Author: claimsbot

1. A constant voltage outputting apparatus comprising:
a differential amplifier circuit configured to perform a differential amplifying operation and output a differential amplified voltage;
an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the differential amplified voltage output from the differential amplifier circuit;
a current adjustment device configured to adjust a current characteristic of the amplifier circuit; and
a stabilization circuit configured to stabilize a state of the current adjustment device.
2. The constant voltage outputting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the amplifier circuit amplifies the differential amplified voltage output from the differential amplifier circuit, and supplies an amplified voltage.
3. A constant voltage outputting apparatus comprising:
a reference voltage source configured to output a reference voltage;
two output voltage detection resistors configured to detect and divide an output voltage to generate a feedback voltage;
a differential amplifier circuit configured to receive an input voltage, the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, perform a differential amplifying operation, and output a differential amplified voltage;
an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the differential amplified voltage output from the differential amplifier circuit;
a current adjustment device configured to adjust a current characteristic of the amplifier circuit;
a stabilization circuit configured to stabilize a state of the current adjustment device; and
an output voltage control device configured to receive the differential amplified voltage amplified by the amplifier circuit and control output of the output voltage to an external load based on the input voltage in accordance with the differential amplified voltage.
4. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the differential amplifier circuit comprises:
a current mirror circuit configured to generate mirror currents based on the input voltage;
two differential input transistors configured to be connected to the current mirror circuit and perform the differential amplifying operation based on the mirror currents, the reference voltage and the feedback voltage; and
a current regulation device configured to regulate a current characteristic of each of the two differential input transistors.
5. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises a stabilization transistor having a constant gate electric potential and being connected in series with the current adjustment device.
6. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a bias voltage source configured to output a bias voltage; and
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifier circuit and current adjustment device, and configured to have a gate connected to the bias voltage source and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.
7. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a depression-type stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifier circuit and the current adjustment device, and configured to have a gate connected to a source of the current adjustment device and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.
8. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a constant current source;
a first bias voltage generation device configured to output, based on a current output from the constant current source, a first bias voltage to a gate of the current adjustment device and a gate of the current regulation device;
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifier circuit and the current adjustment device, and configured to have a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device; and
a second bias voltage generation device configured to output, based on a current output from the constant current source, a second bias voltage to a gate of the stabilization transistor.
9. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein a gate and a drain of the second bias voltage generation device are connected to the constant current source, and a gate and a drain of the first bias voltage generation device are connected to a source of the second bias voltage generation device.
10. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifier circuit and the current adjustment device, and configured to have a gate connected to the reference voltage source and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.
11. A constant voltage outputting apparatus comprising:
differential amplifying means for performing a differential amplifying operation and outputting a differential amplified voltage;
amplifying means for amplifying the differential amplified voltage output from the differential amplifying means;
current adjusting means for adjusting a current characteristic of the amplifying means; and
stabilizing means for stabilizing a state of the current adjusting means.
12. A constant voltage outputting apparatus comprising:
reference voltage supplying means for outputting a reference voltage;
feedback voltage generating means for generating a feedback voltage;
differential amplifying means for receiving an input voltage, the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, performing a differential amplifying operation, and outputting a differential amplified voltage;
amplifying means for amplifying the differential amplified voltage output from the differential amplifying means;
current adjusting means for adjusting a current characteristic of the amplifying means;
stabilizing means for stabilizing a sate of the current adjusting means; and
output voltage control means for controlling output of the output voltage to an external load based on the input voltage in accordance with the differential amplified voltage amplified by the amplifying means.
13. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the differential amplifying means comprises:
minor current generating means for generating mirror currents based on the input voltage;
differential input means for performing the differential amplifying operation based op the mirror currents, the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, said differential input means being connected to the minor current generating means; and
current regulating means for regulating a current characteristic of the differential input means.
14. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the stabilizing means comprises a stabilization transistor having a constant gate electric potential and being connected in series with the current adjusting means.
15. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the stabilizing means comprises:
bias voltage supplying means for outputting a bias voltage; and
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifying means and the current adjusting means, and configured to have a gate connected to the bias voltage supplying means and a source connected to a drain of the current adjusting means.
16. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the stabilizing means comprises:
a depression-type stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifying means and the current adjusting means, and configured to have a gate connected to a source of the current adjusting means and a source connected to a drain of the current adjusting means.
17. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the stabilizing means comprises:
constant current supplying means;
first bias voltage generating means for outputting, based on a current output from the constant current supplying means, a first bias voltage to a gate of the current adjusting means and a gate of the current regulating means;
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifying means and the current adjusting means, and configured to have a source connected to a drain of the current adjusting means; and
second bias voltage generating means for outputting, based on a current output from the constant current supplying means, a second bias voltage to a gate of the stabilization transistor.
18. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein a gate and a drain of the second bias voltage generating means are connected to the constant current supplying means, and a gate and a drain of the first bias voltage generating means are connected to a source of the second bias voltage generating means.
19. The constant voltage outputting apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein the stabilizing means comprises:
a stabilization transistor configured to be placed between the amplifying means and the current adjusting means, and configured to have a gate connected to the reference voltage supplying means and a source connected to a drain of the current adjusting means.
20. A constant voltage outputting method comprising:
providing a differential amplifier circuit configured to receive an input voltage, a reference voltage and a feedback voltage generated by dividing an output voltage;
providing an amplifier circuit and a current adjustment device;
inserting a stabilization circuit between the amplifier circuit and the current adjustment device;
performing a differential amplifying operation through the differential amplifier circuit to output a differential amplified voltage;
amplifying the differential amplified voltage through the amplifier circuit;
adjusting a current characteristic of the amplifier circuit;
stabilizing a state of the current adjustment device; and
controlling output of the output voltage to an external load based on the input voltage in accordance with the differential amplified voltage amplified by the amplifier circuit.
21. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 20, wherein the differential amplifier circuit comprises:
a current mirror circuit configured to generate mirror currents based on the input voltage;
two differential input transistors configured to be connected to the current mirror circuit and perform the differential amplifying operation based on the mirror currents, the reference voltage and the feedback voltage; and
a current regulation device configured to regulate a current characteristic of each of the two differential input transistors.
22. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 20, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises a stabilization transistor having a constant gate electric potential and being connected in series with the current adjustment device.
23. The constant voltage outputting method its described in claim 20, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a bias voltage source configured to output a bias voltage; and
a stabilization transistor configured to have a gate connected to the bias voltage source and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.
24. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 20, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a depression-type stabilization transistor configured to have a gate connected to a source of the current adjustment device and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.
25. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 20, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a constant current source;
a first bias voltage generation device configured to output, based on a current output from the constant current source, a first bias voltage to a gate of the current adjustment device and a gate of the current regulation device;
a stabilization transistor configured to have a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device; and
a second bias voltage generation device configured to output, based on a current output from the constant current source, a second bias voltage to a gate of the stabilization transistor.
26. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 25, wherein a gate and a drain of the second bias voltage generation device are connected to the constant current source, and a gate and a drain of the first bias voltage generation device are connected to a source of the second bias voltage generation device.
