Abstract: A surgical needle including a cannula, hook-wire and reinforcement member for use in the manual location and marking of a lesion in a mass of soft tissue. The cannula rigidly supports the hook-wire during insertion into the soft tissue, and has a substantially cylindrical, hollow shaft and a cutting point located at an insertion end. The surgical needle further includes an anchor for restrainably locating the hook-wire proximate the lesion which is capable of springedly assuming a substantially acute angle relative to the remainder of the hook-wire. Reinforcement minimizes the potential for breakage of the hook-wire within the mass of soft tissue, after extension of the hook-wire beyond the insertion end of the cannula; in which the hook-wire is substantially D-shaped and closely approximates the diameter of the substantially cylindrical, hollow shaft; maximizing the structural size and integrity of the hook-wire to minimize the occurrence of breakage.

Abstract: An ophthalmological surgery system and method for performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface by offset image scanning. A mask having opaque and transparent portions corresponding to a desired type of correction, such as a hyperopic correction, intercepts a laser beam to provide a profiled beam. The mask is mounted for rotation about an axis and the image of the mask is offset from an intended center of rotation corresponding to an ablation center by an imaging lens which is radially offset from the center of rotation. The mask and lens rotate in unison to scan the image over the desired portion of the corneal surface. The invention enables wide area treatment with a laser having a narrower beam and makes optional the use of rotating mirrors and prisms.

Abstract: A piercing tip for penetrating body tissue is provided which includes a conical body and a triangular cutting blade positioned within a slot formed in the conical body. The piercing tip is particularly adapted for mounting at the distal end of an obturator and for use as part of a trocar assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing and tying a knot such as laparoscopy knot. A knot pusher assembly including an outer tube and an inner tube are positioned, and a plunger assembly is plunger through the knot pusher assembly. The plunger assembly includes a knot carrier having an at least partially formed knot with a free end. The free end is placed around the object to be tied and grasped with a clamp. The knot is released from the knot carrier and the free end is pulled back through the partial knot to complete and tighten the knot. The knot is tightened and placed using the knot pusher assembly, and the free end is cut by placing it into aligned slots on the outer tube and inner tube, and rotating the inner tube in relation to the outer tube to unalign the slots.

Abstract: An intramedullary femoral rod provides a hollow rod body with five openings including a first group of three openings and a second group of two openings spaced at 180.degree. from the first opening. The five openings define three passageways including two upwardly oblique passageways for femoral repairs or one downwardly oblique passageway for recon repairs.

Abstract: This invention provides for a novel retractable, telescoping, surgical needle cover and a collapsible needle, such that the sharp tip of the needle is covered after use thereby protecting the user from accidental needle sticks. In one embodiment, the needle cover is hollow and holds the needle at the tip. When the sharp tip is struck on a hard surface, the needle collapses inside of the needle cover. A second embodiment of the invention provides for a cover which slides back and forth along the length of a needle and is held in a forward position by a lever which is movably disposed within a groove at the base of the needle. In the third embodiment, the needle cover only partially the covers the outer surface of the needle, and when the needle is held by a needle holder such that the needle holder contacts both the cover and the needle, then the needle tip is exposed.

Abstract: This invention is a vasoocclusive device. It is placed in the vasculature of an animal to form thrombus in a selected site such as an aneurysm or AVM. The device uses a central coil having thrombogenic fibers placed on the coil in a specified fashion. The coil will pass through the lumen of a vascular catheter and form a convolution when ejected from the catheter's distal end. The fibers are attached to the coil and cooperate with the coil so that upon ejection from the catheter, the convoluted coil forms a shape in which the central region contains the majority of these fibers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, apparatus are provided for applying surgical clips to body tissue with a safety stop for preventing tissue damage resulting from closure of the clip closing mechanism when a clip is not present therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; means for closing clips having a pair of forming surfaces, and means for limiting closure of the closing means when a clip is absent therefrom such that a gap separates the forming surfaces in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinal fixation system. The system comprises a screw for pivotally attaching a bolt to a vertebrae to be treated. A pivot block is threaded onto the bolt to move the pivot block up and down the bolt. A rod is secured at each of its ends to vertebrae on either side of the vertebrae to be treated and a clamp block is attached to the rod and the pivot block to thereby allow the pivot block to push, pull or rotate the vertebrae to be treated.

Abstract: An anchoring member is provided which comprises a shaft 2 to be fastened to a bone and a head 3 for connection with a rod 10, the head having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and being connected with the shaft 2 at the base 5 thereof, the head further comprising two free legs 6, 7 defining a channel 4 for receiving the rod 10. The free legs 6, 7 are provided with an internal thread 8 extending in direction of the legs. A fastening member 11 and a member 12 embracing the legs at the outside thereof are provided. In order to allow not only straight rods, but also curved rods to be received and thus to allow an individual adaptation to the conditions of the spinal column to be treated the free legs have an external thread 9 and the member 12 has an internal thread cooperating therewith. The fastening member 11 comprises a thread cooperating with the internal thread 8 to allow the fastening member to be screwed in.

Abstract: A surgical instrument adapted for use in prostate, intra-uterine, kidney, liver, bladder and urinary tract surgery and the like comprising an elongate flexible casing having a delivery tube for delivering a working fluid to the target tissue, and an optical fiber for delivering a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation to the working fluid whereby to heat the working fluid and in turn thermally treat the target tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for the gradual distraction of bones, to be used especially in craniofacial dysostoses with early stenosis of the cranial sutures, comprising an internally threaded first sleeve intermeshing with an externally threaded spindle, which has an activating point. The spindle consists of an anterior extension, which slides into a second, unthreaded sleeve and rotates freely therein. The first sleeve is fitted with the first mounting plate, which rotates and features bore holes for the fixation via mini-screws to bone. The second sleeve embracing the spindle, is furnished with the holding elements for attachment in or to the bone.

