Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
  • Patent number: 7410448
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical device for stimulating stomach muscles, comprising a belt-like element sized to be worn with a section thereof adjacent the stomach muscles of the wearer, the belt being associated with a motor and a power element for driving the motor, the motor being mechanically linked to means for intermittently tensioning at least the section to repeatedly intermittently press against the stomach muscles of the wearer in order to stimulate the muscles to contract as a reaction and in anticipation of the repeated intermittent contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Shmuel Cohen
  • Patent number: 7410449
    Abstract: An exercise treadmill includes a tread belt wrapped around front and rear rolls, a motor, a frame, a control panel, a sensor electrically connected to the motor for sensing a rotation of its driving shaft and generating a sense signal if sensing the rotation, and a controller electrically interconnected the sensor and the control panel for receiving the sense signal and generating and sensing a control signal to the motor. The motor may either stop the rotation of the driving shaft for maintaining the tread mill motionless in response to the user's foot impact thereon less than or equal to a predetermined reverse force or oppose a movement of the tread belt in response to the impact larger than the reverse force. Moreover, the tread belt either maintains at its current position or returns to its original position in response to stopping exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sing Lin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Don-Lon Yeh
  • Patent number: 7410450
    Abstract: A portable elastic resistance exercise apparatus comprising two panels selectively affixed in a 90 degree angle. Both panels are padded for user interaction. Elastic resistance is positioned as chosen within cutouts in the back panel, at any height and with any resistance chosen. Grips on the resistance enable either grasping or hooking around limbs or body parts. The apparatus folds for portability and also includes non-skid and other anchoring devices for temporary affixation to foreign objects and surfaces. The apparatus therefore offers a truly portable, all-in-one exercise device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Paulding
  • Patent number: 7410451
    Abstract: An exercise machine attachment is provided wherein the attachment may comprise a hook aperture attached to a joint wherein the joint defines bead chain apertures formed within the joint and extending directionally in an oblique or perpendicular manner. The attachment may further comprise first and second bead chains attached to the bead chain apertures. Also, each bead chain may comprise a plurality of beads which are sized and configured to be ergonomically fitted into a weight lifter's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Edward Williams
  • Patent number: 7410452
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pouch with a straw hole is provided that includes the steps of feeding a front-side film forming one panel of the pouch and a back-side film forming an other panel, from a roll of material, and punching a straw hole in one panel of the pouch. The method also includes the steps of feeding a seal material tape with a plurality of temporally punched portions, and each temporal punched portion has a size slightly larger than that of the straw hole, to a rear side of the panel with the straw hole. The method further includes the steps of temporally sealing the temporally punched portion of the seal material tape over the straw hole by aligning one temporally punched portion of the seal material tape with the straw hole, separating the temporally punched portion from the seal material tape and temporally sealing the temporally punched portion to the one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Pouch Pac International, LLC
    Inventors: Akira Nishibe, Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 7410453
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus wherein webless zipper is provided with concave seal bridges. These concave seal bridges are complementary in shape to convex sealing bars. This captures or positions the seal bridges of the zipper profiles resulting in improved alignment of the profiles and improved performance of the manufacturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fenzl, Gregory Crunkleton
  • Patent number: 7410454
    Abstract: This invention forms a loose fill packing material comprising clean, elongated strips of paper formed from corrugated cardboard having internal fluting formatted to expand in height, improving the ability of the strips to lattice. A vertical slitter divides cardboard into blanks of a predetermined width generally with the grain of corrugation. The blanks are fed into a shredding device that cuts the blanks with a scissor motion across the width of the blank. The strips pass onto a cleated perforated conveyor and into an enclosed suction housing. Inside the suction housing is a vortex box enhancing air flow for cleaning the strips. Strips are centered on the conveyor. The strips move from the conveyor to an angled, vibrating sifter plate into a collector. Strips are sprayed with a liquid material having microbicidal, sanitizing, insect repellant, disinfectant and/or deodorizing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Norman D. Levine
  • Patent number: 7410455
