Abstract: An upper body exercise apparatus for assisting an exerciser in performing chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes at least two securely yet releasably attached elastic stretch components connected to a substantially inelastic flexible component that functions as a suspended sling. The method of exercise is to engage part of the body within the sling to allow the elastic resistance to counteract a portion of the exercisers body weight and thus enable the exerciser to perform these effective body weight exercises with less effort than that required with the exerciser's full body weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for delivering a medical prosthesis into a body lumen. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a catheter having a stent mounted at the distal end that is released into the body lumen by movement of an outer sheath covering the stent in the proximal direction. The stent expands to conform to the inner wall of the lumen and the catheter is withdrawn.

Abstract: A tissue connector assembly comprising a clip movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a mechanical restraining device including a plurality of strands releasably attachable to the clip for restraining the clip in its open configuration. A needle may be releasably attached to the clip. A flexible member may also interconnect the clip and the needle.

Abstract: A semi-enclosed applicator is provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides. The applicator further includes at least one opening, such that the internal cavity is externally accessible. The applicator further comprises: (a) a substantially non-absorbent material on one of the first and second sides; (b) a substantially absorbent material on the other of the first and second sides; and (c) a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within the internal cavity adjacent the nonabsorbent layer. A semi-enclosed applicator is also provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. This applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for closing a left atrial appendage are described. The methods rely on introducing a closure tool from a location beneath the rib cage, over an epicardial surface, and to the exterior of the left atrial appendage. The closure device may then be used to close the left atrial appendage, preferably at its base, by any one of a variety of techniques. A specific technique using graspers and a closing loop is illustrated.

Abstract: A spinal fixation device comprises an intervertebral body wedge which is inserted between vertebral bodies by sequentially expanding the inter-discal space using a spacer. With this sequential expansion, no posterior fixation devices are needed for stabilization of the spinal diseased vertebrae.

Abstract: Paired vascular clamps simplify laparoscopic vascular reconstruction surgery by providing an instrument for bringing vessel ends together to a reasonable working distance under a controlled fashion. A first clamp, with a pivoted connecting arm, and a second clamp with a lock/release device for attaching the second clamp to the connecting arm, can be inserted through an trocar or other port into a surgical field and then positioned on with the first clam and the second clamp in side-by-side and substantially parallel relationship, so that said first clamp and said second clamp can hold and position one or more vessels or elongated tissues. A laparoscopic approximator-everter has extendable blades for gripping blood vessel edges or other tissue to be anamosted, and an extendable sheath that can be advanced to surround the blades.

Abstract: This invention is a stent having a substantially tubular body defining a longitudinal axis comprising first and second adjacent annular segments, each segment defining a substantially sinusoidal shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the peaks of the first segment extending toward the second segment and being aligned longitudinally with the valleys of the second segment. The stent has a plurality of bridge elements having a U-shaped portion between first and second connector arms, the first connector arm of one bridge element being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the first segment and the second connector arm being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the second segment in a manner such that the U-shaped portion extends in the direction of the first peak of the first segment and the first valley of the second segment. The bridge elements may be connected to the segments at points spaced 360° apart along the sinusoidal shape of the segments.

Abstract: An expandable delivery sheath is provided for intravascular introduction into a patient's vasculature by means of a guiding catheter. An interventional device, such as a stent delivery catheter, is subsequently advanced within the expandable sheath to a point where the stent traverses an arterial lesion. The sheath forms a protective barrier between the lesion and the stent and it delivery catheter, thereby preventing the creation of emboli which might otherwise be produced by abrasion of the stent against the plaque of the arterial lesion. Prior to expansion of the stent, the expandable sheath is retracted from the area of treatment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a stent that is relatively flexible along its longitudinal axis but can be crimped or reduced to a very low profile while maintaining the ability to expand radially outwardly to any number of diameters to support a body lumen such as a coronary artery. The stent includes a plurality of cylindrical rings connected to each other by links. The cylindrical rings have curved portions that are attached by arms having slits that, when expanded, form apertures or holes to permit the stent to be reduced to a very low profile for delivery purposes, yet be able to expand the stent to various diameters and to provide sufficient vessel wall coverage when implanted.

