Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of patella arthroplasty. A navigated patella clamp used in an arthroplasty procedure includes first and second movable jaw members and an actuation member coupled to the first and second jaw members for moving the first and second jaw members along a plane toward and away from one another. The patella clamp further includes a tracker and adjustable stylus for positioning the clamp on a patient's patella below a desired resection plane. The adjustable stylus coupled to the clamp is used to check the position and orientation of the clamp with respect to the patella to ensure the correct amount of bone will be resected from the patella corresponding to the thickness of a patella component that will be implanted on the resected patella.

Abstract: An accessory is provided for use in the conduct of patella reconstruction surgery. The accessory comprises an elongate datum limb for abutment in use with the superior pole of a patella preferably through the skin. An elongate guide limb for abutment by a side edge of a patella extends transversely relative to the datum limb has guide holes passing through it or an insert carried by it at positions selected to direct a drill or other surgical tool at an edge of the patella to enable holes or tunnels to be formed in the patella at required positions for the attachment or reception of reconstructive ligaments to the patella. Attachment limbs enable the accessory to be secured in an operative position relative to a patella. There may be slots formed by anchor bars integral with the guide limb and attachment limb to strap the accessory to a patient's knee.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for intelligent semiconductor based medical tweezers and instrumentation including microscale sensors, actuators and circuitry for tissue detection and characterization. In one aspect, a tweezer device includes a hinge structure to enable tweezing motion of the device for clamping a sample, two leg components coupled to the hinge structure, a plurality of microprobes configured on both of the two leg components, and an electronic circuit electrically coupled to the microprobes to process and/or transmit the electronic signals. The microprobes include sensors in a sensing tip structured to penetrate into the sample when the device clamps the sample and produce electronic signals from the sensors of a property of the sample, the sensors of the sensing tip including at least one of an electrode to measure an electrical potential, an electrical permittivity sensor to measure electrical permittivity, or a strain gauge to measure mechanical compliance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of patella arthroplasty. A navigated patella clamp used in an arthroplasty procedure includes first and second movable jaw members and an actuation member coupled to the first and second jaw members for moving the first and second jaw members along a plane toward and away from one another. The patella clamp further includes a tracker and adjustable stylus for positioning the clamp on a patient's patella below a desired resection plane. The adjustable stylus coupled to the clamp is used to check the position and orientation of the clamp with respect to the patella to ensure the correct amount of bone will be resected from the patella corresponding to the thickness of a patella component that will be implanted on the resected patella.

Abstract: Hair tweezers have a bend section from which a pair of opposing plate-shaped gripping sections extend in the longitudinal direction, and opposing gripping surfaces are respectively formed on the ends of the gripping sections which are located on the side facing the bend section. The hair tweezers do not cause a problem in that, when the hair tweezers are in use, the ends on the side on which the gripping surfaces are formed are displaced relative to each other in the vertical direction, which intersects the longitudinal direction, to make it difficult for the user to grip a targeted unwanted hair. The thickness of a bend portion is equal to or greater than the thickness of the portions of a pair of gripping sections which are not included in the bend section. The pair of gripping sections are respectively provided with thin sections, which have a small thickness, located between the bend section and the ends having the gripping surfaces formed thereon.

Abstract: Light is directed between the arms of a forceps to illuminate an area under debridement of foreign material with a color selected to enhance contrast of foreign material that needs to be removed. The light comes from a multicolor source such as an LED chip having RGBW dies and is transmitted by a light transmitting element such as an elongated waveguide or a light pipe to illuminate the area under examination. The color is selectable so as to obtain a color that has good contrast for the foreign material. The apparatus has a docking station to install the forceps so that it is properly located with respect to the illumination. A camera can be part of the apparatus to transmit imagery to a display.

Abstract: A magnet positioning tool is described for use with an implantable device. The device has a pair of opposing positioning surfaces, at least one of which has a magnet cradle for mechanically engaging an implant magnet associated with a magnet position in the implantable device. The tool also includes a position engagement surface for engaging the implantable device when the magnet cradle is adjacent to the magnet position.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a master manipulator, slave robotic units having a surgical instrument for performing a Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS), and a control system for electrically associating the master manipulator with the slave robotic units. The slave robotic unit includes the driving mechanisms which are more compact than those of the conventional MIS system. In use, the existing surgical instruments used in the conventional MIS procedure can be applied to the slave robotic unit. Moreover, by using the pivotal mechanism of the driving mechanisms, a pivot point of the surgical instrument is allowed to be shifted with respect to an incision of a patient. So, the patient's tissues surrounding the surgical instrument are not excessively affected by the surgical instrument during the procedure.

