Abstract: A method and apparatus useful in the reduction of a bone fracture is disclosed and relates to a guide rod inserted into a medullary canal of a bone. The guide rod includes a retention mechanism that holds the guide rod in place during the bone reduction procedure. The retention mechanism may include a finger member that contacts material within the bone to hold the guide rod in place.

Abstract: A device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.

Abstract: A dual wavelength laser is disclosed for use in dental therapeutic applications. The dual wavelength laser includes a laser cavity in which a laser crystal is disposed and preferably the laser crystal is an Nd:YAG laser, which, upon excitation, lases at two different wavelengths, each of which has a different gain. A shutter, or alternatively an optical filter, is selectively disposed within the optical path of the laser crystal whereupon the higher gain wavelength is selectively suppressed. Thus, with the shutter or optical filter removed from the optical path, the laser lases at its higher gain wavelength. Conversely, with the shutter or filter positioned within the optical path, the higher gain wavelength is effectively suppressed so that the laser crystal lases at the lower gain wavelength.

Abstract: An RF treatment apparatus provides multi-modality treatment for tumors and other desired tissue masses, and includes an RF indifferent electrode and an RF active electrode. The RF indifferent electrode has a compacted, non-deployed state, and an expanded deployed state. In the deployed state, the RF indifferent electrode forms a helical structure with four or less coils that surround an exterior of the tumor. The indifferent electrode becomes a microwave antenna when it is coupled to a microwave source. RF ablation energy is delivered to the tumor by the RF active electrode after it has been introduced into the tumor. Both electrodes are coupled to an RF energy source. The indifferent electrode is coupled to a microwave source. Either or both of the electrodes is hollow and include fluid distribution ports for the purpose of providing a chemotherapeutic agent to the tumor site. Ablation energy is supplied to the tumor by the active electrode.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent assembly consisting of one or more Z-stents connected to one another and covered by a flexible sleeve, which can be made from either nylon, plastic or another suitable material. The stents are formed of stainless steel wire arranged in a closed zig-zag configuration which includes an endless series of struts that are joined by an equal number of joints. The stent assembly is compressible into a reduced diameter size for insertion into, and possible removal from, a body passageway. After being properly positioned within a body passageway, the stent assembly is allowed to expand to its larger diameter shape, wherein the sleeve is pressed against the walls of the passageway by the stents. One application of the invention includes dilating a biliary duct which has been occluded by a tumorous growth. The advantage being that the sleeve prevents the tumor from growing between the gaps created by the stent which would otherwise restenose the passageway.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure device includes an elongated body having a distal end for insertion through a trocar puncture wound, a proximal end, and a first and second retractable needle holders disposed at the distal end of the body. The needle holders are movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator disposed at the proximal end of the body moves the needle holders from the retracted position to the extended position, so that the needle holders can be retracted to allow the device to be inserted through a trocar wound preferably through a cannula inserted into the wound, and extended to position the needles adjacent the wound, to allow the wound to be sutured.

Abstract: A punch-type surgical instrument for skin incision along a closed line, such as a substantially elliptical line, includes a handle, a blade unit and a means for attaching the handle to the blade unit in a way achieving high stability between the handle and blade unit and which nevertheless allows the two parts to be made as ones easily connectable to and disconnectable from one another. The blade unit may be made and furnished in different sizes to cause the instrument to be one selectably variable in size.

Abstract: An oscillating surgical blade formed such that the thickness of the blade adjacent the side edges is reduced relative to the effective thickness of the body of the blade. Therefore, when the side edges of the blade mushroom due to contact with a saw guide slot, the resultant thickness of the mushroomed edges is less than or equal to the effective thickness of the blade body.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting stent that includes a collapsible tube member having a first end and a second end. An outer wall and an inner wall extend between the ends. A first end wall and a second end wall extend between the outer wall and the inner wall. The outer, inner, first end and second end wall form a chamber. A permeable film layer extends between the first end wall and the second end wall in the chamber. The film layer, outer wall and end walls define a space. A composite material is positioned in a chamber between the inner wall and the permeable film layer. An opening is positioned in one of the end walls to allow the introduction of a reagent into the defined space. The reagent reacts with the composite material to cause the composite material to harden after the intraluminal grafting stent has been positioned in a blood vessel. The present invention is further directed to a method for implanting the intraluminal grafting stent in a blood vessel. Using a balloon catheter.

Abstract: An improved carpal tunnel tome for performing carpal tunnel release surgery is provided. In a first embodiment, a carpal tunnel tome including a slender handle with a blade at one end is provided. The blade is bounded on both sides by a pair of relatively blunt protuberances that extend distally beyond the cutting edge of the blade. In another embodiment, a carpal tunnel tome having a stem is provided. A cutting head, including a blade, is connected to the stem. One portion of the stem is angled so as to facilitate the use of the device in a small wound. The blade is bounded on one side by a short beveled protuberance, and on the other side by a longer blunted protuberance. In one embodiment, a disposable carpal tunnel tome is provided. The surgical procedure utilizing the tome requires only a single small incision in the palm of the patient's hand adjacent the distal end of the transverse carpal ligament.

Abstract: A fixed or self-redressing delineator pole comprising a lower portion for insertion into a support structure and an upper portion which serves as a marker such as for a slalom gate, a parking lot, a field, or a road. The delineator pole uses an impact absorbing material over a rigid or semi-rigid inner tube to create a cushioned extended surface which absorbs impact. Ski racing, for example, involves full contact between skiers travelling at high rates of speed and the slalom poles resulting in numerous injuries to the skier and damage to the pole. This delineator pole reduces injury to the pole and other objects resulting from objects colliding with the pole.

