Abstract: An excisional device may comprise an introducer comprising a distal trough portion and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may comprise an axial band element configured to selectively bow out of and away from the distal trough portion and to retract into the distal trough portion and a helical cutting element wound around the axial band element. A rotating drum may be provided to cause the cutting assembly to selectively rotate, bow and retract according to a mechanically-driven first cutting profile that is defined by a shape of a channel formed in the drum. An optical guidance projector assembly may be coupled to the excisional device and may be configured to visually indicate when a distal portion of the excisional device is aligned with an imaging plane of an imaging probe and in a desired position.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy and delivery device may comprise one or more rotating, penetrating and cutting rod elements. The rod elements may be configured to advance from a stored and confined first position and rotate about an axis, while being simultaneously revolved about a central axis. The rod elements may then assume a second released and expanded configuration that is operative to cut around and surround target tissue. In this manner, the rod elements are operative to move through the surrounding tissue to create a volume of revolution and to sever and capture the target tissue contained within the volume of revolution from the surrounding tissue. The severed and captured volume of revolution containing the target issue may then be removed.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy and delivery device may comprise one or more rotating, penetrating and cutting rod elements. The rod elements may be configured to advance from a stored and confined first position and rotate about an axis, while being simultaneously revolved about a central axis. The rod elements may then assume a second released and expanded configuration that is operative to cut around and surround target tissue. In this manner, the rod elements are operative to move through the surrounding tissue to create a volume of revolution and to sever and capture the target tissue contained within the volume of revolution from the surrounding tissue. The severed and captured volume of revolution containing the target tissue may then be removed.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy and delivery device may comprise one or more rotating, penetrating and cutting rod elements. The rod elements may be configured to advance from a stored and confined first position and rotate about an axis, while being simultaneously revolved about a central axis. The rod elements may then assume a second released and expanded configuration that is operative to cut around and surround target tissue. In this manner, the rod elements are operative to move through the surrounding tissue to create a volume of revolution and to sever and capture the target tissue contained within the volume of revolution from the surrounding tissue. The severed and captured volume of revolution containing the target issue may then be removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.

Abstract: A medical error alert device may comprise a controller; a first memory, a recording and playback module and a user interface. The user interface may be configured to enable a patient or a patient representative to record an announcement identifying at least a medical procedure to be carried out. The user interface may be further configured to enable later playback of the announcement before the medical procedure is carried out. A communication device may be provided, coupled to a network to enable reception of signals from the network comprising at least predetermined patient identification number and/or a unique medical alert device identifier. A predetermined alert may be generated responsive to the communication device receiving a signal associated with the predetermined alert and the patient identification number and/or the unique device identifier.

Abstract: A medical error alert device may comprise a controller; a first memory, a recording and playback module and a user interface. The user interface may be configured to enable a patient or a patient representative to record an announcement identifying at least a medical procedure to be carried out. The user interface may be further configured to enable later playback of the announcement before the medical procedure is carried out. A communication device may be provided, coupled to a network to enable reception of signals from the network comprising at least predetermined patient identification number and/or a unique medical alert device identifier. A predetermined alert may be generated responsive to the communication device receiving a signal associated with the predetermined alert and the patient identification number and/or the unique device identifier.

Abstract: A vertical takeoff and landing craft that utilizes lifting, propulsion and maneuvering (LPM) assemblies comprising a series of blade foils arranged along track elongated loop paths disposed at the sides of a fuselage. These LPM assemblies are provided with control mechanisms enabling lift, attitude changes, altitude changes and directional flight propulsion and control including those needed for hovering as well as vertical takeoff and landing. The LPM assemblies are configured to drive large volumes of air in a manner and scale favorably similar to conventional rotorcraft while in contrast, providing capability for faster flights by eliminating or minimizing speed limiting factors commonly associated with rotorcraft.

Abstract: An embodiment of a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a first portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture or crosslinking density, and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion includes a second porous matrix that defines a second controlled pore architecture or a second crosslinking density that is different from the first controlled pore architecture or the first crosslinking density, causing the second portion to swell in a different manner than the first portion when the implant is placed in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy device includes a tubular member having a window near a distal tip thereof; a cutting tool, a distal end of the cutting tool being attached near the distal tip of the tubular member, at least a distal portion of the cutting tool being configured to selectively bow out of the window and to retract within the window; and a tissue collection device externally attached at least to the tubular member, the tissue collection device collecting tissue excised by the cutting tool as the biopsy device is rotated and the cutting tool is bowed.

Abstract: A guide element is used to guide a cutting device when removing breast tissue. The cutting device may have a tissue collection element for collecting tissue. The tissue collection element may be detachable so that the collection element may be removed independent from the cutting device.

Abstract: An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure includes first and second portions. The first portion may include a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density and the second portion may include a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density. The first and second cross-linking densities may be selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted. An aqueous solution may be added to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.

Abstract: An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure includes first and second portions. The first portion may include a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density and the second portion may include a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density. The first and second cross-linking densities may be selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted. An aqueous solution may be added to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for in situ formation of an implant within a post-surgical cavity. A balloon is provided within the cavity and a gelling initiator such as a cross-linking agent is introduced into the balloon. A polymer susceptible to solidifying in the presence of the gelling initiator is then introduced into the balloon. The introduced polymer is allowed solidify through contact with the introduced gelling initiator to form the implant while the balloon isolates the solidifying implant from the cavity. The balloon is then ruptured and extracted from the cavity such that the formed implant remains within and directly contacts an interior surface of the cavity.

Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.

Abstract: The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue, which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker, which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.