m 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
m Backlight module including circular and cylinder fresnel lenses By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A backlight module includes a carrier plate, a plurality of light sources, a plurality of circular Fresnel lenses, and a plurality of cylinder Fresnel lenses. The circular Fresnel lenses are arranged in an array form on the carrier plate. The light sources correspond to the circular Fresnel lenses, and are located in a side away from the carrier plate. One cylinder Fresnel lens is set between every two adjacent circular Fresnel lenses. A length direction of each cylinder Fresnel lens is parallel to an extending direction of adjacent column of the circular Fresnel lens. The circular and cylinder Fresnel lenses are used to reflect a light incident into their surfaces, and to increase an emission angle of the reflected light. Full Article
m Illuminating apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lens holder (6) has: a lens holding section (21), which elastically holds a flange (17) of a lens (5); a section to be pressed (22), which is positioned to surround the lens holding section (21), and is fixed to a substrate (3) by being pressed to the substrate by means of a holder fixing means (2); and connecting sections (23, 24), which partially connect to each other the lens holding section (21) and the section to be pressed (22). The height of the section to be pressed (22) from the substrate (3) is more than the height of the lens holding section (21) from the substrate (3), and the lens holding section (21) is not in contact with the holder fixing means (2). Full Article
m Backlight module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A backlight module includes a laser light source, a light guiding board located at a side of the laser light source, a first lens and a second lens both located at a light path of light beams emitted from the laser light source. The laser light source includes one laser diode or a plurality of laser diodes. The light guiding board includes a light incident face and a light emerging face. The first lens firstly converges and then diverges the light beams emitted from the laser light source. The second lens changes the light beams passed through the first lens to be parallel light beams. The parallel light beams have a larger width than that of the light beams just emitted from the laser light source. The parallel light beams enter the light guiding board via the light incident face of the light guiding board. Full Article
m 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
m Light fixtures and multi-plane light modifying elements By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain example implementations of the disclosed technology include a light emitting device. The light emitting device may include an enclosure with four sides and a top edge surface associated with each of the four sides. The enclosure may be capable of mounting on a grid frame of a suspended ceiling such that a portion of the top edge surfaces contacts a portion of the grid frame. The light emitting device may further include a light modifying element characterized by a substrate with four or more edges, a back surface disposed on the top edge surface of each of the four sides of the enclosure, and a front surface. In certain example embodiments the substrate may further comprise two or more edge trusses. A periphery of the light-emitting front surface may be capable of contacting the grid frame after the light emitting device is mounted to the grid frame. Full Article
m 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
m Illumination device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an illumination device including a light source, a power supply to supply power to the light source, a housing including one side formed to be open, and including the light source and the power supply in the housing, at least one diffusion cover, disposed on the open side of the housing, through which light from the light source passes, and a power cover, disposed on the open side of the housing, to cover one side of the power supply. The illumination device may minimize a number of components or tools used for installing the illumination device. The illumination device may be readily installed by changing a structure and components included in the illumination device may be readily changed and repaired. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m LED lamp with cover having through holes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An LED lamp includes a base, a head connected to the base, an LED mounted on the base and a cover fixed on the base and covering the LED. The cover is made of metal and defines a plurality of through holes therein. Full Article
m Lighting device and light-emitting module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lighting device pertaining to one aspect of the present invention includes a mount, a light-emitting module, and a substrate holder. The light-emitting module is mounted on a main surface of the mount, and the substrate holder covers a portion of the light-emitting module and is connected with the mount. The light-emitting module includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a sealant and a padding. The padding is provided on a first main surface of the substrate. The light-emitting module is mounted on the main surface of the mount such that a second main surface of the substrate comes into contact with the main surface of the mount, and the light-emitting module is fixed to the mount by pressure applied from the substrate holder via the padding brought into contact with the substrate holder. The padding is made of a same material as the sealant. Full Article
m Lighting module generating an interlacing of light strips By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lighting module comprising at least one first lighting device and one second lighting device; the first lighting device comprises a support common to at least one first light emitter generating a first light strip and at least one second light emitter generating a second light strip. The first light emitter is arranged relative to second light emitter so as to generate a zone that is unlit by the first lighting device between the first light strip and the second light strip. The at least one second lighting device generates at least one third light strip that extends in the zone that is unlit. Full Article