Abstract: A wound (50) is closed using a first adhesive shoe (10) adhesively affixed adjacent to a first edge (51) of the wound, a second adhesive shoe (20) adhesively affixed adjacent to a second opposite edge (52) of the wound, a forceps device (100) comprising a first leg (101) adapted to couple with the first adhesive shoe and a second leg (102) adapted to couple with the second adhesive shoe; and a locking mechanism (150) adapted to draw the first and second forcep legs together and hold legs in the desired closed position after they are drawn together.

Abstract: The present application relates to a urinary catheter movement system for use with a urinary catheter located within an interior volume of a urinary catheter pouch. The system can include a catheter movement controller configured to selectively control longitudinal movement of the catheter relative to a port in the pouch. The system further can include a gripper assembly configured for gripping the catheter located within the interior volume of the urinary catheter pouch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for cosmetic treatment of hairy body parts, such as eyebrows, comprising a pair of tweezers (2), having a couple of flexible arms (2?, 2?) connected to each other at an end; characterised in that said device (1) further comprises at least one comb/brush member (3) each coupled to one of said arms (2?).

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for the use of magnetic traction to maintain the patency of a tubular anatomical structure, whether a vessel, duct, the trachea, bronchus, bile duct, ureter, vas deferens, fallopian tube, or portions of the digestive tract, as to constitute means for extraluminal stenting. An extraluminal stent consists of a perimedial or medial intravascular and an extravascular component. The intravascular component consists of ferromagnetic spherules implanted aeroballistically or stays implanted by means of a special hand tool, while the extravascular component consists of a pliant jacket or mantle that has magnets mounted about its outer surface.

Abstract: A sequential surgical forceps is adapted to sequentially grasp tissue on opposed sides of a tissue interface and then present the tissue for capture and closure by a surgical fastening apparatus. The sequential tissue forceps comprises a first arm, a second arm and central arm wherein both the first arm and the second arm are sequentially closed with respect to the central arm. The first arm, second arm and central arm preferably comprise tips having a gripping structure to facilitate tissue capture and retention. The central arm includes structure that defines a mating interface to allow for selective positioning of the sequential tissue forceps and any captured tissue with respect to a surgical fastening apparatus. In this way, the tissue forceps is able to consistently manipulate and present wound tissue relative to the surgical fastening apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a urinary catheter gripping device for use with a urinary catheter located within a urinary catheter pouch. In one aspect, the urinary catheter pouch has a port defined in its exterior surface, whereby the port is in communication with the interior cavity of the urinary catheter pouch. In this aspect, the urinary catheter is substantially disposed therein the pouch and is configured to selectively pass therethrough the port. The gripping device can be positioned on the pouch at any convenient location that aids in the holding of the catheter.

Abstract: A tubing set attaches to an electrosurgical instrument having one or more tines to provide irrigation. The tubing set includes a length of tubing having a connector fitting on the proximal end to connect to a fluid source. A distal end of the tubing connects to a nose piece that attaches to the tine of the electrosurgical instrument, thereby providing irrigation to the instrument.

Abstract: A combination tweezer and eye hair care device and method. A combination device includes a tweezer along a first portion of the length thereof and an eye hair care device along a second portion. The eye hair care device may be an eyebrow brush or an eyelash comb In one embodiment, the eye hair care device is removable. The tweezer may have a straight, angled or pointed cutting tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for plucking out hairs of a subject using a thread knots method. The apparatus may comprise at least one pair of pincer-parts rotatably connected through connecting means; and at least one thread. The pair of rotatably connected pincer-parts creates a structure that is capable of opening and closing when rotated by a user around said rotation mechanism, where the thread is held by the pincer-parts in such a manner that the thread is wrapped around itself creating at least one knot having intersection points. Upon rotating the pincer-parts around the rotation mechanism back and forth in opposite rotation directions, the knots respectively move along a movement-path, where the knots enable capturing the hairs of the subject by tightening around the subject's hairs and plucking them by moving along the movement path, when tightened.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a multi-tool with more than one tweezer tip. In an example embodiment the multi-tool includes two plates and an interposed spring component. The plates have a plurality of tweezer tip pairs and the spring component permits pivoting articulation of the plates in order to apply pinching forces by the different tweezer tip pairs upon an area of interest.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus includes three plucking rollers configured to rotate on respective roller shafts which extend generally parallel to a skin surface during epilation, each plucking roller having tweezing mechanisms for grasping hairs, and a driver for turning each plucking roller on a rotary axis which is kept generally perpendicular to the skin surface. The tweezing mechanisms pull the grasped hairs out of the skin as the plucking rollers are slid therealong. The three plucking rollers can protrude and retract in a direction generally perpendicular to the skin surface independently of one another and swing in directions along the skin surface independently of one another.

