Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for moving a diseased portion of an anatomical structure with respect to a healthy portion of an anatomical structure includes a first vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the healthy portion, and a second vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the diseased portion, wherein the second vacuum section is adapted to withdraw within the first vacuum section.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to ultrasonic surgical instruments and, more particularly, to an intracorporeal ultrasonic surgical instrument for sonodynamic therapy. Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical system comprising: a generator and an instrument comprising: a housing; a transducer; a semi-permeable membrane; a pharmaceutical agent; and an agent delivery system. The transducer is adapted to convert the electrical energy of the generator into mechanical energy. The pharmaceutical agent, delivered into a chamber of the semi-permeable membrane, is driven through the semi-permeable membrane by the mechanical energy.

Abstract: A straightening tool is disclosed for straightening angled tissue cutting instruments including an outer member having a proximal length portion and a pre-formed bend connecting the proximal length portion with a distal length portion extending from the bend at an angle to a distal end, and a flexible inner member movably disposed in the outer member to cut anatomical tissue. The straightening tool comprises a handle and a positioning block extending from the handle coaxial with the straightening tool. The positioning block has a longitudinal bore for receiving the distal length portion therethrough to position the distal end within a cavity of the positioning block and the bend within a longitudinal slot of the positioning block with the proximal length portion extending externally through an opening of the slot.

Abstract: In an inhalation therapy apparatus a limiter section is provided in the air supply duct which serves as the limiting element for the movement of a valve element of an inlet valve. In the limiter section are provided openings through which surrounding air can flow when the valve element rests against the front edge of the limiter section facing the valve element.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for the regional determination of the alveolar opening and alveolar closing of the lung depending on the respiration pressure, wherein according to the method of electrical impedance tomography, an impedance signal is measured in at least one lung zone depending on the respiration pressure. The alveolar opening or closing of a lung zone is determined, in particular to enable an improved artificial respiration.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter delivery and/or retrieval assembly. In one embodiment the assembly includes a shaft having a filter coupled thereto, a sheath, and a tapering member.

Abstract: A fastener for insertion into pierced openings of a tissue wound has a body formed of a generally bioabsorbable polymer defining an initial capture area internal to the body. The body includes a pair of arms, each with an inwardly projecting cleat operably joined at an elbow portion defining an internal elbow angle. The arms are operably joined to a backspan at a shoulder portion defining an internal shoulder angle. A durable tissue retention zone is defined between the cleat and the arm. The elbow portion and the internal elbow angle define an insertion width greater than a width of the pierced openings resulting in the pierced openings stretching over the cleat and being elastically retained within the durable tissue retention zone. The fastener initially captures wound tissue in the initial capture area and then dynamically reforms in response to lateral stresses applied by the wound tissue without a fracture failure of the fastener until a minimum degradation period.

Abstract: A device and method for dilating a cervical canal. The device includes an elongated member with an expandable anchoring component attached to its distal tip. An expandable dilating member is attached to the elongated member proximally of the anchoring component for dilating the cervical canal. The anchoring component can be expanded after insertion of the device into the cervical canal to correctly position the device relative to the canal. A device and method for sealing a cervical canal is also provided. The device includes a tube having an expandable seal assembly attached to its distal end. The seal assembly has a ridged or corrugated surface when it is in an expanded condition to provide a seal for the cervical canal.

Abstract: A surgical device for removing a foreign object from a body is described. The device includes a retrieval basket for entrapping and retaining the object located in the body, a basket control assembly comprising a tubular sheath adapted to penetrate into the body for reaching the object, and a manipulator for manipulating the basket for extraction the object from the body. The basket comprises a structure having a proximal end and a distal end. The structure is formed by a plurality of filaments fabricated from a single or several wires. The filaments extend from the proximal end towards the distal end. At least a part of the filaments are configured in the form of loops. At least a part of the loops are interlaced so as to define a net at the distal end, and thereby impart structural rigidity and dilatation ability to the basket when opened.

