or Integrated structural slab and access floor HVAC system for buildings By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A heat exchange and ventilation system integrated with a hollow core concrete floor having an air passage therethrough with an inlet and outlet for receiving air and permitting relative heat exchange therebetween; a raised floor supported by said hollow core concrete floor, defining a floor plenum between said hollow core concrete floor and said raised floor, said floor plenum communicating with said outlet so as to receive air from said air passage through said hollow core concrete floor; and adjustable terminal means carried by said raised floor for delivering a portion of said air from said floor plenum into a space above said floor. A method of conditioning air through a hollow core medium supporting a raised floor is also disclosed. Full Article
or Device for cooling an electrical cabinet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Device for cooling an electrical cabinet including a hollow upright beam having a lower end, an upper end and a cavity inside, the upright beam having an air inlet at the lower end and an air outlet at the upper end, the upright beam supporting the electrical cabinet on a side of the upright beam. The device further includes a first flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the lower end of the electrical cabinet; a second flow connection formed between the interior of the electrical cabinet and the cavity of the upright beam at a level of the upper end of the electrical cabinet; and a sealing element at an intermediate level between the first and second flow connections to block the cavity of the upright beam. Full Article
or Illumination apparatus confining light by total internal reflection and methods of forming the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus includes an air gap between a sub-assembly and a waveguide attached thereto at a plurality of discrete attachment points, as well as a bare-die light-emitting diode encapsulated by the waveguide. Full Article
or Reflector assembly for eliminating unwanted stray lights By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reflector assembly for eliminating unwanted stray lights comprising a reflector body having a reflector body focal point on a reflector body optical axis where a light source is positioned and a front opening for receiving a lens, wherein the lens is configured to reflect light rays which emanate from the light source to strike the lens to the reflector body which is configured to reflect the light rays reflected by the lens back to the light source, and to reflect light rays which emanate from the light source and reflected by the reflector body to strike the lens back to the light source. Full Article
or Lens for asymmetrical light beam generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an optical device for imparting an asymmetrical light beam. The optical device comprises a lens (10) having an exit diopter (12) having an exit surface consisting of a convex surface (16) defining a curved rear portion (18) having a first curvature and a curved front portion (19) having a second curvature different from the first curvature. Furthermore the lens (10) comprises an entry diopter (11) including at least one concave lodging (13) for lodging at least one light source, the surface of the concave lodging (13) facing at least partly the curved rear portion (18). Full Article
or Wide angle adjustable retrofit lamp for recessed lighting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A recessed lighting system is provided. The recessed lighting system includes a light module and a driver separately coupled to a chassis. The light module includes one or more rotatable prongs for allowing the light module to pivot while the driver and chassis remain static. By being mechanically separate, the driver does not interfere with the movement of the light module. In particular, since the light module is not directly coupled to and is mechanically separate from the driver, pivoting the light module does not require space in a cavity of an associated housing to accommodate the rotation of the driver. This independent freedom of movement allows the light module to achieve a greater degree of rotation in comparison to light modules that are mechanically dependent on drivers. Full Article
or Light source device, projector, and light source device fabrication method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light source device which can prevent the removal of light source elements of a light source device within a projector casing, a projector and a light source fabrication method are provided. An excitation light shining device 70 has a lens holding structure 79 and a light source holding structure 80 which are integrated together with excitation light sources held therebetween. The lens holding structure 79 has through holes 79f which first screw members 84 penetrate, and the light source holding structure 80 has screw holes 80h and screw holes 80k communicating with the screw holes 80h substantially at right angles. With the first screw members 84 penetrating the through holes 79f to be screwed into the screw holes 80h, screw thread portions of the first screw members 84 are pressed to be deformed plastically by distal end portions of the second screw members 85. Full Article
or Headlight support structure for saddle type vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A saddle type vehicle provided with a headlight stay for permitting a harness laying operation to be easily carried out. A motorcycle is provided with the headlight stay which is supported on a head pipe and extends toward the vehicle front side from the head pipe. A headlight unit is attached to the headlight stay. The headlight stay includes a first stay extending forward from the head pipe, in a side view of the vehicle and a second stay which is supported in a cantilever manner by a front portion of the first stay and extends rearwardly and upwardly. The headlight unit is partly disposed on the front side of the second stay and is disposed so as to overlap with the first stay. Full Article
