Abstract: A spinal implant tool comprises a steel shaft bifurcated into shaft portions at one end at which a pair of extensions extend from the bifurcated shaft portions. The extensions are flat members which extend from an implant impact element at the end of each of the shaft portions. A spinal bone implant is inserted between the extensions. A shaft portion displacement member has a stud threaded to one of the shaft portions and a knob head for capturing the other shaft portion to the member threaded stud. When the knob is rotated the shaft members are moved apart or closer together. A stop member limits the spread apart distance of the shaft portions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deploying a medical device in a vessel. The apparatus includes a cannula and a medical device, for example a blood filter. The cannula has a lumen that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and a port on the outer surface of the cannula. The port has a passage extending distally. In use, the distal end of the cannula is inserted into a vessel. The medical device is inserted into the port. The medical device is advanced through the passage into the blood vessel. The medical device is deployed within the vessel. Finally, the medical device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A method for delivering an anchor member into biological tissue comprising: accessing and preparing an insertion site for the anchor member; holding the anchor member at a distal end of an insertion tool; providing the anchor member to the site with the insertion tool; causing a rotational movement of the anchor member about a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tool whereby the anchor member engages the tissue at the site by moving about the first axis from a first position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to a second position at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and withdrawing the insertion tool from the site, leaving the anchor member secured at the site.

Abstract: There are two methods for securing the ultra-thin distal sheath section over the distal tip. A preferred method is to employ another thin tube shrunk down over the distal end of the ultra-thin distal sheath. It is also envisioned that simply shrinking the ultra-thin distal sheath section down on the tapered section of the distal tip will hold it securely. A monorail (rapid exchange) version of this stent delivery system is also envisioned. A second version of the present invention includes an unsheathed primary stenting system which uses radiopaque elastic bands mounted over the ends of the balloon just proximal and just distal to the stent to provide the lowest possible profile for a primary stent delivery system without the risk of stent embolization.

Abstract: A magnetically navigable atherectomy device includes a cutting head, a flexible drive shaft having a proximal and a distal end, with the cutting device on the distal end, and a magnet associated with the cutting head, the magnet of sufficient size to allow the cutting head to be oriented by an externally applied magnetic field. The magnet may be a portion of the cutting head made from a magnetically permeable or permanent magnetic material, a portion of the drive shaft made from a magnetically permeable or permanent magnetic material; a separate magnet between the cutting head and the drive shaft, a portion a magnet on a sheath covering the drive shaft. Alternatively a guide wire can provided with a magnetic material on its distal end. Through the application of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic gradient, the artherectomy device can be guided to the location of the atheromatous material in the body.

Abstract: A hydraulically expandable medical device for insertion into an obstruction in a blood vessel, comprising a hydraulically expandable tube having a clover leaf shape in its relaxed, deflated, position; and longitudinal ridges attached to the expandable tube and harbored in the clover leaf shape, the expandable tube adapted to be inflated and expanded with fluid, thereby pushing the elongated ridges outwardly into the obstruction material.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining positions of bones fixed or approximated relative to each other is provided that is ideal for minimizing interference with surrounding viscera in spinal column procedures, although other good application therefor are also disclosed. In the preferred form, a cable anchoring apparatus in the form of a screw member having an elongate shank that is threaded for substantially the full length thereof is employed. An internal driver surface is provided so that the size of the proximate end of the shank can be minimized or maintained consistently sized with respect to the reminder of the shank with no enlarged driver head formed thereat. This allows the amount of bone material that is removed from full insertion of the screw anchor to be minimized, i.e. no countersinking for an enlarged driver head is necessary, thus improving holding power of the cable anchor herein.

Abstract: A puncture cannula, particularly for nerve stimulation, comprises a steel cannula (10) attached to a cannula hub (11), and a cable (19) extending through an insertion channel (18) and having its core (21) connected to the steel cannula (10). The hub (11) of the cannula (10) comprises a metallic clamping element (24) formed with a first clamping slot engaging the steel cannula (10) and with a second clamping slot engaging the core (21) of the cable (19).

Abstract: A high efficiency ultrasonic surgical aspiration tip apparatus and accompanying method for surgical use. The apparatus has one or more substantially “V” or “U” shaped cuts in a contacting. The apparatus and method of use provides a cutting action at the contacting end when the tip is ultrasonically excited. The apparatus and method of use further provides a substantially uniform ultrasonic and aspiration field due to the positioning and shape of the substantially “V” or “U” shaped cuts. The aforesaid further allows a surgeon to position the ultrasonic generator handpiece at any rotational angle for provision of the benefits cited.