Abstract: A dual action tongue scraper provides either a hard scrape or a soft scrape of the tongue, as desired. A hard scraping surface and a soft scraping surface are formed along at least one of the edges of a strip of flexible material. A user bends the strip of flexible material such that generally only one of the hard scraping surface and the soft scraping surface contacts the user's tongue at a given time during scraping.

Abstract: An intravascular filter having a filament which expands a filter element. The filament is a coil which is stretched to reduce the diameter of the coil for introduction. The filter element is preferably biased toward the closed position and is opened by the coil when tension is released on the coil. The filament slides along the internal surface of the filter element so that the filter element may assume intermediate positions.

Abstract: Devices and methods relating to percutaneous and hiatal approaches for treating urinary incontinence are provided herein. In particular, guide member placement devices, sling application catheters, tissue dissectors/dilators, sling application devices and a sling application system, tissue expanders, grasping devices, and balloon catheters are disclosed herein. Methods for using the preceding devices to stabilize the bladder neck or the urethral floor in order to maintain or improve urinary continence are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plurality of scalpel handles, one master handle and one or more slave handles. The master handle and one of the slave handles are interconnected to provide uniform, parallel blade separation of two scalpels and their blades.

Abstract: An intravascular flow modifier and vascular reinforcement for treatment of aneurysms is formed of a single loop of wire formed into a series of transverse loops and longitudinal connecting sections to configure an essentially cylindrical reinforcement device that still allows, if desired, access to the neck of an aneurysm for insertion of embolic coils and the like.

Abstract: A method of crystalline lens replacement for eyes comprises the steps of forming a small hole that penetrates through the lens capsule, removing a part of the crystalline lens substance through the hole, refilling the lens capsule by injecting a composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer directly into the lens capsule, and closing the hole. The method of crystalline lens replacement may be performed on animals or humans. Furthermore, the method of crystalline lens replacement may be performed on a patient suffering from cataract, where the opaque crystalline lens substance in the lens capsule is removed.

Abstract: A handpiece having at least one set of piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric elements are constructed of segments that produce both longitudinal and torsional motion. An appropriate ultrasound driver drives the set of elements at the respective resonant frequencies to product longitudinal vibration and torsional oscillation.

Abstract: A tube connection structure for endoscope system for connecting a flexible tube with a connection member is provided with a rigid cylindrical member tightly inserted in an end portion of the flexible tube. The connection member is provided with an opening for receiving the end portion of the flexible tube where the rigid cylindrical member is inserted. The size of the rigid cylindrical member is designed such that the flexible tube is tightly nipped between the rigid cylindrical member and an inner surface of the opening of the connection member.

Abstract: An endovascular graft which is configured to conform to the morphology of the vessel to be treated and which is made from an inflatable structure having a proximal end with a proximal inflatable cuff and a distal end with a distal inflatable cuff. At least one elongated inflatable channel is disposed between and in fluid communication with fluid tight chambers of the inflatable cuffs which may contain rupture discs therebetween which can be configured to rupture at different pressures. A thin flexible barrier disposed between the inflatable cuffs and the elongated inflatable channel of the frame so as to form a tubular structure defining a longitudinal channel to confine a flow of blood or other fluid therethrough. The graft may also have an expansion member attached to the proximal end of the graft which is preferably made of linked expandable rings of pseudoelastic shape memory alloy which is self expanding and prevents axial displacement of the graft once it is deployed.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical, radially expandable stent may be composed of a plurality of interconnected multibonate cell structures. The cells have three or more enlarged end portions radiating from a common center within the cell. The cells may be of tribonate or higher order multibonate configuration. Stents composed up of a series of generally multibonate cell elements are also disclosed.