Abstract: The present invention involves a manipulator tool for use with a seed firmer having an extender attachment capable of engagement with a groove of the seed firmer. The tool facilitates the engagement and removal of the extender attachment by rotation of a rod in a bracket, which may be manual or with a power tool. The manipulator tool may be used on seed firmers which have been removed from a planting machine or are still attached to a planting machine.

Abstract: The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer and improved brackets for mounting the same to a planter. The improved brackets allow for different mechanisms of mounting seed firmers to different locations on a planter. The brackets have portions for attaching and mounting to the planter, and a housing for accepting and securing the firmers. The brackets allow for better positioning of firmers on a planter, ease of mounting and/or replacement of firmers, and improved firmer functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical implant within a patient. The method comprises disposing an anchor element around the implant, the anchor element including a pair of tabs each including an eyelet, and a flexible intermediate portion between the tabs, wherein disposing the anchor element around the implant includes positioning the implant within the intermediate portion and folding the anchor element such that the tabs contact one another and the eyelets aligned. The anchor element is positioned at a desired implantation position with the tabs positioned proximate soft tissue of the patient. The method further comprises inserting a distal tip of a fixation element delivery tool through the eyelets and into the soft tissue, the fixation element including at least one tissue anchor and an adjustable suture arrangement coupled to the tissue anchor. The at least one tissue anchor is deployed from the delivery tool and into the soft tissue of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical implant within a patient includes disposing an anchor element around the implant, the anchor element including a pair of tabs each including an eyelet, and a flexible intermediate portion between the tabs, by positioning, the implant within the intermediate portion and folding the anchor element such that the tabs contact one another. The anchor element is positioned at a desired implantation position with the tabs proximate soft tissue of the patient. The method further includes inserting a distal tip of a fixation element delivery tool through the eyelets and into the soft tissue, the fixation element including at least one tissue anchor and an adjustable suture arrangement coupled to the tissue anchor. The tissue anchor is deployed from the delivery tool and into the soft tissue of the patient. The delivery tool is withdrawn and the adjustable suture arrangement is tightened.

Abstract: The present invention involves a manipulator tool for use with a seed firmer having an extender attachment capable of engagement with a groove of the seed firmer. The tool facilitates the engagement and removal of the extender attachment by rotation of a rod in a bracket, which may be manual or with a power tool. The manipulator tool may be used on seed firmers which have been removed from a planting machine or are still attached to a planting machine.

Abstract: A high performance guide wire with a pressure sensor for measuring blood pressure, may utilize a single electrical lead connected to the guide wire. An integrated circuit, powered by the single electrical connection on the guide wire, may interface with the pressure sensor, and may convert pressure information to an encoded signal. The encoded signal may be detectable in the electrical circuit, and can be used to display a pressure waveform as detected by the pressure sensor. For example, when utilized for percutaneous coronary interventions, such a guide wire can provide high quality blood pressure measurements (e.g., for fractional flow reserve), while also possessing excellent steerability and handling characteristics for navigating tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: The present invention involves a manipulator tool for use with a seed firmer having an extender attachment capable of engagement with a groove of the seed firmer. The tool facilitates the engagement and removal of the extender attachment by rotation of a rod in a bracket, which may be manual or with a power tool. The manipulator tool may be used on seed firmers which have been removed from a planting machine or are still attached to a planting machine.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical implant within a patient. The method comprises disposing an anchor element around the implant, the anchor element including a pair of tabs each including an eyelet, and a flexible intermediate portion between the tabs, wherein disposing the anchor element around the implant includes positioning the implant within the intermediate portion and folding the anchor element such that the tabs contact one another and the eyelets aligned. The anchor element is positioned at a desired implantation position with the tabs positioned proximate soft tissue of the patient. The method further comprises inserting a distal tip of a fixation element delivery tool through the eyelets and into the soft tissue, the fixation element including at least one tissue anchor and an adjustable suture arrangement coupled to the tissue anchor. The at least one tissue anchor is deployed from the delivery tool and into the soft tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical implant within a patient. The method comprises disposing an anchor element around the implant, the anchor element including a pair of tabs each including an eyelet, and a flexible intermediate portion between the tabs, wherein disposing the anchor element around the implant includes positioning the implant within the intermediate portion and folding the anchor element such that the tabs contact one another and the eyelets aligned. The anchor element is positioned at a desired implantation position with the tabs positioned proximate soft tissue of the patient. The method further comprises inserting a distal tip of a fixation element delivery tool through the eyelets and into the soft tissue, the fixation element including at least one tissue anchor and an adjustable suture arrangement coupled to the tissue anchor. The at least one tissue anchor is deployed from the delivery tool and into the soft tissue of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer.

