Abstract: A needle and method for introduction of a paddle style lead near a spinal column or other nervous system structures, central or peripheral, of a patient includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a lumen with a continuous oblong cross section. The distal end of the body has an introducer portion where the top side of the introducer has an orifice to allow for protrusion of the paddle style lead from the lumen into the spinal column area or into or near other nervous system structures. The needle has a hub affixed to the proximal end of the body which is adapted to receive a stylet. The needle may also have a stylet that is inserted within the lumen. The introducer of the needle has a curvature extending from the bottom side toward the top side at the distal end and guides the introduction of the paddle style lead near the spinal column or other nervous system structures.

Abstract: An improved suture anchor is formed from body tissue. The body tissue is shaped to a desired configuration for the anchor and defines a passage through the anchor. A suture is inserted into the passage in the body tissue of the anchor. The anchor is then positioned in a patient's body with a suture extending into the passage in the anchor. The anchor may be formed of osseous body tissue, hard compact bone, dense connective body tissue, or other body tissue. The body tissue may be dried so that it absorbs fluid and expands upon being inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an actuator, a tool, and a positioning apparatus. The positioning apparatus includes a gear link structure operably coupling the tool to the actuator for moving the tool in a first direction defining a first degree of freedom and in a second direction defining a second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is provided which incorporates a polyurethane balloon which exhibits a high coefficient of friction with respect to metallic substrates. Through the process of stent expansion, the delivery system creates a differential in the rate of axial growth of metallic stents. The differential in growth causes a center portion of the stent to experience greater axial expansion than respective end portions. The stent has the lower axial expansion of the end portions results in a stent having end portions of comparatively higher radial stiffness than the corresponding center portion of the stent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonically forming a surgical suture tip from a length of unfinished surgical suture material. The apparatus includes a first tipping die having a first face for contacting a portion of the length of unfinished surgical suture material. A second tipping die having a second face is also provided. The first and second die also having extending therefrom a first member and a second member. The first and second dies cooperate with the first and second members to form a length of suture. At least one mechanical actuator is provided for moving the first face of the first tipping die and the third face of the first member toward the second face of the second tipping die and the fourth face of the second member. A second actuator vibrates at least one of the first and second tipping dies at an ultrasonic frequency of about 15 KHz to about 70 KHz.

Abstract: A suture anchor is provided comprising a generally quadrilaterally shaped body having a bore-abutting surface with a leading gripping edge at one end of the bore-abutting surface, a trailing gripping edge at the other end, and a closing surface having an arcuate portion and a linear portion engaging the leading and trailing gripping edges, respectively, generally opposite the bore-abutting surface. The body further defines a suture bore extending transversely therethrough and an inserter bore adapted to receive an insertion tool. A suture engages the suture anchor through the bore and is adapted to engage bodily tissue to be secured to the bone. Also provided are a knotless suture anchor configuration, an associated insertion tool, and a suture anchor kit, as well as a method of implanting a suture anchor in a bore in a bone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating cerebral blood vessels such as carotid arteries. The system generally includes an apparatus and method for safely and easily deploying a self-expanding stent in a vessel while preventing embolic migration using a filter.

Abstract: Bleeding is controlled on an inner surface of a body cavity, including a non-vascular body passageway, by inserting into the cavity an expandable balloon which is covered by a hemostatic shroud, expanding the balloon, and compressing the shroud against the site of bleeding. The shroud may be released from the balloon. Subsequently, the balloon may be withdrawn from the body cavity, leaving the shroud in vivo to perform its hemostatic function. Optionally, the shroud can be withdrawn at some later point by the use of an extension “tail” which is included on the shroud. A method for controlling or preventing a bleeding situation within a pathological cavity is the use of filling material to plug the cavity.

Abstract: A capsulorhexis forceps is described which includes a unique removable hub and handle. The hub allows the use of the forceps as a cystotome in addition to a forceps. The hub design comprises a coaxial wire inside a cannula which provides minimal trauma when the forceps is opened and closed for repositioning during the capsulotromy. The hub is also replaceable and disposable after use. This flexibility in hub replacement allows the surgeon to use the forceps either in the initial open or closed position. The handle also may provide a constant grip force to the corneal flap independent of manual actuation force of the forceps.

Abstract: A reduced diameter stent/graft deployment catheter and a method of insertion for said catheter. The delivery sheath portion of the catheter, i.e. the distal portion of the catheter containing the stent/graft, has a larger outer diameter than the remaining proximal portion of the catheter. The reduced outer diameter of the body of the catheter allows for the use of a smaller diameter introducer sheath. The method of inserting said catheter comprises the following steps: First, the delivery sheath portion of the catheter is inserted into the patient. Next, an introducer sheath, with an outer diameter which is no larger than the outer diameter of the delivery sheath, is disposed about the catheter and its distal portion inserted into the patient. The catheter is then advanced into the patient and the stent/graft deployed.

