Abstract: A catheter assembly has a needle extending within a catheter and projecting from its patient end. A slider attached with the needle is slidable rearwardly along a protective housing so that the needle can be pulled out of the catheter into the housing. A resilient catch at the patient end of the housing has two plates with apertures through which the needle projects when extended, thereby holding two hooks on the catch in engagement with the catheter hub. The catheter cannot be pulled off the needle until the needle is pulled rearwardly of the catch and allows the hooks to release engagement with the hub.

Abstract: The catheter includes a catheter hub at its proximal end having a radially extending wing. The needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub. The needle may have at least one notch therein. The needle hub defines a radially extending fin thereon. When the introducer needle is inserted through the catheter such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, the fin on the needle hub extends beyond the distal end of the wing on the catheter hub. This arrangement allows the distal tip of the needle to be retracted into the catheter with a simple proximal motion by the healthcare worker.

Abstract: An applicator (10) to deliver a medication from a first interacting cylinder (15) and piston (16) and a marking dye from a second interacting cylinder (20) and piston (21). Extending from the second piston (21) is a piston rod (23) which is engaged by the second piston (16) so as to be moved thereby.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve which includes a tubular body having a lumen therethrough and an elongated housing attached to the tubular body. The body has a recess formed in one end. The housing has a longitudinal bore at one end and a compression chamber formed at another end which communicates with the bore. A resilient seal which comprises a cone-shaped membrane portion disposed in the recess for substantially blocking and controlling the loss of body fluids from the lumen. A compressible second seal for selectively opening and closing the bore in response to a compressive force is disposed in the compression chamber. The compressible seal has a longitudinal first passageway that communicates with the bore and a raised annular portion which serves as a selective opening to the bore. The compressible seal responds to compressive forces so as to reduce or increase the size of the opening provided by the raised annular portion to selectively seal or unseal the bore.

Abstract: A modular safety needle cannula device that can be stored independently from the syringe that it will be used with, wherein when it is to be used the modular safety needle cannula device is attached or fixed to a suitable syringe, used to inject medicament into a body and than the used needle cannula is suitably disposed into an elongated module wherein the needle cannula cannot prick or harm a person. The device is comprised of a hub that is used to attach the device to a standard syringe, a capsule, a slideable piston, a compressed biased spring, a needle cannula that is straight and rigid on the first end and curved or flexible between the first end and the second end and wherein the second end of the needle cannula is fixed to the hub. A trigger or release means holds the slideable piston near the first end of the elongated capsule.

Abstract: A catheter exchange member is provided for reducing exchange time when replacing one catheter (or similar device) with another in the vascular anatomy of a patient. The catheter exchange member includes a tubular body having a proximal and a distal end and a central lumen. A tapered fixture having a distal port and a proximal opening which is larger than the distal port is attached to the tubular body at the distal port. An elongate shaft is attached to and extends proximally from either the tapered fixture or the tubular body. The exchange member is preferably used within a conventional guiding catheter where the tubular body is advanced through a distal end of the guiding catheter and into the coronary artery while the tapered fixture remains in the guiding catheter. This configuration allows various therapeutic and diagnostic devices to be stored within the guiding catheter just proximal to the tapered fixture.

Abstract: A suprapubic fluid collection device contains leakage from an ostomy site. The device comprises an adhesive patch, a collection bag, and a urinary catheter. The adhesive patch has adhesive on one side for securing the patch around the ostomy site and a ring member projecting from the other side. The ring member circumscribes the ostomy site. The collection bag has a first opening and a channel member circumscribing the first opening and projecting from the exterior of the collection bag. The channel member of the collection bag mates with and secures the ring member of the adhesive patch. The collection bag has a second opening formed therein and a drainage spout communicating with the interior of the collection bag. The urinary catheter extends within the interior of the collection bag between the second opening and the first opening. The catheter has a distal end for insertion within a human bladder and a proximal end.

