Hologic, Inc.

Cytyc Corporation

Medcool, Inc.

Integra Lifesciences (ireland) Ltd.

Maria Benson

Charles D Lennox

Steven M Johnson

John W Carroll

Susan Ann Beinor

Helen Maslocka

Don Paul Nogueira

Daniel J Cotter

Amin Kassam

Matthew F Shinopulos

James P O'Connor

Donna Allan

Walter Ocampo

An apparatus for securing a marker wire relative to a lumen includes a hub to which the marker wire is secured. The hub includes a feature that secures the hub to an outer surface of the lumen. For example, the hub may include a base member secured to the marker wire and a separate fastener member which secures the hub to an outer surface of a lumen, where the base member includes a split tube segment that receives the lumen within an inner cylindrical opening. Alternatively, the hub may include a cylindrical slide lock collar member with a split tubular extension that receives the lumen within an inner cylindrical opening. Locking features may be included to help fix the two pieces of the hub in position relative to each other.

Securing a marker wire

A device for orienting a brachytherapy applicator implanted in a treatment cavity may include an elongated body defining an open channel adapted for slidably receiving at least a portion of a shaft or catheter body of a brachytherapy applicator. A manually engageable gripping element at an end of the elongated body is actuated to constrict at least a portion of the channel around a portion of the shaft to help prevent shaft twist and rotational movement between the elongated body and brachytherapy applicator. At least one engaging element on the elongated body is actuated to releasably engage at least one corresponding engaging element on a brachytherapy applicator. Shaft twist and rotational discontinuity between the elongated body and brachytherapy applicator are further prevented when the at least one engaging element of the elongated body engages the at least one corresponding element of the brachytherapy applicator. The device can advantageously be mounted and removed while the applicator is inside the treatment cavity. Furthermore, the device is an 'external tool' that engages the brachytherapy applicator externally about its outer surface.

Orienting a brachytherapy applicator

Systems and methods that facilitate visualization and identification of lumens of a multi-lumen brachytherapy device are disclosed. In one embodiment, visualization and identification can be attained by modifying a feature of at least one of the lumens relative to the other lumens. The feature may include a marking on the lumen, a diameter of the lumen or a composition of the lumen. In an additional embodiment, for brachytherapy devices in which multiple lumens are coupled to a distal end point such as a rigid connection member, visualization and identification of the lumens can be attained by modifying a feature of the rigid connection member. It will be readily appreciated that visualization and identification can be further enhanced through a combination of two or more of the techniques described herein.

Lumen visualization and identification system for multi-lumen balloon catheter

A guide member facilitates a device swap for brachytherapy treatment. A cavity evaluation device is introduced during surgery such that a distal end of the device is disposed in a resected cavity of the patient. The cavity evaluation device includes a shaft in which is disposed an elongated guide member. In a subsequent out-patient procedure the cavity evaluation device is removed from the resected cavity. If a brachytherapy treatment is to be performed then the cavity evaluation device is removed without removing the elongated guide member such that position of a portion of the elongated guide member in the resected cavity is maintained relative to the resected cavity. An anchor member helps to maintain the position of the guide member. Introduction of a brachytherapy catheter is then facilitated by introducing the elongated guide member into an opening of the brachytherapy catheter and using the elongated guide member to guide the brachytherapy catheter to the resected cavity.

Using a guided member to facilitate brachytherapy device swap

Using a guide member to facilitate brachytherapy device swap

A cooling system includes a console and a tissue cooling device such as a head-cooling device. An operator applies the head-cooling device to the head of a patient at risk for ischemic injury. The console provides a cooling fluid to a fluid circulation space located between the cooling device and the patient's head under a positive gage pressure. Direct contact between the cooling fluid and the patient's head provides a relatively rapid induction of systemic hypothermia in the patient, thereby minimizing or preventing ischemic injury in the patient. The console also removes air from a channel disposed about an inner rim of the cooling device, using a negative gage pressure. Such removal of the air from the channel seals the rim of the cooling device to the head of the patient, including portions of the channel in contact with hair of the patient's head, and minimizes leaking of the cooling fluid beyond the rim of the cooling device.

Method and apparatus for reducing body temperature of a subject

Embodiments of passive vent valve devices are disclosed. One of the novel aspects of the invention is its ability to transform from a packaging configuration to a use configuration. The packaging configuration allows sterilization gases to penetrate into the device through standard valve openings as well as through vented mesh openings. Passage of gas into the device, in turn, provides a means of sterilizing all surface areas in the device. Alternatively, when the valve is placed in a use configuration, the passage of gas through the vented mesh is inhibited providing a sealed environment that functions as a valve. The invention is useful in manufacturing sterile medical devices by allowing all surfaces to communicate with the sterilizing agent when the valve is in a packaging configuration or when it is in a use configuration.

Passive vent for brachytherapy balloon catheters

Catheter marking for multi-lumen catheter identification

Ultrasonic horns configured for use with a surgical ultrasonic handpiece including a resonator are described. The ultrasonic horns include an elongated member having a longitudinal internal channel extending therethrough. Disposed on the distal end of the elongated member is a tip lead configured for cutting and/or abrading hard tissue, for example bone. The tip lead includes an abrasive surface.

Bone abrading ultrasonic horns

Ultrasonic horns configured for use with a surgical ultrasonic handpiece including a resonator are described. The ultrasonic horns include an elongated member having a longitudinal internal channel extending partially therethrough. Disposed on the distal end of the elongated member is a chisel and awl shaped tip configured for cutting and/or abrading hard tissue, for example bone.

Growing community of inventors

West Boylston, MA, United States of America

Maria Benson