Abstract: A pair of surgery fixation forceps which includes a pair of tweezers having an upper end, a blade holder including a U-shaped base and a rod portion, the rod portion being formed with two grooves, the U-shaped base having two arms, an adjusting screw for securing the blade holder to the tweezers; and a cutting blade having an elongated slot which includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion which is narrower than the first engaging portion, the two opposite sides of the second engaging portion being fitted into the grooves of the rod portion of the blade holder, the first engaging portion being configured to be snugly fitted with the rod portion of the blade holder thereby enabling the cutting blade to be secured to the blade holder, the cutting blade having two ears at two upper corners thereof and a knife edge therebetween.

Abstract: Luminous tweezers are described having two tweezer branches (3), at the ends of which gripping/illuminating jaws (9) are provided, and at least one light source (5) with a switchable electricity supply (6; 7), the tweezer branches (3) consisting at least partially of transparent plastic and forming a light guide for the light from the light source, characterised in that the light source (5) can be switched by an electrical touch circuit (8; 1; 10).

Abstract: Presented herein is a grooming device for the removal of hair and for eyebrow care and maintenance, said device comprising a pair of tweezers and a brush head disposed on said tweezers. Some embodiments of the grooming device of the present invention further comprise a protective storage case comprising a receiving member and a cover member that has a mirror disposed thereon. Some embodiments of the grooming device of the present invention further comprise a light assembly disposed on the tweezers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a multi-tool with more than one tweezer.

Abstract: An encased tweezers with a trough like hollow case having a hollow trough section constricting on one end, the hollow trough section partially concealing a body of the tweezers and allowing the head of the tweezers to be viewed from the top when the tweezers is in a nested position. The tweezers has a fused end and a pincer opposite the fused end. The fused end of the tweezers insert between two opposite borders at the constricted end of the hollow case where the tweezers is attached to the hollow case. A positional plate between an inside surface of one border and a lateral side of the tweezers or between adjacent lateral sides of two tweezers can be used for positioning the tweezers when it is deployed. A mechanism for ejecting the tweezers from the hollow case is also described.

Abstract: A single unit illuminated magnifying tweezers apparatus used to facilitate the gripping and handling of small objects comprising a housing, a magnifying lens, a light source and tweezers. The tweezers are pivotally mounted within the cavity of the housing such that the gripping ends of the tweezers can be pivoted into the focal range of the magnifying lens, which in turn lies within a light beam projected by the light source. The tweezers are retracted snugly within the housing for convenient transport and storage. The apparatus allows the user, with one hand, to easily manipulate the tweezers to grip a target object, which along with the ends of the tweezers, are both illuminated and magnified.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for actuating a surgical tool of a surgical instrument including an actuating device having an actuator surface. The actuating device is operable by applying a force to substantially any part of the actuator surface for placing the actuating device in an actuated position from a rest position for actuating a surgical tool. The actuator surface comprises a radially collapsible cage having a plurality of interdigitating actuating pads. Each pad is movable in a radial direction.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Abstract: A deplitory device for the removal of unwanted hair. The deplitory device includes a heatable tweezer having an upper portion containing wax that is dispensable onto a user's hair, allowing the user to utilize the tweezer to remove the cured wax thereby removing the hair from its follicle.

Abstract: The current invention provides a device for holding dental abutments such as healing caps, healing screws, contoured healing abutments, PME (precision margin esthetics) abutments, PME impression pins, hexed transfer assemblies, straight and angled fixed system components, hexed coping screws or any dental implant parts when the object is being inserted or otherwise located into a patient's mouth. The device is tweezer-like and is designed to hold a dental abutment having a central axis. The device includes a pair of substantially identical members that are joined together at one of the ends and each have a free end. The members are disposed in the V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free end spaced apart so that when the members are squeezed towards one another, the free ends are brought into contact. Each of the members has a handle portion including the joined end, and an offset gripping portion.

