Abstract: Opposable surgical clamp members having opposable resilient pads with wedge-shaped and cylindrical protrusions extending from the surfaces of the pads and the use of such members for occluding vessels and other tubular body structures are described. The protrusions are arranged such that when the members are moved toward one another, the protrusions of one pad interdigitate with the protrusions of the other pad. Upon engagement with a vessel, portions of the vessel are forced into the interdigital spaces providing for improved gripping of the vessel. The protrusions also resist lateral or transverse movement of a clamped vessel relative to the pads. The existence of through holes under the pad surface alters the relative resiliency of the pad, allowing for an overall pad resiliency that minimizes trauma to a clamped vessel while allowing the local resiliency of the protrusions themselves to be of a hardness to avoid excessive deflection and retain the desired shape and gripping ability.

Abstract: A device controls various neurological disorders resulting from improper electrical conduction.

Abstract: A transmyocardial revascularization catheter which includes an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis. The TMR catheter also includes a cutting tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft. The tip has a distally disposed cutting edge and a longitudinally extending lumen therethrough. A motor is coupled to the drive shaft for rotation of the cutting tip. The shaft defines a longitudinally extending lumen in fluid communication with the tip lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the desired length of a prosthetic device which is to be implanted in a body cavity of a patient. The apparatus generally includes a helically coiled stent formed of a resiliently-deformable material, a plunger which is connected to the proximal end of the stent, a sheath which slides over the plunger and stent when the plunger and sheath are used to insert and removably deploy the stent into the body cavity, and a scale for measuring an indication of the length of the stent once removably deployed in the body cavity. Proximal movement of the sheath to partially deploy the stent causes a length to be indicated on the scale. According to the method of the invention, the helically coiled stent of the apparatus is placed and partially deployed within the body cavity by use of the plunger and sheath of the apparatus. Once the stent bridges the body cavity, the scale of the apparatus is used to determine the length of the deployed stent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of forming hydrogel systems in situ are provided using a delivery system configured to deliver two or more fluent prepolymer solutions without premature crosslinking. The delivery system comprises separate first and second lumens coupling first and second inlet ports and first and second outlet ports, respectively, and may include a balloon, flexible distal region, mixing chamber or steerable distal end. Multi-component hydrogel systems suitable for use with the inventive methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A drill member comprising a drill head located at the distal end of a catheter. The drill further includes a divice for anchoring the tip of the drill head against at least a portion of a face of occulusion whilst allowing the drill to rotate.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a stent delivery system comprising an inflation shaft having an expandable balloon sealingly mounted at the distal end thereof and a tubular sheath having the inflation shaft longitudinally running therethrough. The tubular sheath has an expandable sheath at the distal end thereof with the balloon longitudinally running therethrough and an expandable stent mounted on the expandable sheath. Also disclosed is a method of delivering a stent into a body lumen. The method comprises the steps of providing an inflation shaft having an expandable balloon sealingly mounted at the distal end thereof and providing a tubular sheath having the inflation shaft longitudinally running therethrough. The expandable sheath has the balloon longitudinally and slidingly running therethrough, and an expandable stent is mounted on the expandable sheath. The stent is positioned in the body lumen at the treatment site and the balloon is inflated simultaneously with the expandable sheath to deploy the stent.

Abstract: Methods and devices for harvesting veins from the body. The methods and devices allow vein harvesting using laparoscopic procedures. A working space is created over the vein using standard laparoscopic procedures and a side-hooked wire is inserted into the working space and twisted to insert the side-hook under the vein. The wire is then pulled or drawn along the vein to separate the vein from the surrounding tissue. In an alternative embodiment, vein separation is accomplished by threading a soft rubber tube under the vein, grasping the ends of the tube so as to surround the vein, and then pulling the tube along the vein. In other embodiments, the working space is created with everting balloons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubular surgical cutter fabrication method comprising forming one or more tabs which extend beyond an end of a tube. Each of the tabs is then folded across at least a portion of the end of the tube, and affixed in the folded position to form an end structure extending across the end of the tube. A cutting edge is imposed on the tube adjacent to the end structure, thereby providing a tubular surgical cutter having the structural reinforcement of a closed end without resorting to welding or otherwise attaching a closed end structure about the perimeter of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at the inflation pressure, in the absence of constricting lesions or anatomical structures. Multiple lobed and drug delivery embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laryngoscope, for use in intubating a patient's trachea, especially in emergency situations. The laryngoscope has a camera mounted in the vicinity of a distal end of its blade to observe the patient's trachea opening and other oral internal structures in a visual field. The camera is connected, typically via a fiberoptic cable, to a lightweight portable television screen, preferably mounted on the laryngoscope handle, for displaying the visual field to the a Professional Intubator so as to enable him or her to observe continuously the trachea opening and other oral internal structures as he or she manipulates the intubating instrument. The laryngoscope with the camera and screen thereon preferably is held in one of the Professional Intubator's hands to lift and move aside the patient's tongue steadily and constantly. The other hand of the Professional Intubator then is free to manipulate the intubating instrument.

Abstract: One surgical device includes a transducer assembly adapted to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency in response to electrical energy. A first transmission component is adapted to receive and transmit the ultrasonic vibration from a first end to a second end. A second transmission component is adapted to receive and transmit the ultrasonic vibrations from a first end to a second end. A torque limiting device coupled to the second transmission component limits the torque when the second end of the first transmission rod is coupled to the first end and a method of attaching a transmission component is also provided. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of providing a handpiece assembly having an integral torque limiting mechanism and a first transmission component and threading a second transmission component onto the first transmission component of the handpiece assembly.

Abstract: A sprayer for dispensing fibrinogen and thrombin to form fibrin glue immediately away from the sprayer to prevent clogging and insure accurate precise metering. The sprayer includes a pistol grip area, a barrel and a trigger which moves a plunger support that captures the plunger of a syringe. One syringe holds thrombin and the other syringe holds fibrinogen. Each syringe communicates with an outlet having an atomizer.

Abstract: A working cannula for arthroscopy, in particular of the shoulder and the knee, comprising a tube and a removable closure pin member (trocar) which is guided in the tube, wherein the tube has an external screwthread which is continued by a screwthread of the tip, which projects beyond the tube, of the closure pin member. The closure pin member has a central bore extending therethrough, for receiving a guide wire. The closure pin member locks on to the tube so that when the closure pin is rotated, the tube rotates to facilitate anchoring of the screwthread into a patient.

Abstract: A parallel jaw clip comprises a barrel base and a barrel cap which when joined together forming an outer barrel, a hollow plunger which fits within the outer barrel, and a spring positioned within the hollow plunger. The outer barrel which permits the plunger to slidably move within the outer barrel and return to its original position, a clamping jaw on the barrel cap and the plunger which are parallel to each other and which face each other to grasp an object. Also disclosed is a method for assembling a parallel jaw clip comprising placing a spring within the barrel base, placing a plunger within the barrel base so that the spring is within the hollow interior of the plunger, placing the barrel cap over the plunger and the barrel base, attaching the barrel cap to the base, and positioning the plunger top so that it remains outside the aperture in the barrel cap.

Abstract: A nail boring device uses a common drill bit to penetrate a traumatized nail having collected fluids trapped below it. A novel depth of penetration control device is used with the bit to assure that a bored hole is only as deep as necessary and that the process may proceed in small steps acceptable to the patient. A method of approach necessary to the successful use of the device is described.