...that the first rickshaw was invented in 1869 by an American Baptist minister, the Rev. E. Jonathan Scobie, to transport his invalid wife around the streets of Yokohama?
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8114085 | Percutaneous registration-and-access tool for minimally invasive spinal surgery Described herein is one or more implementations for a percutaneous spinal registration-and-access tool for minimally invasive spinal surgery involving lumbar pedicle screw fixation and registration (which is the set-up process for spinal computer navigation). This s... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8109961 | Bone fusion system and method A bone fusion system and method is disclosed. The system includes a bone mill having at least one docking station that is located at a position other than where a user inserts bone to be morcellated into the bone mill. This allows, for example, a surgeon to deposit ... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8100930 | Tissue moving surgical device Devices and methods for moving tissue and/or moving the devices relative to the tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, they are particularly useful in minimall... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8088138 | Surgical tool A tunneling device for creating a pathway in subcutaneous tissue of a person's body. The tunneling device includes a member having two ends, where each of the ends defines an insertion surface that facilitates the insertion of the ends into the subcutaneous tissue o... | 01/03/2012 |
| 8062323 | 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 vessel, t... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8048100 | Blunt dissector for separating blood vessels from surrounding tissue A blunt dissector for separating a blood vessel from surrounding tissues in a body comprises a longitudinal rod having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal passage for conducting insufflation gas between the proximal and distal ends. An interior sleeve is m... | 11/01/2011 |
| 8034070 | Varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus A varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a dissector extending from the first end of the handle and a hook extending from the second end of the handle, and a blade positioned within the dissector for move... | 10/11/2011 |
| 8029528 | Instrument guide and method for use An instrument guide and method for use. An elongate flexible body has a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate body has two portions, one or more resilient than the other. A distal pocket is positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongate flexible body. An a... | 10/04/2011 |
| 8016850 | 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 vessel, t... | 09/13/2011 |
| 8002788 | Two-mode bladeless trocar assembly An obturator assembly for penetrating tissue and being at least partially positionable within a cannula assembly includes an obturator housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and defining a longitudinal axis, a bladeless penetrating member adj... | 08/23/2011 |
| 8002787 | Surgical device and method for cutaneous detachment of skin The present invention refers to a device and a method for subcutaneous detachment of the face, the leg, the thigh, the breast, the abdomen and the forehead, facilitating the full detachment of the skin from the underlying (adipose) tissue with substantial reduction ... | 08/23/2011 |
| 7981133 | Tissue dissection method A cannula and surgical methods include a tubular body, for housing an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed near the distal end of the body that is selectively covered by a blunt, transparent, tissue-separating tip. Endoscopic viewing through the tip is e... | 07/19/2011 |
| 7976559 | Articulated surgical probe and method for use A surgical probe includes an articulated digit located at a distal end of a positioning shaft having a longitudinal axis. An actuator is located at a proximal end of the positioning shaft that is operatively connected to the articulated digit so as to move it betwee... | 07/12/2011 |
| 7963975 | Balloon dissector with balloon tip cannula There are disclosed various embodiments of a combined balloon dissector with balloon tip cannula 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 ... | 06/21/2011 |
| 7963976 | Articulated surgical probe and method for use A surgical probe includes an articulated digit located at a distal end of a positioning shaft having a longitudinal axis. An actuator is located at a proximal end of the positioning shaft that is operatively connected to the articulated digit so as to move it betwee... | 06/21/2011 |
| 7947058 | Bladeless optical obturator The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and... | 05/24/2011 |
| 7938842 | Tissue dissector apparatus Surgical apparatus and method includes a cannula that houses an endoscope and supports a dilating element near a distal end of the cannula. The dilating element has a dimension which is greater than the diameter of the cannula for enlarging a surgical cavity in tiss... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7892249 | Cannula for receiving surgical instruments A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120 | 02/22/2011 |
| 7824410 | Instruments and methods for minimally invasive spine surgery A minimally invasive surgical method includes inserting a first port that defines a first pathway to a first vertebra, advancing a first anchor through the first port to the first vertebra, inserting a second port that defines a second pathway to a second vertebra, ... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7749241 | Balloon dissecting instruments Balloon loaded dissection devices and methods for using such devices are disclosed. The devices include an elongate balloon and may be provided with a central lumen. The device may have a guide tube to provide columnar support. In a further aspect, the guide tube ma... | 07/06/2010 |
| 7744617 | Method and inflatable chamber apparatus for separating layers of tissue An apparatus for tissue dissection and instrument anchoring and methods for using such apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cannula, a dissection balloon releasably attached to the cannula at the distal end, an anchoring balloon disposed on the cannula,... | 06/29/2010 |
| 7708763 | Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to th... | 05/04/2010 |
| 7695487 | Balloon dissection apparatus Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly ... | 04/13/2010 |
| 7666204 | Multi-catheter steerable guiding system and methods of use Devices, systems, methods and kits are provided for endoscopically accessing a body cavity and providing a directed pathway toward a target tissue within the cavity. The directed pathway is provided by a multi-catheter guiding system which is positioned in a desired... | 02/23/2010 |
| 7588584 | Methods and devices for blood vessel harvesting Methods and devices for harvesting veins from the body. The methods and devices allow vein harvesting using laparoscopic procedures. A working space is created over the vein using standard laparoscopic procedures and a side-hooked wire is inserted into the working s... | 09/15/2009 |
| 7384423 | Tissue dissection method Method and apparatus for dissecting tissue along a vessel include a cannula having a tubular body and at least one lumen extending the length of the body to receive an endoscope in the lumen with a viewing end disposed near the distal end of the body that is covered... | 06/10/2008 |
| 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 |
| 7367989 | Rotating balloon expandable sheath bifurcation delivery A medical device comprises a balloon catheter shaft having a catheter balloon. An outer balloon or sheath is disposed about the catheter balloon and is freely rotatable about the catheter balloon. ... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7328707 | Implant system and method for bulking tissue A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen ... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7320692 | Tissue closure system A method for closing an opening in tissue, such as an opening in heart tissue, may include moving a housing to a location in proximity to the opening, registering the housing to the opening, and deploying a staple from the housing into tissue in proximity to the ope... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7318817 | Minimal access lumbar diskectomy instrumentation and method A minimal incision maximal access system allows for maximum desirable exposure along with maximum access to the operative field utilizing a minimum incision as small as the METRx and Endius systems. Instead of multiple insertions of dilating tubes the design is is a... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7314480 | Rotating balloon expandable sheath bifurcation delivery A stent delivery assembly comprises a balloon catheter with a rotatable assembly disposed thereabout. The rotatable assembly comprises a rotatable sheath which in a reduced state is freely rotatable about the medical balloon and when in the expanded state is frictio... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7314475 | 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 vessel, t... | 01/01/2008 |
| 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 |
| 7309344 | Transparent dilator device and method of use A medical device for use with an endoscope is provided. The medical device can include a tube with a first channel for receiving the endoscope. A transparent segment can extend from the distal end of the tube, and the transparent segment can have a first outer diame... | 12/18/2007 |
| 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 |
| 7294136 | Trocar system having expandable port An apparatus and method for forming and enlarging percutaneous penetrations comprises an elongate dilation member which receives an elongate expansion member in an axial lumen thereof. The dilation tube includes a tubular braid which usually comprises a mesh of non-... | 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 |