Abstract: A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may include two or more sections that are connected via a fracturable or yielding bridge section that increases flexibility when passing through or being utilized in tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.

Abstract: A surgical device 20 for attaching staples 40 to a portion of a body comprising an anvil 23; a smart memory material (SMM) 50, 75 capable of going from one physical state to another physical state; a supply of staples in communication with the smart memory material and placed near the anvil; and an activating apparatus 21 which is in communication with the smart memory material and which can cause the change in the physical state of the smart memory material, which change in state causes the movement of the staples against the anvil thereby securing the staples 40 to the desired body portion. The device utilizes a source of electricity which when activated causes the SMM to expand in volume thereby moving an individual staple from the supply of staples. The device may also contain a surgical knife 62 to cut a body portion wherein a SMM is in communication with the knife whereby when the SMM expands it engages the knife causing the knife to cut the desired body portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of a vertical gastric reservoir for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. The reservoir consists of a clamp having two plates articulated at the lower end thereof and an automatic closing system in the upper part thereof, reinforced with a sealing system. Both plates are provided with two extensions (one at each end of the instrument) on the right-hand edge thereof. Both extensions are provided with two openings that are used to fix the instrument to the stomach wall. Application of the instrument and the technical solution provided are as follows: the substitution of metal staples which are subsequently eliminated in between 15% and 20% of patients and which result in failure of the vertical band gastroplasty operation. The instrument could also be used for producing small gastric reservoirs used for gastric bypass with minor curvature instead of metal staples.

Abstract: An expandable tissue supporting device of the present invention employs ductile hinges at selected points in the expandable device. When expansion forces are applied to the device as a whole, the ductile hinges concentrate expansion stresses and strains in small well defined areas. The expandable medical device including ductile hinges provides the advantages of low expansion force requirements, relatively thick walls which are radio-opaque, improved crimping properties, high crush strength, reduced elastic recoil after implantation, and control of strain to a desired level. The expandable tissue supporting device includes a plurality of elongated beams arranged in a cylindrical device and connected together by a plurality of ductile hinges.

Abstract: A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. In an embodiment, a multilumen unilimb breathing circuit has first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, axial extension or contraction of the second conduit causes a corresponding axial extension or contraction of the first conduit. In an embodiment, at least one of said conduits is coiled. In another embodiment, a coiled conduit is contained within an outer flexible conduit that is axially extendable and compressible, forming a unilimb, multilumen respiratory circuit. The outer flexible conduit may be pleated to provide for non-rebounding axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume.

Abstract: A dynamic gauntlet including at least two of a base, a hand piece, and a thumb piece. At least one of the base, hand piece and thumb piece is constructed of an elastomeric material and includes an anchor having an attachment element extending toward the at least one other of the base, hand piece and thumb piece, which includes an attachment area. The attachment element is secured to the attachment area in a variety of pre-selected locations, thereby providing variable tension in the anchor to reconfigure the hand or digits. A method of the invention includes applying at least two of the base, the hand piece and the thumb piece to a wrist, arm or hand, and securing an anchor attachment element of one or more of these components to a pre-selected location on an attachment area of these components to reconfigure the hand or digits in a desired configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a forceps tip assembly capable of supporting a forceps tip with high rigidity in order to realize a laparoscopic surgery requiring a significant power with the forceps tip, such as an organ removal surgery which has been heretofore difficult to be performed by a robot for medical use.

Abstract: An expandable stent is implanted in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen for treating an area of vulnerable plaque. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of 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. A central section is positioned between distal and proximal sections and is aligned with the area of vulnerable plaque to enhance growth of endothelial cells over the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque to reinforce the area and reduce the likelihood of rupture.

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing formed of opposed thermoformed polymeric sheets bonded together having formed therebetween a chamber having a medicament cartridge encapsulated between the sheets, an inlet aligned with a passage through the cartridge having a pierceable closure and an outlet aligned with the passage outlet having a burstable membrane. The device includes a pressure actuator formed as a blister between the sheets and a piercing element having a bow-shaped actuator portion and a shaft which pierces the pierceable closure upon actuation of the pressure actuator, delivering fluid under pressure to the cartridge passage, rupturing the membrane and expressing the medicament.