or Optical unit for a vehicular lamp By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical unit includes: a heat sink that radiates heat from a light source; and a base portion including a reflector mounting section, a lens mounting section and a connecting section connecting the reflector mounting section and the lens mounting section. The base portion is configured such that the light from the light source is reflected by a reflector mounted onto the reflector mounting section and is incident onto a projection lens mounted onto the lens mounting section. The heat sink is exposed to a space surrounded by the lens mounting section, the connecting section and the reflector mounting section. Full Article
or Ornament with enclosed water-proof battery capsule By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A decorative ornament capable of being completely illuminated about its surface including a hollow shell comprising a water-proof battery capsule is described. When the ornament is on display, the battery capsule is stored in a hollow shell of the ornament, in a manner such that only the removable lid of the battery capsule is visibly exposed. A battery pack, comprising one or more batteries, provides the power to illuminate the ornament and is enclosed within the battery capsule. The ornament surface is made using a water-resistant material. The battery capsule is made of a similar water-proof material and is sealed so as to prevent the battery pack from malfunctioning during various weather conditions. The battery pack's configuration enables the ornament to comprise a plurality of lighting modes, including full-on, blinking-on, and timer. The ornament can be displayed indoors or outdoors, and may be used year after year. Full Article
or Reflective color display with backlighting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reflective color pixel has a top surface for receiving ambient light for front lighting, a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel, and a waveguide disposed underneath the sub-pixels for transmitting light for backlighting to the sub-pixels. The first sub-pixel includes a first luminescent material configured to absorb either the ambient light or the light for backlighting and generate light of a first color. Full Article
or Aluminum extrusion heat sink structure and corresponding backlight module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an aluminum extrusion heat sink structure and a corresponding backlight module. The aluminum extrusion heat sink structure comprises a light source connecting portion, a back plate connecting portion and a light guide plate support portion. The manufacture cost of the aluminum extrusion heat sink structure is lower, and the heat dissipation effect is better, so as to solve the technology problem that the volume of a traditional aluminum extrusion heat sink structure is larger caused the cost of the aluminum extrusion heat sink structure and the corresponding backlight module is higher. Full Article
or Backlight unit with reflection structure formed on light guide plate and display device thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention disclose a backlight unit, including: a light guide plate, a light source member, a reflection film, wherein: the light guide plate (LGP) includes a light incident side, a light emission side and a bottom side opposite to the light emission side, the light guide plate is for emitting light entered from the light incident side through the light emission side; the light source member is disposed on the light incident side of the LGP and light emitted by the light source member enters the LGP through the light incident side of the LGP; the reflection film is at least disposed on the bottom side of the LGP and is for reflecting light back into the LGP; wherein a reflection structure is disposed on the bottom side of the LGP and a microstructure is disposed on the light emission side of the LGP. Full Article
or Lead-free conductive paste composition and semiconductor devices made therewith By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lead-free conductive paste composition contains a source of an electrically conductive metal, a fusible material, an optional additive, and an organic vehicle. An article such as a high-efficiency photovoltaic cell is formed by a process of deposition of the lead-free paste composition on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., by screen printing) and firing the paste to remove the organic vehicle and sinter the metal and fusible material. Full Article
or Microscope having a transmitted-light illuminating device for critical illumination By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A microscope includes a light source including an LED device having a light radiating surface and a light directing element including a larger coupling-out surface. The light directing element is disposed so as to couple in light radiated by the light source and couple out the radiated light from the coupling-out surface. The light directing element is disposed so that the light is radiated out in an angular range of ±10° to ±50° and illuminates an area at 5 meters in an angular range of at least ±5° with intensity fluctuations of less than 50%. A condenser is disposed between the coupling-out surface of the light directing element and the object to be viewed. The condenser has an aperture with an aperture dimension and is disposed such that the aperture is irradiated completely with the light coupled out from the coupling-out surface. Full Article
