Abstract: A unidirectional handle device for an endoluminal device includes an outer tubular member and an elongate inner member slidably received in the outer tubular member. The unidirectional handle includes a handle member, a needle bearing clutch disposed in the handle member, a control member guide, and shaft rotatable in a single direction disposed within the handle member. The shaft is rotatable in a single direction by its engagement with the needle bearing clutch. The shaft is in rotational engagement with the outer tubular member of the endoluminal device. The outer tubular member is slidable from a distal position to a proximal position when the shaft is rotated in the single direction. The unidirectional handle device provides substantially no backlash of the outer tubular member. In addition, the unidirectional handle device advantageously produces a tension-retaining effect during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for treating occluded or stenoic blood vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for delivering or retrieving an embolic protection device from the vasculature of a patient. In an embodiment, a catheter for retrieval or delivery of an embolic protection device comprises an inner shaft and an outer sheath. In addition, a method for retrieving and delivering an embolic protection device is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a vascular filter, composed of: a reinforced membrane unit composed of: a thin filter membrane; and fibers of reinforcement material embedded in the membrane to strengthen the filter and securely attach the fibers to the membrane.

Abstract: An embolus extractor including elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The embolus extractor may include primary struts coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The struts may define a proximally disposed mouth. Additional secondary struts may be coupled along the elongate shaft to enhance the thrombus containing ability of the embolus extractor.

Abstract: A vena cava blood clot filter is described that is attached to the walls of the vena cava by barbed anchors. In its filtering state, the filter is cone shaped which causes the blood to be filtered. The cone shape is formed by an appropriate restraining mechanism. When it is desired to stop filtering, the restraining mechanism is released and the filter takes a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shaped filter will then line the vena cava wall and cease filtration of the blood.

Abstract: A device for treatment of atrioventricular regurgitation comprises a suturing means. The suturing means has such dimensions as to be introducible, via blood vessels leading to the heart, to two leaflets of the atrioventricular valve between an atrium and a corresponding ventricle of the heart. Further, the suturing means is designed for binding together the two leaflets in a position along the free edges of the leaflets. As a result, the closing of the valve is improved.

Abstract: Monofilament wires or threads are woven, becoming a wire with ring forms. The center part of the wire is in a plain weave in a tape form. The material is to be either non-magnetic property material or bio-absorbable material. An automatic weaving machine is utilized to manufacture the wire. The center part of the metal cable is woven with thin metal filaments, and either one end or both ends of the cable are hardened with silver wax to facilitate the attachment of a suture needle to the ends of the cable. Also, the hardened end of the cable is directly processed into a suture needle form. A U-shaped sternum fixing hook and an adjusting screw press and fix the sternum, a piercing tool pierces a hole into the sternum, then sternum suture material is passed through the sternum, then the sternum suture is conducted. The thickness of the base of the sternum fixing hook is set to prevent the needlepoint of the piercing tool from reaching the lung, or a protection plate can be provided.

Abstract: A multi-stranded suture having a stiff portion adjacent to at least one end of the suture to facilitate advancement of the suture through a cannulated surgical suturing instrument. The suture preferably has a non-stiff distal tip to provide flexibility for passing the suture through bends in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart to apply a mild compressive force on the heart over a range of elastic deformation of the apparatus. The apparatus can be shifted to second range of deformation. In some embodiments, the apparatus is shifted to the second range of deformation by application of a stimulus or alteration of environmental conditions beyond a threshold level.

Abstract: A chiropractic table for treatment of a patient when the patient is in a lordotic, relaxed posture lying prone on the table, includes a base and a padded frame mounted to the base. The frame has an upper side shaped to form an elongate upper surface extending in a generally horizontal longitudinal direction. The upper surface is arcuately shaped, when viewed in lateral cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The upper surface has downwardly curved sides extending downwardly and oppositely from an uppermost ridge-line surface extending the length of the upper surface. The ridge-line surface has a face-resting concavity formed thereon at a first end of the upper surface. The concavity is adapted to receive in resting relation thereon the face of the patient when lying prone along and astride the ridge-line surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes both methods and apparatus for improving defibrillation. In particular, the present invention includes methods and devices for administering a calcium channel blocker and/or calmodulin kinase inhibitor that prevents afterdepolarizations and antiarrhythmic drugs to decrease the threshold shock from a therapeutic threshold shock.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device in which amplitudes of electrograms from one or more cardiac sites are measured in order to ascertain the extent of hypertrophy. The device may then pace the heart by delivering pacing therapy in a manner that unloads the hypertrophied myocardium to effect reversal of undesirable remodeling.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprises a metabolic demand sensor, an activity sensor, and one or more pulse generators. The metabolic demand sensor and activity sensor can sense metabolic demand and physical activity parameters, respectively. The pulse generators can generate cardiac pacing pulses with timing based on a comparison of the metabolic demand and physical activity parameters. The timed cardiac pacing pulses can prevent a sleep apnea condition.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulation device uses dynamic overdrive pacing to prevent sleep apnea. In another aspect, the device can use dynamic overdrive pacing to terminate sleep apnea after detection. An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprises a sensor and one or more pulse generators. The sensor senses intrinsic cardiac electrical phenomena. The pulse generators can generate cardiac pacing pulses with timing based on the sensed intrinsic cardiac electrical phenomena to dynamically overdrive the intrinsic cardiac electrical phenomena. The timed cardiac pacing pulses can prevent a sleep apnea condition.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprises a physiologic sensor and one or more pulse generators. The physiologic sensor is capable of sensing a physiologic parameter. The pulse generators can generate cardiac pacing pulses with a timing based on the physiologic parameter. The timed cardiac pacing pulses can prevent a sleep apnea condition. In one example, a cardiac stimulation device has a physiologic sensor and can be configured to pace a patient's heart according to a rest mode of operation. The cardiac stimulation device uses measurements from the physiologic sensor to prevent and treat sleep apnea using a revised rest mode of operation. The revised rest mode operates under a presumption that sleep apnea is primary to a reduced heart rate, rather than secondary, so that pacing at a rate higher than the natural cardiac rate during sleep will prevent sleep apnea.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprises a physiologic sensor and one or more pulse generators. The physiologic sensor is capable of sensing a physiologic parameter. The pulse generators can generate cardiac pacing pulses with a timing based on the physiologic parameter. The timed cardiac pacing pulses can prevent a sleep apnea condition. In one example, a cardiac stimulation device has a physiologic sensor and can be configured to pace a patient's heart according to a rest mode of operation. The cardiac stimulation device uses measurements from the physiologic sensor to prevent and treat sleep apnea using a revised rest mode of operation. The revised rest mode operates under a presumption that sleep apnea is primary to a reduced heart rate, rather than secondary, so that pacing at a rate higher than the natural cardiac rate during sleep will prevent sleep apnea.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulation device and method automatically confirm capture by detecting the polarity of a post-stimulation signal. A capture detection circuit is subjected to recharge and block overlap signals applied such than an evoked response signal is characterized by a primarily positive polarity and a polarization signal is characterized by a primarily negative polarity. An amplitude detection feature, such as peak amplitude or signal integral, and its polarity are determined from a post-stimulation signal sensed by the capture detection circuit during a capture detection window. Capture is confirmed when the amplitude detection feature has a positive polarity.

Abstract: A pulse health device which can impart a sufficient treatment efffect even to the periphery of waist part where waist part, hip part and abdoment part having an irregular shape exist closely to each other. An electrode belt 5 of the pulse health device 1 has has a slit 57 made along the longitudinal direction thereof between planar electrodes H1, H3 on the uper stage side and planar electrodes H2, H4 on the lower stage side. When the electrode belt 5 is applied to the periphery of waist part where the parts of a human body having an irregular shape exist closely to each other, the pulse health device 1 can absorb variation of shape through the slit 57 and since the planar electrodes H1, H2, H3 and H4 can touch the peripehry of the waist part stably, a sufficient treatment effect can be imparted.

Abstract: A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Auto correction of the stimulus magnitude is linked to the measurement of coupling efficiency. Because the events that lead to the necessity of an output amplitude change are all associated with how much electrical energy is coupled to the neural tissue, and because there are several physiologic parameters that reflect in some measure how much energy is actually coupled to the tissue, the measurement of the one or more of such physiologic parameters is used as an indicator of the electrode's effectiveness in providing therapeutic stimulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive treatment of deep subcutaneous fat deposits in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator connected to two or more needle electrodes at least one of which is configured for placement deeply under the skin in a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells.

