Abstract: A surgical instrument, suitable for endoscopic surgery has a first member and a movably driven second member movable in such first member. One such member comprises a generally tubular proximal member and a tissue working tip which are relatively telescoped and have opposed surfaces. A projection protrudes from such tip surface through such generally tubular member surface to fixedly secure same together.

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: Apparatus and methods for treating the upper and lower beaks of poultry by non-contact heating of the upper and lower beaks of the bird are disclosed. The upper and lower beak treatment may include delivery of energy to the upper and lower beak in amounts sufficient to retard the growth and/or result in erosion of portions of both the upper beak and the lower beak. The energy incident on the lower beak may be reflected from a lower beak energy director (e.g., a reflector) or it may be provided a separate energy source.

Abstract: Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the suturing instruments include a distal portion that is deflectably and/or pivotally coupled to the remainder of the instrument for improved maneuverability and functionality during surgery. In other embodiments, the suturing instruments are capable of housing multiple needle and suture assemblies and/or reloading the needle and suture assembly without removing the instrument from the surgical site.

Abstract: A surgical tack is disclosed for securing a surgical mesh material to body tissue. The tack includes a pair of legs and an arcuate cross-member. A surgical tack applier is also disclosed, for applying the surgical tack. The applier includes an elongate tubular portion having a jacket with a main channel and a pair of longitudinally extending sub channels. A rotatable drive rod having a helical thread is coupled to the applier, and the sub channels receive the legs of the tack. The helical thread receives the arcuate cross-member of the surgical tack. Rotation of the drive rod drives the tack from the distal end of the applier.

Abstract: A teething device is provided which includes a fluid-filled membrane sized to be at least partially received in the mouth of a child, a housing attached to the fluid-filled membrane, a handle sized to be grasped by a child, a vibrator configured to impart vibration to the fluid-filled membrane and a pressure switch selectively connecting the vibrator to a power source when a threshold pressure is applied to an outer surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Presented herein are various embodiments of a safety scalpel. According to one embodiment is a safety scalpel system including handle capable of coupling to a blade with or without a safety housing.

Abstract: A coupler is configured to connect a first tubular vessel to an aperture in a second tubular vessel. The coupler includes one or more radially extending members and a substantially nonmetallic tubular member. The substantially nonmetallic tubular member include an outer wall, an inner wall defining a lumen having an open distal end and an open proximal end, and a circumferential ridge encircling the outer wall, the radially extending members extending from the distal end of the tubular member. A method of fabricating a coupler the method including fabricating radially extending members; placing the radially extending members within a mold; injecting a material into the mold; allowing the material to cure to form the coupler; and removing the coupler from the mold. The coupler includes a tubular member having an outer wall, an inner wall defining a lumen having an open distal end and an open proximal end, and a circumferential ridge encircling the outer wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are for extraction of follicular units. A dermal biopsy punch is utilized in combination with a suction device for extraction purposes. The use of suction to extract the follicular unit allows for distribution of the forces over a large area of the unit, helping to keep the unit intact. A perforating device, affixed to the punch, is utilized to weaken the structural integrity of the extraction area. The perforating device, having a single spike member which is inserted into the skin at a small, previously determined depth, in several locations, surrounding the follicular unit and reducing the holding tissue around the unit. The spike member of the perforating device is relatively thin and unlikely to damage the follicular unit. Because suction is utilized to extract the follicular unit, the distal end of the apparatus may have a guard which functions to prevent the extracted follicular units from being vacuumed further therein.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling device for extracting bodily fluid from an anatomical feature is provided. The device comprises a penetrating member driver for driving a penetrating member to create a wound to extract bodily fluid; a light source positioned to indicate a point of sampling where the wound will be created, the light source indicating the point of sampling with a beam of light. The light source may be selected from one of the following: an LED, incandescent, fluorescent, or electroluminescent light source.

Abstract: Locking and releasing apparatus for operating a medical device includes a handle and a lever member coupled to the handle for grasping engagement by an operator. The lever member is moveable in opposite directions relative to the handle. A locking and release mechanism operably connects the lever member to a force transmitting member for operating the medical device at a location distant from the handle. The locking and release mechanism locks movement of the force transmitting member in one direction after movement of the lever member in a locking direction. The locking and release mechanism releases movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction after opposite movement of the lever member in a releasing direction. The lever member operates the locking and release mechanism for releasing the movement of the force transmitting member in the one direction substantially upon changing movement of the lever member from the locking to the releasing direction.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprises an inner member and an expandable balloon mounted in a collapsed state on the inner member, the expandable balloon having a first and a second end. A compressible stent having a first diameter is mounted in a compressed state around the expandable balloon between the first and second ends of the balloon. At least a first retainer pillow is formed in the expandable balloon at its first end and has an outer diameter which is at least substantially equal to the diameter of the compressed stent. A first pillow support member is mounted on the inner member and supports the first retainer pillow to maintain the pillow's outer diameter.

Abstract: In a vascular anchoring device intended to be introduced into a blood vessel by a catheter and including braces (2) that are expandable in the radial direction, the anchoring device is formed by a substantially hollow-cylindrical part (1) including axially extending braces (2) departing from an end side, and a locking member (3) coaxially guided within the hollow-cylindrical part (1) along a guide wire (4) of the catheter. The locking member (3) carries at least one ramp surface (9) on its end facing the braces (2), which ramp surface causes the braces (2) to expand by an axial displacement relative to the braces (2), and at least one stop (10) cooperating with the hollow-cylindrical part (1) in the expanded position. The guide wire (4) carries a further stop (7) which cooperates with a counter stop surface (8) of the locking member (3), upon displacement of the guide wire (4).