or Illuminating arrangement for a microscope By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Illuminating arrangement for a microscope (200) having a first LED (10) for providing light with a first intensity spectrum (K1) with at least two intensity maxima and an intensity minimum located between the intensity maxima, and at least one further LED (20) for providing light with a further intensity spectrum (K2) respectively, each further intensity spectrum (K2) having an intensity maximum in the region of the intensity minimum of the first intensity spectrum (K1), and a device (30) for merging the light of the first LED (10) and the light of the at least one further LED (20), by means of which illuminating light can be produced with a combined intensity spectrum (K3) composed of light with the first intensity spectrum and light with each of the further intensity spectra. Full Article
or Lighted lid for beverage container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lid for a beverage container or travel mug is provided that has one or more visual indicators to identify the location of the pour spout opening of the container or mug in low light conditions. Full Article
or LED assembly having a refractor that provides improved light control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT An LED assembly that includes optics and optical arrangements for light emitting diodes (LEDs). In some embodiments, a reflector is provided within a void between the lens and the LED. This reflector can reflect light emitted by the LED in a non-preferred direction back toward the preferred direction. In other embodiments, an optical element is formed or otherwise provided in the lens cavity and shaped so that, when the lens is positioned above the LED, the refractor bends the emitted light in a preferred direction. In some embodiments, both a reflector and optical element are provided in the LED assembly to control the directionality of the emitted light. Such embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the efficiency of an LED by ensuring that generated light is being directed to the target area of choice. Full Article
or Interior lamp for vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interior lamp includes a design portion and a function portion. A circuit board is attached to the function portion. A light source is mounted on the circuit board. Terminals are mounted on a side portion of the circuit board. A connector is disposed on a side portion of the function portion. Connector terminals are provided on the connector. A switch has a switch knob and a switch body. The switch knob is attached to a side portion of the design portion. The switch body is attached to the side portion of the function portion. The switch knob and the switch body are operated in an interlocked manner to perform electrical connection between the terminals and the connector terminals selectively so as to perform a tuning on or off of the light source. Full Article
or Device for holding a source of LED light By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lamp holder for holding a source of LED light includes a lamp holding component that is sized and arranged to securely receive the source of LED light. Keyed openings, engageable with fasteners associated with the mounting surface, are used to releasably attached the lamp holding component to the mounting surface and to urge the source of LED light against the mounting surface once the lamp holding component is attached thereto. Electrical contacts carried by the lamp holding component, provided to engage corresponding electrical contacts of the source of LED light, are also arranged to urge the source of LED light against the mounting surface when the lamp holding component is attached to the mounting surface. The lamp holding component also includes resiliently mounted holding elements for releasably holding the source of LED light in an accessible location. Full Article
or Light projector and sensor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light projector has a light emitting device having a light emitting surface, an optical fiber having an incident end-face to which light emitted from the light emitting surface enters, and a lens arranged between the light emitting surface of the light emitting device and the incident end-face of the optical fiber. The light emitting device, the optical fiber and the lens are arranged on one optical axis. The optical fiber includes a core region as a region including a single core of uniform refractive index or a region collectively encompassing a plurality of cores having uniform refractive index. The lens converts diffused light emitted from the light emitting surface to diffused light that widens more moderately. Full Article
or Inclination sensor device and vehicle lamp system using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Dec 2015 08:00:00 EST There is provided an inclination sensor device. The inclination sensor device includes: a substrate which mounts an inclination sensor configured to calculate an inclination angle of a vehicle; a case which accommodates the substrate; a first positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a first main surface of the substrate; and a second positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first main surface of the substrate. Full Article
or Method and device for treating an ocular disorder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for treating ocular disorders such as blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye syndrome. The method includes using an electromechanical device to move a swab relative to the eye to create cyclical movement that impacts debris present at the eyelid margin and effectively removes the debris from the eye to encourage healing and prevent further digression of the health of the eye. The apparatus is an electromechanical device that includes a mechanical drive unit operatively connected to a swab to create a precise relative movement of the swab to the eye to remove debris present therein. Full Article
