Abstract: A bone cement cannula, the cannula comprising: a tube including a section adapted for plastic deformation; and a lumen in the tube capable of resisting forces of a viscous material propelled therethough at a pressure of at least 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting a multi-contact medical electrode device with a plural-contact tail. Having a tail-receiving first elongate member with a tail-receiving void and a second elongate member. The second elongate member has a nesting surface and an array of electrical conductors which are spring-loaded pin plunger devices. The spring-loaded pin plunger devices having movable pins that project into and at least partially, preferably halfway, across and into the tail-receiving void. The device is configured such that the spring-loaded pin plunger devices extend at an angle substantially parallel to the movement of the tail-receiving void at the point the pin tips enter therein. The distal end of the second elongate member has an opening through which a multi-wire electrical cable extends. The second elongate member also has a channel in alignment with the opening that has therein the multiple wires of the electrical cable.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting a multi-contact medical electrode device with a plural-contact tail. Having a tail-receiving first elongate member with a tail-receiving void and a second elongate member. The second elongate member has a nesting surface and an array of electrical conductors which are spring-loaded pin plunger devices. The spring-loaded pin plunger devices having movable pins that project into and at least partially, preferably halfway, across and into the tail-receiving void. The device is configured such that the spring-loaded pin plunger devices extend at an angle substantially parallel to the movement of the tail-receiving void at the point the pin tips enter therein. The distal end of the second elongate member has an opening through which a multi-wire electrical cable extends. The second elongate member also has a channel in alignment with the opening that has therein the multiple wires of the electrical cable.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprising: a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.; b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well; and c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a cutting tool comprising an axial member with a proximal end and a distal end, the axial member characterized by at least two adjacent axial sections, wherein differences between each of the sections are visually discernible when viewed in a projection x-ray image; and (b) a hollow tube adapted for parallel alignment with the cutting tool and selectively axially positionable to be adjacent at least a selective one of said axial sections and block x-ray radiation from at least one of passing through or passing adjacent said selected section so that said projection indicates a relative axial position of said hollow tube and said cutting tool.

Abstract: An artificial disc device, comprising a plurality of interconnected elements, adapted to be assembled in situ.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided for intracranial treatment having outer and inner catheters. The outer catheter has a first lumen communicating between a first opening and at least one aperture and a second lumen in communication with a second opening. The first and second openings are distal to the proximal portion of the outer catheter. The inner catheter, preferably a micro-dialysis catheter, is sized to be received within the first lumen and includes at least one passageway in communication with at least one port for transfer of a fluid with a tissue region in the brain of the patient. The assembly preferably also includes a stylet sized to be received within the second lumen to provide rigidity to the outer catheter for its precise positioning within the brain. The outer catheter can include an element that is preferably a contact for monitoring brain activity. A method of transferring a fluid with a brain tissue region is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for connecting a secondary source of a medical gas to a control panel of a medical gas supply. The control panel is connected in the system fluidly between primary supply sources holding types of medical gas and gas outlets for the delivery of the respective types of medical gas to devices in a medical facility. For each gas type, the control panel houses a respective shut off valve. The shut-off valve may be closed to isolate the upstream source from the downstream components. A fitting is installed in place of an existing pressure gauge in the control panel. The fitting provides ports for at least one gas specific DISS coupler and further components such as a pressure gauge and transducers. The fitting has a configuration such that when installed, the fitting does not interfere with closing the cover to the control panel.

Abstract: An expandable spacer, comprising: an axial tube having a surface, a proximal end and a distal end and a length, wherein, said surface defines a plurality of slits, said plurality of slits defining at least two axially displaced extensions, such that when said tube is axially compressed, said extensions extend out of said surface and define a geometry of an expanded spacer. Preferably the spacer is adapted to be inserted between two spinal vertebrae of a human.

Abstract: A device for forming expansion regions in a bone, comprising, an elongate body having and axis and adapted to fit through a tunnel in a bone; and a head, provided on said body and having outer dimensions not substantially extending trans-axially to said body, wherein said head is rotatable and wherein said head is adapted to widen said tunnel in said bone by at least 10% in conjunction with said rotating.

