Abstract: An occlusion clearing device for a patient has a housing with a motor(s) that generates repetitive motion, which is reciprocating, rotational or both. A clearing stem including a sheath that has a lumen, wherein aspiration is conducted through the sheath lumen. A wire is located in the sheath lumen and receives repetitive motion from the controller. The sheath terminates in a sheath end having at least one sheath opening. The wire terminates in a wire tip, which may be flat, helical, or tubular. The wire tip is positioned within the sheath end, in proximity to the sheath opening(s), and movement of the wire tip and/or sheath end relative to each other creates shearing forces that break up an adjacent occlusion.

Abstract: A handheld lancing device having anesthetic feature includes a housing removably retaining a disposable lancet. A carriage suspended within the housing by an isolation assembly may receive the lancet. A motor in mechanical communication with the lancet produces vibrations transmitted to contact surface, which vibrate a target lancing site prior to and during piercing. The target site is vibrated for a predetermined period of time before deploying the lancet. The isolation assembly permits movement of the carriage and/or lancet within the housing in one direction while limiting movement in other directions, and further dampens the vibrations of the motor from the housing held by the user. A force sensor detects force applied by the pressing of the contact surface against the skin of the patient. An indicator(s) perceivable to the user identifies when predefined positions of the lancet are reached for initiating vibration then triggering the lancet.

Abstract: An automatic insertion device and method of using the same is provided. A vibrator and an extender are connected to a penetrating member and are both in electrical communication with a controller. A detector identifies a subcutaneous target for insertion and the insertion angle, distance and trajectory for the penetrating member are calculated. The vibrator provides vibrations to the penetrating member and the extender advances the penetrating member for insertion. The vibrator and extender are in electrical communication with one another during the insertion process and adjustments to the insertion speed are made based on feedback of vibrational load encountered by the vibrator during insertion, and adjustments to the vibrations are made based on feedback of insertion load encountered by the extender during insertion. Iterative samples are taken to constantly adjust the operation of one motor based on the operations and feedback from the other motor.

Abstract: A device for reducing foreign body response in a subject caused by an electrode implanted in a subject's tissue. A base is secured to the subject, having a base aperture in proximity to the target site. The base can receive and align a body thereon. A body contains a chamber extending between a chamber aperture, aligned with the base aperture, at one end and a chamber opening at an opposite end. The chamber contains an acoustic coupling medium, such as polyvinyl alcohol cryogel, transmits acoustic vibrations from a transducer without altering their frequency. The transducer is mounted to the device and is configured to transmit acoustic vibrations into the chamber and through said acoustic coupling medium to the subject tissue at the target site, creating an acoustic field in the target site sufficient to reduce foreign body response in the subject where the electrode contacts the target tissue.

Abstract: An implant insertion device includes a vibrational actuator generating axial vibrations, a coupler interconnected to the actuator and selectively retaining an implant with penetrating electrodes. The coupler has a distal end cavity at one end dimensioned to receive and retain at least a portion of the implant. Vibrations are transferred to the electrodes during insertion. A vacuum assembly connects to the coupler and provides a negative pressure, or suction force, when a vacuum source is attached and activated. This suction force is sufficient to hold the implant to the distal end of the coupler. Deactivation of the vacuum source removes the suction force, causing the implant to detach from the coupler without perturbation of position. The insertion device may then be removed. A system to coordinate the operation of the actuator and movement of the device and/or tissue relative to one another for delivery of the implant is also provided.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue with reduced force and placing a guidewire is provided. The device includes a driving actuator generating reciprocating motion at less than 20 kHz. A penetrating member having a lumen dimensioned to accommodate a guidewire is provided, and may be coaxial or axially offset from the driving actuator. A coupler mechanically connects the driving actuator and the penetrating member, transferring the reciprocating motion to the penetrating member. At least one frictional member facilitates the movement of the guidewire through the lumen for placement at the target tissue. The frictional member(s) may be operated manually or by a guidewire actuator. A housing including a channel also dimensioned to accommodate the guidewire may also be provided, and may further include the frictional member(s) for facilitating movement of the guidewire. A side port may also be included at the penetrating member or coupler for introduction of the guidewire.

