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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8033995 | Inflatable retractor with insufflation and method Various methods and devices are provided for accessing a body cavity. In one embodiment, a surgical access device is provided and includes an elongate member having a proximal support member configured to rest against an external tissue surface, a flexible elongate ... | 10/11/2011 |
| 7369901 | Myocardial lead and lead system An implantable myocardial stimulation lead comprises a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an electrical connector carried by the proximal end of the lead body. An electrode header carried by the distal end of the lead body has an axis and includes... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7338434 | Method and system for organ positioning and stabilization This invention provides a heart positioning device, method and system for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart. The heart positioning device may include a suction head and a shaft with a means for remotely changing th... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7311661 | Organ retractor and method of using the same The present disclosure relates to an endoscopic retractor apparatus for retracting and/or positioning organs during minimally invasive surgery. The apparatus includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween, and a retract... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7311719 | Active cannulas An active cannula which does more than merely maintain a passage is usable to create and/or enlarge a passage, to position a scope or instrument, to move or locate tissue, etc. The cannula can vary in size or shape as needed, intraoperatively. Because a cannula of t... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7309341 | Single lumen anastomosis applier for self-deploying fastener A surgical tool or applier facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation through a single bodily tissue lumen of an anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet type of attachment between tissue lumens. In addition to forming a puncture between apposite ... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7300440 | Methods and instruments for interbody fusion A laparoscopic surgical technique is provided for preparing a site for implantation of a fusion device or implant. In accordance with one embodiment of the technique, a laparoscope is provided having an outer sleeve with distraction fingers at one end to distract th... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7300448 | Balloon dissector with cannula There are disclosed various embodiments of a balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly which are provided to facilitate forming an anatomical space within the body, such as, for example, an anatomical space in the abdominal cavity or extraperitoneal space f... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7297153 | Apparatus and method for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may b... | 11/20/2007 |
| 7294103 | Retractor with inflatable blades A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or traum... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7291160 | Intragastric catheter An intragastric catheter provides satiety due to its presence in the stomach cavity. Efficacy is improved by the tactile sensation provided by a plurality of fingers that extend from the device. Normal peristaltic action upon the device moves the fingers relative to... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7270670 | Minimally-invasive surgical system utilizing a stabilizer A minimally-invasive anastomosis system includes a suspension that connects an anastomosis tool to a stabilizer. The stabilizer may be rigidly connected to a retractor or other structure that is fixed relative to the patient. The suspension facilitates anastomosis o... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7238172 | Deformable medical device for removing a needle The invention concerns a medical device comprising an inflatable sheath (2), a tubing (3) integral with a non-return valve (4), a rigid disc (5) forming a horizontal platform above the chamber (2) and means for receiving (6, 7, ... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7226462 | Specially shaped balloon device for use in surgery and method of use A balloon device useful for dissecting tissue or retracting tissue for the purpose of providing access for laparoscopic surgery, the device including a balloon which inflates to a shape specially suitable for the surgical procedure and the anatomical region of deplo... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7223277 | Method of inducing satiety An intragastric catheter provides a method of inducing satiety due to its presence in the stomach cavity. Efficacy is improved by the tactile sensation provided by a plurality of fingers that extend from the device. Normal peristaltic action upon the device moves th... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7225006 | Attachment and optical probe A medical monitoring system, such as an oximetry system, applies an attachment for securing an optical probe to a measurement site. The attachment has an elongated support with a first end and a second end, and a dedicated area in proximity of the first end. The ded... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7217273 | Fluid operated retractors A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion that is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues w... | 05/15/2007 |
