Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a biopsy device at the distal end of a medical device, such as an endoscope, are disclosed. The apparatus can include a device attached to an endoscope to guide the position of the end of the instrument, such as by constraining the instrument to bend in a predetermined manner, or otherwise guide the distal end of the instrument extending from the distal end of the instrument channel.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A medical punch includes a longitudinally dividable anvil with a reduced cross-sectional dimension facilitating insertion of the anvil into the vessel wall to achieve a clean aperture in the vessel wall by cooperative shearing action of a cutting edge and an anvil edge. In another embodiment, the instrument incorporates a measuring device for determining the thickness of a vessel wall between an anvil and a distal end of a cylindrical structure which together form a caliper, and the measuring device can also constitute a medical punch by cooperative shearing action of a cutting edge and an anvil to achieve a clean aperture in the vessel wall.

Abstract: To improve administration of powdered pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical powder cartridge (1) for powder inhalers for holding a pharmaceutical depot for a large number of pharmaceutical powder doses is proposed, having at least one storage space (6) and an integrated metering device, said integrated metering device comprising at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) which can be moved approximately transversely in a metering slide channel (12) at least from a filling position to an emptying position, approximately transversely with respect to the direction of flow of the pharmaceutical powder out from the at least one storage space (6), said metering slide channel (12) with the at least one metering slide (9, 13, 14) being sealed off from the environment at least in the filling position of the metering slide (9, 13, 14), and also further measures and a corresponding inhaler.

Abstract: A device for dissecting an object, such as a cell colony includes a handle and an incision knife module that can dissociate the colony into several colony pieces. In accordance with features of the invention, users can use this dissecting device to cut an object into several pieces quickly and smoothly at a time.

Abstract: A mounter (3) integrally provided with a lancing element (47B) and analyzer includes a lancing member (47) provided with the lancing element (47B), a first member (4) including an accommodation portion (40) for holding the lancing member (47), and a second member (5) formed separately from the first member (4) for holding the analyzer (6). The accommodation portion (40) includes an accommodation space (43) communicable with the outside through a first opening (43a) and a second opening (43b). The lancing member (47) is held and hermetically sealed in the accommodation space (43) by closing the first opening (43a) and the second opening (43b) with a first seal member (44a) and a second seal member (44b).

Abstract: An expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen includes cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The distal and proximal end ring have peaks that extend longitudinally when the stent is radially expanded. The end ring extensions reduce the likelihood of the development of peri-stent restenosis.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter includes a tubular catheter body having a balloon structure removably mounted over the catheter body. The catheter body has a guidewire lumen, and the catheter body may be left in place within a patient's vasculature while the balloon structure is withdrawn and optionally a second balloon structure introduced over the catheter body. The catheter and methods of the present invention are particularly suitable for performing angioplasty and subsequent procedures, such as stent placement, which are best performed using successive interventional balloon structures.

Abstract: A surgical ring, designed to be implanted around biological organs comprising a pouch or a duct, so as, on the one hand, to form a closed loop between these two extremities (1, 2), thus forming a first (1) and a second (2) extremity and, on the other hand, to reduce the diameter of the opening of the organ when it is tightened by the ring, the ring including a system for reversibly controlling the variation in its diameter. The system also includes a flexible filiform element (4), inserted longitudinally with possibility of sliding into the material constituting the body of the ring between the first (1) and second (2) extremities, so as to define a fixed portion (5) connected to the first extremity (1) and a free portion (7) associated with an actuator (8) mounted on the ring near the second extremity (2).

Abstract: A blood withdrawal system for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes including a lancing device having a housing with an opening and a support surface, and a lancet holder movably mounted in the opening including a lancet and a bearing member that rests on the support surface. The device further includes a trigger unit which, when moved linearly, causes a rotational movement to initiate a lancing process.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus includes a housing that has a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral wall. The front wall has an aperture extending therethrough. A pair of spools is rotatably mounted in the housing. Biasing members rotationally bias the spools in opposite directions with respect to each other. A first tether is wound around a first of the spools and a second tether is wound around a second of the spools. The first and second tethers are wound about each other to form loops positioned adjacent to the apertures. The biasing members pull the tethers taut. A drive assembly mechanically coupled to the first and second spools selectively moves the first and second spools. The loops twist with respect to each other when the first and second spools are move in the first and second directions. The loops engage and remove hair attached to skin.

Abstract: Surgical method and apparatus for resectioning tissue, preferably lumenal tissue, with a remaining portion of an organ being anastomized with staples or other fastening devices, preferably endolumenally. The apparatus may be inserted via a naturally occurring body orifice or a surgical incision and then advanced using either endoscopic or radiological imaging guidance to an area where surgery is to be performed. Under endoscopic or diagnostic imaging guidance the apparatus is positioned so tissue to be resected is manipulated into an inner cavity of the apparatus. The apparatus then cuts the diseased tissue after stapling and retains the diseased tissue within the apparatus. The rent resulting in a border of healthy tissue is anastomosed with surgical staples.

