Abstract: An apparatus for treating body tissue using controlled application of heat includes an catheter having an expandable device defining a fluid reservoir about the distal end of the catheter. Fluid is provided to the fluid reservoir through a fluid supply conduit, and fluid drains from the fluid reservoir via a fluid drainage conduit. The apparatus includes a first pressure control valve that controls the outflow of fluid through the fluid drainage conduit, so that fluid pressure within the fluid reservoir is maintained within a desired range. The apparatus may also include a second pressure control valve that drains the fluid reservoir in case of an overpressure, such as may occur upon failure of the first pressure control valve.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a varity of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.

Abstract: A package for sterilized, absorbable medical devices is disclosed. The package has a plurality of cavities in communication with a vent, wherein the vent is preferably centrally located. After sterilization, the package is sealed adjacent to the vent thereby providing individual hermetically sealed sterile cavities which are cut away from the package to form unitary packages.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of suture needles and, more particularly, a process for enhancing the physical strength of the suture needles through an expedient cold-working or cold-forming procedure. Also disclosed is the provision of a novel and physically strengthened suture needle, particularly a surgical suture needle possessing a curvilinear configuration wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the needle is cold-formed into varying shapes in order to produce a needle having superior physical characteristics and strengths imparted thereto through the inventive process.

Abstract: An implant for suspension of the urinary bladder in bases of incontinence of urine in women has a flat, flexible basic structure. Two first projections (5, 6) and two second projections (7, 8) start from a triangle-like to elongated oval basis (1). The two first projections (5, 6) run on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (L--L) of the base (1), and the two second projections (7, 8) likewise run on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (L--L) of the base (1), but generally in the opposite direction to the two first projections (5, 6).

Abstract: An implant, in particular for the closure of trocar puncture points, has a flexible, flat base part (1) and a stopper part (2) that starts from one side (3) of the base part (1) and extends in an essentially perpendicular manner relative to the base part (1). The stopper part (2) can be provided with a waist (5) in the vicinity of the base part (1).

Abstract: A continuous process for heat treating and cleaning and tempering martensitic stainless steel surgical needles is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the surgical needles to a partial vacuum at a temperature less than the heat treating temperature to remove volatile surface contaminant. Then the needles are heat treated in an argon gas environment at a pressure equal to or greater than 1.0 Torr. Next the temperature of the oven is lowered to temper the needles.

Abstract: A cutting edge surgical suture needle. The suture needle is an elongated member having a proximal suture mounting end and a distal piercing tip. The distal section of the needle has a cross-section having a top side with opposed edges. The cross-section also has opposed curved concave lateral sides having top edges and bottom edges. The top edges of the concave sides and the opposed sides of the top side are coextensive and form cutting edges. The bottom edges of the opposed concave sides are coextensive and form a bottom cutting edge.

Abstract: A plug (101) for connection to the stripped end of a heart electrode wire or of another implantable wire comprises a contact piece (110), the front region of which is constructed as a plug pin (112) and the rear region (114) of which has a recess (118), an insulating housing (120) which surrounds the rear region (114) of the contact piece (110) and leaves free access to the recess (118), and a clamping piece (130) which, in the assembled state, engages with the recess (118), whereby the stripped wire end is bent round and clamped in the recess (118).

Abstract: A folder package for a suture anchor. The package has a base panel foldably connected to a connecting panel. A cover panel is foldably connected to the connecting panel. First and second end connecting panels are foldably connected to the cover panel. A needle park member is mounted to the base panel to retain surgical needles and optionally retain the suture anchor. A handle cover panel having opposed sides is foldably connected to the base panel. A connecting panel having opposed major and opposed minor sides is foldably connected along a first major side to an opposite side of the handle cover panel, and a tab member is foldably connected to the second major side of the connecting panel. The base panel has a tab member formed by a U-shaped slit for retaining the needle park member. The base panel also has L-shaped slits forming L-shaped members for retaining a shaft of a suture anchor applicator.

Abstract: A radiation sterilization process for medical devices. The position of a CO.sub.60 source is monitored during a sterilization process. If the CO.sub.60 source moves out of the irradiation position, the central control unit moves the source down into a containment pool and stops the cycle timers. The source is then moved back up to the irradiation position and the cycle is restarted and the timers are restarted. The cycle time may be corrected using an algorithm.

Abstract: A method of heat treating and cleaning maraging or precipitation hardening stainless steel surgical needles is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the surgical needles to a partial vacuum at a temperature less than the aging temperature to remove volatile surface contaminants. Then the needles are heat treated in an argon gas environment at a pressure equal to or greater than 1.0 atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for progressively manufacturing cutting edge needles or wire members. Needle blanks or wire blanks are cut from a roll of wire and mounted to a carrier strip. The carrier strip and needles are moved through a succession of coining dies and at least one trimming die, wherein the first coining die is an open coining die and the one or more successive coining dies are closed coining dies. The needle blanks or wire members are optionally curved, heat treated and electrochemically treated resulting in cutting edge needles or wire members formed without a grinding step and without adversely affecting point ductility.

Abstract: A tube knot applicator for use in endosurgical procedures. The tube knot applicator has an elongated tube member having a distal end and a proximal end, as well as an axial passage therethrough. The tube member has slits for partially collapsing the distal end of the tube as well as a removable plug mounted in the distal end of the tube to prevent the distal end of the tube from collapsing by supporting the distal slitted end. A suture having at least one slip knot and at least one locking knot is mounted in the tube knot applicator with the knot tied about the collapsing distal end of the tube. A sleeve is mounted to the distal end of the tube knot applicator over the suture knot and the distal end.

Abstract: Absorbable/resorbable mixtures of aliphatic polyesters of poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(p-dioxanone) and poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone) and calcium containing bone regenerating compounds such as powdered, non-fibrous calcium phosphates are described. The composites when used to manufacture medical devices exhibit improved absorption characteristics and other physical properties.

Abstract: Absorbable polymers and blends of acrylated poly(alkylene diglycolate)s and aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers such as lactide, glycolide, e-caprolactone, p-dioxanone, and trimethylene carbonate are described. The polymers and blends exhibit a broad range of properties, useful in a variety of medical devices.

Abstract: A folder package for surgical sutures. The package has a base panel, a foldably connected cover panel, a foldably connected closure panel, a foldably connected end panel, and a ramp structure. The package also has at least one needle/suture park mounted to the base panel. The ramp structure is mounted adjacent to the needle/suture park and allows sutures to pass over the park without getting hung-up on or in the park.

Abstract: A non-magnetic surgical needle. The needle is made from Type 316 stainless steel or ERSTE 4456CA stainless steel and is work hardened to have mechanical properties substantially equivalent to a surgical needle made from conventional magnetic stainless steel. The needle is useful in the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical tack for use in surgical procedures. The surgical tack has a base member and a distally extending spiral member having a distal piercing point. The spiral member forms a spiral. The tack may be used to fasten tissue, sutures, or medical devices to tissue.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a varity of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.