Abstract: An ultrasonic angioplasty apparatus includes an ultrasonic generator which is coupled to a segmented wire that includes a relatively stiff portion, a more flexible portion and an extremely flexible portion. Ultrasonic energy, which is coupled to an end of the relatively stiff portion, reduces friction between the wire and an interior arterial vessel wall and whip-like motion of the extremely flexible portion allows the wire to pass high grade occlusions and plaque build-ups. The ultrasonic generator has a selectable range of operating frequencies which allow whip-like motion of the end of the wire, or alternatively directing ultrasonic cavitational forces into vessel wall to remove plaque build-up.

Abstract: An instrument to facilitate nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery includes a proximal handle, a shaft portion axially aligned with the proximal handle, an intermediate portion constructed to traverse the cortex of the eye, and a hook-form distal end. An inner region of the hook-form has a leading edge defined by diverging surfaces. The diverging surfaces lie at an acute splitting angle to one another selected to have a wedging effect when the leading edge is drawn along a cleavage plane of the nucleus. The diverging surfaces define a relatively bulky back portion that imparts desired stiffness to the leading edge. The hook-form is shaped to facilitate maintaining contact with the nucleus while the leading edge is drawn along the cleavage plane. A method of performing nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery utilizing the instrument is also described.

Abstract: A device for retrograde hole opening through tissue has a member elongate on an axis with a cross section shaped to insert axially through external tissue. A distal and a proximal end on the member respectively enter the tissue during placement and remain outside the tissue for control. A tip at the distal end has a deployable tissue divider with one or more tissue parting elements and each has a splitter. The tissue parting elements are located within the cross sectional dimensions of the member in a storage position and are movable relative to the tip for placement in an exposed position relative to the tip when shifted from storage so that the splitter thereof splits tissue during retrograde extraction along the axis and contact with tissue. Linkage between the proximal end and the deployable tissue divider retains each of the tissue parting elements with its splitter exposed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method therefor used in osteotomy for removing a right-angled bone wedge from a leg bone. The device consists of a trapezoidal block with a detachable connecting member which is used with detachable towers and surgical pins that allows the surgeon to establish a reference external to the bone as to the position of the apex and angle of the wedge to be cut and then to drill the surgical pins into the leg bone to secure the block in position. The block includes integral saw guides having interconnected upper and lower guide slots to translate the reference into the bone as saw cuts which precisely remove the required wedge of bone. The connecting member is then detached and the block and pins removed to allow completion of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonically removing biological tissue using an axially vibrating probe, and method of making same, including a housing having an outer portion forming a handle, wherein the housing has a sleeve therein supporting a piezoelectrical transducer with planar piezoelectrical elements arranged in parallel relation with an axis of the probe. An armature is provided which operatively connects the probe with the piezoelectrical elements, wherein the piezoelectrical elements are arranged between outwardly facing sides of the armature and inwardly facing sides of filling bodies inserted in the sleeve, respectively. An intermediate layer of electrically conductive foil is located between the piezoelectrical elements and the outwardly facing sides of the armature and the inwardly facing sides of the filling bodies, respectively.

Abstract: An adjustable position fixing apparatus for fixing instruments such as an endoscope and an illuminator in a desired spatial position is provided. The adjustable position fixing apparatus for an instrument and the like comprises a cylinder communicating with a pressure fluid supplying machine, such as a compressor, through a switching device, a mount member for mounting an instrument and the like thereon, and an adjustable bending arm portion through which a linear element such as a wire extends. The arm portion is disposed between the cylinder and the mount member over an entire area or a part thereof. One end of the linear element is attached to a reciprocating rod of the cylinder and the other end is attached to the mount member.

Abstract: A bone screw comprises a receiver member (5) and a screw member (1) having a threaded portion (2) and a head (3) having a spherical segment-shaped portion. The receiver member (5) comprises an internal thread (10) for allowing a relative adjustment of receiver member and screw member and the connection of the receiver member with a round rod. A pressure means (12) acts onto the head (3) and the rod (16) is placed on top of the pressure means. The arrangement is locked by means of a rod locking nut (13) and a lock nut (14) is screwed onto an external thread (11).

Abstract: A manipulable hand for use in laparoscopic surgery is disclosed, having a master or control hand with clamps for attaching the master hand to that of an operator, the master hand having at least one finger, the finger having at least one hinge corresponding to an interphalangeal joint in a human hand. The manipulable hand further includes a slave or controlled hand, distally disposed from the operator, the slave hand having at least one finger, the finger having at least one hinge corresponding to an interphalangeal joint of a human finger. Both the master and slave hinges are capable of movement corresponding to flexion and extension of a human finger. The master hand and the slave hand are connected by motion transmission rods or cables, and the movements of the slave hand corresponds one-for-one to the movements of the master hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar radio-frequency surgical instrument with a rigid tube shaft (11) and a working tip (12) which preferably has substantially the same cross-section as the adjoining part of the tube shaft (11) and is preferably centrally provided with at least one working electrode, such as a cutting electrode (13, 13") or a coagulating electrode (13') which can be energized with a radio-frequency voltage, and a neutral electrode (14) which preferably has a significantly larger surface. The working tip (12) is connected with the rigid tube shaft (11) near the distal end of the instrument in a hinged or flexible manner in such a way that the working tip (12) can be pivoted from a position which is axially aligned with the tube shaft (11) to a position which forms an angle relative to the tube shaft (11), and such that means (17, 18, 19) are provided to pivot and return the working tip (12).

