Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for accessing the interior of an intervertebral disc to perform a function within the disc. One such apparatus comprises a catheter having a lumen; and a guide wire having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and configured to be positioned within and moved relative to the lumen of the catheter; wherein the guide wire is capable of navigating itself within an intradiscal section of the intervertebral disc to a selected section of the disc and the catheter is capable of being advanced relative to the guide wire such that the catheter follows a path of the guide wire within the intradiscal section of the disc to the selected section. These apparatus and methods may be used for the treatment of intervertebral disc disorders such as sealing fissures of the annulus fibrosus, which may or may not be accompanied with contained or escaped extrusions. These apparatus and methods may also be used, for example, for the removal or addition of material to the intervertebral disc.

Abstract: A bone plate for osteosynthesis having a plate-shaped base and a top, with the base defining only a single receiving opening for retaining a bone screw that attaches it, for example, to a vertebra.

Abstract: A hot/cold therapeutic device configured in the shape of an animal, primarily for use by children. The device includes first and second surface portions, wherein the second portion comprises a thermally-conductive material for facilitating efficient heat transfer from within the device.

Abstract: A proximal housing for a full-thickness resection device (FTRD) is provided with a plurality of chambers through which fasteners are introduced into a portion of tissue to be resected. The proximal housing has a noncircular cut-out opposite the plurality of chambers to receive a noncircular endoscope. The proximal housing also is provided with a resection cavity into which the tissue to be resected is to be received. In addition, shaft openings are provided through which mounting shafts may be inserted. A noncircular endoscope is also disclosed for insertion into the cut-out whereby the endoscope has passages to house the functions of remote viewing, illumination, insufflation and irrigation.

Abstract: A thermotherapy treatment apparatus includes a human body mounting portion, a cover portion for covering a human body corresponding site on the human body mounting portion, a far infrared ray radiation source for radiating far infrared rays onto the human body corresponding site, a ventilation hole for ventilating the human body corresponding site, and a ventilation duct which is in communication with the ventilation hole.

Abstract: Various catheter designs with irrigated tip electrodes are provided for reducing the heating of the tip resulting from RF biasing. The electrode tip of the catheter may be comprised of a highly thermal conductivity layer covered by a biologically compatible material and having irrigation or irrigation channels for removing excess thermal energy from the catheter tip and the surrounding area of the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be designed with multiple irrigation channels, multiple channel pathways, and/or exterior shapes to improve the cooling of the tip. These approaches may be used individually or in combination to produce a catheter tip with improved heat dissipation characteristics.

Abstract: Method of removing hair provides for applying radio frequency radiation to a selected skin zone in conjunction with applying ultrasound waves to the skin zone, with pulling the slackened hair out. A combination of a radio frequency generator, and an oscillator that are connected to tweezers constitute a hair removal device implementing the method. A radio frequency power selector enables selecting a suitable mode of operation depending on the texture of skin and its sensitivity.

Abstract: In order to ensure a simple structure and precise handling in the case of a catheter, in particular a bi- or unidirectionally deflectable ablation catheter, comprising a flexible guide tube (3) which extends from a gripping element (1) and which terminates in a catheter tip (6) for treating or investigating a hollow organ in a body, wherein provided for deflection purposes there is at least one draw wire (13a; 13b) which extends within the flexible guide tube (3) and which is fixed to the tip (6) of the catheter and which is movable by way of a transmission means disposed in the gripping element (1) for converting the rotary movement of a manual control wheel (7) into a longitudinal movement for the draw wire (13a; 13b), it is proposed that provided as the transmission means is a toothed drive pulley (8) which is coupled to the control wheel (7) and which correspondingly engages into the teeth of a toothed belt (9) which is guided over guide means within the gripping element (1) in such a way that the draw wi

Abstract: An electrosurgical working end and method for transecting an anatomic structure along a targeted line and for creating a thermal welds along either of both transected tissue margins, for example for use in a partial lung resection procedure. The working end provides elongate curved or linear guide-track members that can be positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable member with interior channels that receive the guide-track members. The extension member can be moved from a proximal position to an advanced distal position by advancing over the guide-track members. As the extension member advances over the guide-track members (i) the tracks compress the tissue just ahead of the advancing extension member to allow the laterally-outward portion of the extension member to ramp over the tissue, (ii) while contemporaneously a cutting element at the distal end of the extension member transects the tissue.

Abstract: A electrosurgical electrode specifically adapted for use in a surgical procedure for removing lymphoid tissue, specifically a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy procedure. The electrosurgical electrode incorporates a suction or irrigation conduit in the form of a hollow tube for conveying the suction or fluid to the active electrode end. The electrosurgical electrode is preferably provided with a generally spoon-shaped body with a curved end comprising a wire or serrated active edge from which electrosurgical currents can emanate for dissection and hemostasis of tissue.