Abstract: The method and device of the present invention for wound treatment with a combination of laser and ultrasound waves comprises a probe to produce a laser beam and transducer to produce ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic transducer has tip with a distal end comprising a radiation surface. A liquid is directed to the radiation surface wherein an directed atomized particle spray of the liquid is created upon contact of the liquid with the radiation surface. The laser beam and spray directed to the wound from at least 0,1 inches transmits ultrasound waves as well as particles and has an radiation, irrigation, mechanical cleansing, liquid energizing and bactericide effect on the wound.

Abstract: A method of prevention and treatment of microbial infections that occur on, or just below, the skin and nails consisting of the application of electromagnetic radiation to an infected area of skin or nails for a time and at a proximity and intensity sufficient to render the microbes substantially inactivated and incapable of reproducing.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is comprised of a specially designed electrode and a lead wire for use in electroacupuncture procedure to supply electric pulses to the patient's skin via acupuncture needles. The device is intended for use with a standard electric pulse generator for electro-acupuncture procedure. The electrode consists of a fin made of a thin metal plate or foil that possesses electroconductive properties, has a substantially rectangular or triangular shape and possesses rigidity in the direction of the acupuncture needle. The corners of the rectangular to triangular electrode can be rounded in order to prevent scratching of the patient's skin. The plate-like electrode has a hole on one edge for connection of a lead wire from the electric pulse generator and a thickened portion on the other edge with a blind hole for insertion of the acupuncture needle.

Abstract: A composition which is photopolymerizable in the presence of water comprises:

Abstract: Exposing osteoblasts on an electrically conducting nanocomposite, which may be an orthopaedic/dental implant, to electrical stimulation enhances osteoblast proliferation thereon. The electrically conducting nanoscale material includes an electrically conducting nanoscale material and a biocompatible polymer and/or a biocompatible ceramic; carbon nanotubes may be used as the electrically conducting nanoscale material.

Abstract: A guide wire for introducing an implantable electrode line, wherein the electrode line is a heart electrode line for intracardial sensing of cardiac action potentials and/or for electrical stimulation or defibrillation of the heart, and wherein the guide wire has means for removable interlocking of its end at or near the proximal end of the electrode line.

Abstract: A probe that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The probe includes a elongate body and a loop structure, in the form of a helical structure or other loop structure, that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vessel support, in particular an stent-prosthesis device such as an aorta-stent-prosthesis. The invention further relates to a delivery device for such a vessel support, in particular a catheter system, and to a delivery set and a method for delivering a stent-prosthesis. Finally the invention relates to a method for the simultaneous preventive treatment of at least a part of the thoracic aorta with the reconstructive treatment of at least a part of the arcus or bow of the aorta.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for placing a bifurcated aortic graft, with extensions, into a body lumen. An aortic graft is provided with a unique combination of self-expanding a balloon expandable wires. The aortic graft is bifurcated and includes ipsilateral and contralateral legs. Two extension grafts are provided for frictional engagement with the legs of the aortic graft. For placement of the bifurcated aortic graft with extensions, an introducer assembly including a dilator and a sheath assembly provides access for the introduction of a main catheter and a directional catheter. The main catheter is provided for deployment of the bifurcated aortic graft within the lumen of a vessel. A balloon is provided on the main catheter for expanding the balloon-expandable wires of the aortic graft. The directional catheter, which includes a deflecting spring portion, permits placement of a guidewire through the ipsilateral leg and into the contralateral leg of the aortic graft.

Abstract: A device is provided for insertion and implantation in a patient's bodily canals or vessels such as the ureter. The device includes interconnected loops that form a flexible structure that may span the length of a bodily canal. The device may include retaining elements at both or either ends. Further according to the present invention, there is provided a stylet for delivering the device to the desired body canal. The device minimizes contact with the lining of the bodily canal while retaining the patency of the canal. The device also is adjustable in length and shape. It is particularly useful for maintaining the tortousness of a body canal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intraluminal stent comprising a metallic reinforcing component and a biodegradable polymeric material covering at least a portion of the metallic reinforcing component. The metallic reinforcing component provides structural reinforcement for the stent, but this reinforcement is insufficient, in the absence of the biodegradable polymeric material, to provide a stent capable of maintaining patency of a lumen upon implantation of the stent into the lumen. One advantage of the present invention, among others, is that a stent is provided in which reduced amounts of metallic component remain after degradation of the biodegradable polymeric material covering, in turn reducing the incidence of metal-associated adverse events that frequently follow implantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable or insertable medical device comprising a biodegradable or non-biodegradable inner material and a biodegradable coating or covering material at least partially covering the inner material; wherein after insertion or implantation into a patient, the medical device becomes decreasingly rigid and increasingly biomechanically compatible with body tissue in contact with the device over time.