Abstract: A garment (1) is disclosed for fixing a urine bag (2) on the leg (3) of a user. The garment includes a tubular part (6) having elastic bands (9, 10) at its ends, said bands fitting tightly around the leg (3) of the user. The tubular part is provided with an integrally formed pocket (11), the tubular part being formed by a dual layer knitted structure except in the area of the pocket (11). At the pocket bottom (13) there is an opening (14) for the discharge pipe (15) of the urine bag. The garment (1) is manufactured easily in endless webs, which are separated, and subsequently the two end edges (31, 32) are knitted together (33) in order to form the tubular shape. The garment provides safe fixing of the urine bag (2) as the latter will be supported inside the pocket (11) and be held against the leg of the user due to the elastic bands (9, 10), which are dimensioned so as to be able to carry a full urine bag.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a garment shell and at least one liquid containment beam formed of an absorbent material. The liquid containment beam has an attachment edge bonded to the garment shell so that the containment beam can lie against the garment shell and also pivot about an axis defined by the attachment edge. For comfort during use, the containment beam desirably has a width to thickness ratio of at least about 3:1. In particular embodiments, the absorbent article includes pairs of inner and outer containment beams, with the inner containment beams adapted to lie against the garment shell and the outer containment beams adapted to lie against the inner containment beams.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a perfusion stent and method for implanting the same in a TMR channel for perfusing blood to ischemic areas of the head. The stent includes a head and a stem extending perpendicular to the head. The stem includes a cylinder having a plurality of holes. The method comprises the steps of creating the TMR channel, and implanting the perfusion stent within the TMR channel in order for blood within a ventricle to enter the stem and be perfused to the heart muscle.

Abstract: A catheter for evaluating the competency of a mitral valve has a main lumen and at least one additional lumen for venting the area immediately adjacent the catheter. The vent lumen has multiple vent apertures provided along the length thereof to ensure thorough venting. Preferably, a third lumen fluidly connected to a pressure-sensing device is also integrally formed into the catheter. In practice, the distal end of the catheter is inserted through an access aperture formed in the aorta, passed through the aortic valve into the left ventricle. Pressurized fluid is injected into the left ventricle through the main lumen of the catheter. The fluid pressure within the left ventricle is monitored through the pressure-sensing lumen while the surgeon visually inspects the valve competency. The vents are utilized prior and subsequent to evaluating the competency of the valve for removing air and fluid from the area adjacent the catheter.

Abstract: A sheath assembly for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath assembly includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member with a conically shaped cap at its distal end. A locking mechanism prevents advancement of the inner tubular member and associated cap in a distal direction of the vessel of the patient independent of the outer tubular member, but allows free movement of the inner tubular member in the proximal direction independent of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter body, a tip section, and a control handle. The catheter body has proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The control handle is located at the proximal end of the catheter body. The tip section has proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough, with the proximal end of the tip section being fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. A tip electrode is fixedly attached at the distal end of the tip section. The tip electrode has a blind hole extending therethrough. A wire, preferably a puller wire, extends and is fixedly attached into the blind hole of the tip electrode. At least two temperature sensors are fixedly attached along the length of the wire within the blind hole.

Abstract: A wire frame made of conductive material has a proximal end and a distal end. The wire frame is adapted for receiving an electrical potential from a remote power source. A loop of wire is disposed at the distal end of the wire frame, and a roller is disposed between the proximal end of the wire frame and the loop of wire. The wire frame is insulated, with the exception of the loop of wire and a portion of the wire frame contacting the roller. A source of suction adapted for removing gases from an area within the vicinity of the roller is activated when the electric potential is applied to the wire frame and the roller is placed in contact with human or animal tissue to thereby perform fulguration thereon. The source of suction is adapted to be reversed in order to provide a positive flow of fluid onto the roller, when the electrical potential is not applied to the wire frame.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cauterization having a handle, shaft portion, and a tool. The tool is fixed to a shaft portion comprising a tube and an actuating member coaxial with the tube and adapted to be moved relative to the tube. The tool includes a generally tubular body adapted to be mounted on the end of a tube of the shaft portion. The body includes a pair of axially extending yoke arms. A pair of moveable jaws are pivotally attached to the yoke arms. Each jaw includes an elongate gripping portion having electrical contacts fixed thereto. The electrical contacts are adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power. A pair of connectors are adapted to operatively couple a respective jaw to the actuating member of the shaft portion such that movement of the actuating member relative to the tube of the shaft portion causes pivotal relative movement of the pair of jaws. The surgical instrument further includes a contact assembly housed in the handle.

