Abstract: The variable stiffness vasoocclusive coil is given variable stiffness along the length of the coil by selectively heat treating certain segments of a primary or secondary coil. The primary coil can be selectively heat treated to form soft or deformable segments along the length of the coil, and can then be shaped into a secondary shape that is set by a heat treatment process. Distal regions of the coil can also be heat treated to make the distal ends of the coil softer, more deformable, or less traumatic.

Abstract: A middle expanded, removable disk implant for stabilizing adjacent cervical vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a minimal height and a width greater than the height. The implant is detachably mounted to an applicator for insertion into the anatomical region between two adjacent cervical vertebrae from which the intervertebral disk has been removed, and once inserted, is positioned by anterior-posterior movement in the disk space to the position in which both the expanded, larger width middle portion and the smaller diameter end portions of the implant engage the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae and the implant is then rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A lock, in the form of a stabilizer bar, is then secured to the implant to prevent further rotation thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided comprising a coiled sheet having a plurality of flaps mounted on its interior surface that project radially inward into a lumen formed by the interior surface of the apparatus when it is deployed. The flaps lie parallel to the interior surface of the sheet during transluminal delivery, but project radially inward once the apparatus is deployed. The flaps may comprise a fine mesh for use as a filter, or alternatively may be covered with a biocompatible material that is substantially impermeable, so as to partially or completely occlude the lumen. In a further alternative embodiment, the flaps may comprise a resilient biocompatible plastic or polymer, so that the flaps move in response to the flow and function as a pressure-based or directional valve.

Abstract: A fracture fixation system is provided for the insertion of a fixation pin into the medullary canal of a fractured metacarpal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bone for stable bone fixation. The system includes a pin and an instrument for implanting the pin. According to one embodiment of the invention, the instrument includes a main handle and a pin handle movable relative to the main handle. The main handle includes a distal end, a drill coupled to the distal end, and a longitudinal slot which receives the pin handle. The drill includes a shaft having a distal boring tip and a groove proximal the boring tip for guiding the fixation pin. The pin handle is shaped and sized to slidably move within the longitudinal slot. The pin includes a curved, distal end. The distal end rests within the groove of the drill shaft. Movement of the pin handle within the slot of the main handle distally relative to the main handle causes the distal end of the pin to move relative to the drill shaft.

Abstract: A lancing device has a spring-loaded lancet holder slidably mounted within a housing for carrying a disposable lancet and needle. A slider mounted in a slot in the housing is moved back for cocking the device and, after the lancet is fired, is moved forward to eject the used lancet. A releasable connector reversibly immobilizes the holder while the lancet is being ejected. The releasable connector permits a shortened ejection stroke, which, in turn, permits a shorter slot in the housing.

Abstract: A device for inserting a substantially square sheet of flexible material through a laparoscopic cannula into an abdominal cavity. The device is an elongate, generally cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end and a body portion therebetween. A pair of tines is rigidly affixed to the distal end of the body portion with a slot separating the tines. A handle is affixed to the proximal end of the body portion. The slot defined between the pair of tines is dimensioned to accommodate the sheet thickness therewithin. In a preferred use, the sheet of material is inserted between the tines with diagonal corners of the sheet within the slot. The free corners of the sheet are drawn together with one hand and the handle of the device is rotated to wrap the sheet around the exterior surface of the two tines.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, guide, and method capable of being used for closure of peritoneum fascia, occlusion of bleeding vessels such as inferior epigastric, and for all uses related to accurately passing suture material through a guide into tissue. A tip of a surgical instrument in a standard suture-/needle-driving position with a sharp tip that opens and closes with the surgeon grasping suture material with the sharp tip is provided. Insertion of the tip/suture through tissue until the tip is seen through the peritoneum by direct vision begins the wound-closing procedure. The suture is released by opening and withdrawing the tip from the guide. The suture is recovered by using the guide to redirect the tip and puncturing the tissue opposite the first point of insertion. The tip grasps the suture and pulls the suture through the guide. The suture is pulled outside the wound, providing for rapid closure of the surgical incision.

Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic coil at a preselected location within a vessel comprising a positioning catheter having a distal tip for retaining the embolic coil which when pressurized with a fluid expands outwardly to release the coil at the preselected position and including an embolic coil having a relatively flexible proximal portion which resists stretching.

Abstract: In a pulling apparatus for correcting a jaw on a skull, for instance for the elimination of a supraclusion, cross bite or cleft palate, a basic member is provided with elements for attachment to the jaw and is movable in the correcting direction (x1). The basic member is to be movable also in a direction deviating from the correcting direction (x1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for creating a seal around the inner wall of an incision in a blood vessel. The device is particularly adapted to create an anastomosis site for coronary artery bypass grafts to a patient's aorta without obstructing the flow of blood in the aorta. The device comprises an extruded tube with a translatable shaft positioned therein. One end of the shaft is coupled to a handle of the device which allows a practitioner to advance and withdraw the shaft relative to the tube. The other end of the shaft is connected to a flexible inverting member which is attached to the distal end of the tube. By manipulating the handle, the practitioner can remotely deform the inverting member between two configurations: an elongated, narrow configuration in which the inverting member is adapted to be inserted through a small incision, and an inverted configuration in which the inverting member forms an expanded, inward-facing cup.

