Abstract: The Christoudias endodissector is utilized for dissecting, wiping, sponging or cleaning tissues during endoscopic surgery. The instrument includes a mesh gauze body at one end which is held securely and housed in a recess on the head portion of the instrument by teeth on a fixed and a pivotal jaw. The lower part of the head portion is mounted within a resiliently backed cylindrical locking sheath. The lower head portion becomes an elongated main stem which is mounted within a handle sheath at the other end of the instrument. A locking pin on the stem engages a groove on the locking sheath to maintain the jaws in position. Alternate embodiments involve a mushroom dissector and a cocoon dissector named after the configuration of the gauze body. The invention also includes the method of making and using the Christoudias endodissector.

Abstract: An improved teething apparatus that mechanically aids in massaging and cleaning the gums and teeth of an infant. The apparatus has a flexible outer shell which covers a relatively rigid inner member. Mounted to the inner member is a motor and at least one switch which actuates the motor thereby generating vibrational forces which are transmitted throughout the inner member and outer shell. The vibrational forces soothe sore gums and facilitate in the process of breaking the cusp tips of new teeth through the gum line and aid in keeping the teeth and gum line clean.

Abstract: An endoscope-specific therapeutic instrument includes a pair of treatment tools, a sleeve having a slit in which the pair of treatment tools are held, and a pivot pin for linking the pair of treatment tools held in the sleeve with the sleeve so that they can pivot freely. Both ends of the pivot pin lie in recesses having smaller diameters than a surface of the sleeve so as not to protrude beyond the outline of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a criocthyrotomy tube insertion device which provides for the accurate delivery and placement of a cricothyrotomy tube. The force applied to insert the cricothyrotomy tube and the duration of the application of the force are predetermined to assure safe and accurate insertion of the cricothyrotomy tube. The device is easily positioned to ensure deliver of the cricothyrotomy tube in the crico-thyroid region.

Abstract: A rotational ablation device for use in medical applications which are designed to reduce lesions, particularly vein-graft lesions, within blood vessels, the device includes a distal balloon located at the end of a guide wire, a proximal balloon having a cuff surrounding a guide catheter, an inflation lumen for use in inflating a distal balloon on the guide catheter, one or more rotating burrs used in conjunction with a helical drive system surrounding the guidewire; a suction system to remove ablated lesion material; and a control console to provide for the necessary control of the various systems of the device.

Abstract: A jig/support to consistently maintain a surgical instrument in a desired position within a vagina, uterus, or other body cavity, whether through a natural opening or an incision in the patient. The jig/support includes an instrument holder and structure cooperating between at least one of a support for a patient, a rigid base, and a patient and the instrument holder for maintaining the instrument holder in a preselected position relative to the one of the patient support, rigid base, and patient. An instrument held by the instrument holder can be controllably introduced and held consistently in a preselected, desired position within the body cavity.

Abstract: A device for injecting medication into a vessel wall includes an inflatable balloon mounted on a catheter. Additionally, a plurality of tubular fluid passageways are longitudinally mounted on the balloon, and a plurality of injectors are mounted on each tubular passageway and in fluid communication therewith. During use of the device, the balloon is first positioned in a vessel. The balloon is then inflated to embed the injectors into the vessel wall. Next, a fluid medicament is introduced through each of the fluid passageways for further infusion through the passageways and through the injectors into the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method and device which is used to insert an implant in order for treating an eye with glaucoma in order to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye. The implant is an artificial meshwork. The implant is attached to a guide knife which is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. The knife is then removed leaving the implant in place. During the operation, a prismatic lens with c-shaped vacuum ring is used to help assist the surgeon in viewing the anterior chamber of the eye and stabilizing the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method including a capsular shield for use in cataract surgery for protection of a posterior lens capsule during removal of a capsule nucleus. The shield includes a flexible, deformable soft shield having an outer configuration of a size and shape to fit within the lens capsule at a position between the nucleus and the posterior capsule to protect the posterior capsule during removal of the capsule nucleus.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the position of a medical instrument with respect to a patient's body and for displaying at least one of a plurality of prerecorded images of said body responsive to the position of said medical instrument. In one embodiment the system includes a reference unit secured from movement with respect to the patient's body such that said reference unit is substantially immobile with respect to a target operation site. The system also includes a remote unit for attachment to the medical instrument. A field generator may be associated with one of the units for generating a position characteristic field in an area including the target operation site. One or more field sensors may be associated with either of the units responsive to the presence of the position characteristic field for producing one or more sensor output signals representative of said sensed field.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: An afterbirth retaining device has a container for supporting a placenta and at least one clamp for securing an umbilical cord thereto. The container also has end walls, one of which has a handle and an adjacent handle shield. The retaining device is utilized by an individual to hold the afterbirth of a newborn child and safely permit the drawing of blood from the umbilical cord without accidentally sticking the individual with perhaps diseased or drug-containing blood.

