Abstract: An orthopedic fastener device is based on a strong central shaft that is threaded in a one end region and that, in one embodiment, presents a ramp surface in the other end region. The ramp end is inserted down-hole a bore in bone while an expandable first collet having bendable circumferential flukes is snug to the shaft, presenting a diameter less than the bore. Partial axial withdrawal of the shaft from the bore forces the first collet into and against the shaft's ramp region, causing the collet's flukes to splay and strongly compressively engage the bone, thereby permanently anchoring the fastener's first end. Soft tissue, normally a ligament, is slipped over the shaft region extending beyond the bone, and is optionally grasped by a toothed washer. Another, second, split collet--initially expanded in its internal diameter that has and presents threads--slides along the shaft so as to compress the ligament in position against the bone.

Abstract: In a surgical suturing needle having opposite pointed tips and a mid-section provided with an eye for receiving and retaining a surgical thread and being bent corresponding to a path of movement of the needle when transferred between the jaws of a suturing instrument, the pointed needle tips have a cone angle of between 25 and 35.degree. for non-traumatic piercing of the tissue to be sutured and, adjacent both of its opposite pointed tips, the needle has recessed surface areas to be engaged by pressure pins disposed in the jaws of the suturing instrument for firmly retaining and engaging the needle with the jaws in a predetermined position.

Abstract: Composite materials have a core portion formed from a biocompatible material and at least one shell portion of a biocompatible material joined to the core portion. In a preferred embodiment, the core portion is coextruded with the shell portion to form a composite filament or sheet. The composite materials may be used as sutures or formed into medical devices or surgical articles for implantation within a living organism.

Abstract: A system for sealing a percutaneous puncture in a blood vessel in a living being and method of use thereof. The system includes a hemostatic closure, a blood vessel locator device for determining the position of the blood vessel via the percutaneous puncture, and a deployment instrument for deploying the closure within the puncture to seal the puncture. The vessel locator includes means for enabling blood from the vessel to flow therethrough so that the position of the vessel can be rapidly determined. Once the vessel has been located the deployment instrument, which includes a tubular carrier storing the closure, is extended into the puncture to deploy the closure. The closure basically comprises a radiopaque rigid anchor for location within the blood vessel, a compressed collagen plug for location within the puncture tract leading to the vessel, and a thin filament connecting the two in a pulley-like arrangement.

Abstract: A reversibly expandable compression pad for compressing tissues and/or organs to provide a relatively unobstructed surgical field during laparoscopic surgery and/or thorascopic surgery. The compression pad is flexible enough to be deployed, manipulated and removed through a laparoscopic access tube, and is heavy enough to compress tissues and/or organs. The pad can also be used as a table on which to rest objects during surgery.

Abstract: This is a surgical device usually delivered through an intravascular catheter. It is designed to pierce and remove emboli often found in tortuous vasculature. The device includes several sections. The device has a core element. Placed around the distal end of the core wire is a collapsible but self expanding embolism collection assembly. That collector assembly is typically joined to the core wire at its distal end. The collector assembly may have a generally conical distal portion when expanded and may have a proximal section having varied purposes, e.g. for centering the collector assembly in the vascular lumen. The assembly further may have an actuator which permits the collector assembly to expand after deployment.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes a trocar assembly including a cannula and a trocar, wherein (1) the cannula has a lumen defined therein, (2) the trocar is positionable between a first trocar position and a second trocar position, (3) the trocar is positioned within the lumen of the cannula when the trocar is positioned at the first trocar position, and (4) the trocar is completely removed from the lumen of the cannula when the trocar is positioned at the second trocar position. The medical apparatus also includes a sleeve having a passageway extending therethrough, and a number of sealing members extending therefrom, wherein (1) the cannula is positionable between a first cannula position and a second cannula position, (2) the cannula is positioned within the passageway of the sleeve when the cannula is positioned at the first cannula position, and (3) the cannula is completely removed from the passageway of the sleeve when the cannula is positioned at the second cannula position.

Abstract: A surgical needle or surgical incision member is provided including a body portion defining first and second longitudinal ends, a radiused tissue penetrating portion adjacent at least one longitudinal end of the body portion having a radius of approximately 0.005 to 0.015 inches, suture attachment structure formed in the body portion and a suture attached to the suture attachment structure. A method of suturing is also provided wherein the surgical needle may be passed through tissue while minimizing trauma to adjacent bony structures or the like.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having tissue bolstering material releasably attached thereto for application of the material and staples to body tisuse is disclosed. The tissue bolstering material is preferably releasably held to surfaces of the stapling apparatus through pins, clips or similar securing structures. The tissue bolstering material can be either planar or tubular in configuration. Preferably, both the anvil portion and the fastener ejecting portion of the stapler are at least partially covered with the tissue bolstering material. In use, tissue is disposed between the anvil portion and the stapling portion of the instrument and the instrument is fired. The tissue bolstering material is thereby secured to the tissue and releasably detaches from the stapler upon withdrawal of the stapler from the surgical site.

Abstract: An improved method of reducing and stabilizing the sternum after a sternotomy includes fixing a staple at the anterior surface of the sternum adjacent to each outlet for trans-sternal wire sutures. The staples are applied to the sternal halves to reinforce the bone adjacent to the suture outlets so as to prevent the suture from cutting into the bone. As each suture loop is tightened to adapt the sternum, the suture loop abuts the staples adjacent the suture outlets. The staples are deformed under force applied by the suture loop to indicate that the loop has been tightened to an optimum degree. A sterile surgical staple gun is employed to install the staples in the sternal halves. A kit for performing the improved sternal reduction procedure includes a pre-sterilized staple gun loaded with surgical staples, as well as suture/needle assemblies.

