Abstract: An excisional biopsy device and method are disclosed. The device can include a probe housing having a rotatable RF loop cutter mounted at the distal end of the probe, and the RF loop cutter can include at least one electrode supplied with an RF actuating signal for cutting tissue. A rotational drive and specimen containment sheath can also be included.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a support member adjacent to a first member and a second member, the first and second members may be laser welded to one another by directing radiation absorbable by the first and second members at the first and second members. The support member is provided adjacent to the first member and is constructed and arranged to substantially reflect or substantially transmit radiation at one or more frequencies absorbable by at least one of the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.

Abstract: A ligament graft system and method are provided for securely anchoring a ligament graft to patient bone, principally for use with autogenous hamstring graft tendons utilized for ligament replacement such as reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the human knee. An elongated ligament graft is assembled between femoral and tibial fixation units, and the thus-assembled system is fitted into and through generally aligned tibial and femoral tunnels formed in patient bone. A pivotally mounted anchor pin at a leading end of the femoral fixation unit positionally shifts upon emergence from the femoral tunnel to overlie and seat securely upon cortical bone. A trailing or lower end of the tibial fixation unit is adapted to engage and seat against cortical bone, wherein the tibial fixation unit can be adjustably positioned to variably select the tension applied to the ligament graft.

Abstract: Apparatus for the removal of lens tissue includes a first instrument for inserting into a lens capsule and removing a cataract therein, the first instrument including a lumen for aspiration of cataract tissue and irrigation fluid from the lens capsule and manipulate the cataract until cataract is removed. The second instrument includes an irrigation port for introducing the irrigation fluid into the lens capsule.

Abstract: A medical device having a catheter and one or more expandable constricting/occluding members. The catheter is adapted for use with therapeutic or diagnostic devices, including an angioplasty/stent catheter and an atherectomy catheter. A first constrictor/occluder mounted at the distal end of the catheter is adapted for placement in a brachiocephalic or subclavian artery. A second constrictor mounted proximal to the first constrictor/occluder is adapted for placement in the descending aorta. Pressure measuring devices may be included, and filters may be used to capture embolic debris. Methods of using the devices for preventing distal embolization during extracranial or intracranial carotid procedures or vertebral artery procedures by augmenting collateral cerebral circulation by coarctation of the aorta to enhance reversal of blood flow in an internal carotid artery, an external carotid artery, and/or a common carotid artery toward the subclavian artery are disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer for implanting a prosthesis in a junction of a main lumen and a branch lumen. The prosthesis comprises a trunk to be implanted within the main lumen and at least one arm to be implanted within the branch lumen. The introducer comprises an outer sheath, an axial guide wire and at least one peripheral guide wire slideable within the outer sheath, and a nose cone at a distal end of the sheath. The nose cone has an axial conduit for receiving the axial guide wire and at least one peripheral channel for guiding the peripheral guide wire and guiding it into the branch lumen. A unitary branched prosthesis having at least one radial arm may be deployed using this introducer. Methods for deploying a unitary or modular branched prosthesis at a junction in a lumen use the introducer of this invention.

Abstract: A stent (10,20,30,40,50,58,60,80,90,100,150,254,256,300) having an inflatable member or a plurality of members affixed directly thereto. One type of inflatable member, or pair or plurality of members, may be affixed to the outer stent surface to expand upon inflation to seal against the vessel wall, and optionally to each other as well, and may be annular (14,18,20,42,46,82,94) or spirally (22,24,26,84) or asymmetrically (32,34,36) configured. In another embodiment a member (304), or pair of opposed members (306), can be affixed to the inner stent surface and used to occlude the lumen upon inflation. The device of the present invention can also be utilized with conventional stent grafts (152) to protect branch vessels that are involved in the aneurysm span.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driven surgical driver for wire guide surgical components. The driver has a rotatable drive shaft which is configured to apply driving and rotational forces to a medical device. A wire clamp is provided which is configured to hold the guide wire at a fixed distance from the tissue while the medical device is being driven distally away from the wire clamp. A process provides for grasping a point on the guide wire at a fixed distance from the tissue with the wire clamp. This grasping point on the guide wire is maintained at the fixed distance from the tissue while a force is applied to the driver to affix the medical device relative to the tissue.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (20) for use with powered surgical tools. The cutting accessory has a hub (28) for coupling the accessory to the output shaft of a handpiece. A drive shaft (26) formed of stainless steel or other relatively rigid material extends forward from the hub. A head (30) formed from nickel titanium alloy or other metal that is more flexible than the material forming the drive shaft is attached to the distal end of the drive shaft. The head is shaped to form the cutting edges of the cutting accessory. In some versions of the invention, intermediate sections (60) of the drive shaft are formed from the flexible metal or metal alloy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for crossing stenosis, partial occlusions, or complete occlusions within a body lumen. The systems generally include an elongate member such as a hollow guidewire that houses a rotatable and translatable drive shaft. The drive shaft typically has a distal portion that is advanced to create a path in the occlusive material that is large enough to allow the hollow guidewire to cross the occlusive material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-trauma surgical plate used to fix mandibular stumps that comprises two lateral series of rings alternated with ribbon-like connection plates and with an intermediate series of balls joined with cylindrical arms.