    Abstract: The invention can be defined in its most general form as the method for sheet material corrugation and can be used for production of aircraft curvilinear sandwich panel folded structure light corrugated core. With the aim to broaden the technological capabilities the corrugated blank is compressed from its sides to joining of ridges providing in its lateral section the curvature radius defined by the curvilinear folded structure design parameters and fixed in such condition block is thermally treated for inner stresses relief in the article material whereupon it is stretched to the curvilinear folded structure parameters given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignees: Airbus, Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Kazansky Nauchno-Isledovatelsky Institute Aviatsionnoi Tekhnologii”
    Inventors: Niaz Irekovich Akishev, Ildus Muhametgaleevich Zakirov, Alexandr Vladimirovich Nikitin
  • Patent number: 7410456
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator the liquid separation aid attracts/binds contaminating particles in oil supplied to a separation chamber. Purified oil is discharged through a central light phase outlet of the separation chamber, the liquid separation aid and separated particles are discharged through a heavy phase outlet. Purification is carried through using a starting liquid, supplied to the separation chamber to form a layer that creates a liquid seal in the centrifugal rotor, covering said heavy phase outlet. Contaminated oil and liquid separation aid are supplied to the separation chamber. While purified oil leaves the separation chamber through the light phase outlet, at starting liquid and liquid separation aid together with particles are discharged through the heavy phase outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Claes Wase
  • Patent number: 7410457
    Abstract: A separator including a vertical axis of rotation, a drum having solids discharge openings and a conical centrifugal space, and a disc stack located in the conical centrifugal space. Also included is a plurality of conical discs super-imposed on one another and having disc bores forming at least one rising channel in the disc stack. Further included is a drum, a distributor and a lower base section which expands radially, and on which lower base section are one or more distributor channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventor: Holger Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7410458
    Abstract: This invention includes methods of fabricating brachytherapy implant seeds, methods of fabricating brachytherapy implant seed cores, and brachytherapy implant seeds independent of method of fabrication. In one implementation, a brachytherapy implant seed includes a sealed inorganic metallic cylinder having a radioactive core received therein. The radioactive core includes an inorganic amorphous silicate glass tube having an exterior surface extending axially along the tube. An inorganic crystalline ceramic coating is received on at least a portion of the inorganic amorphous glass tube exterior surface. The coating includes a therapeutic dose of radioactive material. A radiographic marker is received within the sealed inorganic metallic cylinder. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: IsoRay Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane A. Bray, David J. Swanberg, James L. Madsen, Jay Draper, Garrett N. Brown, Matthew J. Bales, Karen Thompson, legal representative, Donald C. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7410459
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cardiopulmonary bypass pump that can be used with medication to put the heart into asystole or near asystolic status. The patent describes equipment used in conjunction with medication to temporarily replace the function of the heart and to allow the heart to survive with minimal oxygen supply for hours or days, and for the heart to recover from ischemic or other insult or other damage without being subjected to a heavy working load. The invention provides a means to stop blood flow to the heart for a relatively long period of time, thereby allowing the performance of certain procedures that require coronary artery blockade. It also allows the heart to stop contracting, which may result in safer and easier performance of some procedures. A medication is given to the patient while the device is in use in order to stop the heart or slow the heart rate to a minimal level to decrease cardiac oxygen requirements without significant hemostasis in the pulmonary circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Dai-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7410460
    Abstract: Self-anchoring slings and deployment mechanisms for use therewith in selectively positioning a sling into position within the body. According to a preferred embodiment, the sling comprises an elongate sling portion having opposed ends. Formed upon each respective opposed end is an anchor member operative to be advanced through soft tissue at a selected target site in a first direction but resist movement in an opposed direction. Such anchor members are operative to extend in opposed directions to thus enable a sling to be securely affixed into position and resist sag or otherwise lose its ability to support a given structure. The deployment system is operative to selectively anchor the respective anchor members into position within a tissue mass. Although suitable for a wide variety of applications, it is believed that the system and sling of the present invention are particularly well suited for the deployment of suburethral slings via a trans-obturator route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore V. Benderev
  • Patent number: 7410461
    Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure is disclosed. The harness applies elastic, compressive reinforcement on the left ventricle to reduce deleterious wall tension and to resist shape change of the ventricle during the mechanical cardiac cycle. Rather than imposing a dimension beyond which the heart cannot expand, the harness provides no hard limit over the range of diastolic expansion of the ventricle. Instead, the harness follows the contour of the heart throughout diastole and continuously exerts gentle resistance to stretch. Also disclosed is a method of delivering the cardiac harness to the heart minimally invasively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Paracor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilip Lau, Bill Hartigan
  • Patent number: 7410462
    Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
    Inventors: Ezra Navok, Gregory Konstorum, Christopher A. Cook, Tai Lin Fan
  • Patent number: 7410463
    Abstract: An optical system for stereoscopic rigid endoscope is provided with first and second objective optical systems arranged to have a predetermined clearance therebetween and an optical path combining system that polarizes light passed through the first and second objective optical systems in directions perpendicular to each other. The optical path combining system parallelly shifts the optical axes of the first and second objective optical systems so that they coincide with each other. The shifting directions of the optical axes form an angle less than 90 degrees. A relaying optical system is provided inside the insertion unit of the endoscope. An optical axis of the relaying optical system is coaxial with the combined optical axes. An optical image separating system separates the light passed through the relaying optical system into first and second components that passed through the first and second objective optical systems and polarized by the optical path combining system, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: HOYA Corporation
    Inventor: Moriyasu Kanai
  • Patent number: 7410464
    Abstract: A wave generating device including a wave transducer adapted to generate an energy wave, and a beam shaping device defined by revolution of a curve about an axis of revolution, the curve being arranged with respect to the transducer in a plane of the curve so as to focus a wave emanating from the transducer towards the beam shaping device to a focal point lying in the plane, the curve having an axis of symmetry in the plane, wherein the axis of revolution is generally not collinear with the axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Moshe Ein-Gal
  • Patent number: 7410465
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed to address blood pressure control. More particularly, the present invention relates to correction of transient low blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Michael D. Laufer
  • Patent number: 7410467
    Abstract: An active implantable medical device having a plurality of connection terminals able to be connected to electrodes placed in at least three distinct respective sites in a myocardium; circuits for measuring an intracardiac bio-impedance, comprising circuits for injecting a current and circuits for collecting a voltage at respective poles of a configuration of said connection terminals, and circuits able to deliver at an output a dynamic impedance signal that is a function of the injected current and the collected voltage; and circuits for evaluating an intracardiac volume, receiving at in input the impedance signal and delivering at an output a dynamic value of volume representing an instantaneous absolute value of intracardiac volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ELA Medical S.A.S.
    Inventor: Daniel Cooper
  • Patent number: 7410468
    Abstract: A skin penetrating system includes a housing member and a penetrating member positioned in the housing member. An analyte detecting member is coupled to a sample chamber. The analyte detecting member is configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a body fluid using a sample of less than 1 ?L of a body fluid disposed in the sample chamber. A tip of the penetrating member is configured to extend through an opening of the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Pelikan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique M. Freeman, Dirk Boecker, Don Alden
  • Patent number: 7410469
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and method for ultrasonically and electromagnetically treating tissue to treat, for example, traumatized tissue or a bone injury. The apparatus includes at least one ultrasonic transducer assembly and at least one electromagnetic coil-assembly configured to cooperate with a placement module for placement in proximity to the treatment area. The apparatus also utilizes a portable main operating unit constructed to fit within a pouch or carrying case worn by the patient. In operation, at least one ultrasonic transducer and at least one electromagnetic coil are activated by transmitting control signals to the placement module from the main operating unit. The activation of the at least one ultrasonic transducer causes ultrasonic waves to be propagated toward the treatment area which are modulated by electrostatic and magnetic forces generated by the at least one electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Exogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Talish, Alan A. Winder
  • Patent number: 7410470
