Abstract: A shaver blade assembly useable in either an irrigation-only mode, an aspiration-only mode or an irrigation/aspiration mode. The shaver blade assembly has a stationary elongated outer tube and a movable (e.g. rotatable) elongated inner tube, both inner and outer tubes having hubs attached to their proximal ends for attachment to a handpiece which provides power to move the inner blade relative to the outer blade. The inner and outer tubes are provided with cutting windows at their distal tips and the relative movement between these cutting windows acts to cut tissue during surgical procedures. The outer tube is provided with a fluid inlet port at the proximal end of its tubular surface and a fluid adapter is selectively attachable to the outer tube so as to provide a means for introducing irrigating fluid into the fluid port. The adapter is integrally formed with sealing surfaces which obviate the need for O-rings and the like.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft to which is attached an inflatable balloon, commonly referred to a "balloon dissector", for dissecting a desired layer of internal bodily tissue from remaining tissue layers to create an operative space is disclosed. Alternatively, an instrument without a balloon can be used to perform a manual dissection. In one embodiment, the instrument has a tissue-contacting element in communication with the shaft distal end, and at least a portion of the tissue-contacting element is transparent. The instrument is adapted to receive an endoscope through its shaft and extend to adjacent the tissue-contacting element. The endoscope is supported and positioned in an extension assembly. The instrument provides for visualization using the endoscope as the instrument is advanced through tissue, but prevents direct contact between the tip of the endoscope containing the lens and the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added.

Abstract: The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: A surgical abrading instrument for removing soft bodily tissue includes a stiffening support member and an abrasive member formed of a rubbery polymeric material. The abrasive member is mounted on the stiffening support member and includes an integral abrasive surface having a roughness to remove soft bodily tissue when the abrasive member is driven against the tissue via movement of the stiffening support member. The abrasive member can be of integral one-piece construction, in which case the abrasive member can also be formed simultaneously with attachment to the stiffening support member. In one embodiment, the stiffening support member includes a cylindrical shaft with proximal and distal ends, and the abrasive member is formed at the distal end of the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device for use in a biological conduit. The catheter device has a catheter body with a housing and a torque cable lumen, a torque cable, a work element, and a connector. The housing is flexible. The torque cable extends through the catheter body to the housing via the torque cable lumen and is capable of rotation and translation with respect to the catheter body. The work element is slidably positioned in the housing. The housing has an interior which guides the work element in response to rotation and translation of the torque cable. The connector attaches the work element to the torque cable. The connector is flexible to facilitate flexion between the work element and the torque cable when the housing flexes.

Abstract: Continuous, aspheric optical molds for reshaping the surface of the cornea having an inner concave surface matched to the topography of the cornea. The curvatures of the molds are modified from a curve matched to a patient's corneal topography to include a flattened pressure zone applying relative pressure and thereby displacing underlying corneal tissue, a steepened relief zone raised away from the surface of the cornea to receive displaced corneal tissue, and a flattened anchor zone to control and direct movement of displaced corneal tissue into the relief zones.

Abstract: A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.

Abstract: A multifunctional spring clip for use in endoscopic and open operative procedures includes a body having opposed portions and a base connecting the opposed portions. Each opposed portion includes an outer segment and an inner segment connected to the outer segment and carrying a grasping surface. The clip is normally disposed in a grasping position wherein the grasping surfaces are biased toward one another, is movable from the grasping position to a receiving position wherein the grasping surfaces are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and is movable from the receiving position toward the grasping position due to the bias to grasp the structure between the grasping surfaces. An applicator for the multifunctional spring clip includes a distal end carrying forceps for engaging the opposed portions of the clip.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for breaking up a thrombus by introducing a tating core wire into the thrombus whereby the fibrin of the thrombus will be withdrawn from the thrombus into the rotating core wire, thereby breaking up the network of the thrombus which prevents blood flow. The apparatus includes a drive shaft housing which can be used to withdraw fluid from the area of the thrombus or to introduce medicines, such as streptokinase which will further break up the thrombus or other chemicals such as contrast agents for visualizing the vascular anatomy. The apparatus also includes a shaft housing which is provided with an expanded catheter funnel at the distal end and a venturi insert immediately proximal to the distal end. The apparatus further includes a prime mover which, in addition to rotating the drive shaft, allows for axial motion of the drive shaft relative to the drive shaft housing.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is provided for penetrating body tissue. The apparatus includes a cannula and an obturator configured for insertion into the cannula. The obturator has a body tissue cutting member mounted to a distal portion which is movable between deployed and non-deployed positions. An actuating mechanism is operatively associated with the tissue cutting member and is selectively controllable by a user so as to move the tissue cutting member between the deployed and non-deployed positions independent of the position of the obturator.

