Abstract: An atherectomy apparatus and method is disclosed for the purpose of surgical excision of atheromas which typically consist of plaque deposits that cause narrowing (stenosis) of an artery. The apparatus, called a pullback atherectomy catheter, cuts and collects obstructive material into a collection chamber as the catheter is pulled back through obstructive material within a human vessel such as an artery.

Abstract: A subcutaneously-implanted infusion device that has a portal defining an inner reservoir chamber that allows communication between a septum and an end of a catheter tube connected to the portal. The septum is mounted in a compressed state within a main housing of the portal by a pressure-insert element that is formed against the septum by an arbor press. The septum is then held in its compressed state via a retaining ring cooperating with an annular groove provided in the interior surface of the main housing directly adjacent the lower end of the portal. The device also includes a lower suture-attaching cuff having a skirt portion, with a low profile angle, which is provided with a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, suture-reinforcing tabs. The pressure-insert element is provided with a through-hole for the passage of a catheter with an enlarged abutment stop at one end for preventing passage of the catheter through the through-hole.

Abstract: A totally subcutaneously implantable infusion reservoir and pump system includes a variable capacity reservoir for receiving and storing fluid medication for delivery to a catheter which directs the medication to a specific infusion location in the body. In a preferred form of the invention, a control assembly is interposed between the reservoir and the catheter to facilitate and control the transfer of the medication from the reservoir to the catheter in a safe and efficient manner. This control assembly includes a normally closed valve and a pump, both of which are manually actuable by percutaneous pressure when subcutaneously implanted, and defines a portion of a fluid flow conduit between the reservoir and the catheter. Moreover, the control assembly is constructed to prevent the backflow of fluid from the catheter to the reservoir, as well as the unrestricted flow of medication through the control assembly when the normally closed valve is opened.

Abstract: A pincers attachment for a surgical handle has a connecting rod which is axially displaceable by operation of the handle. At the distal end of a shaft there is a laterally opening recess for receiving a clip having compressible legs. The distal end of the connecting rod is connected to a closing rod which presses the legs of the clip together in the recess when the handle is actuated.

Abstract: A fast response, tubeless vacuum aspiration collection cassette includes large and small containers defined within a cassette housing adapted to be removably secured to a surgical aspiration machine. A first wall of the cassette housing abutting the machine includes connectors thereto to provide a controlled variable vacuum level to the small container, and a fixed vacuum level to the large container. Valves formed in the first wall are interconnected by flow channels therein extending to the containers, each valve having an actuating stem extending from the wall to be actuated selectively by the machine. A second wall opposed to the first wall includes a connector extending to a surgical probe or cutting instrument. The channels and valves are arranged so that when the containers are isolated by a first valve, the controlled vacuum level may be applied to the surgical probe through a second valve connecting it to the small ontainer volume.

Abstract: A biopsy catheter for use in Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) has a flexible cannula and an obturator for stiffening the cannula during insertion. The cannula has a curved portion to facilitate insertion and the obturator has a very flexible leading portion connected to a straight portion. The leading portion of the obturator is in the form of a coiled spring wire which lies in the curved portion of the cannula during insertion and which is longer than this curved portion. The coiled spring wire has a very low resistance to bending about its longitudinal axis so that when the obturator is withdrawn the coiled spring wire flexes to follow the curve of the cannula with minimal resistance to avoid displacement of the cannula end after it is located for collecting a sample of villi.

Abstract: An endoscope for resecting tissue inside body cavities, the principal feature of which is that the endoscopic tube contains a shaft carrying a grinding or milling head, which allows precise removal of scar tissue or other fairly firm tissue under endoscopic control without leaving irregular or thermally damaged wound sites.

Abstract: An improved balloon-tipped catheter includes means for convectively heating the inflation medium within the balloon during dilation. In the preferred embodiment, the convective heat is provided by a radiant heating block which is attached to a laser light source through an optical waveguide extending the length of the catheter. The convectively heated balloon promotes restoration and healing of the arterial wall in the region of stenosis, which region normally suffers from cracking, tearing, and stretching. It has been found that damage to the arterial wall can sometimes result in abrupt closure of the artery and frequent restenosis in the same region.

Abstract: A forceps-type surgical instrument includes a tubular handle for grasping by a user and defining a longitudinal axis about which the handle can be rotated by a user's hand and fingers, the handle having an open distal end. A pair of forceps blades have proximal ends fixed within the tubular handle and distal ends projecting from the open end of the handle and terminating in functional jaws. The blades are spring biased toward a spread condition. An actuator member on the tubular handle is operative through the handle with at least one of the forceps blades for closing the blades in response to operating the actuator member by the user's finger.

Abstract: A gripper for a surgical attachment has first and second pivotable opposed arms. A spring pretensions the arms in an opening direction. The first arm has a spur and a through-hole. A pin on the second arm has a cap which passes through the through-hole and protrudes from the first arm when the gripper is closed. A link plate is fastened moveably on the first arm, above the through-hole. The plate has a thumb-actuatable projection and a recess to interlock with the pin cap against the force of the spring in the closed position.

Abstract: Balloon dilatation catheter adapted to be utilized in connection with a guiding catheter and a guide wire. The catheter comprises a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a lumen extending therethrough. An inflatable balloon is mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member. The interior of the inflatable balloon is in communication with the lumen. A sleeve extends through the balloon and extends rearwardly from the balloon and alongside the lumen. The sleeve has a guidewire lumen extending therethrough. The guidewire lumen is adapted to receive a guide wire extending therethrough and extending rearwardly of the flexible elongate element into a region adjacent the proximal extremity of the proximal elongate element. The sleeve has a slit extending longitudinally of the same from the proximal extremity of the sleeve to a region adjacent the balloon permitting the guide wire to be removed therethrough.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter adapted for use in angioplasty techniques has two balloons at the distal end of the catheter, one inside the other with a separate inflation lumen for each balloon. The catheter enables dilatation of stenoses of different sizes and the dilatation of arteries of different sizes without requiring catheter exchanges.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a drug, a neutral hydrogel and an ionic hydrogel. The composition can be administered from a delivery system to a biological receptor over time.

Abstract: Nasogastric intubation process in which a stylet is employed to bend the tube to approximate the arch of the pharyngeal recess. After being so bent, the tube is inserted trans-pharyngeal recess until the tip is supra epiglottis. The stylet is withdrawn and the tube flexes adjacent the posterior esophageal wall for assured, quick passage to the stomach.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting painless hypodermic needle administration of liquid anesthetics particularly in dentistry in which the needle is carried on a light wand and the anesthetic is delivered to the needle by motive means independently of the operator's fingers during penetration of the needle, with both the rates of penetration and expression of liquid being controlled to achieve intermediate numbing followed by a high rate of liquid expression, if desired, to achieve full anesthesia of the site.

Abstract: A surgical tool for folding and inserting a folded lens into the anterior chamber of an eye through a small incision in the limbus of the eye includes an elongated tube which is longitudinally split into a U-shaped base section and a manually, axially slidable U-shaped cover section. The tube has an elongated, inner portion, which is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye, and an outer portion. A tubular guide sleeve encircles the outer portion of the base section. A cylindrically-shaped plug is positioned within the base section and sleeve to provide an arcuate space between the plug and the inner wall of the sleeve. The cover section is slidably inserted within the space for guiding and positioning the cover section for overlapping or uncovering the inner end portion of the base section. Means are provided for folding and pressing a lens into the base and holding it there until the cover section is manually slid over the base to encircle the lens within the tube inner portion.

Abstract: A mixing device for preparing inductive and conductive bone repair compositions is disclosed, along with a method for using the device for preparing such compositions. The device provides a simple and rapid method of making a substantially uniform collagen/mineral bone implant preparation.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of liquid to a catheter. Two end caps support a capillary tube that provides continuous flow of liquid from one end cap to the other. A flexible, resilient sleeve is connected at its ends to said end caps and surrounds said capillary tube. Said sleeve, when pulled away from said capillary tube, provides an alternate high flow volume flow from one end cap to the other outside of the tube.

Abstract: Dermal and transdermal patches having a discontinuous pattern printed adhesive layer on a first surface of an active-agent porous membrane, a non-porous backing layer in contact with a second surface of said porous membrane, opposite said first surface so as to define a compartment capable of containing an active agent or formulation thereof therein, an active-agent or formulation thereof within said compartment, and a protective overlayer on said adhesive layer distal to said porous membrane.

Abstract: A cartridge, a control system and an infusion pump provide an infusion system. The cartridge contains one or more flexible compartments and pressure roller for squeezing fluid from the compartments. When there is a plurality of fluid compartments in the cartridge, a multilumen connector is provided on the cartridge so that it may be connected to a single multilumen catheter. The control system monitors the volume of fluid which is expelled from the fluid filled compartments during the infusion process. Any errors in rate or volume are continually fed back to the infusion pump. Errors exceeding allowable limits cause adjustment to correct for the error in volume so that over a long duration information process desired dosage is infused at an accurately maintained infusion rate. The infusion pump is provided with a constant force spring connected to a sliding member.