Abstract: A biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogel compound, which is free of a hemostatic agent, is applied to arrest the flow of blood or fluid from body tissue. The compound preferably includes a protein comprising recombinant or natural serum albumin, which is mixed with a polymer that comprises poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG), and, most preferably, a multi-armed PEG polymer.

Abstract: A device and method for treating stress-induced habits including smoking, drinking, overeating and the like, is disclosed. The invention consists of an adult pacifier made of a flavored or unflavored resilient material, orthodontically shaped to fit inside the mouth and on the tongue of the user. In moments of stress or when the urge to smoke, overeat, or drink arises, the device is placed on the tongue in the mouth and sucked. This simultaneous suction and tongue undulation, much like the stimulation caused by smoking cigarettes and the like, encourages deep breathing and causes salivation, gastric acid secretion and stimulation of the cranial nerve endings in the tongue.

Abstract: A MOSFET-based ESD protection structure for use in MOS ICs that is relatively immune to thermal overheating during an ESD event. This immunity is achieved by employing a floating heat sink to dissipate heat generation during the ESD event. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate (e.g., a silicon substrate) of a first conductivity type (typically P-type) with a gate insulation layer (e.g., a gate silicon dioxide layer) thereon. A patterned gate layer (e.g., a patterned polysilicon gate layer) overlies the gate insulation layer. Also included are source and drain regions of a second conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The structure further includes a floating heat sink disposed above, and in contact with, the drain region, and an interconnect dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate, the source region, the patterned gate layer and the drain region.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor and a method for its fabrication are described. The transistor includes a monocrystalline channel region extending from a monocrystalline body region of a semiconductor substrate. First and second source/drain regions laterally adjoin opposite sides of the channel region and are electrically isolated from the body region by an underlying first dielectric layer. The source/drain regions include both polycrystalline and monocrystalline semiconductor regions. A conductive gate electrode is formed over a second dielectric layer overlying the channel region. The transistor is formed by selectively oxidizing portions of a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate and then removing portions of the oxidized substrate. The resulting structure includes a body region of the substrate having overlying first and second oxide regions, with a protruding channel region extending from the body region between the oxide regions.

Abstract: A system and method of use for effecting the bypass or other anastomosis of a portion of a native blood vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ within the body of a living being. The system includes an anastomosis connector device and a deployment instrument for carrying the device to the desired position within the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ. The deployment device may include a dilator to facilitate the placement of the anastomosis device within the interior of the vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ. The anastomosis device is preferably formed of a resorbable material and is configured to minimize blood or other fluid turbulence therethrough. The device may include snap-connectors or other components for securing it to the tissue of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ and hemostasis-inducing sealing rings to prevent blood leakage. Other components may be included in the device for expediting the anastomosis procedure, with or without the use of sutures.

Abstract: A vessel plug having a handle which include a proximal end and a distal end, a flange attached to the distal end of the handle, and a tip extending distally beyond the flange. In use, the flange and the tip are shaped to engage an opening of a blood vessel, provide occlusion to the opening of the vessel to block the blood flow, thereby achieving hemostasis. The plug may be sutureless, providing a seal by the operation of a flange that includes vacuum ports or adhesive material. Alternatively, sutures may be placed around the flange. Methods of using the sutureless vessel plug are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Surgical clamps, tissue retractors and surgical stabilizers are disclosed having gripping surfaces from which extend resilient filaments. The distal ends of some of the resilient filaments abut against engaged vessels, tissues or organs to restrict movement of the vessels, tissue or organs relative to the gripping surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the resilient filaments are arranged in rows and oriented at particular angles relative to the gripping surfaces. Methods of applying resilient filaments to pads for attachment to a surgical clamp, tissue retractor or surgical stabilizer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector for use in providing an anastomotic connection between two tubular body fluid conduits in a patient. The connector is preferably a single, integral, plastically deformable structure that can be cut from a tube. The connector has axial spaced portions that include members that are radially outwardly deflectable from other portions of the connector. The connector is annularly enlargeable so that it can be initially delivered and installed in the patient in a relatively small annular size and then annularly enlarged to provide the completed anastomosis. The radially outwardly deflected members of the first and second portions respectively engage the two body fluid conduits connected at the anastomosis and hold those two conduits together in fluid-tight engagement. Apparatus for use in delivering and deploying a connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arterial catheter system for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries is disclosed. The system typically includes an elongate catheter member, a filtration apparatus disposed within the distal region, and an atherectomy assembly which includes a mechanism for trapping and holding mobile or fixed plaque and an excising mechanism for removing the plaque. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the atherectomy assembly lies within a region of interest, the filtration apparatus is deployed downstream of the region of interest, the plaque is trapped and held by a snare, vacuum, or other trapping means, and then the excising mechanism is activated to remove the plaque. Methods are also disclosed for removing plaque from the aorta and other arteries.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The pad can include a tab or draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: In order to provide better guidance for the two branches in the region of a cross-over point of a vascular clip having a first and a second branch which are pivotal resiliently into a closed position whereby, in the region of the cross-over point, the first branch passes through a longitudinal slot in the second branch formed between two parallel webs, it is proposed that a bridge piece be arranged laterally of the first branch which passes through the second branch, and that the bridge piece extends in parallel with the section passing through the longitudinal slot in the second branch and, together with the section passing through the longitudinal slot in the second branch, forms a longitudinal slot which is closed at each side and into which a web of the second branch is guided.

