Abstract: A mounting apparatus for applying pressure to the back of a human head having a harness for attaching the apparatus to the front portion of the head and a therapeutic pad attached to the harness. The therapeutic pad has a first and a second protrusion on an inner surface thereof, each adapted to contact an occiput at the back of the head.

Abstract: An ablation catheter system for capturing and removing necrotic tissue and thrombi generated during an ablative procedure is disclosed. The catheter typically includes an elongate member, a filtration assembly disposed within the distal region, and an ablation instrument at the distal end. Alternatively, the ablation instrument is carried on the distal end of an ablation catheter, which is disposed within a lumen of the catheter system. The catheter may further include an aspiration port and lumen. Methods of using the devices in preventing distal embolization during ablative procedures are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad includes a draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: A multi-use lancet device having a lancet receiving assembly containing at least two lancets disposed therein and structured to be independently moveable between a cocked and a fired orientation, and a firing assembly movably and operatively coupled with the lancet receiving assembly so as to be selectively and independently positioned in operative engagement with each of the lancets in order to define an active one of the lancets. The firing assembly is also structured to selectively move at least the active lancet between its cocked and its fired orientations.

Abstract: A blood filter device and delivery system, comprising a tubular member with a filter. The tubular member includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a port for receiving the filter. The filter includes a shaft having a handle on one end and an expandable filter device on the other end. The expandable filter device includes filter mesh and an expansion frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions. The shaft is removably received by the tubular member. The tubular member may be introduced into a blood vessel, and the expandable filter device may be deployed through the tubular member into the vessel. The expansion frame may be expanded to the enlarged condition to capture embolic material in the mesh, may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel. The filter may be removed from the tubular member, and a new filter may then be received therein.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesives containing bioabsorbable copolymers are disclosed. The copolymers are preferably derived from &egr;-caprolactone, lactide and glycolide monomers or from butyl 2-cyanoacrylate, glycolide, lactide, &egr;-caprolactone monomers. The adhesives are characterized by increased biodegradability, increased viscosity and increased flexibility. The adhesives are useful for wound and incision closure, and for medical devices, including implants.

Abstract: A self-centering blood clot filter is provided. The filter includes an anchoring portion including a generally cylindrical radially expandable body including an axial lumen extending therethrough. The filter further includes a filtering portion including a conical body concentrically aligned within the axial lumen of the anchoring portion. The conical body of the filtering portion is tapered to form a distal tip. As such, the blood clot filter can be properly centered within the lumen of a vessel for effective lysing of blood clots.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of bone marrow-shielding tourniquets and methods for using them to perform bone marrow-shielded chemotherapy with or without general and without the need to remove a patient's bone marrow for protection during the procedure. In the invention method, pressure is applied to at least one body part of the patient that contains myelopoietic bone marrow to temporarily occlude arterial flow to the bone marrow while blood circulation through the remainder of the body is maintained. Then an effective amount of at least one myelosuppresive chemotherapeutic agent is administered to the blood circulation in the remainder of the patient while the arterial flow through the at least one body part is occluded and so that the myelosuppresive effect of the agent is substantially dissipated within the maximum safe period for the occlusion of the arterial flow, or about three hours.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices which provide enhanced mixing and application of two liquid components to form a biomaterial with minimized aerosols is achieved using air flow rates below about 1.25 liters/minute in combination with a ratio of air flow to total liquid flow of from about 150:1 up to about 1500:1. Preferably the air flow is below about 1 liter/minute and the ratio of air flow to total liquid flow is from about 200:1 to about 1200:1. The parameters are ideally suited for the spray application of components which form a surgical sealant, e.g., a fibrin sealant. Also a part of the present invention are novel application methods for biomaterial, e.g., surgical sealant, components at liquid flows below 1.9 ml/minute, novel methods involving the mixing of such components on the exit surface of a spray tip or nozzle, novel spray tips and biomaterial applicators and methods for making such applicators.

Abstract: An elongate tubular body extends between a rotatable cutter and a control. The cutter is connected to the control with a rotatable element. A vacuum is applied through an annular passage defined between the tubular body and the rotatable element. The control has an indicator that reveals resistance to rotation and/or reduction in flow. Material that has been processed by the cutter is aspirated through the tubular body for disposal. The control enables rotation of the rotatable element only following application of a predetermined level of vacuum.

