Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a medical device and procedure for accurately positioning a catheter across a desired region within a patient's vasculature. In particular, the present invention provides a hub assembly unit that allows a physician to precisely position a stent within a vessel utilizing a stent delivery catheter. The hub assembly unit includes a fine adjustment mechanism. The fine adjustment mechanism extends or contracts the length of the hub assembly unit in controlled incremental units. These controlled fine displacements are then translated directly to the stent delivery or balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and its pilot balloon system visually indicate the state of the inflation of a balloon placed in a human body. The small pilot balloon is conveniently manufactured by blow molding utilizing substantially the same material and has substantially the same structure as the main balloon. The pilot balloon is useful for a catheter with balloon or a tube with cuff where the balloon or the cuff is made of a very resilient material. The preferred material is a blend of composition having certain properties comprising styrenic thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin.

Abstract: Surgical cutting instrument includes an electrically heated cutting edge and an automatic control system for maintaining the cutting edge at a constant high temperature for sterilizing the blade, cutting tissue, and cauterizing the incised tissue to reduce hemorrhage from the cut surfaces of the tissues (hemostasis).

Abstract: A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation is disclosed.

Abstract: A lancet body 15 is molded around a needle or blade, in which the inner end of the needle body which is unsharpened has an L-shape bend at the unsharpened end. The bend, when embedded in the plastic which forms the body of the lancet, secures the needle against removal. The method involves the bending substantially perpendicularly of the unsharpened end of the lancet needle or blade to be substantially perpendicular with the elongate body of the blade. The needle or blade is placed within a jig interiorly of the plastic mold. The jig includes spaced opposed clamps and a single orienting support to the bent portion of the needle. The body of the lancet is relieved in many areas to reduce material cost and has a molded tab cover eliminating a loose part such as a separate cover.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with articulated jaw structure includes a frame and two jaws. The jaws have proximal portions that are mounted to each other for movement in a substantially parallel relation between a fully open position wherein the jaws are separated for receiving tissue therebetween and an approximated position wherein the jaws are closer together. Preferably, the jaws are in the fully open position when the distal portion of at least of the jaws is located in an extended position and are in the approximated position when the distal portion of the extended jaw or jaws is located in a retracted position. The surgical instrument may further include a detachable knife assembly and knife actuating mechanism.

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: The invention provides a nested tubing cannula which comprises outer and inner elongate tubular members, both having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween. The inner tubular member is sealed at its distal end and is nested substantially coaxially within the lumen of the outer tubular member, so that the gap between the inner and the outer tubular member defines a second lumen whereas the first lumen is the lumen of the inner tubular member. A tubular sleeve is disposed coaxially between the inner and outer tubular members. A balloon is mounted on a distal region of the outer tubular member and is in communication with the first lumen. The cannula further comprises a port proximal or distal the balloon occluder and is in communication with the second lumen. Methods for making the devices herein are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a pair of opposed jaws constructed and arranged to open and close relative to one another. Each jaw has a proximal end connected to part of the surgical instrument, an opposite jaw tip end, and a confronting surface arranged facing the opposite jaw. A perimeter defines a boundary of the respective confronting surface and jaw tip end for each jaw. At least a first cutting edge portion is provided on a part of each jaw perimeter whereby that part defines the jaw tip end. Each first cutting edge portion is oriented extending toward the corresponding first cutting edge portion of the opposite jaw. Each first cutting edge portion is curved concavely inward toward the proximal end of the respective jaw. The curved first cutting edge portions are oriented precisely as desired relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sealing access openings into blood vessels using an expandable member in the blood vessel on a control member that extends out through the access opening and an applicator which inserts a preformed sealing material into the access opening over the control member to keep the control member and expandable member centered in the access opening and withdrawing the collapsed expandable member back through the sealing material after the access opening is sealed.

Abstract: A system and method for bracketing a tissue volume (22) and later locating the bracketed tissue volume. The system includes a plurality of markers (30) and a probe (32) and detector (34) for use in locating the markers by providing information usable by a surgeon that is representative of changes in proximity between the probe and the plurality of markers. The markers have various detection characteristics, e.g., they transmit gamma rays, that are detectable by an associated probe and detector. The tissue volume is removed by manipulating a cutting tool based on the proximity information provided by the detector which can be used by the surgeon to define the boundary of the tissue volume. A two-part cutting tool (200) is provided for removing the tissue volume, and a tissue anchor (300) is provided for stabilizing the tissue during removal. The system and method of the invention are particularly useful in bracketing and then removing a tissue volume from amorphous, pliable tissue such as breast tissue.

Abstract: An improved multi-bite bone cutting rongeur with an ultrathin foot plate and a disposable cutting element and storage chamber unit. The present invention has an integrated cutting element and storage chamber unit that is truly disposable, rather than merely replaceable. The present invention requires the use of no tools or special assembly. The chamber is simply placed onto the shaft whereby it is immediately locked into place by the use of the instrument.

Abstract: The inventive device consist of a unit (1) formed by an elongated part (5) made from a flexible pierced material, a suture (6) linked to a longitudinal extremity of said part (5) and a suture needle (7) joined to said suture (6). The part (5) is long enough to enable posterior suspension of the vagina (2) at the promontory (3), i.e. the front upper part of the sacrum. At the extremity which is joined to the suture, the part (5) comprises the following: (i) a distal portion (5c) being of a sufficient width that it can cover at least a large part of the posterior part of the wall of the vagina (2) and (ii) a cut-out (5d) which is rounded and fitted to the side edge of the distal extremity (5e), whereby said cut-out (5d) has dimensions that are such to enable the part (5) to engaged around the base of the wall of the vagina (2) on at least a large part of the lower half of said wall. The suture (6) is connected to the base in such a way that it is offset sidewise in relation to the cut (5d).

Abstract: A clot and foreign body removal device is described which comprises a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture coil that is connected to an insertion mandrel. In one embodiment, the clot capture coil is made out of a solid elastic or superelastic material which has shape memory, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic coil which changes shape upon heating or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ.

Abstract: A clot and foreign body removal device is described which comprises a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture coil that is connected to an insertion mandrel. In one embodiment, the clot capture coil is made out of a solid elastic or superelastic material which has shape memory, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic coil which changes shape upon heating or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ.

Abstract: A method for carotid endarterectomy. A blood filter is positioned within a carotid artery downstream of an atheromatous plaque. The filter is expanded. The carotid artery is clamped upstream and downstream of the atheromatous plaque while the filter is expanded. An endarterectomy procedure is performed on the region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque. The carotid artery is unclamped while the filter is expanded. In certain cases a shunt is positioned in a region of the carotid artery having the atheromatous plaque and secured to the shunt by clamping, the shunt comprising a tubular member having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen therebetween.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Abstract: A system and method for bracketing a tissue volume (22) and later locating the bracketed tissue volume. The system includes a plurality of markers (30) and a probe (32) and detector (34) for use in locating the markers by providing information usable by a surgeon that is representative of changes in proximity between the probe and the plurality of markers. The markers have various detection characteristics, e.g., they transmit gamma rays, that are detectable by an associated probe and detector. The tissue volume is removed by manipulating a cutting tool based on the proximity information provided by the detector which can be used by the surgeon to define the boundary of the tissue volume. A two-part cutting tool (200) is provided for removing the tissue volume, and a tissue anchor (300) is provided for stabilizing the tissue during removal. The system and method of the invention are particularly useful in bracketing and then removing a tissue volume from amorphous, pliable tissue such as breast tissue.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter by means of a non-sliding retention and release mechanism. The non-sliding release mechanism is operated remotely at the proximal end of the catheter by means of a linear translator. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.