Abstract: An endoscopic procedural device of the present invention comprises an insert section that has an inside hole extending along its axial direction, and which has flexibility to enable its insertion through a forceps-channel of an endoscope, at least one operating wire that is inserted in the inside hole of the insert section, and which is freely moved forward or backward along the axial direction of the insert section, an operating section which is used for moving an operating wire forward or backward, at least one procedural member that is mounted to a distal end of the procedural section holding member in a rotatable manner, and which has one through-hole at its proximal end side to which one of the operating wires is connected, wherein the one through-hole has a first opening end on one side of a procedural member at a position farther from the center axis of the insert section, and a second opening end on the other side of the procedural member at a position closer to the center axis of the insert section,

Abstract: An ablation device (10) includes a drive shaft (12) and an ablation burr (14) secured to the distal end of the drive shaft thereto. A guide wire (18) extends through the drive shaft and the ablation burr. To direct the ablation burr laterally within a patient's vessel, the atherectomy device includes one or more bias wires (30) that extend generally parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft such that engagement of the bias wires against an obstruction in a patient's vessel will force the ablation burr to move laterally within a patient's blood vessel. To rotate the bias wires in a patient's blood vessel, the bias wire may be coupled to a catheter surrounding the drive shaft. Alternatively, the catheter is designed to engage the bias wires when the drive shaft is retracted into the catheter. The bias wires will then rotate as the catheter is rotated.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device having an inner coating and a water-soluble outer coating. Methods of preparing the devices are also provided.

Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument comprises a first connecting means for connecting a shaft of said instrument of said handle, said shaft defining a longitudinal axis of said instrument. The handle further comprises a second connecting means for connecting a force transmission element of said instrument to said handle, said second connecting means being movable relative to said first connecting means for moving said force transmission element relative to said shaft for moving at least one tool disposed at the distal end of said shaft. The handle further comprises a first grip element and a second grip element, said first grip element and said second grip element being movable relative to each other, at least one of said first grip element and said second grip element being operatively connected with said second connecting means.

Abstract: A fixation implant generally includes at least one shaft configured to securely fit into a hole formed in bone. The shaft is of sufficient length relative to the interior diameter of the hole and, in some preferred embodiments, has locking protuberances, like threads, ridges, or barbs, that resist removal of the shaft from the hole in the bone when different types of forces, such as tensile or bending forces, are applied to the implant. The shaft is generally cylindrical in shape, however, in various embodiments, different cross-sections could be used. In a preferred embodiment the implant has a flattened and bent end portion emerging from only one side of the shaft. At the other side of the implant the outer surface of the shaft and the emerging end portion form a smooth surface, without any projections. This smooth surface at the end of the implant prevents irritation of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An intramedullary nail structure is formed with opposing dynamization windows, and spacers of a bioresorbable material are positioned within the dynamization windows. The dynamization windows are longer than they are wide. The spacers may be integrally formed as a single insert. The nail is used with a bone fastener such as a bone screw which is advanced transversely through the bone and into the spacer, preferably in a bicortical attachment with the bone. The bone fastener is smaller across than the dynamization windows, so each spacer spaces the bone fastener relative to its dynamization window. As the spacers resorb, stress (at least in one direction) is increasingly transmitted through the fracture site rather than through the intramedullary nail. The positioning of the bone fastener, the shape and size of the dynamization windows and spacers, and the material of the spacers all allow design control over the type and amount of dynamization seen at the fracture site.

Abstract: A suturing aid for closing minilaparotomies from minimal-invasive surgical operations comprises a shaft whose distal end is provided with at least one plane support that can be swung out laterally. An actuating element serves for swinging out the support, whereby the support can be moved between a first working position, in which it is folded up towards the proximal end, a second position, in which it is folded out laterally and a third working position, in which it is folded out towards the distal end of said shaft.

Abstract: Bioresorbable pin systems useful for the reduction of bone fragments and for fixing bioresorbable membranes to a bone are provided, particularly pins having a detachable handle and a pre-fabricated hole in the handle through which a tether may be threaded to facilitate removal of the handle once it has been detached from the pin.

Abstract: A bypass graft incorporates fixation mechanisms at its opposite ends, for securing these ends to different locations along a blood vessel, or alternatively to different locations wherein one of the locations is a different vessel or an organ defining a cavity. Mechanical fixation features such as collets or grommets can be employed, enhanced by delivery of an electrical current sufficient to heat surrounding tissue to form a thermal bond. A graft deployment system includes a tissue dilator and a needle for perforating tissue, mounted coaxially within the dilator. Intralumenal systems further include a catheter for containing the dilator.

Abstract: The occlusion balloon catheter includes an elongated tubular catheter body having a fluid lumen for inflation of an occlusion balloon detachably mounted to the catheter body by a tubular shape memory collar. The occlusion balloon includes a valve for sealing the occlusion balloon when it is inflated, and the collar of shape memory material clamps onto a stem of the valve. The shape memory collar can be heated by a fiber optic pusher member threaded through the catheter body to cause the collar to assume an enlarged configuration disconnecting the occlusion balloon. A method of detaching the occlusion balloon from the occlusion balloon catheter involves the steps of placing the occlusion balloon catheter within a guiding catheter, and placing the guiding catheter within the vasculature so that the distal opening of the guiding catheter extends into an aneurysm or other deformation to be treated. The fiber optic pusher is then used to expel the device into the aneurysm.