Abstract: An instrument for cutting and/or curetting during surgery is discosed. The instruments of the invention are particularly advantageous for use in removing disc material from an intervertebral disc space. In a preferred embodiment, rotation of the instrument around a longitudinal axis of the instrument provides for intermittently distracting vertebrae adjacent to the intervertebral disc space during rotation.

Abstract: A suction ring providing an inferior engaging surface and a superior engaging surface that engages and grips the ocular globe, immobilizing the ocular globe relative to a corneal surgical procedure. The inferior engaging surface grips the sclera of the ocular globe while the superior engaging surface grips the corneal region. The suction ring also provides an aperture sized to receive and expose the cornea for a surgical procedure. The suction ring has a non-circular gripping structure to provide a closer fit to abnormally shaped ocular globes and corneas. The aperture is non-circular to enable the surgeon to obtain a non-circular corneal disk during a lamellar keratotomy procedure.

Abstract: A clipping apparatus comprises a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed, a stop tube for closing the clip, a link member capable of being inserted into the stop tube, and engaged with the clip, a sheath section capable of housing the clip and the stop tube therein, and a manipulating wire inserted into the sheath section. This clipping apparatus further comprises a hook section for, when the clip and the stop tube is protruded frontally of the sheath section, causing the sheath section and the stop tube to be engaged with each other, and disabling the stop tube from being housed in the sheath section again.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a passage in bone having an enlarged cross-sectional portion is provided. The instrument includes an elongate member and a cutting element engaged thereto and transitionable between a retracted configuration for extending through a first portion of the passage and an expanded configuration for forming a second portion of the passage having an enlarged cross-section. In one embodiment, the cutting element is transitioned between the retracted and expanded configurations by axially displacing the cutting element relative to the elongate member. In another embodiment, the elongate member includes a tapping thread configured to cut threads along the first portion of the passage, and the cutting element is a blade configured to form the enlarged cross-section when transitioned to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A distal tip for a catheter which is defined by a matrix and at least one stripe. The matrix is defined by at least one matrix material, and the at least one stripe is defined by at one stripe material. The predetermined hardness of the at least one stripe material has a greater durometer value than the predetermined hardness of the at least one matrix material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a tool located at the distal instrument end, a stationary first grip part at the proximal instrument end, a second grip part adjustable in an axially guided manner in the form of a reel, and an actuation element for the tool. The actuation element in connection with the second grip part is axially adjustable on adjustment of the second grip part. For improving the handling of the instrument, it is envisaged that, by way of a lever system linked onto the second grip part and a stationary part of the instrument, the adjustment path of the second grip part is geared down and the force exerted onto the second grip part is transmittable, geared up, to the actuation element.

Abstract: A microkeratome blade for use for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leaving a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The blade is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.

Abstract: A method and device used for treating an aneurysm of a patient. An embolization element that is adapted to reduce or block the blood flow into the aneurysm, together with a stent connected to the embolization element, is provided. The embolization element includes an expandible member. The embolization element and the stent are introduced into the vessel leading to and communicating with the aneurysm. The embolization element is directed into the aneurysm, with the stent being located in the vessel communicating with the aneurysm. In this manner, the stent becomes compressed against the inner wall of the vessel for anchoring the embolization element. In one form of the invention, the stent comprises a helical coil and the embolization element comprises a collapsible framework.