Abstract: An insertion assembly for inserting a neural implant into target neural tissue. The insertion assembly includes a horn connecting to a vibrational actuator. A horn tip is configured to support an implant for insertion, such as the base of an implant having electrode(s). An implant stabilizer is displaceably affixed to the horn at a connection point for secure mounting while permitting flexing of the implant stabilizer. The implant stabilizer includes a first end positionable proximate to the horn tip and contacting the implant, and an opposite second end that may be selectively moved by force to adjust the position of the first end relative to the horn tip. A biasing member contacts the horn tip and first end of the implant stabilizer and urges the first end toward the horn tip to releaseably secure the implant to the horn tip. The biasing member may be selectively removed from the assembly.

Abstract: An automatic insertion device and method of using the same is provided. A vibrator and an extender are connected to a penetrating member and are both in electrical communication with a controller. A detector identifies a subcutaneous target for insertion and the insertion angle, distance and trajectory for the penetrating member are calculated. The vibrator provides vibrations to the penetrating member and the extender advances the penetrating member for insertion. The vibrator and extender are in electrical communication with one another during the insertion process and adjustments to the insertion speed are made based on feedback of vibrational load encountered by the vibrator during insertion, and adjustments to the vibrations are made based on feedback of insertion load encountered by the extender during insertion. Iterative samples are taken to constantly adjust the operation of one motor based on the operations and feedback from the other motor.

Abstract: A handheld lancing device having anesthetic feature includes a housing removably retaining a disposable lancet. A carriage suspended within the housing by an isolation assembly may receive the lancet. A motor in mechanical communication with the lancet produces vibrations transmitted to contact surface, which vibrate a target lancing site prior to and during piercing. The target site is vibrated for a predetermined period of time before deploying the lancet. The isolation assembly permits movement of the carriage and/or lancet within the housing in one direction while limiting movement in other directions, and further dampens the vibrations of the motor from the housing held by the user. A force sensor detects force applied by the pressing of the contact surface against the skin of the patient. An indicator(s) perceivable to the user identifies when predefined positions of the lancet are reached for initiating vibration then triggering the lancet.

Abstract: An occlusion clearing device and system for removing material from an artificial tube in situ includes a clearing stem having aspiration and irrigation conduits, where the irrigation conduit is disposed interior to, and terminates within the aspiration conduit. Material enters the clearing stem through aspiration, and irrigation is provided within the aspiration conduit to assist in aspiration through the clearing stem. A handset includes aspiration and irrigation tubing connecting to sources therefor, and further includes valves to control the flow through the tubing and conduits. These valves may be operated simultaneously with an actuator located on the handset, which may be done with one hand. A coupler at the operative end allows the clearing stem to gain access to the artificial tube for clearing while maintaining a closed system with a ventilator. Reciprocating motion may be generated and provided to the clearing stem to aid in occlusion removal.

Abstract: An occlusion clearing device for a patient has a housing with a motor(s) that generates repetitive motion, which is reciprocating, rotational or both. A clearing stem including a sheath that has a lumen, wherein aspiration is conducted through the sheath lumen. A wire is located in the sheath lumen and receives repetitive motion from the controller. The sheath terminates in a sheath end having at least one sheath opening. The wire terminates in a wire tip, which may be flat, helical, or tubular. The wire tip is positioned within the sheath end, in proximity to the sheath opening(s), and movement of the wire tip and/or sheath end relative to each other creates shearing forces that break up an adjacent occlusion.