    Abstract: A compression belt cartridge for use with chest compression devices. The compression belt cartridge has a double-oar shaped belt and a cover plate through which the belt is threaded. The cover plate is provided with hooks and snap latches that fit into a belt drive platform. The cover plate is sized and dimensioned to fit within only selected platforms. The belt attaches to the means for tightening the belt via a spline attached to the belt. The means for tightening a belt then repetitively tightens the belt, thereby accomplishing chest compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Zoll Circulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Q. Escudero, Gregory W. Hall
  • Patent number: 7410471
    Abstract: A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided in which a pressure sensor having a thin layer of variably resistive material generates a control signal when an actuation force is applied to the sensor. An electronic circuit operatively connects the sensor to a mechanical orthotic joint that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal. The control signal may be uniform in strength selectively locking and unlocking the joint. The control signal may also be variable in strength wherein the orthotic joint provides increasing or decreasing resistance to motion responsive to a corresponding increase or decrease in control signal strength. The device is suitable for use as a foot/ankle/leg orthotic having a foot sensor which selectively operates a mechanical knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Becker Orthopedic Appliance Company
    Inventors: James H. Campbell, Nicholas Zalinski, Jonathan M. Naft, Wyatt S. Newman
  • Patent number: 7410472
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an articulating joint that is disengageable between two modes of operation: unidirectional movement of the joint or bi-directional movement of the joint, with features that allow the mode to be automatically switched as required. When fully locked, the joint inhibits joint flexion while allowing joint extension. When actuated, a locking mechanism is disengaged to allow both uninhibited flexion and extension of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignees: Ottawa Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Terris Yakimovich, Edward Lemaire, Jonathan Kofman
  • Patent number: 7410473
    Abstract: An integrated disposable cartridge for dialysis or ultrafiltration treatment of blood includes integral pressure sensors. Sensors are embedded in the blood filter on the cartridge to measure the pressure of blood or other fluids in the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: CHF Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Howard R. Levin, Mark Gelfand, Steven Bernard
  • Patent number: 7410474
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of operation of apparatus for the extracorporeal perfusion of organs are provided which support viability and function of an organ such as a liver, generally outside the body. Blood is supplied as described herein to an organ such as a liver under physiological pressure but without forcing blood flow at any particular rate such that the organ is allowed to auto-regulate blood flow. This allows for organ preservation or resuscitation prior to transplantation, maintenance of organs for use in experimental study of isolated liver physiology, and treatment of patients suffering from organ failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Peter Friend, Andrew Butler, Michael Rees
  • Patent number: 7410475
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a dialysis system is provided. The dialysis system includes a display device and a web browser and web server embedded in the dialysis system. The browser and the server operate with the display device to display a number of dialysis therapy set-up procedure screens that require operator input, and to display a number of dialysis treatment screens that graphically illustrate the progress of at least one step in the dialysis therapy in at least substantially real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Krensky, Debra Toczko, Randall Sharo, Seyed Khorashabi, Li Yue, William J. Reese, Eric Callahan
  • Patent number: 7410476
    Abstract: A device for delivering a substance into the skin of a patient includes a body and a skin penetrating device having at least one skin penetrating member, such as a microneedle. The body includes an internal cavity and a device for indicating the delivery of a sufficient amount of the substance to the patient and for producing a dispensing pressure to dispense and deliver the substance from the cavity. The indicating device is visible from the exterior of the delivery device. In some embodiments, the indicating device is an elastic expandable diaphragm which, when the cavity is filled with a substance, creates the dispensing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bradley M. Wilkinson, Mark Newby
  • Patent number: 7410477
    Abstract: A device for retaining a supra pubic catheter having a moveable retainer axially moveable along the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew A. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7410478
    Abstract: A safety syringe includes a flexible holder-supporting seat that is sleeved around and that clamps a needle holder within a front end portion of a syringe barrel. A flexible sealing member seals an open front end of a plunger so as to define a vacuuming chamber in the plunger. When the plunger moves within the barrel to a front limit position, a holder-retaining front portion of the sealing member engages and retains the needle holder thereon. The plunger pushes the holder-supporting seat to separate from the needle holder such that the sealing member and the needle holder mover rearward within the syringe barrel due to negative pressure produced in the plunger, thereby retracting a needle into the syringe barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Yang