Abstract: A light diffusing guidewire which has the ability to deliver light to luminal surfaces such as blood vessels for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. The device can be used either in conjunction with another outer catheter such as a balloon catheter or as a stand-alone device. The light diffusing guidewire can be used as a standard guidewire for directing the placement of another catheter. The guidewire has an elongate body portion having a proximal end and a distal (invasive) end. A portion of the body portion transmits light from the proximal end to a light diffusing element within the body portion near the distal end. The guidewire has a floppy tip distal to the light diffusing element and is rigid and highly torqueable proximal to the diffusing element. The outer diameter of the guidewire is similar to that of standard interventional guidewires such as angioplasty guidewires, i.e. 0.014"-0.038".

Abstract: A disposable circumcision device provides quick and accurate alignment of opposite sides of excess prepuce formed by making a dorsal and ventral incision. Two blades compress the excess prepuce against an outer surface of a raindrop ring which protects the glans penis for surgical removal of the excess prepuce. An incision is made by a needle electrode or a knife against the exterior surface of the raindrop ring. The needle electrode or knife is guided along a surface of a dull point of the blade into contact with the exterior surface of the raindrop ring. The precise alignment of the compressed prepuce between the raindrop ring and blade ensures an accurate cut with minimal excess prepuce for subsequent suturing with absorbable sutures. The two prepuce sections formed by a dorsal and ventral incision are tied off at their outermost corners and drawn outwardly by tie lines.

Abstract: A lancet assembly for pricking a person's skin for the purpose of causing a drop of blood to seep out, which can be collected and analyzed. The lance assembly comprises a housing and spring means carrying a lancet blade in the housing. The spring means has a non-linear characteristics, so that when the spring means is released from a compressed state a first spring constant is effective during an initial expansion of the spring means up to a predetermined limit of expansion, and a second spring constant smaller than the first spring constant is effective during a further expansion of the spring means beyond the predetermined limit of expansion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a grip for a tubular shafted surgical instrument having two grip parts. The grip parts have grip contact surfaces which run generally parallel to each other and to the shaft tube. The first grip part is securely attached to the shaft tube, while the second grip part is pivotable as a rocker and engages the operational element of the tubular shaft instrument.

Abstract: A method for removing unwanted material in a body lumen, cavity or organ provides the steps of using an endoscope or other viewing system to position a suitably sized lateral-lasing fiber optic device axially at one or more places in a body lumen, cavity or organ and delivering a predetermined amount of light energy for a predetermined period of time laterally in one or more directions, while delivering a biocompatible fluid at a predetermined rate of flow. The distal end of the lateral-lasing fiber optic device includes a reflectively-coated metal tip, which is capable of directing, by reflection, the light energy from the optical fiber laterally from the longitudinal axis of the light energy carrying optical fiber and outwardly toward a target tissue region.

Abstract: Distraction Osteogenesis is a procedure for lengthening a bone. The Ilizarov External Fixator is an apparatus employed in the distraction osteogenesis procedure. The prospects for a successful clinical outcome of the procedure are enhanced by modifying the Ilizarov apparatus to obtain measurements of loads generated during the procedure. An apparatus and method for the clinical use of load measurements taken during the distraction osteogenesis procedure are disclosed. An alternative method is disclosed for converting load measurements to stress data in order to enhance the clinical outcome of the procedure. Additionally, the method may be employed to assess completion of the healing process.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing a circular anastomosis is disclosed. The instrument is provided with three seals to permit use during endoscopic procedures. The first seal is configured and dimensioned to at least partially contact an outer portion of a compression member and an inner portion of an outer tube. The second seal is disposed about the compression member and is located proximal of the first seal. The third seal disposed about an elongate member, is located proximal of the second seal and is fabricated from polyethylene foam.

Abstract: Device for use in removing undesired material, e.g., occlusion or plaque, from a duct or blood vessel within a patient's body. The device comprises a catheter (21) adapted to be disposed within a duct and an element disposed adjacent to the distal end portion of the catheter such as fiber optic (25) emitting laser energy, a heated element (51) or a knife (62) for intersecting and releasing the undesired material. An inflatable bladder (29) is provided for positioning the distal end portion of the catheter adjacent the inner surface of the duct to maintain the element for intersecting and releasing the undesired material adjacent thereto. The device can also include a pair of abutments (22,23) disposed adjacent the distal end.

Abstract: A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser is disclosed. The present invention provides applying a laser beam directly in contact with the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within the spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc, whereby the laser beam eliminates the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material, without touching the intervertebral disc. A cannula is inserted into the spinal foramen. Once the cannula has passed the ligamentum flavum, a laser fiber is inserted into the cannula. The laser fiber contacts the prolapsed material and a laser beam substantially eliminates the prolapsed material within the spinal foramen.

Abstract: A device for dynamic external fixation of a distal fracture of the radius having a proximal leg fixed to the radius and a distal leg fixed to the metacarpal using fixation pins. The proximal and distal legs of the external fixator are connected by a hinge mechanism, which defines a range of flexion and extension of the wrist, and a track-track housing mechanism, which defines a range of radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist. The axis of movement of the hinge mechanism and the axis of movement of the track-track housing mechanism passes through the proximal pole of the capitate bone.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a fixation pin for retaining small bone fragments in an osteosynthesis procedure. The pin comprises a smooth-walled shank portion and an adjoining threaded portion, wherein a step-down conical shoulder is formed between the shank portion and the threaded portion.