Abstract: A device for inserting a lens into an eye has a grip body (1) with a lens holder (13) for holding the lens, and a plunger (2) which can be displaced in the grip body (1) for guided insertion of the lens into the eye. A ball-bearing bush (3) is arranged in the grip body (1), the plunger (2) being mounted so as to be laterally displaceable in this ball-bearing bush (3). This allows the device to be operated using one hand, said device additionally having good slide properties and permitting an at all times guided lateral or rotational movement of the plunger.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas includes a blowing device for delivering the respiratory gas, a housing device having a bottom region, a top surface region and a side region extending upwardly between the top surface region and the cover region, as well as a connecting device for connecting a humidifying apparatus. The connecting device is arranged in the side region of the apparatus in such a way that the humidifying apparatus can be laterally coupled thereto. The humidifying apparatus may include a partial amount discharge device for passing a partial amount of the liquid pre-stored in a liquid storage space into a humidifying region. A respiration tube includes a connecting plug structure which has both a respiratory gas connecting portion and a pressure measuring tube connecting portion.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands, and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing, and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: The invention provides an emergency medical kit for use immediately upon the onset of symptoms of an attack of a vascular disease such as a heart attack or a stroke. The emergency medical kit at least includes breathable oxygen in a light weight container and may include medications for preventing thrombosis, inducing arteriolar relaxation or assisting in diminishing oxygen demand by the victim. The kit including oxygen and medication dosage may be prescribed by a physician to a person with a known susceptibility to a serious unexpected attack of a vascular disease. The treatment provided by the contents of the kit is specifically intended to save the life of an attack victim and or to reduce permanent tissue damage in the victim during the time interval between the onset of the attack and the arrival of a professional medical service provider. The kit is lightweight and readily carried by the user or stored in a location for easy access.

Abstract: A surgical ring (1) designed to be implanted around (a) biological organ(s), the ring (1) being formed by a flexible band (2) including a first and second extremity (3, 4), the flexible band (2) being designed to be closed near its two extremities (3, 4) by a closure system so as to form a closed loop featuring an internal contact surface (2A) external 10 surface (2B). The closure system includes a means of encircling (5) that is integral with the first extremity (3) and arranged to evolve between a de-latching configuration, where the means of encircling (5) forms an open collar freeing the second extremity (4), and a latching configuration where the means of encircling (5) forms a closed collar designed to surround the second extremity (4) so as to unite it with the first extremity (3), the closed collar having opposite front (6) and rear (7) faces, between which an encircling opening extends that is designed to accept the second extremity (4).

Abstract: A device for detecting the flow of a gas from an opening comprising a chamber with an inlet, the chamber carrying a pressure displaceable member with an inner face exposed to the interior of the chamber and an outer face exposed to the ambient pressure such that the member is displaced as a result of the differential of the pressures; and a method of using the device and a method of manufacturing the device.

Abstract: A medicament respiratory delivery device including a housing having a chamber including coaxially aligned inlet and outlet, a medicament cartridge located within the chamber having a passage therethrough and membranes sealing the passage having a burst pressure of less than 10 atmospheres, a manually actuatable fluid delivery device having an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a manually actuated valve located between the outlet of the fluid delivery device and the chamber inlet for delivery of fluid under pressure to the valve. The medicament respiratory delivery device of this invention may be utilized to deliver a controlled unit dose of an aerosolizable medicament on demand by first pressurizing a pressure chamber in the pressure delivery device upstream of the valve, then opening the valve to open the membranes and express the medicament through the chamber outlet.

Abstract: A device for removing a thrombus filter from a blood vessel is disclosed. A device in accordance with the present invention includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough, a wire having a first end and a second end, the wire being partially disposed within the lumen of the shaft, a portion of the wire extending beyond the distal end of the shaft and forming a loop, and a portion of the wire extending beyond the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (200) for anaesthetising a living creature (V) and for maintaining said creature in an anaesthetised state, by administering thereto an infused volume of anaesthesia inducing pharmaceutical (22) in liquid phase per unit of time, with the aid of one or more lung ventilator units (A) and one or more infusion units (B). Chosen parts of the lung ventilator unit, with the exception of external insufflation hose, expiration valve, measuring probe and a number of hoses (12), and selected parts of the infusion unit (B), with the exception of cannula (5B) and hose (4B) are mutually combined to form a single equipment unit (201). Some of the parts of the equipment unit are mutually coordinated with respect to communication via a computer unit (600) included in the equipment unit, and the computer unit is adapted to monitor unit related criteria and creature related criteria.

Abstract: A delivery device for the delivery of an agent to the mouth, nose or other bodily site of a user. The delivery device includes an aerosol canister that is actuated to expel propellant, which captures and disperses the agent. In a preferred embodiment, the propellant captures and disperses the agent into the mouth or nose of a user, and inhalation by the user directs the agent to the lungs of the user. The delivery device is particularly suitable for the treatment of bronchial asthma, respiratory conditions and for the delivery of systemically absorbed agents.

Abstract: An inhaler capable of administering powdered medicaments contained in a capsule. It is formed by a compartment housing the capsule, inside the cover or the body of the inhaler, and a cutting element, inside the same cover or the body. Said element cuts or perforates the capsule, releasing the substance it contained. The powder falls into a grid reservoir below that holds the pieces of the case end lets only the powder pass through. Once the capsule is inserted into the compartment, it will be sufficient to activate the cutting device, then place the mouthpiece into the mouth and breathe in, so that the powdered substance dispersed into the chamber can reach the lungs. Said inhaler may be equipped with disposable accessories to be placed into the mouth, otherwise may be used with specific accessories for inhaling the substances also by the nose.