Abstract: A method of treating a fracture in a long bone comprises the initial step of providing an implant that includes one of a bone plate or an intramedullary nail having a length sized to span the fracture. The implant has at least one opening therethrough that is positioned at a location along its length, and has an amount of resorbable material at least partially filling the at least one opening. The implant is positioned at an implantation site spanning the fracture. A first bore is drilled into the long bone and through the resorbable material along a drill axis. A fastener is then inserted into the long bone through the at least one opening.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an orthopaedic template system for use with a bone (14) having a shaft and a bearing surface at an end of the shaft. A first template (30) is attachable to the bone end adjacent to the bearing surface, and includes a first saw guide surface or slot (40). A joint locator (10) is used to position the first template (30) relative to the bearing surface. A second template (50) is pivotally attachable to the first template (30), whereby the second template (50) may be selectively positioned at one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to the first template. A third template (70) includes a second saw guide surface or slot (78), and is attachable to the first template (30) at a plurality of locations (72, 74, 76), whereby the second saw guide slot (78) may be selectively positioned relative to the first saw guide slot (40).

Abstract: The invention provides anchoring devices and methods for coupling an object, such as a suture or soft tissue, to bone. In one aspect of the invention, a bone anchor is placed into compression fit with a predrilled bone hole by pulling an insertion stem at least partially into an anchoring element. In its non-expanded state, the anchoring element is slidably mounted on the proximal end of the insertion stem. The anchoring element has an axial channel at least a portion of which has an inner diameter (or cross-section) smaller than an outer diameter (or cross-section) of at least one portion of the insertion stem. As that larger portion of the insertion stem is pulled through the channel, it causes the walls of the anchoring element to expand outwardly and, thereby, to engage the bone hole walls in a pressure or compression fit.

Abstract: A cable tensioning device comprises tubular shaft having an outer threaded portion, and a handle member surrounding a portion of the shaft, with the shaft and handle member being connected in screw-threaded relation. The shaft moves longitudinally relative to the handle as the handle rotates, driven by the screw threaded connection. A gripping member is carried on the shaft distal to the handle member for holding a replaceable bit, which, in turn, may carry a cable crimp. A cable lock is positioned typically proximal of the handle member to hold the ends of cables extending through the tubular shaft. Rotation of the handle member can cause the shaft to move longitudinally to lengthen the distance between the cable lock and a crimp held by a bit which, in turn, is held by the gripping member, to impose a tension on the cable. A meter is present for measuring the amount of tension applied to the cable.

Abstract: Percutaneous tissue removal apparatus include a flexible drill shaft, a cutting tip mounted on the shaft for placement adjacent a tissue mass for cutting the tissue, a mechanism for transmitting motion to the shaft to move the cutting tip against the tissue to cut tissue fragments from the tissue, and structure for removing the tissue fragments along the shaft by suction to a location outside the tissue mass while cutting. The apparatus may include structure for collecting one or more selected components of the harvested tissue fragments for implantation of the fragments preferably into the body of the patient from whom they were removed. Where the tissue to be cut is bone, a cutting tip is preferably made of a polymeric material which is softer than the cortical portion of the bone, although the cutting tip may be made of a ceramic or a composite material. A second flexible shaft may be provided either within or about the flexible drill shaft.

Abstract: A guide and cutting system is provided that is effective to accurately and efficiently resect a bone, such as the femur, to accept joint prosthesis components. In particular, the guide and cutting system of the invention is useful to resect the distal end of the femur to form an intercondylar notch therein that will accept a posterior stabilized femoral component in the prosthesis. The system includes a guide component that with a square bushing is attachable to bone or to a separate guide assembly. A cutting device that includes a rotatable cutting device disposed inside a non-rotatable housing is insertable within the guide bushing to effect bone resection.

Abstract: A surgical cable system and method for securing surgical cable around a portion of a human element (e.g., bone) is described. The surgical cable system may include a connector and a tensioner. The connector may be adapted to hold a pin, positionable within the connector, such that the pin may secure the cable within the connector. The pin may be repositioned, after securing the cable, to allow the cable to move freely through the connector. The cable may be oriented within the connector such that the ends of the cable are pependicular or parallel with respect to each other. The tensioner is preferably adapted to vary the tension of the cable. The cable may be passed through the connector, around a portion of a human bone, and back through the connector. The cable may be tensioned by use of the tensioner and secured into position within the connector.

Abstract: A novel system and method for anchoring a suture or other cord-like element to a bone or other workpiece. The system comprises a drill for forming an undercut hole in a bone or other workpiece, an anchor for securing a suture or other cord-like element in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece, and an inserter for deploying the anchor in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece.

