Abstract: A suturing instrument and method for placing mattress stitches in soft tissues is described. An elongate shaft with a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw disposed at the distal end is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions. The jaws are configured to allow for atraumatic grasping of soft tissues. The stationary jaw is comprised of a serrated face incorporating apertures through which needles attached to opposite ends of a single strand of suture material may be driven out into and through grasped tissue. The serrated upper jaw is configured with needle catch adapted to accept and capture the needles and suture. The handle is released to open the moveable jaw, the instrument may be withdrawn, trailing the suture, and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue.

Abstract: Instrumentation, systems, and processes for tracking anatomy, instrumentation, trial implants, implants, and references, and rendering images and data related to them in connection with surgical operations, for example total knee arthroplasties (“TKA”). These instrumentation, systems, and processes are accomplished by using a computer to intraoperatively obtain images of body parts and to register, navigate, and track surgical instruments. Disclosed in this document are also alignment modules and other structures and processes which allow for coarse and fine alignment of instrumentation and other devices relative to bone for use in connection with the tracking systems of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the implantation of electrolytically releasable occlusion means in body cavities or blood vessels. The device is intended for use in veterinary or human medicinal processes for the occlusion of aneurysms.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments including a staple anvil formed in a distal end of the surgical stapler and a staple cartridge selectively receivable in a distal end of the surgical stapler and in juxtaposition relative to the staple anvil, the staple cartridge including one or more laterally spaced apart rows of staple slots formed in an upper surface thereof, a plurality of surgical staples disposed, one each, within the staple slots, and a staple line reinforcing system configured and adapted to augment the strength of the staple line formed by the firing of the surgical staples into body tissue, wherein the surgical stapler concomitantly drives the plurality of surgical staples through the adjacent layers of body tissue to mechanically secure the body tissue and activates the reinforcing system to non-mechanically secure the adjacent layers of body tissue to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting blood loss from a puncture site. The apparatus may include means for locating a puncture site in a blood vessel wall. This apparatus is comprised of a tube and an elongated member that is positioned around the tube. The elongated member includes a proximal end and a distal end. Around the tube is also a dissolvable distal capsule, the distal capsule including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the distal capsule attaches to the distal end of the elongated member. Inside the distal capsule is hemostatic material such as a sponge.

Abstract: Methods and devices for repairing the TFCC of a patient's wrist are provided. In general, the device includes first and second anchor bodies that are connected to one another by a suture. The first anchor body is configured to be passed through a portion of the TFCC of a patient's wrist and an anchoring tissue, preferably using a delivery device, such that the first anchor body is positioned across a torn portion of the TFCC, the second anchor body is positioned across the anchoring tissue, and the suture extends therebetween. The suture can then be tensioned to anchor the TFCC to the anchoring tissue.

Abstract: A non-powder-form freeze-dried composition for transpulmonary administration has a disintegration index greater than or equal to 0.015 and contains at least one active ingredient. The composition becomes fine particles upon receiving air impact at an air speed greater than or equal to 1 meter/second and an air flow rate greater than or equal to 17 milliliters/second. The fine particles have a mean particle diameter less than or equal to 1×10?5 meters and/or a fine particle fraction greater than or equal to 10%. A method of making the composition, a vessel containing the composition, a method of administering the composition, a dry powder inhalation system for transpulmonary administration, and a method of transpulmonary administration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for suturing an opening in a tissue, having an elongated shaft, at least two arms movable to a deployed positioning which the arms are non-perpendicular to the shaft, the arms having needle receiving portions; and needles advanceable longitudinally along the shaft toward the needle receiving portions, the needles exiting through side walls of the shaft at a location proximal to the arms.

Abstract: A method of reducing the size of a lung by collapsing a target section of the lung includes delivering within a lung air passageway leading to the target section an intra-bronchial device. The device is deployed in a desired location and then the device is removed from the desired location. The device can be removed by gripping a portion of the device with a retractor device, which is used to draw the device proximally. Proximal movement releases anchors of the device from the passageway and the anchors can be collapsed into a removal configuration.

