Abstract: A motion transducer is embedded in a section of cable interconnecting a primary medical sensor with associated electronics. By affixing the section containing the transducer to a portion of a patient's anatomy, information relating to the parameter of primary concern as well as the patient's activity can be gathered without the complexity normally associated with instrumenting a patient for the acquisition of such data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device which is operably positionable for use in a biological conduit. The catheter device includes a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a flexible housing; a work element and a sleeve. The housing connects to the distal end of the catheter body and holds the work element. The sleeve slidably mounts with the housing for selectively reinforcing the housing to inhibit bending. Accordingly, the housing is normally flexible to facilitate insertion of the catheter device into a biological conduit. When the sleeve moves with respect to the housing, the sleeve reinforces the housing to facilitate operation of the work element.

Abstract: A substantially conical suture anchor having a bore in which an end of an insertion tool is inserted. The inserted end of the insertion tool is made of shape retaining material. The bore and base of the suture anchor are angled with respect to the central axis of the suture anchor and preferably are parallel to each other. During insertion, the suture anchor, mounted on the insertion tool, is reoriented to fit into the hole, thereby bending the shape memory end of the insertion tool. When the suture anchor is within cancellous bone tissue, the shape memory of the insertion tool urges the suture anchor to its original position (in which the suture anchor cannot fit through the bone hole). The suture anchor is thereby firmly anchored in the human bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides catheter apparatus and catheterization methodology for generating an arteriovenous fistula or a veno-venous fistula on-demand between closely associated blood vessels and at a chosen anatomic site in-vivo. The catheter apparatus is preferably employed in pairs, each catheter of the pair being suitable for percutaneous introduction into and extension through a blood vessel. The catheterization methodology employs the catheter apparatus preferably in conjunction with conventional radiological techniques in order to place, verify, and confirm a proper alignment, orientation, and positioning for the catheters in-vivo prior to activating the perforation means for generating a fistula.

Abstract: The catheter insertion device of the present invention includes a catheter dispenser having a catheter outlet extending from a base and a drum receptacle engaged to the base in a rotating relationship. An inlet opening in the base is coaxially aligned with the catheter outlet. A passageway extends from the inlet opening tangentially through the catheter drum to the catheter outlet. A rigid needle is disposed through the passageway so that the sharp tip extends beyond the catheter outlet. A flexible introducer catheter generally contiguously and telescopically surrounds the distal portion of the needle. The introducer catheter extends beyond the catheter outlet to a position on the needle that is proximate to the sharp tip and is operatively associated with the needle for insertion into the vein of a patient. A one way flow valve is in fluid-tight connection with the proximal end of the flexible introducer catheter.

Abstract: A surgical wire clamp assembly including a body and a wire. The wire is preferably a monofilament wire. The body includes a first longitudinal bore for receiving a first wire end, a second longitudinal bore for receiving a second wire end, and a vertical opening between the longitudinal bores. The longitudinal bores are deformable to a serpentine configuration responsive to a transverse compressive force.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring force systems is provided. The device measures and displays one or more components of a force system generated by medical or dental appliances or body tissues. The invention provides a probe or attachment device for engaging the structure to be measured, such as orthodontic springs, wires, and appliances; surgical fixation devices; and body tissue. The probe transmits the force system produced by the structure to a sensor bar which is attached to the probe. The sensor bar resolves the force system being measured into electrical signals. A device is used to display representations of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A substantially conical suture anchor having a bore in which an end of an insertion tool is inserted. The inserted end of the insertion tool is made of shape retaining material. The bore and base of the suture anchor are angled with respect to the central axis of the suture anchor and preferably are parallel to each other. During insertion, the suture anchor, mounted on the insertion tool, is reoriented to fit into the hole, thereby bending the shape memory end of the insertion tool. When the suture anchor is within cancellous bone tissue, the shape memory of the insertion tool urges the suture anchor to its original position (in which the suture anchor cannot fit through the bone hole). The suture anchor is thereby firmly anchored in the human bone.

Abstract: An expandable stent and stent graft having a small initial diameter, flexibility along its longitudinal axis prior to expansion and a large expanded and rigid Local strain on the stent material is minimized, as and after the balloon is expanded. More particularly, the stent has rotation joints having minimal strain during stent expansion. The stent is substantially the same length before and after expansion and being flexible longitudinally when constrained, it is easy to locate. A method of manufacturing stents is described comprising rotation of a tube beneath a moving film, with light passing through the film onto the tube, at selected locations. A laser scanning system for stent manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: An external fixator or splint with a carrier which carries at least two fastening devices arranged to receive bone screws. The fastening devices are adjustable relative to the carrier and can be locked in various positions by clamping parts. The splint is made up of two ball-and-socket joints which are supported on the carrier so as to be axially adjustable and of two fastening elements that secure the ball-and-sockets joints.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an elongated flexible hollow-body tube having a lumen extending therethrough, and having a proximal end and distal end, together with an outer jacket, a forceps cutter for cutting coupled to the distal end of said body portion. A control wire having proximal and distal ends extends through the lumen in the body portion and is coupled at the distal end to the forceps cutter. A portion of the outer jacked comprises a right-hand wrap, while another portion comprises a left-hand wrap whereby to reduce torque displacement at the distal end upon cutting.