| 7214185 | Surgical access device A surgical device for use in minimally invasive surgery in which body cavity is accessed by a surgeon though an access port defined by the device, the device including a body cavity engagement feature for insertion into the incision to locate the device in position,... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7214236 | Apparatus and methods for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic hernia repair and patch for use therewith Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the in... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7210485 | Method for spinal surgery Spinal surgery is carried out under direct visualization through a relatively small opening formed in a patient's skin. Intervening tissue between the opening and the surgical site is displaced so as to form a keyhole channel therethrough. The channel is characteriz... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7195590 | Surgical device A wound retractor comprises a retracting member for insertion into a wound opening and a proximal member for location member for location externally of a wound opening. The proximal member is movable relative to the retracing member to shorten the axial extent of th... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7195592 | Surgical retractor apparatus for use with a surgical port An improved surgical retraction apparatus (and corresponding method of operation) includes a plurality of rigid retraction members disposed about a central axis that move radially with respect to the central axis between a closed state and an open state. In the clos... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7182730 | Anal retractor An anal retractor includes four retractor valves (48), which are offset 90° relative to each other and can be moved radially apart from each other. For this the four retractor valves (48) are guided by sleds (30) in radial guide slots (14 | 02/27/2007 |
| 7179272 | Apparatus and method for dissecting tissue layers An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon diss... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7153261 | Surgical hand access apparatus A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with ... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7122003 | Endoscopic retractor instrument and associated method An endoscopic retractor instrument assembly includes a balloon having a pair of expandable or inflatable end portions and at least one expandable or inflatable spacer portion connecting the end portions to one another. A fastener is provided for securing the balloon... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7105012 | Positioning assembly and method of use The present invention is directed to a positioning apparatus for use during a surgical procedure, which may involve the repair of a vessel. The positioning apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may comprise a delivery assembly and a dis... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7060086 | Thermal treatment pack The present invention provides a thermal treatment pack that includes a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through th... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7052456 | Airway products having LEDs The present invention relates to an illuminated airway product that will allow visualization of the airway of a patient during intubation. The illuminated airway product includes a light source such as an LED disposed at its distal end. The LED shines axially, radia... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7041056 | Inflatable speculums An inflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice includes an inflatable bladder. In an embodiment, when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder includes a baffle member. The baffle member includes a plurality of baffles, and each ... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7037305 | Heart presentation device and method A medical instrument for positioning an internal organ during surgical and diagnostic procedures is provided. In one embodiment, the medical instrument includes a body having a tissue grasping element and an actuating member effective to move the tissue grasping ele... | 05/02/2006 |
| 7033319 | Abdominal retractor An adjustable retractor is disclosed comprising an inner ring, an outer ring spaced from the inner ring, and an elongate sleeve open at opposite ends. The sleeve is provided and extends between the inner and outer rings and is connected at the opposite ends to the r... | 04/25/2006 |
| 7019309 | Tripartite fiber-coupled fluorescence instrument A non-linear fluorescence microscope or endoscope includes: (a) a source of coherent light suitable to initiate non-linear fluorescence in a sample of interest located at a sample region; (b) a first light conductor positioned to receive at its terminal light from t... | 03/28/2006 |
| 7008377 | Surgical access port A device for retracting edges of an incision in a surface to form an opening including: a flexible, tubular skirt having an upper end, a lower end, and a channel therebetween; a ring connected to the lower end of the skirt for maintaining the lower end in an open co... | 03/07/2006 |
| 7001405 | Apparatus and method for developing an anatomic space for laparoscopic procedures with laparoscopic visualization A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6999807 | pH measuring balloon The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring the pH of blood in the vicinity of a vulnerable plaque. A balloon including an opto-electric device may be positioned proximate a vulnerable plaque. The balloon can be inflated to partially occlude b... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6989018 | Extraluminal balloon dissection The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic, the trac... | 01/24/2006 |
| 6974464 | Supportless atrioventricular heart valve and minimally invasive delivery systems thereof A supportless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, wherein a minimally invasive delivery system is provided throug... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6972026 | Surgical access device Surgical device (1) is for use in minimally invasive surgery using an inflated body cavity (2) accessible to a surgeon through an access port defined by a sleeve (4) passing through an incision in a patient's abdominal wall (3). The devic... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6966903 | Intravascular balloon occlusion device and method for using the same An intravascular balloon occlusion device according to the invention is shown. The device is ideally suited for use in a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The device includes a body having at least one selectively inflated balloon provided on the distal end th... | 11/22/2005 |
