Abstract: Surgical instruments for insertion through trocar tubes are disclosed. The instruments broadly include: a hollow tube; a clevis which is formed separately from the tube with the distal end of the hollow tube crimped around the proximal end of the clevis, and with the clevis including a pivot pin; at least one end effector element having a pivot hole through which the pivot pin of the clevis is pivotally engaged, and another through-hole; a push rod extending at least partially through the hollow tube and mechanically coupled to the end effector element; and a plastic actuator engaging the proximal end of the push rod and for imparting reciprocal motion to the push rod relative to the tube, where the reciprocal motion is translated at the clevis into pivotal motion of the end effector element. Preferably, staple-like connectors are used to mechanically couple the end effector element to the push rod, especially for double acting instruments.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an intravascular catheter comprising an elongated flexible jacket having opposed proximal and distal ends and a central passageway extending between and interconnecting the ends. A rotating working head is located at the distal end of the jacket. A flexible drive cable extends through the passageway of the jacket, having a driving end operatively connected to the working head for rotating it, and a driven end operatively connected to a high-speed motor. The working head is rotatably mounted in a bearing sleeve which is further attached to the catheter jacket. The working head is actuated, by a actuator which adjust the a pair of tip portions from an at least initial retracted position with a first effective working diameter to an extended position with a second effective working diameter greater than the first effective diameter. Centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the cable cause the tip portions to assume the greater effective working diameter.

Abstract: Disposable laparoscopic surgical instruments for insertion through trocar tubes are disclosed. The instruments broadly include: a hollow aluminum tube; an aluminum clevis which is formed separately from the aluminum tube with the distal end of the hollow aluminum tube crimped around the proximal end of the clevis, and with the clevis including a pivot pin; at least one end effector element having a pivot hole through which the pivot pin of the clevis is pivotally engaged, and another through-hole; an aluminum push rod extending at least partially through the hollow aluminum tube and mechanically coupled to the end effector element; and a plastic actuator engaging the proximal end of the push rod and for imparting reciprocal motion to the push rod relative to the aluminum tube, where the reciprocal motion is translated at the clevis into pivotal motion of the end effector element.

Abstract: Connecting elements are disclosed for a laparoscopic surgical instrument. Each connecting element engages a reciprocally movable push rod having a first through-hole and a pivotally rotatable end effector having a second through-hole. The connecting element is preferably a resilient staple-like element having a first terminal portion configured to pivotally engage the first through-hole in the push rod, an oppositely extending second terminal portion configured to pivotally engage the second through-hole in the end effector, and a substantially U-shaped middle portion coupling the first and second terminal portions. Where a double acting surgical instrument is used, two connecting elements are required. For improved stability, the connecting elements of the double acting surgical instrument can be crossed.

Abstract: An investment cast bronze end effector blade for a disposable laparoscopic surgical instrument having a push rod is disclosed. The end effector blade has an aperture for engaging either the push rod or a connecting staple which couples the push rod of the instrument to the end effector blade. The end effector blade has a body member having a sharp edge element and a base element integral with integral first and second masses of bronze. The base element is an extended portion substantially parallel to and in an offset configuration with the sharp edge portion, and includes an aperture to which the push rod or connecting staple couples. The first mass of bronze integral with the investment cast end effector blade bridges the offset configuration between the sharp edge element and the base element. The second mass of bronze integral with the investment cast blade partially surrounds the aperture of the base element and extends to the end of the base element remote from the sharp edge portion.

Abstract: A guidewire suited for inserting both diagnostic and therapeutic catheters. The guidewire has an initial uniform diameter segment that is coated with Telfon along a majority of its length. This core station tapers along a uniform portion to a second constant diameter segment surrounded by a flexible spring tip. The core again tapers in a region where the flexible spring separates from the core. The core is then flattened to increase flexibility within the flexible spring and the flattened core and spring are brazed together at a extreme distal tip portion to form a hemispherical distal guidewire tip.

Abstract: An inflation device in the form of a syringe assembly for pressurization and depressurization of a ballon catheter includes a manually actuated lever used to disengae a half nut from controlled threaded advancement of a threaded rod which moves a piston. The threaded engagement between the half nut and the rod is such that about one half of the circumference of the rod is engaged, and disengagement movement of the half nut from the rod occurs transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

Abstract: A feedthrough is provided for mounting in and electrically insulating a conductive wire from the casing of a device such as a battery cell for a cardiac pacer. The feedthrough is a non-glass member at least a portion of which was cured in situ and formed to a shape and size generally complementary to the shape and size of the casing opening through which it is mounted and to the shape and size of the conductive wire that it mounts.

Abstract: The method for closing and sealing the opening of a wall of a container includes the steps of: providing the opening with a counterbore; inserting a first plug member into said opening in a fluid tight manner to establish a first seal; inserting a second plug member into said counterbore and above said first plug member and said opening; and fixing and sealing said second plug member to said wall around said counterbore so that a fluid tight second seal is formed between said second plug member and said wall thereby to provide a double seal for preventing leakage of fluid material from said container through said opening.The fluid tight closure assembly is adapted to provide a fluid tight closure for closing and sealing the opening in the wall of the container having fluid material therein. The closure assembly includes a first plug member which is inserted into the opening in the wall of the container in a fluid tight manner to establish a first seal, the opening being provided with a counterbore.

Abstract: A reusable closure cap for sealing a vial, comprising a rigid tubular screw-type cover having as an integral part thereof a relatively soft highly elastic stopper bonded to the interior of the closed end of the tubular cover. The elastic rubber stopper has a centrally positioned hollow interior portion coaxially with and facing the open end of the vial to be sealed.