Abstract: A surgical instrument for harvesting vessels from the body includes an elongated shaft having distal and proximal ends and a plurality of lumens disposed therethrough. The shaft also includes a tip having a dissecting portion disposed at a distal end thereof and a cradle section. The tip is movable from a first position proximate the distal end of the shaft to at least one additional position distally further from the distal end of the shaft to expose the cradle section. The instrument also includes an endoscope disposed in one of the plurality of lumens and at least one additional surgical instrument disposed in one of the remaining lumens. Methods are disclosed for utilizing the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle.

Abstract: A disposable ear cleaning device having a one-piece, plastic body with an integral scoop at one end having a bowl portion having a smooth lower surface on the bowl. Openings may be formed in the bottom of the bowl for scraping wax and debris from the ear. The preferred openings are parallel slots. The preferred bowl has rounded, upper edges at the rim for scraping ear wax with the front, distal end at a lower height than a rear end of the bowl which is joined to a handle. The preferred handle may be fluted for gripping and turning the bowl when scraping ear wax. A flexible neck may join the bowl to the handle. A bulbous end of plastic or of cotton may be provided at the end of the device opposite the bowl. The referred cleaning device weighs less than one gram and is inexpensive.

Abstract: Devices and methods for electrode implantation. A first embodiment includes an electrode insertion tool adapted to tunnel through tissue and attach, at its distal end, to a lead, such that the lead may be pulled into the tunneled space as the electrode insertion tool is removed. Additional embodiments include methods for inserting electrode/lead assemblies, including a method wherein an insertion tool is first used to tunnel through tissue, then to pull an electrode/lead into the tunneled space. In a further embodiment the insertion tool is next used, with a splittable sheath disposed thereon, to create an additional path into tissue, after which the insertion tool is removed, leaving the sheath in place; a lead is inserted to the sheath, and, finally, the splittable sheath is removed over the lead.

Abstract: The stent of the present invention is a tubular member comprising annular members 1 arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof for keeping a body lumen open, and one or more connecting elements 2 for connecting longitudinally adjoining two annular members 1, 1 with one another. Each annular member 1 comprises first annular member elements 11 and second annular member elements 12 which are alternately jointed together in the circumferential direction of the annular member 1. The annular members 1 are expandable in the radial direction thereof. The stent is flexible and excellent in trackability to lumens, thus making it possible to allow the stent to pass through the three-dimensionally meandering lumens. The stent is substantially free from shortening and makes it possible to provide the stent with a lateral hole.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stent delivery system includes a first cylindrical member capable of being inserted into a forceps channel of an endoscope and including a through hole having a central axis; a second cylindrical member inserted into the through hole of the first cylindrical member and capable of advancing/retreating with respect to the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member including a holding mechanism which holds a relative position of the second cylindrical member with respect to the forceps channel of the endoscope, and a stent which is attached between the first and second cylindrical members in a state where a diameter of the stent is reduced by the first cylindrical member and which expands when the first cylindrical member is removed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an instrument shaft having proximal and distal ends, a tool disposed from the distal end of the instrument shaft, a control handle disposed from the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a distal motion member for coupling the distal end of the instrument shaft to the tool, a proximal motion member for coupling the proximal end of the instrument shaft to the handle, actuation means extending between the distal and proximal motion members for coupling motion of the proximal motion member to the distal motion member for controlling the positioning of the tool and a locking mechanism for fixing the position of the tool at a selected position and having locked and unlocked states.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for harvesting vessels from the body includes an elongated shaft (12) having distal and proximal ends and a plurality of lumens (150a, 150b) disposed therethrough. The shaft also includes a tip having a dissecting portion disposed at a distal end thereof and a cradle section (114). The tip is movable from a first position proximate the distal end of the shaft to at least one additional position distally further from the distal end of the shaft to expose the cradle section. The instrument also includes an endoscope (162) disposed in one of the plurality of lumens and at least one additional surgical instrument (132) disposed in one of the remaining lumens. Methods are disclosed for utilizing the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. Embodiments of the invention relate to medical devices comprising a frame having cross-section that can substantially conform to body vessel shapes that have elliptical or circular cross-sections, and dynamically respond to changes in the cross-section of a body vessel. Frames with directionally-dependent radial compressibility or expandability characteristics are also provided. Medical devices comprising a frame and one or more valve members adapted to regulate fluid flow in a body vessel, such as a vein, are also provided.

Abstract: The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal movable member comprises a movable ring assembly supported from the handle and adapted for three dimensional motion relative to the handle. A manually rotatable member may be arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member may be supported from the control handle.