Abstract: An ear piercing gun including a housing, a push rod and a stud cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a stud cartridge therein. The stud cartridge can rotate in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction so that a stud releasably secured within the stud cartridge can be coaxially aligned with the push rod to accurately pierce an ear. The gun may also include a clutch positioner adapted to receive a clutch cartridge. The clutch cartridge can rotate in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction so that a clutch releasably secured in the clutch cartridge can be coaxially aligned with the push rod. The stud, the clutch and the push rod may be simultaneously coaxially aligned with each other to accurately pierce an ear.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for manipulating body tissue includes a handle member consisting of a frame, a self contained fluid dispenser having a chamber for storing a supply of fluid and a plunger reciprocally moveable within the chamber for dispensing the fluid, and a trigger operatively connected to the plunger and moveable to cause corresponding movement of the plunger. The apparatus also includes a generally elongated member connected to the handle member and an inflatable member supported at the distal end portion of the elongated member in fluid communication with the fluid dispenser. A method for performing a tracheostomy with the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cutting implement dispenser for use with surgical instruments having replaceable cutting implements includes a support structure on which a replacement implement is carried. Operating a release mechanism movably attached to the support releases the implement from the support.

Abstract: A snap-fit assembly for the distal tip of a catheter is provided. The assembly includes a thermally insulative core and a thermally conductive ablation electrode arranged to interlock with one another by snapping the two together. The core has a proximal end which is shaped to readily fit within the distal tip of an ablation catheter and includes a head which temporarily compresses as it is inserted into the ablation electrode. A method of making the distal tip assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tapered cannula is provided for maintaining gas pressure within a body cavity during an intracavity procedure. The cannula is long enough to penetrate into the body cavity and has an exterior diameter tapering downward from the proximal end to the distal end. In use the cannula is inserted sufficiently far that the cannula creates a leakproof seal with incision. Another device is provided that serves a similar purpose, except that it does not extend into the body cavity. This device has the added feature of providing a platform that is anchorable to surrounding skin.

Abstract: A medical article for implantation into the vascular system of a patient comprises a self expanding body shaped substantially into the form of a body (1; 2) of revolution, at least part of the surface of which is defined by wire members (3) forming cells of a generally polygonal shape. The body of revolution has a diameter increasing continuously in an axial direction of the body from one end forming an apex (4) towards the opposite end forming a base (5). In a preferred embodiment, the body (1; 2) of revolution is defined by a generatrix forming n-th order curve. The article may comprise two bodies (1; 2) of revolution joined at their apices (4). The article may be used, in particular as an intravenous filter for the capture of thrombi or in combination with an elastic blood impermeable membrane flexibly linked to the apex of the body of revolution as an occlusion device for closing a vessel lumen or defects such as ASD or PDA in vascular walls.

Abstract: An instrument for harvesting bone comprises an elongate body having a hollow, and a proximal end and a distal end communicating with one another through the hollow. A blade having a cutting edge for cutting or abrading bone is mounted adjacent an aperture in the distal end. The cut or abraded bone moves through the aperture and into the hollow.

Abstract: A force-limiting control member for an endoscopic instrument is a flexible wire having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a portion of the wire is bent into a sinusoidal or coiled shape to form a spring portion of the control member. An endoscopic instrument incorporating the force-limiting control member includes a flexible coil having a proximal and a distal end, a pair of forceps jaws mounted for rotation on a clevis which is coupled to the distal end of the coil, and a proximal handle coupled to the proximal end of the coil. The proximal handle has a spring biased lever coupled to it in a manner which limits the throw of the lever to a preselected distance. The force-limiting control member extends through the coil and is coupled at its distal end to the forceps jaws and at its proximal end to the actuating member.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical separating device (1) for creating a preperitoneal workspace, for use in preperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, comprising a relatively rigid longitudinal element (2), a longitudinal axis (5), an interior wall (6) defining a throughbore (7), an inflatable element (8) fixedly attached to a point (9) along the length of an outer wall (10) of element (2), fluid insufflation member (11), connected to inflatable element (8), and to throughbore (7), and sealing member (12) capable of preventing fluid from escaping from element (2), wherein inflatable element (8) is of generally asymmetrical shape, having, on one side of the axis (5), a relatively large portion (13) of inflatable material, and on the other side of the axis (5) in the same plane, a relatively small portion (15) of inflatable material, the portions (13, 15) corresponding to the space available in the body after insertion and inflation of the device (1) via an incision (16) made at the antero-superior iliac crest (17