Abstract: A vascular filter comprises an emboli-capturing portion having a set of helical filter-wires joined at a central region and extending in a given direction along the blood vessel in a diverging relationship to the axis of the filter, the wires terminating in free ends constructed to engage the walls of said vessel. A major mid-portion of the length of the free ended wires are of generally helical form, cooperatively related to form an effective emboli capturing array. Anchoring is accomplished by a separate assembly formed of struts and anchoring devices. A parallelogram supporting strut assembly and other means for providing linear engagement with the wall of the vena cava are shown. The parallelogram structure is shown to have filter capability by itself as well.

Abstract: An improved positioning assembly for positioning a cornea of an eye during surgery includes a positioning element, a suction force operably coupled to the positioning element to temporarily attach it to the eye, and a suction enhancement assembly. The positioning element includes a retention plate, having an aperture defined therein to receive the cornea of the eye for engagement with an interior rim disposed in surrounding relation about the aperture, and a flange member extending downwardly from the retention plate in spaced, surrounding relation to the aperture. The positioning element further includes a vacuum port in fluid flow communication with a point radially exterior of the aperture such that a suction force applied therethrough secures the positioning segment to the eye with the cornea protruding through the aperture.

Abstract: The suture is released by opening and withdrawing the tip from the guide. The suture is recovered by using the guide to redirect the tip and puncturing the tissue opposite the first point of insertion. The tip grasps the suture and pulls the suture through the guide. The suture is pulled outside the wound, providing for rapid closure of the surgical incision. The guide is insertable within the wound to be closed and guides the surgical instrument at a predetermined angle from the longitudinal axis of the guide for optimum wound closure. The surgical instrument and method may be used to advantageously shorten and strengthen ligaments. For example, by gathering and reinforcing the round ligament that supports a woman's uterus with suture materials, surgeons can reposition and stabilize a retroverted uterus. Other devices may be also used in connection with retracting and reinforcing connective tissue.

Abstract: An intravascular stent reduces the risk of restenosis due to stent implantation by using 17beta-estradiol as a vessel healing substance after implantation of an intravascular stent. The 17beta-estradiol coats at least a portion of the surface of the stent and is adhered to the stent with an adhesive layer containing DLC (“diamond-like carbon”). 17beta-estradiol inhibits the growth of smooth muscle cells and stimulates the re-endothelialization after implantation of an intravascular stent.

Abstract: An instrument places a stent axially and is reusable with different size stents. A loop on an arm extends tangentially so at least one bore aligns axially. A tab extends from the arm axially and from the loop in a plane. A ring on a limb extends tangentially and has an axially aligned hole in a plane. A bracket extends from the tab over and in front of the limb. A tube extends for coaxial deposition axially, into the bore and the hole locating the ring forward of the loop. An end on the tube opposite the bore grips the stent. A sheath coaxial to the tube slides along the end and extends from the hole. A sheath cavity near the end is for the stent. A shaft in the plane attaches to the bracket parallel and axially conjugates with the limb and arm prevents rotation. An axial control in the arm for selective movement relative to the shaft adjusts the position of the shaft to the arm. A latch on the bracket secures the limb axially for loading and delivering the stent.

Abstract: An improved guidewire for advancing a catheter within a body lumen which has a high strength proximal portion, a distal portion formed of superelastic alloy and a connector formed of superelastic alloy to provide torque transmitting coupling between the distal end of the proximal portion and the proximal end of the distal portion. The superelastic alloy elements are preferably cold worked and then heat treated at a temperature well above the austenite-to-martensite transformation temperature, while being subjected to longitudinal stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature yield stress to impart to the metal a straight “memory.” The guiding member using such improved material exhibits a stress induced austenite-to-martensite phase transformation at an exceptionally high constant yield strength of at least 70 ksi for solid members and at least 50 ksi for tubular members with a broad recoverable strain of at least about 4% during the phase transformation.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular malformation has an expandable device and a heating device for heating and shrinking the malformation. The expandable device may have deformable elements which plastically deform in the expanded position. The balloon may be self-expanding, balloon expanded or expanded with an actuating rod. A fluid, such as saline, may be introduced during heating when using RF heating. A sealant may also be introduced into the expandable device to further seal the aneurysm.

Abstract: A filter system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The filter system includes a guidewire that is first positioned across a lesion within a vessel. The guidewire may include a distal stop. A slideable filter is then advanced along the guidewire using an advancing mechanism, typically an elongate member slideable over the guidewire and contacting the filter. A capture sheath may be disposed about the filter during advancement. Once the filter is positioned downstream of the lesion, the capture sheath is withdrawn, allowing the filter to expand. Further distal advancement of the filter is prohibited by the stop. After expansion of the filter, the capture sheath and the advancing mechanism are withdrawn from the region of interest, and removed from the patient's vessel. The filter may then be retrieved using a capture sheath or exchanged for a second filter after removing the first filter.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation deice is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means.

