Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.

Abstract: An innovative bone anchor and methods for securing soft tissue, such as tendons, to bone, which permit a suture attachment that lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface. Advantageously, the suturing material between the soft tissue and the bone anchor is secured without the need for tying a knot. The suture attachment to the bone anchor involves the looping of a length of suture around a pulley within the bone anchor, tightening the suture and attached soft tissue, and compressing the suture against the bone anchor. The bone anchor may be a tubular body having a lumen with a locking plug that compresses the suture therein. The pulley may be a pin located near a distal end of the tubular body around which the length of suture is looped. Alternatively, a pulley may be a bridge portion of the tubular body between two spaced apertures in the wall of the body. The locking plug may include a shaft and an enlarged head that interferes with the tubular body to provide a positive stop.

Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.

Abstract: A method as provided for occluding the vasculature of a patient. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of embolic coils having a textured surface. The embolic coils are introduced into the patient's vasculature. In this manner, the textured surface provides improved platelet adhesion compared to a non-textured surface, to promote clotting. In the illustrative embodiment, the embolic coil comprises a platinum-tungsten alloy wire and the texturing is performed by abrasion or sandblasting to provide substantially uniform roughness comprising pockets having diameters of about 0.125 microns to about fifty microns and depths of about 0.25 microns to about twenty microns.

Abstract: A clip to interconnect primary and secondary bone zones having edges and surfaces, comprising in combination a first tab to extend proximate a surface of the secondary bone zone; a second tab associated with the first tab, and located to extend proximate a surface of the primary bone zone, the second tab having at least one barb oriented to engage the primary bone to resist displacement of the second tab in a longitudinal direction toward the secondary bone zone.

Abstract: A surgical staple for use in creating an everted anastomosis of at least two anatomical structures includes a bendable staple body. At least two evening elements protrude from the staple body. Spacing elements and a penetrating element also are provided. In use, the evening elements and spacing elements are apposed, and inner layers of the anatomical structures are held together to form an evened anastomosis. The evening platforms are disposed on an outer radius of the closed staple, and the penetrating element is disposed on a different, inner radius, to ensure that the penetrating element is excluded from the lumen of the anastomosis. Embodiments of the invention substantially ensure intima-to-intima approximation completely circumferentially at the anastomotic site, with no portion of cut tissue edges, suture or staple exposed to the lumen of the anastomosis. Cut tissue edges, as well as the staple, are completely extra-lumenal. Related methods provide similar advantages.

Abstract: An occipitocervical fixation system includes a plate for securing to the occiput and at least one pre-bent rod. The plate includes holes for receiving bone fasteners, and at least one clamping assembly for retaining a portion of a rod. The clamping assembly is selectively pivotable and lockable in place to fix the position of the rod.

Abstract: A surgical device for performing internal ligation of a fallopian tube or other tubular anatomical structure, by application of one or more ligating bands to a folded portion of the wall of the tubular structure. Also the invention includes a method of using the device. The inventive method and device may be used for sterilization to prevent undesired pregnancies, or for other medical applications. The device includes an elongated tubular element that is inserted into the fallopian tube; a grasper that extends out of the tubular element, grasps the interior of the fallopian tube and retracts into the tubular element drawing in a folded bundle of the fallopian tube tissue; and a pusher balloon for pushing a ligating band from the tip of the tubular element onto the tissue bundle.

Abstract: A wrist brace, comprising a flexible holder to receive the user's wrist and having two flaps adapted to be closed toward one another to secure the holder about the wrist; tightening strands associated with the flaps; a puller connected with all the strands to be pulled to tension the strands as the flaps are moved toward one another, the puller then being adjustably connectible to the holder to adjustably tension all of the strands. A flexible auxiliary strap may be connected to the holder to be adjustably folded over a zone between the user's thumb and forefinger, for adjustable connection to the holder, for firmly anchoring the holder in position on the wrist. The strands may be anchored to an over-flap to be adjustably positioned relative to the puller.

Abstract: Anastomosis devices, methods and apparatus for installing the devices in the performance of an anastomosis. One example of a device includes a central ring portion from which malleable tines and optionally also fastener elements extend. Each tine may have a weakened section at which it preferentially folds or buckles when subjected to bending force. Each tine can grab and evert tissue around an orifice in which it is installed, as it is moved from an initial to a final configuration. To install a device, the tines are advanced against an anvil to cause them to grab tissue around the orifice and curl radially. The anvil is then retracted to fold the tines so their curled ends move radially outward.

