243 results about "Linear configuration" patented technology

A surgical stapler having a selectively bendable end effector is provided. A staple holding jaw of the end effector is coupled to another jaw for grasping tissue to be stapled. The stapler can adapted to drive staples into tissue having a pattern conforming with the selected shape of the end effector. In particular, the end effector can be adapted to drive staples in a linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a substantially linear configuration. The end effector can also be adapted to drive staples in a non linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a non linear configuration. Methods of stapling tissue with a stapler having a bendable end effector are also discussed.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

A tissue connection device is provided for use on a patient at a treatment site. The device comprises an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongate member has a first, substantially linear configuration during delivery through an elongate delivery device, wherein the first configuration is sufficient to allow said member to be delivered percutaneously into the patient to the treatment site. The elongate member has a second, substantially circular configuration when said member disengages from the delivery device, wherein the second configuration is sufficient to support tissue at the treatment site. The elongate member in the second configuration defines a single ring.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.

A surgical stapler having a selectively bendable end effector is provided. A staple holding jaw of the end effector is coupled to another jaw for grasping tissue to be stapled. The stapler can adapted to drive staples into tissue having a pattern conforming with the selected shape of the end effector. In particular, the end effector can be adapted to drive staples in a linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a substantially linear configuration. The end effector can also be adapted to drive staples in a non linear pattern when the end effector orients staples in a non linear configuration. Methods of stapling tissue with a stapler having a bendable end effector are also discussed.

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Disclosed is a lead for percutaneous insertion into an epidural space of a spinal canal, which includes an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions. At least one electrode for stimulating a patient is operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body. Structure for conducting signals extends through the lead body to connect the electrode to a connecting structure operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body. The connecting structure is capable of engaging a signal generator such that signals can be conducted from a signal generator to the electrode. The distal end portion of the lead body is adapted for movement between a first state, in which the distal end portion has a generally linear configuration, and a second state, in which the distal end portion has an undulating configuration.

Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided to interrupt blood flow that can block the transmission of light, and to center the apparatus in a blood vessel. Optical fibers optionally direct light from the light source to the diffusing element. The light source array can have a radial or linear configuration and can produce more than one wavelength of light for activating different photoreactive agents. Linear light source elements are particularly useful to treat elongate portions of tissue in a vessel. One embodiment intended for use with a conventional balloon catheter integrates light sources into a guidewire.

A spinal implant having a series of sections or units hinged together and a balloon connected to at least some of the sections, the balloon having a curved configuration. The implant has a first delivery configuration and a second curved placement configuration, wherein it has a more linear configuration in the first delivery configuration than in the second curved configuration. The implant assumes the first delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and maintains the curved configuration after placement within the disc space. The curved configuration can result from filling or expanding the balloon.

Light generating devices for illuminating portions of vascular tissue, to render photodynamic therapy. In one embodiment, a light source array preferably including a plurality of light emitting diodes, a focusing lens, and a light diffusing element are included in a distal end of a catheter. A balloon is optionally provided to interrupt blood flow that can block the transmission of light, and to center the apparatus in a blood vessel. Optical fibers optionally direct light from the light source to the diffusing element. The light source array can have a radial or linear configuration and can produce more than one wavelength of light for activating different photoreactive agents. Linear light source elements are particularly useful to treat elongate portions of tissue in a vessel. One embodiment intended for use with a conventional balloon catheter integrates light sources into a guidewire.

A spinal implant having a smaller transverse cross-sectional dimension in the radially compressed configuration than in a first expanded configuration and a more linear configuration in the second delivery configuration than in the first curved configuration. The implant assumes the radially compressed configuration and second delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and assumes the first curved configuration and first expanded configuration upon placement within the disc space. The implant further moves towards the radially compressed configuration once implanted in response to a load placed on the implant by the vertebral bodies.

A telemetry antenna for an implantable medical device includes one or more portions having a non-linear configuration. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration provides an antenna having a greater antenna length than the linear lengthwise dimension of the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration is a serpentine pattern.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

A telemetry antenna for an implantable medical device includes one or more portions having a non-linear configuration. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration provides an antenna having a greater antenna length than the linear lengthwise dimension of the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration is a serpentine pattern.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Medical devices, kits, and methods for utilizing an elongate surgical needle that may be used through an endoscope working channel or through an external accessory channel device used with an endoscope are provided. The needle has a proximal end and a flexible distal end, an opening at or near the proximal end and an opening at or near the distal end, the openings defining a channel. The surgical needle distal end comprises a tissue engaging section and an intermediate section being operatively coupled in an axial direction. The tissue engaging section and intermediate section have different flexibility such that the tissue engaging section has greater flexibility than the intermediate section. Optionally, the needle distal end has a preformed bend at or near the tissue engaging section, the preformed bend capable of being constrained to a substantially linear configuration and capable of returning to the preformed configuration when unconstrained.

