Abstract: A balloon catheter method of providing same, wherein a balloon catheter defines one or more indentations which provide improved flexibility to at least a portion of the catheter shaft and/or improved folding and rewrapping characteristics to the balloon.

Abstract: A device for holding a trocar sleeve in its position of engagement in the body of a patient has clamping jaws which in the closed position define an opening and which can be placed about the outside of the trocar sleeve, and at least one hole via which the device can be fixed on the patient. The device is designed as a forceps with two forceps arms which at their area of intersection are connected to one another via a hinge and which at their distal ends in each case have at least one clamping jaw, a spring being arranged between the forceps arms, which spring is supported on the forceps arms via its long ends and forces the clamping jaws into the closed position.

Abstract: A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may include two or more sections that are connected via a fracturable or yielding bridge section that increases flexibility when passing through or being utilized in tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: A straightening tool for straightening an elongate angled member of an angled tissue cutting instrument in which the elongate angled member has a proximal length portion and an initial bend connecting the proximal length portion to a distal length portion extending from the bend to a distal end. The straightening tool comprises a positioning block attached to a handle, an unbending channel in the positioning block configured to effect straightening of the elongate angled member and a guide template corresponding to the unbending channel. The guide template comprises a guide slot having a longitudinal profile corresponding to the longitudinal profile of a forward aspect of the elongate angled member extending from the distal end proximally of the bend.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to endoscopic clips with multiple independently-controlled legs. The present invention also relates to a method for using a clip with multiple independently actuated legs. The clips and methods of the present invention may be used, for example and without limitation, for repairing tears and other defects endoscopically.

Abstract: A bifurcated vascular prosthesis implanted using a combined laparoscopic/open and endovascular technique for curing aneurysms of the abdominal aorta includes two stents on distal arms of the prosthesis. A delivery system and surgical kit for the release of the vascular prosthesis includes a pair of balloon release catheters, to be inserted within each corresponding stent and to remain adhering thereto throughout the time prior to release until reinflated with an inflating syringe, and a pair of balloon guide catheters, each including a dilator and a sheath. A method for implanting the prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus includes a housing that has a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral wall. The front wall has an aperture extending therethrough. A pair of spools is rotatably mounted in the housing. Biasing members rotationally bias the spools in opposite directions with respect to each other. A first tether is wound around a first of the spools and a second tether is wound around a second of the spools. The first and second tethers are wound about each other to form loops positioned adjacent to the apertures. The biasing members pull the tethers taut. A drive assembly mechanically coupled to the first and second spools selectively moves the first and second spools. The loops twist with respect to each other when the first and second spools are move in the first and second directions. The loops engage and remove hair attached to skin.

Abstract: A system suitable for collecting a body fluid, in particular blood from a body region of a person to be examined which comprises a lancing device which is suitable for holding a lancet, a lancet magazine for storing two or several lancets which has a transport device for the lancets and has an opening into which the lancing device can be inserted to remove a lancet from the lancet magazine, and two or several lancets, and which comprises a method for removing a lancet from a lancet magazine in which a lancet located in the lancet magazine is manually or automatically transported into a removal position in the interior of the lancet magazine, a lancing device is partially inserted into the opening provided in the lancet magazine in the process of which the lancing device automatically grips the lancet located in the removal position when it is partially inserted and the lancing device with the gripped lancet is removed from the lancet magazine.

Abstract: A vascular suturing device is disclosed which includes an elongated tubular body defining opposed proximal and distal end portions and having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the body including an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member and a central tubular member disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The inner tubular member and the central tubular member are mounted for movement relative to the outer tubular member about the longitudinal axis of the body for sequentially driving a pair of suture needles through the wall of a blood vessel to close an incision formed therein. A vascular dilator having a tapered distal tip portion is slidably supported within the inner tubular member and is dimensioned to extend beyond the distal end of the inner tubular member for positioning the suturing device at the incision in the wall of the blood vessel. The dilator is configured to move axially between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A method is described for performing protected angioplasty and stenting of a patient's carotid bifurcation. A self-expanding stent is deployed across a stenosis in the patient's carotid artery. A catheter system that includes a rapid exchange balloon angioplasty catheter with an occlusion balloon catheter positioned through the guidewire lumen is advanced through the guiding catheter and into the distal end of the stent. The occlusion balloon is inflated within the lumen of the stent to occlude the carotid artery and to prevent any embolic debris from traveling downstream from the treatment site. The angioplasty balloon is inflated to dilate the stenosis and to complete the expansion of the self-expanding stent. The angioplasty catheter is withdrawn and any potential embolic debris is aspirated out through the lumen of the guiding catheter. The occlusion balloon is deflated and the catheter system is withdrawn.