Abstract: An ultrasonic vascular surgical system for passing by an artery lesion having a restricted passageway. The system includes a generator, a handpiece having a velocity transformer, a coupling unit having an inner transformer portion with a groove formed by opposite groove sidewalls and having an outer cylindrical cap portion for compressing the groove sidewalls and groove and a guide wire with an end disposed in the groove and gripped by the groove sidewalls.

Abstract: A vertebral fixation device comprises a hooking element and a clamping element. The hooking element is provided at the top thereof with a plate portion having a fastening hole and at the bottom thereof with a hooked portion. The clamping element is provided at the bottom thereof with a fastening and clamping portion and at the top thereof with a threaded portion engageable with the fastening hole of the plate portion of the hooking element. The clamping element and the hooking element can be caused to hold securely a deformed or injured vertebra by turning and tightening the threaded portion of the clamping element.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, guide and method capable of being used for closure of peritoneum fascia, occlusion of bleeding vessels such as inferior epigastric, and for all uses related to accurately passing suture material through a guide into tissue with the tip of the surgical instrument in a standard suture/needle driving position with a sharp tip that opens and closes with the surgeon grasping suture material with the sharp tip and inserting the tip/suture through tissue until the tip is seen through the peritoneum by direct vision, wherein the suture is released by opening and withdrawing the tip from the guide, and recovered by using the guide to redirect the tip and puncturing the tissue opposite the first point of insertion wherein the tip grasps the suture and pulls the suture through the guide, and outside the wound providing for rapid closure of the surgical incision, and wherein a guide insertable within the wound to be closed guides the surgical instrument at a predetermined angle from the longitudina

Abstract: A self-expanding endovascular stent formed of stainless steel wire which is bent into an elongated zigzag pattern. The zigzag pattern has a plurality of substantially straight wire sections of various lengths separating a plurality of bends. The zigzag pattern is helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of the bends are disposed in a helix. Adjacent bends in the helix are interconnected with a filament. The stent is capable of being radially compressed such that the straight wire sections and the bends are tightly packed around a central axis. The stent resiliently self-expands to assume a tubular shape when released from the compressed state. Depending on the pattern of the lengths of the straight wire sections in the zigzag pattern, the final tubular shape can be made irregular to match a patient's vascular system. In other words, the diameter of the tube which is defined by the stent can be made to vary along the length of the stent.

Abstract: An endoscopic tool has an elongate cylindrical cannula with an open hooked end insertable into the body of a patient with a trocar element providing a laser powered flux of energy for precise incision and optional cauterization of tissue. A conventional pointed trocar may be used with the hooked cannula to permit forcible insertion of the hooked cannula end to the selected surgical site. In the alternative, a laser energy conveying trocar may be used with the hooked cannula or homeostatic insertion into the patient's body. The active distal end portion of the trocar may be provided with a selectively shaped energy-delivering tip element. The energy-delivering tip element may be provided with a subsurface heating region in which a selected implanted material converts received laser energy into heat for application to tissue held in the hooked open end portion of the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a body, a tissue engaging and manipulating finger, and first structure for mounting the finger to the body. The finger has second structure thereon at first and second spaced locations to allow tissue engaged thereby to bridge the first and second spaced locations to allow a needle to be conveniently directed into a tissue engaged by the finger.

Abstract: The instrumentation comprises two separate similar parts, namely a right part (1) and a left part (2), each formed by a cervical rod (3) having asperities and an elongate occipital plate (5) forming one piece with the rod and extending it toward the occiput (6) in the position of use, and adjustable means for anchoring the rod to the vertebrae and the plate to the occiput. Each part is so preangulated and shaped as to be adapted to the anatomy of the occipito-cervical connection. Each rod (3) has two rectilinear sections making therebetween an angle of between about 70.degree. and 90.degree., one of the sections being connected to the occipital plate (5), which is bent so as to correspond to the curvature of the occipital shell. The invention permits conveniently adapting the distance between the rods (3) to the anatomy of the patient and reduces the overall size of the instrumentation, which enables projections under the skin of the occiput to be considerably reduced.

Abstract: A slidable kit for endoscopic ligation of gastric and esophageal varices comprises an endoscope-inserting cylinder and a ligating device coaxially and integrally secured to the endoscope-inserting cylinder, where the ligating device is in such a structure that a slide cylinder having an annular rib on the outer periphery at the rearward end is inserted into an outer cylinder having an annular rib on the inner periphery at the forward end; an inner cylinder is inserted into the slide cylinder; the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are integrated together at the rearward ends and firmly secured to the forward end of the endoscope-inserting cylinder; an elastic O ring is mounted on the outer periphery at the forward end of the inner cylinder; a seal ring is provided at the rearward end of the slide cylinder, thereby keeping an annular space between the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder and the slide cylinder hermetic; the slide cylinder is slidable forwards by a liquid introduced into the annular space thro

Abstract: A holding and fixing mechanism for an orthopedic surgery makes use of a holding plug to fasten together a U-shaped clamping block, a wedging element and a rod body. The clamping block is provided with two through holes capable of cooperating with a wedging portion of the wedging element and the holding plug so as to form an appropriate angle as required between the wedging element and the U-shaped clamping block. The fixation position of the wedging element can be easily adjusted. The holding and fixing mechanism is attained by the knurl-fastening method in place of the conventional screw-fastening method.