Covidien LP

Medtronic Holding Company Sarl

Pacesetter, Inc.

Affirm Medical Technologies, LLC

Tyco Healthcare Group LP

Stephen W Lee

Hoa D Nguyen

Walter J Stevens

Thomas Blake Eby

Matthew G Fishler

Craig E Mar

Michael Stephan Mirizzi

Paul M Paspa

Arthur W Zikorus

Michael A Smith

Carl Lance Boling

Thomas Robert Luhrs

Sondra Orts

Dawud F Dueiri

Fred M Johnson

Walter Joseph Stevens

Brian Cain

Janice Cain

Steve Woodard

Ric C Leguidleguid

Sherry Zhang

A biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, including a fixation element to engage tissue and one or more backstop elements to resist back-out from the tissue, is described. The fixation element can be mounted on a housing of the biostimulator such that a helix of the fixation element extends distally to a leading point. The leading point can be located on a distal face of the helix at a position that is proximal from a center of the distal face. The backstop elements can include non-metallic filaments, such as sutures, or can include a pinch point of the biostimulator. The backstop features can grip the tissue to prevent unscrewing of the fixation element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Biostimulator having fixation element

Flexible apparatus for ablating unhealthy spinal tissue. A housing includes a distal end and a proximal end. Multiple thermocouples mounted on the housing measure spinal tissue temperatures at locations between the proximal end and the distal end. A sensor measures spinal tissue impedance. The measured spinal tissue impedance corresponds to various physical state data of the spinal tissue. The spinal tissue impedance and the spinal tissue temperatures are displayed to the surgeon, enabling the surgeon to determine with certainty the location of the unhealthy spinal tissue, and to exercise control over the ablation apparatus. Nerve stimulation by IMP/STM switch system to detect nerve responses before and after treatment.

Spinal tissue ablation apparatus, system, and method

A training device simulating ablation of a disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies. A heating apparatus includes an upper surface. A lower plate is provided on the upper surface of the heating apparatus. An upper substantially transparent plate is fixed by a frame above the lower plate. The upper plate is etched with an outline of a vertebral body. Fixed in position proximate the lower frame, the upper plate holds a biological material compressed between the plates. Tool-holding clamps, attached to the frame, are positioned to insert a surgical tool, in a proper location and orientation, into the biological material between the upper and lower plates.

In-situ training apparatus, method and system

A method of performing therapy on tissue using a medical apparatus. The apparatus includes a shaft configured for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) and has a tissue sensor and a therapeutic energy application device both located on the shaft. The method comprises: receiving electrical power at a first power level and directing the first-level power to the tissue sensor and not to the therapeutic energy application device, thereby enabling tissue sensing with the tissue sensor; receiving electrical power at a second power level higher than the first-level power; and, in response to receipt of the second-level power, directing the second-level power to the therapeutic energy application device, thereby enabling performance of therapy on the tissue with the therapeutic energy application device. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed as well.

Apparatus and methods for treating hollow anatomical structures

An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure can include a light delivery device. The light delivery device comprises an optical fiber that is located in a lumen of a shaft suitable for insertion into the hollow anatomical structure and has a fiber tip located proximal of a distal end of the shaft during treatment of the hollow anatomical structure. The apparatus can further include a liquid source for providing a liquid flow over the optical fiber at a predetermined liquid flow rate.

Systems and methods for treating hollow anatomical structures

Bodily implants that can be compacted in a distal-to-proximal direction, and which facilitate repositioning of the implant after compaction. The implants include at least one pull string for expanding the implant in a radial direction while compacting the implant in the longitudinal direction. Where multiple pull strings are provided, they can be secured to the implant at spaced locations along the implant length, and pulled successively to compact the implant in a distal-to-proximal direction. A guide member may also be provided to receive the pull strings and facilitate longitudinal compaction.

Systems and methods for positioning and compacting a bodily implant

Apparatus for introducing an implant into a hollow anatomical structure (HAS). The apparatus comprises a storage unit and an elongate vascular implant stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end. The apparatus further comprises a pushrod at least partially stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end coupled to the implant, and a pushrod drive unit configured to advance the pushrod distally and thereby deliver the implant. The pushrod drive unit includes a drive member having a grip portion that engages the pushrod, and an actuation portion extending from the grip portion.

Method and apparatus for storage and/or introduction of anatomical implant

An implant and delivery system including a female coupler at a proximal end of the implant and a male coupler at a distal end of an elongate tubular delivery member. The male coupler is insertable within the female coupler and expandable under the influence of an elongate control member that is slidable within the tubular delivery member. Expansion of the male coupler locks the implant to the tubular delivery member. Withdrawal of the control member unlocks the implant from the tubular delivery member, enabling placement of the implant within a body.

Occlusive implants for hollow anatomical structures, delivery systems, and related methods

Tracheal tubes having an integrated calorimetric COindicator are provided. In certain embodiment, the integrated COindicator is selectively sealed from the remainder of the tracheal tube by a removable sterilization barrier. Also provided are COindicators that exhibit long lasting, breath-to-breath dynamic color change and are storage stable. The devices and compositions of the invention find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in emergent intubation of a subject. Also provided are methods of making the devices and compositions, as well as kits that include the devices and/or compositions of the invention.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Stephen W Lee