Abstract: A corneal surgical apparatus for incising a cornea of a patient's eye in a layered form includes: a suction ring unit, having a circular opening, that is to be vacuum-fixed onto a peripheral part of the cornea; a rotatable shaft; an eccentric pin projecting from a distal end of the shaft, the eccentric pin being located at a position offset from a rotational central axis of the shaft; and a cutting unit movable in an incising direction above the suction ring unit.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting a lacrimal punctum plug and a method of manufacturing the instrument. A body having an insertion portion, a flexible portion, and a handle portion is molded around a shaft. Deforming the flexible portion reduces the effective length of the shaft to draw the shaft into the instrument. A plug supported on the shaft is released when the shaft is withdrawn. Finger pads on the flexible portion properly position fingers of medical personnel using the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for intraluminal delivery and deployment of an expandable prosthesis at a site within a body canal is provided. The apparatus comprises an elongated sleeve and an outer shaft disposed within the elongated sleeve and movable relative to the sleeve. A securing member is disposed on a distal area of the outer shaft. The expandable prosthesis is housed within a distal area of the elongated sleeve, and a distal area of the prosthesis is secured to the outer shaft by the securing member. The stent is deployed by displacing the sleeve in a proximal direction relative to the outer shaft to expose the stent and by releasing the stent from the securing member. If necessary, the stent can be repositioned prior to releasing the stent from the securing member.

Abstract: A valve assembly kit consisting of a plurality of specialized surgical instruments used for a reproducible, standardized technique to rapidly assemble a heart valve in the operating room from autologous tissue. The specialized surgical instruments of the valve assembly kit of the present invention are used to tailor, process (preserve) and assemble an autologous pericardium heart valve in relation with the anatomical configuration of the left ventricle and mitral annulus. The valve assembly kit generally consists of a tissue processing tray that supports the following specialized surgical instruments/devices: a tissue cutting device, an obturator with a removable handle, a valve assembly tray, and a universal stentless valve holder. These specialized surgical instruments will be used to rapidly (15-20 min.) assemble a heart valve in the operating room, at the time of the mitral valve replacement, from autologous tissue.

Abstract: A surgical tool designed for irrigated microsurgery or pediatric surgery. The tool includes an outer hub that is fixed to a complementary handpiece. An outer tube extends forward from the outer hub. An inner hub is coupled to a drive member integral with the handpiece to rotate in unison with the drive member. An inner tube extends forward from the inner hub and is disposed inside the outer tube. A cutting member is located on the forward end of the inner tube. The inner wall of the outer tube and the adjacent outer wall of the inner tube are in close proximity to each other. Irrigation fluid is introduced between the tubes through an opening in the outer hub. The outer wall of the inner tube is formed with a flat that extends longitudinally along the tube from the section of the inner tube that is subtended by the opening for the irrigation fluid to the distal end at which the cutting assembly is located.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a stent comprising, a stent disposed on the distal end of the catheter, and an inner core, wherein the inner core is resistant to appreciable compression or accordion. The catheter further comprising a first sheath covering a portion of the inner core, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the inner core is left uncovered by the first sheath, a retractable sheath which covers at least a portion of the stent and a portion of the distal end of the inner core and a retracting means for retracting the distal sheath to release the stent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a medical device comprising an implant for the treatment of an affection of an anatomical duct. A part of the duct (V) wall is lined on the outside with at least one lining (140′a), essentially facing the proximal and/or distal ends of the implant (100). Means of fastening (361) the lining to the implant apply, through the duct wall, the implant against this duct, and means of setting both the lining and the fastening means allow their positioning around said duct. In particular, application to the treatment of an aneurysm.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for an insertion medical device that dilates internal strictures. The insertion medical device includes a flexible dilator having an enclosed, hollow chamber substantially filled with crystalline tungsten powder. More particularly, a bougie is disclosed. The crystalline tungsten powder provides the bougie with improved flowability and performance when placing the bougie in the stricture. In another aspect, the invention provides improved flowability and adequate weight to other medical devices such as feeding tubes and endoscopy instruments.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering an object within a patient, wherein the object is delivered in a preferred orientation relative to the delivery site of the patient. The delivery device has an alignment member that allows the object to be delivered intravascularly to the delivery site of the patient, wherein the object is delivered in a pre-determined orientation. The object may, for example, be non-symmetric or include a configuration that requires delivery to the site in only one suitable orientation relative to the delivery site. Such objects may be used, for example, to treat certain defects or injuries in vessels or organs within a patient's body.

Abstract: A stent cover of elastic material having a very precisely defined pattern of elongated perforations formed therein so as to control the expansion of the stent to a preselected shape. Once in place and expanded, the cover additionally prevents the prolapse of lumen wall tissue as well as the escape of embolic materials. The pattern of perforations opens into a pattern of openings that promote the proliferation of endothelial tissue and hence the healing of the lumen at the deployment site.

