port in an implanted gastric band system. The system may alternatively be used in a variety of other types of systems.

Abstract: An actuator having a variable internal volume is mechanically coupled to an adjustable implantable band so as to effect changes in the effective internal perimeter of the band. The actuator may be directly connected to the band, or be connected through a cable. Configurations of the actuator include a series of folds and ridges and bellows. A plurality of actuators may be used in combination with a single band. A clutch mechanism may be included to hold the band in place when not acted upon by the actuators. One end of the actuator may be connected directly to a bidirectional flow device.

Abstract: Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system advantageously utilizes low frequency (e.g., about 1-100 kHz) transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) for supplying power from an external control module to an implantable medical device, avoiding power dissipation through eddy currents in a metallic case of an implant and/or in human tissue, thereby enabling smaller implants using a metallic case such as titanium and/or allowing TET signals of greater strength thereby allowing placement more deeply within a patient without excessive power transfer inefficiencies.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for aligning an internal antenna with an external device. In one embodiment, an implantable restriction system is provided and includes an implantable restriction device configured to form a restriction in a pathway, and an implantable housing associated with the implantable restriction device. The housing has at least one antenna that can be configured to communicate telemetrically with a transceiver regardless of a rotational orientation of the housing about an axis. The at least one antenna can extend along an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of a catheter extending from the housing. In one embodiment, the implantable housing can contain a sensor that can be configured, for example, to measure at least one of a system parameter and a physiological parameter, and the antenna can be effective to communicate the measured parameter to the transceiver.

Abstract: An implantable restriction device can be configured to provide a restriction in a patient, for example as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device can include one or more sensors configured to sense a variety of parameters, such as pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device, pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse count, pulse duration, or frequency, electrical characteristics, or other parameters. Data obtained by the one or more sensors (for example, the data representing pressure, pulse characteristics, and so on) may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, such as a data logger, using telemetry coils or other communicators. The data logger may store the data, and may communicate the data to a remote location via a network such as the Internet. A docking station may be provided to couple the data logger to a network and/or to recharge a cell in the data logger.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for constraining movement between two housings implanted under the skin. In one embodiment, a restriction system is provided and includes a first housing having a reservoir formed therein and configured to receive fluid, and a second housing spaced apart from and in fluid communication with the first housing. The second housing can have a sensor, for example, for measuring fluid pressure. A restriction device can be in fluid communication with the first and second housings and can be adapted to form a restriction in a pathway. A constraining element can be coupled to the first and second housings and can be configured to limit movement of the first and second housings relative to one another in at least one plane of motion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump has a plurality of actuators configured to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump is a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.

Abstract: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.

Abstract: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.

Abstract: An implantable system having internal circuitry configured to withstand a pre-determined amount of sterilization radiation is provided. In general, the system includes an internal control module in electrical communication with an implantable medical device. The internal control module can include a circuit board configured to withstand radiation and/or any number of integrated circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits) wherein the circuits or at least some portion thereof are fabricated so as to withstand some amount of radiation. For example, some portion of the circuitry can be fabricated utilizing radiation compliant material(s), silicon-on-insulator technology, and/or gallium arsenide technology. Additionally, the circuitry can include various components which are inherently resistant to such radiation (e.g., components fabricated utilizing magnetic field based technology, surface acoustical wave devices, etc.).

Abstract: Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a surgical biopsy system. The biopsy system includes a biopsy instrument and control unit. The biopsy instrument includes a piercer, rotatable cutter, and a port for receiving tissue samples. The method comprises the steps of translating the cutter distally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at an extended position and recording the extended position. The cutter is then translated from the extended position proximally until the translation of the cutter is stopped at a retracted position proximal to the extended position. The retracted position is recorded. The method further comprises the step of rotating the cutter to a rotation speed while the cutter is located at the retracted position and, if determined that the rotation speed is within a predetermined rotation speed range, a feedback signal is provided on the display allowing the operator to progress to the next procedural step.

Abstract: A bed including a frame, a deck coupled to the frame and a communication network located on the bed has at least two modules connected to the network, at least one of those modules being able to provide an alarm message to the bed communication network.