Abstract: An endoprosthesis assembly adapted to be securely positioned within a body lumen is provided with one or more hooks adapted to engage tissue that defines the body lumen. The endoprosthesis includes a resilient self-expanding anchor attached to the tubular graft. The anchor and hooks carried by the anchor are constructed to enable the endoprosthesis to be recaptured in a delivery device to enable repositioning or removal of the endoprosthesis and any time prior to complete deployment of the endoprosthesis in the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for withdrawing an indwelling over-the-wire catheter from an indwelling guidewire in which the guidewire is of a conventional length and is maintained in its indwelling position as the catheter is withdrawn. The position of the guidewire is maintained by constraining a segment of the catheter shaft and its included guidewire in a non-linear configuration such that the guidewire remains in its position as the catheter is withdrawn. The invention may be used to perform catheter exchanges without requiring the use of exchange wires, extension wires, rapid exchange catheters or special devices to connect the guidewire to the guide catheter.

Abstract: A short backloading wire is provided to facilitate the backloading of a catheter onto a guidewire that has a tubular connector. This backloading wire is preferably shorter than the guidewire and at least one end is engageable with the hypotube connector at the proximal end of many guidewires. The free end of the backloading wire has a reduced diameter making easier to insert into the distal tip of a catheter during backloading.

Abstract: A system for irrigating a surgical site is disclosed having a light weight battery powered pumping unit that is directly connectible to an irrigation source, and a handpiece that either irrigates the site with irrigation fluid from the pumping unit or aspirates spent irrigation liquid and biological debris from the site. The handpiece communicates with the site through an elongate wand that passes through an incision to the irrigation site. A spike extending upwardly from a pump head portion of the pumping unit detachably connects the pumping unit to the irrigation source.

Abstract: A self-priming pulsatile surgical irrigation device is disclosed. The irrigation device comprises a housing, a variable volume pumping chamber liquid pump contained within the housing, and a self-priming valve system operatively associated with the liquid pump. The self-priming valve system, which facilitates the priming of the device, includes a valve housing, a liquid inlet to admit liquid into the valve housing and a liquid outlet to emit liquid from the housing. The housing is configured to define a flow path that directs liquid from the liquid inlet into the pumping chamber. The flow path ensures that the pumping chamber is maintained full during operation of the pump.

Abstract: A sewing device is provided for passing a thread through a substrate portion, particularly a portion of a patient's tissue. The device comprises a hollow needle movable between a first position in which it is out of the substrate portion and a second position in which it passes through the substrate portion. A thread carrier is attached to the thread and can be moved from a position being within the hollow needle to a position outside it.

Abstract: An apparatus for irrigating a local irrigation site includes a suction/irrigation tip that is removably connected to a suction/irrigation handpiece. The tip includes a connector to detachably connect the tip to the handpiece, a suction tube detachably connected to the connector, and an irrigation tube permanently fastened to the connector. The tip may also have a securing clip to prevent the irrigation tube from bending during use, and a retaining finger to partially connect the tip to the handpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of butt-welding together sheet metal plates, in particular those having different sheet metal thicknesses, by means of an edge preparation that mills the edges of the sheet metal plates while they are clamped in a sheet metal stack. For this purpose, an appropriate apparatus is provided having supporting and clamping mechanisms.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty includes a coaxial construction of an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube extends distally beyond the distal end of the outer tube. A dilatation balloon is mounted on the distal end of the catheter and is connected at its proximal end to the distal end of the outer tube and at its distal end to the distal end of the inner tube. The lumen of the inner tube is adapted to receive a guidewire and may permit pressure monitoring and liquid infusion. The annular inflation lumen is defined between the inner and outer tubes. The distal end of the outer tube extends into the balloon and is anchored directly to the inner tube. The balloon may be inflated and deflated through an annular inflation lumen defined between the inner and outer tubes, there being openings in the outer tube within the balloon to communicate the inflation lumen with the interior of the balloon.

Abstract: A device is provided for cutting threads, particularly curing surgery carried out using an endoscope. The device has a cutting member having at least one aperture extending therethrough of a size sufficient to permit the surgical thread to slide therethrough, the aperture having a thread-cutting edge. In use, the cutting member is located at the distal end of an endoscope.

Abstract: A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Abstract: A rapidly exchangeable catheter for use in the coronary arteries includes an elongate relatively stiff proximal segment that defines an inflation lumen, an intermediate, shorter segment formed from a more flexible plastic material and having two lumens, and a third, single lumen distal segment. A balloon or other instrumentality adapted to operate in a coronary artery is mounted to the distal region of the catheter. The intermediate and distal segments include a guidewire lumen by which the catheter may be advanced along a guidewire. The proximal segment may include an inflation lumen when the operating instrumentality at the distal end of the catheter is a balloon.

Abstract: An elongate flexible wire-like medical device, such as a guidewire for use with a catheter, is formed with a shaft in which the difference between the magnitude of the tensile yield stress and compressive yield stress of the shaft is substantially reduced. The guidewire exhibits superior kink resistance without compromising other desirable characteristics and enables a guidewire to be made in a smaller diameter without loss of performance. The guidewire shaft may be formed from a precipitation hardenable alloy such as an alloy of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and chromium (MP35N and Elgiloy), 455PH stainless steel or stainless steel alloy 1RK91. Also disclosed is a process for increasing the modulus of elasticity of an alloy of nickel, cobalt molybdenum and chromium. Further, the disclosure relates to an improved management and manufacturing process for constructing the tip of a medical guidewire.

Abstract: A self-sealing catheter and guidewire introducer has a self-sealing gasket adapted to effect a seal when a catheter or guidewire extends through the gasket as well as when neither extends through the gasket.

Abstract: A self-closing door device includes a torsion bar which is connected at its ends between the hinged side of the door and the door jamb. The torsion bar is arranged to twist about as well as bend along its longitudinal axis and in a manner which tends to decelerate the door as the door approaches its closed position.

Abstract: A punch for forming a screw head is provided with grooves which will form projections on selected of the driver-engageable surfaces of the head. The projections are arranged to interlock with surfaces and edges of the driver to reduce the tendency for the driver to slip out of the recess during driving and also to provide a temporary stick-fit between the driver and the recess.