Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for tissue engagement. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw that each includes a body portion and an ear located adjacent to the body portion. The body portion is configured to receive an acoustic stack and the ear includes a slot configured to receive a first pin. The first and second jaws include an opening located between the body portion and the ear. The opening is configured to receive a second pin such that the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to rotate about the second pin.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The high intensity focused ultrasound device can include a transducer for producing high intensity focused ultrasound. The transducer includes a shell configured to receive an acoustic stack. The acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and a plurality of electrodes. The transducer includes an air-filled pocket formed between the inner surface of the shell and the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack, wherein the air-filled pocket is configured to ensure high efficiency of the transducer.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The high intensity focused ultrasound device can include a transducer for producing high intensity focused ultrasound. The transducer includes a shell configured to receive an acoustic stack. The acoustic stack includes a piezoelectric layer, a matching layer, and a plurality of electrodes. The transducer includes an air-filled pocket formed between the inner surface of the shell and the piezoelectric layer of the acoustic stack, wherein the air-filled pocket is configured to ensure high efficiency of the transducer.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The device includes an apparatus for tissue engagement. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw that each includes a body portion and an ear located adjacent to the body portion. The body portion is configured to receive an acoustic stack and the ear includes a slot configured to receive a first pin. The first and second jaws include an opening located between the body portion and the ear. The opening is configured to receive a second pin such that the first jaw and the second jaw are configured to rotate about the second pin.

Abstract: Various devices related to a therapeutic ultrasound device for use during a medical procedure to cauterize tissue are disclosed. The therapeutic ultrasound device can include an inner tube assembly and an outer tube assembly. The device can further include a tissue engagement assembly that is secured to the distal end of the inner tube and the distal end of the outer tube. The tissue engagement assembly includes a plurality of transducers configured to provide therapeutic ultrasound. The device can include a housing assembly that is secured to the proximal end of the inner tube and the proximal end of the outer tube. The housing assembly can include a handle configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube to engage and disengage the tissue engagement assembly.

Abstract: A minimally invasive, percutaneous system that allows for dynamic stabilization of the spine is provided, together with methods of using the system. The system comprises a first bone anchoring member that is anchored in a first vertebra, and a second bone anchoring member that is anchored in a second, adjacent, vertebra. The first and second bone anchoring members include a first head portion and second head portion, respectively, that are designed to hold first and second ends of a flexible, elongated member, or cord. In certain embodiments, the cord is provided with a stiffened, relatively inflexible, end portion that is fixedly attached to the cord and that facilitates threading of the cord through the first and second head portions.

Abstract: High intensity ultrasound (HIU) is used to facilitate surgical procedures, such as a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, with minimal bleeding. An apparatus is configured to emit HIU from one or more transducers that are attached to a minimally invasive surgical instrument. Such a tool preferably can provide sufficient clamping pressure to collapse blood vessels' walls, so that they will be sealed by the application of the HIU, and by the resulting thermal ablation and tissue cauterization. Such an instrument can provide feedback to the user that the lesion is completely transmural and that blood flow to the region distal of the line of thermal ablation has ceased. Similar instruments having opposed arms can be configured for use in conventional surgical applications as well. Instruments can be implemented with transducers on only one arm, and an ultrasound reflective material disposed on the other arm.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents as a low pressure high velocity spray into tissue. According to the particular desired spray characteristics, the spray may be generated via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic spray charging, or via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic atomization. Particle velocity, spray flow-rate, and spray dispersion are further controlled via electrostatic means.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus and methodology is described that produces medical devices, such as scaffolds that induce the formation of a natural fibrous structure (primarily collagen and elastin) in a tissue-engineered medical device. The apparatus uses collection surfaces designed to manipulate or change the electrostatic field so that the electrospun fibers are arranged in desirable patterns that are similar to or mimic the fibrillar structure of an animal tissue. The manipulation results in fibers that are preferentially oriented in a predefined pattern. In addition, the interfiber space between the fibers and the fiber diameter are consistently within a predefined range. Using these techniques in conjunction with controlling polymer properties enables the production of a scaffold that has the structural and mechanical characteristics similar to the native tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic agents as a low pressure high velocity spray into tissue. According to the particular desired spray characteristics, the spray may be generated via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic spray charging, or via the combined use of pressure atomization and electrostatic atomization. Particle velocity, spray flow-rate, and spray dispersion are further controlled via electrostatic means.

Abstract: A minimally invasive, percutaneous system that allows for dynamic stabilization of the spine is provided, together with methods of using the system. The system comprises a first bone anchoring member that is anchored in a first vertebra, and a second bone anchoring member that is anchored in a second, adjacent, vertebra. The first and second bone anchoring members include a first head portion and second head portion, respectively, that are designed to hold first and second ends of a flexible, elongated member, or cord. In certain embodiments, the cord is provided with a stiffened, relatively inflexible, end portion that is fixedly attached to the cord and that facilitates threading of the cord through the first and second head portions.