or Method for treating the prostate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention comprises a method for treating a prostate to alleviate prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and other conditions. The method involves inserting a tool to create a small self-sealing puncture site through tissue to gain access to a portion of a prostate, inserting a probe though the puncture site into the prostate, activating the probe to treat the prostate, withdrawing the probe and inspecting a surgical site for a flow of urine or semen to determine whether a sufficient amount of prostate tissue has been treated, and inspecting for hemostasis. The method may also include delivering a luminally protective sheath before inserting any instruments, using a template to guide insertion of the probe, and delivery of tamponading balloons to assist with attainment of hemostasis after the coring procedure. Full Article
or Instruments for delivering transfascial sutures and methods of transfascial suturing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An instrument for delivering a suture transfascially may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and at least one needle that is moveable to an extended position beyond the end of the shaft. A suture may be delivered transfascially with the instrument. The instrument may include a suture catch associated with each needle for retaining and releasing a suture segment. A shield may be provided to shield the sharp end of each needle when it is moved to the extended position. A method of delivering a transfascial suture may include inserting an instrument into an abdominal cavity and deploying, from within the abdominal cavity, each needle through a soft tissue repair patch and then through at least part of the abdominal wall. A suture or suture segment may be advanced across the fascia with the at least one needle. Full Article
or Dissection handpiece with aspiration means for reducing the appearance of cellulite By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. A tool is provided to aspirate excess fluid and tissue from the treatment area. Full Article
or Device for occluding vascular defects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-layer occluder for treating a target site within the body is provided. The occluder may include first and second layers. For example, the first layer may include braided strands of metallic material, and the second layer may include braided strands of polymeric material. At least one of the first or second layers may be configured to facilitate thrombosis. Full Article
or Systems and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for treating heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure, including an implantable component and external components for monitoring the implantable component is provided. The implantable component may include a compliant member, e.g., balloon, coupled to a reservoir via a conduit. Preferably, the compliant member is adapted to be implanted in a pulmonary artery and the reservoir is adapted to be implanted subcutaneously. The external components may include a clinical controller component, monitoring software configured to run a clinician's computer, a patient monitoring device, and a mobile application configured to run on a patient's mobile device. Full Article
or Filamentary devices for treatment of vascular defects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Braid-balls suitable for aneurysm occlusion and/or parent vessel occlusion/sacrifice (e.g., in treating neurovascular defects) are disclosed. Especially for aneurysm treatment, but also for either one of the aforementioned treatments, the form of the ball is very important. In particular, the density of the device is paramount in applications where braid itself is intended to moderate or stop blood flow—allowing thrombosis within a volume formed by the ball. Full Article
or Temporary vascular filter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a method of deploying a medical filter within a channel in a patient's body and filter systems which can be used in such a method. Such a filter may include a radially expandable body 52 having an opening 56 in a proximal length thereof. In one method, the filter is urged along a length of the channel with the filter body in a radially reduced configuration. This body is expanded to substantially fill the lumen of the vessel and orient the opening in the body proximally. Body fluid is permitted to enter the filter body through the proximally oriented opening and pass distally through the distal length of the body so that the distal length of the body filters from the body fluid particulate material entrained therein. The proximal length of the body can be drawn into the retrieval catheter, thereby effectively closing the proximally oriented opening within the catheter to retain the particulate material within the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the filter body 52 is formed of a porous, resilient fabric having pores therein and the proximal opening 56 is at least five times the size of such pores. Full Article
or Surgical forceps including blade safety mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A forceps includes first and second jaw members and at least one handle movable between an open position and a closed position for moving the jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. A ratchet mechanism includes first and second ratchet components configured to engage one another upon movement of the at least one handle to the closed position to retain the jaw members in the approximated position. A knife is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the knife extends between the jaw members to cut tissue therebetween. A safety mechanism is configured to inhibit extension of the knife when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position. Movement of the ratchet components into engagement with one another to retain the jaw members in the approximated position disengages the safety mechanism, thereby permitting extension of the knife. Full Article
