Abstract: A joint support is attachable to a limb of an animal to limit movement of an associated limb joint substantially about a single axis. The joint support includes a radial element having a longitudinal axis and a transverse element having a longitudinal axis. The transverse element is pivotally connected to the radial element about an axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the radial element substantially intersects with the axis of rotation, and radial rotation of the radial element is restricted about the axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the transverse element is partially fixed relative to the radial element so that the same is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the radial element and substantially offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A suture anchor, self-retaining bone screw and method of making and using them are disclosed. The suture anchor includes a track within which a suture may be anchored. The suture anchor track may be incorporated underneath the head of a bone screw in general alignment with a slot used to drive the bone screw, so that the track is accessible through the slot. In operation, suture is slid down into the slot and over and up into the track. The self-retaining screw includes at least one spring arm that provides a locking force when engaged with a driver. A method of making the anchor track and self-retaining component is also disclosed. The method comprises positioning a screw blank and using an EDM process to cut a slot and an internal track into the head portion of the screw blank.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a surgical device for attaching a first hollow organ to a second hollow organ and creating a passageway therebetween. The device includes a first member comprising a first prong for entering a wall of the first hollow organ and a second prong for entering a wall of the second hollow organ. The prongs each have a proximal end which attaches to the first member and a distal end extending therefrom. The device further includes a second member having a plow for incising at least one of the hollow organs so as to create a passageway between the hollow organs. The second member further includes a plurality of needle paths on either side of the plow for guiding a needle through the walls of the hollow organ on either side of the passageway. The device further includes a means for driving a needle, having a suture attached thereto, so as to attach the hollow organs together.

Abstract: A device for removing unwanted hair, including a housing and a hair-plucking assembly, rotatably mounted to the housing, wherein the hair-plucking assembly comprises at least one disc assembly, wherein the disc assembly comprises an insert disc having at least one arm and two outer discs having at least one arm apiece, wherein the arms of the outer discs may be pressed against the arm of the insert disc to form two traps for hair.

Abstract: Devices intended for deployment into interior body regions employ a catheter tube, which carries an expandable structure. The catheter tube extends along a first axis, while the expanded geometry of the structure is oriented about a second axis, which is not aligned with the first axis. The asymmetry between the two axes permits deployment of the expandable structure in a symmetric fashion with respect to the natural axis of a targeted interior body region, even when the targeted interior body region is either asymmetric in geometry or otherwise requires access along a path that is not aligned with the natural axis. The structure can include spaced apart end regions, which provide a non-conical diameter transition between the diameter of the catheter tube and the larger diameter of the expanded structure.

Abstract: A support device for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is provided. The support device includes a compressible support having an inner surface which extends adjacent to a substantial portion of a peripheral surface of a patient's breast when the breast and the support are disposed between the fixed and pressure plates of an apparatus for performing stereotactic guided needle biopsy. The compressible support restricts the inferior and lateral excursion of the breast as the plates are moved toward one another and the patient's breast and the compressible support are pressed between the plates. A method for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is also provided.

Abstract: A balloon-free dilatation catheter has an elongated flexible sheath which is insertable into an animal body so that its distal end is located at or within a selected portion of an internal passage, such as in a blood vessel. The distal end normally confines an elongated cage-like expander having elongated at least partially resilient expanding elements which store energy when confined within the distal end but expand and bear against the tissue surrounding the selected portion of the internal passage when expelled from the distal end by one or more sleeve-like displacing elements confined in and movable circumferentially and/or longitudinally of the sheath. The expanding elements can carry one or more thermometers and/or the discharge end(s) of one or more conduits for a medication or another flowable substance and/or they can be connected to an energy source, e.g., to cool or heat and/or otherwise treat the tissue.

Abstract: A flexible and transparent corneal endothelium protective device includes a relatively thin protective barrier portion, and a relatively thicker form-providing rim around the barrier portion. An access opening is provided through at least one of the rim and the barrier portion. The protective device is foldable for insertion through a surgical incision, is resilient such that it springs into shape once positioned in the eye, and is sufficiently flexible such that it may easily be removed through the incision in the eye near the completion of the surgical procedure. Various shapes are provided for the device. The protective device is inserted through the small incision and maneuvered into the space between the iris and the cornea and permitted to unfold. During surgery, instruments and other devices may be passed through the surgical incision and extend through an access opening of the protective device to operate on the lens.

Abstract: A needle for endoscopic surgery is curved into an arc of more than 180.degree. and twisted, so that it forms a part of a spiral, with a lateral offset between the needle point and barrel. The needle is sized to fit through a 10 mm trocar and is also blackened, to improve its visibility in a bloody field. The needle curvature is preferably not constant over its entire length, so that different sections have different radii of curvature. The needle is particularly well adapted for performing laporascopically a procedure (Burch Colposuspension) that is used to treat female stress incontinence.

Abstract: The apparatus for removal of bone-cement comprises means to generate an ultrasonic signal and a tool element including an elongate stem (1) to transmit the signal to a distal end:. A plurality of spoke members (3), preferably four or eight, extend radially from adjacent the distal end to connect with an annular member (2) surrounding and spaced from the distal end. A plurality of openings (4) are each defined by the stem (1), the annular member (2) and two of the spokes (3). The annular member (2) is provided with a distally facing cutting edge. The spokes (3) are so configured as to transmit to and allow axial movement of the annular member (2) with respect to the stem (1), with an enhanced displacement relative to that of the stem (1).

Abstract: A method and a surgical guidance system (20) direct an instrument to a target (40) located inside a patient (22). The surgical guidance system (20) includes a fixation frame (28), a first arc member (36), a second arc member (38), and first (78) and second (84) electromagnetic (EM) radiative sources. The first arc member (36) and the second arc member (38) are adjustably coupled to rotate about a common axis (48) and are adjusted in response to a target address and at least three marker addresses so that the target (40) is located at the center point of a virtual sphere defined by the arc members. A first electromagnetic (EM) radiative beam (80) and a second electromagnetic (EM) radiative beam (86) are projected from the system (20) and intersect at a line. The line forms a trajectory (146) along which an instrument can be directed to the target (40).