Abstract: An improved railroad frog, and method incorporating the same, for facilitating the intersection of rail lines in a more efficient, effective, and durable manner. In one aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; and at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of the running rail. In another aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus having at least one flangeway having a floor with a convex surface formed of at least one arc. Such geometric surface shape of the floor reduces rail batter, undesirable vibration, and damage to train wheels.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a flexible distal portion for obtaining a biopsy sample from a biopsy site. The device includes a coring cannula with a wall defined between a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween. The wall of the cannula defines a coring relief notch adjacent the distal end has a length along a longitudinal axis of the cannula longer than a diameter of the coring cannula. A wire is slidably disposable within the lumen of the coring cannula and has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a sampling cavity adjacent the distal end. A wire relief notch is positioned adjacent the sampling cavity. The wire relief notch has a length along a longitudinal axis of the wire longer than a width of the wire relief notch.

Abstract: Bone marrow biopsy devices, assemblies and methods are provided for extracting bone marrow tissue samples. The assemblies include an outer cannula or biopsy needle and a biopsy extractor sized for insertion into the proximal end of the outer cannula. The biopsy needle includes a tapered portion at the distal end. The extractor includes a cannula and a distal working end. The distal working end has a diameter larger than the diameter of the tapered portion of the biopsy needle lumen. The working end includes a body portion adjacent the cannula and a cutting head having a cutting tip. A hinge is engaged between the body portion and the cutting tip. The hinge allows the cutting head to bend when pushed into the tapered distal end of the outer cannula allowing the cutting tip to sever the tissue sample.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the stopping position of a surgical cutting tool relative to a tissue entrance location of a cannula housing the cutting tool. A signal processor is responsive to a motor activation signal to provide a motor activation signal to a motor control unit for driving a motor, which activates the cutting tool positioned in a cannula. The signal processor is responsive to a motor stop signal and to a stop position signal to stop the cutting tool relative to the tissue entrance location of the cannula to thereby avoid trapping a portion of the tissue base between the cutting tool and a boundary of the cannula opening.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the stopping position of a surgical cutting tool relative to a tissue entrance location of a cannula housing the cutting tool. A signal processor is responsive to a motor activation signal to provide a motor activation signal to a motor control unit for driving a motor, which activates the cutting tool positioned in a cannula. The signal processor is responsive to a motor stop signal and to a stop position signal to stop the cutting tool relative to the tissue entrance location of the cannula to thereby avoid trapping a portion of the tissue base between the cutting tool and a boundary of the cannula opening.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the stopping position of a surgical cutting tool relative to a tissue entrance location of a cannula housing the cutting tool. A signal processor is responsive to a motor activation signal to provide a motor activation signal to a motor control unit for driving a motor, which activates the cutting tool positioned in a cannula. The signal processor is responsive to a motor stop signal and to a stop position signal to stop the cutting tool relative to the tissue entrance location of the cannula to thereby avoid trapping a portion of the tissue base between the cutting tool and a boundary of the cannula opening.

Abstract: An introducer guide 15 for introducing medical items into an internal tissue of a patient is provided. The guide 15 includes a cannula 20 defining a lumen sized to receive the item and a lateral opening 24. A ramp is disposed within the lumen adjacent and inclined toward the lateral opening 24. A hub 40′ is attached to the second end 22 of the cannula 20. The hub 40′ includes a gripping portion 41′ configured to be held when inserting and positioning the introducer 15. The gripping portion 41′ has a length lgp sufficient for gripping and a tactile indicator 44 disposed along substantially the entire length lgp of the gripping portion 41 on the hub 40′. The indicator 44 has a fixed angular relationship with the lateral opening 24. The invention also includes methods for obtaining a biopsy sample and methods for treating lesions.

Abstract: A medical device for surgical procedures is provided which includes an instrument having a working end defined by a portion of the instrument that can be visualized in a surgical field during a micro-invasive or minimally invasive surgical procedure. The working end includes a tissue manipulating element and a non-reflective outer surface, which covers the working end in its entirety so that the outer surface is free from glare points. The outer surface of the working end is preferably electrochemically etched to form a darkened metal oxide composition surface. The invention also includes micro-invasive surgical assemblies, which include a light source for illuminating the surgical field and visualization means as well as an instrument with a non-reflective working end. Processes for providing a surgical article with a non-reflective surface are also provided. The processes include placing an electrode adjacent the working end of the article and maintaining a gap between the article and the electrode.

Abstract: A tissue collecting and staging apparatus is operable with a minimally invasive percutaneous tissue removal system to collect a mass of tissue bits and provide an ordered, or staged, version of the bulk tissue prior to removal. The apparatus includes a chamber under vacuum and at least one tube having a first end extending into the chamber for receiving tissue bits therein. A tissue collection container is slidably disposed over the first tube end and extends along a portion of the tube within the chamber. As tissue bits are dispensed from the tube into the tissue collection container, the vacuum draws the container away from the first tube end to maintain vacuum within the tube. The resulting collected tissue mass is a staged reconstruction of the bulk tissue prior to removal to facilitate analysis of the tissue by a pathologist.

Abstract: A rotary surgical cutting instrument for use in cutting tissue within an anatomical space includes an outer cannula sized for percutaneous insertion into the anatomical space. The outer cannula defines a central bore along the length of the outer cannula and a cutting opening adjacent the distal end sized to receive tissue therethrough. A rotatably driven tubular cutting member is disposed within the central bore of the outer cannula, with a cutting edge rotating beneath the cutting opening of the cannula. The cutting edge extends at least substantially completely circumferentially around the tubular cutting head and circumscribes an angle relative to longitudinal and radial planes defined by the outer cannula. The cutting member can include a tubular cutting head and body portion that are connected by a hinge to permit pivoting of the cutting head relative to the body.