Abstract: A lancet removal tool 26 comprises an elongate hollow body 28 having an opening 32 at one end. The opening 32 is bounded by resilient fingers 36 which can flex to expand the opening 32 to engage the body 16 of the lancet 14. Withdrawal of the tool 26 after engagement with the lancet body 16 causes the lancet 14 to be removed from the lancet device. Subsequently, the lancet 14 can be moved from the opening 32 into the interior of the tool 26. The tool 26 and the removal procedure enables lancets 14 to be removed without risk of injury or infection from contact with the contaminated needle 18 of the lancet 14.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple anvil and a staple cartridge having a working surface, one or more rows of individual staple slots formed in the working surface, a knife track formed along a length of the working surface, and a plurality of surgical staples individually disposed within the individual staple slots. The apparatus further includes an actuation sled having a knife and being configured and adapted to movably position the knife axially within the knife track. The apparatus also includes a wound closure material applicator assembly having a needle secured to the knife to dispense a quantity of wound closure material along a length of the knife track as the actuation sled and knife are moved therealong.

Abstract: An improved, preferably plastic, universal breathing aid device for insertion into the nasal passages having a first pair of septum-engaging and gripping arms, from which are cantilevered a pair of curved, spring-action nostril-expanding arm that keep the nasal passages open. The septum-engaging arms are supported by a base member in the form of an open loop that includes a living hinge to provide flexibility and accommodation to varying sizes of nasal septums. The flexibility of both sets of arms promotes user comfort. The living hinge urges the septum arms together to provide grip yet comfort via the flexibility of the hinge. The nostril-expanding arms act in the opposite direction, opening the airway. The contours of the arm and tip cross sections may be varied for comfort, and device may range from generally planar to three-dimensional. The inventive device is unobtrusive and easily kept sanitary.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for deploying a two part fastener having a male fastener part and a female fastener part, includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end. An end effector is coupled to said distal end of said tube and is configured to hold the male fastener part and the female fastener part in opposed relation. An actuator is coupled to said proximal end of said tube and is configured to actuate the end effector. A shearing device may be positioned proximate the end effector to shear off a tip of the male fastener part after the male and female fastener parts are moved into locking relation. In addition, the surgical instrument may include a male fastener part having a shaft with a plurality of detent positions. Further, the male fastener part may include a base and a shaft pivotally connected to the base.

Abstract: Exchangeable delivery systems, methods of making delivery systems, and methods of delivering a self-expandable prosthetic device are provided. Delivery systems according to embodiments of the invention include an elongate tubular member defining a passageway with a distal end defining an exchange port, and a distal tip member slideably disposed partially within the distal end of the passageway.

Abstract: A system for preparing a graft vessel for anastomosis includes one or more tools held within a functional package having at least one recess. An anastomosis tool or portion thereof may be held in at least one recess. An anastomosis device is connected to the anastomosis tool. At least one recess is shaped and sized to hold an amount of biocompatible fluid sufficient to immerse the anastomosis device.

Abstract: A surgical thread is made of a metal, polymer or biological material embodied in the form of a spiral whose diameter ranges from 0.5 to 5 mm. The thread has a diameter ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm and exhibits the properties of a compression or extension spring obtainable by heat treatment. Also a method is disclosed which is characterized in that it consists in introducing the spiral-shaped thread into subcutaneous soft tissues in order to tighten and fix said tissues by means of a puncture needle in bore of which a thread-spiral exhibiting the properties of a compression or extension spring is fixed from outside or from inside. When the needle is extracted the thread-spiral remains under skin preserving the compression or extension properties thereof, thereby producing a skin compression or extension effect.

Abstract: Tourniquet apparatus for rapidly and accurately measuring a patient's limb occlusion pressure comprises: an inflatable tourniquet cuff for encircling a limb at a location; a tourniquet instrument releasably connectable to the cuff that includes: pressure sensing means for producing a cuff pressure signal indicative of the level of pressure in the cuff; pressure regulation means communicating with the cuff and responsive to the cuff pressure signal for regulating the pressure in the cuff near a reference pressure level; blood flow transducing means adapted for applying to a portion of the limb distal to the cuff to produce a blood flow signal indicative of blood flow in the portion; and limb occlusion pressure means responsive to the blood flow signal and the cuff pressure signal and operable for detecting arterial pulsations of blood flow, for increasing the reference pressure level in synchrony with the arterial pulsations and for producing a limb occlusion pressure value indicative of the lowest cuff pressu

Abstract: An aorta cross clamp assembly includes a clamp having movable jaws and a removable actuator having movable handles. Initially, the actuator is connected to the clamp with the jaws in an open position. When the actuator handles are closed, the jaws also will be closed. The clamp is provided with a toothed retainer that prevents the jaws from being opened accidently. The actuator can be detached from the clamp and removed from the operative site, leaving the locked clamp in place. When it is desired to remove the clamp, the actuator can be reattached to the clamp and used to disengage the toothed retainer. The actuator then can be used to spread the jaws in order to permit the clamp to be removed. The clamp and the actuator are provided in two forms. In one form, the toothed retainer is engaged and disengaged by movement toward and away from the jaws (“horizontal” movement). In the other form, the toothed retainer is engaged and disengaged by movement generally perpendicular to the jaws (“vertical” movement).

Abstract: A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves. The system also includes a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel.