Abstract: A multifunctional device for use in an endoscopically performed operative procedure of the type where a narrow portal is established through the skin to provide access to an operative site and the multifunctional device is introduced to the operative site through the narrow portal. The multifunctional device is formed of an absorbent material, preferably expandable, having a substantially rigid dry state prior to introduction to the operative site and a soft, flexible wet state after absorbing fluids. The absorbent material can be formed with a spine therein of either a continuous or a discontinuous, segmented construction, and the spine can be branched and tubular or solid.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a valve replacement system together with methods of preparation and use, are provided for endovascular replacement of a heart valve in a host. The valve replacement system includes up to five components: (1) a prosthetic valve device, (2) a valve introducer device, (3) an intraluminal procedure device, (4) a procedure device capsule, and (5) a tissue cutter. The system provides for endovascular removal of a malfunctioning valve and subsequent replacement with a permanent prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A disposable diaper which can be put on by means of pressure-adhesive tape. For loosening and refastening the fastening tape tabs, the diaper is provided in the region for fastening the tape tabs with a non-elastic plastic strip, suitably of polyester.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as an artificial bladder for implantation into a patient. The apparatus is comprised of a bladder having a rigid outer shell and a flexible inner shell that are connected at a bladder neck thereby creating an open space between the outer shell and inner shell that contains a biocompatible fluid, a storage unit for storing the biocompatible fluid at a pressure lower than the pressure inside the bladder, a pumping unit for creating a positive pressure to pump the biocompatible fluid from the storage unit to the open space in the bladder, a ureter replacement unit for allowing urine to move from the kidneys to the inner shell of the bladder, a valve unit for allowing the urine to exit the bladder, a urethra replacement unit for allowing the urine to exit the body from the valve unit and tubine units for allowing the biocompatible fluid to move between the bladder, storage unit and pumping unit.

Abstract: An urethral magnet valve for insertion into the urethra of a person suffering from incontinence defines a binary duct relief valve comprising a nonferromagnetic tubular housing containing a valve member of a permanent magnet encapsulated within a nonmagnetic material, enabled on a valve seat of high magnetic permeability ferromagnetic nature, by a magnetic attraction therebetween. Retaining flanges integral with the housing prevent escape of the valve element when valve is open. A manually held external positioned permanent switching magnet induces magnetic torque and attraction on the valve element causing it to rotate within the tubular housing lifting same from the valve seat opening the passageway therethrough and through urethra.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump actuator uses an efficient direct drive voice coil linear motor to power an hydraulic piston. The motor is immersed in oil and has but one moving part, a magnet which is attached to the piston. The piston is supported using a linear double acting hydrodynamic oil bearing that eliminates all wear and will potentially give an infinitely long life. There are no flexing leads, springs to break or parts to fatigue. A total artificial heart embodiment is very light, small, and as efficient as present prosthesis. The motor uses two commutated coils for high efficiency and has inherently low side forces due to the use of coils on both the inside and outside diameters of the magnet. The motor is cooled by forced convection of oil from the piston motion and by direct immersion of the coils in the oil. The highly effective cooling results in a smaller lighter weight motor.

Abstract: A thyroplasty implant having a tiered base for anchoring in a window cut through a thyroid lamina and a projecting member for causing medial displacement of a vocal cord. The tiered base has a bottom tier, a middle tier, and an upper tier, the bottom tier and upper tier being larger in area than the middle tier so as to facilitate anchoring the base in the window. The base is made of a firm biocompatible material to facilitate firm anchoring of the implant, and the projecting member being made of softer, biocompatible material that is sufficiently soft to avoid damage to the vocal cord. The projecting member is generally triangular in shape and has a portion that extends in a posterior direction from the base. A measuring tool having a projecting member of similar shape to that of the implant and a movable stop member is used to measure the optimum size implant.

Abstract: For treatment of conductive hearing loss due, for example, to serous otitis media, a synthetic bubble is implanted in the hypotympanic cavity to displace fluid allowing free motion of the round window. A thin membrane provides the required degree of compliance, and is substantially impermeable to gases and water vapor, resulting in an extended lifetime. A large molecule inert filler gas may be used, either alone, or with normal gases to provide certain partial inflation states wherein osmotic ingress of smaller molecular gases causes sustained self-inflation of the bubble for a substantial time.

Abstract: A connective tissue stabilizer for use in medical applications to stabilize and support cartilage, and the like is disclosed, the stabilizer having a body portion with a flattened end. The flattened end has an eye for receiving sutures or the like. The body portion generally corresponds to the shape of the tissue to be supported and may be removed after healing or left in place indefinitely.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible annuloplasty ring in a substantially taunt position for suturing about a valve annulus. The assembly includes a portion which is formed with a surface against which the annuloplasty ring is positioned and held in a shape substantially equivalent to at least a portion of the valve annulus. The assembly further includes a mechanism for releasably binding the annuloplasty ring to this surface.

Abstract: A medical apparatus disposal container includes an open topped container adapted to be closed by a lid having a top wall with an opening through which medical apparatus may be disposed into the container. A cap is provided for closing the opening when the container is filled. A continuous seal is effected between the lid and container by a pair of generally parallel spaced apart interior and exterior flanges defining an open bottom channel around the periphery of the lid. The channel is of a size and shape to receive the upper portion of the container sidewall in fluid tight sealed relation therein with the interior flange extending downwardly into the container. Coacting fasteners on the lid and container sidewall secure the lid in sealed relation onto the container. The lid may be fitted with a sealing gasket or flexible flange in the open bottom channel to effect further sealing of the lid.

