Abstract: A hair removing device capable of selectively attaching an epilator head for hair epilation and a shaving head for hair cutting. The device includes the housing incorporating the rotary motor, and the epilator or shaving head detachable to the housing. The head includes a drive mechanism powered by the motor for hair epilation or cutting. The motor has an output rotor fixedly carrying a noncircular joint. The drive mechanism includes a coupler which is detachably connected to the joint to receive the rotary motion of the motor. The coupler is arranged coaxially with the joint and is movable along the axis of the joint together with the head into and out of engagement with and from the joint, and the coupler is slidable along the axis of the joint while keeping the driving connection therebetween.

Abstract: An implantable device is provided for controlling the internal circumference of an anatomic orifice or lumen. The implantable device has an adjustable member configured to adjust the dimensions of the implantable device. The implantable device is configured to be coupled to a faster that provides for fastening of said implantable device to tissue around the anatomic orifice or lumen. An adjustment tool actuates the adjustable member and provides for adjustment before, during or after the anatomic orifice or lumen resumes near normal to normal physiologic function. The adjustment member of is positioned off plane relative to the implantable device to provide that the implantable device can be adjusted on a beating heart to cause leaflet coaptation. The adjustment member is positioned to enable attachment to and adjustment of the implantable device, and detachment from the implantable device and removal from the body under normal beating heart conditions.

Abstract: In a system with a surgical needle and a handle, the surgical needle has in its proximal end-section, lying opposite the needle tip, a holding section (14), which is set up for insertion into the handle. The handle has a channel (32), set up for holding the holding section (14) of the surgical needle, and a locking device (50, 70) with a locking element (50) which is displaceable in longitudinal direction of the channel (32) from a locking position, in which the holding section (14) is fixed to the handle, into a release position, in which the holding section (14) can be pulled out from the channel (32).

Abstract: An expandable stent is implanted in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen for treating an area of vulnerable plaque. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. A central section is positioned between distal and proximal sections and is aligned with the area of vulnerable plaque to enhance growth of endothelial cells over the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque to reinforce the area and reduce the likelihood of rupture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an anastomosis between a tubular duct and a vessel has an annulus having a longitudinal axis, a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers. The first set of fingers extend axially from the annulus in one direction and the second set of fingers extending axially from the annulus in another direction generally opposite the direction of the first set of fingers. The first and second sets of fingers are movable to penetrate the tubular duct and the vessel, respectively, as they move from a biased configuration to an unbiased configuration.

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: An aortic punch for creating an aortotomy in a wall of a luminal structure. The aortic punch includes a housing having distal and proximal ends, first and second plungers, a first return spring and a cutting assembly. The first plunger is movable relative to the housing to expose a barb from the distal end of the housing for piercing and catching the wall of the luminal structure. The first return spring biases the barb proximally toward the distal end of the housing such that the barb pulls the wall of the luminal structure into contact with the cutting assembly. The present disclosure also relates to a method of forming an aortotomy in a luminal structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-functional surgical wound closure/transfer marking device comprising a substrate having a proximal surface, a distal surface and markings; an adhesive layer having a proximal surface, a distal surface and being disposed on the proximal surface of substrate; and a primary release sheet having a proximal surface and a distal surface, being in two portions that are disposed releasably adherently to the proximal surface of the adhesive layer. The device has transferable markings on the proximal surface of the second portion of the primary release sheet, where the transferable markings are substantially aligned with the markings on the substrate.

Abstract: The trocar system includes a cannula insertable through a body wall using an obturator having a distal tip. A traction tread disposed interiorly of the obturator inverts at the distal tip and extends proximally along the outer surface of the obturator or cannula. At the distal tip the tread can facilitate parting rather than cutting the tissue. Along the outer surface, the tread can engage the tissue to pull it proximally along the advancing obturator. This produces counter forces which can result in a net proximal force facilitating distention of the abdominal wall and separation of the abdominal wall from internal organs. The traction tread can be axially and/or radially continuous. An associated method of operation includes the steps of contacting the body wall with the traction tread at the distal tip, and engaging the body wall with the traction tread along wall portions facing the outer surface.

Abstract: A lenticular net instrument comprises an elongate handle coupled with a lenticular net movable to contracted and expanded configurations via an actuator of the handle. The net in the contracted configuration has a narrow profile for insertion in and removal from a lens capsule through a small incision in the eye. The net is movable to the expanded configuration within the lens capsule behind a cataractous nucleus. The net has a plurality of openings therein of a size to prevent fragments of the cataractous nucleus produced by fragmentation with a fragmenting instrument from passing therethrough such that the fragments do not pass into the vitreous cavity. A method of cataract surgery involves deploying a net behind a cataractous nucleus upon the occurrence of a rupture in the capsular wall.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: An embolic coil deployment system for placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel of the human body. The deployment system includes a heating element at the distal end of a delivery member and a heat responsive coupling for holding the coil during positioning of the coil and the heating element is heated to reduce the strength of the heat responsive coupling for releasing the coil at a desired position within the vessel.

