Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Agitated Solutions Inc.

Ams Research Corporation

University of Minnesota

Other

Minnesota Funeral Directors Association

Boston Scientific Corporation

Benjamin Y Arcand

James A Alexander

James M Anderson

Carl Lance Boling

Derek C Sutermeister

Karl Alan Jagger

Chaouki A Khamis

Nikhil M Murdeshwar

Jay T Rassat

Dean W Hacker

Bryan Rolfes

Joseph E Hale

Kevin R Arnal

Thomas O Viker

John R Frigstad

Natalie Ann Borgos

Emily R Rolfes Meyering

Justin H Huelman

Scott L Sjoquist

Amanda J Heys

William A Sturos

Morgan Evans

Jelica D Wold

Daniel R Parks

Jennifer Chmura

Micah J Eimer

Michael Scott Williams

Liliana Atanasoska

Michael Wayne Davis

William Stephen Tremulis

Robert Warner

Michael P Meyer

Clifford Teoh

Gregory Edwin Mirigian

C Lance Boling

Ryan D Welty

James Lee Shippy, Iii

Micah D Thorson

Kirsten Carroll

James A Kazmierkoski

Janet L DeMarchi

Erin Guest

Chartie Khamis

Daniel Taut

Steven M Johnson

Luke A Mitlyng

Joseph Mullenbach

Kristopher I Kapphahn

Woon-Chung Wang

Stephen Michael

Stefen M Pallazza

Zack Tegels

Michael Williams

A method for generating microbubbles may include providing a syringe having a barrel defining an interior volume, a plunger, a tip and a check valve assembly. The check valve assembly may have an inlet port; a check valve that is configured to open when the plunger is drawn back by a user; and a nozzle in fluid communication with the interior volume and, when the check valve is open, in fluid communication with the inlet port. The method may include drawing liquid into the interior volume; removing a seal from the inlet port and drawing gas adjacent the inlet ports into the interior volume to form microbubbles in the liquid already drawn in; coupling the tip to an intravenous line associated with a patient undergoing a bubble study; and depressing the plunger to force the liquid and the formed microbubbles into the intravenous line.

Generating microbubbles for bubble studies

A method may include intravenously directing first bubbles into a patient's venous circulatory system and to a right side of the patient's heart. The first bubbles may have sizes that fall within a first range. The method may further include monitoring the patient's heart, with ultrasound imaging, to detect presence of the first bubbles on a left side of the patient's heart. Upon detecting the first bubbles on the left side of the patient's heart, the method may further include intravenously directing second bubbles into the patient's venous circulatory system and to the right side of the patient's heart. The second bubbles may have sizes that fall within a second range that is different than the first range. Upon detecting the second bubbles on the left side of the patient's heart, the method may further include initiating treatment to minimize risk of stroke in the patient.

Characterization of cardiac shunts with bubbles

A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and the converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

Syringe-based microbubble generator

A device includes a syringe having a barrel and a syringe tip; an aerator having (i) a generally cylindrical exterior body; (ii) an inlet end; (iii) an outlet end; (iv) a tapered outlet port at its outlet end; and (v) an interior cavity comprising (A) an input port section, (B) a converging section, (C) a throat section, (D) a diverging section, (E) an outlet section, (F) a first vent that fluidly couples at least one of the throat section or the diverging section to an area outside and adjacent to the exterior body, and (G) a second vent that fluidly couples the outlet section to the area; and a housing that (x) circumferentially surrounds an end of the barrel and the aerator, (z) has an interior surface, (aa) forms a circumferential gas pocket between the interior surface and the exterior body, and (bb) has a housing discharge tip.