Abstract: This invention is an occlusive device for inserting into body cavities or vesicles. More particularly, it is a vasoocclusive device which, as used, is in the approximate shape of an anatomical cavity. It may be ultimately deployed as a substantially spherical shape in the operable configuration. The device is a self-forming shape made from a pre-formed occlusive strand of flexible material. The occlusive strand may be helically coiled or braided and may be adapted with various polymeric fibers. The device is typically introduced through a catheter in the substantially linear inoperable configuration. The invention provides a plurality of such substantially spherical strand portions which nest concentrically with each other in the operable configuration. The invention also includes methods of producing and using the substantially spherical occlusive devices.

Abstract: A comparator for comparing the operation of activity monitors of the type having internal sensors responsive to excitation forces in order to record the activity of a wearer, includes a housing having a test platform and a monitor-receiving test fixture for holding an activity monitor motionless during testing. The comparator further includes an electromagnet for applying an excitation force to the monitor, by converting a prerecorded digital signal, or waveform, into analog voltage signals which are applied to the electromagnet for testing the monitor. The monitor may be subjected to a variety of test patterns of activity.

Abstract: A test strip includes a first layer and an overlying differential flow-retarding layer that reduces the fraction of a component of a liquid specimen percolated therethrough. An inert backing, preferably having an aperture therethrough, overlies the flow-retarding layer. For the testing of a blood specimen, the flow-retarding layer is formed of glass fibers that reduce the fraction of red blood cells in the percolate, leaving primarily, but not entirely, plasma in the percolate. The first layer includes chemicals that react with a component of the plasma such as glucose in a measurable reaction, preferably a visually measurable reaction. In using this test strip, the blood specimen is placed into the aperture of the backing and permitted to percolate through the flow-retarding layer such that a fraction of the red blood cells is removed from the percolate.

Abstract: A cannula for introducing medical instruments into an anatomical cavity includes an elongate tubular body defining a lumen and a valve protruding distally from the tubular body for preventing fluid flow through the lumen when medical instruments are withdrawn from the anatomical cavity into the tubular body. The valves are preferably configured as one-way valves such that external forces and pressures exerted on the valves from outside the cannula will not cause the valves to open. The valves can form rounded or blunt distal ends when closed or can be configured in a manner to penetrate anatomical tissue when closed. Furthermore, spring members can be embedded in the valves to provide reinforcement and to bias the valves to a closed condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for determining cross-sectional dimensions of body lumens, such as the diameter of a blood vessel. According to one exemplary method, the diameter of a blood vessel is measured by first inflating a balloon catheter within the lumen until the balloon diameter matches the lumen diameter. Inflation may be at a very low pressure and be constrained by the lumen, or may alternatively be controlled by monitoring the flow within the lumen. The balloon includes at least one measurement element which indicates the expanded balloon cross-sectional area, circumference, or diameter. Optionally, the measurement element provides a fluoroscopic, radiographic, or ultrasound indication of the cross-sectional dimension. In alternative embodiments, such dimensions may be transmitted to the distal end of the catheter, or determined after deflation and removal of the catheter.

Abstract: An instrument including a guide needle (1), at least two nesting concentric tubes (2-6) placed over the guide needle, and an outer working tube (7) concentric with said tubes. The tip of the outer tube (7) is provided with a device (11) for spacing apart the bodies of vertebrae adjacent to the disk and keeping them apart during surgery, while its proximal end is provided with a hand grip (8). Anterior percutaneous nuclear incision performed with said instrument enables puncture of the disk, and particularly excision of the nucleus, to be performed easily, more quickly and more effectively than with the conventional posterolateral approach, while avoiding any damage to the anatomical environment of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-expanding stent which may be used to anchor a graft such as a abdominal aortic graft in place. The stent may also be used following procedures such as, for example, balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: A thrombus filter configured for placement within a blood vessel lumen. The filter having a longitudinal axis. The filter includes first and second units, each unit including a plurality of elongated struts. Each strut has a joining end where the respective struts of each unit are joined together. Each strut also has a free end opposite the joining end. The struts have at least two curves such that in a longitudinal planar projection of the filter, each strut has a first direction of curvature proximate the joining end and an opposite direction of curvature closer to the free end. In a transverse planar projection of the filter, the strut has a first direction of curvature proximate the joining and an opposite direction of curvature closer to the free end.

Abstract: An endoscopic retriever comprising an endoscope and retriever is disclosed, wherein the illuminating light passes at right angles to the plane of the grasping jaws of the retriever. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one illuminating light guide fiber travels partly through at least one of the grasping arms and passes perpendicular to the length of at least one of the grasping jaws through at least one of the grasping laws, terminating in at least one of the two jaws at right angles to the plane of the jaw. The endoscope may have a torque handle to control the grasping force of the jaws of the retriever.