Medtronic, Inc.

Annex Medical, Inc.

C. R. Bard, Inc.

Alza Corporation

Other

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Nxthera, Inc.

Conventus Orthopaedics, Inc.

Mark R Bilitz

Michael F Hoey

Gary A Lattin

Randall James Beyreis

Mark Schrom

Rance A Winkler

Stephanos Paulos

Keith Alan Miesel

James R Keogh

Paul T Rothstein

J Richard Gyory

David E Francischelli

Scott Eric Jahns

John R Peery

Alex Alden Peterson

Kyle P Taylor

Paul Hindrichs

Michael P Brenzel

Todd A Krinke

Roderick E Briscoe

Jack Goodman

Scott A Sarkinen

Tom P Daigle

Thomas David Magnuson

Larry Roberts

David J S Kim

William G O'Neill

Dale A Dickson

Alison Lutterman

Steve D Kruse

Stephen J Roddy

David J Stanton

Adam Podbelski

Emem D Akpan

Craig Frederic Borchard

Theodor Esser

Stefan J Hertel

Darrin T Schauble

Douglas E Hentges

Mark E Dunlap

Cindy Konen

Gary A Messer

A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate by an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can comprise, for example, a spring, or at least one magnet. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Systems and methods for prostate treatment

A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a pre-determined distance into the prostate by an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can comprise, for example, a spring, or at least one magnet. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.

Apparatus and methods for bone repair preparation

Transdermal insertion of a transcutaneous filling apparatus, for the purpose of filling a fill chamber of an implanted therapy delivery device, is monitored by measuring each impedance between pairs of electrodes of a needle of the apparatus, and comparing each to a threshold impedance; the electrodes, preferably at least three in number, are isolated and spaced apart from one another along a length of the needle. A confirmation signal is generated when at least one of the measured impedances is greater than the threshold impedance, and another is less than the threshold, the condition indicating that one of the electrodes is located within a non-conductive septum, through which the apparatus must pass to access the fill chamber. A detection circuit, which may be located in a housing of the apparatus that is attached to a proximal end of the needle, measures and compares the impedances.

Filling methods and apparatus for implanted medical therapy delivery devices

A medical retrieval device used to remove objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly with an independent rotational means, a sheath, and an object entrapping assembly. In preferred embodiments, the handle assembly comprises a longitudinally stationary base portion with a handle base and a rotating means and a thumb slide actuation means located between the distal and proximal ends of the handle base portion. Actuation of the thumb slide relative to the handle base causes the object entrapping assembly to be actuated between the open and closed positions. Rotation of the rotating means relative to the handle base causes precise rotation of the object entrapping assembly. The thumb slide actuation means and rotating means are separate and independent of each other, preventing inadvertent adjustment of the degree of actuation during rotation and preventing inadvertent adjustment of rotational position during actuation.

Medical retrieval device with independent rotational means

A medical retrieval device used to remove objects such as urinary and biliary calculi from the body comprising a handle assembly with an independent rotational means, a sheath, and an object entrapping assembly. In preferred embodiments, the handle assembly comprises a longitudinally stationary base portion and a thumb slide actuation means. The longitudinally stationary portion comprises a handle base and a rotating means. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the thumb slide actuation means is located between the distal and proximal ends of the handle base portion during the complete actuation cycle. Actuation of the thumb slide relative to the handle base causes the object entrapping assembly to be actuated between the open and closed positions. Rotation of the rotating means relative to the handle base causes precise rotation of the object entrapping assembly. The thumb slide actuation means and rotating means are separate and independent of each other, preventing inadvertent adjustment of the degree of actuation during rotation and preventing inadvertent adjustment of rotational position during actuation.

A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. A swiveling head assembly can allow the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and roll. Malleable jaws can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. An illuminated indicator provides confirmation that the device is operating. A fluid delivery system simplifies irrigated ablation procedures.

Electrosurgical hemostat

Electrotransport system having flexible means

Handle

An apparatus and method for infusing fluid through the sheath of a stone basket involves a connector fixedly attached to the rearward end of the sheath and releasably attached to a handle. A basket assembly has a portion thereof disposed within the longitudinal passageway of the sheath. The basket assembly is extensible beyond the forward end of the sheath to permit its basket to expand. The basket assembly is removable from the longitudinal passageway of the sheath by uncoupling the connector from the handle and withdrawing the basket assembly through the rearward end of the sheath. The connector further includes a means for coupling a syringe to the connector when the connector is detached from the handle and the basket assembly is removed from the sheath. Thus the handle can be detached from the connector, the basket assembly removed from the sheath, and a syringe coupled to the connector to infuse fluid through the sheath.

Apparatus and method for infusing fluid through the sheath of a stone

A medical instrument handle consisting of an ergonomic main handle body incorporating an integral palm blocking arch which will provide a simple and reliable means for preventing the application of palm pressure to the thumb ring of the actuator by the operator, while concurrently making it considerably more ergonomic, smooth and reliable in operation, and less expensive to produce.

Medical instrument handle with integral palm blocking member

An improved stone basket is disclosed which comprises a handle having a slide and a piston movably mounted to it. In a first embodiment the distal end of a sheath is attached to the slide, and the distal end of a control wire is attached to the piston. A basket shaft is fixedly mounted to the handle. Initial rearward movement of the slide causes the sheath to retract over the fixed basket shaft, exposing a basket member at the forward end of the basket shaft and permitting it to open. Further rearward movement of the slide by the physician brings the slide into driving engagment with the piston. Thereafter, subsequent movement of the slide displaces the piston to exert a tension on the control wire to expand the basket member. In a second embodiment the sheath is fixedly mounted to the forward end of the handle. The rearward end of the basket shaft is mounted to the thumb slide, and the rearward end of the control wire is attached to the piston. A spring operatively associated with the slide and the piston biases the piston forward as the thumb slide is advanced and permits limited forward movement of the thumb slide after the piston reaches the forward extent of its movement. Thereafter the thumb slide can be advanced without advancing the piston, thus extending the basket shaft toward the tip of the basket assembly and expanding the basket.

Dual purpose mechanism for expanding baskets

Programmer for a body implantable tissue stimulator

Electrotransport drug delivery system

A control cover for a nerve stimulator is moveable between a protective position in which access to the stimulator controls is blocked to prevent accidental alteration of the settings thereof, except for emergency OFF button which remains accessible at all times and a use position in which the controls are accessible for intentional changing of control settings. The disclosed embodiment has a sliding panel which covers a set of keyboard switches. Apertures are provided in the cover and, in one position of the sliding cover, are aligned with the switches to permit access thereto. In the protective position of the cover, the apertures in the cover are moved out of alignment with the switches, preventing access thereto. The OFF switch and its corresponding aperture in the cover are larger than the other switches, so that it remains accessible in both positions of the cover.

Control cover for nerve stimulator

Growing community of inventors

Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Mark R Bilitz