Abstract: A system for delivering radiofrequency energy to ablate tissue comprises a radiofrequency generator and an intravascular catheter. The catheter includes both a radiofrequency ablation electrode and a temperature sensor within its distal end. Delivery of power to the ablation electrode may then be controlled based on electrode temperature using a cascade control system wherein analog temperature controller adjusts the set point to a secondary power controller. Alternatively, power delivered to the patient can be controlled directly based on a power set point. A sinusoidal RF signal is provided to avoid energy attenuation and the sinusoidal RF signal may be pulsed to avoid buildup of coagulum on the catheter tip while providing high power to create large lesions. A verification circuit checks the continuity of circuits in the catheter.

Abstract: A method and device for the placement of sutures and for the purpose of approximating tissue. A particular utility is effected in the approximation of the tissue separated by means of an endosurgical trocar being inserted into a body cavity. The invention provides for the loading of suture material including needles into the device, introduction and placement of the device into the body cavity, with the distal end having deployable needle guides, extending the needle guides either simultaneously or individually to the periphery of the wound, engaging the wound with the needle guides, driving the needles and suture material through the tissue to be approximated into a catch mechanism, retracting the needle guides and withdrawing the device, leaving a loop of suture material in the margin of tissue. The suture may then be tied to approximate the wound and excess suture material cut off.

Abstract: A laparoscopic irrigation system and bottle pump for controlling a source of gas pressure driving a source of irrigation solution that includes a monitor for monitoring the source of gas pressure and indicating when the gas pressure falls below a predetermined value. Also, the liquid level of the source of irrigation solution is monitored via infrared radiation and when the level falls to a predetermined value it is detected, a visual and an audible signal is actuated and an alternative source of irrigation solution is selected. Further the level of gas pressure driving the source of irrigation solution is controllable with an electronic circuit containing a stepping motor mechanically connected to a pressure regulator.

Abstract: A surgical method utilizes an endoscope with an elongate flexible insertion member and (i) an endoscopic instrument guide having a plurality of lumens, (ii) a flexible irrigation member slidably insertable through one of the lumens and (iii) an auxiliary endoscopic surgical instrument slidably insertable through another of the lumens. The irrigation member has a distal end provided with a multiplicity of apertures spaced from one another both longitudinally and circumferentially. Upon introduction of the endoscope insertion member into a patient, the endoscopic instrument guide is moved through the biopsy channel so that a distal end of the endoscopic instrument guide emerges from the biopsy channel. The irrigating member is then slid through endoscopic instrument guide so that the distal end of the irrigation member emerges therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for osteosynthesis at the vertebral column, in particular for stabilizing spinal segments including at least one rodlike connecting element (14) and at least two retaining units (12). Each retaining unit can be anchored to a spinal segment with a tuning-fork-shaped head, (15) the two limbs (16, 17) of which delimit an approximately U-shaped receptacle (18) for the connecting element (14) A clamping screw (19) can be screwed into the receptacle (18) to fix the connecting element (14) between the two limbs (16, 17) of the tuning-fork-shaped screw head (15) The floor (22) of the receptacle (18) has a concave shape to correspond to a swivel-bearing element (23) disposed between the floor (22) of the receptacle (18) and the connecting element (14) The element (24) has a bearing surface (24) faces the floor (22) of the receptacle (18) and, has a complementary convex curvature.

Abstract: A pacifier thermometer (1) having a lip-shield (1'), a rubber nipple (2) projecting therefrom, a temperature sensor (6) and electronic measuring circuitry. The temperature sensor (6) is arranged on a metallic anchoring element (8) on the inner side of said nipple (2), the anchoring element (8) being connected through the nipple wall to a flat metalic counterelement (9) and thus fixedly held in the nipple wall (4') at a desired location. This construction warrants an optimized heat transfer from the tongue of a patient to the temperature sensor (6), so that the temperature can be quickly measured displayed and read.

Abstract: A suturing guide includes opposing guide sections having openings for guiding placement of a suturing needle. In docking a dog's ear, the suturing guide is placed in position, used as a guide for a cut and, via spaced guide openings, acts as a guide for positioning of sutures back from the edge of the cut and with desired lateral spacing. The opposing guide sections may be supported and positioned by an included, spring-biased support assembly, or may be applied independently of a support assembly. Straight and curved edge guide sections and a variety of alignment and retention features are described.

Abstract: A spongestick for .Iadd.retraction, and tissue manipulation in .Iaddend.endoscopic procedures including a hollow stem of substantially cylindrical cross-section with a longitudinal groove along its outer surface and having a handle at one end and a balloon receptor portion at the other end. The stem is surrounded by a retractable sheath having a handle at the end adjacent the stem handle. A balloon system comprises a Leur lock tip at its upper end for coupling to inflation means and an elongated tube portion which extends within the longitudinal groove in the stem to a tubular balloon which fits over the receptor portion. Circumferential grooves are provided on the upper and lower sections of the receptor portion to accommodate rubber bands which secure a tubular gauze member over the balloon. The gauze member is expanded by inflation of the balloon .Iadd.during use.Iaddend.. The hollow interior of the stem provides a passage for endoscopic instruments such as forceps, dissectors, etc.