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 or, in an alternative embodiment, to advance and withdraw the tube relative to the shaft. The other end of the shaft is connected to a flexible inverting member which is attached to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A rate-responsive active implantable medical device, in particular a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or cardiovertor, which is protected from the effects of bradycardia- and/or tachycardia-dependent extrasystoles. The device is able to stimulate at least one cardiac cavity by delivering low-energy pulses to the heart at a frequency determined by the device, and evaluates the activity level of the patient bearing the device and discriminates between phases of rest, normal activity and effort. Further, the device is capable of adjusting the frequency according to the determined activity level, more particularly decreasing the base frequency to a given minimum level during a rest phase. The device also detects the occurrence of brady-dependent extrasystoles, determines a corresponding extrasystole rate, and then increases the base frequency minimum level when the extrasystole rate exceeds a predetermined threshold during the rest phase.

Abstract: A method for treatment and modification of material including biological material using an electromagnetic energy source directed to apply the energy to a region of the material, so as to modify and treat a portion of the material in the region. Preferably, an interaction-modifying substance is in the treated region prior to the interaction.

Abstract: A method for measuring near-field electrical activity at a location in a heart comprising introducing into the heart a catheter. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal region and a circumferential recess along the length of the distal region, a first electrode mounted on the distal region in close proximity to the circumferential recess, and a second electrode mounted within the circumferential recess. The distal region is positioned at the location in the heart so that the first electrode is in direct contact with heart tissue and the second electrode is not in direct contact with heart tissue but is in contact with blood. A first signal is obtained with the first electrode, and a second signal is obtained with the second electrode. The first signal and the second signal are compared to obtain the near-field electrical activity at the location in the heart.

Abstract: A device for cleaning a tongue in the form of an elongated member including a head portion having a generally rectangular shape in plan view. A plurality of posts extends from a lower surface of the head portion wherein a total of a length of the posts plus a thickness of said head portion is less than about ¼ of an inch. An elongated, arcuate handle portion extends from the head portion and is aligned such that a longitudinal axis of the handle portion is transverse with a longitudinal axis of the head portion. The device may also include a lip downwardly depending from the front of the head portion to retain accumulated debris as the device is pulled along the tongue. The posts are preferably integrally molded with the head portion.

Abstract: A cranial cruciate ligament stabilization system comprises of a surgical tensioning device that applies accurate and precise tension to the suture, a surgical implant crimp clamp when crimped secures the suture and a crimping device that accurately and precisely crimps the surgical crimp clamp. The tensioning device is placed over the suture once the crimp clamps are positioned. The surgeon than squeezes the handle that will in turn open the distal tips., therefore, applying tension to the suture. The tensioning device, having a ratcheting mechanism, allows for the surgeon to test for the appropriate tension through out the tensioning process. Once the desired tension is achieved the surgeon will crimp the primary or center crimp clamp, which is already in place, using the crimping device. The crimp clamp has physical and mechanical properties that ensures that it can be crimped simply and hold it's deformed state once it is crimped. The crimping device has specific geometry within each of its jaws.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for carrying out surgical operations. The device includes a distal part, a middle part extending from the distal part, and a proximal part mounted on the middle part opposite to the distal part. A gripping element of the device is for gripping body tissue and the like. Another element of the device, near the distal part of the device, is for operating the gripping element. Near the distal part of the device is an element for operating a severing component.

Abstract: A visible and infrared light powered retinal implant is disclosed that is implanted into the subretinal space for electrically inducing formed vision in the eye. The retinal implant includes a stacked microphotodetector arrangement having an image sensing pixel layer and a voltage and current gain adjustment layer for providing variable voltage and current gain to the implant so as to obtain better low light implant performance than the prior art, and to compensate for high retinal stimulation thresholds present in some retinal diseases.

Abstract: A cranial cruciate ligament stabilization system comprises of a surgical tensioning device that applies accurate and precise tension to the suture, a surgical implant crimp clamp when crimped secures the suture and a crimping device that accurately and precisely crimps the surgical crimp clamp. The tensioning device is placed over the suture once the crimp clamps are positioned. The surgeon than squeezes the handle that will in turn open the distal tips, therefore, applying tension to the suture. The tensioning device, having a ratcheting mechanism, allows for the surgeon to test for the appropriate tension through out the tensioning process. Once the desired tension is achieved the surgeon will crimp the primary or center crimp clamp, which is already in place, using the crimping device. The crimp clamp has physical and mechanical properties that ensures that it can be crimped simply and hold it's deformed state once it is crimped. The crimping device has specific geometry within each of its jaws.

Abstract: An improved aneurysm liner is used for treating an aneurysm in a parent vessel. The parent vessel defines a lumen. The aneurysm includes a neck and an inner wall defining a cavity in fluid communication with the lumen. The liner device is configured for deployment within the cavity. The device includes an extender inside an expandable aneurysm liner. The proximal pusher end of the extender receives force from a distal end of a delivery catheter for maneuvering the device into a deployment position. The device is arranged such that, when deployed within the cavity, the liner is expanded to fill the cavity. In treating an aneurysm, the liner device is directed to the aneurysm site by a guidewire that extends through the extender. Upon removal of the guidewire, the extender is released within the liner and the liner is expanded to fill the cavity.

Abstract: A penile clamp for inhibiting male incontinence is provided as a single, unitary, synthetic resin body having a pair of jaw-like arms, a bridge interconnecting the arms and biasing them to a penis clamping position, and a pair of ears. The ears may be pinched together to spread apart the arms, thereby permitting insertion of a penis between the arms. One of the arms includes a penis-cradling area which is concave to conform to the top of the penis, while the other arm includes a urethral pressuring area which is preferably convex to apply pressure directly against the underside of the penis outside of the urethra. The pressuring area may be either a cantilever spring extending toward the bridge from the remote end of the second arm, or an area of the second arm between its proximate and remote ends. The arms are connected to the bridge at their proximate ends and presenting an opening across from the bridge opposite their remote ends.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac electrical stimulating lead is disclosed where the lead body thereof may be removed from inside a patient through the application of a simple pulling force exerted on its proximal end. An electrode mounting pad is located at the distal end of the lead and has a stimulating electrode mounted thereon or therein. A distal end of the electrical conductor may serve as the stimulating electrode. The electrode mounting pad is preferably capable of biodegradably dissolving or otherwise dissociating over time in human body fluids. Thus, the lead body may be detached from the electrode mounting pad through the application of a simple pulling force and removed from the patient while the electrode mounting pad remains within the patient and dissolves or otherwise dissociates over time.

Abstract: Multi-chamber cardiac pacing systems for providing multi-site pacing to at least one of the right and left atria and then synchronously to the right and left ventricles in a triggered pacing sequence while providing for recharge of the output capacitors of each output amplifier in the shortest time. The recharge operations of the present invention come into play when bi-chamber pacing is invoked to deliver right and left heart chamber pacing pulses that are separated by a triggered pacing delay that overlaps, i.e., is shorter than, the recharge time period. In a truncated recharge mode, the first pacing pulse is delivered through the first pacing path, and the recharging of the first pacing path is commenced for the duration of the triggered pacing delay. Then, the second pacing pulse is delivered, and the second pacing path is recharged for a second recharge period. The recharging of the first pacing path is conducted simultaneously with or after completion of the second recharge period.

Abstract: The connecting device comprises a patient cable with which ECG clamps may be connected to adhesive ECG electrodes to perform an extracorporeal ECG lead. For an intra-atrial ECG lead, an adapter with an ECG clamp is provided, to which adapter an ECG clamp of the patient cable may be connected. The adapter comprises a second input to which a connecting cable may be connected. The associated connector of the connecting cable is designed such that it may selectively be connected directly with an ECG clamp without the adapter being provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

Abstract: An expandable cannula having a plurality of wall surfaces, the wall surfaces being foldable together one over another such that the cannula assumes a first cross sectional area, and the wall surfaces being unfoldable such that the cannula assumes a second cross sectional area, wherein the first cross sectional area is smaller than the second cross sectional area.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device encompassing integrally designed parts for opening and closing the cutting jaws of the device and reducing the number of individual parts in the entire device and having features which specifically reduce the number of parts involved in the pivot mechanism, and having features which eliminate projections which may damage equipment used in conjunction with the device, and having features which specifically permit the device to obtain and store more than one tissue sample.

Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument which has two jaw parts movable independently of one another has a handle body on which two handle elements, movable independently of one another, for selectable actuation of the jaw parts are arranged. Arranged at the proximal end of the handle body is a thumb handle element which has a thumb ring. The movable handle elements are arranged in a manner spaced distally away from the thumb handle element on the handle body, and protrude laterally therefrom. The thumb handle element is rotatable about a longitudinal handle axis relative to the movable handle elements, so that the one and the other movable handle element are movable alternately into a position forming in each case with the thumb handle element a handle arrangement operable in scissor fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for satisfying the non-nutritive sucking needs of infants, especially medically compromised infants, which includes an infant's pacifier holder near one end of a wand-like structure; wherein the pacifier holder comprises a two-piece tab-flap fastener for holding the pacifier to the wand; wherein the wand-like structure is formed on a non-toxic, non-allergenic, elastomeric material which is easily cleaned and will not harbor infectious germs or viruses, and wherein the wand-like structure can take the form of an adorable toy animal such as an otter.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and a method for boring a perfusion channel from a coronary artery into a cardiac muscle of a patient. Structurally, the present invention includes a positioning catheter, anchor means and a cutting catheter. The cutting catheter includes a plurality of blades and is advanceable through a deployment lumen of the positioning catheter. Advancement of the cutting catheter through the deployment lumen causes a distal end of the cutting catheter to project laterally from the positioning catheter. In use, the positioning catheter is positioned within the coronary artery. The anchor means is then expanded to anchor the positioning catheter within the artery. The cutting catheter is then advanced through the deployment lumen to bore one or more perfusion channels in the myocardial tissue.