Abstract: A system for implanting a surgical device to control the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants are disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like.

Abstract: A device for generating an artificial constriction in a gastrointestinal tract includes a band, which can be placed annularly about a particular portion of the gastrointestinal tract, having a fillable hollow volume, and a closure device for connecting end regions of the band placed annularly about the portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The closure device is a safety closure, which, at a tear-off tension exceeding a limit value, opens free of destruction, and which can be closed again. This limit value of the tear-off tension is in the range between 20 and 60 N, and preferably between 30 and 50 N.

Abstract: A tissue retaining ring for use with a plurality of surgical fasteners mounted within a disposable loading unit utilized during a vascular anastomosis inlcudes a genrally circular, semi-pliable material having a series of alternating loops and arcuate portions. Each of the loops defines an aperture therein which is dimensioned to receive a distal end of one of the plurality of surgical fasteners. When the instrument is fired, the surgical fasteners are simultaneously deformed through the tissue ring and through the tissue. The tissue retaining ring holds the tissue in place along the surgical fastener and reduces the chances of tissue slippage after deformation.

Abstract: A ligation treating apparatus including plurality of ligation rings aligned and held in a cylinder portion which is formed by an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion. A piston member for pushing out the ligation rings is provided in the cylindrical portion. Air introduction means for forcing air into the cylinder portion is also provided. An annular groove for holding the foremost ligation ring is formed at the front end of the inner cylindrical portion. An air discharge port is formed at the bottom of the annular groove. The air discharge port discharges air from the cylinder portion so as to stop the piston member when the ligation ring is moved out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A pair of scissors has two elements that are cross-wise rotationally movably assembled in a hinge, each of said elements consisting of a blade and an arm. The arms each terminate in a ring for a user's finger. The general direction of the blades and the arms in a closed position of the scissors is making an angle large enough to place both rings on the same side of an extension line of the general direction of the blades. The blades are curved and have different lengths and heights, the upper blade being the shorter and higher and optionally provided with a protruding nose part, and the lower blade is relatively narrow and provided with a bulb shaped tip and a chamfered and/or rounded inner edge said distal end of said back edge of said upper blade has a nose part protruding a distance (n1) from the distal end of the cutting edge of the upper blade and having a distance (n2) from the cutting edge of the lower blade in a closed position of the scissors.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided having a shaft, a surgical staple slidable longitudinally within the shaft, and a staple-firing mechanism for driving the staple towards the forward end of the housing, bending the staple to bring the free ends of the legs towards one another to close the staple, and releasing the closed staple. The device also includes a blood locator tube slidable longitudinally within the shaft between an initial extended position wherein a forward end of the tube projects beyond the forward end of the shaft to enter a puncture site in a liquid-carrying vessel in a human or animal, thereby to locate the forward end of the shaft at the puncture site, and a retracted position wherein the tube is retracted into the housing in coordination with the closure of the staple. The tube has a longitudinal slot extending rearwardly from its forward end and the back of the staple is accommodated transversely in the slot.

Abstract: A device and method for umbilicus protection during abdominal surgery; and, especially plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery requiring umbilicoplasty and/or umbilicus transposition is provided. The device embodies an umbilicus shield, which envelops the umbilical pedicle during abdominal surgery. The device can include a tubular element, having a distal end and a proximal end, containing near its proximal end, means for releasabley retaining suture material from tacking stitches taken in the umbilicus to provide means for drawing the umbilical pedicle into the tubular element. The suture material is advantageously drawn through the tubular element by means of a suture shuttle which contains, proximate its distal end, means for releasabley retaining the suture material.

Abstract: A lens delivery system having a plunger, an injector body and a nozzle portion connected to the injector body, the nozzle portion having a hinged lid and a hollow body with a lens holding platform formed beneath the hinged lid. The cartridge has an elongated nozzle tube or tip with a bore, the bore communicating with the lens holding platform. The bottom of the bore is rounded, which causes the edges of the lens between the lens haptics to fold upwardly as the lens is pushed down the bore from the platform by the plunger. A removable pin fits into the lid and prevents the lens from moving down the bore of the tip during shipment and storage.