Abstract: A device for controlling a tensional force on an implanted elongated structure during removal of the implanted elongated structure from a body vessel of a patient via a removal tool. The removal tool is of a type that includes a sheath member having a passageway extending therethrough for receiving the elongated structure. A shaft member structured for engagement with the removal tool has a locking member disposed thereon. The locking member is constructed and arranged for selectively locking a position of the elongated structure in a manner to maintain a tension on the elongated structure, and unlocking the elongated structure to permit an adjustment of the tension.

Abstract: A device for support and protection of a tubular element has a single-piece construction, and respective open and closed configurations. The device includes a base portion, at least one side-portion, and a living hinge interconnecting the side-portion and the base portion. The base portion includes a plurality of recesses on a surface, each recess being delimited by a plurality of pins, each pin having an indentation. The plurality of indentations form a pocket by which the tubular element is held. The living hinge opens such that the side-portion is substantially parallel to the base portion in the open configuration, and closes such that the side-portion fauns a protective shell about the base portion in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for maintaining a position of a catheter on a beaded connector tube of an implantable vascular access device includes first and second lock members. The first lock member comprises an elongated body having a plurality of slots formed along its outer surface. The second lock member comprises an elongated body dimensioned such that at least a slotted portion of the first lock member is receivable in an axial passageway of the second lock member. The second lock member has a plurality of tabs extending radially into the axial passageway such that a tab is receivable in a respective slot to form a locking connection between the first and second lock members.

Abstract: A snare-type device for removing an elongated structure such as, for example, a pacemaker lead. The device first includes a sheath having a first lumen formed therein, the first lumen having a distal end and being dimensioned to receive the elongated structure therein, and being adapted to allow advancement of the sheath along the elongated structure. The sheath also has second and third parallel lumens formed therein, all of the first, second and third lumens being unitarily formed in the sheath. The device also includes a snare contained in the second and third lumens in the sheath. The snare has a snare loop extending out of the second and third lumens, at and generally extending around the distal end of the first lumen.

Abstract: A holder for a micro-sized medical device, such as a pipette, includes a main body portion having an interior space sized for housing at least one pipette. A reducing insert comprising a sleeve has an open end and a substantially closed end. The sleeve is sized such that the open end is receivable in the main body portion through an open axial end of the main body, and the substantially closed end has an aperture extending therethrough having a diameter sufficient for passage of a pipette therethrough. An end cap is engageable with the open axial end of the main body portion, and is selectively movable between an open position wherein the interior space of the main body communicates via the aperture with an environment exterior of the holder, and a closed position wherein the seal covers the aperture. The components of the holder may be formed integrally or separately.

Abstract: A modular hemostatic valve includes a splittable valve body. The splittable body defines a passageway. A sealing element is positioned in the passageway. The sealing element is configured to facilitate the passage of a first medical device, and the splittable valve body is configured to engage a second medical device.

Abstract: A device for aspirating sample media into a pipette for use in a micro-manipulation procedure includes a ring member having an opening sized for receiving a digit of an operator, and an aspirating bulb engaged with the ring member. The aspirating bulb has an open end sized for receiving an end of the pipette, and includes a compressible chamber capable of creating a suction force suitable for aspirating the sample media into the pipette. The aspirating bulb is oriented along the ring member such that the chamber is compressible by a digit on the same hand of the operator as the digit receivable in the ring member.

Abstract: A modular hemostatic valve includes a splittable valve body. The splittable body defines a passageway. A sealing element positions in the passageway. The sealing element is configured to facilitate the passage of a first medical device, and the splittable valve body is configured to engage a second medical device.

Abstract: A cuff assembly for placement around a body vessel comprises a cuff member sized to substantially surround the body vessel, and a tether assembly engaged with the cuff member. The tether assembly is sized to at least substantially encircle the cuff member, and includes a locking mechanism for releasably maintaining a selected tension when the tether assembly encircles the cuff member. The tether assembly may comprise a tether and a tab, wherein the tab is engaged with the cuff member and has an aperture therethrough. The distal end of the tether is engaged with the tab. The locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of stop members disposed along a surface of the tether.

Abstract: An assembly for joining two vessel segments of a patient comprises a coupler formed of adjoining coupler halves, and a cuff having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion. Each of the coupler halves includes an aperture for receiving an end of one of the vessel segments. One of the coupler halves comprises a connector element sized and shaped for connection to the other coupler half. The vessel segments are alignable in the respective coupler halves such that a path for fluid flow is formed therebetween upon connection of the coupler halves. The large diameter portion of the cuff is positioned over at least a portion of the coupler, and the small diameter portion of the cuff is positioned over one of the vessel segments. The cuff further includes a probe positioned at the small diameter portion. The probe is positioned within the cuff in a manner such that a signal is receivable therein corresponding to fluid flow through the vessel segment.