or Surgical forceps By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A forceps includes first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. One (or both) of the first and second jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a jaw frame fixedly engaged to the first shaft member and a disposable jaw housing releasably engageable with the jaw frame. The disposable jaw housing includes a knife assembly disposed therein. The knife assembly includes a knife blade biased toward an initial position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within the jaw housing. The knife blade is moveable between the initial position and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends at least partially from the jaw housing to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. Full Article
or Shape memory polymer foams for endovascular therapies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for occluding a physical anomaly. One embodiment comprises a shape memory material body wherein the shape memory material body fits within the physical anomaly occluding the physical anomaly. The shape memory material body has a primary shape for occluding the physical anomaly and a secondary shape for being positioned in the physical anomaly. Full Article
or Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel includes a porous carrier formed from lyophilized hydrogel or other material. The plug may include at least first and second hydrogel precursors and a pH adjusting agent carried by the porous carrier in an unreactive state prior to exposure to an aqueous physiological environment. Once exposed to bodily fluids, the carrier expands as the lyophilized material hydrates to enhance and facilitate rapid hemostasis of the puncture. When the plug is placed into the puncture, the natural wetting of the plug by bodily fluids (e.g., blood) causes the first and second precursors to react and cross-link into an adhesive or “sticky” hydrogel that aids in retaining the plug in place within the puncture. Full Article
or Fasteners, deployment systems, and methods for ophthalmic tissue closure and fixation of ophthalmic prostheses and other uses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices for ophthalmic tissue closure and fixation of ophthalmic prostheses are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, devices for both grasping and clipping a plurality of ocular tissue and ocular prostheses are provided. Various device embodiments are provided for both malleable clips and delivery of normally closed clips (i.e. shape memory). The device may accommodate a plurality of clips which include, but are not limited to: malleable metals, absorbable, shape memory, drug-eluting, and adhesive dispensing. The clips may be pigmented to match the colors of associated tissue (cornea, iris, conjunctiva, sclera, retina) to serve to camouflage fixation clips for healing duration or permanently. According to one aspect, shallow angle access to anatomy may be provided by specialized angulation of device shaft and closure jaws that are intended to access the eye through a small self-healing cornea incision and/or any ocular tissue. Full Article
or Suture anchor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A suture anchor comprising a one piece blank folded to form a body. The body has a floor, a first sidewall extending from one end of the floor and a second sidewall extending from an opposite end of the floor. A recess is defined by the floor, first sidewall and second sidewall. A crossbar extends inwardly from the second sidewall across the recess such that a free end of the crossbar is normally disposed distally of a transverse edge of the body. The crossbar is flexible such that when a distally directed force is applied, the free end of the crossbar is positionable in the recess. The free end of the crossbar is engageable with the transverse edge to limit the proximal motion of the crossbar from a proximally directed force. Full Article
or Bone anchor systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces. Full Article
or Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space. Full Article
or Systems and methods for the fusion of the sacral-iliac joint By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The sacral-iliac joint between an iliac and a sacrum is fused either by the creation of a lateral insertion path laterally through the ilium, through the sacral-iliac joint, and into the sacrum, or by the creation of a postero-lateral insertion path entering from a posterior iliac spine of an ilium, angling through the sacral-iliac joint, and terminating in the sacral alae. A bone fixation implant is inserted through the insertion path and anchored in the interior region of the sacrum or sacral alea to fixate the sacral-iliac joint. Full Article
or Methods and apparatuses for flow restoration and implanting members in the human body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medical device for blood flow restoration and/or for use as an implantable member in a human vessel includes a self-expanding member, a guidewire, and a connection mechanism. The self-expanding member includes a plurality of cells and filaments having specific ranges of thicknesses, widths, and heights. The self-expanding member can take on a volume-reduced coiled form with overlapped edges, and can generate optimal radial forces against a vessel wall and/or thrombus when deployed and expanded. Full Article
or Method and inserter for interbody fusion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An elongate inserter has a distal end releasably connected to an expandable interbody fusion device and a proximal end including a trigger actuator. The interbody fusion device comprises a superior endplate and an inferior endplate that are movable in an expansion direction relative to each other in the intradiscal space. The inserter includes a lifting platform and an elevator that define cooperatively engaging ramps and ramps surfaces that upon operation of the trigger actuator cause the superior and inferior endplates to move relatively away from each other. A driver is supported by the inserter for pushing an insert into the expanded device between the superior and inferior endplates. Full Article