Abstract: A safety trocar device is described which has an internal safety shield within the obturator of the trocar. The internal safety shield is spring loaded to extend in the distal direction to cover the cutting tip of the trocar obturator. In one embodiment, the trocar obturator is made with a three-sided pyramidal cutting tip and the safety shield has three distally extending fingers which extend through openings in the faces of the pyramidal cutting tip. The safety shield with its three distally extending fingers is preferably rounded to an ellipsoidal shape on the distal end to facilitate penetration of the tissues and to reduce frictional resistance to deployment of the safety shield. The obturator and the safety shield are part of a trocar assembly which also includes a shaft and a proximal handle. Optionally, the trocar assembly may also include a safety locking mechanism which prevents premature or unintended withdrawal of the safety shield.

Abstract: A flexible, fluid-tight envelope provides access for a hand and surgical instruments through a body tissue incision while maintaining insufflation pressure or a pneumoperitoneum within the body. The envelope is transparent and has an interior volume with opposite proximal and distal ends. A first opening in the envelope at the proximal end adjoins the incision in the body tissue and is secured and sealed to the body tissue. The second opening at the envelope distal end is provided with a closure member that seals closed the second opening on itself or around the forearm of a surgeon or a surgical instrument inserted into the interior volume of the envelope. An access port is provided at the first opening in the envelope. The access port includes a housing containing a valve element that is selectively opened and closed to provide access to the tissue incision while maintaining insufflation pressure in the body cavity.

Abstract: An integral ear piercing system minimizes the risk of deleterious results (such as infection) and reduces the potential for trapping and/or pinching flesh during the piercing process between the earring stud post and the earring clutch flange. An earring stud post having a sloped stop prevents the trapping and/or pinching of adjacent flesh between the earring stud post and the flange of the earring clutch during the piercing process. The earring stud is held in a sterile condition inside a blister pak by a supporting base that allows manipulation of the earring ornaments without direct manual contact with the ornaments. The supporting base may be color coded to match an interchangeable earring stud holder driven by a stud gun. Several interchangeable earring stud holders may be used in the stud gun, the earring stud holders sized to match different sizes of earring stud heads. Such holders may be color coded to the supporting base and an adapter clip, the color indicating the size of the earring stud head.

Abstract: The instrument for morcellating, in particular for endosurgical operations, includes a tube with a cutter formed at its distal end which is the actual morcellator, and a gripping instrument introduced into this tube for holding the tissue to be removed. Between the gripping instrument and the cutting tube is provided a protective sheath into which the gripper of the gripping instrument is inserted before the beginning of the cutting procedure. This configuration reliably prevents fouling between the cutting instrument and the gripper.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention envisions two radiopaque marker bands located within the balloon of the balloon angioplasty catheter for balloon expandable stents, or located at a distal portion of a stent delivery catheter designed for self-expanding stents. When the balloon is expanded to its nominal diameter, the proximal marker band (of the two bands) is positioned to indicate the proximal extremity of the stent and the distal marker band is used to indicate the distal extremity of the stent. A second aspect of this invention envisions one or more radiopaque marker bands placed onto a distal portion of a stent delivery catheter with each radiopaque marker band indicating the position of a special expandable cell of the stent, which cell can be placed at the ostium of a side branch artery where that side branch enters into a main artery. The interventionalist would align such a radiopaque marker band with the ostium of the side branch prior to stent deployment.

Abstract: A blood clot filter which is collapsible toward a central longitudinal axis into a collapsed configuration for insertion into a blood vessel and which is radially expandable outwardly from the longitudinal axis to an expanded configuration for contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at two longitudinally spaced locations. A first plurality of spaced, elongate arms, in the expanded configuration of the filter, curve outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the trailing end of the filter to form a first filter basket. These arms prevent movement of the filter in a first longitudinal direction. A second plurality of spaced elongate legs angle outwardly away from the longitudinal axis toward the leading edge of the filter in the expanded configuration thereof. These second legs form a second filter basket opening toward the leading end and prevent longitudinal movement of the filter in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An inflatable medical cuff with a relief and safety valve. When the pressurized fluid from a pump exceeds a predetermined level, the safety valve pops-up to indicate the same. The relief valve may be used to reduce this excess pressure. A loop and hook fastener may be used to attach the cuff to a person's limb.

Abstract: An improved intraocular lens forceps, including a first and second arm, the first arm has a first handle and a first lens engagement blade spaced from the first handle. The second arm has a second handle and a second lens engagement blade spaced from the second handle. The blades extend generally longitudinally in laterally spaced relation and at opposite side of a bisecting plane. The first arm has a primary section and a secondary section. The secondary arm sections extend between the first handle and first blade. The second arm has a primary section and a secondary section, the secondary arm sections extend between the second handle and second blade. The blades are movable by the handles and arm sections between closed and open positions relative to the lens.