Abstract: An orthodontic jig for attaching orthodontic brackets on the teeth is disclosed. The orthodontic jig comprises a housing, a bracket support extending out of the front side of the housing through the back side of the housing, tweezers for gripping the tie wings of the bracket connected to the housing and disposed around the bracket support, a cusp tip reference means for setting the cusp tip of the tooth as the reference surface of the orthodontic position, means for displacing the cusp tip reference plate upward or downward, and a handle connected to the upper and lower surface of housing for supporting the housing. The orthodontic jig can be connected with a cusp tip reference means or/and a lingual bracket positioning device.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A microsurgical tool (8), in the form of forceps, allows access and micro-manipulation into very small confined spaces, such as the cochlea. The microsurgical tool includes an activation body (10) and a working head (20). The activation body is made from a pair of leaf springs (11) joined permanently at one end to a sliding bracket (12) and joined at the other end to a central section (15) with removable screws (13). The central section (15) tapers to an extension (15A) that extends to the working head. A push arm (16) has a first end coupled to the sliding bracket (12) and a second end pivotally joined to the working head (20). The working head (20) is made from a first jaw part (21) attached to the extension (15A), and a second jaw part (22) pivotally connected to the second end of the push arm (16).

Abstract: A syringe for an endoscope including a flexible sheath having an operating part connected to a proximal end portion thereof. A flexible fluid transfer tube is axially movably inserted in the sheath. A hollow needle communicably provided at the distal end of the fluid transfer tube is projected from and withdrawn into the distal end of the sheath by axially moving the fluid transfer tube with the operating part. A mucous membrane holding member adapted to be pressed against a mucous membrane surface is attached to the distal end of the sheath through a connecting member in such a manner as to face the distal end of the sheath across a predetermined space from a position ahead of the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides tweezers with a guage for holding and affixing the bracket accurately and precisely to the patient's tooth. Also, the present invention provides tweezers with a guage suitable for minimizing the operator's working time and difficulty.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A grooming device including a stem, a first and a second arm extending from one end of the stem, the first arm having a first flat surface and the second arm having a second flat surface arranged substantially parallel to the first flat surface. An angled surface is located adjacent to the first flat surface and a blade is located adjacent to the second flat surface such that when a force is exerted on the first and second arms, the first and second flat surfaces come in contact with each other and the blade slides past the angled surface. A housing case member in the general shape of a rectangle and having an opening, configured such that the stem and first and second arm fit inside the opening, encases the tweezer-scissor member when the grooming device is in the folded position. The tweezer-scissor member rotates around a pin which affixes the tweezer-scissor member to the housing case member.

Abstract: Medical instrument for injecting liquids into a hollow organ and/or drawing off liquids from a hollow organ, in particular a bile duct. Clamping apparatus are associated with the hollow needle of the instrument, this instrument being constructed as a tubular shaft, and the tissue of the hollow organ can be securely enclosed by these clamping apparatus between an entrance opening in the hollow organ and an outlet opening of the hollow needle in such a way that no liquid can escape between the tissue and the hollow needle.

Abstract: This invention combines the nail clipper and the tweezer into one unit. The tweezer part of the Twipper is in the space between the opposing metal parts of the nail clipper, and is held in place by the post that anchors the lever in between the opposing metal parts. The tweezer does not effect the operation of the clipper unit it is rotated 180.degree., extending through the jaws of the clipper. At this position, exerting force on the lever, which compresses the jaws of the clipper, forces together the jaws of the tweezer (scissor, etc.).

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a body structure in a patient. The clamp includes a flexible cable housed within a sheath. The cable and sheath extend between a clamp and a handle. The cable actuator. The cable extends through a sheath which is anchored at the clamp and the actuator for actuating jaws from a proximal end of the clamp. A malleable positioner is provided for positioning the clamp about the body structure.

