Patents Issued in October 4, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180279986
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry extracts a fixed object included in chronologically collected X-ray images and having a substantially fixed position. The processing circuitry detects a target object included in each of the X-ray images, on the basis of extraction results of the fixed object. The processing circuitry generates a plurality of corrected images by a correction process to substantially match, with a reference position, the detected position of the target object in an X-ray image other than a reference X-ray image, the reference position being the detected position of the target object in the reference X-ray image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi Nagae, Masahiro Ozawa, Yuichiro Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20180279987
    Abstract: In various embodiments, vibro-acoustic transducer arrangements in accordance herewith are optimized for sensing and transducing acoustic phenomena occurring within a patient's body, and manifesting themselves at the skin surface with frequencies ranging from 0.001 Hz to 10 kHz. Strategies for effectively coupling to the skin include judicious mismatching of mechanical impedance, the use of impedance-matching gels or liquids, a shaped (e.g., domed) pickup, material selection, and/or a peripheral leaf-spring arrangement permitting relative movement between inner and peripheral diaphragm portions. The spring stiffness or spring compliance of the leaf springs may be selectively chosen to optimize the frequency response of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Geoffrey A. BOYD
  • Publication number: 20180279988
    Abstract: A tracking system for tracking a medical attachment device within a tracking area, the tracking system including a first reflector defining a first tracking region, a medical attachment device having at least one reflector sensor operable to integrate the first reflector, and a processor communicatively coupled to the medical attachment device, the processor operable to determine a distance between the medical attachment device and the first reflector to determine a location of the medical attachment device relative to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Christian Raul GUTIERREZ MORALES
  • Publication number: 20180279989
    Abstract: A wireless stethoscope is described, having wireless sensors that are enclosed in disposable pads so that the same pads are not used on more than one patient, preventing cross-infection of patients associated with conventional stethoscopes. The present wireless stethoscope also detects pulmonary sounds and cardiac sounds, allowing the user to monitor one or the other without interference. Also described is a method for diagnosing a pulmonary condition using the wireless stethoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin Trice
  • Publication number: 20180279990
    Abstract: The ultrasonic image pickup apparatus includes a transmission/reception control unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave by applying a DC bias voltage and an AC driving voltage between electrodes of the electrostatic capacity type micro-machined ultrasonic transducer and picks up an image by transmitting and receiving two or more kinds of ultrasonic waveforms which have different signs, amplitudes, or phases from each other for one scanning line. In addition, as the AC driving voltage, the ultrasonic image pickup apparatus uses a voltage waveform that is obtained by adding a high frequency pulse waveform and a low frequency waveform that has a longer cycle than that of the high frequency pulse waveform and has such a voltage amplitude as makes the total voltage of the low frequency waveform and the DC bias voltage is equal or smaller than a pull-in voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroaki HASEGAWA, Hiroki TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20180279991
    Abstract: A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Kenneth D. BREWER, Viet Nam LE, Matthew OUELLETTE, Mathias BLAKE
  • Publication number: 20180279992
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include embodiments of a positioning device and a method for using the same. The method may comprise applying pressure during an ultrasound examination. Embodiments of the disclosed positioning device include an arch configuration and an arm configuration to span across a gurney and over a patient on the gurney, the arch including a track that spans at least part of a length the arch, and an instrument attachment attached to the track of the arch, or an arm with multiple joints with an instrument attachment attached to the distal end of the arm, which serves to assist the motions of the user. The instrument attachment is configured to hold an instrument, such as an ultrasound transducer, and may extend the instrument toward the patient, such as to apply pressure to the patient during an ultrasound examination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Baker Group, LLP
    Inventors: Jonathan Frankel, Michael Baker
  • Publication number: 20180279993
    Abstract: Methods may be provided to operate an imaging system using a contact imaging probe to generate imaging of a body. A robotic actuator may be controlled to position the contact imaging probe at a first location on a surface of the body such that the contact imaging probe is in a first radial alignment with an imaging isocenter. The robotic actuator may then be controlled to position the contact imaging probe at a second location on the surface of the body such that the contact imaging probe is in a second radial alignment with the imaging isocenter. Moreover, the first and second radial alignments may be different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Norbert Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180279994
