Abstract: An extraction device for removing an implanted structure, such as a cardiac lead, from a body vessel. An elongated sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therethrough is sized such that at least a distal portion of the sheath is receivable in the body vessel. A tip configured for disassociating at least a portion of the implanted structure from the body vessel is engaged at the distal end of the sheath. A handle is configured for engagement with the proximal end of the sheath. The handle includes an actuator and a drive mechanism responsive to the actuator for selectively translating input of the actuator into rotary movement and/or axial advancement of the sheath.

Abstract: A device for support and protection of a tubular element having a single-piece construction, an open configuration and a closed configuration, comprising: a base portion, a side-portion and at least one living hinge interconnecting the side-portion to the base portion. The base portion comprises a plurality of recesses on a surface, each recess being delimited by a plurality of pins, each pin having an indentation. The plurality of indentations form a pocket by which the tubular element is held. The at least one living hinge opens such that the side-portion is substantially parallel to the base portion in the open configuration and the at least one living hinge closes such that the side-portion forms a protective shell about the base portion in the closed configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is ultrasonic medical probe (10) connectable to a Doppler signal generator and processor for detecting or measuring blood flow in a vessel. In one embodiment, the distal portion (52) of the probe comprises an outer sheath (17) that includes a malleable shapeable portion (16), such as an annealed stainless steel cannula, to which a transducer head (11) containing one or more ultrasonic transducers (12), is mounted distally. Two wires (14, 15), comprising the electrical conductor (13), extend through the outer sheath from each ultrasonic transducer to a proximal connector (19). The shapeable portion can be contoured before or during a procedure, such as to access the natural spaces within brain to read flow in a cerebral artery.

Abstract: A modular hemostatic valve includes a splittable valve body. The splittable body defines a passageway. A sealing element positions in the passageway. The sealing element is configured to facilitate the passage of a first medical device, and the splittable valve body is configured to engage a second medical device.

Abstract: Disclosed is ultrasonic medical probe (10) connectable to a Doppler signal generator and processor for detecting or measuring blood flow in a vessel. In one embodiment, the distal portion (52) of the probe comprises an outer sheath (17) that includes a malleable shapeable portion (16), such as an annealed stainless steel cannula, to which a transducer head (11) containing one or more ultrasonic transducers (12), is mounted distally. Two wires (14, 15), comprising the electrical conductor (13), extend through the outer sheath from each ultrasonic transducer to a proximal connector (19). The shapeable portion can be contoured before or during a procedure, such as to access the natural spaces within brain to read flow in a cerebral artery.

Abstract: A reversible snare (10) for grasping and retrieving an article (15) such as a cardiac lead from within a human or veterinary patient (20) includes a sheath member (25) adapted for introduction into the patient (20), and a retractable closed loop (30) carried by the sheath member (25). The closed loop (30) is composed of a shape memory material and defines a hook (35) adapted to partly encircle the article (15). The snare further includes a threader (45) also carried by the sheath member (25), the threader (45) being reversibly extendable through the closed loop (30) (like a thread through a needle's eye) so that the hook (35) and threader (45) can fully encircle the article (15). Retraction of the closed loop (30) causes the hook (35) and threader (45) to close around the article (15) and permit its withdrawal into the sheath member (25). Independent retraction of the threader (45) allows the hook (35) to disengage from the article (15).

Abstract: A surgical clip having first and second separate pieces for ligating a vessel therebetween, an applicator for applying the clip to the vessel, and a method of use thereof. The surgical clip comprises a first tube having a longitudinal slot formed through the outer wall thereof and communicating with a passage extending therethrough for receiving a second tube into the passage of the first tube and circumferentially ligating a vessel positioned in a second channel transverse to and communicating with the first passage. Tangs or projections extend from the outer wall of the first tube about the longitudinal slot thereof and into the passage of the first tube for engaging the walls about a slot in the second tube and securably positioning the second tube in the passage of the first tube. An applicator includes a main housing having a vessel channel for positioning the first tube therein.

Abstract: A second order digital filter utilizing six processor operations, two add instructions, two shift instructions and two store instructions. No multipliers are required. The filter is used as a digital filter in a servo loop having a Z transform of, G(Z)=4 (1-Z.sup.-1)+Z.sup.-2.

Abstract: A manipulator system having a master control console and a slave mainpulator arm controlled by signals from the master control console is disclosed. The master control console includes a translation controller and a rotation controller, and the slave manipulator arm includes pivoted arm segments moved by translational servos in response to signals generated by the translation controller and pivoted wrist units moved by rotational servos in response to signals generated by the rotation controller. The slave manipulator arm has six degrees freedom of movement defined as three translational degrees of freedom in range, azimuth and elevation and three rotational degrees of freedom in wrist pitch, yaw and roll. The signals generated by each of the translation controller and the rotation controller are rate command signals. The translational servos compare commanded range, azimuth, elevation or attitude rate with the actual range, azimuth, elevation or attitude rates of the slave manipulator arm.