  • Patent number: 7410479
    Abstract: An absorbent article body part includes a liquid permeable surface side sheet, a liquid impermeable back face side sheet, and an absorbent body, positioned between the sheets, and having flap parts, extending outward to the respective sides of the absorbent body, and is formed by layering an outer layer sheet onto the back face side of the main absorbent article body part. At the outer layer sheet, first and second leg part elastic bodies are positioned with sides at one end being set along leg parts from parts of a dorsal waist part at one side and the other side, intermediate parts crossing a crotch part obliquely, and the sides at the other end being set along the leg parts at parts of a ventral waist part at the other side and the one side. Third leg part elastic bodies are positioned along the longitudinal direction at the flap parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hakujuji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Hoshino, Fumiko Aoki
  • Patent number: 7410480
    Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects. An implantable delivery device comprising a reservoir is initianlly attached to a deliver catheter or delivery tool and is introduced into the body and positioned at a desired site. A therapeutic or diagnostic substance is then introduced into the reservoir and the delivery catheter or deliver tool is then removed, leaving the implantable delivery device implanted within the body. The substance is then delivered from the reservoir at a rate that causes the desire diagnostic or therapeutic effect. Also provided are substance eluting stents that elute substance from a selected surface of the stent (e.g., the outer surface) but not from another surface of the stent (e.g., the inner surface).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ketan P. Muni, Hung V. Ha, Joshua Makower, John H. Morriss, John Y. Chang, William M. Facteau, Amrish Jayprakash Walke
  • Patent number: 7410481
    Abstract: A urethral catheter device and an associated method of using the device are disclosed. The device comprises a catheter probe and at least one receiving unit attachable to the probe for receiving and collecting urine. The catheter probe comprises: an elongated shaft, a valve, a drainage lumen, a drainage inlet, a tapered cone, a collar, an elongated protuberance, a saline inlet, a saline lumen, a sheath, and a fluid lock. Each receiving unit comprises: a sterile membrane, a sleeve, and a collection bag. When the sleeve of the receiving unit is attached to the collar of the catheter probe, then the tapered cone of the catheter probe ruptures the membrane of the receiving unit, whereby the drainage inlet of the proximate end of the catheter probe is fluidly connected to the collection bag of the catheter probe and the valve is thereby opened. The sheath attached at the proximate end of the elongated shaft is inflatable into a donut shaped balloon which is capable of being retained within a bladder of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Cheryl A. Mitts, Lawrence E. Klecka
  • Patent number: 7410482
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neck bridge for bridging the neck of an aneurysm includes a junction region, a number of radially extending array elements attached to the junction region, and a cover attached to one or both of the junction region and an array element. The array elements are configured to be positioned within the aneurysm after the neck bridge is deployed from a delivery device. In a second embodiment, the neck bridge includes a junction region and a braided or mesh-like structure secured to the junction region. The braided or mesh-like structure is made from an elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific-Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Murphy, Michael P. Wallace, Tri Tran, Kim Nguyen, Hanh Ho, My Doan, Robert M. Abrams, Harold F. Carrison
  • Patent number: 7410483
    Abstract: The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. The proximal and distal segments are connected by a set of cables in such a fashion that each proximal segment forms a discrete pair with a distal segment. This configuration allows each segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations. The articulating mechanisms may also be combined in such a way to remotely mimic finger movements for manipulation of an object or body tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Novare Surgical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Danitz, Cameron D. Hinman
  • Patent number: 7410484
    Abstract: A gas-based cryotherapy probe is provided with a shaft having a closed distal end adapted for insertion into a body. A supply conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas towards the distal end, and a return conduit is disposed longitudinally within the shaft for flowing gas from the distal end. The gas is maintained at a lower pressure within the return conduit than in the supply conduit. A heat exchanger is disposed within the shaft in thermal communication with the supply conduit and return conduit to exchange heat from gas in the supply conduit to gas in the return conduit. A vacuum jacket is adapted to provide thermal isolation of the heat exchanger from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: CryoDynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Littrup, Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Pramod Kerkar, Sergey T. Boldarev
  • Patent number: 7410485
    Abstract: A miniature microwave antenna is disclosed which may be utilized for biomedical applications such as, for example, radiation induced hyperthermia through catheter systems. One feature of the antenna is that it possesses azimuthal directionality despite its small size. This directionality permits targeting of certain tissues while limiting thermal exposure of adjacent tissue. One embodiment has an outer diameter of about 0.095? (2.4 mm) but the design permits for smaller diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Greg Y. Lin, Andrew W. Chu, Justin A. Dobbins, G. Dickey Arndt, Phong H. Ngo
  • Patent number: 7410486
    Abstract: A circumferential ablation catheter is provided, which is particularly useful for treating atrial arrhythmia by ablating a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue in a tubular region of or near the heart of a patient. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. An ablation assembly is mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The ablation assembly comprises a circumferential ablation element mounted on the distal end of the catheter body, and an inflatable balloon provided in surrounding relation to the circumferential ablation element. The inflatable balloon is adjustable between a radially collapsed position and a radially expanded position. The catheter further comprises a stabilization assembly mounted on the catheter distal to the ablation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristine B. Fuimaono, Robert W. Pike, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7410487
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for coagulating soft tissue such as atrial tissue in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The surgical device can include at least one elongate member comprising conductive elements adapted to coagulate soft tissue when radiofrequency or direct current energy is transmitted to the conductive elements. Openings through said conductive elements are routed through lumens in the elongate member to a vacuum source to actively engage the soft tissue surface intended to coagulate into intimate contact with the conductive elements to facilitate the coagulation process and ensure the lesions created are consistent, contiguous, and transmural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: nContact Surgical, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Whayne
  • Patent number: 7410488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nail and fastener assembly for use in providing a stable construct for optimal fixation of the hindfoot and to methods for implanting the nail and fastener assembly. One embodiment of the nail and fastener assembly provides additional fixation, for example, in the form of one or more threaded bores, to hold the fasteners in a fixed position. Another embodiment provides angled bores to allow multi-planar and multi-axial implantation of the fasteners. In some instances, the fasteners may cross one or more articulating surfaces of the foot. For example, the fastener may traverse one or more of the calcaneo-cuboid and the talo-calcaneal articulating surfaces to aid in more secure stabilization of the hindfoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Si Janna, William Stewart, Roy Sanders
  • Patent number: 7410489
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fixing a bone fragment or a bone prosthesis onto a bone. To affix a bone fragment to the bone, an internal fastener is attached from within the interior of the bone to a bone fragment with a length of flexible, inelastic cord extending within the bone interior and attached to the fastener and passing outwardly through an opening in a second bone fragment. An axially rigid tubular support may be placed along the cord to reduce particulate shedding, to reduce ingrowth of bone into the cord, to provide compressive resistance to the cable, or to deliver antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals. The fastener and cord are so positioned as to draw respective fracture surfaces together to reduce the fracture when the cord is pulled outwardly of the opening in the second bone fragment. A second fastener desirably is attached to the bone opening, this fastener including an open bore to receive the cord and a lock to secure the cord to this fastener and maintain the cord under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Daos Limited
    Inventors: Edward B. Dakin, Albert L. Lippincott, III
  • Patent number: 7410490
    Abstract: A surgical device having a sheath and legs slidably received within the sheath. The legs are adapted to move outwardly away from each other when deployed from the sheath to establish a deployed position, and to move inwardly toward each other to collapse within the sheath and define a stowed or grasping position. Each of the legs has a transverse cross-sectional shape defined by a concave surface, an oppositely-disposed convex surface, and lateral sides interconnecting the concave and convex surfaces. The legs and sheath are configured to cause the legs to fully collapse within the sheath such that the lateral sides of adjacent pairs of the legs contact each other, and/or the legs define a tubular shape having a circular opening defined by the concave surfaces of the legs and a circular exterior cross-section defined by the convex surfaces of the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Omnitech Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg A. VanDusseldorp
  • Patent number: 7410491
