Abstract: A lancet for the extraction of blood includes a base portion of plastics material, a lancet needle of a metallic material held in the base portion and having a pointed end section protruding from the base portion, a head portion of plastics material integrally connected to the base portion by a preset breaking zone, and cooperating cam means on the base and head portions. The head portion can be removed from the base portion thereby exposing the pointed end section of the lancet needle by exerting a rotational force to one of the base and head portions relative to the other. The lancet needle is embedded in the head portion prior to the removal thereof. The cam means comprises pairs of cooperating cam sections on the base and head portions engaging with each other upon relative rotation between these portions for creating an axial movement of the head portion relative to the base portion thereby causing a rupture of the preset breaking zone.

Abstract: Instruments and methodology for nonlinear access to bone tissue sites are described. Embodiments disclosed include a conduit for delivering material or a medical device to a site and a core member that is able to steer the conduit and allow the combination to be advanced thorough cancellous bone. A cannula and stylet may be provided to first advance through hard bone. The core member includes a curved tip that may be straightened by the cannula or an actuator sheath to vary sweep of the curve. An obturator may be included in the system. This instrument may include a flexible portion as well. Each of the obturator and conduit may be provided with any of a variety of active tips. The systems may be used to perform hard tissue site implantation, for example, in connection with a high pressure injection system.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes an elongated body portion, a clamp portion depending from the body portion for engaging a spinal rod, the clamp portion defining a deformable clamp body having opposed clamp arms configured for movement between a first position wherein a spinal rod is received between the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body and a second position wherein the spinal rod is securely engaged by the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body, and structure operatively associated with the clamp body which is configured to effectuate movement of the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present invention aids a person who is assisting with fetal extraction by monitoring and recording the pressure inside a vacuum device. The device includes a cable that is attachable to a monitor enabled to record a detected pressure, and a pressure detection device coupled to the cable. The pressure detection device is coupled to tubing such that the pressure detection device detects the pressure in the tubing. In yet another embodiment, the invention is a pump-attachable device for monitoring and recording a pressure in a vacuum device. In another embodiment, the invention is embodied as a method that includes the acts of attaching a suction device to a fetus, detecting the vacuum pressure, and recording the vacuum pressure.

Abstract: An alignment guide for setting the position and depth of a guide pin to be inserted into a bone. The alignment guide includes a mechanical assembly for deploying a calibrated guide rod along a selected external surface of the bone and for adjusting the guide rod so it lies parallel to a desired path extending through the bone for a selected distance. The position and orientation of the guide rod may be adjusted using imaging means for viewing the location of the desired path extending through the bone parallel to the guide rod. The alignment guide is mechanically linked to apparatus for subsequently inserting a guide pin into the bone parallel to the guide rod. In one embodiment the alignment guide is designed to aid a surgeon in centering the guide pin to be inserted in the femoral head and neck without repeated trial-and-error drilling.

Abstract: A patellar milling clamp is provided with a depth control for limiting and controlling the milling depth of a grater rotated against a bone secured in the milling clamp. A stop ring is provided on a shaft of the milling tool. The shaft is slidable in a guide bushing of the milling clamp, and a rotatable cap on the guide bushing is selectively engaged in notches in the guide bushing to provide an abutment surface at selectively different elevations. Further advancement of the tool is prevented when the stop ring abuts the abutment surface of the cap. The depth of milling is precisely controlled regardless of the original thickness of the patellar bone being milled.

Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid, the device comprising, a main body, a lancet disposed within the main body, a carrier disposed within the main body fixedly attached to the lancet, a spring in communication with the lancet and the carrier, an annular space disposed within the main body adjacent the lancet, and a testing device for measuring a body fluid. The testing device may include micro-porous test strips, an electronic testing device, an optical/reflectance testing measuring device, or a visual inspection.

Abstract: A method of making a stent delivery system is provided in which a delivery catheter has a balloon that extends non-uniformly into interstices of a stent. In accordance with the method a balloon/stent/crimping tube assembly is placed in a crimping tool, the balloon is inflated, and the crimping tool is actuated to compress the stent on the outside of the balloon without application of heat or chemicals, thereby causing creases of the balloon to extend non-uniformly into the interstices of the stent. Optionally, pillows may be formed in the balloon to prevent longitudinal movement of the stent with respect to the balloon during intravascular delivery. One or more secondary crimpings also may be performed to achieve a smoother delivery profile.

Abstract: A catheter having an multilayered shaft section with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a second material. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. However, in alternative embodiments, a thermoplastic polyimide is used. The thermoset polyimide has a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 400° C. (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry), and excellent dimensional stability at the processing temperature of polyamides commonly used in catheter components. As a result, during formation and assembly of the catheter, production of a thin polyimide layer with controlled dimensions is facilitated. The polyimide has a high modulus and provides a thin walled yet highly pushable shaft section, while the second layer provides kink resistance. In one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide material and a polyurethane material.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for creating a hole in a body vessel or hollow organ. Such holes are useful in surgically preparing the hollow organ or body vessel for connection with another hollow organ, body vessel or prosthetic conduit. For example, an assist device is generally connected to the left ventricle through a ventriculotomy created at the apex of the left ventricle. This ventriculotomy is most easily created with a punch or trephine. Control over such a procedure must be precise so as not to damage the ventricular wall or intracardiac structures such as papillary muscles, chordae tendinae, etc. The punch of the current invention allows for precise location and alignment of the cutting segment. The punch of the current invention also allows for precise advance of the cutting blade and a very clean cut of the tissue. Such clean cuts improve the healing when the hole in the body vessel or hollow organ is closed or attached to a connection, either prosthetic or natural.