Systems, devices and methods relating to a spinal implant for placement in a disc space of a spine are described. A spinal implant (1) can include a plurality of wedge members including a leading wedge (22), a trailing wedge (28), and one or more intermediary wedges (26) therebetween. The spinal implant (1) can be configured to have a first linear configuration in which the plurality of wedge members are in a linearly expanded form and a second circular configuration in which the plurality of wedge members are positioned circumferentially relative to a center axis. In its first configuration, the spinal implant (1) can be delivered to a disc space, whereby it can assume its second configuration within the disc space, thereby forming a replacement nucleus. The spinal implant (1) can be kept in its first configuration by a rod member (41) received as through the plurality of wedge members. The wedge members can be slidably removed off of the rod member (41) and can assume the second configuration.

A vertical axis wind turbine wherein the blades of the rotor section of the wind turbine comprise at least sections wherein the blades have a non-linear configuration in the “z” axis. In a preferred embodiment, the blades of the rotor section have a linear trailing edge with a non-linear, and preferably helical, surface configuration. This particular design allows the blades to provide both a rotational force and a positive or negative lift component. Further, the blades define an open area in the center of the rotor section through which air flow can pass in order to create a vertical vortex of air. As such, a more efficient vertical axis wind turbine provided.

A vertical axis wind turbine wherein the blades of the rotor section of the wind turbine comprise at least sections wherein the blades have a non-linear configuration in the “z” axis. In a preferred embodiment, the blades of the rotor section have a linear trailing edge with a non-linear, and preferably helical, surface configuration. This particular design allows the blades to provide both a rotational force and a positive or negative lift component. Further, the blades define an open area in the center of the rotor section through which air flow can pass in order to create a vertical vortex of air. As such, a more efficient vertical axis wind turbine provided.

A rotational thrombectomy wire for breaking up vascular thrombus or other obstructive material having a core having a proximal region and a distal region and being rotatable by a motor. The distal region has a smaller diameter than the proximal region. A cable is coupled to the distal region of the core and extends distally thereof. A torque tube is positioned over the cable and a coil is positioned over a distal portion of the cable. A distal portion of the cable has a non-linear configuration. A first covering material is positioned over the coil.

The three dimensional, low friction vasoocclusive coil has a portion that is three dimensionally box or cubed shaped. The three dimensional box or cubed shaped portion will form a basket for filling the anatomical cavity at the site in the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive device is formed from at least one strand of a flexible material formed to have a first inoperable, substantially linear configuration for insertion into and through a catheter or cannula to a desired portion of the vasculature to be treated, and a second operable, three dimensional configuration for occluding the desired portion of the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive coil may optionally include a portion that is substantially J-shaped or helically shaped, for filling and reinforcing the three dimensional portion.

The three dimensional, low friction vasoocclusive coil has a portion that is three dimensionally box or cubed shaped. The three dimensional box or cubed shaped portion will form a basket for filling the anatomical cavity at the site in the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive device is formed from at least one strand of a flexible material formed to have a first inoperable, substantially linear configuration for insertion into and through a catheter or cannula to a desired portion of the vasculature to be treated, and a second operable, three dimensional configuration for occluding the desired portion of the vasculature to be treated. The vasoocclusive coil may optionally include a portion that is substantially J-shaped or helically shaped, for filling and reinforcing the three dimensional portion.

A telemetry antenna for an implantable medical device includes one or more portions having a non-linear configuration. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration provides an antenna having a greater antenna length than the linear lengthwise dimension of the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration is a serpentine pattern.

An orthopedic reamer, including a first shaft; a second shaft movably disposed within at least a portion of the first shaft; a handle movably coupled to at least one of the first or second shafts; a drilling element coupled to a distal portion of the second shaft; and a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element having a first portion connected to the first shaft and a second portion connected to the second shaft. The plurality of cutting elements are controllably transitionable from i) a substantially linear configuration parallel to the first and second shafts to ii) an angled configuration with respect to the first and second shafts.

A self-attaching storage device comprises a storage case having a first edge and a second edge and a third edge and a forth edge, with at least one edge comprising a fold, the storage case including at least one inner storage space. Sealing means may be included for sealing at least one of the first edge and second edge and third edge and for the edge that is not the at least one edge comprising a fold. A bi-stable ribbon spring is positioned on or in the storage case, the bi-stable ribbon spring adapted to include a stable linear configuration and a coiled configuration. Securing means may be included for securing the storage device in a coiled configuration about a user's limb.