Abstract: A microkeratotome for the dissection of lamellae of corneal tissue includes a body (1) inside which a chassis (8) is housed where two motors (10) and (12) are installed which provide the oscillation of the corresponding cutting blade and the movement of the head (21) in which the cutting blade itself (20) is situated, all of which is combined with a suction ring (24) which immobilizes and imparts vacuum pressure to the eyeball through an orifice, the vacuum pressure being distributed simultaneously from the ring (24) through a peripheral channel situated in the same. The said ring is prevented from coming loose due to the maximum pressure reached in the eye when the unit is mounted upon it. It also includes an electronic control unit which has, according to the keratometry appropriate to the patient, several programmes which predefine cutting qualities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radially expandable medical stent having a chevron or “maple leaf” design geometry characterized by improved scaffolding, hoop strength and longitudinal flexibility. Also described are methods of making and deploying the stents.

Abstract: A device for dilating nasal passageway which includes a resilient bar having pads on opposite ends for insertion into respective nasal passageways and the bar when bent causes a biasing outward force on the pads to dilate the anterior section of the nasal cavity with said bar having notches thereon which can be selectively cut to reduce the bearing force on the pads.

Abstract: The present invention is a collapsible nasal-oropharyngeal tube and a method of its use. The collapsed tube is inserted via a patient's nostril, then expanded when properly located in the upper airway. Collapsing the tube prior to insertion, facilitates insertion, minimizes trauma to the nasal passage, and allows self insertion by the patient. The expanded tube's lumen defines an unobstructed airway, and thus maintains upper airway patency. The nasal-oropharyngeal tube can be used as a treatment of nasal-oropharyngeal obstructions, sleep apnea, and other related disorders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus stabilize a vascular wall or vascular tissue during a surgical procedure. A stiffening member is inserted in a vessel to be accessed. The stiffening member is formed of a material having sufficient rigidity to significantly dampen movement of the vessel caused by normal heart action.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a plurality of telescoping tubular members that are deployed and assembled in vivo to define a lumen through a diseased portion of a vascular system. The individual tubular members are capable of accommodating torsional and longitudinal displacements caused by relative motion of the healthy portions on either side of the diseased portion of vessel.

Abstract: A target tissue localization device (28) has outer and inner members (30, 32) which are longitudinally movable relative to one another. An anchor (42) is secured to the outer and inner members and is movable from a radially-contracted configuration to a radially-expanded configuration. The anchor may be a tubular mesh anchor. The anchor may have a sufficiently large cross-sectional area when in the radially-expanded configuration to substantially eliminate inadvertent dislodgment of the anchor once radially-expanded. In use, the location of the target tissue (56) is determined and the distal end of the localization device is passed through the patient's skin (58) and to the target tissue to create a tissue track (60) between the patient's skin and the target tissue. The target tissue includes near and far sides (62, 64). The anchor element, located at the target tissue is expanded to an expanded configuration. The method the anchor element may be located on the far side of the target tissue.

Abstract: Methods for making a loaded catheter assembly for delivering a self-expanding stent where the self-expanding stent is carried in a compressed state and the compressed stent has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the catheter distal tip. The methods can utilize catheter sub-assemblies lacking already attached tips or having partially formed distal tips. A stent can be proximally and co-axially slid over the distal end of the catheter shaft and constrained by a retractable sheath disposed co-axially about the compressed stent. The catheter distal tip can be added or more fully formed after the loading of the stent. Some catheters include a preformed distal conical tip held in position by a heat-shrink film. Other catheters have an elastomeric distal tip waist for slipping over and engaging an outward projection on the catheter shaft distal region. Some catheters are adapted to engage catheter shaft distal threaded regions.

Abstract: A trocar system including a cannula and an obturator assembly being at least partially insertable through the cannula. The obturator assembly including a housing, a penetrating tip disposed at a distal end, an elongated shield including a guard extending from a shaft are movable relative to the penetrating tip, and a latch mechanism disposed generally within the housing. The latch mechanism facilitates changing the configuration of the obturator assembly between a fixed-shield orientation, wherein at least a portion of the guard is maintained to extend at least partially distal of the penetrating tip to prevent puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip, to a non-fixed shield orientation whereby upon application of force to the distal end of the obturator assembly, the guard and penetrating tip are permitted to move relative one another to facilitate puncturing of tissue by the penetrating tip.

Abstract: An endolumenal prosthesis delivery assembly includes an endolumenal prosthesis which is delivered to a desired location within a body lumen by used of first and second delivery members. The first delivery member has a prosthesis coupler that is adapted to removeably engage the prosthesis during delivery to the desired location and to release the prosthesis and implant it at the desired location. The second delivery member has an anchor on its distal end portion which is adapted to secure the second delivery member within the body lumen distally of the desired location for stenting. Once the second delivery member is anchored, the first delivery member is slideably advanced over the second delivery member until the prosthesis is positioned at the desired location. The anchor along the second delivery member according to this assembly is either an expandable member, such as a balloon, or is otherwise adapted to engage the body lumen wall, such as by use of suction or other mechanical means.