Abstract: A vascular clip includes a peripheral body defining a plane, and tines extending from the body transversely with respect to the plane, the tines biased towards a planar configuration. The clip includes expandable elements disposed along its periphery that are biased to expand from compressed to expanded states for increasing a diameter of the clip upon deployment. The clip is provided within a housing slidably mounted on an introducer sheath. The sheath is introduced through a puncture into a blood vessel, and after a procedure is performed via the sheath, the housing is advanced into the puncture and the clip deployed until the tines engage tissue adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The sheath is withdrawn from the patient, leaving the clip in place. The tines at least partially move towards the planar configuration to pull the engaged tissue together and close the opening.

Abstract: A retaining device for axially restraining a sheath connected to a housing and a dilator connected to a hub includes a generally C-shaped clip having spaced apart circumferential ends defining a clearance opening that opens into the clip interior to permit the clip to be mounted on the hub and an enlarged part of the housing. The interior of the clip has first and second inwardly directed ridges located at opposite axial portions of the curved inner circumferential surface for overlapping portions of oppositely facing end surfaces of the hub and the enlarged part of the housing. The clip also includes one or more laterally outwardly extending finger engaging tabs to facilitate removal of the clip, and one or more circumferentially extending through slot communicating the inner surface of the clip with an outer surface of the clip to permit flexing of the clip during removal of the clip.

Abstract: A blood sampling device has a lancet (2) captive within a housing (1), to be released from a rearward primed position by pressing a trigger (18) on the side of the housing. A spring (3) shoots the lancet (2) forwards, momentarily to project its tip. The lancet (2) is initially held by a hooked tongue (25, 28) that latches behind a transverse web (10, 11) within the housing, the trigger action dislodging that engagement. The tongue (25) either springs back after release and so will abut the trigger (18) or the front of the web (10) if pushed back in an attempt to re-latch, or it will stay permanently deformed and thus be unable to re-engage the web (10). Alternatively, the trigger (18) may slice off the hook (28), making re-use impossible.

Abstract: A replaceable pad or insert for attachment to the jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device. The insert includes a compliant cushion and a flexible non-compliant surface overlay secured to the cushion surface. The overlay can be metal or plastic and can further include notches along the overlay sides to increase flexibility of the overlay.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for corneal surgery, apt to increase the accuracy of the surgical interventions, comprising a chassis, apt to be placed onto the eyeball for the centration with respect to the eyeball of the apparatus itself; at least one surgical device, apt to operate onto the corneal tissue, insertable in the apparatus; a cylindrical dowel for positioning the surgical device, movable with respect to the chassis, apt to be handled by a user for bringing the surgical device in an operative position; and a shaped body for moving the surgical device, also movable with respect to the chassis, apt to be handled by a user to actuate the surgical device, in the operative position, according to a pre-set actuating path (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The invention includes: a locating system; a computer, interfaced to the locating system and interpreting the positions of tracked objects in a generic computer model of a patient's hip geometry; a software module, executable on the computer, which defines the patient's pelvic plane without reference to previously obtained radiological data, by locating at least three pelvic landmarks; and a pelvic tracking marker, fixable to the pelvic bone and trackable by the locating system, to track in real time the orientation of the defined pelvic plane. Preferably, the system also includes a femoral tracking marker, securely attachable to a femur of the patient by a non-penetrating ligature and trackable by the locating system to detect changes in leg length and femoral offset.

Abstract: A self-centering bone drill comprises a drill bit having a proximal end and a distal end, a cutting surface at the distal end, and a first radially extending flange. A tubular housing coaxially receives the drill bit and a spring is coaxially received within the housing, and coaxially receives the drill bit. The spring is compressed between the first radially extending flange and an interior abutment surface on the housing distal of the first radially extending flange to urge the housing distally along the drill bit. A chamfered surface on a distal end of the housing engages a chamfered surface on a work piece to center the drill bit.

Abstract: A device for treating material in a body of a patient includes an expandable basket having a projection for securing material within the basket. The projection has a distal end joined to a distal tip of the basket and a proximal end extending within a lumen of the basket.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends, and a hub on the proximal end that includes spacer elements spaced away from the outer surface. An annular clip includes a plurality of tines extending from its distal end and its proximal end is held away from the outer surface of the sheath by the spacer elements. A handle assembly is attached to the hub that includes an actuator member slidable between the spacer elements and the outer surface of the sheath. The actuator member includes radial protrusions for coupling with the clip, whereby distal movement of the actuator member advances the clip towards the distal end of the sheath. Optionally, a skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the clip that is separable from the outer surface as the clip is advanced.

Abstract: Medical devices that have a novel mechanical trap(s) on the distal end of a shaft that is used for the removal of material from the body. Further an expandable channel is included to entrap the material that aid with removal or obliteration of tissue or foreign bodies is disclosed.

Abstract: A device and method for use in a vertebral spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive an implant. The device includes a shaft, and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. A working end is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism adjacent to the working end. The drive mechanism is operable to move the upper and lower cutters of the working end to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plate region of the adjacent vertebral bodies. A guard provides protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies for the working end of the bone removal device through a passageway.