Abstract: A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device comprises one or more support hoops connected near a distal end of a guide wire, each support hoop having an articulation region, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop or hoops to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The mouth of the sac closes when the apparatus is collapsed for removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: grip handles (2, 3) which are articulated to each other around a fulcrum pin (4) so that the jaws can be moved from an open position to a closed position; and connecting elements (5) which can be used to: (i) lock the handles (2, 3) in a determined, constant position when a first force is exerted on the handles; and (ii) unlock the handles (2, 3) when a second force is exerted on same.

Abstract: A novel umbilical cord clamp and a combined umbilical cord clamp and cutter are provided for clamping and cutting umbilical cords in one motion. The cutter comprises two shells joined by a longitudinal hinge. A transverse blade is mounted in one shell, and a cutting support is mounted in the other shell across from the blade. One or more removable clamps may be engaged with the shells to be removable from the shells after cutting. Alternatively, a self-winding or plastically deformable band may be engageable with the shells. The cutter and its associated removable clamp(s) may be coordinated with an identifier, such as a color, number, or letter. Blood sampling and diagnostic features may be included with the cutter. The removable clamps may have an openable closure.

Abstract: A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.

Abstract: A system for securing a graft ligament in a bone tunnel, a flexible member for positioning the graft ligament in the bone tunnel, the flexible member having a first closed loop at a first end thereof and a second closed loop at a second end thereof, a delivery device having an end for positioning the first and second loops of the flexible member in the bone tunnel, and a pulling member having an end for withdrawing a selected one of the ends of the flexible member from the delivery device when the delivery device is positioned in the bone tunnel, and for pulling the selected end of the flexible member through a portion of a second bone tunnel which intersects, and extends traverse to, the first-mentioned bone tunnel.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the lancet body being composed, at least in the area of the tip of the lancet needle, of an elastic material in which the tip of the lancet needle is embedded, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. In addition the invention concerns an analytical device containing a lancet comprising a lancet needle and a lancet body which is in the form of a hollow body in the area of the tip of the lancet needle and surrounds the tip of the lancet needle, the lancet needle being movable relative to the lancet body and the hollow body being composed at least partially of an elastic material, and an analytical test element which is permanently connected to the lancet body. Finally the invention concerns a process for manufacturing such an analytical device.

Abstract: This invention is a device (210) for sealing a hole (100) in a blood vessel (102), comprising a blood vessel engager (217) having at least one spike (214), for engaging a portion of a blood vessel (102) adjacent a hole in the blood vessel, and a body (216) coupled to the blood vessel engager (217). The device (210) has at least two configurations, a first configuration in which the device does not seal the hole, and a second configuration to which the device can be changed so that the second configuration of the device seals the hole.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor is an elongate balloon having an expanded configuration having two end portions and a plurality of struts or spacer members extending between the end portions. The retractor balloon is a single tubular preform bent during manufacture to form the expanded configuration. Thus, the struts or spacer members are integral with both end portions and define therewith a single flow path for inflation or pressurization fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering radiation therapy to patients during suspended ventilation are provided. The apparatus includes a ventilator assembly having first and second selectively operable valves that independently control inhalation and exhalation of the patient. Both valves are shut to suspend patient ventilation for a period of time. In the methods of the present invention, radiation therapy is administered during this period of suspended patient ventilation.

Abstract: A combination of a bellows structure (12), volume restrictor, and pressure restrictor for use on a hand-operated resuscitator is provided to enable delivery of ventilation within specific volume and pressure limitations specified by the operator. The bellows structure (12) consistently provides predictable and uniform generation of gas flow for ventilation without regard to one or two-handed technique, hand placement, or hand size. The volume restrictor, primarily comprising of an inflow obturator (20), outflow obturator (22), and placement cam (34), enables the physician to specify a specific tidal volume to be delivered, which constitutes a volume-controlled cycling capability of the invention. The pressure restrictor, primarily comprising of an outer housing (40), stopper housings (41), and a stopper (50), enables the physician to specify a specific maximum airway pressure to be exposed to the patient, which constitutes a pressure-controlled cycling capability of the invention.