Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus is disclosed herein for measuring the geometry and physical dimensions of one or more objects in a specified location or platform. The specified location or platform is within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. The laser scanner includes a waveform generator that generates a predetermined reference waveform to an analog laser that provides an modulated laser beam responsive to the reference waveform, an optical scanning system which 1) transmits and scans the object with the modulated laser light beam and 2) includes a means for receiving reflected the modulated laser light from the surface of an object on the platform or specified location, an avalanche photo-detector positioned to receive the processed modulated light from the optical processing system, and convert energy in the incident light into an amplitude-modulated range signal, a mixer is provided to down-convert the frequency of the range signal into a lower (LF) frequency.

Abstract: The present invention, which addresses the needs described above, resides in an apparatus and method for coupling vascular apertures to a blood supply vessel in a manner that minimizes the time and operator dependent inconsistency in performing vascular anastomoses. In the coronary setting, this concept is fast and can be applied to both conventional and minimally invasive operative techniques. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating end-to-side vascular anastomoses procedure, whereby the present invention acts as a coupling apparatus between a first, blood supplying hollow organ, e.g. the LIMA, radial artery, or a saphenous vein and the side wall of second hollow organ, typically one of the major coronary arteries, such as the left coronary artery (LCA), right coronary artery (RCA) or the circumflex (CX).

Abstract: The current invention utilizes the common baseball-type hat or headband, to which is attached one or more arrays of light emitting diodes. It is the object of this invention to provide an efficient lighting apparatus which embodies the principles of an adjustable hat or headband worn on the head, to which a battery-powered light emitting diodeing apparatus is either permanently attached to the hat or headband, or removable attached to the hat or headband by a hook and loop concept.

Abstract: A passive perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly for performing coronary angioplasty allows prolonged dilatations without blocking blood flow. The perfusion sleeve comprise an elongated shaft with a distally mounted composite balloon including a semi-rigid inner material surrounded by a more flexible and expandable outer material which can extend radially from the catheter and engage the vessel wall and atheroma. The semi-rigid inner material requires more pressure to cause distention than the outer expandable material thereby defining a blood flow channel. The perfusion sleeve/placement catheter assembly of the present invention includes a perfusion sleeve apparatus having a multiple lumen shaft and an expanding balloon connected to a distal end of the shaft. A placement catheter is employed to assist in delivery and retraction of the sleeve.

Abstract: A medical instrument which is insertable into a vascular system to incise a stent embedded within a stenosis is provided herein and includes a multi-luminal catheter with a distal expandable balloon mounted with a reciprocating cutting member. The cutting member is selectively activated by an external reciprocating mechanism which is transmitted through the catheter to the cutting member mounted on the balloon's surface. The cutting member is designed to have the characteristics necessary to cut the metallic struts of a stent. In operation, the device is placed within the stenosis having an embedded stent and the expandable balloon is inflated. Preferably, the cutting member will be facing the myocardium. Then reciprocating motion is activated and the cutting member proceeds to sever the struts of the stent and make an incision in the stenosis. It is anticipated that more than one cutting member may be mounted on the balloon's surface.

Abstract: A segment of an artery to be used, for example, in aorto-coronary bypass surgery, is dissected and isolated by making an incision to sever the artery at one of the ends of the segment to be removed. Suturing means are employed to inhibit the flow of blood through the vessel segment. An interrupted collar/handle assembly is inserted at the incision and passed over the blood vessel so the segment is positioned within the luminal area of the collar. The collar has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the blood vessel to be isolated and has at least one cutting blade at its leading end. The collar is advanced over the blood vessel while the cutting edge is energized to sever tissue from the vessel and to cauterize ends of the severed branches, until the leading end of the collar reaches the desired length of segment, by which another incision is made to isolate the blood vessel.

Abstract: A mechanical dilatation and irradiation device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by dilating and irradiating an obstruction in the vessel. The present invention comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped expansion member and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration to diametrically expanded configuration. A radioisotope is place either inside the expansion member, alloyed into the metal from which the expansion member is constructed, coated onto the expansion member's exterior surface or alternately, the non-radioactive metal or alloy of the expansion member can be irradiated so that it has become radioactive, i.e. it is then a radioisotope.

