Abstract: The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the scrub brush integrally includes both a cleansing portion with a cleansing insert to cleanse a part of a medical device and a protection portion with a cover component to cover and protect the cleansed medical device part from subsequent contamination. The cleansing insert includes a plurality of compliant fingers to ensure adequate cleansing of the medical device part.

Abstract: The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a base from which extends an outer wall that defines a chamber. A plurality of complaint fingers extend from the base into the chamber. A plurality of wipers extend radially inward from the outer wall into the chamber to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior surface of the medical device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elongate medical device, with a distal end to be advanced into the body of a patient and then withdrawn from the body, and an elongate shaft connecting the distal end with a proximal end that remains outside the body, the shaft extending in use through a hole in the skin of the body characterized by a slider, captivated on a portion of the length of the shaft, which is capable of lining the said hole, as the shaft is advanced and withdrawn relative to said hole and the slider in the hole, said slider having a maximum outer diameter that is substantially the same as or less than a maximum outer diameter of the distal end.

Abstract: Surgical procedures of the breast where an adhesive is applied to fixate a reshaped and/or relocated portion of breast tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus includes a driver assembly and biopsy probe mechanism drivably coupled to the driver assembly. The biopsy probe mechanism includes a biopsy cannula having a cylindrical side wall that defines a lumen and has a side port located near a distal end that extends through the side wall to the lumen. A thumbwheel mechanism includes a thumbwheel mounted to the driver assembly to rotate about a first rotational axis, the first rotational axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first gear is mounted to the thumbwheel for coaxial rotation with the thumbwheel about the first rotational axis. A second gear is mounted to the biopsy cannula for coaxial rotation with the biopsy cannula about the longitudinal axis, the second gear being located to be drivably engaged by the first gear. The housing is grasped and the thumbwheel rotated with a single hand.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter for placement within the vasculature of a patient and for use in hemodialysis or other suitable procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the split-tip catheter includes a catheter body that defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The catheter body further comprises a split distal region, including a venous segment and an arterial segment. The venous segment includes a recess extending proximally of a nose portion; and a lateral opening in fluid communication with the first lumen. The arterial segment also includes a lateral opening, is separate from the venous segment, and is removably seatable in the recess provided by the venous segment. In one embodiment, the distal region is un-split, but includes symmetrically opposed lateral openings, as well as distal openings, in communication with the first and second lumens for providing a functional stagger for blood flow in both forward and reverse catheter flow directions.

Abstract: A device to release from an implant bed in the device a self-expanding implant by pulling back proximally, the length of the implant, a rolling membrane with an inner sleeve that extends distally to the distal end of the implant and an outer sleeve that extends proximally, from the distal end of the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve, during said release, pulling the distal end of the inner sleeve back proximally over the abluminal surface of the remainder of the inner sleeve, proximal of its distal end, the device having a slitter, that is caused to move proximally contemporaneously with the outer sleeve, to slit the inner sleeve progressively, starting at a distal point in the inner sleeve, and progressing proximally along the length of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a delivery system for a self-expanding implant (31) which includes a sheath (41, 42) which surrounds and constrains the implant prior to delivery and a confining element (80) which surrounds the sheath during storage. The confining element preferably includes elongate members (81) running axially along the sheath, which compress the sheath and the stent to reduce hoop stress in the system without promoting undesired adhesion between layers of the sheath.

