Abstract: An adjustable tip for a blood lancet device for causing different depths of skin puncture is provided. An inner sleeve has a partially enclosed distal end which forms a stop for the shoulder of the lancet. An outer sleeve is pressed together with a cylindrical ring to form an internal camming surface, which captures a cam follower carried by the inner sleeve when the outer sleeve and cylindrical ring are slid as a unit on the inner sleeve. Rotation of the outer sleeve causes longitudinal motion between the distal ends of the inner and outer sleeve creating an adjustable double bottom which creates various puncture depths.

Abstract: Endoscopic biopsy forceps jaws having an outer edge which may be generally U-shaped, circular, or oblate circular are disclosed with teeth which extend completely around the outer edge. The teeth may take any of several arrangements. In a first arrangement, the teeth and valleys are formed with two substantially rectangular surfaces which meet at substantially horizontal vertex and nadir lines. In a second arrangement, each tooth has a vertex or peak located upward and inward from the outer edge, and is defined by a substantially triangular inner surface, a substantially quadrilateral base, and a surface which extends outward and downward from the vertex of the triangular surface to the outer edge of the jaw. Valleys between the teeth have two inclined surfaces which intersect along a line which extends inward and downward from the outer edge of the jaw.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tissue cutting device which accurately cuts the tissue to a predetermined configuration in a minimal amount of time, and where the tissue may then be used in an autologous heart valve. The disposable tissue cutting die of the present invention is comprised of a cutting die assembly and a cutting base assembly. The cutting die assembly retains a continuous blade with razor sharpened edges that enclose a desired spatial configuration. The cutting base assembly includes a rotatable cutting pad on which the tissue to be cut may be placed. The cutting die assembly and cutting base assembly are adpated to cooperate to cut the tissue when the cutting die assembly is inserted into the cutting base assembly and rotated approximately 180 degrees.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for dilating the pupil of an eye. The instrument includes a handle and a switch mounted on the handle for alternating between first and second states. A retractable dilator mechanism is attached to the switch and is extendible from the handle. The dilator mechanism selectively alternates between a retracted condition when the switch is in a first state and an expanded condition when the switch is in its second state. The dilator mechanism includes hooks, a nylon ribbon or an inflatable spiral tube for engaging a plurality of points along an inside edge of the pupil and urging the pupil into a dilated condition when the dilator mechanism is expanded.

Abstract: Scalpel constructions are shown in which shipping of the scalpel occurs with the blade retracted, surgeon usage enables exposure of the scalpel blade from required cutting during surgery, and finally and upon completed use of the scalpel, one-way retraction of the scalpel into a "sharp-safe" blade covering disposition can occur. Thereafter, upon scalpel discard, the cutting edge of the scalpel is safely shielded and inhibited from further intentional or inadvertent cutting. A first design includes scalpel reciprocation along a handle against a detent for shipping with the blade within the handle, use with the blade exposed from the handle, and one-way retraction into the handle immediately prior to discard. A second design includes a handle folding across the scalpel body with a sleeve having a first position for covering the blade during shipping, a second position for holding the blade extended and exposed for surgery, and a third position for permanently locking about the scalpel blade after use.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for manipulating bodily tissue includes a handle member, an elongated member connected to the handle member and extending distally therefrom, a fluid expandable member supported at a distal end portion of the elongated member and a fluid dispensing mechanism in fluid communication with the expandable member for selectively incrementally dispensing inflation fluid into the expandable member to selectively incrementally inflate the expandable member. The distal end portion of the elongated member is adapted to articulate relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the remaining portion of the elongated member such that the expandable member is pivotal therewith. A control mechanism is provided to selectively control articulation of the distal end portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and related methods are disclosed by which plaque is connected to the head of a removal instrument for removal of a unitary segment of plaque from an artery intact to increase blood flow through the artery.

Abstract: A delivery system for implantation of a self-expanding stent in a vessel is consists of an elongate flexible catheter for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel. The stent surrounds the flexible catheter near its distal end and is held in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length by a stent retaining and release means. The stent retaining and release means is either one or more slipping sleeves which either contain the stent themselves or form a waterproof chamber with the stent being contained by water soluble bands or swelling bands. The stent retaining and release means can also be a pair of sleeves connected to hydraulic pistons, or a pair of sleeves connected to push/pull wires.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a hollow elongated shaft for insertion into the body, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and supporting a pair of interacting pivotable jaws on its distal end and being connected at its proximal end to a first movable component of an operating handle, with a reciprocable rod located within the shaft. The rod is connected to a second movable component of the handle for reciprocation within the shaft when the first and second components are moved relative to each other. The jaws are pivotally connected by a pivot pin supported on the shaft transversely to the axis. Each of the jaws has a proximal end extending proximally from the pivot pin. Each of the proximal ends is provided with an elongated opening therethrough, each the openings forming an elongated slot oriented at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The reciprocable rod has a distal end extending into each slot whereby reciprocation of the rod causes the jaws to open and close.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical apparatus for vitreous surgery in the eyeball comprises a probe provided with a guide knife, having an end portion formed in a predetermined curve, and a dissecting knife movable along the curve of the guide knife to dissect proliferated membrane, moving device that moves the dissecting knife so as to reciprocate between an initial position and the end portion of the guide knife.