Abstract: A braided modular stent comprising a first component and a second component, each component comprising an hourglass-shaped interface having a reduced diameter section positioned between two sloped sections. Each sloped section extends between the reduced diameter section and one of a plurality of nominal diameter sections. The reduced diameter section has a greater radial strength than the nominal diameter sections. One of the components may have a sealing region, such as a circumferential elevation, for providing an endoleak-resistant seal between the stent and a body lumen. One exemplary method for fabricating a circumferential elevation comprises affixing a plurality of filaments, such as sutures, between overlaps of braided filaments in one region and overlaps in another region.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises support stent, comprised of a deployable construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location, the support stent provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid support beams of fixed length; valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet.

Abstract: A vertebral cage is provided for use in preserving the space between adjacent vertebral during the process of spinal fusion. In particular, this cage has an open modified oval peripheral shape with a continuous fluid anterior wall having angled screw passages accessible through co-planar openings to allow the construct to be stabilized between adjacent vertebral bodies through their endwalls. In addition, the cage has a back to front wedge taper with pull-out resistant ratchet surfaces. Further, in a second aspect of the invention, the screw passages have a unique locking mechanism provided by oversized internal threads in combination with a second locking thread on the head of the associated bone screws that allows for axial translation of the screws within the screw passages. This in turn permits play in the angulation of the screw relative to the anchoring bone in order to optimize the screw placement in the bone.

Abstract: A spinal disc annulus repair stent for repair and reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, which may incorporate suture closure or other means of stent insertion and fixation, designed to reduce the failure rate of conventional surgical procedures on the spinal discs. In an illustrative embodiment, the design of the spinal disc annulus stent advantageously allows ingrowth of normal cells of healing in an enhanced fashion strengthening the normal reparative process.

Abstract: An artificial knee joint including a femoral component to be attached to a femur and a tibial component to be attached to a tibia, wherein in the femur component a medial condyle thereof is thicker than a lateral condyle thereof; in the tibial component, a medial articular surface thereof, which supports the medial condyle, is thinner than a lateral articular surface thereof, which supports the lateral condyle; and a joint line joining lowest points of contact surfaces between the medial and lateral condyles and the medial and lateral articular surfaces in a longitudinal cross section in a medial-lateral direction is inclined inward at virtually the same angle over the entire region of an angle of flexion-extension.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the kinematics of a large joint (e.g., a knee) undergoing arthroplasty, for comparing the kinematics of the joint undergoing surgery with the kinematics of the normal joint, and for providing the surgeon with information allowing the balancing of the ligaments of the joint upon the installation of a prosthesis replacement joint. The apparatus includes optical targets mounted on joint replacement components fitted to the resected bones of the joint. One or more video cameras are used to obtain a series of images of the various optical targets as the extremity is flexed, extended, and rotated. A computer is responsive to the images of the targets to determine the kinematics of the joint as it is flexed, extended and rotated.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant with a diffusion-hardened surface on non-load bearing areas of the implant for interaction with non-load bearing surfaces of a polymeric bio-compatible material, such as UHMWPE. The orthopedic implant is a posterior stabilized knee prosthetic and system where a coating of oxidized zirconium is formed in the cam of the femoral prosthetic for interaction with the central post of a polymeric tibial insert. The diffusion-hardened surface of the orthopedic implant provides a strengthened cam and reduction in wear in the central post of the polymeric tibial insert.

Abstract: Tibial component (10) of a knee-joint endoprosthesis with a flat tibial bearing surface (11), a bearing body (12) that is slidably seated thereon and comprises two concave bearing dishes (13) in which a femoral component can be movably seated, and with a rotational guide means that guides the rotation of the bearing body (12) on the tibial bearing surface (11) about an axis (14) perpendicular thereto. The guide means comprises a bearing post (15) in the form of a regular cylinder that stands upright on the tibial bearing surface (11) and has at least one projection (16, 17) extending radially outward. The bearing post so constructed can be inserted into a post receptacle (19) that is formed on the underside of the bearing body (12) with a receiving groove (20) corresponding to the post projection (16, 17). The at least one post projection (16, 17) extending radially outward is spaced apart from the free end (24) of the post.