Abstract: A biopsy apparatus includes a cannula, a cutting sheath, and a pressure generating device. The cannula has a lumen, a proximal portion, a closed distal end, and an orifice located on a circumferential surface of the cannula. The orifice is configured to receive a tissue sample into the lumen of the cannula. The cutting sheath is coaxially disposed with the cannula. The cutting sheath is configured to be movable relative to the cannula to selectively cover the orifice. The pressure generating device is coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula. A bifurcated valve assembly is interposed between the cannula and the pressure generating device. The bifurcated valve assembly has a first valve configured to release pressure into the lumen of the cannula and has a second valve configured to facilitate an inflow of air into the pressure chamber of the pressure generating device.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis having a succession of turns around a longitudinal axis includes connectors between adjacent turns distributed around the circumference of the prosthesis. Each turn includes struts interspersed by inflection zones located at the axial ends of each turn such that, when the prosthesis expands radially, gaps open up between adjacent struts of each of the turn. The inflection zones are distributed regularly around the circumference so that the gaps are substantially the same size as each other around the circumference of the turn. The prosthesis may include a turn that exhibits a stagger zone within which the gap between adjacent struts is of an individual size different from that common to the other gaps of that turn. The inflection zones in that turn that lie circumferentially next to the stagger zone are displaced out of facing relationship with corresponding zones of inflection in the adjacent turn.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for packaging lyophilized implants and other medical devices. In accordance with the invention, a lyophilized implant may be packaged for delivery to the surgical site in a sealed, flexible/expandable, sterile inner pouch. The inner pouch may be further packaged within an outer, sterile package. The inner pouch contains a resealable port through which rehydration liquid may be introduced into the inner pouch without opening the inner pouch. The inner pouch may be made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material so that the pouch can expand only to a predetermined maximum size to accept a predetermined volume of rehydration liquid. After rehydration, any excess rehydration liquid within the pouch may be removed via the same port. Next, the pouch is opened via a second opening to expose the implant for removal from the package.

Abstract: A graft device comprising a layer of synthetic non-metallic material having a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface. The device further includes a radiopaque marker at least partially embedded in the layer.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue apposition device that includes a vacuum chamber configured to securely hold a portion of tissue therein, the vacuum chamber being defined by a proximal wall and a distal wall opposite to the proximal wall. Working and vacuum channels are provided in communication with the vacuum chamber. A portion of tissue may be held in the vacuum chamber when vacuum is applied in the vacuum chamber through the vacuum channel. A carrier needle is disposed on a proximal side of the vacuum chamber and is longitudinally advanceable into and across the vacuum chamber, while a punch needle is disposed on a distal side of the vacuum chamber and is configured to receive the carrier needle therein. A hold and release mechanism holds and releases the punch needle to facilitate joining portions of tissue together.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient includes providing an implantable vessel filter including a plurality of legs and a center-post, inserting the filter into a delivery assembly, and deploying the filter at a desired location in a patient's body. One or more of the legs may have a hook at a distal end thereof and the center-post includes a grooved distal section to receive the hooks. The filter legs transition from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration during deployment.

Abstract: A vena cava filter is described, having one or more frame members or an elongated member arranged in helical fashion. A plurality of filaments connect frame members or portions of the elongated member. The filaments may be made of suture material. Hooks may be placed on a free end of the filaments, along the length thereof, or on one or more frame members to engage the blood vessel wall and anchor the filter. A retrieval member may be positioned on the filter to facilitate withdrawal of the filter from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a first cannula having a first aperture, a second cannula having a second aperture, and a driver unit. The second cannula is disposed co-axially with the first cannula. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture has a cutting edge. The driver unit has a ratchet drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first cannula and the second cannula. The ratchet drive mechanism includes a first gear fixedly attached to the first cannula. A second gear is fixedly attached to the second cannula. A torsion spring has a first end portion connected to the first gear and a second end portion connected to the second gear. The torsion spring stores energy which when released drivably rotates one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other of the first gear and the second gear.

Abstract: A dilator system for insertion of a catheter or other elongate device into a body of a patient includes a catheter having a lumen that initially defines a first inner diameter. The catheter includes a swellable material that swells after insertion into the body. A dilator includes an elongate body that is initially disposed in the catheter lumen and a tapered head extending from a distal end of the catheter lumen. The dilator head defines an outer diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter of the catheter lumen. After insertion of the dilator head and a distal portion of the catheter into the body, the catheter swells such that the lumen defines a second inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the dilator head. This enables the dilator to be proximally removed from the body via the catheter lumen defining the second diameter.

Abstract: A delivery device and method for use, the delivery device including a stent device, a restraining sheath, and a pull member. The restraining sheath is mounted coaxially over the stent device for maintaining the stent device in a delivery configuration, and may include a line of weakness extending axially. The pull member is to be pulled so as to split the restraining sheath at the line of weakness and withdraw the restraining sheath from over the stent device. The pull member and the line of weakness may be located on opposing sides of the restraining sheath. The pull member may have an inner part extending inside of the restraining sheath, an outer part extending outside of the restraining sheath, and a wrap around portion therebetween for wrapping around an axial end of the restraining sheath to radially capture the restraining sheath between the inner and outer parts.