27. The constant voltage outputting method as described in claim 20, wherein the stabilization circuit comprises:
a stabilization transistor configured to have a gate connected to a reference voltage source and a source connected to a drain of the current adjustment device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for treating ethmoid disease in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
advancing a penetrator through the ethmoid bulla to create an opening into at least one ethmoid air cell without using cutting forceps to remove the anterior wall of the ethmoid bulls;
inserting an implantable device having an inflatable reservoir through the opening; and
filling the inflatable reservoir.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the advancing step comprises pushing a sinus needle having a sheath through the ethmoid bulls;
the method further comprises removing the sinus needle from the sheath;
the inserting step comprises inserting the implantable device having the inflatable reservoir through the sheath;
the method further comprises removing the sheath; and
the filling step comprises filling the inflatable reservoir with a therapeutic substance, wherein an implantation period is about 1 hour to about 90 days.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the implantable device has also has a position maintaining member that abuts, engages or attaches to an adjacent anatomical structure to maintain the reservoir in a desired position.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the position maintaining member comprises at least one projection that frictionally engages an adjacent anatomical structure so as to deter migration or passage of the reservoir back out of the opening.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said at least one projection has a collapsed position and an extended position and wherein the method further comprises:
maintaining said at least one projection in the collapsed position while the implantable device is inserted through the opening and, thereafter, causing said at least one projection to transition to the extended position whereby said at least one projection mechanically contacts at least one adjacent anatomical structure.
6-9. (canceled)
10. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of causing said at least one projection to transition to the extended position comprises retracting a sheath so as to allow said at least one projection to assume the extended position.
11. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of removing the implantable device after an implantation period.
12. (canceled)
13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the implantable device comprises at least one projection that mechanically contacts at least one adjacent anatomical structure and wherein the step of removing the implantable device comprises pulling the implantable device out of the opening with sufficient force to overcome a resilient force in the at least one projection.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the penetrator comprises an elongate member having a curve and a sharp distal tip and wherein the step of advancing a penetrator through the ethmoid bulla to create an ethmoidotomy opening into at least one ethmoid air cell is performed with the curve oriented in a manner that causes the distal tip of the penetrator to advance on a trajectory that is substantially parallel to or divergent away from the adjacent skull base.
17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the penetrator is advanced through a plurality of ethmoid air cells, thereby forming an opening into a plurality of ethmoid air cells.
18. A method according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir is inflated with an inflation fluid that comprises a diagnostic or therapeutic substance and wherein the reservoir is constructed such that a diagnostically or therapeutically effective amount of the substance will elute from the reservoir while the implantable device is implanted.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of: wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of:
an imageable contrast agent;
a diagnostic indicator agent;
an antibiotic;
an antifungal;
an antiparasitic;
an antimicrobial;
a steroid;
a vasoconstrictor;
a leukotriene inhibitor;
an IgE inhibitor;
an anti-inflammatory;
a mast cell stabilizer;
an antihistamine;
an immunomodulator;
an SYK kinase Inhibitor
a chemotherapeutic agent;
an antineoplastic agent;
a mucolytic agent;
an antiproliferative agent;
an anti-scarring agent;
an agent that thins or otherwise changes the viscosity of mucous; and
a substance that facilitates remodeling of soft tissue andor bone andor cartilage.
20.-154. (canceled)
155. A method according to claim 11 wherein the implantation period is about 7 to about 29 days.
156. A method according to claim 11 wherein the implantation period is about 7 days to about 14 days.
157. A method for treating ethmoid disease in a human or animal subject, said method comprising the steps of:
pushing a sinus needle having a sheath through the ethmoid bulla to create an opening into at least one ethmoid air cell;
removing the sinus needle from the sheath;
inserting an implantable device having an inflatable reservoir through the sheath;
removing the sheath;
delivering a therapeutic substance into the reservoir; and
allowing the reservoir to remain implanted for an implantation period of from about 1 hour to about 90 days.

1. A tissue removal system, comprising:
a handpiece;
an outer cannula having an outer cannula lumen, a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer cannula opening adjacent the distal end, wherein the opening defines a cutting edge for severing tissue;
an inner cannula disposed in the outer cannula lumen and reciprocable within the outer cannula lumen, the inner cannula having an inner cannula lumen, a proximal end, an open distal end, a cutting edge at the distal end, a living hinge, a cutting section, and a body section, with the hinge being located between the cutting section and the body section, wherein the cutting section is pivotable when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula lumen; and
a fluid supply sleeve disposed about the outer cannula, wherein the fluid supply sleeve comprises an outer cannula channel and at least one fluid supply channel.
2. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein when the fluid supply sleeve is in an uninstalled condition, the at least one fluid supply channel is separated from the outer cannula channel along the length of the fluid supply sleeve.
3. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein when the fluid supply sleeve is in an uninstalled condition, the at least one fluid supply channel is in fluid communication with the outer cannula channel along the length of the fluid supply sleeve.
4. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein when the fluid supply sleeve is in an uninstalled condition the at least one fluid supply channel is in communication with the outer cannula channel along the length of the outer cannula channel, and when the fluid supply sleeve is in an installed condition on the outer cannula, the outer cannula separates the at least one fluid supply channel from the outer cannula channel.
5. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply sleeve is selectively positionable along the length of the outer cannula.
6. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein the outer cannula is rotatable with respect to the fluid supply sleeve and the handpiece.
7. The tissue removal system of claim 6, wherein the rotation of the outer cannula causes the inner cannula to rotate with respect to the handpiece while maintaining a fixed circumferential relationship between the inner cannula and the outer cannula.
8. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply sleeve comprises a radioactive material.
9. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fluid supply sleeve is imageable under positron emission tomography.
10. The tissue removal system of claim 1, wherein the fluid supply sleeve comprises a hub at a proximal end of the fluid supply sleeve, and the outer cannula projects through the proximal end of the hub.
11. The tissue removal system of claim 1, further comprising a source of irrigant in fluid communication with the at least one fluid supply channel.
12. The tissue removal system of claim 1, further comprising a source of a hemostatic agent in fluid communication with the at least one fluid supply channel.
13. The tissue removal system of claim 1, further comprising a source of saline in fluid communication with the at least one fluid supply channel.
14. The tissue removal system of claim 1, further comprising a source of a tissue sealing agent in fluid communication with the at least one fluid supply channel.
15. A method for performing a neurosurgical procedure, comprising:
providing a tissue removal system, the tissue removal system comprising:
a handpiece,
an outer cannula having an outer cannula lumen, a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer cannula opening adjacent the distal end, wherein the opening defines a cutting edge for severing tissue; and
an inner cannula disposed in the outer cannula lumen and reciprocable within the outer cannula lumen, the inner cannula having an inner cannula lumen, a proximal end, an open distal end, a cutting edge at the distal end, a living hinge, a cutting section, and a body section, with the hinge being located between the cutting section and the body section, wherein the cutting section is pivotable when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula lumen;
a fluid supply sleeve disposed about the outer cannula and comprising an outer cannula channel and at least one fluid supply channel;

inserting the outer cannula into a patient proximate a target tissue associated with the patient’s neurological system;
supplying a fluid through the at least one fluid supply channel and to the target tissue or an area proximate to the target tissue;
reciprocating the inner cannula within the outer cannula lumen between a proximal position and a distal position, such that when the inner cannula is in the proximal position, the target tissue is received in the outer cannula opening, and when the inner cannula is in the distal position, the cutting section pivots and the received target tissue is severed from surrounding tissue; and
aspirating the severed samples through the inner cannula lumen.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing a tissue removal system comprises providing the fluid supply sleeve and inserting the outer cannula through the outer cannula channel of the fluid supply sleeve.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising selectively positioning the fluid supply sleeve along the length of the outer cannula to cover a selected portion of the outer cannula opening.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a vacuum level in the inner cannula lumen to draw the target tissue into the outer cannula opening with the fluid supply sleeve located at the selected position along the length of the outer cannula.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a vacuum level in the inner cannula lumen without reciprocating the inner cannula within the outer cannula and with the fluid supply sleeve located at the selected position along the length of the outer cannula.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid comprises an irrigant.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid comprises a hemostatic agent.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the fluid comprises a tissue sealant.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein the target tissue comprises a tumor.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein the target tissue comprises one or more bleeding blood vessels.