    Abstract: Medical tool positioning and control devices, systems, and methods. Handle assemblies that allow a steerable shaft to be steered, while allowing the separate movement of a medical tool. The handle assemblies can allow for rotation and axial movement of the medical tool, and optionally with an actuator disposed distal to a second actuator that controls steering of the steerable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Schaer, Tom Saul, Amr Salahieh, Colin Mixter, Joseph C. Trautman, Marc Bitoun, Todor Jeliaskov
  • Publication number: 20180279995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stroke detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: BURL Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Doyle, Thilo Hoelscher, James Brailean, Maximillian Dirnbacher, Arne Voie, Mark Banham, Balaji Simma, Jeffry Tola
  • Publication number: 20180279996
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating a 3D ultrasound image includes acquiring a 3D volumetric data set corresponding to a 3D imaging volume of an ultrasound probe in a 3D detection volume; acquiring a position of the ultrasound probe with respect to the 3D detection volume; acquiring a position of an interventional medical device with respect to the 3D detection volume; determining a position of the interventional medical device relative to the 3D imaging volume of the ultrasound probe; determining an interventional medical device-aligned plane that intersects with a longitudinal axis of the interventional medical device; extracting a texture slice from the 3D imaging volume for a corresponding interventional medical device-aligned plane positional and rotational orientation; mapping the texture slice onto the interventional medical device-aligned plane; and rendering the interventional medical device-aligned plane as a 3D ultrasound image and displaying the rendered 3D ultrasound image on a display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Cox, Michael A. Randall, Peng Zheng, Samuel J. Radochonski, Dean M. Addison, Bryan A. Matthews, Jeffery L. Addison
  • Publication number: 20180279997
    Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment, processing circuitry obtains volume data corresponding to at least one cardiac cycle and being taken of a region including the right ventricle of a patient. The processing circuitry estimates motion information of a tissue in the region by using the volume data. The processing circuitry calculates information including at least one selected from between wall motion information and volume information related to the right ventricle, on the basis of the motion information of the tissue. The processing circuitry outputs the calculated information. The processing circuitry corrects first motion information of the right ventricular outflow tract, which is an outflow tract of the right ventricle, by using second motion information of a site that is positioned in the vicinity of the right ventricular outflow tract and exhibits motion similar to that of the right ventricular outflow tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko ABE
  • Publication number: 20180279998
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Donald F. SPECHT, Kenneth D. BREWER
  • Publication number: 20180279999
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis device includes a controller. The controller is configured to: calculate a feature related to an ultrasound signal, based on the ultrasound signal received from an observation target; estimate a physical quantity of scattering bodies included in the observation target, by using: a relation derived based on a known physical quantity of an object and a feature obtained from the object, the object including scattering bodies having the known physical quantity; and the calculated feature of the observation target; and generate information to be displayed on a display, the information including a result of the estimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomonao KAWASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20180280000
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers and a calculation circuitry. The calculation circuitry calculates part of delay data relating to a delay time which is set in each of the ultrasonic transducers, before transmission of ultrasonic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki TAMANO, Taketoshi NAGAI, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20180280001
    Abstract: A medical image diagnosis apparatus includes a power factor corrector, a DC/DC converter, and a battery device. The power factor corrector is supplied with AC power and generates DC power to drive individual parts of the apparatus. The DC/DC converter converts the voltage of the DC power generated by the power factor corrector to a voltage desired for driving the individual parts. The battery device includes a battery that stores DC power, a discharging circuit that is connected to the downstream side of the power factor corrector and supplies the DC power from the battery to the individual parts, and a charging circuit that is connected to the upstream side of the power factor corrector, and is supplied with AC power and supplies DC power to the battery. The battery device supplies the DC power to the individual parts when the power factor corrector cannot supply the DC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Iwama, Shuta Fujiwara, Isao Uchiumi, Hiroyuki Shibanuma, Wataru Kameishi
  • Publication number: 20180280002
    Abstract: A specimen container system and methods of use are described herein for capturing, storing and accessing fluids for lab testing. A cup is removably secured to a cap assembly. The cap assembly is comprised of cover and a lid which are connected by a hinge assembly having a biasing member for maintain the lid in an open position. An aperture in the cap has two sections that in combination with the lid decreases the contamination risk compared to prior art container system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Marc S. Kopoian
  • Publication number: 20180280003
    Abstract: Provided is a spiral soft tissue biopsy needle, comprising a puncture needle rod (1), a sampling needle rod (2), and a hand shank (3) for fixing the puncture needle rod (1) and the sampling needle rod (2), wherein the sampling needle rod (2) comprises a spiral needle rod (21) for fixing the sampling site and a cutting needle rod (22) for separating the sample from the sampling site, the spiral needle rod (21) has a hollow structure, the front end of the spiral needle rod (21) is provided with a spring spiral tube (211), and the front end of the cutting needle rod (22) is provided with a cutting edge (221). The spiral soft tissue biopsy needle of the present invention can improve the success rate of one-time sampling and achieve a multi-point sampling in different positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Shihui CHEN, Xinru DU
  • Publication number: 20180280004
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to a biopsy device configured to engage target tissue within a patient and to remove a sample of the target tissue from the patient. The biopsy device comprises an elongate catheter configured to be inserted into a patient. A coring component is disposed at the distal end of the catheter to sample the target tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Lee, William S. Krimsky, Brad A. Snow
  • Publication number: 20180280005
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing an endovascular procedure using ultrasonic energy includes a catheter comprising a wave guide including an expandable portion for delivering the ultrasonic energy from a source for performing the endovascular procedure. The expandable portion may comprise a plurality of wires formed of a shape memory material. A retractable sheath may be provided for receiving the plurality of wires in the non-deployed position and for being withdrawn to expose the wires in the deployed position. A linear actuator for moving the plurality of wires in a longitudinal direction or a rotary actuator for rotating the plurality of wires may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: William Parmentier
  • Publication number: 20180280006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for closing a hole in the wall of a cardiovascular structure from the inside using a self-assembling closure device. The closure device can be delivered to the subject hole from the inside of the cardiovascular chamber using a transcatheter approach. Disclosed techniques involve deploying the closure device from the delivery device such that an endo-cameral portion of the closure device self-expands first to cover the hole from the inside, and then extra-cameral arms of the device are released to self-deploy against the outside of the wall by withdrawal of a retaining element, such as a guidewire, to secure the closure device to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human
    Inventors: Toby Rogers, Merdim Sonmez, Ozgur Kocaturk, Robert J. Lederman
  • Publication number: 20180280007
    Abstract: A prosthesis and a method of plugging or covering a trocar tract with the prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, a respective opening at each end, and a channel extending between the proximal end of the tubular body and the distal end of the tubular body. The prosthesis is removably mounted along a trocar. The trocar is removable from the prosthesis such that the prosthesis is left at the trocar tract when the trocar is removed from the tract. The prosthesis includes a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the opening at the distal end of the tubular body is smaller than the opening at the proximal end of the tubular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Devang Vijay Shah
  • Publication number: 20180280008
    Abstract: A treatment method is disclosed, which is capable of causing a medical elongated body to indwell the inside of a palmar artery of a patient, while suppressing kink, poor torque transmission ability, and poor operability of the medical elongated body. The treatment method includes causing a sheath tube of an introducer introduced into a blood vessel via a puncture site formed on an ulnar artery side of a palmar artery of the patient, to indwell the puncture site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryo OKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180280009
    Abstract: A flexible cable sheath includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a flexible cable passing through the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve has a plurality of individual segments which are coupled to bend and have limited axial separation. By tensioning the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve, the resulting assembly has improved dimensional stability and torsional rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Maciej J. Kietruakis, Ronan Jenkinson
  • Publication number: 20180280010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a natural orifice translumenal minimally invasive surgical apparatus comprising a control box assembly sequentially connected with a hose assembly, a serpentine structure and a tip assembly at a middle position at a distal end of the control box assembly. Axes of the hose assembly and the serpentine structure are coincident with an axis of the tip assembly. The control box assembly is configured to position and replace a minimally invasive surgical instrument, support the surgical tool when being operated, and perform a minimally invasive surgery. The hose assembly is configured to provide passageways for the minimally invasive surgical instrument and a transmission wire and to output motions and loads. The tip assembly is configured to support the minimally invasive surgical instrument when being operated and enable the surgical instrument to have an enlarged motion space range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Shuxin WANG, Guokai ZHANG, Junbo WEI
  • Publication number: 20180280011