Abstract: Fly-fishing tweezers which are engageable with hackle or fishing line are formed from either metallic or polymeric material and include a pair of substantially parallel legs that extend from a proximal joint end. Each end of the legs of the fly-fishing tweezers is formed with an inwardly directed gripping member which has a friction bearing surface that will fixedly engage the hackle or fishing line. Furthermore, the tweezers are fitted with a locking slide that when moved in the distal direction, flexes the legs together and holds the gripping portions together. The fly-fishing tweezers include a rod member extending from the proximal end of the tweezers designed to be placed between the index finger and the thumb of an operator to faciliate the rotation of the tweezers around an axis, such as a fishing hook.

Abstract: Disclosed herewithin is the method of manufacture and apparatus design of a reinforced and flexible tube or catheter that can be used in a variety of applications. The reinforced and flexible tube comprises a thermoplastic tubular member that is surrounded by a helical coil or braided member which is partially or completely embedded within the outer surface of the tubular member. Alternatively, the reinforced and flexible tube can comprise a thermoplastic tubular member that which has a helical coil or braided member that is partially or completely embedded within the inner surface of the tubular member.The first method of embedding the metallic coil or braided wire comprises the steps of engaging the metallic structure over the outer surface of the tubular member, applying heat through an appropriately sized mold to the outer surface of the tubular member while creating a pressure differential between the inner lumen and the outside surface of the tubular member for a specified period of time.

Abstract: A balloon activated force concentrator for use in cooperation with an inflatable angioplasty balloon includes at least one elongated flexible panel, an elongated cutting blade mounted on the outside surface of the elongated flexible panel, and an elastic circular band attached to each end of the elongated flexible panel for securing the elongated flexible panel to an angioplasty balloon. Use of this balloon activated force concentrator requires mounting the device on an inflatable angioplasty balloon by inserting the distal end of the angioplasty balloon through one of the circular bands. The balloon activated force concentrator is then advanced over the balloon until the second circular band reaches the distal end of the balloon. At that point, the elasticity of the circular bands straddle the balloon to retain the activated force concentrator securely against the outer surface of the angioplasty balloon.

Abstract: A device for incising and dilating a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a dilator housing and a plurality of blades which can be selectively extended from the housing. Specifically, the housing is formed to surround a chamber and the chamber contains an inflatable balloon. The plurality of blades are formed to have a falciform shape with a curving cutting edge and a similar, curving inner edge. The blades are mounted on the inflatable balloon and pass through slits in the housing. The housing is attached to a placement catheter which includes a lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. In the operation of the device, the balloon is selectively inflated within the chamber to move the device between a retracted and an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the balloon is deflated and the blades are withdrawn into the housing and the housing is used as a dilator.

Abstract: A lever operated connector connecting a gas filling system to individual gas cylinders. A housing is attached to a gas filling system manifold and individual gas cylinders are connected to the opening. A lever rotates a moveable piece which linearly move to tighten the air cylinder to the gas filling system. A pin fixed through the housing extending to an inclined plane on the moveable piece causes the moveable piece to move linearly when rotated.

Abstract: A mechanical prosthesis deployment device for enlarging a flow passage of a vessel by delivering and deploying an expandable stent or prosthesis within an obstruction in the vessel. The prosthesis deployment device comprises a cylindrically shaped expansion member adapted to be disposed within the expandable prosthesis and includes a means engaged to the expansion member for altering the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the expansion member thereby transforming the expansion member between a diametrically contracted configuration and a diametrically expanded configuration.The present method comprises the steps of advancing the expansion member to the obstruction in a vessel and applying opposed forces on said expansion member in an axial direction to move the expansion member to an expanded configuration wherein the expansion member exerts radial force on said prosthesis and said prosthesis is expanded and implanted into the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, generally, to the lighting of darkened areas. More particularly, it pertains to a light removably affixed to a cap worn on the head which permits the wearer to see and perform functions in the dark with both hands free. More particularly, it is a fluorescent light on a cap which light is detachable for placement to another site.