Syringe-based microbubble generator with an aerator

A device for generating microbubbles may include a syringe having a barrel, a plunger and a syringe tip; a converging nozzle; and an aerator. The converging nozzle may have a coupling end, a converging tip opposite the coupling end, an exterior mating surface adjacent the converging tip, and an interior channel that fluidly couples the syringe tip and converging tip. The interior channel may have a diameter that progressively decreases from the coupling end to the converging tip. The converging nozzle may be coupled to the syringe tip. The aerator may have a retention end, a discharge end, an interior air chamber, an interior circumferential lip, and a discharge channel at the discharge end. The retention end may be coupled to the converging nozzle. The interior circumferential lip may abut the exterior mating surface. One or more air channels may fluidly couple the discharge channel and the interior air chamber.

Described are implants and dilators useful in a sacral colpopexy procedure, and related methods. The present invention relates to systems, tools, and methods for treating pelvic organ prolapse by use of a pelvic implant to support pelvic tissue. The pelvic treatments include, for example, treatment of vaginal prolapse by laparoscopic or abdominal procedures.

Tools and methods for treatment of pelvic conditions

Disclosed herein are detachment mechanisms for vaso-occlusive devices that allow for rapid operator-controlled release of the vaso-occlusive device into the selected site. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these detachment mechanisms and methods of using these detachment mechanisms and vaso-occlusive assemblies.

Detachment mechanisms for implantable devices

Various embodiments of an implant system for treating fecal incontinence are provided. The devices and systems can include a mesh or like device that can include a variable porosity to control the degree of expansion of the anal canal. The mesh can be constructed at least in part of patterned strut members allowing for various geometric configurations, with varying load and tension properties for the designated portions of the device according to the needs for a particular patient application.

Fecal incontinence treatment device and method

Various embodiments of a mesh or implant sizing system are provided. An implant can include a gauging portion included with a support portion of the implant, to assist a surgeon in determining what size implant to insert into the pocket created in a tissue plane of the patient.

Pelvic implant sizing systems and methods

Described are various embodiments of surgical procedure systems, devices, tools, and methods, useful for treating pelvic conditions such as vaginal prolapse and other conditions caused by muscle and ligament weakness, the devices and tools being useful for transvaginally accessing a posterior region of pelvic anatomy, and related methods.

Systems, implants, tools, and methods for treatments of pelvic conditions

Various embodiments of an implant devices and systems are provided. The implant devices can include a mesh or implant encapsulated or otherwise coated, in whole or in part, with a film or coating. The coating or film can include methylcellulose or ethylcellulose to provide tissue regeneration as a hydrogel, while also providing a stiff polymer film when dry.

Film encapsulated pelvic implant system and method

Various embodiments of a mesh or implant system are provided. In certain embodiments, a tissue fixation device is included. The tissue fixation device can include an eyelet structure having an opening and one or more teeth adapted to grasp tissue to secure the implant in place.

Implant tissue fixation system and method

Various embodiments of an adjustable pessary device are provided. The device can include an elastic ribbon or band, such as Nitinol, encapsulated in a soft or flexible structure, such as a rubber shell. In addition to providing a conforming, comfortable shape, the rubber layer can have additional structures to interface and fit with the anatomical structures within the vagina.

Adjustable pessary device and method

Compositions, systems, and methods for the treatment of pelvic tissue conditions that include use of a silk fibroin-containing hydrogel composition are disclosed. The composition may include a water-soluble fibroin and a water-soluble crosslinkable polymer that can be used as a pre-formed hydrogel, and/or delivered to a pelvic tissue site and crosslinked in situ to form a hydrogel. The composition may promote tissue closure, such as vaginal wound or fistula closure; and/or enhance attachment or anchoring of a pelvic implant to a pelvic tissue. The composition may be a hydrogel that is delivered to a pelvic tissue site, formed at the site in situ, and/or associated with a portion of the implant (e.g., a mesh implant) via a tether or implant extension portion, thereby providing improved immobilization of the implant. Systems or kits that include the composition and/or a delivery needle or insertion tool are also described.

Fibroin-containing hydrogels for pelvic tissue treatment

Growing community of inventors

Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Benjamin Y Arcand