Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member each having a respective lumen. The inner member is at least partially disposed in the outer member lumen such that an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer member together define an annular inflation lumen. The outer member has micropores or micro-holes configured such that when a contrast agent is injected into the inflation lumen, the micropores or micro-holes allow air to pass therethrough and thereafter become clogged by the contrast agent. The catheter also has a balloon member having its ends secured to and circumferentially around the outer member such that an inner surface of the balloon member and the outer surface of the outer member define an inflatable balloon interior.

Abstract: The invention comprises a fusion implant system for a generally u-shaped bone staple in which the staple is provided on a storage block with the two side legs in an un-splayed position, and an inserter having two triangular shaped pivoting handles has detachable tips that engage the staple on the storage block such that when the handles are aligned one over the other in a congruent position, the tips force the side legs into a splayed configuration at 90° and a sliding block holds the handles in this position to allow the staple to removed from the storage block and tamped using the inserter handles into respective bone.

Abstract: A collapsible detection antenna to detect electromagnetic tags of surgical articles in an operating room includes an antenna assembly configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus supports a patient for movement assisted by first and second caregivers and includes a litter. The litter includes a patient support deck extending between first and second ends and defines at least one cavity. First and second evacuation interfaces are coupled to the litter. The first and second evacuation interfaces pivot between first and second unfolded positions and first and second upright positions, respectively, and move between first and second lengthened positions and first and second shortened positions, respectively. The first and second evacuation interfaces are disposed in the cavity when the first and second evacuation interfaces are in the first and second unfolded positions and the first and second shortened positions, respectively, and configured to be grasped and lifted by the first and second caregivers when the first and second evacuation interfaces are in the first and second upright positions, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are matrix materials, methods, and devices for manufacture in vivo of autogenous replacement body parts comprising plural distinct tissues. In one embodiment, the replacement body part is a skeletal joint and the new plural distinct tissues include bone and articular cartilage.