Abstract: Body lumens such as blood vessels are selectively occluded by applying radiofrequency voltage to a vaso-occlusive coil (100) at the target site (TS) and generating a thermal reaction to induce fibrogenic occlusion of the blood vessel (BV) around the vaso-occlusive coil. The radiofrequency current is usually sufficient to induce thermal damage to the luminal wall and to coagulate the surrounding blood, thereby initiating clotting and subsequent fibrosis to permanently occlude the lumen. The invention also includes a method for endoluminally deploying the vaso-occlusive coil and preventing migration of the coil from of the target site.

Abstract: A cardiac ablation apparatus for producing a circumferential ablation that electrically isolates a heart chamber wall portion from vessel such as a pulmonary vein extending into a wall portion comprises (a) an elongate centering catheter having a distal end portion; (b) an expandable centering element connected to the centering catheter distal end portion and configured for positioning within the vessel when in a retracted configuration, and for securing the elongate centering catheter in a substantially axially aligned position with respect to the vessel when the centering element is in an expanded configuration; (c) an ablation catheter slidably connected to the centering catheter the ablation element having a distal end portion, and (d) an expandable ablation element connected to the ablation catheter distal end portion.

Abstract: A device for thermally affecting tissue having a thermally transmissive contact member being in thermal communication with a thermal member and a surface area expansion element configured for contacting a tissue. The contact member and thermal member are disposed within a housing and the surface area expansion element is coupleable to the housing. The housing is configured to fit within an opening in a skull.

Abstract: A lead assembly adapted for endocardial fixation to a human heart is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body that has a proximal end provided with a connector for electrical connection to a cardiac stimulator. The cardiac stimulator may be a pacemaker, a cardioverter/defibrillator, or a sensing instrument. The distal end of the lead body is connected to a tubular electrode housing. The lead body consists of one or more noncoiled conductor cables surrounded by a coextensive insulating sleeve. Each conductor cable consists of a conducting element covered by a coextensive insulating sleeve. The conducting element may be a single filament wire or a plurality of individual conductor wires. In contrast to conventional leads, the lead body of the present invention does not require coiled conductor wires. Lead body diameters of 1.04 mm or smaller are possible.

Abstract: A lighting accessory stem using fiberoptic illumination is provided. In certain embodiments, the lighting accessory system is combinable with a hand tool, for example a forceps, to illuminate the grasping tips of the tool. The lighting accessory system provides an illuminable tool whereby an object may be illuminated and grasped while being illuminated without obstruction by the illumination means. In certain embodiments, the lighting accessory system may be used for medical or surgical tools.

Abstract: Cells are destroyed within a subcutaneous tissue region using a transducer disposed externally adjacent to a patient's skin. The transducer emits acoustic energy that is focused at a linear focal zone within the tissue region, the acoustic energy having sufficient intensity to rupture cells within the focal zone while minimizing heating. The transducer may include one or more transducer elements having a partial cylindrical shape, a single planar transducer element coupled to an acoustic lens, or a plurality of linear transducer elements disposed adjacent one another in an arcuate or planar configuration. The transducer may include detectors for sensing cavitation occurring with the focal zone, which is correlated to the extent of cell destruction. A frame may be provided for controlling movement of the transducer along the patient's skin, e.g., in response to the extent of cell destruction caused by the transducer.

Abstract: A hot/cold therapeutic device configured in the shape of an animal, primarily for use by children. The device includes first and second surface portions, wherein the second portion comprises a thermally-conductive material for facilitating efficient heat transfer from within the device.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc device is provided comprising a distal probe sized to be extended from a distal end of an introducer that is percutaneously delivered into an interior of an intervertebral disc, a distal section of the probe comprising a flexible neck which tapers in a proximal to distal direction, and a distal tip which is larger in cross sectional diameter than the flexible neck adjacent the distal tip, the flexible neck and distal tip serving to prevent the probe distal end from piercing an internal wall of the intervertebral disc; and a proximal handle for externally guiding the probe within an intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A cooling body wrap for rapidly inducing hypothermia, includes: (a) a fluid-impermeable, flexible, conformable envelope; (b) a mixture of from about 20 to about 90 weight % of alkanes having a carbon chain length of between 10 and 14, and from about 10 to about 80 weight % of a gel or viscous fluid carrier in which the alkanes are relatively evenly distributed, the mixture being sealed within the envelope; (c) at least one layer of insulation adjacent to a first side of the envelope; and (d) fastening means for fastening the body wrap around a body part.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle and an elongated probe connected to the handle. The elongated probe has a terminus distal to the handle. At least one electrode that includes an electrode surface is positioned on the terminus so that a line from a geometric center of the electrode surface and substantially perpendicular to the electrode surface intersects at an angle a longitudinal axis formed by the elongated probe. A conductor is provided for attaching the at least one electrode to the handle.

