Abstract: A tissue collection apparatus is adapted for use in capturing and removing tissue through a hole in a body wall defining a body cavity. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible enclosure sized and configured to extend through the hole with a first end of the enclosure positioned within the body cavity and a second end of the enclosure positioned outside the body cavity. Portions of the distal end define opposing first and second edges which define an opening into the enclosure. A flap extends through the opening and distally of the apparatus to form a lip facilitating placement of tissue through the opening and into the enclosure. The coupling attaches a tension member to the enclosure along at least a point disposed not more distally than the flap.

Abstract: A combination of electrical surgical apparatus includes a first electrical surgical apparatus having a first operative state and a second operative state. A conductor for conducting electrical energy to the first apparatus has first characteristics when the first apparatus is in the first operative state and has second characteristics when the first apparatus is in the second operative state. A sensor is coupled between the first apparatus and a second electrical surgical apparatus having a first operative state and a second operative state. The sensor is responsive to a change from one of the first and second characteristics of the conductor to the other of the first and second characteristics of the conductor to produce a transition signal.

Abstract: An article for wrapping a baby or infant and adapted to keep the infant warm and secured. The article for wrapping the infant comprising a sheet of flexible material having an inner surface for receiving the infant and an outer surface. The sheet of flexible material is configured to include a central area which extends between a first side and a second side. A first side flap extends outwardly from the first side and the central area to a first side flap end. In a similar configuration, a second side flap extends outwardly from the second side to a second side flap end. A slit is disposed in the central area and extends between the inner surface and the outer surface. The first side flap is configured to be wrapped around the infant, inserted through the slit and secured to the outer surface. The second side flap is configured to be wrapped around the infant and over the previously folded first side flap.

Abstract: A surgical smoke evacuator comprising a housing, an airflow channel through the housing, at least one filter placed in an operative position along the air flow channel, filter alignment means between the filter and housing for guiding the filter relative to the housing along a predetermined circuitous path extending between the inlet of the housing and the filter cavity within the housing during loading and unloading of the filter in the smoke evacuator, said circuitous path including at least one axial portion wherein the filter is movable axially relative to the the housing and at least one angular portion wherein the filter is movable angularly about the longitudinal axis of the filter relative to the housing.

Abstract: The expandable intraluminal catheter is used for removing occlusive material from a body passage. The catheter includes a handle having both a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. Attached to the distal handle end is an elongate tubular body, which includes a proximal elongate tubular body end and a distal elongate tubular body end. The elongate tubular body further includes a lumen between the proximal elongate tubular body end and the distal elongate tubular body end. A number of radially-expandable segments are disposed on the elongate tubular body near the distal elongate tubular body end. These radially-expandable segments can be mechanically activated by a user when the distal elongate tubular body end is within a blood vessel, to thereby contact and partition occlusive material within the blood vessel. The partitioned occlusive material within the blood vessel can then be removed.

Abstract: A duct cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning and maintaining the interior of most types of ducts, including chimneys, air conditioning and heating ducts, dryer ducts, vents, plumbing and rain gutter ducts. The apparatus is made up of a flexible shaft connected to a cleaning brush or tool. The flexible shaft can be extended through the use of attached couplings to create an infinitely long cleaning apparatus. The cleaning brushes and tools are configured in a variety of sizes with differing configurations of bristled appendages for specific applications. At least some of the cleaning appendages are partially covered with a sleeve. In one embodiment, cleaning brushes are described for general cleaning and maintenance of ducts. In another embodiment, a tool is used to locate duct blockages.

Abstract: A vein-branch accessing device includes at least one probe adapted for contacting a surface of a vein of the patient. The probe is further adapted for moving along the surface of the vein, to thereby guide the vein-branch accessing device over the surface of the vein and along the length of the vein, beneath the skin. The vein-branch accessing device further includes a vein branch indicator, which is adapted for indicating to an operator of the vein-branch accessing device that the probe has moved along the surface of the vein to a vein branch. The vein-branch accessing device further includes accessing structure, which is adapted for facilitating access to the vein branch. The accessing structure may include a port, which is adapted for accommodating either a clip or a clip applier therethrough. The clip is adapted for fitting around and occluding the vein branch, and the clip applier is adapted for severing the vein branch from the vein.

Abstract: A pallet having a top section and trusses which form support members in a bottom section is disclosed. The trusses can facilitate maintenance of a pre-load in the top section of the pallet. The trusses extend from the top section to a supporting surface upon which the pallet rests. Leading edges of the trusses can be curved in order to provide the pallet with skis. The curved leading edges facilitate movement of the pallet along the supporting surface.

Abstract: A surgical device having a longitudinal configuration and an axis extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end includes a housing having an inner surface defining a chamber and a cannula extending distally of the housing. A valve disposed in the housing has a conical outer wall and a plurality of distal walls which form a first seal with the inner surface of the housing and a second seal. The walls include multiple fold segments which are foldable between a first position wherein the second seal closes the cannula and a second position wherein the second seal opens the cannula. A method for actuating the valve includes the step of inserting an instrument distally into the valve to contact the fold segments along a line and to move the fold segments to the second position.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient sustaining an acute ischemic stroke in the brain. The brain has a blood circulatory system including a torcular Herophili and first and second transverse venous sinuses adjoining the torcular Herophili. The method comprises at least partially occluding the first and second transverse venous sinuses in first and second locations, respectively, adjacent to the torcular Herophili to partially obstruct venous blood drainage while permitting some antegrade venous blood flow from at least one of the transverse venous sinuses. A flow of the patient's arterial blood is introduced into at least one of the transverse venous sinuses to provide a substantially continuous retrograde blood flow into the venous side of the brain of the patient to overcome the lack of arterial blood flow for a period of time until the patient exhibits at least some resolution of ischemic brain symptoms.

