Abstract: The inventive stent delivery system includes a catheter having a retractable outer sheath near its distal end. A shape memory contraction member having a memorized contracted shape is connected to the retractable outer sheath. A heat generating device connected to the shape memory contraction member causes the shape memory contraction member to heat up to its transition temperature and assume its contracted position, retracting the retractable outer sheath. Another embodiment utilizes 2 springs, a “normal” spring and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring, the two springs selected and designed so that the “normal” has an expansion force which is less than SMA spring when the SMA spring is austenitic, but greater than the SMA spring when the SMA spring is martensitic.

Abstract: A clamp with helical coils or springs defining a cavity to receive and secure rod members. The clamp also comprises a connection and tightening device for constricting the first and second helical coils around the respective rod members. These clamps have multiple uses including use as a device for securing a bone. In such a case, this embodiment may comprise a first and second stabilization bar, a pin, a pin attachment device, and a clamp. In another embodiment of the present invention, a clamp comprises connectors with cavities to house the helical springs. The connection and tightening device secures and tightens the first and second connectors by causing the helical springs to constrict about the rod member.

Abstract: A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall. The thrombus filter includes a body member, and a plurality of wires. Each wire has a joined end and a free end. The joined end of each wire is fixedly attached to the distal portion of the body member. Each wire radiates away from the body member along a generally helical path of expanding diameter. The shape of each wire may be generally described as a spiral, or a helix of expanding diameter. The wires radiate away from the body member to form a generally conical filtering portion which includes a plurality of open cells. The thrombus filter may be removed using minimally invasive methods when such removal becomes desirable. A method of removing the thrombus filter is disclosed.

Abstract: A fixation device for engaging the soft tissue in a body. The fixation device includes a body portion and a plurality of teeth. The body portion has a proximal face, a distal face, a central aperture and a suture slot. The central aperture is formed through the proximal and distal faces and is configured to receive a screw. The suture slot intersects the central aperture and is configured to receive a suture. The plurality of teeth coupled to the proximal face of the body portion and are configured to engage the soft tissue. A soft tissue securing device and a method for securing soft tissue to a bone are also provided.

Abstract: A knife having a handle into which a knife blade may be inserted. The blade end of the handle is of reduced diameter and contains a pair of spring-like cantilevered locking arms. The locking arms terminate in a clasping mechanism that interact with a latch contained within a bore in a sheath. The bore is sized and shaped to reciprocate linearly over the blade end of the handle so as to alternatively cover the blade for storage or expose the blade for use.

Abstract: A blade holder is provided for receiving and holding a keratome blade. The keratome blade used with the blade holder is of material so as to be attracted to a magnetic field. The blade holder includes a handle portion configured to be grasped by a user. A head portion is coupled to the handle portion and has a receiving surface sized to receive at least a portion of the keratome blade. The head portion is constructed and arranged to facilitate application of a magnetic field to attract the keratome blade such that the keratome blade can be carried by the receiving surface of the head portion. Hence, the blade can be inspected and loaded into a keratome having only been contacted by the sterile blade holder.

Abstract: An intravascular embolization device and deployment system in which the embolization device may be collapsed and placed within a catheter for delivery by the deployment system to a preselected site within a vessel. After placement the embolization device returns to its initial preformed configuration within the vessel.

Abstract: An actuator for an interventional surgical procedure is described. The actuator may include an actuator body having a distal end and a proximal end. A central expandable section is located between the distal end and the proximal end. The expandable section is operable between an unactuated condition in which the expandable section is in a furled state and an actuated condition in which the expandable section is in an unfurled state. A needle is located at the expandable section. The needle is moveable in an approximately perpendicular direction relative to a central longitudinal axis of the actuator body from a position within the actuator body to a position outside of the actuator body.

Abstract: A tissue holder (1, 1a) has a first connector (2, 2a) which can be connected to a tissue part and a second connector (3, 3a) which can be connected to a further tissue part. The tissue holder further holds the two connectors (2, 2a; 3, 3a) and thus the tissue parts relative to one another. The first and second connectors (2, 2a; 3, 3a) each have at least one curved spike (21, 22, 21a, 22a; 31, 32, 31a, 32a) which extends around the longitudinal axis of the tissue holder (1, 1a).