Abstract: An anchor assembly includes an anchoring member having a body portion. The anchoring member defines a longitudinal lumen in the body portion to slidably receive a portion of an electrode assembly. The anchor assembly also includes a shell assembly having first and second mating shell portions to be disposed on opposites sides of the anchoring member and to be coupled together to anchor the electrode assembly within the anchoring member. Each of the first and second mating shell portions includes a center portion and two lateral portions. The center portion fits over the anchoring member. The lateral portions of the first mating shell portion each have a prong member and the lateral portions of the second mating shell portion each have an aperture. The prong members and apertures mate to form a locking arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention involves a seed firmer with a pusher or embedding attachment that extends the life of the seed firmer. The seed firmer has a flexible portion adapted to be coupled to a seed chute of a planter. Also, a firming arm flexibly is connected to the flexible portion, with the firming arm having an engagement portion bounded at one end by a stop. Additionally, an extender attachment is mechanically coupled to the engagement portion and abuts the stop.

Abstract: A high performance guide wire with a pressure sensor for measuring blood pressure, may utilize a single electrical lead connected to the guide wire. An integrated circuit, powered by the single electrical connection on the guide wire, may interface with the pressure sensor, and may convert pressure information to an encoded signal. The encoded signal may be detectable in the electrical circuit, and can be used to display a pressure waveform as detected by the pressure sensor. For example, when utilized for percutaneous coronary interventions, such a guide wire can provide high quality blood pressure measurements (e.g., for fractional flow reserve), while also possessing excellent steerability and handling characteristics for navigating tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: A medical system is disclosed which includes an over-the-wire type balloon catheter and a guide wire wherein the catheter includes a polymer outer tube, and an inner tube having a metallic proximal portion and a polymer distal portion. An inflatable balloon is connected to the distal ends of the inner tube and the outer tube. The guide wire may be removed from and inserted into the guide wire lumen at either end of the catheter. The catheter may further include a transition member traversing the junction between the proximal and distal portions of the inner tube. The transition member may be in the form of a wire, a coil or a tube, and may be made of cold drawn stainless steel or a superelastic alloy. The metallic proximal portion of the inner tube may have a wall thickness greater than or equal to 0.0020 inches and an outside diameter less than or equal to 0.0255 inches. The catheter may also include a radiopaque marker band swaged onto the inner tube.

Abstract: An improved stent apparatus for intraluminal use in the body of an animal. The apparatus is of resilient material disposed in a tubular configuration about a central axis, which carries ratchet apparatus in the form of catch and latch apparatus having a selectively removable latch. The stent is expanded through the use of an angioplasty balloon to any selected one of a plurality of dilated positions. As the stent expands, the catches come into contact with the latch to prevent retraction of the stent apparatus. The latch communicates with a point external to the lumen, and is selectively removable from contact with the catches to enable the stent apparatus to return to its original diameter.

Abstract: An innerless dilatation balloon catheter uses a balloon 22 which is longitudinally compliant so that it elongates as it is inflated. The catheter 10 includes a valve 30 which is responsive to elongation of the balloon 2 for effectively blocking fluid flow through a lumen extension 24, 26 through which the guide wire 12 passes. The valve 30 allows the guide wire 12 to move freely when the balloon 22 is deflated.