Abstract: A corneal marker and a method of using a corneal marker are disclosed. The corneal marker includes a handle having a head coupled thereto. The inferior surface of the head includes a set of protuberances which form marking surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage corneal tissue. The marking surfaces form opposing sets of marks which allow a surgeon to form an incision of precise length and width. An alignment line on the superior and/or front surface of the marker facilitates the positioning thereof. A method of performing clear corneal surgery following the application of markings to the cornea is also provided.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, and methods of use, are provided in which a stent is constrained in a contracted delivery state with binding straps that are electrolytically erodible to deploy the stent. The binding straps are attached to a power source and each have a small electrically uninsulated reduced thickness portion. A second electrode wire is disposed adjacent to the uninsulated areas or separately electrically coupled to an exterior surface of the patient's body. When an electric current is applied, the uninsulated areas of the binding straps are electrolytically eroded and rupture, thereby allowing the stent to at least partially deploy.

Abstract: Applicator for luminal endoprostheses Device for medical use, in particular device for positioning a radially extendable luminal endoprosthesis (1) in an anatomical conduit, the device comprising a tubular sheath and having a distal end (4) and a proximal end (5), the sheath including, near the distal end (4), at least one zone (12, 13) whose radiopacity is lower than the radiopacity of an adjacent zone.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance for cleansing the dorsum by both scraping and irrigation includes an irrigational applicator having a bored stem, the proximal end of which is connected to the mouth of a container filled with an irrigating medium. The distal end of the stem includes an open head configured with a transverse blade supported by a pair of diverging struts. A surface of the blade is roughened for scraping the dorsum. The distal end of the stem includes a nozzle with irrigating medium being discharged onto the dorsum surface on the labial side of the blade when the container is squeezed.

Abstract: A pacifier which can be used to introduce liquids orally to an infant has a resilient, hollow nipple that extends from a broad, inner face of a shield plate which in turn abuts the external surfaces of the lips of an infant when the nipple is positioned in the infant's mouth. An elongate, delivery tube extends from the shield plate through the nipple. An open, distal end of the delivery tube projects through a distal end of the nipple so that the open, distal end of the delivery tube opens into the infant's mouth when the nipple is in the infant's mouth. Liquid to be administered to the infant is introduced into the proximal end of the delivery tube through a flexible tube that is rotatably attached to the proximal end of the delivery tube.

Abstract: A device for assisting in anastomosis of tubular structures. The basic device has a generally cylindrical shape with a pair of insertion arms connected by a bridge and two or more depressions that provide space for the needle to move through within the tubular structures. The device aids in preventing the needle from inadvertent contact with the wall opposite that of the wall being sutured. The method includes an initial suture to join the structures, inserting the device into the openings of the two structures, placing sutures in the walls adjacent to a depression, optionally rotating the device so one of the depressions is aligned with each suture as it is being placed, removing the device, and tightening the sutures to complete the anastomosis.

Abstract: The systems described herein include a surgical instrument having an elongate shaft member, a slide mounted thereon, a handle with two legs, a disengagement mechanism permitting the mounted slide to be removed from the elongate shaft member, and a lock mechanism preventing slide disengagement. In one embodiment, the handle comprises a first and a second handle leg, the second handle leg pivotable around the first handle leg, and the second handle leg having a proximal end bearing an axially directed slot that permits engagement with a cross-pin. In this embodiment, maximal spreading of the two handle legs inclines the slot in the proximal end of the second handle leg in a proximal direction, permitting the disengagement of the crosspin from the slot when the slide is retracted to its most proximal position. One embodiment of the apparatus described herein includes a lock mechanism comprising a mechanical stop that is capable of limiting the rotation of the second handle leg into a maximally spread position.

Abstract: An instrument and method are provided for compacting bone chips into a prepared metaphyseal portion of a femur, in order to conform the femur to receive a femoral implant stem. The instrument comprises a tamping stem having a shape and size corresponding to the implant stem. The instrument also comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped enlarging portions ranging from largest to smallest. The method involves selecting appropriate sized enlarging portions, attaching the largest wedges to the instrument, placing the instrument into the femur, supplying bone chips, impacting the instrument to compact bone chips, and repeating compaction with successively smaller wedges until the femur is conformed to receive the femoral implant stem. Once inserted into the femur, the distal end of the instrument remains in contact with the diaphysis throughout the bone chip compaction process. Thus, bone chips cannot enter the diaphysis, and the instrument remains in proper alignment throughout the process.

Abstract: A liposuction apparatus is provided which contains a shaft having a reinforced swan neck structure. The apparatus has a suction channel for removing fatty tissue and a channel for introducing cooling fluid material. Optionally, the tip of the shaft has a bezel for better separation of tissue and a sonic or ultrasonic generator.

Abstract: A sleeve for a medical handpiece. The sleeve has a flexible outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve that are both coupled to a case of the handpiece. Coupling the rigid inner sleeve to the case increases the effective stiffness of the inner sleeve. Increasing the effective stiffness of the rigid inner sleeve reduces the likelihood of contact between the inner sleeve and a tip of the handpiece even when non-symmetric forces are applied to the sleeve.