Abstract: A safer ear cleaning device having a stop to control depth of insertion, a blunted loop end for preventing perforation of the ear drum, a shaft with a flexing means and with a hole for irrigating wax.

Abstract: In the case of a surgical instrument for performing an operation, the surgical instrument is intended to consist of a ceramic material, preferably in one piece.

Abstract: A stent for reducing a diameter of a duct in a body of a living creature. The stent includes a sleevelike port having walls provided with perforations enlarged ends as well as a intermediate area reduced in diameter by a constriction. Thrombogenic threads are provided on an exterior of the sleevelike port between the enlarged ends.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing the spurting of blood from a vein or artery, the system including an adhesive tape comprising an air permeable non-woven material, across the width of which an adhesive is applied in rows, and a hemostatic island absorbent dressing pad, which expands on contact with fluids, affixed to said non-woven material, and an armband associated with the adhesive tape, the armband including a flexible strap having a notched underside, a pressure box with a rigid extension on either side thereof attached to one end of the strap, the pressure box and extensions forming a T shape, a groove defined along the width of the strap where the strap is attached to one rigid extension, at one end of the T shape, to enable the strap to bend downwards at a 90.degree.

Abstract: An insertion guide wire with an anchor formed in the distal end for precisely locating a subcutaneous arterial wound and guiding a plug of hemostatic material thereto. When the hemostatic material is properly placed, the anchor can be released and the guide wire removed, leaving no foreign object in the lumen of the artery.

Abstract: Improved ligament anchor structures and methods for affixing graft ligaments to bone are provided. The ligament anchor assembly includes a sleeve having gripping means for being firmly secured within a bone tunnel and a bore extending therethrough. The graft ligament is secured to an insert sized to pass through the bore in the sleeve. The bore in the sleeve and the external surface of the insert have cooperating asymmetrical teeth formed thereon so that the insert can pass through the sleeve in only one direction. The sleeve is first placed in a bone tunnel and the opposite end of the ligament secured in the corresponding bone, followed by final adjustment of the ligament tension without disturbing the anchors of either end of the graft ligament.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a vessel at a bifurcation without obstructing blood flow through the bifurcation, wherein an expandable ostial stent comprises a tubular body and a deformable flaring portion. Repair of a bifurcated vessel is accomplished by positioning the expandable ostial stent within a diseased portion of the bifurcation so that the flaring portion caps the ostium and the tubular body is seated within a side branch to the bifurcation, thereby completely repairing the vessel at the bifurcation without occluding blood flow.

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 suture applying device comprises a shaft which carries a pair of needles near its distal end. The needles are joined by a length of suture, and the shaft is used to both introduce the needles into a lumen of a body structure and to push the needles back through tissue on either side of the puncture site. After the needles have passed through the tissue, they are captured on the shaft and drawn outward through the tract, leaving a loop of suture behind to close the puncture site near the body lumen. The suture can then be tied and the knot pushed back through the tract to complete the closure. Alternatively, a locking fastener formed of a resorbable material can be placed into the penetration over the sutures and the sutures tied over the fastener.