or Anchoring device and system for an intervertebral implant, intervertebral implant and implantation instrument By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Various embodiments of intervertebral implants, anchoring devices for intervertebral implants, and implantation instrumentation are provided, along with various embodiments of methods for using one or more of the devices. Some embodiments of an anchoring device have a body comprising at least one curve and a rigid plate elongated along a longitudinal axis so that its front end enters at least one vertebra while its rear end remains in the passage of an implant. In some embodiments, the plate comprises at least one longitudinal slot separating at least one posterior portion of the plate into two branches, with at least one branch comprising at least one withdrawal stop configured to retain the device in the implant. Full Article
or Medical device with orientable tip for robotically directed laser cutting and biomaterial application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A medical device used in a medical robotic system has a conduit and an orientable tip. An optical fiber coupled to a laser source and/or a catheter coupled to one or more biomaterial sources extends through the conduit and tip so that the tip of the medical device may be robotically directed towards a target tissue for laser and/or biomaterial application as part of a medical procedure performed at a surgical site within a patient. A protective sheath covers the fiber as it extends through the conduit and tip. A first coupler adjustably secures at least the sheath to the medical device and a second coupler adjustably secures the fiber to at least the sheath. A similar dual coupler mechanism may be used to secure the sheathed catheter to the medical device. Full Article
or Optimally configuring an information landscape By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system optimizes an information processing environment, and comprises at least one processor. The system collects information pertaining to operational behavior of the information processing environment and including a plurality of parameters. A neural network structure is established to associate the parameters to a desired operational performance characteristic for the information processing environment. The neural network structure is trained with the collected information from the information processing environment to produce a model for the information processing environment. The model is optimized to determine values for the parameters and the information processing environment is adjusted based on the determined parameter values to attain the desired operational performance of the information processing environment. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for optimizing an information processing environment in substantially the same manner described above. Full Article
or Multiplanar bone anchor system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A bone anchor is provided. The anchor can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The anchor can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The anchor can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion. Full Article
or Suture anchor inserter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a suture anchor inserter. The suture anchor inserter includes a handle having a proximal component, a central component coupled to the proximal component, and a distal component coupled to the proximal component and the central component, the central component capable of rotating relative to the proximal component; and a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the handle. A method of inserting a suture anchor into bone is also disclosed. Full Article
or Apparatus and method of user interface with alternate tool mode for robotic surgical tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one implementation, a method is disclosed in which a lock sensing mode is entered for a robotic surgical instrument. In the lock sensing mode, the degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument are switchably reduced. Further in the lock sensing mode, one or more end effectors of the robotic surgical instrument are switchably clamped together in the robotic surgical instrument. An increased level of torque may also be applied to the end effectors to increase a gripping force applied by the one or more end effectors in response to the reduced degrees of freedom of movement in the robotic surgical instrument. Full Article
or Cutting or scoring balloon and apparatus therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting or scoring balloon (26) is provided with a plurality of cutting or scoring elements (34) and is wrapped onto a balloon catheter (12) such that the cutting or scoring elements (34) overlie the balloon wall (36) with the balloon wall (36) pleated underneath the cutting or scoring elements (34). The cutting or scoring elements (34) remain exposed when the balloon (26) is pleated and wrapped onto the balloon catheter (12) and in a tightly wrapped configuration. Full Article
or Method and apparatus for a radiolucent and MRI compatible cranial stabilization pin By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more openings providing access to the hollow portion. The molded body flows into and around portions of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use. Full Article
or Flexible harmonic waveguides/blades for surgical instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises an articulable harmonic waveguide. The articulable harmonic waveguide comprises a first drive section comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first drive section may be configured to connect to an ultrasonic transducer. The articulable harmonic waveguide further comprises a first flexible waveguide coupled to the distal end of the first drive section. An end effector extends distally from the first flexible waveguide. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation actuator to flex the first flexible waveguide. Full Article