Abstract: A new suture depressor for suturing tissues without the risk of harm to the tissues commonly encountered with the use of forceps. The inventive device includes a handle having distal and proximal ends. A flattened portion is formed at the distal end at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle and includes a pair of spaced-apart projections which extend parallel one to the other from opposite ends of a flattened portion edge.

Abstract: A transcatheter occluder device for closing an opening in a tissue wall includes a body member formed of an open cell polymer foam capable of holding a predetermined occluder shape and being resiliently compressible for transcatheter deployment. The occluder device includes a pair of spaced-apart disks interconnected by a narrow neck portion. Grip means are provided in the neck portion to releasably engage a guide wire for deployment of the occluder device through a catheter.

Abstract: The present invention reveals bioabsorbable staples and methods for tissue closure. The first type of staple is a one-piece bioabsorbable staple constructed of an elongate body and a locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism is made up of a retainer having a central tunnel and is located at the first end of the elongate body, and an arrow head located at the second end of the elongate body. The second type of staple is a two-piece staple for tissue closure constructed of a first elongate body having a leg connected to an arrow head at each end and a second elongate body having a retainer at each end, where each retainer contains an eyelet. Each method for tissue closure involves grasping and holding the tissue to be closed, forcing a bioabsorbable staple through the tissue, and locking the staple.

Abstract: A bolster assembly (1, 5; 110) for mounting upon a surgical stapler instrument (7, 120) to prevent displacement of activated staple from the stapled tissue (9, 129), includes a tissue reinforcing or bolster material (1, 112) secured to a carriage and support structure (5, 116) which facilitates the mounting of the bolster material (1, 112) on the stapler, in which the bolster material (1, 112) is removably fastened to the support structure (5, 116) by a single length (2, 122) of continuous filament, in order to facilitate removal of the filament and unfastening of the bolster material (1, 112) from the support structure (5, 116).

Abstract: A stent comprising a wire skeletal frame, the frame being adapted to assume a first condition in which the frame is relatively rigid and substantially tubular in configuration and a second condition in which the frame is flexible, of reduced stress, and collapsible, such that in the second condition walls of the frame are adapted to be positioned against each other to form a stent diameter substantially equal to the combined thickness of the frame walls in abutting engagement with each other, the frame in its second condition being substantially devoid of bias therein urging the frame to assume the first configuration.

Abstract: A teething ring, for use by a child, comprising an outer ring, an inner hub, and spokes radially connecting the outer ring and inner hub. The outer ring is made of a material suitable for aiding a teething child such as a semi-hard rubber or plastic, and is selectively dipped in a material most suitable for allowing the child to chew upon. The outer ring is sized so that the child cannot place more than a minor arc thereof in his or her mouth. The inner hub has a vibration mechanism which includes a motor that drives an eccentric weight for generating a vibration sensation. The vibration sensation is transmitted to the outer ring through the spokes. The vibration mechanism, and all electro-mechanical components associated therewith are fully contained within the inner hub and are thereby safely protected from the child.

Abstract: A connector delivery device and method include a rod frangibly affixed to an inner member and a support member slidable around the rod. The support member is adapted to support an outer member for movement relative to the inner member for forming a snap fit therebetween, the snap fit for trapping flexible material such as suture at a surgical site. In an alternate embodiment a pistol-type handle and trigger operate to move a push rod seated within an outer barrel against the outer member to push the outer member over the inner member to form the snap fit. A collet is attached to a collet barrel slidable within the outer barrel, the collet barrel positioned in surrounding relation to the push rod. The collet, which is spring biased into a closed position, supports the outer member prior to activation of the delivery device.

Abstract: This invention relates to external, non-invasive compression devices to treat anterior nosebleeds and a method for using those external compression devices to treat anterior nosebleeds without the insertion of any material or device into the nasal cavity. This patent concerns a method for automatically applying external pressure to the nose to stop nosebleeds, describes how a new use can be made of an existing device to implement the method, and also describes a preferable anatomically conforming device which better fits the shape of the nose and thus can be more comfortable and effective.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a stent within a body lumen. According to the method, a distal catheter body is advanced within a body lumen to a section of a body lumen at which a stent is to be formed. One or more expandable members attached to the distal catheter body are expanded such that sections of the body lumen proximal and distal to the stent formation section of the body lumen are occluded, the distal catheter body in combination with the body lumen defining a mold space. A fluent pre-stent composition is delivered to the mold space from outside the body lumen which is continuously in fluent state during pre-stent composition delivery from outside the body lumen to the mold space. The fluent pre-stent composition is then transformed within the mold space to a non-fluent stent composition to form a stent within the mold space.

Abstract: A releasable, surgical clamp (10) for insertion through a surgical introducer sheath (11) and into a cavity (12) of a patient (13) during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The releasable clamp comprises a continuous wire (39) that is shaped for insertion through the surgical sheath and into opposing jaws (14, 15). The jaws have a plurality of open and closed positions. One of the jaws has a retainer (16) that maintains the lateral displacement (17) between the opposing jaws and prevents the clamp from twisting off a vessel. A resilient assembly (18) including a torsion spring (19) and first and second resilient arms (20, 21) extending to the opposing jaws urges the jaws to a closed position. Each of the resilient arms includes a distal portion which cross each other urging the opposing jaws to a closed position.

