Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a viscous material includes a dispenser body having an inlet and a discharge orifice. A valve element is mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position allowing flow from the discharge orifice, and a closed position preventing flow therefrom. An actuator is coupled to the valve element for actuation between the open and closed positions. A heat exchanger having a serpentine passage and a heater is coupled thereto, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with the dispenser body. The passage is configured to deliver the viscous material to the inlet at a uniform temperature. A method of dispensing a viscous material includes positioning a heat exchanger, having a fluid passage and a heater, in thermal communication with the dispenser body, and heating the material flowing through the fluid passage to a uniform temperature prior to delivering it to the inlet.

Abstract: A sense head comprises a plurality of coils and a needle window. The sense head is operable to receive RF signals communicated from a needle target such as an injection port located within a patient. A user interface is configured to visually display an indication to a user relating to the positioning and orientation of the sense head relative to the needle target. The positioning and orientation may be determined based on RF signals received by the coils in the sense head. With the sense head positioned based on information provided through the visual display, the user may insert a needle through the needle window to reach the needle target. The sense head may also receive communications relating to the pressure of fluid in an implanted device. The user interface may further display information relating to the fluid pressure in the implanted device.

Abstract: An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device includes one or more pressure sensors configured to sense pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device. Pressure data obtained by the one or more pressure sensors may be communicated to a device located external to the patient, which may process the pressure data, and may further provide a display to a user including information relating to the processed pressure data. Where the implantable restriction device comprises an adjustable gastric band, the one or more pressure sensors may be located in any number of the following locations: an injection port, an interface between the injection port and a catheter, in a catheter, in-line with a catheter, adjacent to a catheter, in a gastric band, in a gastric band buckle, or elsewhere.

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: A restriction system, such as an adjustable gastric band, for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The system includes a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction. The system further includes an implanted port connected to the restriction device. The port contains a working fluid for affecting the size of the restriction. The system further includes a pressure sensing system in communication with the working fluid for measuring the pressure of the working fluid and transmitting pressure measurement data to an external monitor.

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: 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: 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 adjustable sphincter system is comprised of a band configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, a manual pump, a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the band and the manual pump. The valve assembly is comprised of a first configuration and a second configuration, and is operable to be manually switched between configurations. The first configuration only permits fluid to flow from the band toward the reservoir. The second configuration only permits fluid to flow from the reservoir toward the band. The manual pump is in fluid communication with the valve assembly and the reservoir, and is manually operable to transfer fluid between the reservoir and the band when the valve assembly is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Fluid dispensers and methods for dispensing viscous fluids with improved edge definition. Pressurized fluid is periodically supplied in pulses to nozzles in a nozzle plate of a dispensing head as the dispensing head is moved by a multi-axis stage relative to a stationary substrate. Droplets are discharged from the nozzles and impact on the substrate. The droplets coalesce together to define the coating. The discharge from one or more groups of nozzles can be temporarily suspended to avoid coating a component or area on the substrate while adjacent areas continue to receive droplets of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a viscous material includes a dispenser body having an inlet and a discharge orifice. A valve element is mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position allowing flow from the discharge orifice, and a closed position preventing flow therefrom. An actuator is coupled to the valve element for actuation between the open and closed positions. A heat exchanger having a serpentine passage and a heater is coupled thereto, wherein the heater is in thermal communication with the dispenser body. The passage is configured to deliver the viscous material to the inlet at a uniform temperature. A method of dispensing a viscous material includes positioning a heat exchanger, having a fluid passage and a heater, in thermal communication with the dispenser body, and heating the material flowing through the fluid passage to a uniform temperature prior to delivering it to the inlet.

Abstract: A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume for hydraulic control of a gastric band. A piezoelectric driver (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic enclosure or case such as titanium. Directly sensing a position of the metal bellows yields an accurate reading of volume contained therein, allowing for closed-loop control of the gastric band.

Abstract: A remotely controlled gastric band system that is practically immune to external magnetic fields, such as from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, incorporates a bi-directional pump and fluid reservoir to adjust fluid volume in a gastric band. A piezoelectrically driven (e.g., rotary actuator, linear actuator) selectively compresses and expands a metal bellows hermetically sealed within a biocompatible and nonferromagnetic case such as titanium.

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, by a combination of thermodynamic actuation and a piezo-electrically disengaged drum brake assembly that thereby achieves a desirable small volume device. A propellant within a propellant cavity surrounds a metal bellows accumulator biased at body temperature to either expand or collapse the bellows accumulator with the opposite direction of movement effected by a thermal element that heats in combination with a negatively-biased propellant or cools in combination with a positively-biased propellant.

Abstract: An implantable adjustable sphincter system is comprised of a band configured to encircle a portion of an anatomical passageway, a manual pump, a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the band and the manual pump. The valve assembly is comprised of a first configuration and a second configuration, and is operable to be manually switched between configurations. The first configuration only permits fluid to flow from the band toward the reservoir. The second configuration only permits fluid to flow from the reservoir toward the band. The manual pump is in fluid communication with the valve assembly and the reservoir, and is manually operable to transfer fluid between the reservoir and the band when the valve assembly is in the second configuration.

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, by a combination of thermodynamic actuation and a piezo-electrically disengaged drum brake assembly that thereby achieves a desirable small volume device. A propellant within a propellant cavity surrounds a metal bellows accumulator biased at body temperature to either expand or collapse the bellows accumulator with the opposite direction of movement effected by a thermal element that heats in combination with a negatively-biased propellant or cools in combination with a positively-biased propellant.

Abstract: An implantable device, such as an infuser device for bidirectional hydraulically controlling a medical artificial sphincter, enhances power transfer characteristics to a secondary coil thereby allowing implantation to greater physical depths and/or enclosing the secondary coil within a housing of the infuser device. The enhanced power transfer is achieved with multiple coils that are longitudinally aligned and physical and electrical parallel to form the secondary loop of a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TET) instead of a single coil. It better optimizes the power transfer from a parallel tuned tank circuit primary coil to an implanted secondary series tuned tank circuit coil.

Abstract: A mechanical amplifier has an elongated beam rotatable about a virtual pivot point in an amount proportional to the displacement of an actuator connected to the amplifier. A pair of ceramic multilayer piezoelectric actuators apply forces to opposite sides of the elongated beam causing rotation of the beam about the virtual pivot point in an amount proportional to the displacement of the actuators. In addition, a pair of flexures are connected to the opposite sides of the beam and to a frame. The frame functions as a substantially non-vibrating mechanical ground. The shape of the mechanical amplifier elements including the flexures, the beam and connectors for the flexures and actuators are designed to substantially maintain the virtual pivot point of the beam under load conditions within or near an area defined by the intersection of the axes of the flexures and the actuator forces.

Abstract: A fiber optic signal collection system and method for position sensing or sensing other parameters indicated by light distinctive patterns. The system is particularly suitable for use in aircraft flight control. The system includes a set of fiber optic fibers with first and second ends. The first ends are disposed adjacent a light distinctive pattern indicating a particular pattern such as a relative position. A portion of the second ends are positioned adjacent a light source and a portion of the second ends are disposed adjacent a light sensing electrical device such that light from the light source can be conveyed through the fibers, reflected from the light distinctive pattern, and conveyed through the fibers to the light sensing electrical device in order to detect the pattern in the electrical device.