Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing an end-to-side anastomosis by using an instrument (501) is disclosed. The instrument has a passage (502D) for a bypass vessel, terminated by a circumferential anvil (502A, 503B), about which the end of the bypass vessel may be everted and then inserted through an anastomosis opening in a second vessel, such as a coronary artery. After insertion, the tissue edges to be joined are first clamped together by clamping slides (505) and then stapled together by stapling plungers (506) so as to interconnect the two vessels. The stapling plungers (506) are arranged to move at an angle to the passage (502D) instead of parallel to it. With this arrangement, it is possible to use a greater number of staples than has been possible in previous related methods. Preferably also, the instrument is adapted to be divided lengthwise of the passage (502D).

Abstract: Medical devices made in whole or in part from homopolymers, copolymers, and/or blends containing thermoplastic elastomeric poly(alpha-olefins), including both monofilament and multifilament sutures, are provided. In particular, such homopolymers, copolymers, and/or blends contain thermoplastic elastomeric polypropylene.

Abstract: The endoscopic instrument is formed as a needle holder with ligature scissors. It comprises at its distal end a jaw-like tool and at its proximal end a handle, these being connected to one another by a common shank. At the distal tool end there is formed the ligature holder and the ligature scissors proximally neighboring thereto. Between these tool parts there is formed a projection limiting the free passage between the needle holder and the ligature scissors, this projection being dimensioned such that although the ligature may be guided through, the needle however cannot get into the region of the scissors.

Abstract: A plural nipple baby toy including a polymeric, hollow spherical ball constructed with interlocking hemispheres having a plurality of holes in its periphery surface adapted for receiving a plurality of brightly colored bottle or pacifier nipples. The nipples are installed within the ball prior to assembly of the interlocking hemispheres and secured therein by retainers in a manner whereby the ball and nipple are permanently fixed as an integral unit. The nipples may be symmetrically spaced with the preferred embodiment having up to six nipples. The toy can be transformed into a plural nipple ball with a handle by substituting a handle assembly for one of the nipples. A more elaborate toy may be assembled by simply providing two plural nipple balls connected by a common handle assembly replacing one nipple on each ball.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus is adapted for joining two objects which define a near side and a far side. The apparatus includes an elongate support structure having a working channel and an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The structural support is adapted to be positioned over a guidewire extending between the two objects, in an operative position wherein the proximal end is disposed on the near side and the distal end as disposed on the far side. Removal of the guidewire permits use of a stylet for positioning a suture to extend within the working channel from the proximal end to the distal end. A pair of hooks are movable from a proximal position at the proximal end of the support structure through the objects and a pair of slots in the support structure, to a distal position wherein the hooks engage the suture within the working channel at the distal end of the support structure.

Abstract: A filter for filtering micro-emboli from a patient's blood during an angioplasty procedure is disclosed which comprises a plurality of curved wires connected to a rod between a first connector fixed with respect to the rod and a second connector slidingly mounted on the rod. Two layers of filter material are connected to opposite sides of the wires, and each layer includes perforations which are offset from the perforations in the other layer. When the rod and the wires are disposed within a catheter, the inner wall of the catheter compresses the wires toward the rod and when the rod is extended from the catheter, the wires resume their curved shape and pull the sliding connector along the rod toward the fixed connector.

Abstract: A system for closing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum of a patient. The system includes a first grommet to be disposed in the first side. The system includes a second grommet adapted to be disposed in the second side. The system includes a mechanism for placing a grommet into the sternum. The placing mechanism is adapted to hold the grommet for placement in the sternum. The system includes a first wire suture for insertion through the first and second grommets. The system includes a stop mechanism for allowing the placing mechanism to place a grommet into the sternum only in a desired location of the patient and any other portion of the patient is protected from damage by the placing mechanism during operation. A grommet. An approximator. A drill stop mechanism. A placement tool. A method of threading a wire suture through a hole in a sternum. A method of bringing together a first side of a sternum and a second side of the sternum.

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 device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. The device comprises an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and having a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the elongated tubular member and is movable between contracted and expanded configurations. A deformable membrane at least partially covers the expansile member and is sized so as to be capable of expanding as the expansile member moves from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. Deployment members are carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and are coupled to the expansile member. The deployment members are adapted to be capable of moving the expansile member between the contracted and expanded configurations. A handle assembly is carried by the proximal extremity of the elongated tubular member and coupled to the deployment members.