Abstract: An expansion frame system for deploying medical devices in a patient's body cavity. The system typically includes an inner wire disposed within a lumen of an outer wire. Distal ends of the inner and outer wires are attached to a substantially circular frame at first and second points. During use, the outer wire is displaced relative to the inner wire, causing the circular frame to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the line defined by the first and second points. Medical devices, such as a filter, a stent, an occluder or a manometer, can be mounted on the circular frame. The diameter of the expansion frame can be varied to achieve optimal contact with the luminal wall of the body cavity. Methods of using the expansion frame system for temporary or permanent placement of a medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: This is a medical device for forming an embolism within the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, it is a vaso-occlusion device at least partially coated with a bioactive agent, a collagenous material, or a collagenous coating optionally containing or coated with other bioactive agents. A highly flexible vaso-occlusive device coated with such materials also forms a variation of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knot tying apparatus having a notched thread cover and methods for using such a knot tying apparatus for placing knots. The present invention has particular utility in tying and placing knots during laparoscopic surgery. The thread cover includes at least one notch in the distal end which is sized so as to allow a thread such as a suture thread to pass therethrough while preventing a knot in the thread from passing therethrough. Using the notched thread cover which is attached to the distal end of a knot tying apparatus, it is possible to both pull and push on the knot when cinching the knot around the member being tied. Being able to simultaneously push and pull on the knot minimizes the forces exerted against the member being tied, thereby reducing the likelihood that fragile members such as blood vessels and the like are damaged during the tying procedure. The knot tying apparatus includes a knot carrier and a knot slider slidably connected thereto.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for the retention of scleral tissue during, and subsequent to, vitreoretinal surgical procedures. The devices include engagement portions for engaging circumferentially spaced exterior portions of the sclera attached respectively to opposite sides of a deformable portion. The systems include retention devices of the type just mentioned and emplacement devices adapted to hold the retention devices, deliver the retention devices to desired locations on the sclera of an eye, and to crimp the retention devices in place. The emplacement devices also may be capable of holding a plurality of retention devices for sequential location on the sclera without the need to remove the emplacement device from the vicinity of the sclera. Methods of the invention include steps required to locate and secure a retention device to scleral tissue. A preferred method includes the following steps. First, the system is provided.

Abstract: A method of joining together in vivo living tissue surfaces includes (a) holding together at least two tissue surfaces to form abutted tissue surfaces, (b) applying across the abutted tissue surfaces an excessive amount of an adhesive composition comprising at least one monomer that forms a medically acceptable polymer with an applicator having a porous applicator tip; and (c) maintaining the tissue surfaces in contact in vivo until the composition polymerizes to form a thick film of polymerized composition on the abutted tissue surface.

Abstract: A suture needle has a unique structure for reducing impalement resistance. The suture needle is formed with a base end portion formed at an end of the suture needle for engaging a suture thread, a tip portion formed at another end of the suture needle for impaling a tissue, and a tapered portion extending to the tip portion. The tapered portion has a cross-section without a cutting edge and a plurality of roughened regions formed in stripes extending in a substantially axial direction of the tapered portion. The roughened regions are provided solely on the tapered portion of the suture needle. The surface roughness of the roughened regions on the suture needle is about 2 &mgr;m-15 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A structurally supported bifurcated vascular graft is described having a hollow cylindrical body graft with a top end and bottom end and two hollow cylindrical limb grafts which are attached to the hollow cylindrical body graft near the top end of the body graft. One or more structural supports or stents are attached to either the interior or exterior of the body graft and limb grafts. Further, an apparatus and method for delivering a one-piece bifurcated vascular graft is also described which includes first and second hollow limb tubes for containing the limbs of a bifurcated graft, a third hollow body tube for containing the body of a graft, and a hollow delivery tube capable of encompassing the limb tubes and graft body tube.

Abstract: A suture securing device includes an inner member defining a suture receiving passage extending between a distal end surface of the inner member and a second surface of the inner member. An outer member defines an opening for receiving the inner member such that suture extending from the second surface is secured between the inner member and the outer member. The second surface is a proximal end surface of the inner member, and a slot extends between an outer surface of the inner member and the passage. Suture is threaded through the inner member in a proximal direction, and the outer member is advanced over the inner member to cause the suture to double back in a distal direction. A suture securing cartridge includes a sleeve having an axial bore with the suture securing device disposed in the bore.