Abstract: A system for securing first and second opposing facet joints together, comprising: a cannulated drill having a side opening; and an extendible member received within the cannula of the cannulated drill, the extendible member having a distal end which passes out of the side opening in a direction radially outwards from the axis of the cannulated drill as the extendible member is advanced distally through the cannula of the drill. The drill can be rotated such that the extendible member ablates opposite contacting surfaces of first and second facet joints, promoting fusion between the first and second facet joints. A facet screw passing through a hole drilled by the cannulated drill through the first facet joint and into the second facet joint is tightened into position to immobilize the first and second facet joints together.

Abstract: A dilation catheter device comprising a shroud tube having a total preselected diameter effective for use in a preselected body lumen, the shroud tube having a strain relief tube extending therethrough which is adapted to reversibly form a flared, funnel-shape and a collapsed shape for contacting the surface of a dilation balloon, whereby the configuration of the balloon can be altered by altering the position of contact of the distal end of the strain relief tube with the surface of the balloon. Methods for use of the device and articles of manufacture containing the device are also taught.

Abstract: A device (10) for introducing and removing a laparoscopic needle (200) through an incision (301) in a wall (302) of a body cavity (300) wherein the device (10) comprises a rod unit (11) including an elongated rod member (20) having a proximal (21) and a distal (22) end segment disposed on the opposite ends of an interior chamber (34) provided with an elongated slot (33) dimensioned to receive a curved laparoscopic needle (200) and a handle member (40) for manipulating the position of the laparoscopic needle (200) within the body cavity (300). In one version of the preferred embodiment, the curved needle (200) is releasably engaged between the tubular proximal end segment (21″) and distal end (51) of the elongated slot (33′) of the rod member (20′).

Abstract: A suture anchor system includes a suture anchor, a first loop of suture thread attached to the suture anchor, a suture needle, and a second loop of suture thread which is attached to the suture needle. The first and second suture loops are interlocked with one another. The suture anchor is preferably bioabsorbable, and it has a flared feature on one side of the second or proximal end thereof. The flared feature renders the suture anchor asymmetrical in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the anchor. A method for anchoring soft tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an anastomosis device for attaching a first hollow vessel to a second hollow vessel. The device includes a handle for holding the device, and a head assembly, attached to the handle, for holding the first and second hollow vessels adjacent to each other. The head assembly having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The device further includes a needle guide disposed longitudinally along the head assembly adjacent to the vessels, and a helical needle, having a suture attached to a proximal end thereof, disposed within the head assembly at its proximal end. The device has an actuator on the handle for actuating a needle driver. The needle driver is coupled to the head and includes a flexible rotatable member operated by the actuator, for rotating and driving the needle distally along the needle guides and through the first and second hollow vessels.

Abstract: A rotator cuff buttress plate adapted to support a load from at least one suture used in securing a rotator cuff relative to a humerus. The rotator cuff buttress plate includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a sidewall and a plurality of apertures. The inner surface is adapted to engage an outer portion of a humerus. The outer surface is opposite the inner surface and is adapted to support the load from at least one suture. The sidewall is positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface. The suture is passed through the at least one aperture to distribute the suture load over the buttress plate.

Abstract: A bone anchoring device including a thread (1) whose middle part is in the form of a closed loop (2), and a deformable sleeve (5) which can slide on the thread (1) within the limits of the closed loop (2), wherein the deformable sleeve (5) can be deform into a ball by traction exerted on at least one strand (3, 4) of the thread (1).

Abstract: A plug for stopping the flow of bone cement in a channel within bone, such as the intramedullary bone canal or a previously prepared channel, includes an elastomeric inflatable structure protected from bone fragments and sharp edges by a shield extending around distal and peripheral sides of the inflatable structure. This inflatable structure is preferably formed as a sleeve extending around a core. The shield includes a distal end fastened to the core and a flexible portion expandable with inflation of the inflatable structure. The core is also removably connected to an insertion tool, with passageways in the insertion tool and in the core being used to insert a fluid into the inflatable structure. A valve extends as a sleeve around the core, and over the passageway, allowing fluid to flow into the inflatable structure, but preventing it from flowing out of the inflatable structure.