Abstract: A microsurgical balloon, with at least one incising component mounted to the surface of the balloon, includes a protective pad to prevent the outer surface of the incising component from coming into contact with and damaging the balloon surface. In particular, the protective pad is positioned on the outer surface of the balloon substantially parallel to and juxtaposed with the incising component. When the balloon is in a deflated configuration, either for insertion into the vasculature system or removal from the patient, the protective pad engages the outer surface of the incising component thereby protecting the balloon from being punctured or damaged by the incising component. The protective pad may be bonded to the outer surface of the balloon, or it may be an integral part of a homogeneous balloon structure.

Abstract: A blood vessel knife allows a doctor to easily see a knife main body when holding it for surgical operation. In a blood vessel knife having a cutter holder at a tip portion of a rod-shaped grip, and a knife main body attached to a tip of the cutter holder, at least one of a first bent portion 2a formed at an end of the grip 2 and a second bent portion 3a formed on the cutter holder 3 is provided; the cutter holder 3 can be detachably engaged with the tip portion from either an inside or outside thereof; and an angle between the grip 2 and the knife main body is changeable whether the cutter holder is engaged from the inside or the outside of the tip portion. When gripping the blood vessel knife 1, doctors can easily see the knife main body 4 due to the second bent portion 3a, and the knife main body 4 diagonally penetrates a blood vessel 15 to prevent the knife main body 4 from penetrating a lower blood vessel wall 15b.

Abstract: A breathing circuit comprising first and second conduits is disclosed, wherein at least one of the conduits is a non-conventional conduit. A multilumen unilimb breathing circuit is also disclosed having first and second conduits, wherein when the proximal ends of said first and second conduits are each connected to an inlet and outlet fitting, respectively, movement of the distal end of the first conduit causes a corresponding movement of the distal end of the second conduit. In an embodiment, inner and outer flexible conduits are formed of pleated tubing that is axially extendable and compressible to form a unilimb multilumen respiratory circuit. The pleating provides for axial extension and contraction. The multilumen respiratory circuit can provide a variable rebreathing volume. In an embodiment, at least one tube in a multilumen respiratory conduit is radially collapsible and radially expandable to a maximum radius for carrying respiratory gases to and from a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel tube-in-tube endotracheal tube apparatus that allows for replacement or cleaning of an inner (first) tube without having to re-intubate the patient. The novel endotracheal tube apparatus enables the application of continuous suction or intermittent suction. The endotracheal device also serves to decrease the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Abstract: A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation deice is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for diverting static electricity away from a treadmill. The apparatus includes a diverting apparatus, consisting of a conducting piece, a conductive strip and a connection bolt. The diverting apparatus is mounted on the surface of the platform without influencing the smooth rotation of the continuous belt for carrying off the static electricity produced by friction within a walking area of the treadmill by providing a direct grounding path through the connection of the other end of the conductive strip to the ground.

Abstract: A multifunction exerciser includes a base, a coupler rotatably attached to the base, a lever attached to the coupler and having one or more seats for supporting users, a handle device rotatably attached to the base, and a link pivotally coupling the handle device to the coupler and thus to the lever, to allow the user to elevate himself by rotating the handle device relative to the base. A foot support is rotatably attached to the base, and includes one or more foot pedals to support the user, and a connecting rod pivotally couples the foot support to the handle device and the coupler. The handle device includes a connecting bar coupled between two hand grips, and a connector rotatably coupled to the base.

Abstract: A unique structure for an indoor exercise bike that provides strength in its design, as well as the flexibility to create an aesthetically appealing frame structure. The monocoque frame design, including two symmetrical halves joined together, forms a very strong, light shell that can take on a variety of shapes and sizes. The seat structure, handlebar structure, drive train and support platforms are all able to be readily attached to the primary frame structure to provide an exercise bicycle that is sturdy, easy to manufacture, and light enough to easily move when necessary.

Abstract: A rotary rehabilitation apparatus for rehabilitation of a person's extremity, including the joints and assorted muscles, tendons, ligaments, that can be tailored to the person's needs based upon their physical size, type of injury, and plan for recovery. The apparatus facilitates the adjustment of the range of motion of the user's extremity in a cycling action by offsetting a moveable lever from a fixed lever at a plurality of angles. As the user's extremity moves in a circular path, the extremity engages in extension and flexion to cause movements in the articulations formed at the user's joints.

Abstract: A dual-direction pulley system is disclosed in conjunction with an exercise machine. The pulley system provides resistance to a pivotally mounted actuator lever when the lever is rotated clockwise and when the lever is rotated counterclockwise. In a preferred embodiment the dual-direction pulley system provides resistance for a seated leg curl/extension exercise machine such that a user can perform leg curls and leg extensions from a single seated position.