Abstract: Limb protection sleeve matches a specific tourniquet cuff for application to limbs having circumferences between minimum and a maximum circumference so that the sleeve, after application to a limb of minimum circumference, stretches elastically and so that the sleeve, after application to a limb of maximum circumference, applies a pressure to the limb that is less than a predetermined maximum pressure.

Abstract: A collagen fiber and methods for producing and using the collagen fiber of the inventions to prepare hemostatic fabrics to control bleeding are provided. The collagen particles (e.g., fibrils) of the fiber, preferably, have a hemostatic activity that is equivalent to the hemostatic activity of the collagen particles from which the fiber is formed. The collagen fibers of the invention and hemostatic fabrics formed thereof optionally include hemostatic agents and/or other therapeutic agents, to further promote hemostasis and wound healing.

Abstract: A teething gel system and a burstable ampule for use therewith. The teething gel system includes a teether with a chewing portion defining a plurality of depressions for holding gel. A gel spreader is provided for movement across the teether so that gel is deposited into the depressions. The gel spreader includes a housing sized to receive the ampule. A cutter is disposed in the housing and is adapted to burst the ampule when the ampule is inserted into the housing. The ampule includes an inner sleeve formed of rigid material and an outer sleeve formed of frangible material.

Abstract: An acupressure device with mechanisms for modulating the pressure applied to the user.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits are provided for suturing an end of a first body duct to a hole in the side of a second body duct. The present devices and methods are used to simplify the suturing procedure and thus reduce operating time. In one embodiment, the present device includes a structure for holding the end of the first body duct and positioning the end adjacent to the hole in the side of the second body duct. The structure of the device is typically a shaft having a surface adapted to receive the first body duct. A plurality of needles are arranged on the structure to be advanced along a plurality of paths. Each needle path first passes radially into and forwardly out of the end of the first body duct and into the hole of the second body duct. The path then everts so that the needles and associated sutures will pass outwardly through tissue peripheral to the hole when the end of the first body duct is on the structure adjacent to the hole in the second body duct.

Abstract: A breath system appliance includes a planar thin elongate body having an applicator head at one end and a scraper head at the other end. The applicator head carries a troche having an oral hygiene and/or breath freshening active constituent. The active constituent may include an antibacterial agent, an antiseptic agent, a flavoring agent, an oxidizing agent and an anesthetizing agent. The active constituent is applied as a coating to dorsal surfaces of a user. The scraper head is applied against dorsal surfaces of the user to dislodge food debris and other odor generating matter from the dorsum of the user after application of the troche, before application of the troche, or both before and after. The appliance may be packaged in a sealed packet.

Abstract: A method for installing a stent in a vessel utilizes a single balloon catheter for both low pressure predilation at a relatively small diameter to open the lesion sufficiently to allow insertion and deployment of the stent across the lesion and for subsequent high pressure embedding of the stent in the vessel wall. The same balloon catheter may also be employed to insert and deploy the stent. The balloons utilized in the method have a stepped compliance curve which allows for predilation at a low pressure and predetermined diameter and for high pressure embedding at a substantially larger diameter. The balloons may be provided with a configuration in which only a portion of the balloon has a stepped compliance curve while a further portion has a generally linear compliance profile. With such balloons high pressure treatment of the vessel wall areas not reinforced by the stent can be avoided despite the occurence of longitudinal shrinkage of the stent during expansion thereof.

Abstract: An expandable tubular reinforcing member used for a body lumen that is made from a pair of end sections each constituted of an endless element of sinuous configuration defining a plurality of U-bends, an elongated element of sinuous configuration defining a plurality of U-bends extending between the end sections and spaced therefrom and being disposed in a helical configuration of the same diameter as the end sections. Turns of the helix of the elongate element are spaced apart with the U-bends of the elongated element aligned with the U-bends of the end sections. A plurality of first interconnecting strips, each having a bend, spans the space between axially successive turns of the elongated element and interconnects axially aligned proximate U-bends of the elongated element to define cells bounded by the elongated element and circumferentially successive first interconnecting strips.

Abstract: There is provided a system for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ. The system includes a dilation catheter which has an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip. The shape memory catheter tip is made of a shape memory alloy. The shape memory catheter tip assumes a first shape at a first temperature and a second shape at a second temperature. Accordingly, the shape memory catheter tip is inserted into the body of the patient, while being in a narrow shape and expands within the body of the patient.

Abstract: An implantable device for positioning in the vicinity of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA) into the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the external carotid artery (ECA) comprises a deflecting element suitable to deflect the flow of embolic material flowing in the CCA toward the ICA, into the ECA.

Abstract: Clips having pseudoelastic properties at body temperature are used to cause hemostatis of blood vessels located along the gastrointestinal tract. Methods for causing the hemostasis of blood vessels and ulcer beds using the clips of the present invention are also disclosed.