Abstract: A balloon delivery system for deploying stents including a balloon catheter, and a stent fixedly positioned on the balloon portion of the balloon catheter by at least one protrusion such as annular cuff formed around the balloon. The balloon can include two or more continuous or discontinuous cuffs formed along the balloon which maintain one or more stents in position on the balloon. The protrusion can be created from excess material of the balloon which is configured in a desired fashion around the balloon to form the protrusion. The protrusion improves the fixation of the stent on the balloon catheter until the balloon is inflated to deploy the stent within a body lumen. The protrusion restrains the movement of the stent without a significant change in the overall profile of the balloon delivery system.

Abstract: The obstetrical vacuum extractor includes a vacuum cup molded of a first, relatively rigid material, with a lip of a second, relatively soft material secured along the basal opening. An elongated hollow stem which may be coupled to a vacuum source communicates with the interior and, accordingly, the basal opening of the vacuum cup. The first, relatively rigid material of the cup is preferably substantially transparent so that the physician may readily monitor the condition of the fetal scalp throughout delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for human female sterilization. The apparatus includes an occlusive device configured from an elongate tubular member having a central lumen and a flange formed at the proximal end. The occlusive device is formed with a plurality of flexible ribs configured to provide a plurality of seals within the interstitial portion of a Fallopian tube. A valve member is preferably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member. The occlusive device may further include a plurality of copper rings disposed between the ribs of the tubular member, or ribs may be coated with a material containing copper. The method includes placing the occlusive device within a delivery catheter having a lumen and placing the distal end of the delivery catheter within the uterus. After the occlusive device and distal end of the delivery catheter are placed in the Fallopian tube, the occlusive device is removed from the delivery catheter and ejected into the Fallopian tube.

Abstract: A needle for endoscopic surgery is curved into an arc of more than 180.degree. and twisted, so that it forms a part of a spiral, with a lateral offset between the needle point and barrel. The needle is sized to fit through a 10 mm trocar and is also blackened, to improve its visibility in a bloody field. The needle curvature is preferably not constant over its entire length, so that different sections have different radii of curvature. The needle is particularly well adapted for performing laporascopically a procedure (Burch Colposuspension) that is used to treat female stress incontinence.

Abstract: A sheath defines a lumen. A mesh portion is coupled to the sheath and is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. An elongate member is disposed in the lumen and is operably attached to one of the mesh portion and the sheath such that longitudinal movement of the elongate member within the lumen causes movement of the mesh portion between the expanded position and the retracted position. The sheath and the mesh portion are introduced into the body along with an end effectuator. The mesh portion is moved to its expanded position to form an object supporting surface. The surface is used to support an object, such as a stone, during a medical treatment procedure using the end effectuator.

Abstract: This invention is for a surgical method for modifying the curvature of the cornea. The method involves making a semicircular lamellar cut on the cornea to form a superficial layer which remains connected to the cornea in a superior zone so as to form a flap. The superficial is raised to expose the underlying surfaces which are subjected to the desired ablation. The superficial layer is then replaced over the underlying surface so as to adhere. By forming a flap with the connecting hinge region in a superior zone, the flap which is raised during the operation and then replaced will be smoothed over the remaining part of the cornea under the effects of the blinking movement of the eyelid and by gravity. This encourages the distension and centering of the superficial layer and enhances the effects of the ablative treatment. The method of the invention also provides greater ease and convenience to the surgeon performing the method.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal actuation handle and a flexible guiding catheter having a channeling lumen, a suction lumen, and a control lumen. The guiding catheter has a slit opening into the control lumen at its distal end. A hollow cutting member extends through the channeling lumen and is moveable distally relative to the guiding catheter with a cutting actuation mechanism. The cutting member is preferably a section of thin walled hypodermic tubing having a sharpened distal end and is provided with a first proximal connector for coupling the cutting member to a first pressure regulator. A flexible control wire extends through the control lumen and is movable distally and rotatably relative to the guiding catheter with a control actuation mechanism. The control wire is sufficiently flexible to buckle with each contraction of the heart and has a foot at its distal end located beyond the distal end of the guiding catheter and movable relative thereto by movement of the control wire.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of a type for incising various types of material. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to tailor thermally induced tissue effects. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope or trocar sheath. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of a type for incising various types of material. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to tailor thermally induced tissue effects. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope or trocar sheath. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described for use in medical procedures to, for example, dissect or cut living organic tissue. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an outer sheath, a waveguide, and an improved acoustic isolation element. The acoustic isolation element is bonded to both the ultrasonic waveguide and the interior surface of the outer sheath, creating an acoustic isolation seal. The improved acoustic isolation element seals the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument, substantially improving its ability to reduce or eliminate penetration by liquids or other contaminants during, for example, soaking or steam autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: This is a device for occluding a space within the body, and particularly, it is useful as a vaso-occlusive device. In particular, it typically comprises a metallic core or core member, and two polymeric conjuncts, often polymeric members, of differing thrombogenicity. Typically, the core member will comprise a metallic helically-wound coil; the first polymeric member and second polymeric member will be fibrous materials woven into a braid. These devices may be placed at the desired site within a mammal to facilitate the formation of an occlusion. The inventive device has been found to promote the formation of scar tissue, healing tissue, or neocapillaries in vascular occlusions made by the device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the patency of an inflated tube in a pneumatic medical device. The method includes inflating the tubing of the device, generating a pneumatic pulse at one part of the tubing by varying pressure in the tubing, sensing at another part of the tubing the variation of the pressure, determining the time between the generated and sensed pressure, and producing a human-perceptible signal when the time between the generated and sensed pressure exceeds a reference level.