Abstract: The invention relates to implantable medical devices, particularly, to porous structures for such devices. In one aspect, the invention provides a porous metal scaffold comprising a porous metal network having pores defined by metal webs, the metal webs covered with at least one layer of metal particles bonded to the metal webs. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of forming porous scaffolds. In one such aspect, the method includes providing a polymer foam; forming a skin of biocompatible metal on the polymer foam by low temperature arc vapor deposition; and heating the polymer foam and the metal skin above the decomposition temperature of the polymer foam in an inert gas atmosphere; thereby the polymer foam decomposes producing a green metal foam. In yet other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving stability of porous scaffolds.

Abstract: Acetabular prosthesis of a hip comprising at least an outer shell (12), able to be inserted and fixed in a relative bone seating, and an insert able to be inserted into the outer shell (12) and to house a femoral prosthesis. The insert (16, 116, 216) comprises alignment means (32, 132) by means of which it is able to be coupled univocally to the outer shell (12) according to at least two pre-determined positions diversely oriented angularly with respect to at least one plane of reference.

Abstract: Disclosed are implantable or insertable medical devices that provide resistance to microbial growth on and in the environment of the device and resistance to microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on the device. In particular, the invention discloses implantable or insertable medical devices that comprise at least one biocompatible matrix polymer region, an antimicrobial agent for providing resistance to microbial growth and a microbial adhesion/biofilm synthesis inhibitor for inhibiting the attachment of microbes and the synthesis and accumulation of biofilm on the surface of the medical device.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPam1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.

Abstract: A medical implant coated with a polymeric material having hydrophilicity and osteoconductivity. When the implant is embedded in depth in a living body, the polymeric material absorbs moisture to swell up, bringing about an effect of dispersing the external stress applied to the implant. This volumetric increase also brings the implant into close contact with the bone of the implantation site, thus remarkably improving the stability in the early stage of the implantation and more strengthening the osseointegration of the implant in the bone as time passes.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling an environmental management system (e.g., an HVAC system) that controls an environmental parameter of a downstream controlled space (e.g., the temperature of a room in a building). The method includes providing a feedback control loop for controlling a controlled environmental parameter (e.g., the supply air temperature), and generating a feedback control signal based on the controlled parameter and a dynamic (e.g., a time constant) of the downstream controlled space. The system includes a device for receiving a signal representative of a measured value of a controlled parameter having a time constant that is smaller than the time constant of the downstream space. The system also comprises a filter, a device for producing a control signal representative of a deviation between a filtered value and a desired value of the controlled parameter, and a device for converting the control signal into a pulsed output signal that turns the device on and off.

Abstract: A sensor 2 of a data collection system 2 is designed to make, in a predetermined environment, an operation of writing output data of a sensing circuit 24 into a non-volatile memory 22 as reference-value data, and, in a measurement environment, an operation of transmitting output data of the sensing circuit and reference-value data stored in the non-volatile memory, under the control of a memory control section 25, thereby selectively performing by itself the data-writing or data-transmitting operation without receiving instructions from a readout device.

Abstract: A versatile controller that can he used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory.

Abstract: A method of fault classification in a plasma process chamber powered by an RF source comprises initially running a plurality of different baseline plasma processes on the chamber. For each baseline process, the magnitudes of a plurality of Fourier components of delivered RF power are determined and stored as an impedance fingerprint for that baseline process. In the case of a fault, one or more of the baseline processes is repeated according to a predetermined decision tree to determine the current fingerprints and classify the fault by comparing the current fingerprints with the original fingerprints.

Abstract: In tuning a controller for a process in a feedback control system, a method is provided for bringing the system into asymmetric self-excited oscillations for measuring the frequency of the oscillations, average over the period value of the process output signal and average over the period control signal and tuning the controller in dependence of the measurements obtained. An element having a non-linear characteristic is introduced into the system in series with the process and set point signal is applied to excite asymmetric self-excited oscillations in the system. An algorithm and formulas are given for identification of the process model having the form of first order plus dead time transfer function. PI controller settings are given as a function of the dead time/time constant ratio. An apparatus for performing the method is disclosed.