Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a seal anchor member. The seal anchor member includes a first end, a second end, at least one longitudinal port extending between the two ends, and a seal assembly disposed within the at least one longitudinal port. The seal assembly can be positioned at any location along the length of the at least one longitudinal port. The seal assembly comprises a seal housing which is dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument inserted into the at least one longitudinal port and form a substantially fluid-tight seal therewith. The seal housing may comprise a pivotable member to pivot the surgical instrument inserted therein. The at least one longitudinal port may define two gradually enlarging openings to facilitate the maneuverability of the surgical instrument inserted therein. The at least one longitudinal port may comprise a protective sleeve to protect it from accidental penetration by the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for use through a cannula to create cavities within interior body regions. When deployed, the distal end of several such devices extend beyond the distal end of the catheter and can then be selectively curved into a shaped compression surface that, when articulated, creates a void within the interior body. This compression surface may then be withdrawn back into the cannula for removal and to make way for bone cement that, in certain instances, may be introduced through the same cannula.

Abstract: A folding component cosmetic compact, the combination comprising a base, insert and cap components, there being a first hinge connecting the insert to the base and a second hinge connecting the insert to the cap, at least one of the hinges being a living hinge.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly is disposed within the stent and includes a plurality of leaflets. A collapsible and expandable frame formed of braided wires has a body portion and a lumen extending through the body portion for receiving the stent and the valve assembly. The frame may include features for holding the prosthetic heart valve in place in a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning chandeliers includes a hand-held tank for holding hot water and a base supporting the hand-held tank. The base has a hollow interior. The tank has sidewalls, at least one of which is transparent. An air and water pump and a battery are mounted in the hollow interior. The battery is in electrical communication with the pump. A first inlet admits ambient air into an inlet of the pump and a second inlet admits water into the inlet. At least one air and water-emitting nozzle is formed in a sidewall of the tank. A pump outlet is in open fluid communication with the at least one water-emitting nozzle. The at least one nozzle discharges agitating water and bubbles into the hot water or above the water line, depending upon the water depth, to help dislodge chemicals and grease from chandelier parts immersed in the hot water.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator and method of manufacturing same, wherein the cosmetic applicator is formed of a substrate and an application element comprising one or more application areas that are cohesively maintained on the substrate in a gapless, side-by-side formation in the presence of wet and/or dry binders. The substrate is subjected to a wetting agent that provides a better bind for the cosmetic slurries as they are printed onto their respective application area. The cosmetic compositions of each cosmetic application area may be different. Various cosmetic effects may be provided to end-users in a portable application.

Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is distant the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is proximate to the cylinder, such as contacting the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for reducing facial wrinkles, namely sleep lines, formed during sleep. The article is formed having an inner and outer surface wherein each surface has higher or lower friction coefficients relative to one another. The higher friction coefficient inner surface holds the article in place against the skin and the lower friction coefficient outer surface facilitates movement of the face relative to the bedding during sleep.

Abstract: A bone fixation apparatus comprises an extramedullary component, an intramedullary component, and a fastener configured and dimensioned to interconnect the extramedullary component and the intramedullary component. The fastener has a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the extramedullary component. The shank portion is configured and dimensioned to be received in the intramedullary component. The fastener has a first longitudinal axis extending through both the head portion and the shank portion. The extramedullary component has a second longitudinal axis. The extramedullary component also includes an elongated surface defining an opening through which the shank portion of the fastener passes when the shank portion is received in the intramedullary component. The opening has a V shape. The V shape is oriented transverse to the first longitudinal axis and to the second longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly including a housing extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the shaft assembly; a jaw mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft assembly, the jaw being movable between an open spaced-apart condition and a closed approximated condition; and a pusher bar reciprocally disposed within the housing of the shaft assembly and being detachably connectable to the housing of the shaft assembly, the pusher bar being configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the jaws during distal movement and remain connected to the housing of the shaft assembly and in a distally advanced position during an approximation of the jaws.

Abstract: A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.