Abstract: A system, a closure, and method of use for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a blood vessel. The puncture includes an opening in the vessel wall and a tract leading to the opening. The system includes an introducer sheath and associated positioning device, a hemostatic puncture closure, and a deployment instrument. The positioning device enables the introducer sheath to be positioned at a desired position within the vessel. The deployment instrument includes a tubular carrier storing the closure. The closure comprises a rigid, e.g., radio-opaque, anchor, a compressed collagen plug, and a thin filament connecting the two in a pulley-like arrangement. The instrument and introducer are used to introduce the closure into the puncture, with the anchor located within the artery and with the collagen plug within the puncture tract. A locking member is provided to hold the closure in place at its operative position, whereupon hemostasis occurs rapidly, thereby sealling the puncture.

Abstract: This is a device for bridging the neck of either a wide-necked or narrow-necked aneurysm as may be found in the vasculature. It may be used to stabilize the placement of vaso-occlusive devices such as helically wound coils in the aneurysm or may be used to, at least partially, close the aneurysm neck. The vaso-occlusive devices, commonly helically wound coils, are delivered by a core wire which is linked to the coils by an electrolytically severable joint. The core wire will often be insulated. The retainer assembly itself is also attached to another delivery device, such as a core wire, and desirably is severed from the core or delivery wire by the use of another electrolytically severable joint. The inventive neck bridge typically has a number of array elements which are intended to be resident within the aneurysm after the device is deployed from the distal end of a catheter. Central to this invention is the use of array elements having differing flexibility or constituent members of the array elements, e.

Abstract: A method of suturing using a suture with an attached needle includes placing the suture at a desired site to be sutured by passing the needle from a first member of a suture passing forceps to a second member of the forceps. The suture is then secured at the site by passing the needle through a suture receiving passage in an outer member of a suture securing device to position a portion of the suture therein, and inserting an inner member of the suture securing device into the passage to secure the portion of the suture between the inner and outer members. The needle is passed through the passage by threading the needle through a suture threader disposed in the passage, and pulling the threader from the passage. The suture threader has one end terminating in the needled suture and an opposite end terminating in a suture receiving loop.

Abstract: A backbone straightening device includes a base plate, a platform member firmly secured to the base plate, and a plurality of circular ring-shaped supporting members. The platform member has a vertical cavity and two obliquely angled cavities. The vertical cavity is formed in a generally central area on a top surface of the platform member and has a rectangular opening in plan view, and the two obliquely angled cavities are respectively formed on opposite sides of the vertical cavity.

Abstract: A distraction pump for manipulation of the spinal column and associated bodily structures having a pump body and two arms coupled to the body, one of the arms being movable relative to the other arm. Each arm has displacement means coupled to it. The distraction pump has a handle that is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position and actuator means operatively for causing the two displacement means to be moved from a first relative position when the handle is in the non-actuated position to a second relative position when the handle is in the actuated position.