Abstract: A miniature plastic gripper actuated by inflation of a miniature balloon and method of fabricating same. The gripper is constructed of either heat-shrinkable or heat-expandable plastic tubing and is formed around a mandrel, then cut to form gripper prongs or jaws and the mandrel removed. The gripper is connected at one end with a catheter or tube having an actuating balloon at its tip, whereby the gripper is opened or closed by inflation or deflation of the balloon. The gripper is designed to removably retain a member to which is connected a quantity or medicine, plugs, or micro-components. The miniature plastic gripper is inexpensive to fabricate and can be used for various applications, such as gripping, sorting, or placing of micron-scale particles for analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for thoracoscopically arresting the heart and establishing cardiopulmonary bypass, thus facilitating a variety of less-invasive surgical procedures on and within the heart and great vessels of the thorax. In one embodiment, the invention provides a thoracoscopic system for arresting a patient's heart including a clamp configured for introduction into the patient's thoracic cavity through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest. The clamp is positionable about the patient's ascending aorta between the coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic artery. The clamp is coupled to the distal end of an elongated handle means for manipulating the clamp from a location outside of the patient's thoracic cavity. A means for actuating the clamp is coupled to the proximal end of the handle means. When actuated, the clamp blocks blood flow through the ascending aorta.

Abstract: An improvement for medical and dental instruments of the type that include two handle legs joined by a pivoting joint. The improvement provides for opposite and cooperating curved portions that, when brought towards each other, define a gripping area capable of firmly holding a safety cap or carpule for syringe needles thereby avoiding possible injuries to the user. The internal walls of the curved portions are provided with irregularities or serrations to enhance their gripping function on the carpule. In all instruments, the separation of the curved portions to the area where a user applies the actuating force has been maximized to minimize the likelihood of accidental injury.

Abstract: Embedding a perfusion passage pipe in the surface at the inside of one of the arms of a tweezers partially or entirely and concurrently, fastening a housing portion in the rear of the grip portion in a range of 90.degree. to 170.degree. angled from the tip portion to the central axis of the grip portion of an arm.

Abstract: A comedo extracting tool having a comedo extractor at one end, a clap forceps at an opposite end, and a flat handle connected between the comedo extractor and the clamp forceps. The comedo extractor has an oblong opening in the center, the width of the oblong opening reducing gradually toward the handle. The clamp forceps terminates in a pair of pointed hooks.

Abstract: A magnifying arm attached to tweezers has the magnifying glass itself hingedly attached to the arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus which is designed to capture, and manipulate the movement of, surgical needles as they pass through the tissue wall of a patient. The apparatus of the present invention has, among other things, a removable gripping body component which is designed to rest against the tissue wall of a patient. This gripping body component has sufficient resistance to be penetrated by, and grip, the needle's point. The apparatus also has a component which is designed to manipulate the movement of the gripping body component. This manipulating component has a ledge surface or opening defined thereon or therein. The apparatus also has a fastening component. At least one end of the fastening component is secured to the gripping component. The fastening component is designed to secure the removable gripping component to the manipulating component.

Abstract: Tweezers have two arms mounted on a spacer with a barbed tip at the other end of the arms. The tweezers are sharpened to the barbed tip with a belt sanding apparatus, which includes a holding device for positioning the tweezers on the belt sanding apparatus. A magnifying lens may be mounted on the spacer and positioned over the barbed tip to assist in sighting the foreign object to be removed.

Abstract: Forceps used in handling laboratory tissue samples being embedded in paraffin are prevented from accumulating congealed paraffin by maintaining the temperature of the grasping portions of the forceps above the point at which the paraffin remains liquid. Electrical resistance heaters are attached to the forceps, and these are energized by an appropriate electric circuit.

Abstract: The inventive instrument is an improvement in a surgical instrument of the type having fingers to grasp a soft, foldable intraocular lens (IOL) for implantation in a human eye following removal of the cataractous lens. The IOL has a relatively thick optic body and a relatively thin optic edge having a contour. Each instrument finger is shaped to generally conform to such contour and contact the IOL along the thin edge. The combined thickness of the fingers and the thin edge is no greater than the thickness of the body of the folded IOL. For an IOL of the type having a circular contour,the fingers are crescent-shaped. The IOL may thereby be easily implanted through a narrower incision including such an incision of the scleral tunnel type.

Abstract: An improved hand held medical instrument having an instrument tip having a preferred orientation, and rotatable to at least one other orientation, the tip being attached to an instrument handle adapted to be held in the hand of the user, the handle having at least one substantially round body portion for facilitating rotation of the instrument, and an at least generally flat reference surface on the body portion, the reference surface engagable by the hand of the user for orienting the instrument in the preferred orientation, or as a reference point in facilitating rotation to another position.