Abstract: An excisional biopsy device and method are disclosed. The device can include a probe housing having a rotatable RF loop cutter mounted at the distal end of the probe, and the RF loop cutter can include at least one electrode supplied with an RF actuating signal for cutting tissue. A rotational drive and specimen containment sheath can also be included.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a support member adjacent to a first member and a second member, the first and second members may be laser welded to one another by directing radiation absorbable by the first and second members at the first and second members. The support member is provided adjacent to the first member and is constructed and arranged to substantially reflect or substantially transmit radiation at one or more frequencies absorbable by at least one of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A ligament graft system and method are provided for securely anchoring a ligament graft to patient bone, principally for use with autogenous hamstring graft tendons utilized for ligament replacement such as reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the human knee. An elongated ligament graft is assembled between femoral and tibial fixation units, and the thus-assembled system is fitted into and through generally aligned tibial and femoral tunnels formed in patient bone. A pivotally mounted anchor pin at a leading end of the femoral fixation unit positionally shifts upon emergence from the femoral tunnel to overlie and seat securely upon cortical bone. A trailing or lower end of the tibial fixation unit is adapted to engage and seat against cortical bone, wherein the tibial fixation unit can be adjustably positioned to variably select the tension applied to the ligament graft.

Abstract: A deformable sheath is attached to a catheter and introduced intravascularly to be expanded against an arterial wall and entrap plaque therebetween. A stent is subsequently deployed within the expanded sheath and the sheath is then withdrawn from within the vasculature to leave the stent expanded against the arterial wall with the plaque entrapped therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue includes a first instrument for inserting into a lens capsule and removing a cataract therein, the first instrument including a lumen for aspiration of cataract tissue and irrigation fluid from the lens capsule and manipulate the cataract until cataract is removed. The second instrument includes an irrigation port for introducing the irrigation fluid into the lens capsule.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driven surgical driver for wire guide surgical components. The driver has a rotatable drive shaft which is configured to apply driving and rotational forces to a medical device. A wire clamp is provided which is configured to hold the guide wire at a fixed distance from the tissue while the medical device is being driven distally away from the wire clamp. A process provides for grasping a point on the guide wire at a fixed distance from the tissue with the wire clamp. This grasping point on the guide wire is maintained at the fixed distance from the tissue while a force is applied to the driver to affix the medical device relative to the tissue.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (20) for use with powered surgical tools. The cutting accessory has a hub (28) for coupling the accessory to the output shaft of a handpiece. A drive shaft (26) formed of stainless steel or other relatively rigid material extends forward from the hub. A head (30) formed from nickel titanium alloy or other metal that is more flexible than the material forming the drive shaft is attached to the distal end of the drive shaft. The head is shaped to form the cutting edges of the cutting accessory. In some versions of the invention, intermediate sections (60) of the drive shaft are formed from the flexible metal or metal alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-trauma surgical plate used to fix mandibular stumps that comprises two lateral series of rings alternated with ribbon-like connection plates and with an intermediate series of balls joined with cylindrical arms.

Abstract: A surgical clip having a sliding state and a crimped state is adapted for use in a surgical procedure initially to slide along suture ends to an operative position and ultimately to crimp the suture ends at the operative position. A substrate, bendable between the sliding state and the crimped state carries at least one coating having either lubricious or traction enhancing properties. A second coating can be added to form a coating laminate with the outer coating having lubricious properties facilitating the sliding state and the inner coating having traction enhancing properties facilitating thee crimped state.

Abstract: A suction ring providing an inferior engaging surface and a superior engaging surface that engages and grips the ocular globe, immobilizing the ocular globe relative to a corneal surgical procedure. The inferior engaging surface grips the sclera of the ocular globe while the superior engaging surface grips the corneal region. The suction ring also provides an aperture sized to receive and expose the cornea for a surgical procedure. The suction ring has a non-circular gripping structure to provide a closer fit to abnormally shaped ocular globes and corneas. The aperture is non-circular to enable the surgeon to obtain a non-circular corneal disk during a lamellar keratotomy procedure.

Abstract: One or more curved axial bore is formed commencing from an anterior or posterior sacral target point and cephalad through vertebral bodies in general alignment with a visualized, trans-sacral axial instrumentation/fusion (TASIF) line in a minimally invasive, low trauma, manner. An anterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (AAIFL) or a posterior axial instrumentation/fusion line (PAIFL) that extends from the anterior or posterior target point, respectively, in the cephalad direction following the spinal curvature through one or more vertebral body is visualized by radiographic or fluoroscopic equipment. Generally curved anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores are formed in axial or parallel or diverging alignment with the visualized AAIFL or PAIFL, respectively. The anterior and posterior TASIF axial bore forming tools can be manipulated from proximal portions thereof to adjust the curvature of the anterior or posterior TASIF axial bores as they are formed in the cephalad direction.

