Abstract: A medical device for placing an embolic device at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device is retained within the delivery catheter by a mechanical interlocking mechanism which includes an engagement member attached to the distal end of the pusher member and extends through a retaining ring at the proximal end of the embolic device. A detachment member extends through an aperture at the distal end of the engagement member thereby locking the embolic device onto the pusher member. A kicker member extends from the distal end of the pusher member and is biased so as to lift the retaining ring off of the engagement member to ensure the release of the embolic device when the detachment member is withdrawn from the aperture of the engagement member.

Abstract: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Ultrasound catheter devices generally include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and a distal head coupled with the transmission member and positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body for disrupting occlusions. Improved features of ultrasound catheters include catheter bodies and ultrasound transmission members with increasing distal flexibility, guidewire tubes allowing contact between a guidewire and an ultrasound transmission member, distal heads with improved guidewire lumens, and torquable proximal housings for enhancing disruption of blood vessel occlusions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for use in neurosurgery, and to a method of positioning neurosurgical apparatus. The stereoguide comprises first and second guide elements through which instruments are passed along an axis of insertion towards a target and a first clamp (25) having a clamping position on the axis between the guide elements and the target.

Abstract: Intravascular cutting device that does not require an inflatable balloon for blade deployment. A cutting wire can be reversibly moved between a retracted, non-cutting position in which the cutting wire does not contact tissue and an extended, cutting position in which the cutting wire does contact tissue.

Abstract: A medical instrument especially suited for the HALS operating technique that can be entirely inserted together with one of the surgeon's hands into the operating area for operating purposes and includes a housing [(1)] and at least one tool [(2)] arranged in the housing [(1)], where the tool [(2)] can be moved between a rest position arranged in the housing [(1)] and a working position extending out of the housing [(1)].

Abstract: An intravaginal uterine artery occlusion device is used for treating uterine disorders such as fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage and the like. A occlusion device has a cervical receptacle with an open distal end for receiving the patients uterine cervix, an elongated shaft having a distal end secured to the closed proximal end of the cervical receptacle, and an inner lumen extending to the distal end of the shaft. The patient's uterine cervix is held within the interior of the receptacle by the application of a vacuum to the interior of the receptacle through the inner lumen of the shaft while the leading edge(s) of the cervical receptacle press against the patient's vaginal fornix to occlude the uterine artery. A blood flow sensor may be provided on the leading edge of the receptacle to aid in locating a uterine artery and to monitor blood flow through the uterine artery.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved legs with each having a pair of opposing side surfaces joined at their proximal ends by a flexible hinge section and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The first leg terminates at its distal end in a female locking member, and the second leg member terminates in a male locking member complimentary to the female locking member such that when the first and second leg members are moved from an open position to a closed position about the hinge section the male member is lockingly engaged in the female locking member. The clip has at least one cutting guide extending outward from and disposed along at least a portion of the length of at least one of the side surfaces of at least one of the first and second legs. The cutting guide aids in cutting the ligated tissue a safe distance from the clip such that a tissue cuff is formed.

Abstract: Improved bone anchors are disclosed for anchoring one or more sutures attached to soft tissue to a bone. The bone anchor has an anchor body that extends between a distal and a proximal end. A bore is formed axially in the anchor body and opens at the proximal end. One or more pins are fixed within the bore of the anchor body. One or more sutures can be looped on the pins for anchoring soft tissue to bone. The anchor body has a socket within the bore for receiving a driver tool. The distal end of the anchor body forms a non-threaded extension, which stabilizes the bone anchor, and helps prevent lateral movement during use. In one embodiment, the anchor body has coarse threads for engaging soft bone tissue and fine threads for engaging hard bone tissue.

Abstract: In a biopsy system having a biopsy needle guide secured to a needle guide support bracket, a biopsy needle guide is provided that includes a body having a periphery that defines an edge of the needle guide, the periphery defining a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces. A cradling aperture is positioned in the body and sized to engage the needle guide support bracket. A channel is provided in communication with the cradling aperture. The channel extends inwardly from one of the side surfaces of the body toward the cradling aperture. The needle guide of the present invention inhibits movement of the needle guide relative to the support bracket during a biopsy procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for closing septal defects, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The closure devices include a proximal anchor member, a distal anchor member, and at least one flexible center joint connecting the two anchor members. According to some embodiments, the proximal and/or distal anchor members may include a generally cylindrical member split along the central portion of its length to form an elongate oval. The proximal and/or distal anchor members may further include a tissue scaffold. At least some of the closure devices according to the present invention are repositionable and retrievable.

Abstract: The mechanism is applicable to a surgical tool which has a jaw (57) pivotably mounted to a distal end of a longitudinally extending support (58). The jaw is operated by action on a rearwardly facing cam follower (52, 53) by a lobe (51) on the distal end of an actuating tube (50). Rotation of the actuating tube (50) causes pivoting of the jaw (57) into and out of operative relationship with another jaw member (21) of the tool. The mechanism may be applied to any manipulative or gripping type of surgical implement, but is particularly applicable to ultrasonic tools adapted for cutting and/or coagulating.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved legs joined at their proximal ends by a flexible hinge section and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The first leg terminates at its distal end in a female locking member comprising a resilient inwardly turned hook having a recess in the mouth of the hook, and the second leg member terminates in a male locking member complimentary to the female locking member and comprising a detent such that when the first and second leg members are moved from an open position to a closed position about the hinge section the hook member will deflect about the distal end of the second leg member thereby engulfing the male locking member in the mouth of the hook and matingly engaging the detent in the recess thereof, thus securely locking the clip in the closed position. The locking feature provides greater closure security to the clip when clamping large diameter or uncompressible tissue.

Abstract: A pacifier assembly having a pivotally mounted cover on a shield assembly is disclosed. The assembly allows convenient protection for the nipple by being selectably moved between an open and closed position. In one embodiment, two nipples are provided on opposite sides of the shield assembly. The cover can be positioned to protect one nipple while exposing the other. Once the assembly is dropped to the floor and the sanitary condition of the exposed nipple is compromised, the cover can be moved to cover the dirtied nipple and expose the unused nipple. In another embodiment, the dual nipple pacifier includes two covers. Thus, the covers can protect both nipples simultaneously for transporting the assembly in a sanitary manner. One nipple can be exposed by pivoting one of the covers. Preferably, the covers nest within one another over the protected nipple.

Abstract: A surgical tool or applier facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation through a single bodily tissue lumen of an anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet type of attachment between tissue lumens. In addition to forming a puncture between apposite tissue walls at the anastomosis site, the applier assists or wholly actuates the anastomotic ring device and is retracted to deploy the actuated ring device. Illumination incorporated into a distal portion of a cannula enables confirmation of deployment.

Abstract: A system for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel includes a tissue effector that may be configured to deploy a user-selectable number of connectors. The system includes an anvil that enters the wall of the target vessel through an entry hole that is spaced apart from the anastomosis site, and at least one anvil entry hole sealer may be utilized to substantially seal the anvil entry hole upon withdrawal of the anvil. The system may include a shield and a cutter, both of which are movable relative to the anvil, where the shield is configured to protect the graft vessel from the cutter. The cutter may include an incising element movable from a stowed position to an active position.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.