Abstract: A coupling system includes an applicator tool, an anastomotic prosthesis mounted on the applicator tool, and an engagement device. The applicator tool deploys a securement through the prosthesis and tissue which leaves the prosthesis attached to the tissue. The engagement device selectively engages the applicator tool onto the tissue, with the use of suction, in order to facilitate accurate placement of the prosthesis on the tissue and facilitate deployment of the securement into the tissue. The applicator tool and the tissue are able to move together while the engagement device prevents or inhibits relative movement between the applicator tool and the tissue. A method for securing an anastomotic prosthesis to tissue includes applying of suction to engage an applicator tool to the tissue while a securement is deployed out of the applicator tool and into the prosthesis and the tissue.

Abstract: The collapsible laryngoscope includes a substantially U-shaped frame having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the proximal and distal ends being raised with respect to a central portion thereof to form a substantially saddle-shaped frame. A bite block is secured to the proximal end of the frame, fixing the proximal end. A distal end of a flexible rib is secured to the distal end of the frame, the proximal end of the flexible rib being positioned adjacent the bite block. An elastomeric sheath is secured to and covers the substantially U-shaped frame and the upper surface of the central portion of the flexible rib. A strap or the like is secured to the proximal end of the flexible rib for lifting the central portion of the flexible rib with respect to the substantially U-shaped frame. The flexible rib is then selectively locked in this deployed, lifted position.

Abstract: Screws for anchoring in cancellous or other low-quality bone are described. One type of screw addresses the problem of extravazation of bone cement when filling an area of low-quality bone. The screw includes an expandable container for retaining bone cement and anchoring the screw in low-quality bone. The screw also includes an anchoring device for holding the screw in place in the bone while it is supplied with bone cement or other appropriate filler. The screw further includes a head for connecting to a rod or other apparatus. A second type of screw uses an expandable container to deform two or more fins to compress cancellous bone and/or anchor in cancellous bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and kits for applying eyelash extensions. In particular, the present invention provides systems, methods, and kits that reduce the amount of time required to apply eyelash extensions.

Abstract: A hair clip for styling hair comprising a pair of clipping elements with two to three clipping fingers having toothed ridges and/or an overlay of rubbery material, with or without holes in the center of the clipping fingers, to facilitate gripping and holding hair strands and segments of hair on the head while blow drying wet or semi-wet hair to create volume and height to the resulting hair style without the use of mousse or gels. The hair clip is configured with an elastic connecting arrangement comprised of the thumb and forefinger grips of the clipping elements held together by a torsion spring or other compatible spring at the base of the hair clip.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis includes a stent architecture having a series of stent elements repeating along a circumferential axis. One series of stent elements includes v-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and V-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent v-shaped stent elements. One series of stent elements includes R-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and U-shaped stent elements having at least two different orientations, the U-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent R-shaped stent elements. Adjacent series of stent elements can be connected by connectors. Portions of the stent elements may narrow in width along a length thereof. The stent architecture may include radiopaque element receiving members. The stent architecture may be formed by machining a metal or polymer tube. The intraluminal prosthesis may include one or more graft layers.

Abstract: A medical device includes an outer shell defining a cavity, wherein the shell is movable between a deformed and unstressed state, a magnet disposed within the cavity, and a filler material carried within the cavity conforming to the interior shape of the shell in the unstressed state and being capable of holding its shape in the deformed state. The filler material converts from the deformed state to the unstressed state at a temperature not greater than human body temperature.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device having a slotted clear cannula, a blade and a housing, wherein the cannula is attached to the housing, and wherein the blade is enclosed in the housing and is slidable into the cannula is disclosed. The blade is enclosed within the housing and cannula, and has a horizontally-oriented pushing component and a vertically-oriented cutting component that protrudes through the slot of the cannula. The device further has a device for locking a viewing device in place relative to other components of the device. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using the endoscopic surgical device is also described.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for joint arthroplasty includes a patient-specific alignment guide constructed and configured for a specific patient from medical scans that show a bone surface of a bone of the patient without any overlying soft tissue. The patient-specific alignment guide includes a patient-specific inner surface configured to be offset from and mimic the bone surface and form a clearance for soft tissue overlying the bone surface. The alignment guide also includes a plurality of patient-specific contact areas configured to mate and register directly on the bone surface without intervening soft tissue for direct bone registration. The plurality of patient-specific contact areas includes non-contiguous surface contact areas.