Abstract: A cortical electrode support assembly is provided having at least one cortical sensing device, preferably an electrode device, a connector and a support apparatus. The cortical sensing device includes at least one sensing element, preferably a contact, and a lead with a connection member that is preferably a socket extending from the contact. The connector has a connecting element that is preferably a connecting pin adapted to receive the connection member and a electrical conduit extending from it. The support apparatus is provided with an adjustable clamp and a mount that has the connector secured to it. The electrical conduit preferably has an input jack for connecting it to an external device such as an external monitoring device. Preferably, the support apparatus also includes a post on which the mount is slidably secured at one end and the clamp is adjustably attached to the other end. A method of monitoring brain activity during brain surgery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A depth probe for intracranial treatment is provided having a body that includes a distal portion with one aperture and at least one element mounted upon the exterior surface, a lumen defined by the body that is accessed only through the aperture and an opening, and a proximal portion with at least one proximal-contact radially circumscribing the body. The proximal-contact is conductively connected with the element. The lumen is sized to receive coaxially an inner catheter adapted to transfer a fluid such as a drug with a tissue region within the patient's brain. The aperture is coaxial with the lumen and sized to allow the inner catheter to pass through it. The depth probe preferably includes an inflatable balloon secured upon its distal portion proximal to the element. The balloon is adapted to seal upon inflation the tract created by the probe when inserted into the brain.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for intracranial treatment of a patient is provided having both outer and inner catheters. The outer catheter has at least one element and defines a lumen in communication with at least one aperture and an opening. The inner catheter is sized to be received within the lumen and includes a passageway in communication with at least one port. The element can be in the form of a contact or sensor. The outer catheter can include an inflatable balloon distal to an element. The balloon is adapted to seal upon inflation the tract created by the outer catheter when inserted into the brain. The outer catheter may have a flexible channel extending outward from the body of the catheter that permits the inner catheter to be inserted into the body through the channel. The inner catheter is preferably configured for removable engagement to a tapered fitting on the outer catheter.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for intracranial treatment of a patient is disclosed. The assembly comprises outer and inner catheters. The outer catheter has an exterior surface, an inflatable balloon mounted upon the exterior surface, at least one element distal to the balloon, at least one aperture and a lumen. The inner catheter is sized to be received within the lumen and has a passageway extending between a proximal end and at least one port. The lumen is adapted to guide the inner catheter to the desired tissue region in the brain. Each element is adapted to monitor brain activity within the tissue region, to electronically stimulate the tissue region, or to provide information on a precise position of the element when the element is entirely within the brain. The elements are mounted proximal to the distal end of the outer catheter upon the exterior surface of its distal portion.

Abstract: A method for intracranial treatment of a patient is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of inserting into the brain an outer catheter having an exterior surface, an inflatable balloon mounted upon the exterior surface, at least one element distal to the balloon upon the exterior surface, at least one aperture and a lumen; inflating the balloon to seal a tract created during insertion; inserting an inner catheter into the lumen which has a passageway and at least one port, the outer catheter guiding the inner catheter to the desired tissue region; and transferring fluids between the proximal end of the inner catheter and the tissue region through the passageway. Each element is adapted for monitoring or electronically stimulating brain tissue or for allowing identification of the location of the element catheter within the brain. The method facilitates regular accurate placement of the drug delivery catheter at the tissue region without additional extended brain contact during insertion.

Abstract: A method of treating spinal stenosis, in which a rasp is brought through a part of a spinal channel and then axially moved so that the rasp removes a stenosis in the spinal channel. Optionally, a shield protects a spinal cord or other sensitive tissues in the spinal channel.

Abstract: A bone cement comprising an acrylic polymer mixture. The cement is characterized in that it achieves a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal-second within 180 seconds following initiation of mixing of a monomer component and a polymer component and characterized by sufficient biocompatibility to permit in-vivo use.

Abstract: A bone cement comprising a first component and a second component, wherein contacting the first component and the second component produces a mixture which attains a high viscosity an initial period and the viscosity of the mixture remains relatively stable for a working time of at least 5 minutes after the initial setting period, and the mixture is suitable for in-vivo use.

Abstract: A manifold system is provided herein. The manifold is operative to automatically switch between an In-Use supply of compressed gas to a Reserve supply of compressed gas. The manifold system is constructed so that after it has been installed, it may be converted for use in other applications such as between compressed gas cylinders and portable bulk liquefied gas. The system may include low wattage electric heater which are mechanically held in direct contact with the valve seat body housing of the primary regulators. The direct contact of the heaters with the valve seat is operative to prevent the primary regulator valve seat from freezing up. The manifold system may include transducers at a plurality of points in the system. A processor is operative to control one or more solenoids to switch supplies of compressed gas and to trigger alarms responsive to the outputs of the transducers.

Abstract: A multiple-use connection system includes an elongate body having an axial tail-receiving passage and having lengthwise sides, and at least two essentially parallel rows of axially-spaced pin receptacles transverse to the tail-receiving passage, the pin receptacles of one of the parallel rows being exposed along one of the lengthwise sides. A patchbay for selectively connecting pairs of connector pins with ones of a plurality of tail conductors includes an insulating body having an axial passageway adapted for receiving a tail and having pairs of aligned pin receptacles, the pairs of pin receptacles being axially spaced from one another, one pin receptacle of each of the pairs of pin receptacles having an exposed portion adapted for being directly probed, where selective placement of pairs of aligned pins into the insulating body effects electrical connection of a pair of pins to a selected one of the tail conductors.