    Abstract: A surgical retractor and configured to minimize tearing of the gloves without compromising the ability to grip tissue. The surgical retractor has a handle, a blade, and a plurality of retraction elements. The retraction elements may be fixed to the blade but arranged in a specific configuration that minimizes tearing of the gloves without compromising the ability to grip tissue. The retraction elements may also be made deployable by having a deployed configuration in which the retraction elements are exposed, and a stowed configuration in which the retraction elements are hidden.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas D. Ferro, Donald J. Lee, Joseph Phillips, Christiana M. Ferro, Austin T. Ferro, Scott C. Gill
  • Publication number: 20180280012
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a transnasal odontoid retractor that can retract tissue unilaterally or bilaterally, with the retractor including one or more retractor shafts that can be configured between a closed position and an open position, and controlled using, for example, a forcep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Maureen Darwal
  • Publication number: 20180280013
    Abstract: A surgical support device including a housing containing a supporting means and a band or sling which are deployed out of an aperture in the housing specimen via an activator or deployment mechanism. The deployed supporting means and band or sling are configured to be capable of retracting, supporting and maintaining a body organ or tissue during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Beacon Surgical Instruments, LLC
    Inventors: Sundaram RAVIKUMAR, Guy OSBORNE, Harry Allan ALWARD
  • Publication number: 20180280014
    Abstract: A surgical retractor system includes a substantially tubular retractor having several segments which can be irreversibly severed from one another to carry out a length adaptation of the retractor. A segment is subdivided into an expanding section and a plate section of differing radial flexibility and connected to each other in a one-piece material bond to allow plastic radial expansion of the retractor. An extractor can be operated to bring about plastic radial constriction of the retractor contrary to the radial expansion of the retractor. The extractor is prepared to cooperate with the plate section to bring about radial constriction of the retractor. A surgical instrument for removing a distractor or retractor from an opening includes at least one handle section defining a handle's longitudinal axis and at least one operating section defining a longitudinal effective axis, which are coupled to each other by a connecting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: JENS BEGER, Mario Serpa, Frank-Markus Storz, Francis Kilian
  • Publication number: 20180280015
    Abstract: An assembly includes a flexible fixation member, a suture, and a delivery device. The fixation member includes a body with two terminal ends. A suture passes through the flexible fixation member at various points along a length of the body such that portions of the fixation member are slidable relative to the suture and configurable to form a cluster within a surgical site. The delivery device includes a tubular member, an elongated inserter, and a trigger. The elongated inserter is slidably disposed within the tubular member. The inserter has a forked distal end configured to receive a portion of the fixation member and the suture. The trigger is finger-engagable and fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the inserter. It is configured to advance and retract the inserter relative to the tubular member. The trigger includes a retention member for retaining a proximal end portion of the suture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey I. Karasic, Brett A. McKenzie, Steven William Astorino, Richard M. Lunn, Matthew Edwin Koski, Tatsuya Arai, Mark Edwin Housman, Roland F. Gatturna
  • Publication number: 20180280016
    Abstract: There is provided a suture passer device used in procedures of robotic assisted minimally invasive suspension of the hyoid and tongue base in treatment of sleep apnea. The suture passer device is a dual use suture passer, having both suture insertor and extractor functionality on a single unitary instrument section of the device by means of insertion and extraction hooks positioned on an elongated needlelike body which is connected to a handle grip. The insertion and extraction hooks receive a suture via an opening in the body of the instrument, with the suture capable of removal and fastening to the extraction hook by robotic forceps. Procedures for using the device are disclosed which include a single point of entry on a patient and the device moved to first and second positions above and below the hyoid bone during robotic assisted surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Yosef Krespi, Ron Hadani
  • Publication number: 20180280017
    Abstract: A device is described that has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: L'Emir Ahmad El-Ayoubi, Mark M. Dehdashtian, Teodoro S. Jimenez, Yoon H. Kwon, Norma A. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20180280018
    Abstract: A suture passer which is sized and shaped to be inserted through the femoral notch during a meniscal repair. The suture passer includes upper and lower jaws that may be straight or that may have an angled offset in relation to the common axis of the suture passer in order to gain an indirect access to meniscal tissue in a constricted space. The jaws of the suture passer may be angled, either to the left or to the right, up to 45 degrees from the central axis of the shaft. The suture passer is also able to grasp meniscal tissue prior to suture passing. A nitinol needle housed within one of the jaws can then be deployed to pass a preloaded suture through the tissue to be captured on the opposite side of the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. LaPrade, David R. Diduch, David Kent Gregoire, Jeffrey Wyman, George William White, Carmel Ilka Bijoux, Jennifer Ng
  • Publication number: 20180280019