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device comprises one or more support hoops connected near a distal end of a guide wire, each support hoop having an articulation region, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop or hoops to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The mouth of the sac closes when the apparatus is collapsed for removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Incept LLC
    Inventors: Leo N. Hopkins, Farhad Khosravi, Amr Salahieh, Jackson F. Demond, Jonah Lepak, Stephen Ramee, Jeff A. Krolik, Richard Renati
  • Patent number: 7410492
    Abstract: Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ev3 Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Mazzocchi, Timothy Claude, James Segermark
  • Patent number: 7410493
    Abstract: A method and device for the treatment of anxiety disorder, including panic attacks. A hammer is used to tap the cutaneous region of the bladder channel on the back until the skin turns pink. The skin on the abdomen, arms, legs, and buttocks can also be used for treatment. The hammer preferably has a magnetic piece in one end of the hammer head. The method can treat anxiety disorder including panic attack, general anxiety, phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress related tension headache, insomnia, and any stress. Patients can use the hammer to treat themselves at home, office, and during traveling. The method and device are simple, effective, nontoxic, safe, have no side effects, inexpensive, and convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Yu Chen, Ming An Chen
  • Patent number: 7410494
    Abstract: A surgical device (101) for grasping and severing body tissue comprises a housing (140) which defines a proximal end (102) and a distal end (104), a user operating handle (160) at the proximal end (102), and two blade elements (110, 120) at the distal end (104). The user operating handle (160) may be activated to pivot the blade elements (110, 120) about two parallel grasping pivot axes to grasp a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements (110, 120). The user operating handle (160) may also be activated to pivot the blade elements (110, 120) about a severing pivot axis to sever a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements (110, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: International and Surgical Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Menno Kalmann, Franciscus Laurens Moll
  • Patent number: 7410495
    Abstract: A medical closure screen device for a separation of first and second tissue portions is provided, which includes a mesh screen comprising tubular vertical risers, vertical strands with barbed filaments, and horizontal spacers connecting the risers and strands in a grid-like configuration. An optional perimeter member partly surrounds the screen and can comprise a perimeter tube fluidically coupled with the vertical risers to form a tubing assembly. Various input/output devices can optionally be connected to the perimeter tube ends for irrigating and/or draining the separation according to methodologies of the present invention. Separation closure, irrigation and drainage methodologies are disclosed utilizing various combinations of closure screens, tubing, sutures, fluid transfer elements and gradient force sources. The use of mechanical forces associated with barbed strands for repositionably securing separated tissues together is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Zamierowski
  • Patent number: 7410496
    Abstract: An orthopedic device having a support structure provided with at least an orifice for a fixing screw associated with a nut; the head of the screw to be pressed on one side of the support, and the nut adapted to be pressed on the other side of the support, in a housing enabling its being integrated at least partly, so as to enable the support structure to be clamped between the screw head and the nut when the screw body has been completely screwed in the receiving bone material. The implantable device includes elements for maintaining the nut in its housing opposite the orifice, and elements for locking the nut in rotation. The contours of the housing and of the nut are dimensioned to provide at least one degree of freedom to the nut in the housing enabling self-centering of the screw and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: DLP
    Inventor: Guillaume Derouet
  • Patent number: 7410497
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical devices that contain at least one tissue contacting surface that is configured to undergo a variation in surface charge in response to a time-dependent signal. Such a variation in surface charge is provided, for example, to enhance or inhibit cellular growth adjacent to, on, or within the at least one tissue contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger N. Hastings, William J. Drasler, Mark Lynn Jenson
  • Patent number: 7410498
    Abstract: A biocompatible non-memory expandable polymeric article selected from stents, implantable prostheses, catheters, other surgical articles and sealants for implantable prostheses, and which is at least in part biodegradable and includes a combination where hollow cylindrical element (2) is depicted in cutaway form to reveal helical element (4), terminated schematically at (6) and where a combination of at least one thermoplastic elastomeric component and at least one thermoplastic non-elastomeric component, the article being either porous articles or having the potential to become porous by action of body fluids in situ), the thermoplastic non-elastomeric component being present in such an amount as will provide mechanical strength and rigidity to the article when in an expanded mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Pentech Medical Devices Ltd.
    Inventor: Adel Penhasi