Abstract: An improved sanitary napkin is disclosed. The sanitary napkin has a laterally extensible flap which extends outwardly from one of the longitudinal edges of the sanitary napkin or a laterally extensible backsheet. The backsheet or flap may be laterally extended from the neutral, retracted position and will return to the retracted position upon release of the disturbing force. This arrangement provides the advantage that any adhesive strips or patches associated with the flaps or backsheet more easily move with the undergarment of the wearer and are less likely to be stressed or become detached from the undergarment of the wearer due to the forces encountered during typical wearer movements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid delivery system comprising a bladder to hold a fluid, the bladder being enclosed in a structure formed from a cap connected to a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a piston driven by a constant force spring, the piston resting against the bladder. Activation of the drive mechanism delivers the fluid at a rate pre-determined by the design of the spring.

Abstract: A cardiac valve comprises a plurality of flexible trapezoidal membranes, each having an edge joined to an edge of another of the membranes to form an unsupported frusto-conical body. The body has an oval end portion and a plurality of flexible flap portions integral with and extending from the end portions, the flap portions being formed by substantially parabolic scallops. The membranes are so sized, and the scallops are so positioned as to form flap portions of unequal size. The flexible membranes may be provided to the surgeon as separate membranes for construction of the artificial valve, or the valve may be provided to the surgeon as a complete unit. Alternatively, the surgeon may construct a valve using pericardium mapped and sized in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A heart pump having a housing with a central longitudinal axis, inlet means and an outlet means is disclosed. A stationary shaft extends axially within the housing and the means are provided for supporting the shaft centrally located within the housing. A stator assembly is mounted about the stationary shaft and a shell assembly is rotatable about the stator assembly and shaft. The shell assembly is located between the housing and stator assembly and includes a spiral ridge located on the outerside thereof for pumping blood through the housing between the housing and shell assembly as the shell assembly rotates. Rotor laminations are located on an innerside of the shell assembly. The rotor laminations have a plurality of axially extending permanent magnets therebetween which are circumferentially spaced about the stationary shaft. A damper winding means is mounted within the rotor laminations. Blood may flow between the shell assembly and housing without exposure to magnetic fields.

Abstract: A thyroplasty implant having a tiered base for anchoring in a window cut through a thyroid lamina and a projecting member for causing medial displacement of a vocal cord. The tiered base has a bottom tier, a middle tier, and an upper tier, the bottom tier and upper tier being larger in area than the middle tier so as to facilitate anchoring the base in the window. The base is made of a firm biocompatible material to facilitate firm anchoring of the implant, and the projecting member being made of softer, biocompatible material that is sufficiently soft to avoid damage to the vocal cord. The projecting member is generally triangular in shape and has a portion that extends in a posterior direction from the base. A measuring tool having a projecting member of similar shape to that of the implant and a movable stop member is used to measure the optimum size implant.

Abstract: A hemodialyzer apparatus comprises a reusable dialyzer membrane as well as reusable blood flow path and dialysis flow path units. The apparatus automatically primes itself and makes dialysis solution from dry chemicals, concentrates, and fresh water which is provided to the apparatus. Also, after use, the apparatus automatically prepares cleaning and rinsing solution for the cleaning and rinsing of the dialyzer membrane as well as the dialyzate and blood flow path means, to provide a system which is so simplified in terms of automatic operation that it may be usable for daily dialysis at home.

Abstract: An intravascular membrane lung is adapted for percutaneous venous insertion into a living body and comprises an elongated multi lumen catheter and elongated gas exchange members in the form of a large number of microporous fibers tethered at one end to the catheter and extending away from the catheter in all directions. The microporous fibers are in communication with the lumina of the catheter which includes one conduit for delivery of 100% oxygen to the fibers and another conduit for flushing away carbon dioxide from the fibers. The catheter extends between a proximal end and a distal end being a leading end for insertion into the body. The distal end includes a selectively inflatable balloon having an enlarged size larger than a nominal transverse dimension of said catheter and smaller than the inner nominal dimensions of any of the body cavities into which it extends.

Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence in a human female includes a resilient body resilient adapted to fit between the labia minora and the floor of the vestibule of the vulva, thereby occluding the urethral meatus. An adhesive is applied to the body to provide a sealing engagement with the urethral meatus. In a first embodiment, the body has a base that seats against the floor of the vestibule, and a pair of flexible, lateral flaps that engage the labia minora. A layer of adhesive is applied to the base. A layer of highly-absorbant, hydrophilic material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive applied to the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: An improved intravascular catheter, such as a balloon catheter, and a method for use thereof. The catheter includes an elongate shaft and the improvement includes a close fitting sleeve located around the shaft and movable therealong. The intravascular catheter is adapted to be used with an introducer device, such as a guide catheter, having a hemostatic valve located at a proximal end thereof. The close fitting sleeve is adapted to be positioned at the hemostatic valve so that the hemostatic valve can be sealed upon the sleeve allowing the intravascular catheter shaft to be readily advanced in relation to the hemostatic valve and introducer device while limiting bleeding between the sleeve and the shaft of the intravascular catheter.