    Abstract: A system (10) including an helicoidal member (16); an elongated guide (26) positionable at least partially through the helicoidal member (16) along the longitudinal axis of helicoidal member (16), the guide (26) defining a longitudinally extending peripheral surface cooled portion (32); a cooling subsystem (33) for cooling the peripheral surface cooled portion (32); and a driver (34) for mounting the helicoidal member (16) thereto and rotating the helicoidal member (16) along the helicoidal member longitudinal axis while allowing the helicoidal member (16) to advance along the guide (26) in a distally oriented direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Toufic Azar, Renzo Cecere
  • Publication number: 20180280020
    Abstract: A surgical stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge, and a buttress material removably retained to the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge can include at least one staple removably stored therein which can, when deployed, or fired, therefrom, contact the buttress material and remove the buttress material from the anvil and/or staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the anvil can include at least one lip and/or groove configured to removably retain the buttress material to the anvil until deformable members extending from the surgical staple are bent by the anvil and are directed toward and contact the buttress material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, William B. Weisenburgh, II, Carl J. Shurtleff
  • Publication number: 20180280021
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180280022
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180280023
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including an end effector that has a selectively reciprocatable implement movably supported therein. The implement is selectively advanceable in a distal direction upon application of a rotary actuation motion thereto and retractable in a proximal direction upon application of a rotary retraction motion thereto. An elongate shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and is configured to transmit the rotary actuation motion and rotary retraction motion to the reciprocatable implement from a robotic system that is configured to generate the rotary actuation motion and said rotary retraction motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180280024
    Abstract: A surgical circular fastener apparatus includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, a fastener cartridge disposed adjacent the distal end of the body, an anvil retainer releasably mounted relative to the fastener cartridge; and a manually operably release configured to move between a first position corresponding to a secured condition of the anvil retainer relative to the fastener cartridge and a second position corresponding to a release condition of the anvil retainer relative to the fastener cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Justin Williams
  • Publication number: 20180280025
    Abstract: A surgical stapler is described herein which includes a shaft portion and a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the shaft portion. The too assembly includes an anvil and a cartridge body which rotatably supports a plurality of staples within notches. At least one firing cam is provided to sequentially to engage and rotate each of the staples to fire the staples from the cartridge body. In embodiments, the cartridge body includes two spaced legs which support two linear rows of staples. Each of the spaced legs of the cartridge body is supported within one of a first and a second cartridge channel. The cartridge channels are fixed to opposite sides of a pivot member which is pivotally supported at a distal end of the shaft portion between the shaft portion and the tool assembly such that translation of the first and second cartridge channels in opposite directions effects articulation of the tool assembly in relation to the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Publication number: 20180280026
    Abstract: An electric surgical stapler and a method for controlling closing and firing of the electric surgical stapler are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: SUZHOU INTOCARE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Zhang, Yunfeng Du, Dianchen Liu, Aiyu Huang
  • Publication number: 20180280027
    Abstract: A medical device includes (a) a capsule including a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end of the capsule including at least one window extending therethrough; (b) a bushing including a channel extending therethrough, a distal end including at least one arm extending distally therefrom such that a corresponding one of the arms is releasably engagable with a corresponding one of the windows; and (c) a core member including a locking portion and at least one engaging element. The locking portion is sized and shaped to be received within the channel of the bushing to apply a pressure to the arm such that the arm engages the windows. The engaging element extends laterally outward from a portion of the core member such that the engaging element engages a corresponding one of the arms to deform the arms radially inward and out of engagement with the windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Paul BARNER, Laura CHRISTAKIS, Craig MCGREEVY
  • Publication number: 20180280028
    Abstract: An external vascular support for shaping a vein-artery junction between an artery and a vein anastomosed to the artery, the support comprising: an arterial portion that is shaped to be in apposition with an exterior wall of the artery when the artery is accommodated within a lumen of the arterial portion, and a venous portion that is shaped to be in apposition with an exterior wall of the vein when the vein is accommodated within a lumen of the venous portion, wherein the arterial and venous portions are physically connected at an acute angle, and the corner of the acute angle is shaped as a rounding having a radius of curvature in the range of 0.25 mm to 4 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Eyal ORION, Tamar GILON
  • Publication number: 20180280029