Abstract: This is an implantable vaso-occlusive device. The device has a complex, three-dimensional structure in a relaxed configuration that may be used in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be deployed in the approximate shape of a sphere, an ovoid, a clover, a box-like structure or other distorted spherical shape. The loops forming the relaxed configuration may pass through the interior of the structure. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed linear vaso-occlusion member. Fibers may be introduced onto the device and affixed to the pre-formed linear member. The constituent member may be also be covered with a fibrous braid. The device is typically introduced through a catheter. The device is passed axially through the catheter sheath and assumes its form upon exiting the catheter without further action. The invention also includes methods of winding the anatomically shaped vaso-occlusive device into appropriately shaped forms and annealing them to form various devices.

Abstract: A cutting device for use in a medical procedure includes a housing having a housing cavity and defining a first cutting surface. An actuator is positioned within the housing cavity and has a first cam member. A cutting member is positioned with the housing cavity and has a second cam member. The cutting member defines a second cutting surface. Movement of the actuator within the housing cavity causes the first cam member to cooperate with the second cam member so as to rotate the cutting member relative to the housing. Rotation of the cutting member relative to the housing causes the second cutting surface to move relative to the first cutting surface to effectuate a cutting operation.

Abstract: A device for acupuncture is disclosed. The device has a pressure plate 100 having a polygonal profile. Both a magnet 300 and a magnetic body 400 are set in the pressure plate 100, with the magnetic body 400 being brought into contact with the magnet 300 at its upper end. The magnetic body 400 also extends through the pressure plate 100 so as to project outside the lower surface of the plate 100 at its lower end. The pressure plate 100 is also provided with both a plurality of fitting rods 130 and the same number of channelled fitting tubes 140. When it is desired to assemble two or more pressure plates 100 into an assembly, the fitting rods 130 of one plate 100 are elastically coupled to the channelled fitting tubes 140 of another plate 100. A cap 200 is mounted to the upper surface of the plate 100 and seats both the magnet 300 and the magnetic body 400 therein. A tubular member 500 is fitted into the pressure plate 100 from the lower surface of the plate 100 and is locked to the cap 200 at its upper end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary nail used for treating fractures of the femur. It comprises a distal end, which is appointed for insertion into the marrow cavity channel, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis. A first bore is located adjacent the proximal end and extends through the proximal end and transversely intersects the longitudinal axis, and serves to accommodate a femoral head screw. The center axis of the first bore forms an angle with the longitudinal axis that ranges from 110° to 150°. A second bore is located between the first bore and the proximal end and extends through the proximal end and transversely intersects the longitudinal axis, and serves to accommodate a hip pin. The second bore is at least partially shaped as an oblong hole or slot with a width B and a length L>B, and the length L of the oblong hole extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention of the present disposable adjustable lancet involves an assembly which has a body and a cap. A lancet holder fits in the body and has a base portion having a pair of upstanding retainer-disabling tines, one of the tines is longer than the other to block the reinsertion of the lancet. A selector tip assists in engaging a clicker position in the selector tip. The method involves selecting positions by means of a female and a male position clicker which provide an audible signal. The position of the lancet can be determined in three manners: visually observing the degree of rotation, audibly denoting the click, and physically rotating the member which, in turn, results in a reaction on the finger while the adjustment is being made.

Abstract: An apparatus has been developed to enable a surgeon to perform multiple orthopedic surgical operations, such as orthopedic surgical resectioning, total joint replacement and fixation of fractures, based on a single reference point. The apparatus is adjustable to conform to the needs and dimensions of individual patients and the surgical procedure(s) to be performed. The apparatus includes a support adapted for insertion into and alignment within the medullary cavity of a patient's bone. The support is capable of expanding into the bone so that the support is fixed within the bone and alignable to the bone. The support may be implanted to align a fractured bone, or extend a distance beyond its fixed position within the medullary cavity to provide a known surgical reference point. The apparatus includes one or more cutting guides mountable on the support and used in performing the desired surgical procedure(s).

Abstract: A clip detent spring forming part of a mechanism for inserting clips into the jaws of a clip applying instrument performs the tasks of engaging and separating a first in line clip from a line of clips carried by the mechanism, and the task of positioning the clip for insertion into the instrument jaws.

Abstract: Scleral plug system for occluding a hole in the eye and for controlling irrigation during vitreo-retinal surgery in order to maintain a closed system during the procedure, and angled forceps for handling a scleral plug.

Abstract: A biopsy cannula and a delivery catheter are configured to deliver one or more absorbable sponge pledgets to a biopsy site after removal of one or more tissue samples from the site. The delivery catheter allows a large amount of hydrated sponge material to be delivery to the biopsy site to facilitate hemostasis. One example of the delivery catheter includes a closed distal end, a side port, a tapered section, and an enlarged proximal portion for receiving the pledget. The side port of the delivery catheter is arranged to delivery the pledget through the side port of the biopsy cannula. In order to fill a relatively large biopsy site where multiple tissue samples have been taken in a radial pattern, the biopsy cannula is rotated and additional pledgets are delivered to the biopsy site at different radial locations. The absorbable sponge pledget may also be used as a marker for location of the biopsy site at a later time.

Abstract: A device and system for delivery of a flowable biocompatible material to a tissue tract in a controlled manner generally includes a reservoir adapted to be in fluid connection with a cannula, a discharging mechanism adapted to discharge the contents of the reservoir and a cannula retractor to withdraw the cannula. The cannula retractor is operably interconnected with the discharging mechanism so that a measured quantity of the reservoir contents is smoothly discharged to substantially fill at least a portion of the tissue tract.