Abstract: An occlusion clearing device for a patient has a housing with a motor(s) that generates repetitive motion, which is reciprocating, rotational or both. A clearing stem including a sheath that has a lumen, wherein aspiration is conducted through the sheath lumen. A wire is located in the sheath lumen and receives repetitive motion from the controller. The sheath terminates in a sheath end having at least one sheath opening. The wire terminates in a wire tip, which may be flat, helical, or tubular. The wire tip is positioned within the sheath end, in proximity to the sheath opening(s), and movement of the wire tip and/or sheath end relative to each other creates shearing forces that break up an adjacent occlusion.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue is provided that has a driving actuator with a body and motor shaft that is reciprocated. A coupler is attached to the motor shaft, and a key engages the driving actuator and coupler and limits rotational motion of the motor shaft and permits linear motion of the motor shaft. A penetrating member is carried by the coupler, and linear motion of the motor shaft is translated to the penetrating member to linearly reciprocate the penetrating member.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue for fluid collection and delivery is provided having a driving actuator interconnected to and driving axial reciprocating motion of a penetrating member. A hollow member attached between the penetrating member and a reservoir permits axial reciprocation of the penetrating member while isolating the vibrations from the reservoir. A handpiece allows for one-handed use of the device. A slider device attached to the reservoir permits one-handed delivery and extraction of materials from the reservoir.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue with reduced force and placing a guidewire is provided. The device includes a driving actuator generating reciprocating motion at less than 20 kHz. A penetrating member having a lumen dimensioned to accommodate a guidewire is provided, and may be coaxial or axially offset from the driving actuator. A coupler mechanically connects the driving actuator and the penetrating member, transferring the reciprocating motion to the penetrating member. At least one frictional member facilitates the movement of the guidewire through the lumen for placement at the target tissue. The frictional member(s) may be operated manually or by a guidewire actuator. A housing including a channel Iso dimensioned to accommodate the guidewire may also be provided, and may further include the frictional member(s) for facilitating movement of the guidewire. A side port may also be included at the penetrating member or coupler for introduction of the guidewire.

Abstract: A device for penetrating tissue with reduced force and placing a guidewire is provided. The device includes a driving actuator generating reciprocating motion. A penetrating member having a lumen dimensioned to accommodate a guidewire is provided. A coupler mechanically connects the driving actuator and the penetrating member to transfer the reciprocating motion to the penetrating member. The penetrating member may be coaxial or axially offset from the driving actuator. At least one frictional member facilitates the movement of the guidewire through the lumen for placement at the target tissue. The frictional member(s) may be operated manually or by a guidewire actuator. A housing may also be provided including a channel also dimensioned to accommodate the guidewire, and may further include the frictional member(s) for facilitating movement of the guidewire. The channel and lumen are aligned to permit placement of the guidewire at the target site.

Abstract: An occlusion clearing device and system for removing material from an artificial tube in situ includes a clearing stem having aspiration and irrigation conduits, where the irrigation conduit is disposed interior to, and terminates within the aspiration conduit. Material enters the clearing stem through aspiration, and irrigation is provided within the aspiration conduit to assist in aspiration through the clearing stem. A handset includes aspiration and irrigation tubing connecting to sources therefor, and further includes valves to control the flow through the tubing and conduits. These valves may be operated simultaneously with an actuator located on the handset, which may be done with one hand. A coupler at the operative end allows the clearing stem to gain access to the artificial tube for clearing while maintaining a closed system with a ventilator. Reciprocating motion may be generated and provided to the clearing stem to aid in occlusion removal.

Abstract: A system, device and method for insertion of a penetrating member into tissue is disclosed, which may be handheld and automated. A detector obtains data regarding subdermal locations of tissue structures, including cavities such as blood vessels. A processor calculates the distance between a preselected target point below the tissue surface, such as within a blood vessel, and the tissue surface, and adjustment data for vertical, angular and extension adjustment of the penetrating member. Vertical, angular and extension actuators carry out the adjustments in real-time as calculated and directed by the processor. Changes in the location of the target point result in automatic recalculation and adjustment by the processor and various actuators. A vibrational actuator induces vibration to the penetrating member during insertion, overcome tissue deformation and vein rolling. A guidewire may be inserted through or by the device, for dilator and catheter insertion once the penetrating member is removed.

Abstract: A device for removing secretions from an artificial tube is provided. The device may include a clearing catheter and a driving mechanism that may apply repetitive motion to the clearing catheter. In another version of the device, the clearing catheter may dispense irrigation fluid and aspirate the irrigation fluid. The clearing catheter may have an irrigation and an aspiration lumen that may both reciprocate with the clearing catheter. In another version a compliant member into which irrigation fluid is located may be present.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the force necessary to penetrate living being tissue using a variety of reciprocating motion actuators. The reciprocating actuator drives a penetrating member, such as a needle, through the tissue at a reduced force while the device detects the passage of the penetrating member through the tissue. Upon passage of the penetrating member through the tissue, a feedback system monitors electromechanical properties of a control signal of the device and automatically modifies control based thereon, e.g., electrical power to the reciprocating actuator is automatically terminated.