Abstract: A portable defibrillator having a defibrillator circuit, a body for housing a defibrillator circuit, and a hook coupled to the body is disclosed. The hook is positionable in an extended position and a retracted position. When in the extended position, the hook is poised to receive a member of an external structure, such as a gurney or hospital bed, and thereby enables the defibrillator to hang from the external structure. The body of the defibrillator may provide a deflectable member positioned to engage a depression formed in the outer surface of the hook when the hook is in the extended position, thus retaining the hook in the extending position. In a similar fashion, the deflectable member may be used to retain the hook in the retracted position. A user interface panel may be disposed on the front of the body of the defibrillator for providing information to and receiving information from a user of the defibrillator.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device, particularly a cardiac pacemaker, which is enslaved to a signal representative of acceleration, having a measuring circuit (10) comprising at least one sensor (12) delivering a signal of acceleration, and circuits (22-24) to deliver, in response to the signal of acceleration, a parameter of enslavement of at least one function of the device, particularly that of a cardiac stimulation frequency. According to the invention, a circuit (24) operates to limit, in the detection of increase in acceleration, a value linked to the module of the signal of acceleration. Preferably, the limitation is operated on a value proportional to the square of the signal of acceleration, more particularly on a quadratic sum of individual acceleration components (X.sub.i, Y.sub.i, Z.sub.i) according to at least two distinct axes delivered by a respective number of sensors.

Abstract: An implantable tissue stimulator includes a polymer film capacitor adhered to an inside wall surface of the stimulator's case or housing in a way that minimizes the size and weight of the stimulator device. The energy storage capacitor for the tissue stimulator comprises a monolithic, multi-layer device and where the polymer is a suitable acrylate of a known formulation, over 1500 parallel plate capacitor electrodes can be built it with the height dimension of the resulting capacitor being less than about 3 mms. Instead of forming the capacitor on the inner surface of the stimulator's case in situ, such a capacitor can be formed on a mold member corresponding in shape to the inner surface of the stimulator's case and inserted into the stimulator's case following removal from the mold.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis comprises a camera for perceiving a visual image and generating a visual signal output, retinal tissue stimulation circuitry adapted to be operatively attached to the user's retina, and wireless communication circuitry for transmitting the visual signal output to the retinal tissue stimulation circuitry within the eye. To generate the visual signal output the camera converts a visual image to electrical impulses which are sampled to selecting an image at a given point in time. The sampled image signal is then encoded to allow a pixelized display of it. This signal then is used to modulate a radio frequency carrier signal. A tuned coil pair having a primary and a secondary coil are used to transmit and receive the RF modulated visual signal which is then demodulated within the eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcurrent electrotherapy device that is pre-programmed to produce a series of different microcurrent waveform signals that are directed to a selected treatment area of a human or animal. More particularly, the electrotherapy device is pre-programmed to produce a sequence of different pulsed and continuous direct microcurrent waveforms. In one programmed mode, the programmed electrotherapy device produces a pulsed direct current waveform of approximately 10 .mu.A to 100 .mu.A which is followed by a second treatment phase of a direct microcurrent of approximately 300 .mu.A to 1000 .mu.A which is followed by a third treatment phase of pulsed direct microcurrent of approximately 50 to 250 .mu.A.

Abstract: A device which is shaped like a mitt or glove and has surfaces for covering the palm and back of the human hand. Each of the palm and back surfaces is formed as a plenum which is filled with a heat exchange material. The heat exchange material is selected to provide cooling over a reasonably extended period of time, at an appropriate therapeutic temperature. The heat exchange material is preferably a phase change material such as a paraffinic phase change material having a phase change temperature on the order of 50.degree. F. However, other temperatures and materials are contemplated. The mitt or glove is made of a flexible plastic sheet material such as a tripolymer material or polypropylene. The mitt is formed of four die cut sheets of the plastic sheet material which are shaped in the pattern of the outline of a human hand and forearm. The patterned sheets are stacked together and heat sealed together along their periphery.

Abstract: An implantable electrode for stimulating tissue has a piezoelectric electrode for electrically and mechanically stimulating tissue and for detecting electrical and mechanical evoked response of the stimulated tissue. An implantable lead and an implantable stimulation device employing such an electrode are described including diagnostic circuitry for making a diagnosis of the heart condition using such an electrode.

Abstract: An improved lead body for implantable leads comprising a longitudinally extending core section provided with longitudinally extending grooves in which conductors are located and an outer tubular member, encasing the core and conductors.

Abstract: An elongated monopolar or bipolar coronary vein lead having a reduced outer diameter and especially adapted to be advanced into a selected coronary vein for delivering a pacing signal to a predetermined region of a patient's heart, such as the left ventricle. A method of using the lead for pacing a patient's heart in the treatment of heart failure is also described. The method for pacing the heart includes advancing the coronary vein lead through both the coronary sinus and into a selected coronary vein of a patient's heart, connecting the lead to an electrical pacing source and applying electrical stimulation to a particular chamber of the patient's heart via the implanted lead. The lead includes a flexible tip and transition ring that enhances the ability to guide the lead through the coronary veins.