Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a first biological soft tissue. A biological soft tissue implant is attached to a first damaged biological soft tissue such that the biological soft tissue implant is capable of interacting with a second biological soft tissue or bone to prevent the first biological soft tissue from retracting beyond a predetermined position.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for introducing a medical instrument into a patient includes an outer cannula and at least one arm connected to the cannula toward a proximal portion of the at least one arm. The at least one arm is deployable between a closed position and an open position. An inner member is telescopically received in the outer cannula to hold each arm in the closed position. The inner member is deployable to disengage from the arm after the device is inserted into a patient, thereby freeing the arm to be deployed to the open position where it helps hold the outer cannula in the patient. The inner member includes an inner cannula and/or a trocar.

Abstract: An electrical device for treating problem skin areas, including warts, has an electrode and a power source coupled to the electrode for generating an arc over a gap between a distal end of the electrode and a patient's skin when the electrode is placed in spaced proximity to the patient's skin. The power source provides electricity to the electrode with a frequency of at least 100 kHz, an open-circuit voltage of less than 2 kVRMS, and a total power of less than 2 W.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for introducing a medical instrument into a patient includes an outer cannula and at least one arm connected to the cannula toward a proximal portion of the at least one arm. The at least one arm is deployable between a closed position and an open position. An inner member is telescopically received in the outer cannula to hold each arm in the closed position. The inner member is deployable to disengage from the arm after the device is inserted into a patient, thereby freeing the arm to be deployed to the open position where it helps hold the outer cannula in the patient. The inner member includes an inner cannula and/or a trocar.

Abstract: A tube in a pumped fluid system can become obstructed by a clog. The clog is automatically cleared in response to an obstruction signal by modifying the pumping cycle which is normally used to pump the fluid. In particular, the pumping cycle is stopped after a compression stroke to apply sustained high pressure in the clogged tube, using the same fluid and the same pump, to expel the clog from the tube. The obstruction signal is derived by measuring pressure during a portion of the pumping cycle when elevated pressure due to viscosity effects have subsided. Therefore, if the pressure remains elevated, a determination of an obstructed state can reliably be made which may be caused by a clog.

Abstract: A medical pumping system has a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6), a readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) connected to the tubes and engaged with the pump, and means (22,24) such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The pumping system features a display and switch means (9, 10) on a front panel thereof, a pressure sensor (28), an optical fluid presence sensor (19), and a microprocessor (20) metering the volume of fluid pumped through said cassette (3), monitoring output signals from said sensors (18, 28), controlling the motor-driven piston in accordance with settings entered via said switch means (9,10), and directing output data to said display means (8). The microprocessor has a stored program for performing SET RATE, RUN, HOLD, VOLUME FED, and CLEAR VOLUME functions.

Abstract: A control dial features a disk-shaped handle with a diametrical pivot, permitting pivoting of the handle from a first orientation flush with the surface of the controlled device to a second position perpendicular to the surface of the controlled device. In the second position, rotation of the handle carries with it a generally hemispherical housing in which the hinge or pivot is mounted. The housing, in turn, is mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the surface of the controlled device, and is connected to a rotary switch which may be mounted on a printed circuit board fixed inside the controlled device.

Abstract: A readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) can be used in a medical pumping system having a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6) and means (22,24), such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The cassette features a hydraulically self-actuating inlet valve (44) communicating with the supply tube (2), a hydraulically self-actuating outlet check valve (42) communicating with, and preventing backflow from, the outlet tube (6), a hollow, resilient compressible member, such as a bellows (34), having an interior communicating with the inlet and outlet valves, and a support structure (30,36,38) securing together the tubes, valves and bellows in operating relation. Preferably, the inlet and outlet valves are a unitary element. An optical sensing system detects fluid exhaustion in the cassette. The cassette has an irregularly-shaped cap (38) which prevents incorrect insertion into a pump.

Abstract: A medical pumping system has a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6), a readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) connected to the tubes and engaged with the pump, and means (22,24) such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The pumping system features a display and switch means (9, 10) on a front panel thereof, a pressure sensor (28), an optical fluid presence sensor (19), and a microprocessor (20) metering the volume of fluid pumped through said cassette (3), monitoring output signals from said sensors (18, 28), controlling the motor-driven piston in accordance with settings entered via said switch means (9,10), and directing output data to said display means (8). The microprocessor has a stored program for performing SET RATE, RUN, HOLD, VOLUME FED, and CLEAR VOLUME functions.

Abstract: To separate electrolyte (70) within a chamber (66) formed beneath a dome-like housing (24) from a signal transmission connector (34) and thus prevent corrosion of the terminal portion (38, 40) exposed to the interior of the chamber by the electrolyte, the interior of the chamber (66) is subdivided into two chambers (166, 266) by enclosing within said chamber a plastic bag (101) or stretching a membrane (102) thereacross, the subdividing means (101, 102) being ruptured upon depression of the contact terminal (34) of the housing; the electrolyte is retained solely within the chamber (266, 266a) separate from the interior portion (38, 40) of the terminal so that the corrosive influence of the electrolyte is prevented from attacking the metal of the terminal prior to use of the electrode, and during storage.