Abstract: The bending part of an endoscope is constructed in which plural joint rings are connected with each other. The adjacent joint rings are rotatably connected with rivets after overlapping a connecting part with another connecting part. A guide hole is formed at the inner head of the rivet, and a bend-control wire is inserted through the guide hole whereby the bend-control wire is guided. A notch and a hole are formed at the end and the base of the connecting part, respectively; therefor the bend-control wire is prevented from coming into contact with the connecting part.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming a vascular graft by axially distending a blood vessel to induce growth. The device preferably comprises a stretching mechanism which includes (i) a stabilization rod, (ii) a pair of rotatable elements, wherein each rotatable element is rotatably attached to the elongated body and has a channel substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and (iii) a means for rotating each rotatable element to axially distend a blood vessel positioned in the channels of the rotatable elements. The elements can be rotated intermittently, cyclically, or continuously, over a period to distend or elongate the donor vessel. Preferably, the device is implanted, for example using endoscopic techniques, for use in vivo, although the device also can be used in vitro.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating a skin of a patient with a laser beam for treatment is disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic thermal therapeutic apparatus is disclosed. The thermal therapeutic apparatus includes an upper housing having a recess and a lower housing. A plurality of thermal therapeutic devices are positioned in the recess of the housing. Each thermal therapeutic device has a rectangular shaped body, a pressure member for pressurizing a desired portion of human body, and a lamp located beneath the pressure member in the body for emitting far infrared light. A controller controls all functional components. Lifting means for raise and lower the thermal therapeutic devices to a predetermined height during a prescribed time period based upon an output signal of the controller. The lifting means have a lifting member, the upper portion of the lifting means passing through a hole of the upper housing.

Abstract: An endoscope has a first bending portion, a second bending portion, and a hand-held unit. The first bending portion is the distal portion of an elongated insertion member. The second bending portion is located at the proximal end of the first bending portion. The hand-held unit is located at the proximal end of the insertion member and has a control section that is used to bend the first bending portion and second bending portion. In the endoscope, the control section of the hand-held unit includes a bending knob, a second bending lever, a first locking lever, and a second locking lever. The angling knob is used to bend the first bending portion, and the second angling lever is used to bend the second bending portion. The first locking lever is used to lock the angling knob at a predetermined angular position, and the second locking lever is used to lock the second angling lever at a predetermined angular position.

Abstract: A notched void portion 29 is provided in a rigid casing block 20 of a rigid tip end section 2c of an endoscopic insertion instrument 2. For spurting a cleaning fluid toward an observation window 11, a cleaning supply passage is constituted by a cleaner nozzle 13, a connector pipe 27 and a flexible tube 26. A cleaner nozzle 13 is partly fitted in the notched void portion 29 which is formed in the rigid casing block 20. The connector pipe 27 is formed in a staggered shape having an angularly bent intermediate pipe section 27c between straight and parallel front and rear pipe sections 27a and 27b. The straight front pipe section 27a is at least partly fitted in the rigid casing block 20 and its fore distal end portion is fitted in the cleaner nozzle 13 over a predetermined length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe assembly for mapping and ablating pulmonary vein tissue and method of using the same. The probe assembly includes an expandable and collapsible basket assembly having multiple splines. One or more of the splines carry one or more electrodes adapted to sense electrical activity in the pulmonary vein tissue. The basket assembly defines an interior, and a microporous expandable and collapsible body is disposed in the interior of the basket assembly and defines an interior adapted to receive a medium containing ions. An internal electrode is disposed within the interior of the body and is adapted to transmit electrical energy to the medium containing ions.

Abstract: A transurethral apparatus for radio frequency ablation treatment of the prostate having prostatic tissue of a human male having urethra which extends through the prostate comprising an elongate probe sized so that it is adapted to be introduced into the urethra and having a passageway extending therethrough. The elongate probe has proximal and distal extremities. Proximal and distal pairs of needle electrodes are provided which are carried by the distal extremity of the probe. A control mounted on the proximal extremity of the probe and extends through the passageway and is coupled to the proximal and distal pairs of needle electrodes for movement of the needle electrodes into and out of the prostate. A RF generator is provided for supplying RF energy to the needle electrodes for solely creating bipolar ablation with respect to the proximal and distal pairs of needle electrodes.

Abstract: A delivery guide frame attachment for a laser scanner mechanism for a laser treatment operation, to permit proper spacing and dimensional stability of the laser scanner with respect to the skin of a patient being treated. The delivery guide frame attachment includes a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is applyable to the skin of a patient. The upper end is attached to the laser scanner. A chilled fluid supply conduit is arranged in communication with the housing for delivering a chilled fluid onto the skin of a patient when the housing is applied thereto. A chilled fluid containment arrangement in the housing retains and delays escape of chilled fluid from the housing placed on the patient, for a short period during the laser treatment operation.

Abstract: An ostomy siting device for determining and marking the position of a possible stoma comprising a stoma simulating first element and a second element simulating an adhesive wafer of an ostomy appliance and an optionally separately detachable collecting bag, said ostomy siting device having on the proximal side an adhesive surface for removable adhering to the abdominal skin of an ostomate to be provided a readily repositionable and reusable system for simulating the placement and physical configuration of the stoma and the collection system and for marking the optimum position of the stoma to be.