Abstract: A guide wire for use in atherectomy procedures has a bearing with a static member fixedly secured to the guide wire and a dynamic member rotatably engaged to the static member. The dynamic member can rotate with an atherectomy burr if the burr engages the bearing.

Abstract: A microkeratome for use with a handpiece and a microkeratome blade, the microkeratome having a positioning assembly and a head portion with a base portion and an insert portion. The positioning assembly has a platform with a corneal opening and a suction ring for application to the surface of the patient's eyeball. The positioned assembly has two spaced apart guide walls that are high enough to prevent a patient's eyelids from passing over the upper surface of the positioning assembly. The base portion has a lower planar face with a base slot extending therethrough through which the microkeratome blade will extend, and opposing sides with skates to slidably engage with inner sliding surfaces of guide walls. The insert portion lockably fits into the base portion. Stops are present to control the amount of uncut corneal flap.

Abstract: An improved catheter assembly and method are provided for treating bifurcated vessels. The catheter assembly of the present invention includes a tubular sheath for restraining dual balloons normally biased apart. Withdrawal of the sheath allows the balloons to separate and deploy intravascular stents in a bifurcated vessel. The catheter assembly also includes the feature of containing two guide wire lumens in a single catheter designed to track over a single wire prior to arrival at the bifurcation, thus preventing wire wrapping and crossing of the wires.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly embodying the principles of the present invention is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation, and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. In an ultrasonic blade according to the present invention, the blade is constructed such that the cross-sectional area of the blade is smaller at the proximal end of the compression zone than at the distal end. This performance-enhancing feature creates a more consistent cutting and coagulation of the tissue along the length of the blade reducing the time the blade is in operation and reducing overall heat generation.

Abstract: Improved methods of treatment of diseased or occluded vascular grafts in patients having undergone coronary artery bypass or other bypass surgery are disclosed. Deployment of a conduit in the myocardium at a site distal to the site of attachment of the coronary artery bypass graft allows oxygenated blood to flow from a chamber in the heart directly into the coronary artery, bypassing blockages in the coronary artery and the graft originally used to bypass the coronary artery. To ensure proper positioning, the conduit is delivered through the graft to the myocardium. A new lining for the existing vein graft and methods of delivery are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture container having a spool rotatably mounted therein. A length of suture material is wound on the spool is wrapped in an outer bacterial-proof envelope.

Abstract: A method for forming an implantable medical device, such as a stent, covered stent, or synthetic stent graft, is provided. Protruding structures are formed on a surface of the device. The protruding structures have a central depression region surrounded by a lip. The protruding structures can have a variety of shapes, including circular and ovular shapes, or the protruding structure can form a groove. The protruding structures can be used to engage a cover. Glue can be added to the protruding structures to help secure the cover. The protruding structures can also contain a therapeutic substance or substances for release in situ. The protruding structures can be formed using a laser discharge to create a hole in the stent surface followed by directing a pressurized stream of grit at the surface.

Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.

Abstract: A surgical thread cutter (10) has a blade (18) movable via an actuation mechanism (30) relative to an anvil (20) toward and away from the latter, and a spring by way of which the blade (18) can be acted upon by spring force in one movement direction. In the interest of better and safer handling, it is proposed that the spring act upon the blade (18) in the cutting direction, that a retention system be provided by means of which the blade (18) can be locked in a position remote from the anvil (20); and that the force of the spring be set in such a way that after the retention system is released, the blade (18) can be moved onto the anvil (20) in the manner of a guillotine (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A device for marking hidden delaminations in a structure subject to hidden delaminations comprising a wheeled spray paint can holder, wherein said holder is adapted to hold a paint can containing a nozzle which when depressed releases an upward spray of paint, and wherein said holder is fixedly connected to an outer tube containing therein an inner tube adapted for freely sliding inside said outer tube, wherein said inner tube contains a section extending beyond said outer tube in an upper axial direction, and wherein said inner tube is mounted on top of a spring in said outer tube, and wherein said inner tube contains a protrusion in said section, and wherein said inner tube contains one or more wheels, at or near the upper end of said section, for rolling said holder on an overhead surface, and wherein said outer tube contains means fixedly attached thereto for engaging said spring and located inside said outer tube and below said spring, and wherein when said outer tube is adapted through said means to con

Abstract: The apparatus has an elongate, rigid, tubular body with a universal-type swivel coupling to a water hose at its proximal end, and a transverse head bar disposed at the distal end, the head bar having a scrubbing sponge and wiping blade projecting therefrom in opposite directions. A flexible, distally-projecting, selectively-directable, fluid-emitting nozzle is in fluid communication with the water hose and can be used for wetting a dirty window or for filling a radiator. The distal, fluid-emitting nozzle is constructed of multiple segments which can be swiveled and set in a stable position with respect to one another; a flexible, resilient sheath covers the segments. The scrubbing sponge is covered with a layer of slightly abrasive, foraminous material, and is impregnated with a concentrated, water-soluble, cleaning-enhancing compound.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat fractured or diseased bone by deploying more than a single therapeutic tool into the bone. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an expandable body in association with a bone cement nozzle into the bone, such that both occupy the bone interior at the same time. In another arrangement, the systems and methods deploy multiple expandable bodies, which occupy the bone interior volume simultaneously. Expansion of the bodies form cavity or cavities in cancellous bone in the interior bone volume.

