Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7678121 | Surgical stapling tool A surgical stapler may include a catheter connected to a stapler head and a handle. The stapler head may be configured for introduction into the vasculature of a patient. The stapler head may include a driver movable in two dimensions relative to a plurality of stap... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7670348 | Heart defect closure apparatus An exemplary medical apparatus insertable into the vasculature of a patient at an insertion point for treating a defect in the heart, may include an elongated, flexible driver sufficient in length to extend from the insertion point to the defect in the heart; and a ... | 03/02/2010 |
| 7651509 | Methods and devices for tissue repair An apparatus includes first and second fixation members, a flexible member coupled to the first and second fixation members, and a limiting element coupled to the flexible member. The limiting element is movable relative to the second fixation member and acts to lim... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7645284 | Doppler directed suturing and compression device and method A compression and ligation device includes a pair of jaws including one or more Doppler chips oriented to send and receive Doppler signals across the jaws, to assist a practitioner in determining whether or not a uterine artery is between the jaws. A suture leader w... | 01/12/2010 |
| 7621924 | Method and apparatus for radical prostatectomy anastomosis including an anchor for engaging a body vessel and deployable sutures Apparatus for performing a surgical anastomosis include a sleeve, a tubular body (220) configured and adapted to be slidably received within the sleeve, a firing head operatively coupled to a distal end of the tubular body and defining a plurality of needle p... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7621925 | Needle assembly for tissue manipulation Needle assemblies for tissue manipulation are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7618425 | Endoscopic suturing system An endoscopic treatment device is used with an endoscope. This treatment device includes a transmission member with a flexible structure having a distal end portion to be inserted into a body and can be operated outside the body, a push rod coupled to the distal end... | 11/17/2009 |
| 7618426 | Apparatus and methods for forming gastrointestinal tissue approximations Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point, moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the se... | 11/17/2009 |
| 7601159 | Interlocking tissue anchor apparatus and methods Interlocking tissue anchor apparatus and methods are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular mem... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7601160 | Device and methods for non-surgical clipping of aneurysms The present invention relates to a device for the non-surgical clipping of aneurysms. The invention also includes methods of use to treat aneurysms, including intracranial aneurysms. The aneurysm is clipped by positioning a wire comprising a shape memory alloy, pre-... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7588582 | Methods for remodeling cardiac tissue Described herein are methods of remodeling the base of a ventricle. In particular, methods of remodeling a valve annulus by forming a new fibrous annulus are described. These methods may result in a remodeled annulus that corrects valve leaflet function without subs... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7582095 | Surgical ligation clip and method for use thereof The clip applier of the current invention solves the problems of prior art tools by incorporating a pre-clamp mechanism, the function of which is to pre-clamp the vessel to be ligated to a dimension such that the center leg of the spring of the ligation clip need be... | 09/01/2009 |
| 7572265 | Method and apparatus for passing a suture A suture pushing device includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a suturing head at the distal end of the shaft. The suturing head includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw and/or the second jaw have a tissue cutting edge adapted to cut a... | 08/11/2009 |
| 7569062 | Mitral and tricuspid valve repair A novel approach to mitral or tricuspid valve repair involves the performance of an edge-to-edge fastening/securing of opposing heart valve leaflets through a catheter entering the heart. Thus, a device is introduced including a leaflet fastener applicator through a... | 08/04/2009 |
| 7559936 | Cardiac devices and methods for percutaneous repair of atrioventricular valves Novel apparatus and minimally invasive methods to treat The present invention provides methods and devices for grasping, stabilizing and fastening of cardiac valve leaflets to treat atrioventricular valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve regurgitation, in th... | 07/14/2009 |
| 7544198 | Systems and methods for applying a suture within a blood vessel lumen Systems and methods apply a suture within a blood vessel lumen. The systems and methods advance within a blood vessel lumen a catheter tube having a distal region that carries a suture applicator. The systems and methods operate the suture applicator from a location... | 06/09/2009 |
| 7530984 | Transgastric method for carrying out a partial fundoplication The invention is a transgastric method for the endoscopic partial fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The method makes use of an articulated endoscope, which is introduced through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach of th... | 05/12/2009 |
| 7500979 | Surgical stapling device with multiple stacked actuator wedge cams for driving staple drivers A surgical stapling device. Stapling device may comprise an end effector and a plurality of stacked actuatable wedge band sets. Each stacked wedge band set comprises at least two different-level wedge bands for axially traversing the end effector. Each wedge band co... | 03/10/2009 |
| 7497864 | Tissue fastener and methods for using same In one embodiment, a hook fastener has a plurality of hooks and a loop fastener has a plurality of loops to secure tissues sections to one another. At least one of these fasteners has a porous surface to allow tissue ingrowth to secure the fastener to the tissue. In... | 03/03/2009 |
| 7473258 | Surgical stapler A method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing staples in a first configuration, plastically deforming at least one staple to a second configuration different from the first configuration; and then plastically deforming at least one staple to a third ... | 01/06/2009 |