Abstract: The instant invention provides endoluminal methods and devices for the removal of anatomical structures such as vascular structures under endoscopic visualization of the process from within the anatomical structure or surgical region of interest. The present invention allows a surgeon to perform these procedures using a small number of small incisions. The present invention provides an elongated flexible endoscopic guide which may be passed through the lumen of an elongate vessel or structure, such as for example, the saphenous vein from an entry veinotomy to an exit veinotomy. The guide provides passageways for a variety of surgical devices: an endoscope for viewing the surgical regions of interest, a cautery device and other surgical tools for performing ligation and other surgical procedures, and phleboextractor for removing elongate structures. A porous flexible drain can be deployed to provide pharmacological agents or collecting fluid at the surgical site.

Abstract: A treatment tool support device comprises a moving mechanism support member and a sheath connecting cap. The moving mechanism support member is manufactured by bending a plate in such a manner that a first bottom portion defining a part of a support groove is formed. A treatment tool moving mechanism for moving a biopsy forceps is supported. The sheath connecting cap is provided on an end portion of a sheath, in which an operating member for operating the biopsy forceps is provided. The sheath connecting cap is manufactured by deep drawing such as press molding. The first bottom portion of the moving mechanism support member is connected to a second bottom of the sheath connecting cap through crimping, welding or brazing.

Abstract: A method, simulation, and apparatus are provided that are highly suitable for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A catheter is disclosed that includes a small diameter disk loaded monopole antenna surrounded by fusion material having a high heat of fusion and a melting point preferably at or near body temperature. Microwaves from the antenna heat prostatic tissue to promote necrosing of the prostatic tissue that relieves the pressure of the prostatic tissue against the urethra as the body reabsorbs the necrosed or dead tissue. The fusion material keeps the urethra cool by means of the heat of fusion of the fusion material. This prevents damage to the urethra while the prostatic tissue is necrosed. A computer simulation is provided that can be used to predict the resulting temperature profile produced in the prostatic tissue.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for connecting a plurality of apparatuses and instruments of a medico-technical system with various functions and circuits, a system encompassing several areas and diverse types of components, using connection and linking cables and tubes, and in which various colors are coordinated with individual sectors of the system while geometric symbols correspond to certain types of system components and markers are used for certain connectors. Thus, the connectors of apparatuses and instruments are designated with the color of the respective area, with the geometric symbol of the respective type of component, and with the assigned marker. The links in the connection and linking cables and tubes are designated with the color, symbol, and marker of the assigned area, component type, and marking. As a result, the related apparatus and instrument connectors and cable and tube connectors are identified by the combination of color, symbol, and marker.

Abstract: A manipulation mechanism for an angle section of an endoscope includes at least one pulley provided within a main operation unit, with the base ends of a pair of operating wires wound thereupon, a pulley rotating shaft extended externally from a casing of the main operation unit to rotate the pulley, an angle operating apparatus provided outside of the main operation unit and coupled to the pulley rotating shaft, a pulley supporting assembly fixedly held by the casing of the main operation unit for supporting the pulley to be reciprocally rotated over a predetermined angle, a sleeve member provided within the main operation unit for passing through the operating wires from the pulley, a pipe holder fixedly mounted to the sleeve member, and a supporting rod connected at one end to the pulley supporting assembly and being fixed to the pipe holder at the other end.

Abstract: A thermally regulatable, pulsating cushioning device having a deformable outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid material therein; a foam core being encased within and in intimate contact with, but not bonded to the flexible, deformable outer membrane wherein the foam core has a dimension substantially coincident with the outer membrane; a liquid material, sealably contained within the flexible, deformable outer membrane and saturating the foam core, with the liquid material being at least partially circulatable throughout the foam core, wherein the cooperation of the saturated foam core and the sealable flexible membrane provide a uniform, thermally regulatable medium and structural support such that the pulsating cushioning device is readily, uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto; a means for directly pulsating the liquid within the flexible, deformable outer membrane, causing the device to undulate or vibrate; and a thermal regulator cooperating with the liquid material to e

Abstract: A tanning booth has a tanning bed and a horizontally pivotable irradiation cover pivotable into an irradiation position above the tanning bed and pivotable into an access position allowing access to the tanning bed, wherein in the irradiation position the irradiation cover surrounds the tanning bed at least partially. The irradiation cover is shaped as a spherical segment or a cylindrical segment and has a curved inner wall facing the tanning bed, wherein the inner wall has a reflective layer. Irradiation light sources emit light beams onto the reflective layer of the inner wall.

Abstract: An electrical heating correcting waist pad is adhered to the waist of human body for foment and correction. The electrical heating correcting waist pad comprises a heat retaining pad having a surface adhering to the waist of a user, a heat transfer means arranged in the heat retaining pad; and a backing pad assembled to another surface of the heat retaining pad. A plurality of hard plates is installed in the backing pad. Two adjusting strips extend from two ends of the backing pad, and each of the adjusting strip is detachably attached with a sticky portion. Heat is transferred by the heat transfer means of the heat retaining pad, and heat retaining pad is fixed to a correct position on the waist of the user, and thus, an electrical heating correcting waist pad with foment and correction functions is formed, in which the tightness thereof can be adjusted according to the size of the waist.