Abstract: A cannula comprises a main body for accommodating both an endoscopic lumen and a working lumen. The main body of the cannula ends at a point proximal to the distal end of the cannula. Extending distally from the point at which the main body end is an endoscopic dissection shaft of decreased diameter, which houses the endoscopic lumen, but not the working lumen. A transparent tapered tip is positioned on the distal end of the endoscopic dissection shaft. Due to the decreased diameter of the endoscopic dissection shaft, the transparent tapered tip has a small diameter, The main body of the cannula ends in a smoothly contoured face that provides minimal trauma to vessel and other tissue that comes in contact with the face as the cannula is advanced through the surgical site.

Abstract: Apparatus for introduction into the vessel of a patient comprising a guiding catheter adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and a device adapted to be inserted into the guiding catheter. The device includes a flexible elongate member and a sleeve carried by the flexible elongate member near the distal extremity thereof and extending from a region near the distal extremity to a region spaced from the distal extremity of the flexible elongate element. The device also includes a guide wire adapted to extend through the sleeve so that the guide wire extends rearwardly of the sleeve extending alongside of and exteriorally of the flexible elongate element into a region near the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate element.

Abstract: Atherectomy devices are guided by and manipulated by externally applied magnetic fields to treat total or partial occlusions of a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A multiple bladed surgical knife for removing donor strips of hair-laden scalp tissue from a donor for hair graft transplantation to a donor. The knife includes a plurality of blades which are spaced apart by a plurality of spacers. The blades may advantageously shift longitudinally with respect to each other at a surgeon's discretion such that donor strips of consistent depth are obtained. In addition, the number of hair follicles which are destroyed during the removal process is minimized. In one embodiment of the present invention, the blade penetration depth is controlled via selectively sizing and shifting the plurality of spacers. In one particular embodiment, the blades and spacers may be shifted with the assistance of a pin, and in another embodiment, the knife includes a plurality of markings indicating a particular blade angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and device for harvesting a vessel. The vessel harvester comprises an internal stenting catheter with proximal and distal ends, a sheath catheter with proximal and distal ends, and a cylindrical cutting tube that is attachable to the distal end of the sheath catheter. The vessel harvester is used to harvest vesseal such as the greater and lesser saphenous veins, the basilic vein, the cephalic vein, and the radial artery.

Abstract: A protection system for surgical instruments having a body with an instrument at one end. A movable guard is provided that moves between locked open and locked closed positions. The guard includes a grip and an opening to provide access for cleaning.

Abstract: A stent assembly including an upstream portion adapted to modify a flow characteristic of embolic material disposed in a blood stream flowing through the upstream portion, and a downstream portion in fluid communication with the upstream portion and adapted for the blood stream to flow therethrough, the downstream portion including a trapping region for trapping therein the embolic material. The downstream portion may extend from the upstream portion, or alternatively, may be distanced from the upstream portion.

Abstract: A vitreous cutter 10 includes a plurality of vanes 14 rotatably attached within a housing 12. An inlet 16 receives pressurized fluid, which causes rotation of the vanes 14. An outlet 20 allows the pressurized fluid to exit the cutter 10. A cam 24 rotates upon rotation of the vanes 14, which causes reciprocal movement of a vitrectomy probe 28.

Abstract: INSERTER AND FITTER OF TUBING REPAIR SETS characterized by being a tubular shape mechanical device, rigid or flexible, having a receptacle for housing a tubing repair set(12) also called prosthesis(12) with handles (8)(9) to insert and fit the prosthesis(12) at a target place. Having a nose cone(1) which leads the way to the catheter; a hooking system(5)(11) of the prosthesis(12) with a trigger(10) to loose and place the prosthesis at the target place inside the tubing.

Abstract: A trocar is disclosed which includes a housing assembly and a cannula assembly attached to the housing assembly to define an axial bore therethrough. The trocar further includes an obturator assembly which slidably engages the axial bore defined by the cannula assembly. The obturator assembly includes a shaft having a piercing end for insertion into a patient and a handling end for gripping by a surgeon. Attached to the piercing end of the shaft is a piercing tip having an upper face and a lower face which taper away from the shaft to form a non-conical, blunt head. The piercing tip further includes wing elements located on opposite sides of the piercing tip between the upper face and lower face. These wing elements have a lateral edges.

Abstract: A stent for insertion into a vessel of a body and used in connection with a foil sheet, where the foil sheet comprises a radioactive material, is described. The stent and foul sheet are positioned so that the radioactive material in the foil sheet can deliver a desired dosage to an prescribed area, thereby reducing the distance for delivering the radioactive dose. The radioactive material may comprise carrier-free palladium 103. The foils screen may further comprise a shielding lay on the side for directing the dosage. A method for placing the stent and foil into a vessel of a body is also described.

Abstract: A method of sealing percutaneous punctures in a patient's body that open into an internal body cavity using a sealing material such as a fibrin adhesive while preventing the sealing material from entering the body cavity. The apparatus for delivering the sealing material is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cannulas for surgical and medical use expand along their entire lengths. The cannulas are inserted through tissue when in an unexpanded condition and with a small diameter. The cannulas are then expanded radially outwardly to give a full-size instrument passage. Expansion of the cannulas occurs against the viscoelastic resistance of the surrounding tissue. The expandable cannulas do not require a full depth incision, or at most require only a needle-size entrance opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the cannula has a pointed end portion. In this embodiment of the invention, the cannula includes wires having cores which are enclosed by jackets. The jackets are integrally formed as one piece with a sheath of the cannula. The cannula may be expanded by inserting members or by fluid pressure. The cannula is advantageously utilized to expand a vessel, such as a blood vessel. An expandable chamber may be provided at the distal end of the cannula.

Abstract: There is described method and apparatus for taking a biopsy wherein the apparatus is formed of a biocompatible cylindrical member with an outer wall and a hollow core, the cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis. An opening in the outer wall of the member is provided and a cutting device cuts tissue entering the opening as it travels along the opening. Cut tissue is treated with a coagulating agent or member so that the coagulation occurs concurrently or just after the tissue is cut wherein the coagulation occurs at a trailing edge of the opening as it travels.

Abstract: A removable vascular filter device for blocking micro-and macro-emboli while allowing continued perfusion of blood, comprises a guidewire having distal and proximal portions, wherein there is a recess in the distal portion and a filter comprising a flexible filter membrane and a filter membrane support structure. The filter membrane has a fixed inner portion and a free outer portion, wherein the filter membrane fixed inner portion is movably attached toward the distal end of the guidewire recess and wherein the filter membrane free outer portion is positioned in the recess when the filter membrane is in a collapsed state. A deploying means causes the filter membrane proximal end portion to assume a position substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.

Abstract: A stent-graft made of at least three concentric layers is disclosed. The inner and outer layers can be porous. The middle layer can be non-porous and encompasses a stent.

Abstract: A surgical tool system (30) with a powered surgical handpiece (32). A removable handswitch (39) is attached to the handpiece. The handswitch includes a slip ring (192) that removably holds the handswitch to the handpiece. A lever arm (212) is pivotally attached to the slip ring. A magnet (190) is fitted in the lever arm. The angle of the lever arm is set by the surgeon to indicate the on/off state and operating speed of the handpiece. Internal to the handpiece is a sensor (94) that generates a signal based on the relative proximity of the magnet. The sensor signal is thus employed as the control signal for regulating the operation of the handpiece. Thus a surgeon can selectively use the handpiece with or without the mounted control switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved stent design and stent delivery catheter assembly for repairing a main vessel and a side branch vessel forming a bifurcation. The present invention includes a trap door stent design, a stent delivery catheter assembly, an apparatus for crimping the stent and the method for crimping the stent onto the catheter assembly, and the method for delivering and implanting the stent in a bifurcated vessel. More particularly, the invention relates to a stent having rings aligned along a common longitudinal axis and connected by links, where the stent has a proximal section, a distal section and a central section. The number of rings and the expanded diameter of the sections is varied to create a “trap door” capable of expanding to a slightly larger diameter than the proximal section and distal section of the stent.

Abstract: A lancing device and method for self-collecting a sample of body fluid by penetrating a body tissue at a sampling site. The invention includes a housing geometry configured for ease of use at different sampling sites on the body, even by persons having reduced dexterity and/or poor vision. Depth of penetration is selectively controlled by adjusting the stroke range of a spring-driven lancet carrier. A pressure applicator is included for stimulating flow of the body fluid. A transparent portion permits observation of the sampling site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tubular stem section which extends from a handle. A tubular articulated section connects a surgical instrument with the stem section. An actuator assembly is connected with the handle and is operable to bend the articulated section to change the orientation of an instrument on an outer end portion of the articulated section relative to body tissue. The instrument on the outer end of the articulated section may be a rotatable cutting tool which is driven by a tubular drive element having a flexible section which extends through the articulated section. The articulated section is bent or flexed by a plurality of flexible elongated elements (wires). In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in opposite directions. In another embodiment of the invention, four flexible elongated elements are provided to flex the articulated section in any one of four directions.