Abstract: A tunneling device for creating a pathway in subcutaneous tissue of a person's body. The tunneling device includes a member having two ends, where each of the ends defines an insertion surface that facilitates the insertion of the ends into the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body. The tunneling device includes an interchangeable handle connectable to each of the ends. The handle defines a grasping surface and an opening. The opening is configured to receive either of the ends. The grasping surface enables a user to securely hold the handle with one hand to forcibly move the member through the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body to create the pathway in the subcutaneous tissue, and pull a cable of an implant device through the created pathway.

Abstract: An implant placement device includes a longitudinal axis member having a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal axis member such that the implant is disposed in a stretched state and an opening formed by communicating with the lumen, a stylet provided in the lumen, a sheath into which the longitudinal axis member is inserted,—an operating part operating the sheath so as to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis, and having a contact surface that is in contact with a part of the implant, which is pushed out of the opening of the longitudinal axis member by the stylet, in a rotational direction around the longitudinal axis in a state where the opening of the longitudinal axis member is located inside the sheath.

Abstract: An endoscope treatment tool includes a clip main body which includes a pair of arm portions; a pressing tube through which the clip main body is inserted; a locking portion which is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of a proximal end of the pressing tube; a locked portion which is disposed on the proximal end side of the clip main body; a sheath portion; a linear member connected to the clip main body and inserted through the sheath portion; a stopper portion which is configured to regulate a protrusion length of the linear member with respect to the distal end of the sheath portion; and a connection member which is disposed at a distal end of the linear member such that a connection between the linear member and the clip main body is released by regulating a movement of the clip main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices.

Abstract: A multi-use tourniquet that may be first used in conventional manner to draw blood from an extremity, then reused as a compressor for a bandage applied to the resulting wound. The tourniquet includes a band of stretchy elastic material, typically carrying an adhesive that can attach to the surface of the band at a plurality of locations effective to constrict a circumference of the extremity. Desirably, the tourniquet is structured such that no adhesive is applied to the skin of the patient during use of the tourniquet. Certain tourniquets may carry decorative surface ornamentation.

Abstract: A capsulotomy cutting device includes a planar cutting head sized to fit into intraocular tissue. The planar cutting head includes at least one sharp edge and an oscillation mechanism adapted to oscillate the cutting head. Capsulotomy is achieved by inserting the planar cutting head through an incision in the eyeball, placing the cutting edge of the cutting head against the tissue of the lens capsule therein, and then oscillating the cutting head by an oscillation mechanism coupled to the cutting head.

Abstract: An abrasive tip is used to exfoliate skin and tissue through abrasive materials integrated in the tip. The tip also delivers fluid to the skin and vacuums the fluid and abraded tissue during treatment. Treated skin will look younger and healthier in appearance. In an implementation, the tip is replaceable and disposable.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument that may be held by the surgeon or be attached to the surgeon's limb via a special adapter that includes an interface between the surgeon and the surgical tool is provided. The motorized surgical instrument includes mechanism, motors, gears, interface and power source that enable the surgeon to easily control the motorized surgical tools in order perform the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An ultrasound catheter has an elongate flexible catheter body having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member has a proximal end that is coupled to a separate ultrasound generating device, and a distal tip that is attached to the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and which is located at the distal end of the catheter body. The distal tip has at least one dimensional step. The ultrasound transmission member is directly attached to the catheter body and/or to a guidewire tube, either directly or via an attachment device. The catheter has an additional radiopaque marker positioned on the distal end the catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lancing device (1) for taking blood samples, having a housing (2), an axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) for holding a lancet (12), a lancing spring element for accelerating the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) in a lancing direction (18), and a release element (13) for initiating a lancing procedure, in which the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) is accelerated in a lancing direction (18) by the tensioned lancing spring element, wherein the lancing device (1) comprises a locking apparatus (20), which can be released by the release element (13), for locking a lancing spring element tensioning procedure.

Abstract: A retrieval device is provided for retrieving stones, calculi, and other objects from a body. The device allows for a retrieval basket to be articulated and extended simultaneously. The device also allows for the basket to be articulated and retracted simultaneously. The device comprises a body, an articulator movably connected to the body, a first wire and a second wire having distal ends, and a tool formed by the distal ends of the first wire and the second wire.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying tension to an area of skin are provided, for example, for follicular unit removal and implant in a hair transplantation procedure. The devices may include a frame with at least two skin contact members that hold to the skin. Also disclosed are various ways to apply a force displacing the skin contact members apart, thus creating tension in the skin. The devices and methods may incorporate suction, and/or barbs or microbarbs. The frame may surround the skin area with tensile forces applied outward in multiple directions or substantially uni-directionally. Adjusting members and indicators may be provided to control and display the tensile force applied to skin. The tensioning devices and methods may be incorporated into a robotic hair transplantation system.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus and method useful for surgical removal of mammalian tissue. In one or more implementations, a cylindrical punch having one or more cutting edges may be provided for surgically extracting one or more hair follicles during a follicular dissection procedure. In one or more implementations, one or more cutting edges may be located along an outside diameter of a cylindrical punch.

Abstract: System and method of photoaltering a region of an eye using an enhanced contrast between the iris and the pupil of the imaged eye. The system includes a laser assembly outputting a pulsed laser beam, a user interface displaying one of a first digital image of the eye and a second digital image of the eye, and a controller coupled to the laser assembly and the user interface. The first digital image has a first contrast between the pupil and the iris, and the second digital image has a second contrast between the pupil and the iris. The controller selectively increases the first contrast between the pupil and the iris to the second contrast between the pupil and the iris and directs the pulsed laser beam to the region of the eye based on one of the first and second digital images.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to treat tissue, where the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. A waveguide may extend through the shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a distally positioned flange positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the blade and may be held stationary at a first pivot point positioned within the hollow shaft proximally from the flange. A reciprocating wedge may be positioned within the hollow shaft such that distal motion of the wedge pushes the wedge between the flange and the hollow shaft, causing the ultrasonic blade to pivot about the first pivot point in a first direction.

Abstract: Improved bone anchors are disclosed for anchoring one or more sutures attached to soft tissue to a bone. The bone anchor has an anchor body that extends between a distal end and a proximal end. A bore is formed axially in the anchor body and opens at the proximal end. One or more pins are fixed within the bore of the anchor body. One or more sutures can be looped on the pins for anchoring soft tissue to bone. The anchor body has a socket within the bore for receiving a driver tool. The distal end of the anchor body forms a non-threaded extension, which stabilizes the bone anchor, and helps prevent lateral movement during use. In one embodiment, the anchor body has coarse threads for engaging soft bone tissue and fine threads for engaging hard bone tissue.

Abstract: A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein includes an introducer and a push rod with a spline member disposed along the push rod. The spline member has a main body, and first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor member of the filter during delivery via the introducer.

Abstract: A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with a central shaft for removal of rectal gas. The gas releasing lumen can also or in the alternative be provided along an outer surface of the balloon. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.