Abstract: A device for expansion within a blood vessel having a wall defining a lumen in the body. A first elongate tubular member has proximal and distal extremities and has a longitudinal axis. An expansile member is carried by the distal extremity of the first elongate tubular member is and movable between contracted and expanded positions. The expansile member has a predetermined configuration in the expanded position. A deformable membrane covers the expansile member, and is sized so as to be capable of overlying and underlying the expansile member in the expanded position. A deployment mechanism is carried by the proximal extremity of the first elongate tubular member and is adapted to be operated by the human hand for controlling movement of the expansile member between the contracted and expanded positions. A deployment mechanism includes a push-pull wire with proximal and distal extremities and extends through the first elongate tubular member and is coupled to the expansile member.

Abstract: A lesion localization device and method for localizing lesions are disclosed herein. In the disclosed device, a pair of small diameter shape memory wires are twisted about each other to form an elongate guiding portion extending along a longitudinal axis to an anchoring portion at the distal end of the device. The anchoring portion, which is formed by the distal end portions of the pair of shape memory wires, includes a plurality of loops which radially extend in multiple separate directions away from the longitudinal axis of the device.

Abstract: A single use lancet assembly comprises a housing for holding a manual operable lancet. A cap is slidably positioned on one end of the housing and has a projection for engaging an end of the lancet for driving a needle end of the lancet out of the housing when the cap is depressed. A plastic closure is attached to another end of the housing and has an aperture for passage of the needle. A spring member is integrally molded to the plastic closure for biasing the lancet into the housing. The cap projection and lancet end are constructed so that the projection slips over the lancet and when the lancet engages the closure so as to preclude re-use of the assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures, such as gall bladder removal operations. The instrument includes an elongated shaft, with a short, wedge-shaped blade extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A handle is positioned at the opposite end of the shaft, from the blade. The blade is configured to be inserted into and through a surgical sheath, to be able to perform incisions in a patient's abdomen, by upward pulling motions on the instrument, while the handle remains outside the patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (e.g., suture-passing forceps) has a first jaw with a mount which supports a needled suture and a second jaw having a passage, which when aligned with the mount, is positioned to receive the needled suture. The second jaw is positioned relative to the mount in a manner which allows delivery of the instrument to a surgical site in a low profile, delivery position (e.g., with the jaws spaced relatively closely). The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal region for supporting the jaws. The second jaw is pivotable, with respect to the mount, between the delivery position in which the second jaw is spaced relatively closely to the mount with the passage misaligned with the mount and an open, misaligned position, the second jaw being axially translatable relative to the mount to an open, aligned position in which the passage is aligned with the mount.

Abstract: A surgical device for cutting substantially across a cornea of an eye of a patient, the device including a positioning ring structured to be temporarily attached to a portion of the eye surrounding the cornea to be cut, and defining an aperture sized to receive and expose the cornea to be cut. The surgical device further includes a cutting head assembly structured to be guided and driven over an upper surface of the positioning ring in a generally arcuate path, and having a cutting element positioned therein and structured to oscillate laterally to facilitate smooth and effective cutting of the cornea. The cutting head assembly is structured to be detachably coupled to the positioning ring by a coupling member which permits movement of the cutting head assembly relative to the positioning ring along the generally arcuate path, but maintains sufficient engagement therebetween to ensure that smooth, steady, driven movement is maintained.

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 device for sealing a puncture in a tissue within a living body, comprises a flexible tube including an opening, wherein the flexible tube extends from a proximal end which, when the device is in an operative position, is located outside the living body, to a distal end which, in the operative position, is located within the living body on a distal side of the puncture in combination with an inner member received within the flexible tube so that the inner member may move proximally and distally with respect to the flexible tube. A first end of a flexible anchor member is coupled to the inner member so that, when the inner member is moved with respect to the outer member, a second end of the anchor member extends through the opening outside the flexible tube. An adhesive may be applied via an adhesive lumen to seal the puncture.

Abstract: Guidance systems for guiding a catheter through tissue within a body are described. In one form, the system is implemented in connection with a catheter which includes a catheter body having optic fibers extending between a first end and a second end thereof. The guidance system is coupled to the catheter body and includes a first optic fiber, a second optic fiber, and a detecting element. The first optic fiber includes a first end and a second end, and is coupled to the catheter body so that the first optic fiber second end is adjacent the catheter second end. The second optic fiber also includes a first end and a second end, and a reference mirror is positioned adjacent the second optic fiber second end. The first optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element and the second optic fiber first end is communicatively coupled to the detecting element.

Abstract: A biological sealant comprising a gelatin slurry. The slurry contains gelatin, saline or water and thrombin.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided which includes a gimbal-like structure permitting rotation of a mounting member relative to the housing. The rotation of the mounting member allows the seal member to align with an instrument being inserted therethrough. The seal assembly is adapted to be detachably mounted to a cannula assembly for use in endoscopic surgery.