Abstract: An orthopaedic device for repairing and regenerating cartilage includes a plug configured to be positioned in a hole formed in the cartilage and an anchor configured to support the plug. One or both of the plug and the anchor may be formed from naturally occurring extracellular matrix such as small intestine submucosa. A method for repairing and regenerating cartilage is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implant for use in fusing adjacent bony structures. The implant comprises a plurality of pieces of bone and a flexible mechanism including one or more flexible, elongate, biocompatible connectors interconnecting the pieces of bone.

Abstract: A stent may be formed of at least one structural material having a pattern including at least one serpentine structure, which extends about the longitudinal axis of the stent. The structure is formed of a plurality of struts. Adjacent struts are interconnected by end portions having inner turns and outer turns. At least some of the end portions are elongated and other end portions are non-elongated and have a predetermined length. At least one of said elongated end portions is configured to serve as a fiducial marker.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a securement member to improve securement of a stent upon an expandable balloon and delivery catheter, and to constrain portions of the stent before and during stent deployment. Generally, the securement member comprises a securement connector arranged to engage a catheter, at least one flexible connecting member coupled to the securement connector, and a locking member arranged to engage a portion of a stent.

Abstract: A canister rack system for a microdermabrasion machine has a base with bores. The base has conduits for crystal passage through the canister rack. The canisters are mountable upon the canister rack and include supply and storage canisters. The supply canister has a feeding conduit for the exit of crystal from the supply canister and the storage canister has a return conduit and a filtered conduit. The canister rack bores are formed at the base so that the conduits from the storage canister and supply canister meet with their respective conduits to form an airtight seal. A Horizontal locking pin protrudes from each canister and locks into a pair of horizontal slots formed in the canister rack. A vertical locking pin protrudes from the base of the canister rack and locks into a slot formed in each canister. A latch attaches each canister to the canister rack.

Abstract: A vertebral disk prosthesis with at least one member that has lateral portions coupled to each other and structured to move between contracted and expanded positions. In the contracted position, the member has a first lateral width and the end surface is narrower than the lateral width of a vertebral body of a patient. In the expanded position, the lateral portions are disposed such that the member has a second lateral width that is larger than the first lateral width and the axial end surface is configured for supporting and abutting the periphery of the body at least on both the lateral sides thereof. An expansion member is disposed between the lateral portions and configured for moving the lateral portions to the expanded position. The prosthesis is preferably also axially expandable. A method and tool for inserting the intervertebral disk prostheses are also provided.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expanding stent includes a catheter having a distal end and being configured to retain a self-expanding stent proximate the distal end. The delivery system also includes an inflatable device provided on the catheter and positioned proximate the distal end. The inflatable device, typically a balloon, is configured to selectively assist the self-expanding stent with radially expansion. The catheter includes a tubular member and an outer member coaxially positioned about the tubular member. The outer member can slide relative to the tubular member in an axial direction. The outer member is configured to retain a self-expanding stent in a radially-compressed position and to release the self-expanding stent to a radially-expanded position. The delivery system may also include a holding sleeve provided on the tubular member, spaced from the distal end of the catheter, and configured to hold the self-expanding stent.

Abstract: A disposable guarded surgical scalpel includes a handle with a blade fixed to it and a slidably mounted guard. The guard can be moved using a single hand. When the scalpel is in use the guard is moved to a retracted position where the blade is exposed; the guard locks in this position to prevent any unintentional movement. When the scalpel is not in use, the guard is moved to an extended position where the blade is covered. When the scalpel has been used on a patient the guard is moved to a disposal position beyond the extended position thus exposing a visual indicia on the handle that indicates that the scalpel should not be reused. The guard also has grooves on the outer surface so as to provide better grip to a surgeon during operation.

Abstract: A hair implantation instrument herein employs a simple means for capturing a hair graft in a needle in a position for implantation into a scalp and an escapement mechanism for withdrawing the needle in a manner to leave the graft in the scalp. The needle is moved with respect to a rod which positions an implanted graft properly when the needle is withdrawn. The apparatus also defines a sheath over the needle for properly positioning a graft during a graft capture operation. The escapement mechanism is vacuum controlled in one embodiment and spring controlled in a second embodiment.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument and method is provided for transecting an organ. The electrosurgical instrument includes an introducer having a channel therein, and a conductive wire positioned in and deployable from the channel. A deployment device on the introducer is capable of moving the conductive wire between an undeployed position wherein it is substantially positioned within the channel, and a deployed position wherein a portion is deployed from and positioned outside of the channel and has a substantially looped configuration. A capture element at the distal end of the introducer can secure the distal end of the wire to the introducer, and the deployment device can subsequently move the wire toward the undeployed position to thereby cinch the conductive wire.