Abstract: A cooktop grate includes a frame having an exterior frame element and at least one interior frame element defining a cooking utensil supporting surface. The cooking utensil supporting surface is elevated from the exterior frame element, and at least one recessed surface extends from the cooking utensil supporting surface. A top of the recessed surface is separated from a top of the cooking utensil supporting surface, thereby providing a gap for passage of a burner flame.

Abstract: A combustion system for a portable forced air heater having two frusta-conical sections attached to a circular burner tube, wherein each frusta-conical section has pre-determined vent hole patterns that allow the gas heater to have a variable burn rate.

Abstract: A de-agglomerator is provided for use with a breath-actuated dry powder inhaler for breaking up aggregates and micronizing particles of dry powder prior to inhalation of the powder by a patient using the inhaler. The de-agglomerator includes an inner wall defining a swirl chamber extending along an axis from a first end to a second end, a dry powder supply port, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The supply port is in the first end of the swirl chamber for providing fluid communication between a dry powder delivery passageway of an inhaler and the first end of the swirl chamber. The inlet port is in the inner wall of the swirl chamber adjacent to the first end of the swirl chamber and provides fluid communication between a region exterior to the de-agglomerator and the swirl chamber.

Abstract: An orthotic device promotes both supination and pronation of a patient's wrist. A forearm enclosure is adapted to substantially wrap around a forearm. A forearm support member is adapted to slidably receive the forearm enclosure wherein the support member wraps partially around the forearm enclosure. A post is mountable on the forearm enclosure. An anchor is mounted on the support member. A tensioning member is connected to the anchor and on the other end to the post, wherein a rotational force of supination or pronation will be created on the forearm enclosure depending on the direction which the tensioning members extend from the anchor to the post.

Abstract: A combustion system for a portable forced air heater having two frusta-conical sections attached to a circular burner tube, wherein each frusta-conical section has pre-determined vent hole patterns that allow the gas heater to have a variable burn rate.

Abstract: A lightweight oxygen delivery device is provided for a patient is provided, the device comprising an elongated tube bendable to a particular shape and capable of maintaining that shape. The tube is adapted to carry oxygen and has a first end and a second end. The first end is releasably connectable to an oxygen delivery source. To the second end of the tube is secured an end of a rigid elbow. One of those ends being secured to the second end of the tube and an oxygen diffuser connected to the other end of the elbow. An oxygen diffuser is connected to that other end of the elbow. The diffuser comprises a body having a wall, the interior surface of which wall is of generally concave configuration. The wall circumscribes a centrally positioned oxygen outlet communicating with that other end of the elbow so as to receive oxygen from the elbow and direct the flow of oxygen delivered from the elbow generally towards the patient's nose and mouth.

Abstract: The present invention is for a controlled therapeutic traction device utilizing a warmed hypertonic solution or other fluid of sufficient specific gravity to float the patient in a relaxing, relatively weightless environment. Traction is applied to a portion of the patient's body using various means to apply tension to that portion of the body, while the remainder of the patient's body continues to be suspended in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of repositioning or fixing a first vertebrae or portion of a first vertebrae comprising fixing a bone screw in the first vertebrae and a bone screw in a second vertebrae, where each bone screw has a portal, and inflating an inflatable balloon between the portals, thereby creating a rigid structure between the bone screws.

Abstract: The intralumenal material removal system includes a cutter assembly positionable in the lumen of a mammalian subject and operably connected to system controls. The cutter assembly is axially advanceable by translating the drive shaft and rotatable by rotating the drive shaft. One cutter assembly comprises an adjustable cutter that is adjustable between a smaller diameter condition and a larger diameter condition by rotation of the drive shaft in opposite directions. The cutter may thus be introduced to and withdrawn from the material removal site in a retracted, smaller diameter condition that facilitates translation and navigation of the device through various lumens. The adjustable cutting assembly may be selectively expanded at the material removal site to facilitate cutting, removal and aspiration of the occlusive material. One composite cutter assembly comprises both a distal, fixed diameter cutter and a proximal adjustable diameter cutter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for reconstructing a ligament. The method includes the steps of forming a first bone tunnel and a second bone tunnel transverse to, and intersecting one another; positioning a closed loop of a flexible member within the first bone tunnel and a portion of the second bone tunnel such that the closed loop extends out of the first bone tunnel and the second bone tunnel, parting the closed loop outside the second bone tunnel so as to create a first free end and a second free end, passing the second free end through the opposite end of the second bone tunnel, positioning the graft ligament over a portion of the flexible member extending out of the first opening; and pulling the flexible member so as to draw the graft ligament into the bone tunnel intersection.