25. A method for performing a neurosurgical procedure, comprising:
providing a tissue removal system, the tissue removal system comprising:
a handpiece,
an outer cannula having an outer cannula lumen, a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer cannula opening adjacent the distal end, wherein the opening defines a cutting edge for severing tissue, and
an inner cannula disposed in the outer cannula lumen and reciprocable within the outer cannula lumen, the inner cannula having an inner cannula lumen, a proximal end, an open distal end, a cutting edge at the distal end, a living hinge, a cutting section, and a body section, with the hinge being located between the cutting section and the body section, wherein the cutting section is pivotable when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula lumen,
a fluid supply sleeve comprising an outer cannula channel and at least one fluid supply channel;

selectively positioning the fluid supply sleeve along the length of the outer cannula to cover a selected portion of the outer cannula opening;
inserting the outer cannula into a patient proximate a target tissue associated with the patient’s neurological system; and
generating a vacuum level in the inner cannula lumen without reciprocating the inner cannula within the outer cannula lumen while the fluid supply sleeve is located at the selected position along the length of the outer cannula.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising drawing the target tissue into the outer cannula opening while the fluid supply sleeve is located at the selected position along the length of the outer cannula.
27. The method of claim 25, further comprising supplying a fluid through the at least one fluid supply channel to the target tissue or an area proximate the target tissue.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the fluid is a first fluid, and the step of generating a vacuum level in the inner cannula lumen aspirates a second fluid through the inner cannula lumen.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first fluid is the same as the second fluid.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the fluid comprises an irrigant.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the fluid comprises a hemostatic agent.
32. The method of claim 27, wherein the fluid comprises saline.
33. The method of claim 25, wherein the fluid supply sleeve comprises a radioactive material, and the method further comprises imaging the fluid supply sleeve using positron emission tomography.
34. The method of claim 25, wherein the fluid supply sleeve comprises a hub, and the outer cannula projects thorough the hub.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A pressure control valve comprising:
a housing;
a supply port at a first end of said housing;
a control port at a first end of said housing;
an exhaust port at a second end of said housing;
a primary poppet and a primary seat, which provide control pressure feedback acting to open said primary poppet, wherein said primary poppet has a larger diameter and is operably associated with said exhaust port;
a secondary poppet and a secondary seat operably associated with said supply port and said control port, wherein said secondary poppet has a smaller diameter which partially offsets the control feedback pressure of said primary poppet;
a hollow valve shaft including both poppets, slidably disposed between said primary seat and said secondary seat, wherein said hollow valve shaft allows flow and pressure communication between said primary poppet and said secondary poppet and provides viscous dampening of said valve;
a solenoid actuator having an armature fixed to said valve shaft allowing for the positioning of said valve shaft between said primary seat and said secondary seat to achieve variable pressure control proportional to the current applied to said actuator to regulate pressure to said control port;
a lower bearing supporting said valve shaft having an inner diameter sized approximately the same as the secondary poppet diameter and located at the supply port such that said bearing acts as a pressure boundary minimizing the area of the movable valve shaft on which supply port pressure acts; and
an upper bearing located adjacent to the larger primary poppet supporting said valve shaft and minimizing the transfer of ferrous contamination for controlled fluid to working air gaps of said actuator.
2. The valve of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable end cap disposed through said housing of said solenoid, wherein said exhaust port is disposed about said end cap.
3. The solenoid valve of claim 1 further comprising a spring configured about said hollow valve shaft, wherein said spring is biased to move said secondary poppet in a direction to contact said secondary valve seat placing said dual poppet low leak solenoid valve in a normally open or normally low pressure position.
4. The solenoid valve of claim 1 further comprising a spring configured about said hollow valve shaft, wherein said spring is biased to move said primary poppet in a direction to contact said primary valve seat, placing said valve in a normally closed or normally high pressure position.