Abstract: An anastomosis device is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes an expandable tube configured to have a graft vessel secured to the tube. The device has an expandable linkage positioned at one end of the device and expansion of this linkage causes a first radially extending flange to fold outward. This first flange abuts an interior wall of a target vessel and a second flange is formed which abuts an exterior wall of the target vessel trapping the target vessel between the two flanges and secures the end of the graft vessel into an opening in the wall of the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods and allows anastomosis to be performed in tight spaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical sealing device having a decreased risk that a fastening means, such as a suture or a multifilament, ruptures through the sealing device. An absorbable medical sealing device (3; 10; 15) according to the present invention is provided with one or more recesses (6, 7; 13; 18) for fastening means (5; 14; 17) and is characterized in that the sealing device (3; 10; 15) comprises a base portion (8; 11; 16), which is made of a first material having a lower modulus, and a reinforcement portion (9; 12; 19), which is made of second material having a higher modulus, the reinforcement portion (9; 12; 19) being provided to reinforce said recesses (6, 7; 13; 18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an osteosynthetic anchoring member comprising a longitudinal shaft extending along a longitudinal axis having a front shaft portion and a rear shaft portion, the front shaft portion insertable into a bone and comprising anchoring means for fixating the shaft in the bone and the rear shaft portion comprising anti-rotation means for permitting the rear shaft portion to be received in an implantable bone plate or a connecting member and to be secured against rotating about the longitudinal axis. The anchoring means are capable of being extended orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and the rear shaft portion comprises tension means for extending the anchoring means to enable the anchoring member to be fixated within the bone.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The shaft may be capable of an angled configuration where at least a portion of the shaft is manually movable to a direction in which it extends at an angle to another portion of the shaft. The end effector is not limited to a linear configuration and at least a portion of an elongated end effector extends at an angle relative to another portion of the end effector as is needed or desirable for the particular procedure to be performed.

Abstract: Clip apparatus for closing a vessel aperture resulting from insertion of a surgical implement comprising an elongated strand comprising a central portion and extremity portions extending from said central portion. The tips of said extremity portions remote from said central portion are shaped to retain tissue encountered thereby. The extremity portions have memory characteristics seeking to cause said extremity portions to curl with respect to said central portions to retain tissue engaged thereby when said strand is in an unconstrained disposition.

Abstract: An external fixator includes a main body and an outrigger for extending over a fractured joint, such as a wrist joint. The main body can be positioned next to a right arm, or flipped over and positioned next to a left arm. The outrigger is attachable to extend either to the left or to the right of the main body, as appropriate. A distal body is removeably connectable to the distal end of the main body, and the distal body can be affixed to bone on the opposite side of the fracture to immobilize the joint where the fracture occurs. The distal body is connected to the main body with an adjustable securement section which provides six degrees of adjustment freedom. The outrigger is attached to the main body through a slide plate in a dual rail configuration which provides two dimensions of adjustment. Fragment pin supports ride in a track of the outrigger, and provide seven degrees of adjustment freedom for directed fixation of fragments at the fracture site.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for the treatment of occluded blood vessels that includes tissue displacement or hinged expansion members that are movable from a closed to an open position. An actuating assembly may be provided for moving the tissue expansion members between an open and closed position to exert a substantially lateral distal end force upon the region surrounding an occluded blood vessel. The tissue expansion members may stretch apart, tear or otherwise disrupt a vascular occlusion sufficiently to create a pathway that may support the passage or placement of a guidewire or an interventional vascular device across the occlusion or obstruction. Methods of crossing or displacing a vascular occlusion are further provided that include the positioning of a vascular catheter having at least one hinged spreading member positioned at the distal region of the catheter that is responsive to directed force along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surgically implantable devices that allow a surgeon to locate suture threads that are attached to the implantable device before it is implanted into a patient. The present invention addresses the need to grasp suture threads and pass them through body tissues by laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery, without the suture threads entangling or otherwise resisting the surgical procedure. The present invention encloses suture threads, each of which is attached by one end to an implantable device in suture housings. The present invention further includes novel pull-tabs that allow the grasping of a suture thread and extraction from a suture housing. The present invention also provides novel suture assemblies that may be attached to a surgically implantable device and methods of attaching, to a patient, surgically implantable device implants that have suture assemblies attached thereon.