Abstract: A system/assembly for delivery and deployment of an inflation expandable stent within a vessel, comprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends; a stent, inflation expandable from a delivery diameter to a deployment diameter, such that the delivery diameter is reduced from the deployment diameter for conforming the stent to the catheter, such that the stent, in its delivery diameter, is coaxially mounted on the catheter near the catheter distal end; an expandable inflation member coaxially mounted on the catheter axially within the stent, for expansion of the stent from the delivery diameter to the deployment diameter upon application of fluid deployment pressure to the inflation member; and a securement component coaxially mounted on the catheter, axially within the expandable inflation members, the securement component designed and adapted to provide a securement pressure to the stent in the delivery diameter to maintain the stent in position on the catheter during delivery to the deployment site.

Abstract: A system including an adaptor and a syringe is used for facilitating hemostasis of a biopsy tract or other puncture wound by delivery of an absorbable sponge in a hydrated state into the wound. The adaptor includes a tapered lumen for hydrating and compressing the relatively large absorbable sponge for delivery through a relatively small cannula, such as a biopsy needle. The hydrated absorbable sponge is injected through the biopsy needle into the biopsy tract by fluid. Alternatively, the sponge may be delivered to the biopsy needle by injection of fluid and then delivered to the biopsy tract by a plunger or stylet. The system may also include a trail staging chamber for inspecting a condition of the sponge before delivery. The implanted absorbable sponge facilitates hemostasis at the biopsy site or other puncture wound and minimizes the chance of internal bleeding. The absorbable sponge material is absorbed by the body over time.

Abstract: A jaw assembly for an endoscopic bioptome includes a pair of opposed end effectors having resilient arms formed from a super-elastic metal. The distal ends of the resilient arms terminate in end effector jaw cups which are also preferably formed from super-elastic metal, while the proximal portions of the resilient arms include angled portions which urge the jaw cups away from each other. The jaw cups are brought together into a biting action by a cylinder having a sharp distal edge which moves relative to and over he arms of the end effectors. As the resilient arms are formed from a super-elastic metal, they exhibit very high resiliency and durability even after numerous uses.

Abstract: This is a medical device for forming an embolism within the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, it is a vaso-occlusion device at least partially coated with a bioactive agent, a collagenous material, or a collagenous coating optionally containing or coated with other bioactive agents. A coated vaso-occlusive device which is highly flexible is also a variation.

Abstract: A hemostatic plug for sealing wounds in blood vessels comprising a tubular or spring-like body capable of buckling or collapsing upon application of a threshold axial force and having a fretted distal end. A collapsed portion of the plug lodges into the tissue tract and thus acts as a foothold allowing the plug to maintain continuous pressure on the puncture site necessary for a quick effective closure of the wound. Furthermore, collapse of the plug minimizes the chance of arterial penetration.

Abstract: An absorbable sponge containing a contrasting agent (e.g, radiopaque agent) that can be introduced to a biopsy tract or other puncture wound site is provided. The contrasting agent permits identification of the site by fluoroscopy or other imaging techniques.

Abstract: An arterial catheter system for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries is disclosed. The system typically includes an elongate catheter member, a filtration apparatus disposed within the distal region, and an atherectomy assembly which includes a mechanism for trapping and holding mobile or fixed plaque and an excising mechanism for removing the plaque. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the atherectomy assembly lies within a region of interest, the filtration apparatus is deployed downstream of the region of interest, the plaque is trapped and held by a snare, vacuum, or other trapping device, and then the excising mechanism is activated to remove the plaque. Methods are also disclosed for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries.

Abstract: For connecting the end of a first blood vessel (6) to the side of a second blood vessel, the latter of which preferably has a greater diameter than the first blood vessel, an expandable end portion (12, 12′) for forming an annular end flange (15, 15′) is provided on a sleeve (11, 11′). As a result, the first blood vessel (6), after being passed through the sleeve (11, 11′) in the direction of the expandable end portion and folding back at least over the expandable end portion, is formable into a collar, both sides of which enclose the annular end flange inside the second blood vessel and internally surround an opening formed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating flow in biological conduits has a valve mechanism which has an open state and a closed state. The valve is applied and secured to a particular biological conduit while being maintained in an open state. An actuating mechanism is provided which actuates a change of state of the valve from an open state to a closed state in response to leakage from the biological conduit. In one embodiment, actuation is automatic and in another it is manual but remote. A preferred embodiment is a pinch valve such as that used in temporary micro vascular surgery to which is added an effectively resilient element interposed between opposing members of said clip. The interposed element is configured such that it is unable to maintain the clip in an open position unless the clip opening is augmented by manual or other means, and it is able to maintain the clip in an open position if a blood vessel is placed within the clip and has an adequate flow.

Abstract: An occlusion device (10) for the closure of a physical anomaly such as a vascular aperture or an aperture in a septum, includes a center strut (12) with a pair of collapsible support frames (16, 18). Polyvinyl alcohol foam sheets (42, 44) are attached to each of the support frames (16, 18).