Abstract: An adjustable surgical clamp having an axis that is adapted to releasably engage the outer surface of a cylindrical instrument such as a trocar. An elastomeric sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface which is sized to frictionally engage the instrument. A constriction member forming a ring around the sleeve is operable between a first position wherein the ring has a first diameter and a second position wherein the ring has a second diameter. A pair of tabs attached to the constriction member are movable relative to each other to operate the constriction member between the first and second positions. A tube extending axially of the constriction member includes a protrusion which may be in the form of a helix, a plurality of annuli or an inflatable balloon enhances the fixed relationship with a body wall.

Abstract: A trocar having a working channel extending between a distal end and a proximal end is adapted for disposition across a body wall. A valve is disposed in the working channel so that an instrument inserted into the working channel extends through the valve resulting in undesirable friction forces. The valve is provided with a first wall which intersects a second wall to define a contact surface with an area less than the combined area of the first wall and second wall. This surface provides a substantially reduced contact with the instrument thereby reducing the friction forces and facilitating movement of the instrument through the working channel. An associated method includes the step of orienting the first wall and the second wall to provide the contact surface with the configuration of a line.

Abstract: A connector adapted to facilitate medicinal access into an intravenous tube includes a housing having a base and a cap defining a channel through the housing. A valve element disposed in the channel includes a plug and elastomeric shaft which biases the plug into sealing engagement with the housing. Operation of the connector by inserting a male Luer fitting in the housing axially compresses the valve element to a canted position thereby permitting medicinal access through the channel and into the intravenous tube. Canting of the valve element can be facilitated by providing a finger along the channel or by providing a predetermined buckling section along the valve element. The shaft of the valve element can be rounded and disposed in an arcuate cavity of the housing to further facilitate canting of the valve element.

Abstract: A scented fingernail file and buffer for contacting and filing a target surface includes a base structure and a substrate layer disposed on the base structure. The scented fingernail file and buffer further includes an abrasive material and fragrance capsules. Both the abrasive material and the fragrance-filled capsules are disposed within the substrate layer. This substrate layer may comprise two coats of resin, for example. The abrasive material includes abrasive particles, and the fragrance-filled capsules are adapted for being ruptured by the abrasive particles, when the scented fingernail file and buffer is frictionally placed into contact with the target surface. The fragrance-filled capsules may also be ruptured by the target surface, or a combination of both the abrasive particles and the target surface, upon such contact.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter for increasing the patency of a body vessel by altering an obstruction in the body vessel includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one electrical conductor is disposed at the distal end and movable from a low profile position to a high profile position in proximity to the obstruction. A non-distensible balloon disposed between the conductor and the shaft is inflatable from the proximal end of the shaft to move the conductor between the low profile position and the high profile position. In the high profile position the conductor can be electrosurgically energized to ablate the obstruction and thereby increase the patency of the body vessel. The conductor may include a circuit which is printed on the exterior surface of the balloon. An overlying insulation layer can be provided with a slot to limit the exposure of the conductor to the obstruction thereby increasing the current density in the electrosurgical procedure.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler which includes a housing, a riser in the housing movable between an extended position in which the riser extends from the housing and a retracted position in which the riser is retracted from the extended position and a pressure regulator in the riser. The pressure regulator can be constructed as a cartridge or separate unit and installed in the riser. The riser has an aperture adjacent the pressure regulator and the aperture is between first and second axially spaced seals in the extended position so as to reduce the likelihood of clogging of the aperture. A dirt tolerant wiper seal is mounted on a movable valve tube of the pressure regulator and a pressure activated seal is provided between a valve seat of the pressure regulator and the valve tube.

Abstract: A surgical clamp combination includes a clamp movable between a free state and operable state, the clamp including a pair of jaws which can be operated to occlude a body conduit. A clamp applier is adapted to releasably engage the clamp in the free state and to operate the clamp in the operable state to close the jaws. The applier has a housing disposed at a proximal end and a tube operable state. A first shaft is disposed within the tube and movable between an extended position to releasably hold the clamp in the operable state. With the clamp in the operable state, a second shaft is movable by operation of a handle, to alternatively move a pin in opposite directions, along a line normal to an axis of the second shaft, to open and close the jaws of the clamp.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a first jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, and a pawl secured to the first jaw near the proximal end. The pawl is biased in a proximal direction via a leaf spring. The surgical clamp further includes a second jaw having a proximal end and a distal end. The second jaw is adapted for being pivotally secured to the first jaw, and includes a ratchet disposed proximally relative to the pawl and in mesh with the pawl when the second jaw is secured to the first jaw. The surgical clamp further includes a movable member secured to the first jaw, which is adapted for contacting and moving the pawl in a distal direction against the bias of a leaf spring to thereby move the pawl out of mesh with the ratchet. The first jaw and the second jaw are movable from a closed state to an open state when the pawl is moved in the distal direction by the movable member. The pawl is adapted to be biased back into mesh with the ratchet when the movable member is removed from contact with the pawl.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having an intermittent motion mechanism which includes a driving gear and a driven gear with the driving and driven gears being drivingly engageable. The driven gear has a first set of gear teeth on one level and a second set of gear teeth on a second level. The gear teeth of the first set are axially and circumferentially offset from the gear teeth of the second set. The driving gear has a single driving gear tooth drivingly engageable with the gear teeth of the first set to drive the driven gear and a circumferential surface axially offset from the driving gear tooth and cooperable with the gear teeth of the second set to substantially retain the driven gear against rotation when the driving gear tooth is not in driving engagement with the gear teeth of the first set.