| 7470275 | Anastomotic ring applier device providing forward and retrograde visualization A surgical instrument for deploying an anastomotic ring device comprises a ring deployment mechanism, which is configured to receive and deploy an anastomotic ring. The instrument further comprises an imaging element that is operable to capture an image of the anast... | 12/30/2008 |
| 7462185 | Intravascular stapling tool An intravascular stapler may include a catheter connected to a stapler head and to a handle. The stapler head may be introduced into the vasculature of a patient through an opening in the femoral artery or other part of the vasculature, and advanced to a treatment s... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7462186 | Anastomotic ring applier device utilizing an electroactive polymer A surgical instrument is operable to deploy an anastomotic ring device. The instrument comprises a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive and deploy the anastomotic ring through an actuating force. The instrument further comprises an electroactive polymer t... | 12/09/2008 |
| 7455676 | Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. T... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7455675 | Device and method for withdrawing a tubular body part A device for withdrawing a tubular body part such as a varicose vein is provided. A needle is inserted through a skin. The needle contains therein an engaging element in an undeployed state. After the needle is inserted, the engaging element is pushed out of the nee... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7452363 | Applier for fastener for single lumen access anastomosis Creating an anastomosis, or the surgical formation of a passage between two normally distinct vessels or lumens, is enhanced by an applier that introduces a ring device without the need for a separate anvil to form a hollow rivet shaped attachment. Moreover, the rin... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7445622 | Anastomotic ring applier with double motion actuation A surgical tool for deploying an anastomotic ring comprises a handle and a ring deployment mechanism at the distal end of a shaft. The ring deployment mechanism has a distal portion and a proximal portion, and is moveable from an unactuated position to an actuated p... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7442198 | Suturing instrument with multi-load cartridge Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, ... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7441685 | Surgical stapling instrument with a return mechanism A surgical instrument including a band configured to move a cutting member within an end effector. The instrument can further include a reel, wherein at least a portion of the band can be wound around the reel, and wherein the cutting member can be configured to unw... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7431188 | Surgical stapling apparatus with powered articulation The surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism for articulating a tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear rotatably mounted on a transmi... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7431724 | Medical clip applier safety arrangement A medical clip dispenser apparatus for the pinching of a medical clip or staple about a portion of a mammalian body tissue. The apparatus comprises an elongated support beam having a distal end with a stationary lower housing thereon, and a distally movable hollow c... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7431725 | Devices and methods for retaining a gastro-esophageal implant Various methods and devices are described for retaining a medical implant within a body cavity. According to one aspect, one or more plications are formed and the medical device is coupled to or seated against the plication(s). A patch may be positioned between tiss... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7430457 | Robot teaching program editing apparatus based on voice input Candidate character strings representing objects disposed in a work cell, models for robot operation instructions which has variable parts, and robot commands related to the objects are defined in advance. By inputting a query such as ‘Workpiece 1 ?’ by voice, t... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7419080 | Surgical stapling and cutting device with dual actuating control knob A medical device includes a surgical end effector, an end effector control handle, and a control shaft having a longitudinal axis and a handle portion connecting the control shaft to the control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. A passive articulation jo... | 09/02/2008 |
| 7410499 | Valve holder A valve holder assembly having a main valve holder and a detachable secondary valve holder for positioning a heart valve prosthesis. ... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7410086 | Electroactive polymer-based actuation mechanism for circular stapler Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. An electrically expandable and contractible actuato... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7407074 | Electroactive polymer-based actuation mechanism for multi-fire surgical fastening instrument Methods and devices are provided for effecting movement of one or more components of a multifire device, such as a clip applier, hernia tacker, or skin stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical fastening instrument is provided having an elongate shaft with an... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7407077 | Electroactive polymer-based actuation mechanism for linear surgical stapler Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a surgical stapler. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler is provided having a stapling mechanism or end effector that is movably coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft. An electrically expanda... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7404509 | Electroactive polymer-based articulation mechanism for linear stapler Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a surgical stapler. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler is provided having a stapling mechanism or end effector that is movably coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft. An electrically expanda... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7402166 | Devices and methods for positioning sutures A device that facilitates the placement of one or more needles and their attached sutures in the body of a surgical patient is disclosed. The device contains one or more needle guide channels in which one or more needles may be backloaded. The device also contains o... | 07/22/2008 |