Abstract: An elongate medical instrument has an operative tip that is translatable and rotatable. A Translation and rotation are effectuated by the same elongate shifter member. The shifter member rotates together with a tubular catheter member about a longitudinal axis of the instrument. The simultaneous rotation enables the user to rotate a rotation control member on a handle assembly so that the operative tip rotates through the same angle as the control member. Where an electrical current is conducted to the operative tip for cauterization purposes, a rotary joint is provided with conductive capability.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor instrument has (a) a plurality of parts movably connected to one another, (b) componentry for mounting the parts in a collapsed or reduced-size configuration to a flexible and steerable insertion member of an endoscope, and (c) one or more actuation elements operatively connected to the parts for enabling a movement of the parts relative to one another so that the parts assume an enlarged or expanded configuration for spreading internal tissues of a patient. The movable parts of the retractor instrument may be inflatable balloon parts enabling insertion of the retractor in a substantially collapsed configuration and a later expansion at the site of interest.

Abstract: An endoscopic staple and related stapling device that can be used in conjunction with flexible or rigid endoscopy. The staple can also be used for other surgical procedures. The invention relates to performing a stapling operation on internal body tissues as part of a surgical procedure, diagnostic procedure or therapeutic procedure. This invention includes a surgical staple, an associated staple holder, and an associated staple delivery and deployment device. The staple holder and delivery system have a design iteration whereby the holder can be reloaded with additional staples to be used on the same patient. There is another design iteration whereby the staple holder and stapler are reusable after appropriate cleaning and sterilization.

Abstract: A medical instrument for fluid injection includes a tubular member and a plurality of hollow needle elements connected to one end of the tubular member. Generally, the tubular member has a lumen and all the needle elements communicate with the lumen to enable a distribution of a diagnostic or therapeutic fluid to various points in a predetermined region. The tubular member is provided with a fluid introduction port at an end of the tubular member opposite the needle elements, the fluid introduction port communicating with the lumen. The needle elements are disposed in a predetermined configuration adapted to carry out a desired function. The needle elements are at least partially made of resilient material with a memory so that the needle elements are biased by their internal stresses towards a predetermined rest configuration and are alternately disposable in the rest configuration and at least one stressed or loaded configuration.

Abstract: An endoscope sheath includes a web member disposable in a tubular configuration in engagement with an endoscope insertion member, the member being provided with a tear string in the form of a tensile member. The tear string preferably extends longitudinally along the web member. In addition, the tear string preferably extends from one end of the web member to an opposite end thereof and is disposed along a weakened area of the web member. The web member is provided in a plurality of regions with a layer of adhesive material. The adhesive material of at least one of the regions is permanent adhesive, whereas the adhesive material of at least another of the regions forms a separable bond. These regions extend along opposing longitudinal edges of the web member.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor instrument assembly includes a balloon having a pair of expandable or inflatable end portions and at least one expandable or inflatable spacer portion connecting the end portions to one another. A fastener is provided for securing the balloon to a distal end of an endoscopic insertion member, with the balloon being disposed in a collapsed configuration along an outer surface of the endoscopic insertion member. An inflation element is operatively coupled with the balloon for enabling an inflating of the balloon from the collapsed configuration to an expanded use configuration in which the spacer portion pushes the end portions apart from one another and in which the balloon extends at least partially in a distal direction away from the distal end of the endoscopic insertion member for spreading internal tissues of a patient to facilitate access to the tissues via the endoscopic insertion member.

Abstract: A method of breast reconstruction utilizes a breast prosthesis having a plurality of chambers or compartments distributed through a body member or shell in the form of a breast. The chambers are disposed along the superior, lateral and inferior surfaces, as well as in the interior, of the body member. The chambers are differentially pressurized or filled in order to control the shape of the prosthesis upon implantation thereof. Valves are provided for regulating the flow of fluid into and from the chambers. The prosthesis and the fill levels of the respective chambers may be selected by computer.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor is an elongate balloon having an expanded configuration having two end portions and a plurality of struts or spacer members extending between the end portions. The retractor balloon is a single tubular preform bent during manufacture to form the expanded configuration. Thus, the struts or spacer members are integral with both end portions and define therewith a single flow path for inflation or pressurization fluid.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor instrument has (a) a plurality of parts movably connected to one another, (b) componentry for mounting the parts in a collapsed or reduced-size configuration to a flexible and steerable insertion member of an endoscope, and (c) one or more actuation elements operatively connected to the parts for enabling a movement of the parts relative to one another so that the parts assume an enlarged or expanded configuration for spreading internal tissues of a patient. The movable parts of the retractor instrument may be inflatable balloon parts enabling insertion of the retractor in a substantially collapsed configuration and a later expansion at the site of interest.

Abstract: A method of breasts reconstruction utilizes a breast prosthesis having a plurality of chambers or compartments distributed through a body member or shell in the form of a breast. The chambers are disposed along the superior, lateral and inferior surfaces, as well as in the interior, of the body member. The chambers are differentially pressurized or filled in order to control the shape of the prosthesis upon implantation thereof. Valves are provided for regulating the flow of fluid into and from the chambers. The prosthesis and the fill levels of the respective chambers may be selected by computer.

Abstract: A surgical clamping device comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, with a self-locking surgical fastener mountable thereon. The jaws have at least a first closing configuration and a second closing configuration, the first closing configuration designed to reduce a lateral dimension of a clamping device with mounted fastener, without thereby engaging locking devices on the selflocking surgical fastener, the second closing configuration designed to cause an engagement of the self-locking devices, thereby allowing a demounting of the fastener and a permanent disposition thereof in tissue. In a first closing configuration an approximation of the jaws in a transverse plane thereof is accompanied by an out-of-plane movement, comprising translation, or rotation about an axis in the plane, the rotation in turn comprising twisting—rotation about an axis essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the jaws, or skewing—rotation about an axis essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the jaws.