Abstract: A collapsible medical device and associated methods for occluding an abnormal opening in, for example, a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from a heat treatable metal fabric. The metal fabric is formed from a plurality of metal strands and is heat treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. The medical device includes a fastener for attaching to the end of a guide wire or delivery catheter, wherein the shape of the medical device is formed such that the fastener is attached to the metal fabric within a recess formed in the shape of the medical device. A medical device having a preselected shape is delivered through a catheter or the like for deployment in a desired channel or opening in a patient's body. The medical device may be shaped, for example, to occlude an ASD, PDA, or a VSD.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising an arterial cannula with a modular filter device. The arterial cannula includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a side port for receiving a modular filter cartridge. The modular filter cartridge includes a tubular cartridge, and a shaft having a handle on one end and an expandable filter device on the other end. The expandable filter device includes filter mesh and an expansion frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions. The shaft is inserted into the cartridge, thereby containing the expandable filter device therein. The cartridge may then be removably received by the side port on the cannula. The cannula may be introduced into a blood vessel, and the expandable filter device may be deployed through the cannula into the vessel. The expansion frame may be expanded to the enlarged condition to capture embolic material in the mesh, may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A one piece pliable molded polymer pacifier including a pair of hollow balls, having multiple nipples extending therefrom, connected by a hollow tubular column. The nipples located upon each ball are located 90 degrees apart in the same or opposite planes from that of the nipples located on the opposite ball.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in raising cattle, and in particular bulls, wherein bulls are:(a) fed a particularly nutritious liquid having a distinctive odor prior to weaning;(b) fed a combination of this liquid and conventional feed after weaning in a feedlot;(c) castrated using a ligation tool that provides a ligating tension to endless elastomeric ligation bands wherein the tool indicates the tension applied to such ligation bands; and(d) treated for infection prevention at least around the time of castration.Accordingly, cattle growth is accelerated due to enhanced nutrition, reduction in disease and a reduction in the stress upon the cattle. Furthermore, late castration of bulls (at approximately 5 to 14 months) is employed, wherein the tool of (c) provides a substantially stress-free ligation technique. Moreover, the meat produced from the cattle processed using the present invention has superior cutability characteristics.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying instrument is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a body extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the body. A jaw assembly is mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the body. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaw portions movable between a spaced-apart and an approximated position. A clip pusher is provided to individually distally advance a distalmost surgical clip to the jaw assembly while the jaw portions are in the spaced-apart position. An actuator at least partially disposed within the body is longitudinally movable in response to actuation of the handle portion. A jaw closure member is positioned adjacent the first and second jaw portions to move the jaw portions to the approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for holding a suture needle is provided. The instrument is of a scissors configuration with elongated arms having finger loops at one end and jaws at the other end to grasp a suture needle. This improved instrument has specialized jaws containing a transverse channel that securely holds a suture needle at a right angle to the axis of the needle holder jaws. The width of the transverse channel adjusts to the size of the suture needle by means of a cam and spring loaded camming surface which move a sliding member against the side of a suture needle as the jaws of the needle holder are closed. This improved configuration significantly reduces the long standing problem of suture needle twisting or rotation in the needle holder jaws as the surgeon passes the needle through tissue.

Abstract: A sternotomy suture comprises a loop which passes around a split sternum and is twisted until double cabling begins at which point the suture is fastened to itself. The loop preferably comprises a single strand of wire with one end welded to an intermediate point of said strand leaving a portion available for connection to the needle. A curved needle having a cutting tapered point is swaged to the free end of the single strand. Initially the wire is passed around the split sternum and the needle then removed with a pair of diagonal cutting pliers. A twisting tool, having a handle and a hooked portion, passes through the two free loops on opposite sides of the sternum. Twisting force is applied to the tool and transmitted through the hook to the suture causing it to twist and cable. The suture reaches its critical length L.sub.crit when the loop is fully cabled but before double cabling begins. At the onset of double cabling the loop reaches its maximum tension T.sub.crit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for intraoperative calibration of a fundus fold cuff comprises an inlet having lead (14) the end of which facing the patient being connectable to an inflatable balloon (13) and the other end of which facing away from the patient having means for inflation/deflation of the balloon 13 and for measurement of the internal pressure of the balloon (13). The balloon (13) has, at least in the inflated state, an outer contour defining a seating surface (16) and two raised humps (17) which are sidewardly bordered. Fundus portions are joined together to form a cuff surrounding the esophagus, and the properties of the cuff are determined by the forces exercised by the cuff on the balloon.

Abstract: An adjustable gastric banding device for regulating the size of a stoma opening in the stomach of a patient includes an elongate band portion that encircles the stomach to as to limit the food intake by the digestive potion of the stomach. The device can be readily implanted and removed using laparoscopic procedures. A locking element protruding from a location near the distal end of the encircling band portion is inserted into a slot formed in a receiving segment at an intermediate location along the encircling band portion so as to form a circle or loop of fixed diameter. The receiving segment has a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the encircling band portion and of the rear portion of the band. A moveable bolt secures the locking element in the slot. The bolt can be displaced remotely, thus releasing the locking element and allowing easy laparoscopic removal of the banding device.