Abstract: A self locking suture instrument having a body structure and an arm. The body structure comprises a first end, having a pair of forks and a body opening formed therein, and a second end. The arm has a first end and a second end, the second end being coupled to the main body structure, a top side and a bottom side. The arm has a releasable needle lock opening, being cone-shaped with a larger diameter on the top side of the arm and a corresponding smaller diameter on the bottom side of the arm. The arm has an open channel formed therein positioned on the top side of the arm and extending from the first end of the arm to the releasable needle lock opening. The arm has a recess formed therein, positioned on the top side of the arm and extending from the needle lock opening forward the second end of the arm.

Abstract: An introducer for introducing an expandable implantable device into a catheter includes an outer tube and an inner core which slides in the outer tube. The distal end of the core has a tubular configuration with a slit which allows it to expand radially to grip an end of the device. The distal end of the core holding the device is pulled into the distal end of the outer tube which further tightens the grip on the device. A handle is then preferably attached to the proximal end of the core which extends beyond the proximal end of the outer tube to prevent the core from moving distally and releasing the device. The device remains in its relaxed condition attached to the introducer and mostly outside of it until use. At that time the core is moved proximally which pulls the device inside the outer tube and into its stretched condition as it does so.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle having a pair of actuating wings and a removable instrument tip. The instrument tip is constructed to perform a surgical operation. The handle includes an axially movable slider actuated by the actuating wings which operate the instrument tip. A shaft extends through the handle and is coupled to the instrument tip so that rotation of the shaft rotates the tip without interfering with the axial movement of the slider. The gripping surface of the actuating wings have a rounded surface to allow limited rotational movement of the instrument in the user's hand. The gripping surfaces are inclined toward the instrument tip to resist the handle slipping from the user's hand during use in the near vertical orientation.

Abstract: An improved tongue scraper or oral hygiene tool is designed to most effectively and harmlessly remove plaque, tartar, bacteria, dead tissue, food debris, etc. from the tongue. The tool is made of a nonporous substance capable of withstanding high temperatures during repeated sterilization such as metal, and preferably stainless steel. The tool includes unique curves and smooth edges designed to define a working edge contoured similar to that of the tongue and having a nongagging and self-cleaning profile and size.

Abstract: A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop. Portions of one or more segments to be joined together are fused in a welding process to form a welded joint. The shear area of the fused portion of the joint determines the strength of the joint and is thus preferably relatively large. Various configurations for the welding apparatus facilitate the creation of relatively large fused portions of the joint by maximizing contact between at least one of the welding members of the apparatus and at least one of the segments to be joined.

Abstract: A wrist band according to the present invention includes a band body which is fitted on the body in a freely fitted and removable manner to surround part of the body, and a projection provided on the surface of the band body on the side facing the body. When the wrist band is fitted around the wrist, the projection, formed like a lattice on its inner surface, abuts on the hand joint region. Then, the band body surrounds the entire wrist and the projection is pressed against the hand joint region by the elastic force of the band body. Thus, the projection pressed against the hand joint region provides an acupressure effect.

Abstract: A stent crimping tool for firmly and uniformly crimping a conventional or radioactive stent onto a balloon catheter is constructed from a proximal section rotatably connected to a distal section, the two cylindrical sections forming the transparent housing. A cylindrical cavity having a tapered end is formed into the proximal section. Inside the cavity is affixed a transparent cylindrical collar having radial slots leading to a central passage extending along its axis, and a conical end that fits into the tapered end. Teeth made of trapezoidal shape flat plates each having an angular proximal edge and a radiused edge slide into their respective slots in the collar. A transparent screw feed having a hollow core and a slotted head that receives the radiused edge of each tooth/plate is threaded to the distal section. A balloon catheter is passed through a passage in the proximal section and the collar and an uncrimped stent positioned in the hollow core of the screw is loaded thereon.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an instrument head and an instrument handle. The instrument head has a proximal end, a distal end, a head static part at the proximal end, a reciprocative part generally at the proximal end, and a moveable distal part at the distal end. The reciprocative part is operatively connected to the moveable distal part so that movement of the reciprocative part between forward and rearward positions causes movement of the moveable distal part between first and second positions. The instrument handle has a handle body attachable to the head static part of the instrument head, a handle plunger configured for reciprocating relative to the handle body generally along the instrument axis, and a lever arm. The handle plunger is operatively engageable with the reciprocative part of the instrument head when the head static part is attached to the handle body.

Abstract: A one-piece fastener or staple includes a base that contacts tissue and a prong that extends through the tissue. A suture lead is anchored to the base and a needle is attached to the suture lead. A tool positions the fastener adjacent to the tissue, and is operated to drive the prong and the suture needle through the tissue. The tool includes a needle grabber that is operated to grab the needle and pull the needle out of the patient. Since the suture lead is attached to the fastener, a prosthesis can be placed on the suture lead and pushed down to the tissue. A cassette is releasably mounted on the tool and contains the fastener, the suture lead and the suture needle. Alternative forms of the anchor have sutures attached to a base at locations that are spaced apart from each other, and sutures associated with each of two adjacent anchors can be tied together or sutures associated with a single anchor can be tied together. A suture threadably connected to an anchor can be used as a running suture.

Abstract: Two semicylindrical bodies, each mounted on a respective end of one member of a pair of pivotally interconnected blades, are closed to form a cylindrical body having a first end in which a frustoconical surface is arranged to guide a wire into a central bore, and a second end communicating with bore and in which a semi-spherical cavity is shaped to receive a bone end. The wire insertion guide is particularly applicable to procedures such as resectional arthroplasties requiring K-wire fixation, Hoffman-Clayton type rheumatoid forefoot reconstructive procedures, and procedures relating to finger reconstruction.