Parallax Medical, Inc.

Arthrocare Corporation

Keller Medical, Inc.

Neurotherm, Inc.

Howard E Preissman

Scott H Miller

Jacques E Dion

Mary E Jensen

Electrosurgical cutter or knife lighting and/or suction devices, systems and methods are described. The lighting features and suction features may be variously employed together or alone.

Electrosurgical cutter lighting and suction systems

A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a hydrophilic coating on an inner surface. In use, the device is typically removed from sterile packaging and soaked to activate the lubricous properties of the coating. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the device.

Silicone breast implant delivery

A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.

Fail-safe silicone breast implant delivery device

This relates to an improved delivery system for accurately loading and controlling the delivery of flowable material to a patient. Particularly, the system may be used in the injection of hard tissue implant materials such as PMMA under pressures up to about 4000 psi. The system includes an applicator with a first column having an implant material introduction section adapted to provide for effective loading of the implant material and a second column housing a piston. The introduction section has a larger size than that of a vessel section or bore in which the requisite pressure seal between the piston and bore wall is formed. The first column may include an introduction section flared open to an included larger funnel-like opening or a separate funnel may be used that interfaces with the introduction section to facilitate the introduction of implant material. Handles on the first and second columns to be turned relative to each other to advance the columns toward each other may be provided for manual actuation of the applicator to drive implant material through a cannula and deliver implant material to a desired site.

High pressure delivery system

A pressure applicator for applying pressure to a flowable implant material, e.g., PMMA. A pressure applicator or driver includes a pair of columns which are engageable with one another, preferably by threads to generate a driving pressure. A handle is provided for the operator to grasp and steady the device as he turns the handle to apply pressure to the implantable material within the applicator. A luer-lock or other connecting device is provided for attaching the applicator to a cannula (or a connecting conduit that in turns connects with a cannula) that will deliver the implant material to the desired site. Pressures of about 1000-3000 psi may be generated by this device.

High pressure applicator

An enhanced visibility composition for implantation from a remote source, so that the composition can be readily observed under fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques is disclosed. The compositions include a biocompatible matrix, such as a hard tissue implant material for example, and radiopaque particles mixed in the matrix. The radiopaque particles have a particle size between about 120&#x3bc; and 2200&#x3bc;, more preferably bout 350&#x3bc; and 2200&#x3bc;, even more preferably between about 450&#x3bc; and 1600&#x3bc;, and most preferably between about 570&#x3bc; and 1150&#x3bc;. Preferably the hard tissue implant and the radiopaque particles are formed or prepared in a slurry. Optionally, the enhanced visibility composition may further include additional radiopaque particles or contrast particles mixed in with the composition, which have a particle size between about 120&#x3bc; and 350&#x3bc;, preferably between about 120&#x3bc; and 250&#x3bc;.

Enhanced visibility materials for implantation in hard tissue

Methods for delivering tissue implant material with a high pressure applicator

A substantially non-compliant conduit for delivery an implant material from a high pressure applicator to an implant delivery device. Also, a high pressure, substantially non-compliant system for delivery of accurate volumes of implant material to the desired site.

Non-compliant system for delivery of implant material

An enhanced visibility composition for implantation from a remote source, so that the composition can be readily observed under fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques. The composition include a biocompatible matrix, such as a hard tissue implant material for example, and radiopaque particles mixed in the matrix. The radiopaque particles have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, more preferably about 350&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, even more preferably between about 450&mgr; and 1600&mgr;, and most preferably between about 570&mgr; and 1150&mgr;. Preferably the hard tissue implant and the radiopaque particles are formed or prepared in a slurry. Optionally, the enhanced visibility composition may further include additional radiopaque particles or contrast particles mixed in with the composition, which have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 350&mgr;, preferably between about 120&mgr; and 250&mgr;.

An enhanced visibility composition for implantation from a remote source, so that the composition can be readily observed under fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques. The compositions include a biocompatible matrix, such as a hard tissue implant material for example, and radiopaque particles mixed in the matrix. The radiopaque particles have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, more preferably about 350&mgr; and 2200&mgr;, even more preferably between about 450&mgr; and 1600&mgr;, and most preferably between about 570&mgr;0 and 1150&mgr;. Preferably the hard tissue implant and the radiopaque particles are formed or prepared in a slurry. Optionally, the enhanced visibility composition may further include additional radiopaque particles or contrast particles mixed in with the composition, which have a particle size between about 120&mgr; and 350&mgr;, preferably between about 120&mgr; and 250&mgr;.

Precision depth guided instruments are provided for use in performing percutaneous implantation of hard tissue implant materials. A depth guided stylet include a point adapted for piercing hard tissue, and preferably, self-tapping threads for self-tapping into hard tissue. The stylet may include an elongated rod having a first section having a first diameter, and a second section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A cannula for use with a depth guided stylet includes an elongated tube having first and second open ends adapted for a depth guided stylet to pass therethrough. The cannula may include a pawl passing through the elongated tube for ratcheting against a rack of gear teeth provided on the stylet. Alternatively, a camming mechanism may be pivotal arranged on the stylet. Upon pivoting the camming mechanism, the cam surface provides a driving force against the cannula to drive the cannula along the stylet. A method of using the instruments is also disclosed, as is a kit which includes the instruments and which is used to open a pathway into hard tissue.

Precision depth guided instruments for use in vertebroplasty

Precision depth guided instruments are provided for use in performing percutaneous implantation of hard tissue implant materials. A depth guided stylet include a point adapted for piercing hard tissue, self-tapping threads for self-tapping into hard tissue, and, optionally, a second set of threads for meshing with threads within a overfitting cannula. The stylet may include an elongated rod having a first section having a first diameter, and a second section having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A cannula for use with a depth guided stylet includes an elongated tube having first and second open ends adapted for a depth guided stylet to pass therethrough. The cannula may include threads along at least a portion of an interior circumference of the elongated tube, which are adapted to mate with threads on an exterior circumference of the depth guided stylet. Alternatively, a set of intersecting grooves may be included in the handle of the cannula to mate with a protrusion on the handle of the stylet. A method of using the instruments is also disclosed, as is a kit which includes the instruments and which is used to open a pathway into hard tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Stuart, FL, United States of America

Howard E Preissman