Abstract: The invention presents a method and device for increasing the fracture resistance of a bone tissue to a traumatic force. The method includes the step of selecting a nonphysiological impulse force having a location and direction resembling that of the traumatic force, but having a magnitude significantly smaller than the magnitude of the traumatic force. The impulse force is then repeatedly applied to the bone tissue, thereby stimulating the bone tissue to grow bone mass in critical areas where stresses from the traumatic force are largest. A device for applying the method includes an impulse force applicator for repeatedly applying the impulse force and a positioner for positioning the impulse force relative to the bone tissue.

Abstract: A lancet type device (20) having a movable and retractable lancet (46) is disclosed. A lancet (46) beyond the end of a lancet body (24). The device includes an actuating, a retracting and locking mechanisms that move and retract a sharp distal tip (48) linearly into and out of contact with a patient's skin. The actuating mechanism includes an arm (26) with a blind conical hole (56) and a conical top (52) of a lancet body (24). The retracting and locking mechanism includes a blind cylindrical hole (58) of an arm (26), a cylindrical head (50) of a lancet body (24) and a spring (54). In one embodiment, a spring (54) is molded as a part of a lancet body (24). In another embodiment, a spring (68) is made as separate part from metal. Contact between a blind conical hole (56) and a conical top (52) moves a lancet body (24) in a linear direction along the axis. Contact between a cylindrical head (50) and a blind cylindrical hole (56) locks an arm (26) inside a case (22).

Abstract: A medical vacuum device including a vacuum. A hose is received within the vacuum and into communication with a suction pump of the vacuum. The device includes a suction tube having a conical configuration. The suction tube couples with the hose. The tube can be extended into the throat of a choking victim in order to suck out the item of food lodged in the victims throat.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a shaft having a distal end on which is mounted fixed and movable jaws. The movable jaw is positioned by a control rod which extends into a handle. The handle includes a rod actuator that is pivotably mounted in the handle and is coupled to the control rod such that pivoting movement of the actuator causes a control rod to translate. The handle includes a ratchet pawl that is coupled to the rod actuator, and the ratchet pawl is coupled to a ratchet actuator that is mounted in the handle and positioned to contact the palm of the user when the user grasps the handle and places a thumb on the rod actuator. Axial movement of the rod actuator can be used to move the ratchet pawl past a detent mechanism, to release the ratchet mechanism, or to lock the rod actuator in a predetermined position to facilitate installation and removal of the control rod.

Abstract: A gas-tight seal module is incorporated in a trocar system to form a gas-tight seal about an instrument inserted into the cannula of the trocar system. The module incorporates an apertured disc. The aperture in the disc can be stretched to accommodate a seal about an instrument inserted into the cannula. The disc is carried by a flaccid membrane which extends across the module. A pair of rigid washers clamped on opposite sides of the disc are constrained for movement between two parallel spaced surfaces. The disc is thus freely moveable in its own plane to accommodate off-axis movement of the instrument thus avoiding the breakage of the seal with the instrument which would otherwise occur if the disc did not have the same freedom of movement. The disc also acts to clean the surface of the instrument when withdrawn so as to avoid contamination of a flap valve upstream of the disc.

Abstract: A scalpel that has a blade member; a handle adapted to receive a mandrel therein and having an opening; and a mandrel closely received within the handle. The mandrel can support the blade member and includes engagement structure for operative engagement by a user for movement of the mandrel within the handle. Biasing structure is provided for biasing the mandrel from an operative location adjacent the opening to an inoperative location within the handle, and restraining structure is provided for restraining the mandrel in the operative position against the action of the biasing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical grasper device that comprises a generally elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end. First and second grasping elements are preferably releasably attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively. The grasping elements are positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping a targeted surface such as living tissue between the elements. A gripping material at least partially covers or is otherwise incorporated into the surface of one or both of the grasping elements. The gripping material provides enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the grasping elements in the absence of the gripping material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coating material which has both antithrombogenic properties and contains an embedded radioisotope that makes the coating material radioactive As phosphorous 32 is emerging as the preferred isotope for vascular radioisotope stents, and phosphorylcholine has shown promise as an antithrombogenic stent coating, it is envisioned here to produce a stent with a phosphorylcholine coating with some of the phosphorous in the coating being phosphorous 32 rather than the naturally occurring, non-radioactive element phosphorous 31. In this manner one has a stent which has a single stent coating which is both antithrombogenic and radioactive. The stent could also utilize an inner layer which is both antithrombogenic and radioactive and an outer layer which is only antithrombogenic. A preferred embodiment of the invention is to produce a phosphorylcholine coated stent where some of the phosphate groups contain the radioisotope phosphorous 32.

Abstract: Facial wrinkles are reduced by rolling the face and scalp with implements having free wheeling rollers.

Abstract: The stent delivery device has an elongated sheath with a self-expandable stent placed in contracted condition within the distal area of the sheath. An elongated core is arranged in the sheath for relative longitudinal motion between core and sheath, and drive means are arranged between the core and the stent. Scratch protection tubular means comprise a reinforcement ring secured in the sheath and surrounding the distal end portion of the stent when the stent is in contracted condition in the sheath and a tube of thermoformable material heat shrunk over the proximal end portion of the stent and over the core.

Abstract: The present invention is a medical device such as a stent in the form of an expandable mesh with an expandable polymer layer thereon. The mesh is metal or plastic. The polymer may be any of a variety of expandable polymers, which either expand upon hydration, or expand without significant resistance. The invention may be used, for example, as an expandable biliary, vascular, endotracheal, esophageal, or prostatic device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus for performing an internal fixation of fractures of tubular bones using a balloon catheter fixation device which is guided and transported through the medullary canal and fracture site of the bone by a plurality of guide wires mounted in said balloon catheter fixation device. A bone cement is applied to the fracture site and the balloon catheter is inflated inside the bone and tightened by applying pressure on the catheter outside of the bone by tightening the catheter tube and holding the same in place in an inflated condition to apply a compression force across the fracture site enhancing the stability of the fractured bone and promoting osseous healing.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an expandable stent (1) for use in an artery or other vessel of a human body which forms a plurality of spaced apart generally circular rings (2). The stent structure (1) maintains patency of a vessel within which the stent (1) is inserted and is formed by a plurality of closed and generally circular rings (2) where the plane of each ring (2) is substantially parallel to the plane of an adjacent ring (2). The rings (2) have a common longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the plane of each ring (2) with the longitudinal axis passing through the geometric center of each of the rings (2). A plurality of elongated wire structures forming longitudinals (4T, 4B, 4R, 4L) are fixedly secured to the rings (2) and extend in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rings (2). The stent (1) formed of the generally circular rings (2) optimizes hoop strength and minimizes elastic recoil of a vessel into which the stent (1) is inserted.

Abstract: Single use disposable lancet devices are disclosed as inexpensive, easy to use, and safe instruments for the piercing or cutting of a patient's skin to obtain small amounts of blood for diagnostic purposes. The devices described readily visually indicate, upon casual observance, whether or not they have yet been used. A locking device is further provided to physically prevent re-use of the devices after they have been used once.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-expanding stent for insertion into an artery or other internal vessel. The stent is formed from a series of radial bands each formed with overlapping first and second ends. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable, allowing each band to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The first and second ends of each band are both formed to include a tab which is folded to hold the first and second end against the band. The bands are distributed along a common axis to form a cylinder and interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter and to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for self-expansion. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the radial bands in the stent.

Abstract: A trephine device for at least partially removing a section of the anterior epithelial cells from a corneal surface, typically prior to laser excimer reshaping of a portion of the corneal surface, comprises a housing having upper and lower end portions, removal apparatus integral to the housing, and apparatus for activating and deactivating the removal apparatus. The removal apparatus may have at least one cutting surface adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the cornea, with the cutting surface contacted with the cornea at a pressure sufficient to remove the anterior epithelial cells without affecting underlying corneal tissue.

Abstract: An automated surgical instrument provides a housing having a linear drive for moving a cannula toward and away from the housing. The housing may be supported stationarily while the cannula is driven to a predetermined location in the body through an incision. The end of the cannula includes a surgical tool or laparoscope to be positioned within an area undergoing an operation. Surgical tools can be actuated automatically by means of an actuator positioned in the housing and having a linkage extending through a lumen of the cannula to the tool. Both the actuator and the linear drive motor can be controlled by means of switches located on the housing or at another remote location.

Abstract: A laparoscopic hook knife for use in surgical procedures includes an elongate shaft having a pistol grip handle at its proximal end and a blade support with a hook-shaped member at the distal end. The hook-shaped member has a blunt distal tip which is formed in the shape of a spade contained in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane containing the attached blade. An outlet is provided at the proximal end of the instrument for attaching a source of unipolar electric current for the purposes of creating hemostasis along the cutting path in the tissue. The shaft and blade support, except for the spade tip and at least one contact point between the blade and the blade support, are coated with an electrically insulating material to prevent any undesirable conduction of electricity. A second embodiment includes a blade member having an outer, straight cutting edge and an inner, curved cutting edge.

Abstract: An automated surgical instrument for performing minimally-invasive surgery comprises a rigid cannula having a lumen for receiving a surgical tool at the distal end thereof. The tool can comprise a variety of linkage-operated tools, such as a grasper, clamp or scissor. The tool can also comprise an optical or gas channel. The cannula is supported on a ball-and-socket-type swivel assembly that pivots freely along orthogonal axes. The swivel is mounted on a movable arm assembly that extends and retracts. The arm assembly is mounted to a base that moves the arm assembly from side to side. Pivoting of the cannula occurs in response to movement of the arm assembly along the base and through extension and retraction of the arm.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprising a catheter tube, at least one inflatable balloon attached to the catheter tube and at least one narrowing device for narrowing the diameter of the at least one inflatable balloon at least at one portion.