Goods & Services

Medical and surgical apparatus and instruments, namely, cooling apparatus used during medical and surgical procedures for cooling medical patient tissue Refrigeration equipment, namely, chilling units for use with medical cooling devices

Abstract

Cooling systems are described herein that may be used in connection with one or more attached devices to cool patient tissue. The disclosed cooling systems include a refrigeration unit containing a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with a heat exchanger, a fluid pump in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, tubing connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, a fluid cooling element in thermal contact with the thermoelectric element, and a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of fluid within the tubing. The temperature of fluid within the tubing can be controlled by a control unit having a user interface and a power controller to adjust cooling power to the thermoelectric element. Various types of devices can be configured to receive and circulate cooled fluid from the cooling systems, such as retractor blades, retractor shims, cooling pads, and scope sheaths.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 17/02 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for holding wounds open, e.g. retractorsTractors

Abstract

Cooling systems are described herein that may be used in connection with one or more attached devices to cool patient tissue. The disclosed cooling systems include a refrigeration unit containing a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with a heat exchanger, a fluid pump in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, tubing connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, a fluid cooling element in thermal contact with the thermoelectric element, and a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of fluid within the tubing. The temperature of fluid within the tubing can be controlled by a control unit having a user interface and a power controller to adjust cooling power to the thermoelectric element. Various types of devices can be configured to receive and circulate cooled fluid from the cooling systems, such as retractor blades, retractor shims, cooling pads, and scope sheaths.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
• A61M 19/00 - Devices for local anaesthesiaDevices for hypothermia
• A61B 17/86 - Pins or screws
• A61F 7/02 - Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• F28D 21/00 - Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting or positioning a thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. A number of exemplary thermal devices are disclosed, including bone anchors, inserts for use with bone anchors, K-wires, bone anchor extensions or towers, cross-connectors, spinous process plates, spinal rods, pedicle markers, bone taps, drill bits, bone plugs, bone plates, clamps, interbody or disc implants, thermal pads, and tubing loops. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
• A61B 17/56 - Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or jointsDevices specially adapted therefor

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting a malleable or deformable thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner. The thermal device can be connectionless or can include penetrable regions, pre-attached tubing, or detachable connectors to facilitate application of cooling or heating means to the device. Methods are disclosed for utilizing thermal devices and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling or heating tissue using such devices.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting a malleable or deformable thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner. The thermal device can be connectionless or can include penetrable regions, pre-attached tubing, or detachable connectors to facilitate application of cooling or heating means to the device. Methods are disclosed for utilizing thermal devices and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling or heating tissue using such devices.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting or positioning a thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. A number of exemplary thermal devices are disclosed, including bone anchors, inserts for use with bone anchors, K-wires, bone anchor extensions or towers, cross-connectors, spinous process plates, spinal rods, pedicle markers, bone taps, drill bits, bone plugs, bone plates, clamps, interbody or disc implants, thermal pads, and tubing loops. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 17/56 - Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or jointsDevices specially adapted therefor
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting a malleable or deformable thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner. The thermal device can be connectionless or include penetrable regions, preattached tubing, or detachable connectors to facilitate application of cooling or heating means to the device. Methods are disclosed for utilizing thermal devices and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve involving cooling or heating tissue using such devices.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods
• A61N 7/02 - Localised ultrasound hyperthermia

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue), and in particular applying thermal therapy to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting or positioning a thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. A number of exemplary thermal devices are disclosed, including bone anchors, inserts for use with bone anchors, K-wires, bone anchor extensions or towers, cross- connectors, spinous process plates, spinal rods, pedicle markers, bone taps, drill bits, bone plugs, bone plates, clamps, interbody or disc implants, thermal pads, and tubing loops. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61B 17/84 - Fasteners therefor
• A61F 2/44 - Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve applying thermal therapy to tissue (e.g., localized cooling or heating of tissue). In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled or heated by implanting a malleable or deformable thermal device in proximity to the targeted tissue. The thermal device can be left in place following surgery to facilitate application of post-surgical thermal therapy. In some embodiments, the thermal device can be removed post-surgery in a minimally- or non-invasive manner. The thermal device can be connectionless or can include penetrable regions, pre-attached tubing, or detachable connectors to facilitate application of cooling or heating means to the device. Methods are disclosed for utilizing thermal devices and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling or heating tissue using such devices.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61B 18/00 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally involve cooling tissue (e.g., localized cooling of tissue), and in particular applying therapeutic hypothermia to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and/or nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. In some embodiments, tissue can be cooled by clamping a cooling instrument to a bone or implant that is proximate to the tissue. The cooling instrument can define a chamber through which a chilled fluid, expandable gas, or other coolant means can be circulated, delivered, or activated to cool adjacent tissue. The degree of cooling can be regulated using a controller, which can be configured to increase or decrease the cooling effect based on any of a variety of measured or predicted physiological or thermodynamic properties. Methods are disclosed for utilizing cooling instruments and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling tissue using such instruments.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for cooling tissue, and in particular for applying therapeutic hypothermia to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. Bone screws, intervertebral implants, stabilization rods, spinous process spacers, and other devices are described which define a chamber through which a chilled fluid, expandable gas, or other coolant means can be circulated, delivered, or activated to cool adjacent tissue. The degree of cooling can be regulated using a controller, which can be configured to increase or decrease the cooling effect based on any of a variety of measured or predicted physiological or thermodynamic properties. Methods are disclosed for implanting cooling instruments and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling tissue using such instruments.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61F 7/00 - Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
• A61F 2/44 - Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for cooling tissue, and in particular for applying therapeutic hypothermia to the spinal canal, tissue disposed within the spinal canal, and nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. Bone screws, intervertebral implants, stabilization rods, spinous process spacers, and other devices are described which define a chamber through which a chilled fluid, expandable gas, or other coolant means can be circulated, delivered, or activated to cool adjacent tissue. The degree of cooling can be regulated using a controller, which can be configured to increase or decrease the cooling effect based on any of a variety of measured or predicted physiological or thermodynamic properties. Methods are disclosed for implanting cooling instruments and for carrying out various treatment regimens that involve cooling tissue using such instruments.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 18/02 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques
• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61F 2/44 - Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• A61B 17/86 - Pins or screws
• A61F 7/12 - Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities

Abstract

Medical devices and kits for dynamically stabilizing or preserving motion in a spine and limiting adjacent, non-adjacent, or isolated segment degeneration of the spine while providing a controlled, determinable range of motion at the treated site, as well as methods for surgical use of the system.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• A61B 17/86 - Pins or screws
• A61F 2/44 - Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs