Abstract: A stethoscope cover including: a disc shaped body; an opening within the body; and an elastic band, where the elastic band surrounds the opening to secure the cover over a chest piece of a stethoscope. Preferably, the body includes a flexible material for an easy fit over the chest piece. Further preferably, the cover may be disposable as a single use item.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus including: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire color Doppler data from a region of interest (ROI) of an object; a blood flow information extractor configured to analyze a change in blood flow with respect to time based on the acquired color Doppler data and extract blood flow information based on the change in blood flow; and a display configured to display the extracted blood flow information.

Abstract: A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus generating an ultrasound image of inside of a test object based on ultrasound signals reflected and received from the inside of the test object includes: a candidate region extracting unit which extracts a plurality of candidate detection regions in a needle position range corresponding to a position of a puncture needle inserted into the test object; a needle identification range setting unit which determines a needle identification range including the needle position range from the ultrasound image based on the extracted candidate detection regions; a needle position range estimating unit which determines an estimated range of the needle position range in the needle identification range based on a value indicating an aggregation state related to a distribution of the candidate detection regions in the needle identification range; and a needle emphasizing unit which performs a process for emphasizing the estimated range in the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus generates an ultrasound image of an inside of a subject on a basis of ultrasound signals which are reflected off at the inside of the subject and received. The apparatus includes a needle position specifier and a needle emphasis processor. With respect to each region in the ultrasound image, the needle position specifier obtains a deep region feature value relating to signal intensity in a region deeper than a region subject to judgment in relation to ultrasound signal distribution along an emission direction of an ultrasound emitted in a subject, and specifies a position of a puncture-needle which is inserted in the subject. The needle emphasis processor carries out a process for emphasizing the position of the puncture-needle which is specified in the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A coupling liquid for ultrasound devices, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The coupling liquid comprises a liquid aqueous solution of at least one hydrophilic polymer having an average molecular mass of between 30,000 and 70,000 and at least one alcohol with a carbon chain of 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a container (10) for an ultrasound coupling liquid having a thin wall.

Abstract: Couplers for ultrasound probes can have a solid coupler body with a cavity having a malleable shape so as to be able to be conform to and/or self-attach to the end of the probe by a user pressing the coupler body against the ultrasound probe so that the coupler body takes on the underlying shape of the ultrasound probe while the exterior body can retain its pre-attached shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ultrasonic apparatus including a wireless ultrasonic probe at which a RFID antenna receiving a RFID signal from outside and a ultrasonic apparatus having the same. The wireless ultrasonic probe includes a housing and a RFID antenna provided inside the housing to receive a RFID signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer system. The system includes at least three ultrasound transducer arrays including a central transducer array and at least two lateral transducer arrays located adjacent the central transducer array, wherein the at least three ultrasound transducer arrays are arranged such that ultrasound beam paths of the at least three ultrasound transducer arrays overlap in an approximately planar location.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprises a CMUT transducer probe with an array (10?) of CMUT cells either of the same or variable diameters operated in a conventional mode during ultrasonic signal reception and a collapsed mode during ultrasonic signal transmission. The frequency response to the CMUT cells is tailored for different clinical applications or continuously varied during echo reception by decreasing the DC bias voltage for the CMUT cells for lower frequency clinical applications, increasing the DC bias voltage for higher frequency clinical applications, or continuously decreasing the DC bias voltage as echoes are received to track the information frequency composition of the returning echo signals.

Abstract: Provided are a matching member and an ultrasound probe including the matching member. The ultrasound probe includes a piezoelectric layer for converting an ultrasound wave to an electric signal or an electric signal to an ultrasound wave; and a matching layer disposed on the piezoelectric layer and having a particle-in-binder (PIB) structure in which a plurality of conductive particles and a binder are mixed, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductive particles includes: a core; and a shield formed of a different material than that of the core and surrounding a surface of the core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for displaying ultrasound data representative of a rotationally symmetrical contractible chamber or vessel within a patient which involves obtaining ultrasound data from the ultrasound imaging of the vessel or chamber through at least a phase of one cardiac cycle and virtually sectioning the vessel or chamber into multiple circumferential segments, each extending its own longitudinal distance from a common reference point. The data is used to obtain rotational parameters representative of an entire circumferential segment of the chamber or vessel. The process is repeated until a rotational parameter for each entire circumferential segment along a desired distance of the longitudinal axis of the chamber or vessel has been obtained. The rotational parameters are displayed in a two dimensional format having annular rings with each annular ring being representative of a given circumferential segment.

Abstract: The method comprises: a) receiving a plurality of imaging signals of the object over a period of time; b) measuring the signal intensity in each of the plurality of imaging signals corresponding to a point on the object; and c) curve fitting the measured signal intensity of the point on the object to a bi-exponential function comprising a first and a second exponential term, the first exponential term representing the decrease in concentration of the contrast agent which is free over time and the second exponential term representing a decrease in concentration of the contrast agent which is retained on the object over time.

Abstract: Sparse tracking is used in acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. The tracking is performed sparsely. The displacements are measured only one or a few times for each receive line. While this may result in insufficient information to determine the displacement phase shift and/or maximum displacement over time, the resulting displacement samples for different receive lines as a function of time may be used together to estimate the velocity, such as with a Radon transform. The estimation may be less susceptible to noise from the scarcity of displacement samples by using compressive sensing.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an elastic feature of an object includes inducing a first shear wave in the object by transmitting a first push ultrasound signal which is generated by a probe of an ultrasound apparatus and a first grating lobe signal which relates to the first push ultrasound signal toward the object, transmitting a tracking ultrasound signal to an area of the object where the first shear wave has propagated, receiving, from the object, a reflection signal which relates to the tracking ultrasound signal, measuring a first shear wave parameter which indicates a shear wave characteristic of the first shear wave based on the reflection signal, and obtaining an elastic feature of the object by using the first shear wave parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (100) includes a transducer array (102) configured to acquire a 3D plane of US data parallel to the transducer array. The transducer array includes a 2D array of transducer elements (104). The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a 3D US data processor (116) that visually enhances the structure of tissue of interest and extracts voxels representing tissue of interest therefrom. The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a display (118), located opposite the transducer array, that displays the extracted voxels representing the tissue of interest the 3D plane of US 3D US data.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating sinograms by sampling a plurality of transducers acoustically coupled with the surface of a volume of tissue over a period of time after a light pulse at one wavelength, and after another light pulse at a different wavelength, and for processing those sinograms, reconstructing at least two optoacoustic images from the two sinograms, processing the two optoacoustic images to generate two envelope images and generating a parametric map from information in the two envelope images. In an embodiment, motion and tracking are determined to align the envelope images. In an embodiment, at least a second parametric map is produced from information in the same two envelope images. In an embodiment an ultrasound image is also acquired, and the parametric map is coregistered with and overlayed upon the ultrasound image, and then displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound signal processing device: performing transmission events each involving selecting a group among transducer elements arranged in line in an ultrasound probe, and causing the group to transmit ultrasound towards a subject; for each transmission event, receiving ultrasound reflection from the subject; and generating a frame acoustic line signal based on sub-frame acoustic line signals that are generated based on the ultrasound reflection. The ultrasound signal processing device includes: a calculator that calculates, based on reflected ultrasound, a motion amount indicating movement between image signals for the subject; and a synthesizer generating the frame acoustic line signal based on the sub-frame acoustic line signals. The number of sub-frame acoustic line signals that the synthesizer uses to generate a frame acoustic line signal decreases when the motion amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes the following. A deflection controller generates delay time information to make phases of reception signals input to channels uniform according to a deflection angle. A channel selector selects a channel in which the reception signal is turned on or off so that the phases of the reception signals input to channels are different and which generates channel selection information. A reception delay interrupter provides the delay amount to the reception signal and which turns on or off the reception signal. An adder adds the plurality of reception signals which are provided with the delay amount and turned on.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: a user interface to receive an input signal of a user and a power-supply unit. The power-supply unit includes a plurality of power-supply groups to provide power-supply signals for respectively driving a plurality of elements, and a power-supply processor to search for power data corresponding to the received input signal from among predetermined power data and to adjust power-supply signals applied to respective elements corresponding to the plurality of power-supply groups according to the searched power data.

Abstract: Methods and devices for holding liquid or solid materials including a cylindrical container, a holder, and a detachable handle, the handle capable of being adjusted to variable angles when coupled to the holder. Method of collecting material including the step of holding a graduated cylindrical container by a detachable variable angle handle. A kit for a female urinary cup for holding liquid or solid materials comprising a cylindrical container including exterior threads on which a cap may be screwed, a holder attached to a sidewall of the container, a detachable handle optionally coupled to the holder, the handle capable of being adjusted to variable angles when coupled to the holder, and instructions for use of the female urinary cup.

Abstract: A sample holder that enables mid-infrared spectroscopy of a test sample using mid-infrared light is disclosed. The sample holder includes an inlet port and a sample chamber that comprises a sample region and a capillary channel that fluidically couples the inlet port and the sample region. The capillary channel is characterized by a higher capillary force than the sample region. As a result, when the inlet port is put in contact with a liquid containing the test sample, the liquid is drawn into the sample region without the formation of bubbles that could obscure the optical analysis. In some embodiments, the inlet port is the free end of a draw tube having an outer diameter that is smaller than the minimum spacing between pain receptors at a draw site on a patient, which mitigates pain felt by the patient due to insertion of the draw tube at the draw site.

Abstract: A sperm collecting apparatus includes a plurality of rings wherein each ring includes an inner sleeve comprising a gel-like material. The inner sleeve defines an internal insertion channel portion that is sized for closely receiving a human penis. Each ring can be placed in a concentric stacked relationship with other similar rings so that the insertion channel portions of the rings form an elongated insertion channel. A connecting case holds the rings in the concentric stacked relationship. The length of the insertion channel can be adjusted by varying the number of rings in the concentric stacked relationship. Each of the rings is removable from and replaceable within the connecting case.

Abstract: A sample capture and transport unit comprises a housing defming a substrate chamber for containing a sample-capture substrate. The housing comprises at least a first part and a second part which are movable relative to one another • i) from a first closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is inaccessible; • ii) to a first open configuration in which access to the substrate chamber is enabled to allow capturing of a skin-print on a sample-capture substrate contained within the substrate chamber; and subsequently • iii) into a second closed configuration in which the substrate chamber is again inaccessible. The unit further comprises a retaining mechanism for retaining it in the second closed configuration. The retaining mechanism is disablable to permit movement of the unit out of the second closed configuration. A sample can be obtained at a first location, secured for transport and analysed at a second location.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, the present subject matter describes a device for delivery of one or more fluids in to a target site. The fluid delivery device (100) includes a housing (105, 205), a shaft (110), which may 125 be disposed inside the housing (105, 205) to form at least one fluid chamber (115, 210) therebetween. Further, the fluid chamber (115, 210) is adapted to receive the one or more fluids. The fluid delivery device (100) further includes a plunger (120, 225) provided at a first end (125) of the housing (105, 205). The plunger (120, 225) may be coupled to the shaft (110) and may be adapted to move inside the housing (105, 205) to deliver the one or more fluids to the target site (405).

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly for excising a tissue specimen from a target tissue includes a mandrel with a core bed having an inner surface forming a projection for engaging the tissue specimen. One or more projections are located between the edges of the core bed. The projections are formed from the inner surface or extend from the inner surface. The mandrel moves within a cannula whereby the core bed is extended beyond the tip of the cannula into a target tissue. The projection engages the target tissue holding the tissues in place as the cannula is advanced over the core bed cutting the tissue and separating the tissue specimen within the core bed from the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a biopsy needle configured to maximize tissue sampling yield and collect a cohesive unit of sampled tissue. The biopsy needle includes an elongate tubular body comprising a lumen extending therethrough from a proximal open end to a distal open end of the body. The distal end includes first and second tip portions extending therefrom and formed on opposing sides of the needle body. The first tip portion generally extends further from the distal end than the second tip portion, resembling a staggered configuration, resulting in an increased surface area of multiple cutting edges formed between the first and second tip portions on either side of the needle body. Additionally, each of the first and second tip portions defines a penetrating point configured to pierce the tissue to be sampled and further direct sampled tissue towards the lumen of the body to be excised by the cutting edges upon contact therewith.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having one or more chambers that are configured to receive a removable tray including one or more prongs and a bulk chamber of a different volume than the one or more chambers. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray prong is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. The tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.

Abstract: A closure device may include a first covering configured to cover a first opening in a first body lumen, and a second covering configured to cover a second opening in a second body lumen. The closure device also may include a tension member coupled to both the first opening and the second opening. The tension member may be reciprocally movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and the tension member may be biased toward the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the removal of a tissue specimen from a patient is disclosed. The system includes a bag or pouch, a tissue cutter device, a support and a stabilizer. The tissue cutter device includes a passer, a wire, and a handle. The support is an elongated member. The passer is an elongated member configured to be coupled to the support and introduced as a temporary unit into the mouth of the bag or pouch in the patient's body holding the tissue specimen. The wire is attached to the passer. The temporary unit is configured to pass around the tissue specimen and out of the opening in the bag or pouch to carry the wire through that path so that a distal portion of the wire and a proximal portion of the wire are outside the patient's body. Those portions of the wire can be pulled to cut into the tissue specimen. The stabilizer holds the tissue specimen as the wire cuts into it.

Abstract: A method for performing a laparoscopic procedure may include inserting a bag through an opening. The method may also include delivering tissue into the bag, sealing the bag, and inflating the bag to create an artificial pneumoperitoneum that extends the abdomen and provides additional working and viewing space. Further, the method may include carrying out a procedure on the tissue located in the inflated bag.

Abstract: A medical device of the present invention includes one or more anchors and an elongated member. Advantageously, the elongated member may be coupled to the anchors. The elongated member and anchors are configured to generate a force on a mesentery. The force is sufficient to retract a bowel of the patient into an upper portion of an abdominal cavity of the patient. When the patient is in a slightly angled position, the weight of the medical device pulls the mesentery into the upper abdomen. Since the bowel is connected to the mesentery, the device also indirectly pulls up the bowel. In some implementations of the device, a slight angle may be unnecessary. In others, the device may also inversely retract the mesentery and attached organs into the lower abdomen to facilitate surgical access to the upper abdomen. In some implementations of the device, a slight angle may be unnecessary.

Abstract: A method can include forming a bore in a bone of a patient and positioning a first anchor in the bore. The first anchor can have a self-locking adjustable suture construct extending therefrom that can include first and second adjustable loops. The first adjustable loop can be positioned about a first portion of the soft tissue and the second adjustable loop can be positioned about a second portion of the soft tissue different than the first portion. A coupling element carried by the second adjustable loop can be coupled to the first adjustable loop. An end of the adjustable suture construct can be tensioned to reduce a size of the first and second adjustable loops to couple the soft tissue to the bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices for repairing tissue and more specifically to devices which facilitate tissue regeneration and to surgical methods for the implantation and fixation of such devices. In one embodiment, the medical device is an elongate conduit that includes a longitudinal bore extending therethrough to facilitate the transfer of blood from a vascular region of tissue to a tear or damaged area located in an avascular and/or semi-vascular region of tissue. A filament and/or filaments are attached to the conduit and are positioned to secure the conduit and fixate the adjacent tear walls in mutual engagement. In another embodiment, a series of conduits are connected via a filament and/or filaments to facilitate the implantation of multiple conduits.

Abstract: A rotator cuff tendon injury is repaired using a flexible fastener and an anchor. The flexible fastener is attached to the rotator cuff tendon and also secured to the anchor. The anchor is attached to or supported by various locations on the humerus other than the humeral head, to provide a robust means for holding the rotator cuff tendon in the desired position against the humeral head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for cutting a strand of suture. The apparatus comprises a solid outer member defining a lumen there-through. An inner member is received at least partially within the lumen, a portion of the inner member defining a curve. The inner member further defines a feature for retaining a strand of suture. At least one of the inner and outer members are moveable with respect to the other of the inner and outer members for cutting the strand of suture.

Abstract: A suture passer and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The suture passer has an outer stiff tube component and a flexible tube component which is both cannulated and retractable. The inner tube (i.e., the cannulated, flexible, retractable tube) is preferably made of NiTi and has a predefined curve. The inner tube is deployed and retracted from the outer stiff tube. The configuration of the inner tube allows the instrument to be introduced into a space through a small portal and then deployed to provide leverage and improved reach (without creating large portals).

Abstract: A port closure device includes a pair of jaws that may move repeatably between open and closed positions and repeatably pass a needle therebetween. The jaws are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device in the closed position and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the open position. The device further includes a jaw control rod for controlling movement of the jaws and a needle control rod for controlling the passing of the needle between the two jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that includes an elongate channel that is attached to a handle assembly by an elongate shaft assembly. The elongate channel is configured to receive a cartridge and has a pivotally translatable anvil attached thereto and a knife bar supported therein. The anvil may be selectively opened and closed by manipulating a closure trigger supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may be distally advanced through the elongate channel by actuating a firing trigger that cooperates with a reversible rotary drive supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may also be retracted to its starting position by actuating the firing trigger after the reversible rotary drive has been shifted to a retraction orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implanting radially expandable prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring of the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. The prostheses may be self-expanding or balloon expandable. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners at least one prosthesis end, usually as each end of the prosthesis. The fasteners are usually helical fasteners which are delivered from a helical track in the fastener applier by rotation with a rotator wire. The fasteners will be applied singly, typically in circumferentially spaced-apart patterns about the interior of each end of the prosthesis.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsothable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly includes a stepped staple cartridge deck and an implantable layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example, positioned thereon. The layer can include a first portion positioned over a first deck surface of the multi-step staple cartridge and a second portion positioned over a second deck surface of the multi-step staple cartridge. The first portion includes a first tissue-contacting surface and the second portion includes a second tissue-contacting surface, wherein the first tissue-contacting surface is vertically offset from the second tissue-contacting surface.

Abstract: A medical device that can be wrapped around a segment of an artery downstream of an arteriovenous fistula. The wrap, when used in this manner, creates a stenosis for reducing retrograde flow at the fistula. Sutures are positioned in holes present in the upper and lower halves or connecting ends of the wrap, after which the sutures are pulled to oppose the two sides in order to create a stenosis. When the surgeon is satisfied that the stenosis is appropriate, the sutures are tied in place.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices implantable into a human lung, for example to reduce the volume of air trapped in a diseased portion of the lung to prevent inhalation while permitting expiration out of the diseased portion. In some embodiments, the device comprises a distal portion with an anchor system that may anchor the device into tissue of an air passageway wall, and the distal portion may be connected to a proximal portion via a flexible portion that permits the distal portion to articulate substantially with respect to the proximal portion, such that the distal portion and the proximal portion may be non-collinear along a longitudinal axis of the distal portion. This may facilitate implantation of the device into a non-linear air passageway.

Abstract: Medical devices, medical device systems, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device system may include a catheter shaft having a proximal end. A removable liner may extend through the catheter shaft. The removable liner may be designed to deliver a medical substance to a target region. The removable liner may be designed to be removed from the catheter shaft if the removable liner becomes plugged. The system may also include a replacement liner. The replacement liner may be designed to be inserted within the catheter shaft after the removal of the removable liner. A support member may be disposed along the replacement liner.

Abstract: A pick device for debriding and preparing a bone surface has a handle, a cannulated debridement shaft and a drill wire. The shaft has an open lumen to receive a drill wire through a proximal end of the handle. The drill wire has a tip end to scrape bone surfaces to create micro-fractures to enhance tissue and cell regeneration. The distal tip can be oriented and provided in a pre-set angle of 30, 45 or 60 degrees relative to the cannulated shaft. The drill wire has a diameter of at least 1.0 mm, preferably in a range of 1 to 3 mm and most preferably 1.45 mm and flexibly bends at the removable distal tip. The drill wire is made of Nitinol, has a stop affixed to the proximal end to limit micro-fracture penetration at the distal end and the distal end has a trocar tip to cut bone tissue.

Abstract: A quick-connect drill bit assembly comprising a drive shank and a drill bit releasably attached to the drive shank, the drill bit being configured to bore a first hole in a bone through a drill guide. A portion of the drill bit is configured to remain within the first hole after the drive shank is detached therefrom, the drill bit being configured to prevent the drill guide from rotating with respect to the bone as a second hole is bored into the bone.

Abstract: A pick device for debriding and preparing a bone surface has a handle, a cannulated debridement shaft and a drill wire. The shaft has an open lumen to receive a drill wire through a proximal end of the handle. The drill wire has a tip end to scrape bone surfaces to create micro-fractures to enhance tissue and cell regeneration. The distal tip can be oriented and provided in a pre-set angle of 30, 45 or 60 degrees relative to the cannulated shaft. The drill wire has a diameter of at least 1.0 mm, preferably in a range of 1 to 3 mm and most preferably 1.45 mm and flexibly bends at the removable distal tip. The drill wire is made of Nitinol, has a stop affixed to the proximal end to limit micro-fracture penetration at the distal end and the distal end has a trocar tip to cut bone tissue.