Abstract: A surgical instrument including one or both of a shield on a distal end portion of a shaft and a counterweight in a handle for enhanced functionality, efficiency and/or efficacy. The shield covers portions of a linkage that extend beyond outer dimensions of the shaft during operation of the instrument. The counterweight is proximal to a hand grip and configured to locate a center of gravity of the instrument within the hand grip. The instrument may be configured as a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) and/or minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) device.

Abstract: A retractor in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprises a retractor element and a retractor arm releasably connectable to the retractor element. A first connector structure on the retractor arm includes a first end portion having a first edge, a first pin slot extending into the first end portion from the first edge, and a first lock well in the first pin slot. A second connector structure on the element includes an end portion having an aperture, the end portion configured to receive the first connector structure at a connected position with the aperture aligned with the first lock well of the first connector structure. The lock includes a first cam and is rotatable between a release position and a lock position.

Abstract: A retractor in accordance with embodiments of the invention includes an adapter and an arm that can be releasably connected to the adapter. An end portion of the arm includes first and second legs and a lock well between the legs. The adapter includes a tubular channel having side walls configured to receive the end portion of the arm, and a lock having a cam in the channel that is rotatable between a release position and a lock position. The lock is configured such that (1) when the lock is in the release position the end portion of the arm can be inserted into the channel and removed from the channel with the cam passing to and from the lock well between the legs, and (2) when the lock is in the lock position the cam is in the lock well and engages the legs to urge the legs into engagement with the side walls of the channel.

Abstract: An information holder for holding informational documents used to track and identify medical instruments can be releasably attached to a sterilization container or tray. The information holder includes an autoclavable material pouch and a releasable attachment structure coupled to the pouch for securing the information holder to sterilization container or tray. The attachment structure can include adhesive or a handle-engaging member. The information holder can be removed from the container or tray after sterilization without breaching the sterilization of the contents contained within sterilization container or tray. The information holder can be re-attached to the same or a different container.

Abstract: Color coding tape having one or more RFID tags are attached to surgical instruments or other medical devices. Information relating to the medical devices can be written to and/or read from the RFID tags. The medical devices can be usually identified by the color coding tape.

Abstract: A hand-operated surgical instrument with sequentially engaged tip closing guides. The instrument includes first and second arms having tips that close during a closure operation. A slotted tip closure guide on the arms engages first during the closure operation. A pin closure guide on the arms between the slotted closure guide and the tips engages during the closure operation after the engagement of the slotted closure guide. The sequential engagement of the guides provides precise approximation of the instrument tips and prevents “scissoring” of the tips.

Abstract: Color coding tape having one or more RFID tags are attached to surgical instruments or other medical devices. Information relating to the medical devices can be written to and/or read from the RFID tags. The medical devices can be usually identified by the color coding tape.

Abstract: An arteriotomy scissors for a surgical system including a sleeve, a fixed blade fixedly mounted to a distal end of the sleeve, a movable blade pivotally mounted to the fixed blade and the distal end of the sleeve, and an actuation rod extending through the sleeve. The movable blade is mounted to a distal end of the actuation rod. The actuation rod is driven in a reciprocal manner within the sleeve to drive the movable blade between a fully open cutting position and a fully closed cutting position with respect to the fixed blade.

Abstract: A radiopaque marked vascular clamp comprises a vascular clamp with a radiopaque string attached thereto. The clamp is a cross-action spring clamp constructed as a single-piece body. The clamp has first and second opposing elongated members. Each member has a proximal end, a mid-point and a distal end. Each member has a first section between its proximal end and a point just proximal of its mid-point, and a second section between a point just proximal of its mid-point and its distal end. The members are hinged to each other at their proximal ends. The first section of each member curves away from its opposing member along the first section, so that the proximal ends are relatively closer to each other and the points just proximal of the mid-points are relatively farther away from each other. The first and second members cross over each other at their mid-points.

Abstract: A cutting tool is described for cutting an encircling band of identification tape from a surgical instrument handle. The tool housing has an elongated guide slot with a cutting blade mounted in the housing on a circumference of the guide slot exposed distally at a distal end of the tool. The channel slot has a circumference to accommodate surgical instrument handles having an arcuate cross-sectional segment having a radius which is equal to or less that the radius of the channel slot circumference. The cutting blade is positioned to be tangent to the surgical instrument handle operatively nested within the guide slot. The blade is also positioned to define a chord of the encircling tape band around the instrument handle nested within the guide slot. In use, the blade cuttingly engages the tape band as the tool is slid along the surgical instrument handle toward the edge of the tape band. The blade cuts a full width of the tape band, exposing a fresh margin of tape to allow complete removal.

Abstract: An arterial cuff graft eversion instrument including a handle with a longitudinally straight wire extending distally from the handle distal end. The wire terminates at its distal end in a "pig-tail" loop of a circular configuration. The open "pig-tail" loop allows arterial cuff graft eversion without the need of suturing the end of the graft to the instrument prior to the eversion procedure.

Abstract: A punch for opening passages between two compartments comprises an outer hollow tube and an inner needle tube. The outer hollow tube has a sharp distal edge constituting a circular knife. The needle tube is provided with screw actuating member at a proximal end thereof and a bevelled tip at a distal end thereof. A screw mechanism is located upon a distal end of the needle tube, and the screw mechanism is connected to a cutting disc. The mechanism is screw-actuated by the actuating member. The punch is particularly suitable in cardiac surgery and cardiology as a cardiac catheter and in opening the inter-atrial septum of babies.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus (10) for applying a circumferential pressure to an extremity to control blood flow to a distal portion of the extremity. One embodiment (10) of the apparatus of the present invention includes an inflation device (12), an inflatable cuff (14) and a tube (16) interconnecting the inflation device (12) and the inflatable cuff (14). The inflation device (12) preferably includes a syringe pump (18) and a spring unit (20). The spring unit (20) includes a compression spring (36) which resiliently applies a force to the plunger (24) of the syringe pump (18), thereby applying a continuous pressure to the fluid within the syringe cylinder (22). The cuff (14) is thereby supplied with a controlled pressure to control the blood flow through the encircled portion of the extremity.