Abstract: A device for extracting an implanted elongated structure from biological tissue comprises a sheath having a plurality of lumens therein opening to the sheath distal end. First and second lumens are disposed along a wall of the sheath, and a third lumen is dimensioned to receive the elongated structure. The sheath wall having the first and second lumens disposed therein is alternately compressible and expandable responsive to a bend along a bending zone of the sheath. A first wire segment is positioned in the first lumen, and a second wire segment is positioned in the second lumen, wherein the respective proximal ends of the segments are affixed proximal to the bending zone. The respective wire segments extend distally in the respective first or second lumen a first distance beyond the distal end of the sheath when the bend compresses the wall surface generally adjacent the first and second lumens, and extend distally a second distance, less than the first distance, when the bend expands the wall surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lead removal apparatus for removing an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator lead from the heart. The lead removal apparatus includes a proximal handle that further includes a proximal portion, such as an elongate section of intertwined wire, having a compact, pre-formed first configuration, such as one or more coiled loops. The compact shape permits the operator to utilize the proximal portion without requiring the assistance of a second person to help keep it within the sterile field during a procedure. The operator is thus able to constrain or uncoil the proximal portion into a second configuration that is sufficiently straight such that a medical device, such as a dilator sheath, can be advanced thereover to help separate the lead from scar tissue along the vein path. The proximal portion may include sufficient resiliency to substantially return to the first configuration once the sheath has been advanced.

Abstract: An entry device for providing access to the interior of a body vessel through a wall of the vessel to enable removal of an implanted structure, such as a cardiac lead, from the body vessel includes an elongated sheath member and a tip positioned at the distal end of the sheath member. The elongated sheath member and tip have respective passageways extending therethrough that are sized and aligned to receive the implanted structure therein upon accessing the vessel. The elongated sheath member is capable of delivering sufficient torque to permit advancement of the tip through a wall of the vessel. The device may include an optional handle, and may be driven by manual or mechanical action.

Abstract: A tip engageable with an elongated sheath member for extracting an implanted elongated structure, such as a cardiac lead, from an obstruction in a body vessel of a patient. The tip includes a tip body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therethrough. The tip body proximal end is engageable with the distal end of the sheath member distal end. The passageway of the tip is aligned with the passageway of the sheath such that the implanted structure is receivable therein. The tip body distal end includes a segment tapering toward a leading edge. A disrupter element, such as a plurality of helices, is disposed along the outer surface of the tip body distal end. The disruptor element is configured for non-cuttingly disrupting the obstruction as the tip is advanced over the implanted structure.

Abstract: A cuff assembly for placement around a body vessel comprises a cuff member sized to substantially surround the body vessel, and a tether assembly engaged with the cuff member. The tether assembly is sized to at least substantially encircle the cuff member, and includes a locking mechanism for releasably maintaining a selected tension when the tether assembly encircles the cuff member. The tether assembly may comprise a tether and a tab, wherein the tab is engaged with the cuff member and has an aperture therethrough. The distal end of the tether is engaged with the tab. The locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of stop members disposed along a surface of the tether.

Abstract: A catheter and method for transporting a fluid between a body vessel of a patient and a site external of the patient. The catheter comprises a catheter body sized to at least partially extend between the body vessel and the external site. The catheter body has a proximal portion extending toward the external site and a distal portion extending to the body vessel. An inwardly contoured segment is formed in the catheter body at the distal portion, and a valve is formed at the inwardly contoured segment. The valve is operable to open in a first direction when subjected to a first pressure from a side of the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in the first direction, and in a second direction opposite the first direction when subjected to a second pressure from another side of the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough in the second direction.

Abstract: A device for removing from a patient a previously implanted elongated structure, such as a cardiac lead. The device includes a gripping member having a receiving portion and a capturing portion. The receiving portion defines an eyelet for receiving a length of the elongated structure. The capturing portion is movable relative to at least the eyelet of the receiving portion, and is dimensioned such that upon relative movement, the receiving portion is constrictable around a length of the elongated structure length. The receiving portion may comprise a wire and the capturing portion may comprise a collar, wherein at least a portion of the collar is movable over the eyelet to constrict the wire around the length of the elongated structure length received in the eyelet.

Abstract: A blood flow monitor with a visual display. The monitor may include a probe monitoring circuit configured to be associated with a blood vessel. The probe monitoring circuit may transmit a burst signal and receive a reflected signal, where a frequency shift in the reflected signal represents a flow rate associated with the blood vessel. A mixer may be provided in electrical communication with the probe. A signal processing circuit in electrical communication with the output of the mixer may be configured to drive the visual display with a signal representing the flow rate associated with the blood vessel.

Abstract: A holder for a micro-sized medical device, such as a pipette, includes a main body portion having an interior space sized for housing at least one pipette. A reducing insert comprising a sleeve has an open end and a substantially closed end. The sleeve is sized such that the open end is receivable in the main body portion through an open axial end of the main body, and the substantially closed end has an aperture extending therethrough having a diameter sufficient for passage of a pipette therethrough. An end cap is engageable with the open axial end of the main body portion, and is selectively movable between an open position wherein the interior space of the main body communicates via the aperture with an environment exterior of the holder, and a closed position wherein the seal covers the aperture. The components of the holder may be formed integrally or separately.

Abstract: A collar for anchoring a lead in a vein. The collar includes a body member having axial ends and a throughbore extending between the axial ends. The throughbore is sized for receiving at least a portion of the lead. The body member includes one or more grooves disposed along its outer surface for receiving a suture for anchoring the lead. At least a portion of the inner surface of the body member includes structure sized and positioned to project into the throughbore for generating a tangential compression against the lead, thereby inhibiting slippage of the lead when the lead is received in the throughbore.