Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.V.

Percusurge, Inc.

Medtronic Percusurge, Inc.

Andres D Tomas

Lionel M Nelson

Celso J Bagaoisan

Ryan Boucher

Edward M Gillis

Scott Anthony McGill

Brian K McCollum

Octavian Iancea

Hung V Ha

Mukund R Patel

Joe Paraschac

Andrew W Kramer

G Reza Zadno-Azizi

Isaac J Kim

Jefferey C Bleam

Joseph Francis Paraschac

Samuel L Omaleki

Juan T Domingo

Scott A McGILL

Ryan P Boucher

John E Ortiz

A carrier is sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region. The carrier includes at least one interior compartment. At least one ferromagnetic material is carried within the compartment. The compartment and the ferromagnetic material are mutually sized and configured to allow movement of the ferromagnetic material within the compartment in response to magnetic interaction with a magnetic material located outside the carrier. The magnetic interaction can include either a magnetic attracting force or a magnetic repelling force. The carrier can be used in association with a source of magnetism sized and configured for placement in or on a tissue region outside the carrier for magnetic interaction with the ferromagnetic material carried within the compartment, e.g., to stabilize the orientation of a tissue region within an airway.

Device, systems and methods having mobile ferromagnetic structures

Devices, systems, and methods employ at least one ferromagnetic structure sized and configured for placement in a tissue region. A component is attached to the structure to stabilize its placement in the tissue region. An anchoring structure holds the component in a state of tension. The anchoring structure can, e.g., take the from of an anchoring body that expands in situ. The anchoring structure can be adjustable for adjusting the state of tension. The component can be elastic, to deflect under load in a prescribed manner and to recover an initial shape when unloaded.

Stabilized magnetic force devices, systems and methods

Systems and methods resist posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ first, second, and third structures. The first structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a tongue. The second structure is sized and configured for placement in or on a region of a soft palate or uvula. The third structure is sized and configured for placement in or on tissue in a desired relationship. anterior of the first and second structures. The first and second structures each includes a ferromagnetic material. The third structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with both the first and second ferromagnetic materials by attracting both the first and second ferromagnetic materials, thereby resisting posterior movement of both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula.

Devices, systems and methods using magnetic force systems affecting both the tongue and the soft palate/uvula in the upper airway

Systems and methods are provided for resisting posterior movement of the tongue during sleep, thereby keeping an airway open. The systems and methods employ a first structure that can be placed either in or on a tongue within an oral cavity and/or in a region of hyoid muscle. The first structure includes a ferromagnetic material. The systems and methods employ a second structure that can be placed either in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity and/or in or on external tissue outside the oral cavity in a desired relationship with the first structure. The second structure includes a magnetic material that magnetically interacts with the ferromagnetic material by attracting the ferromagnetic material, thereby resisting posterior movement of the tongue.

Devices, systems and methods using magnetic force systems affecting the tongue or hyoid muscles in the upper airway

A balloon catheter having improved flexibility in and about its distal end is provided. The flexibility of the catheter is determined in part by improving the properties of a wire or catheter located within the area where the balloon is mounted. In one aspect of the present invention, connecting wires extend through the balloon from the distal end of a catheter body to the proximal end of a core wire. The core wire extends distally away from the connecting wires and the catheter body. In another aspect of the present invention, a core wire is provided having a proximal end extending within the balloon into the catheter tubular body but is not mounted therein. This allows the proximal end of the core wire to &ldquo;float&rdquo; within the tubular body, such that when the catheter is advanced through the vasculature of a patient, the core wire may move longitudinally within the tubular body. In another aspect of the present invention, the balloon is mounted over a tubular body which is configured to give the catheter longitudinal flexibility.

Flexible catheter

The present invention provides a protective sheath assembly which combines the function of an introducer, the function of a protective sheath and the function of a sealing valve in an integrated assembly. The protective sheath assembly of the present invention preferably comprises a protective sheath, a strain-relief tubing, and a connecting member or a hub. These parts are mounted, removably or permanently, into an integral device. The protective sheath assembly can also be used in combination with an introducer such as a needle introducer. The protective sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated hollow body defining a lumen along the longitudinal direction of the protective sheath. A hub is provided to secure the proximal end of the protective sheath to an introducer. The lumen of the protective sheath serves to accommodate and protect a balloon catheter, as well as seal around the catheter.

Medical wire introducer and balloon protective sheath

Growing community of inventors

Union City, CA, United States of America

Andres D Tomas