Abstract: Apparatus used for manipulation of a gripped element employed in surgery, which includes two elongated lever arms, each of which has a distal first zone, and a second zone or zones rearward of distal first zone, and a handle from which the arms extend forwardly; the arms supported so that first distal zones are yieldably urged toward one another by the arms to hold the gripped element therebetween; and a pusher movable between the arms to pivot one arm relative to the other arm in response to controllable force exertion acting on the pusher, as from a location outside the arms, thereby to cause the first zones to relatively move, enabling gripping or release of the element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new and useful apparatus for use with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus for intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis of an end of a graft vessel to the wall of a receiving blood vessel that is performed according to a minimally invasive procedure. The intraluminally directed vascular anastomosis does not require the interruption of blood flow in the receiving blood vessel and it is versatile enough to suitably combine a variety of cutting, welding, soldering, sealing, and joining techniques such as stapling. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus comprises an anvil and a wire used for signaling the optimal anastomosis site; this signaling can be performed when the initial exploration is performed. The intraluminally directed anvil apparatus is typically used with a catheter.

Abstract: An at least partially bioabsorbable surgical fastener or device formed in the shape of a screw and washer system and the methods for manufacturing and using the same. The surgical fastener is particularly but not solely intended to be used to attach rotator cuff tendons to bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating disc herniation provide a conformable device which assumes a first shape associated with insertion and a second shape or expanded shape to occlude the defect which typically follows partial discectomy. The device may take different forms including patches size to cover the defect or plugs adapted to fill the defect. In a preferred embodiment, however, the device is a gel or other liquid or semi-liquid which solidifies to occlude the defect from within the body of the disc itself. In another preferred embodiment, a mesh screen is collapsed into an elongated form for the purposes of insertion, thereby minimizing the size of the requisite incision while avoiding delicate surrounding nerves. Such a configuration also permits the use of instrumentation to install the device, including, for example, a hollow tube or sheath adapted to hold the collapsed screen, and a push rod to expel the collapsed device out of the sheath for use in occluding the disc defect.

Abstract: Endoscopic surgery nippers have a proximal end body to which is detachably affixed the proximal end zone of a tube forming the nippers' shank, the end zone being detachably fixed in the axial position while rotatable about the axis of the end body. A grip is fixed in place on the end body and another grip is pivotally supported on the first grip and has a swivel socket along the tube axis on the proximal side of the end body. A nipper head supports nipper arms and is detachably connected in rotatably and in axially geometrically interlocking manner with the distal tube end. A rod driving the nipper arms and affixed in axially displaceable and non-rotatable manner to the nipper head extends through the tube and is detachably supported at its distal end in the swivel socket.

Abstract: A catheter system (1) which is useable as a part of a delivery kit for introducing objects (8) into the living body is provided which has a very high flexibility with simultaneous kink resistance and via which compressive as well as tensile forces are reliably transmittable. It comprises at least one longitudinally extended inner catheter (4) and at least one accessory component (6, 10) which is arranged in the distal end region of the inner catheter (4), wherein the end-face is abutted on at least a portion of the accessory component (10) such that movement of the accessory component (10) relative to the longitudinal extent of the inner catheter (4) is prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical instrument having at least one surgical element, such as a knife or the like disposed at the distal end thereof, a motor disposed at the proximal end thereof, and a shaft which connects the shaft of the motor to the shaft of the surgical instrument in such a manner that the surgical element is rotated. According to the invention either the motor is detachably connected to said shaft of the said surgical element in an as such known manner so that a bend can be inserted between the motor shaft and said shaft disposed in the instrument or that a flexible bend is inserted between the motor and the shaft in such a manner that the motor shaft and the shaft disposed in the instrument includes an adjustable angle.

Abstract: The retainer for tendons used in the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee comprises a cylindrical body having a flange at one end and an eyelet at the other end; the tendons are engaged through the eyelet and are guided through a hole formed through the femoral and tibial condyles; the body can be inserted until the flange abuts against the femoral inlet of the hole.