Abstract: A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring. An alternative embodiment illustrates a hub with a movable internal seal and inner tube connected to a balloon catheter tip with a free space collapsement spring.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a scissors-type handle mechanism is provided, with the handle mechanism being characterized by first and second handle members and a toggle linkage coupled to the handle members adapted to lock the handle members in a closed position.

Abstract: Dissection forceps (10) include opposed arms (12) and 14), handle (16), cord (18), and power source adapter (20). Arms (12 and 14) are affixed with heating elements (68), (70) within body (56). Insulation (80, 82, 84, and 86), and insert (88) cooperate with elements (68, 70) in a manner that preferentially heats surfaces (30, 32) as well as points (26, 28). Forceps (10) are particularly useful in manipulating coated samples of biological tissues, such as samples that are encased in a layer of wax, because the heat prevents buildup of the coating substance upon arms (12 and 14) and, particularly, upon points (26 and 28).

Abstract: The tip of a stylet which is received in a needle cannula is automatically capped in a guard body when the stylet is withdrawn from the cannula. The stylet may be reassembled in the cannula and put into working position, with the point of the tip extending from the cannula shaft, by reinserting the stylet and guard into the cannula hub. The guard contains an arm which moves into blocking position with respect to the tip of the stylet when it is withdrawn from the cannula by following a cam surface on the cannula hub (either inside or outside the hub for different styles of needle cannulas). The arm may be spring biased, across a hole in the guard in which the stylet is slidably disposed into interfering relationship with the arm. The cam surface urges the arm to bring a portion thereof which protects the point of the tip of the stylet and captures it inside the guard.

Abstract: A pneumoperitoneum needle comprises a lumen defining a passageway through which pneumoperitoneum gases may pass to the peritoneal cavity, a handle mechanism attached to a proximal end portion of the lumen and a filtration unit housed within the handle mechanism for filtering the pneumoperitoneum gases to be passed through the lumen. The filtration unit preferably includes a hydrophobic filter fabricated from a polytetrafluoroethylene material having a pore size ranging in value from about 0.2 to 0.5 microns. In an alternative embodiment, the filtration unit is incorporated within the handle mechanism of a Veress-type needle.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed device and method a highly-corrugated hollow miniature torus is introduced into the pupillary opening in the eye of a person. Then, the torus is expanded by introduction of fluid therein, so that it engages and dilates the marginal edge of the iris. An intraocular surgical procedure is then performed, following which the torus is contracted and removed. A valve is employed to control the introduction and discharge of the fluid.

Abstract: A retractable "ball-pen" like tool/scalpel, provided with a latch mechanism, is automatically retracted when not in use by pushing the latch mechanism and is extended when in use by pushing a tool/blade support member of the tool/scalpel. An enlarged section of the latch mechanism is matched and engaged with an enlarged slot portion of the tool/blade support member when the tool/blade support member is pushed to an operative position wherein a tool/blade is exposed from a sheath member. The enlarged section of the latch mechanism is pushed transversely and disengaged with the enlarged slot portion of the tool/blade support member, the tool/blade support member is forced back to an inoperative position wherein the tool/scalpel is retracted into the sheath member.

Abstract: A holding device for a syringe while filling the syringe with radioactive liquid allows the syringe to be held such that a user is not exposed to radioactive rays. The holder generally comprises first and second rigid elongate members joined by a hinge. The first member distal end terminates in a finger flange bracket for receiving and retaining a syringe finger flange. The second member distal end terminates in a thumb flange bracket for receiving and retaining a syringe plunger thumb flange. An adjustable metering device restricts the angle through which the arms can move. In an exemplary embodiment, the finger flange and thumb flange brackets are removable.

Abstract: A lancet injector is provided having a lancet tip that may be automatically removed from the lancet injector after piercing and being retracted from the skin of the subject. A separation recess extends from the slot along the housing toward the proximal end of the housing allowing the control member to move proximally into the separation recess. The separation recess has a proximally extending retention recess that retains the lancet holder in its most proximal position. The lancet holder has a bore extending longitudinally through it aligned with the central axis of the housing. A pin extends from the proximal end of the housing along the central axis of the housing toward the central bore of the holder. The control member moves into the separation recess causing the pin to enter the bore of the lancet holder and contact the lancet.

Abstract: A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film extending between the metal elements of the stent. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.

