Automated vessel repair system, devices and methods

• US 7,979,108 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2007
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William Harrison Zurn
• Original Assignee: William Harrison Zurn
• Inventors: Zurn, William Harrison
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen; Tse
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brutus; Joel F
• Application Number:
  US11/895,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20090062639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/410, 600/409, 600/466, 600/467, 623/1.15, 604/500
• US Class Current: 600/410
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/374 NMR or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/392 Radioactive markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/30 Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/4812 MR combined with X-ray or computed tomography [CT]

Abstract

Systems, devices and automated methods for minimally invasive surgery. A device is fabricated of bio-compatible semiconductor elements, and can be assembled, delivered, navigated and implanted by automated methods, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology.

Claims

1. An implantable device comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor cells held in assembly primarily by magnetic attraction forces;

wherein a plurality of said plurality of semiconductor cells each comprise a communication element and a fusion portion configured to melt upon receiving radio frequency energy from said communication element of said cell, respectively.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device comprises a patch having a length and a width, said patch constructed from said plurality of semiconductor cells.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said cells are joined to form a device comprising a tubular body.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said cells each have a polarity switch.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is assigned a radio frequency identification code.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each said cell is assigned a radio frequency identification code.

7. The device of claim 1, said device being movable and navigatable by magnetic fields applied externally of a patient in which the device is placed.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said cells comprises a communication element programmable with a number and configured to receive radio frequency communications from a controlling apparatus.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said cells are selectively magnetic, each being controlled using a unique identifier assigned to each said cell, respectively.

10. An implantable device comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor cells assembleable, primarily by magnetic forces, into said device, wherein said cells are respondable to magnetic control; and

wherein a plurality of said plurality of semiconductor cells each comprise a communication element and a fusion portion configured to melt upon receiving radio frequency energy from said communication element of said cell, respectively.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein each of said cells comprises a communication element programmable with a number and configured to receive radio frequency communications from a controlling apparatus.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said cells are selectively magnetic, each being controlled using a identifier assigned to each said cell, respectively.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said cells are semiconductor cells each having a polarity switch.

14. A computer controlled medical device for implantation in a living organism, said device comprising:

a plurality of cells that are polarity controllable to expand or contract a size of the device;

wherein a plurality of said plurality of cells each comprise a communication element and a fusion portion configured to melt upon receiving radio frequency energy from said communication element of said cell, respectively.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is a stent.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein each said cell is assigned a radio frequency identification code to facilitate endoscopic installment and positioning of said cells.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein said cells have a thickness of about 50 microns or less.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is formed in the shape of a sheet.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is formed in a tubular shape.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein said device is expanded or contracted by computer controlled application of a nuclear magnetic resonance machine.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein said cells are polarity controllable using computer controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein said device has a compliance that substantially matches a compliance of the tissue against which said device is implanted.

23. The device of claim 14, wherein at least some of said plurality of cells include a fusible portion configured to be fused to tissue against which said device is implanted.

24. The device of claim 23, where said fusible portions comprise porous silicon.