m Lightguide element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure concerns a lightguide element (1) for a light unit or an automotive headlight, wherein the light element (1) has at least one light input area (2) for putting in light with at least one light source and the lightguide element (1) furthermore has at least one light output area (3) for putting out the light, wherein a beam splitting area (4) is arranged next to the light input area (2), from which at least one first lightguide part (5) and at least one second lightguide part (6) travel in directions leading away from each other, and a lightguiding connection element (7) is arranged in the area spanned by the lightguide parts (5, 6), which transitions into the light output area (3) on its side facing away from the lightguide parts. The lightguide parts have optical structuring elements (8) on their side facing away from the light output area. Full Article
m Vehicular lamp By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a vehicular lamp including a low-beam lamp and a daytime running lamp. The low-beam lamp includes a low-beam LED, a low-beam reflector, and a projection lens. The daytime running lamp includes a DRL LED, and a DRL reflector. The DRL LED is disposed at the rear side of the low-beam reflector to emit a light in a direction which intersects with the optical axis of the vehicular lamp. The DRL reflector includes an extension area that extends to at least the outer side of the projection lens when viewed from the front, and reflects the light from the DRL LED in the extension area to emit the light to the front side of the lamp through the outer side of the projection lens. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m Display module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display module has a display panel and a backlight module disposed on one side of the display panel. The backlight module includes a heat sink, a light bar, a light guide plate, a first reflective sheet, and a second reflective sheet. The light bar abuts against one side of the heat sink. The first reflective sheet is disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of the light guide plate, and the second reflective sheet is disposed adjacent to an edge of a light-emitting surface of the light guide plate. The second reflective sheet has a first part and a second part forming an included angle with the first part, the first part is attached to the heat sink or the light bar, and the second part overlaps a part of the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m Light guide plate and backlight assembly including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A backlight assembly includes a first light source unit including n light emitting members; and a light guide plate including a first side adjacent to the first light source unit, and a first groove adjacent to a first end of the first side. Full Article
m Backlight module and display device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A backlight module and a display device are provided. The backlight module includes a light guide, a bottom frame, and a first light bar. The light guide has a first light incident surface. The bottom frame has a clip portion, a first hole, and a first tongue piece, wherein the light guide is disposed in the bottom frame and clipped by the clip portion. A driver board is locked to the first tongue piece, and the first tongue piece is folded from the first hole. The first light bar is disposed between the first light incident surface of the light guide and the bottom frame, and the first light bar has a first connector. The first connector passes through the first hole, so that the first connector is outside the bottom frame. Full Article
m 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
m Light emitting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT To provide a light emitting device that can maintain a desired light emission even when the tube is bent. The light emitting device of the present invention includes: a bendable tube extending in a first direction; a flexible board extending in the first direction and housed in the tube; and a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on the flexible board, wherein the flexible board comprises a plurality of protrusions aligned in the first direction on both sides in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, on which the light emitting elements are mounted, and the plurality of protrusions are in contact with an inner wall of the tube such that the inner wall clamps the flexible board in a bent position. Full Article
m LED lamp By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A LED lamp is disclosed which has a plurality of light unit, each of the light unit has at least one flat metal lead for heat dissipation and the lower part of the metal lead is mounted on a heat sink for a further heat dissipation. Full Article
m Plasma light source By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A High Frequency light source has a central body of fused quartz, with a central void, filled with a fill in the void of material excitable by High Frequency energy to form a light emitting plasma. An inner sleeve of perforate metal shim extends along the length of the central body to provide a launching gap. The sleeve has a transverse end portion extending across the other, inner end of the central body. An outer cylinder of fused quartz with an internal bore such as to be a sliding fit with the inner sleeve, itself a sliding fit on the central body. An outer sleeve of perforate metal, enclosing the outer cylinder and having an end portion extending across the flush, void ends of the quartz body and cylinder and having a skirt extending past the flush over an aluminum carrier, clamped and holding the quartz elements against the carrier. Full Article
m Dimmable light source with temperature shift By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An illumination device (1) comprises: input terminals (2) for coupling to AC mains;a LED string (10) connected in series with the input terminals;a rectifier (30), having input terminals connected in series with the LED string;a controllable voltage source (40), having input terminals coupled to the rectifier output terminals;a series arrangement of at least one auxiliary LED (51) and a second ballast resistor (52) connected to the output terminals of the controllable voltage source. The voltage source comprises: a series arrangement of an adjustable first resistor (46) and a second resistor (47) connected in parallel to the input terminals;a tuneable Zener diode (49) connected in parallel to the output terminals, having a control input terminal (48) connected to the node between the two resistors; wherein positive output terminal is connected to positive input terminal and negative output terminal is connected to negative input terminal. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m Optoelectronic module and lighting device including the optoelectronic module By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optoelectronic module 1 having at least a first 2A and a second 2B radiation-emitting source and a first optical element 5 including a cavity 10 wherein the surface 5A of the cavity 10 is able to reflect the radiation 3A, 3B of the at least two radiation sources. An outlet 15 in the optical element 5 is provided for coupling radiation out of the cavity 10, wherein the radiation emitted by the radiation sources 2A, 2B is reflected by the surface 5A of the cavity resulting in a mixing of the radiation. Full Article
m Ambient lighting jig assembly and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ambient lighting jig assembly generally includes a support assembly, a trim panel, an insert panel, and a light source. The support assembly defines an inner support cavity. The trim panel is configured to be coupled to the support assembly and at least partly defines a jig opening. The insert panel is configured to be rotatably coupled to the support assembly within the jig opening and has a reflective surface. The light source is configured to emit a light stream. Further, the light source is configured to be rotatably coupled to the support assembly within the inner support cavity at a plurality of angular positions so that the light stream is projected onto the reflective surface for use in determining an optimal angle for the insert panel and the light source. Full Article
m 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
m Illumination apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT An illumination apparatus, a method of manufacture of the same and a heat sink apparatus for use in said illumination apparatus in which an array of optical elements directs light from an array of light emitting elements through a heat dissipating structure to achieve a thin and efficient light source that provides directional illumination with efficient dissipation of generated heat into the illuminated environment. Full Article
m Lamp having outer shell to radiate heat of light source By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lamp includes an outer shell having heat conductivity, a base provided in the outer shell, and a cover provided in the outer shell. The outer shell has a light source support, and a heat radiating surface exposed to the outside of the outer shell. The light source support is formed integral with the heat radiating surface. A light source is supported on the light source support. The light source is heated during lighting, and thermally connected to the light source support. The light source is covered with the cover. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m Image source unit and image display unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST The present invention is to provide an image source unit for improving use efficiency of the image light and also provide an image display unit comprising the image source unit. The image source unit 4 comprising: an image light source 5; and an optical sheet 10 laminated on the image light source, the optical sheet comprising: a base material layer 11; and an optical functional layer 12 formed on the image light source side surface of the base material layer, the optical functional layer comprising: light-transmissive portions 13 arranged parallel along the sheet face; and light-absorbing portion(s) 14 arranged between the light-transmissive portions, the image light source side face of the light-transmissive portion having protrusions 17 each having a curved or polygonal line so that the protrusions project towards the image light source side in cross section in the sheet-thickness direction. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m Surgical instrument with ratcheting rotatable shaft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a reusable housing including an internal transducer and an internal end effector rotation assembly. An exemplary rotation assembly is a ratchet and pawl assembly, which allows the transducer to rotate in a first direction but not in a second, opposite direction. The end effector, including an integral torque wrench, is attached to the transducer to form a single unit that is rotatable relative to the housing. The transducer attaches to a stationary cable via slip rings. The cable communicates with a generator, which provides electrical power to the transducer. The transducer converts the electrical power into ultrasonic vibrational energy, which is transmitted to the end effector. Full Article
m 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
m 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
m 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
m 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
m 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
m IVC filter catheter with imaging modality By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter, further comprising an imaging modality to facilitate intravascular imaging of the filter. Full Article
m IVC filter catheter with imaging modality By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combined multi-lumen central access catheter and an embolic filter, further comprising an imaging modality to facilitate intravascular imaging of the filter. Full Article
m Personalized tourniquet system having dual-purpose cuff By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a method and apparatus for regulating tourniquet cuff pressure based on a personalized tourniquet pressure (PTP) to facilitate safe performance of a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a dual-purpose tourniquet cuff adapted to encircle a region of a patient limb to provide both a sensor during a pre-surgical time period and an effector during a surgical time period. An effector module communicates pneumatically with an inflatable bladder of the cuff for maintaining pressure in the bladder near a PTP during the surgical time period to safely stop penetration of arterial blood past the cuff. A pulsation sensor that communicates pneumatically with the inflatable bladder during the pre-surgical time period senses and characterizes pressure pulsations that are indicative of penetration of arterial blood into the region of the limb encircled by the cuff. A PTP estimator is responsive to the pulsation sensor for producing an estimate of the PTP, such that the estimate of the PTP is a function of the sensed pulsations. Full Article
m 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
m 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