Abstract: An incontinence needle includes a needle, a finger grip, and a suture. The needle has an atraumatic tip on one end and the suture swaged on the other end thereof. The finger grip includes a rocker arm, a slidable base and a pivot pin. The slidable base contains a bore which passes through the length thereof. The rocker arm has a cam surface on the bottom thereof which prevents movement of the finger grip relative to the needle in a first position and allows sliding in a second position. The rocker arm is pivotal mounted to the slidable base. The finger grip is used to drive the needle through body tissue. The incontinence needle is used in the following manner. An incision is made in the abdomen above the public bone. The finger grip is locked at a comfortable position along the length of the needle. A forefinger and thumb of one hand are used to guide the needle through the tissue and the forefinger and thumb of the other hand is used to drive the needle into the incision and body tissue.

Abstract: This is a procedure for stabilizing or filling an aneurysm in the vasculature. The procedure involves the introduction into the aneurysm of a solid vaso-occlusive device such as a coil or braid and a polymeric composition which may be reformed or solidified in situ. The solid vaso-occlusive device is at least partially surrounded or enveloped by that polymeric composition. The polymeric composition is reformed via light, heat, R.F. or the like to form a rigid mass with the solid vaso-occlusive device. These steps may be carried out sequentially or the steps of introducing the vaso-occlusive device and reforming the polymeric composition may be carried out simultaneously. The procedure may be accomplished using intravascular catheters to access the desired site and to deliver the noted materials.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body includes an elongated member that is partially inserted into an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel. The inserted portion holds a plurality of needles, which are connected to a suture that travels through and out of the device. When the suture is pulled and drawn through the device, the needles are pulled through the vessel wall on opposite sides of the opening. The needles may alternatively be attached to a platform that engages the guide wire, the guide wire being utilized to deploy the needles. Once the needles are drawn fully through the vessel wall, the suture can be separated from the needles and knotted to seal the opening. Alternatively, the suture may be crimped using a crimping device. The device may also include a body designed to receive the needles.

Abstract: A catheter delivered device to close a septal defect, the device comprising a cylindrical shaft of metal or polymeric material with concentric parallel cuts through the wall of the device which create flattened support struts. The center of the support struts move radially away from the axis in a hinge like fashion in response to the movement of the device's proximal and distal ends toward the center of the device. This movement is reversibly effected through mechanical means. The device can be coated with growth factors, mitogenic factors or other determinants which can improve tissue growth such that tissue ingrowth can occur over a period of time. The catheter itself may be an ultrasonic imaging catheter.

Abstract: A method and device for efficiently and effectively stapling an opening in an anatomical structure such as veins, arteries, organs, and other body members within a living body is disclosed. The opening may be from a deliberately placed incision, as from an invasive surgical procedure, or caused by other damaging events. The device includes a stapling mechanism having a main body with a handle, a trigger for activating the staples, and a central passage through which a balloon catheter may pass. The balloon catheter supports the artery and helps position the stapling mechanism properly on the artery. Alternatively, the device may have a main body that has an inflatable member attached to it and extending from it. The main body provides a passage through which a pressurized media such as saline can be supplied to the inflatable member.

Abstract: A surgical needle to simplify rotator cuff muscle tendon surgery and reduce the cost thereof, has a semi-circular body including a proximal end portion terminating in a point, a blunt distal end, an intermediate portion, and through-openings at each end. The proximal end of the needle is passed through bone and exits a trough formed therein. A suture from the rotator cuff tendon is passed through the proximal end through-opening. Thereafter, the needle is backed out from the bone, drawing the suture through the bone, following which the suture is tightened and secured to retain the rotation cuff tendon within the trough of the bone.

Abstract: A thread guide device is provided which is adapted to be removably or fixedly mounted on the distal end of an endoscope, or which is an integral part thereof. Alternatively, the device may comprise a head joined to the distal end of an elongate shaft that is slidable within the endoscope. The device has a pair of thread guides, for example in the form of longitudinally extending passages, which are laterally spaced from one another. The device permits a knot formed by threads which have passed through the thread guides to be viewed by the endoscope.

Abstract: Improved method is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. A suture retainer is moved along first and second sections of a suture toward the body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between the suture retainer and the body tissue, the first and second sections of the suture are gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. The material of the suture retainer cold flows under the influence of force applied against the surface areas on the suture retainer. One or more bends are formed in each of the sections of the suture to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the sections of the suture. The bends may be formed by wrapping a turn of the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends are moved along the first and second sections of the suture.

Abstract: A device for occluding abnormal vessel communications is of the type comprised by a wire which, being pre-formed as a means of endo-luminal blocking and being stretchable in the direction of its longitudinal axis, has heat-sensitive resilient memory; said wire, which is to be introduced into an abnormal vessel communication, such as that produced between arteries and veins, or between systemic arterial circulation and pulmonary circulation, is characterized in that the wire is shaped as a conical spiral, the apex of which is followed by a terminal portion of the same wire, bent as a hook; such that the loops of said wire define portions of different diameter, which may be adapted to the vessel gap or passage, while the end as a hook is a means for anchoring the occluding device, emerging through the smaller end of the lumen.

Abstract: In order to stimulate the formation of new tissues in extensive and deep wounds, the tissues are eased by exerting a traction force on the tissue with a vertical force component in relation to the plane of the wound. If the wound is vacuum sealed by a plastic foil (F), traction may be exerted through the foil (F). If a distractor that acts in the plane of the wound is set at the wound edges, the vertical traction component may be exerted on the edges of the wound by this distractor. The vertical traction component is generated through turnbuckles (70).