Abstract: A vascular shunt apparatus (10) includes a tubular member having first and second end portions (16, 20) and an aperture extending through the first and second end portions (16, 20). A transducer (64) can be associated with the tubular member to provide a signal in response to the flow of fluid through the tubular member. One or both of the end portions (16, 20) also can be adapted to form respective sealing connections with different parts of a patient's vascular system.

Abstract: A vascular shunt apparatus (10) includes a tubular member having first and second end portions (16, 20) and an aperture extending through the first and second end portions (16, 20). A transducer (64) can be associated with the tubular member to provide a signal in response to the flow of fluid through the tubular member. One or both of the end portions (16, 20) also can be adapted to form respective sealing connections with different parts of a patient's vascular system.

Abstract: A guide assembly for performing a biopsy with a biopsy device having an elongated and substantially hollow cylindrical barrel is described. The guide assembly includes a bracket which is selectively movable relative to a base. The bracket has a longitudinal opening formed through a housing portion of the bracket into which the biopsy device may be mounted for guiding the biopsy device into desired tissue.

Abstract: An improved biopsy specimen cutter utilizes a wire loop, attached to a hand-manipulable trigger mechanism, for severing the tissue sample from the host. A removable dilator is insertable into the biopsy specimen cutter for the purpose of positioning the cutter adjacent the tissue to be removed, and after such placement, the dilator is withdrawn, the specimen cutter is advanced into the tissue, the trigger mechanism is retracted causing the loop to sever the tissue, and the specimen cutter and the specimen contained therein are withdrawn.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for use thereof. The retractor is comprised of an elongate shaft having at one end a screw made of coiled, round wire which terminates at a sharp point for attachment to an organ and a connector at the other end of the shaft. Preferably, the connector comprises an enlarged portion having a polygonal cross section for engagement by a wrench. The retractor is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient through a laparoscopic port and the screw is threaded into the wall of the organ to be retracted, for example, the gallbladder. The organ is resected and thereafter drawn out of the cavity using the retractor.

Abstract: A vascular access system and clearing method. A vascular access system is provided comprising an implantable access port for receiving medication transdermally, a catheter connected to an outlet in said port for infusing that medication into the blood stream, a wire for clearing the catheter of an obstruction, and a non-coring needle for inserting the wire transdermally into the access port and catheter. The access port includes a chamber for receiving medication, the chamber having an outlet whose bottom portion is substantially flush with the bottom portion of the chamber outlet to promote emptying of the chamber and feeding the guide wire into the outlet. The catheter is attached to the port by placing it over a cannula connected to the outlet and forcing a sleeve over the end of the catheter.

Abstract: A pacemaker assembly having a ventricular inhibited pacemaker unit set to produce a signal for application to a patient's heart at a first rate of time and a ventricular triggered pacemaker unit set to produce a signal for application to a patient's heart at a second rate of time lower than said first rate of time, both units being contained within a housing and being independently operative with respect to one another.

Abstract: A base is provided and a rotor is journaled from the base for rotation about a first upstanding axis. The rotor includes a plurality of vanes journaled therefrom for rotation about second axis spaced about and radially outwardly from the first axis and vane displacement control structure is operatively connected between the base and the vanes for proportionally angularly displacing the vanes relative to the rotor 180.degree. in one direction during each 360.degree. of rotation of the rotor in the opposite direction. The vanes are angularly displaced in optimum positions relative to the rotor and each other to develop maximum thrust by the vanes on the rotor responsive to fluid flow against the vanes from a predetermined side of the first axis.