    Abstract: A vascular remodeling device is provided. The device has an anchor portion, sized for deployment in a blood vessel, that is radially expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The device also includes a distal portion sized for deployment in a blood vessel. The distal portion is radially expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state and has a distal face that is sufficiently occlusive in the distal-to-proximal direction to perform a therapeutic blocking function in an aneurysm neck. The device also has an intermediate portion that interconnects a distal end of the anchor portion and a proximal end of the distal portion. In some embodiments, the anchor portion and/or distal portion has a plurality of interconnected struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Masoud Molaei, Evan Epstein, Gabriel Newell, Quang Tran
  • Publication number: 20180280030
    Abstract: A compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the upper esophageal sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective upper esophageal sphincter anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the compression device is used in conjunction with an external pressure sensing device to determine the external pressure that is to be applied to the cricoid for a specific patient. The compression device can be a means for the management and/or treatment of abnormal upper esophageal sphincter functionality, or a means for strengthening an esophageal sphincter of a subject, or a means for curing esophageal reflux disease of a subject, or a means for improving vocal function in a subject, or a means for managing lung aspiration, or a means for applying cricoid pressure during anesthesia intubation, or a means for stabilizing body structures such as during medical imaging or radiation treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Nick T. Maris, James S. Miller, Reza Shaker, Timothy Bachman, Nathan Schlueter, Eugene Paul Maloney, Eric David North, Paul Raine, Peter Alex
  • Publication number: 20180280031
    Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopaedic surgical instrument (1) for positioning a tibial cutting guide (2) including: at least a medial or a lateral cutting guide (3) and a vertical cutting guide (4) formed in a guide body (10); an arm or beam (11) supporting said guide body (10); a supporting rod (8) having a proximal end (18) coupled to said guide body (10) through said arm or beam (11). The arm (11) has a structure that is supported in a rotably and cantilever manner at the proximal end (18) of said rod (8); a locking mechanism (20) is provided in the proximity of said proximal end (18) for locking the arm (11) in a desired position; and a bistable mechanical switch (9) is active in said locking mechanism (20) for manually activating the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph FIEDLER, Alessandra BORDON
  • Publication number: 20180280032
    Abstract: A patient-matched cutting block including a surface or point contact features adapted to at least partially conform to or reference a patient specific anatomy. The cutting block having guide slots configured for guiding the movement of cutting tools relative to the patient specific anatomy or features configured to mate to and guide standard cutting guides relative to patient specific anatomy in order to form plateau and eminence resections of the patient specific anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Zachary Christopher Wilkinson, Brian W. McKinnon, David Timothy Mehl, Luke Andrew Gibson, Scott Kennedy Laster
  • Publication number: 20180280033
    Abstract: A trocar for preparing pilot holes, tunnels and other spaces within bone includes a piercing tip, a cutting element, and an expansion element for expanding the cutting element radially outwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the trocar. The cutting element includes one or more cutting blades. The trocar also includes a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft can include one or more apertures axially and radially aligned with the one or more cutting blades. The expansion element can include an activation rod housed inside the hollow shaft. The one or more cutting blades can be in the form of two opposed cutting blades separated by a gap, the two opposed cutting blades being radially displaceable with respect to the longitudinal axis. The activation rod can include a wedge that partially enters the gap between the two opposed cutting blades to displace the cutting blades to an expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Erik Papenfuss
  • Publication number: 20180280034
    Abstract: A laminectomy forceps having a cutting unit with a fixed beak and a sliding tray slidingly mounted on the fixed beak, an actuation lever to actuate the sliding tray, a handle in opposed position to the actuation lever and joined to an external frame joined to the fixed beak, a lever mechanism connected to the actuation lever and to the sliding tray, the lever mechanism including a first lever shaped as a straight bar, a second lever shaped as a straight bar and having a first arm between a fulcrum and a first end and a second arm between the fulcrum and a second end and a third lever shaped as a straight bar connected to a stem intended to push the sliding tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Alessandro MELOZZI
  • Publication number: 20180280035
    Abstract: A mill head for replaceable attachment to a base so as to collectively form a bone mill. The mill head includes shell with: a first opening in which bone stock is introduced into the head; and a second opening through which the bone chips are discharged. A cutting device is mounted in the shell to both rotate and move laterally. Attached to the cutting device are coupling features for engaging a drive spindle able to rotate the cutting device. Also attached to the housing is an alignment feature. The alignment feature engages a complementary alignment feature associated with the drive spindle so as a result of the engagement of the alignment features, the cutting device moves within the shell so that the cutting device coupling features are positioned to engage the drive spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Burmeister, Gary Kalinka, Michael Peterson