Abstract: There is disclosed a radially expandable knotless tissue anchor including an expandable outer member defining a bore and an inner member slidably positioned within the bore. Relative longitudinal movement of the inner member relative to the expandable member causes a portion of the expandable member to expand radially outwardly. The tissue anchor further includes a length of suture material having a first end affixed to a distal end of the inner member and a second end preferably affixed to a suturing needle. A transverse bore is provided adjacent the distal end of the inner member. There is also disclosed a method of knotlessly anchoring a section of tissue to a section of bone having a bore drilled therethrough. The method includes passing the suture through the tissue and positioning the expandable member and a section of tissue within the interior of the bore drilled in bone.

Abstract: A system for implanting an implant and method thereof is disclosed. In general overview, the system includes an implant, an envelope enclosing the implant, a delivery assembly and an attachment piece for attaching the envelope or implant to the delivery assembly. The envelope may include a drug coating, positioning aids, and means to ease envelope removal. In one embodiment, the delivery assembly is employed for implant and/or envelope delivery inside the patient's body. In another embodiment, the delivery assembly and an attachment piece are employed to deliver the implant or the envelope inside the patient's body.

Abstract: A method for deployment of a multi-part endoluminal device includes deploying a first portion of the device sequentially from its distal end to its proximal end, then deploying a second portion of the device sequentially from its proximal end to its distal end so that its distal end overlaps the first portion proximal end. The system for deploying the endoluminal device includes a first introducer loaded with a first endoluminal device and adapted to deploy the first device sequentially from the distal end to the proximal end, and a second introducer loaded with a second endoluminal device and adapted to anchor the second endoluminal device proximal end while deploying the second endoluminal device sequentially from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A stent is described comprising a unit cell having a negative spring rate and a bistable function. The unit cell comprises first and second segments, the first segment being more rigid than the second segment. The second segment is coupled to the first segment, and the first segment comprises a substantially fixed sinusoidal shape. In the contracted state, the second segment is held stable in a sinusoidal shape, but when a force is applied the second segment bends out to a stable, convex-shaped deployed state. The second segments withstand the application of radial forces in the convex-shaped deployed state, and diametral recoil of the stent is minimized.

Abstract: A bifurcated vascular prosthesis implanted using a combined laparoscopic/open and endovascular technique for curing aneurysms of the abdominal aorta includes two stents on distal arms of the prosthesis. A delivery system and surgical kit for the release of the vascular prosthesis includes a pair of balloon release catheters, to be inserted within each corresponding stent and to remain adhering thereto throughout the time prior to release until reinflated with an inflating syringe, and a pair of balloon guide catheters, each including a dilator and a sheath. A method for implanting the prosthesis is also provided.

Abstract: A balloon anchor provides for the anchoring of a surgical instrument, such as conventional trocar sheath, within a puncture opening formed by a trocar. When used on a trocar sheath, the anchor is secured to the smooth outer surface of the sheath for extension through the puncture opening as the trocar within the sheath forms the opening. Adhesive or mechanical means are provided to secure the balloon the instrument. No modification to the structure of the instrument is required. Once in place within the opening, the balloon is inflated to the interior of the tissue to anchor the instrument in place. Certain embodiments also provide for inflation of the balloon within and/or to the exterior of the opening.

Abstract: A self centering delivery catheter is provided for delivering a filter into a vessel in a centered manner which aids in the retrieval of the filter. The delivery catheter generally includes an outer sheath and a cannula disposed inside the outer sheath and axially translatable relative thereto. A set of centering legs are attached to the cannula. The centering legs are operable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, the centering legs moving radially away from the cannula as the centering legs move from the retracted position to the extended position. The relative position of the outer sheath and cannula control the operation of the centering legs. A control wire is disposed inside the cannula and is axially translatable relative thereto. Axial translation of the control wire operates a release mechanism to disengage the filter for delivering the filter into the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for inserting a needle in an animal body for effecting radiation therapy in the body, including a template for positioning the needles to be inserted, needle drive structure for drive a needle through said template towards a desired location in the body, and real-time imaging structure for creating and presenting an image of the desired location and the position of said needle during the insertion of said needle. Due to the fact that the bevelled tip of a hollow needle cause the needle to diverge away from the “line of insertion or movement” and away from the actual desired position in the animal body adversely affecting the dosimetry quality of the implanted seeds a more accurate insertion of the needle is required. According to the invention the device is provided with adjusting structure for adjusting a movement of said needle towards said desired location during insertion.