Abstract: Polymeric fibers were microbraided around a mandrel to make a tubular guide tube for nerve regeneration. The polymer used for the fibers was one of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (10:90 PLGA) and chitosan. These polymers are biodegradable and biocompatible. The tubes were studied for their surface morphology and swelling behavior. Biological performance of the tubes was examined in the rat sciatic nerve model with a 12 mm gap. One month after implantation nine out of ten rats showed successful nerve regeneration. Morphometric analysis of regenerated nerves confirmed the quality of the regeneration compatible with those offered by other types of biodegradable nerve guide tubes. The tubes were flexible, permeable and showed no swelling.

Abstract: An artificial urinary diversion device containing a urinary bladder is provided including first, second and third portions having respective cross-sectional surfaces such that the second portion is disposed between the first and third portions, and the first and second cross-sectional surfaces are smaller than the third cross-sectional surfaces, and a dislocator for sensing or controlling the artificial urinary diversion device.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of serpentine circumferential bands, and a plurality of connector columns. Each connector column is located between two adjacent circumferential bands and comprises one or more connector struts. Each connector strut is connected at one end to one serpentine circumferential band and at another end to another serpentine circumferential band. The number of connectors per connector column decreases from the first free end of the stent to the second free end of the stent.

Abstract: Lancet device that includes a body. A trigger is mounted to the body. A front cover has a skin engaging end that includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member is movably mounted within the body and includes a front end a rear end. The front end can be configured to receive a lancet. A stop surface moves with the holding member. A cam wheel includes cam surfaces which can be contacted by the stop surface. The cam wheel is configured to rotate at least partially. The cam wheel rotates about an axis that is parallel to an axis running through at least one of the lancet opening and the holding member.

Abstract: An adjustable nasal dilation device including a first deformable body having one or more ribs able to engage opposing internal sides of a nasal cavity wall when in position and an adjustment member which expands the first deformable body to enlarge the nasal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable prosthesis and more specifically, an implantable tubular textile prosthesis comprising a biocompatible fabric having inner and outer surfaces and first and second ends; the fabric having a textile construction comprising cold drawn PTFE yarns having a substantially uniform denier and high molecular orientation. Use of cold drawn PTFE yarns result in implantable prostheses that have excellent abrasion resistance, strength and lubricity properties. Useful textile constructions include weaves, knits, braids, filament windings, spun windings and combinations thereof. The prostheses of the present invention are lubricious and have characteristics that closely resemble the properties of a natural body lumen.

Abstract: A device for treating spasmodic dysphonia (SD) and a surgical method of treating SD with use of the same are disclosed. The cause for SD is an excessively tight closure of the glottis. The device of the present invention is useful one for the surgery of thyroplasty type II which aims at widening the glottis. Use of the device may make the surgery easier, simpler, and shorter in time required.

Abstract: An appliance 10 for large saphenous vein varix treatment comprises a stainless steel guide wire 1 provided on a distal end with a guide portion 11 and on a proximal end with a coupled portion 12, an absorption thread 2 connected to the proximal end coupled portion 12 of the guide wire 1, a transparent flexible bag 3 for containing the absorption thread 2, and a sterilization holding case 4 for containing the guide wire 1 and the transparent flexible bag 3 in a sterilized condition. Upon use, the sterilization holding case 4 is opened, a vein sclerosing agent is injected into the transparent flexible bag 3, and the vein sclerosing agent is impregnated into the absorption thread 2.

Abstract: A removable cartridge is provided for use with a microdermabrasion unit. According to some embodiments, the cartridge includes a crystal source portion and a crystal waste portion. Moreover, the removable cartridge is adapted to receive a transfer apparatus from a microdermabrasion unit, the transfer apparatus being adapted to transfer crystals from the removable cartridge to the microdermabrasion unit. In other embodiments, the removable cartridge includes (i) a crystal source portion, (ii) a crystal waste portion, and (iii) a re-sealable portion adapted to prevent crystals from leaving the removable cartridge when a transfer apparatus is not present.

Abstract: An expansible and retractable mechanism of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,175 and/or a medical grasper of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,622 in which (1) the fixed flexure elements are self-biased to move into the expanded condition thereof. A handpiece for the medical grasper is constructed and arranged so that after a stone has been grasped, a further digital pull on the movable handpiece structure effects the application of a limiting resiliently yielding force to the gripping action.