Abstract: An instrument for cleaning the top of the tongue comprises a blade held at an oblique angle to the top of the tongue and having a sharp, scraping edge at least along its bottom; it is of a width to fit easily within the mouth and to cover most of the width of the top of the tongue. Arm means, in the form of two forwardly-extending side arms or a single central arm are provided to enable the user to place the blade obliquely near the back of the tongue and pull it forwardly to scrape any coating or other debris from the top of the tongue. In various embodiments, the side portions of the blade may be curved forwardly to capture and pull forward materials scraped from the tongue, and optional antiseptic-laden strips may be adhered to one or both sides of the blade near one or both scraping edges to medicate the scraped area of the tongue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trocar sleeve having a piston of a piston valve which can be brought into the open position against spring action by means of pressure on an actuation handle, which piston has a bore corresponding to the diameter of the access channel of the trocar sleeve. The valve piston can be fixed in its open position in the valve housing against its spring loading by a catch which can be released by hand.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar obturator having an outer diameter, a piercing tip and at least one, preferably a plurality of longitudinal cutouts; and a shield for the piercing tip, mounted in the longitudinal cutouts so as to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the shield being adapted to fit inside the longitudinal cutouts so as to shield the piercing tip when the shield is in the extended position, without exceeding the outer diameter of the trocar obturator. The trocar obturator may have a plurality of blades joined together to form the piercing tip, and the longitudinal cutouts may be formed between the blades.

Abstract: A device for use during sinus surgery comprises a housing, a pair of straps connected to the housing for attaching the housing to a patient's head so that the housing is juxtaposed to an eyeball of the patient, and a pressurization component mounted to the housing for automatically exerting a varying pressure on the patient's eyeball. The pressure exerted is controlled to provide a regular pulsation of the eye in the event that the bony orbit between the sinus cavity and the eye is thin or perforated.

Abstract: A device for lancing fingers and related body portions for purposes of drawing blood comprising opposing arms integrally joined at an acute angle. A lancing blade at one end is poised for travel through an aperture in the opposing arm, and separated until use by mating stop members. Pressure on the upper arm causes the stop members to slide past one another and the blade snaps through the aperture to lance the finger, whereupon it immediately retracts to an unexposed position.

Abstract: An ear piercing assembly includes a disposable cartridge assembly including a first and second ear piercing earring and an ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly for releaseably supporting the ear piercing earring therein. A clutch retaining sub-assembly is integrally formed with the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and releaseably supports a first and second clutch therein. An ear piercing instrument is adapted to receive the cartridge assembly and includes a plunger assembly for ejecting an ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and is displaceable for selectively moving between a first position for ejecting the first ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and a second position for ejecting the second ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted to pass through a superior limbal incision and fit behind the cornea for making a continuous circular incision about the anterior pole of the lens capsule in extracapsular cataract extractions and phacoemulsification. The surgical instrument includes a rotating blade disposed at one end and adapted to rotate about 360.degree.. The instrument is fixed with respect to the lens capsule by a peg extending from the rotation axis of the blade. A method for making the circular incision is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an endotracheal tube and the corresponding method of utilizing the endotracheal tube in an intubation procedure. The endotracheal tube is orally advanced past the epiglottis of a patient. The endotracheal tube then rests upon the patient's larynx which serves to create a base reference point for the positioning of the endotracheal tube within the trachea of the patient. By knowing how far the endotracheal tube is advanced beyond the point of contact with the larynx, the person administering the intubation procedure can accurately position the end of the endotracheal tube safely within the patient's trachea.

Abstract: An instrument for cauterizing blood vessels while performing an endoscopic procedure includes a rigid outer tube with a proximal end, a distal end and an inner, semi-rigid, tube passing through the outer tube from its proximal end to its distal end. The inner tube has at least one lumen allowing passage of a pair of conductive leads therethrough. The leads terminate at the distal end of the tube in a pair of forceps jaws. The leads are mechanically connected to a scissors-style handle and are electrically connected to an RF generator. The outside diameter of the outer tubular body is sufficiently small that it can readily pass through the working lumen of an endoscope. Associated with the handle is a knob for rotating the inner tube and the conductive leads. The handle also contains a means for effecting translational motion of the inner tube within the outer tube and over the forceps and a means for introducing a preset gap to prevent complete closure of the forceps' jaws.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising(a) a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough,(b) a first elongate member extending through the longitudinal bore of the housing, and having a proximal and a distal segment, where at least part of the distal segment comprises an elastic material, especially a super elastic material, and wherein the distal segment assumes a first shape when extended from the longitudinal bore, and a second shape when withdrawn into the bore,(c) a second elongate member also having a proximal and a distal segment, the second elongate member extending substantially parallel to the first elongate member so that it is moved by the first elongate member, when the first elongate member changes from its first to its second shape and vice versa, the second elongate member being rotatable relative to, and substantially about, the axis of the first elongate member, and(d) an operating head secured to the distal segment of the second elongate member so that it(i) is moved with the sec