Abstract: An intravascular stent comprising a cylindrical body capable of expansion having end assemblies capable of locking in an expanded state. The end assemblies may have a series of tabs and apertures that interlock and rotate as the stent ends expand to an open position to support a section of vasculature or other body lumen. The stent is bio-compatible, may be bio-erodible, and capable of localized drug delivery.

Abstract: Blood lancet device (1) for withdrawing blood from a patient for diagnostic purposes comprises a housing (10), a lancet holder (11) movable within the housing (10) for retaining a non-rotatable lancet (4) having a plastic lancet body (31), a lancet needle (33) fixed in the lancet body (31), a lancet drive (12) to move the lancet holder in a puncturing and retraction direction, an exchangeable skin-contact part (5) having an outlet opening (6) for the lancet (4) and a contact surface (42) for pressing against a patient's skin.

Abstract: This invention discloses a surgical knife which is suitable for use in astigmatic radial keratotomy, and similar procedures and which includes an elongated diamond blade, a blade holder, and a rocking foot plate means pivotally attached to the knife body, and a method of performing a radial keratotomy procedure utilizing such a knife. Said rocking foot plate means has a lower surface for contacting and rocking over a peripheral portion of corneal tissue during a keratorefractive incision. The ability of the foot plate to rock assists surgeons in more precisely controlling blade movement during delicate surgeries, such as radial keratotomy.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element for rotating the removal element. A catheter surrounds a portion of the drive shaft. The catheter is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft and the outer drive are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a hand grip and a trocar obturator. The trocar obturator includes a front end on which is mounted a piercing tip, and an opposite rear end. The trocar obturator is mounted on the hand grip at its rear end, and is adapted to rotate independently of the hand grip. A retaining head is mounted on the rear end of the obturator, and is rotatably but securely received by a socket formed in the hand grip.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a laryngeal mask has a holder portion, a pair of clamp bars which extend forwards from the holder portion and which are adapted to hold therebetween in a pinching manner a tube connecting portion provided on an outside surface of the laryngeal mask. The pair of clamp bars are connected together at their front ends to thereby form an abutment portion which is adapted to abut a front end of the outside surface of the laryngeal mask. The apparatus also has a band piece which extends from the abutment portion along the clamp bars towards the holder portion and which can be pulled towards the holder portion.

Abstract: A cutting and suctioning instrument is disclosed for use in surgery which is adapted for coupling to an external high pressure fluid source and an external vacuum source, which comprises an irrigation tube configured for coupling to the external high pressure fluid source. The distal end of the irrigation tube forms a nozzle to direct the high pressure fluid in the form of a high pressure fluid stream. A suction tube is provided for coupling to the external vacuum source. The distal end is positioned opposite the nozzle of the irrigation tube and is configured to receive and suction away waste fluid and separated tissue. A method for cutting tissue is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism and assembly for sequentially advancing and retracting a lancet needle includes a housing having an opening for operating projection of the needle. Two guide tracks are provided within the housing for guiding separate motions of a two-part needle holder structure propelled by a drive spring, and the needle itself is smoothly guided along one of the tracks to advance and thrust the needle into a tissue penetration position immediately followed by automatic retraction along the same highly accurate linear path.

Abstract: A multi-element occlusion device (10, 20, 30, 40) provides an improvement over existing systems by increasing the occupation of a vascular lumen. The device (10, 20, 30) comprises an anchoring element (12, 22, 32), a lead element (14, 24, 34) and at least one fiber (16, 26, 36) attaching said elements. The elements and fibers produce a cumulative occlusive effect greater than the sum of the individual elements. When placed in the blood stream, the anchoring element (12, 22, 32) lodges against the vessel wail and the lead dement (14, 24, 34) is carded to a position distal thereto. In another embodiment, an "umbrella" of support members extend from the lead element. A fabric web extends between these support members. The umbrella intravascular device expands upon its exit from the catheter. The fabric web produces complete occlusion of the vessel without the need for thrombosis to form between the elements.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, in particular microsurgical scissors or cutters or tweezers or forceps, with a gripping portion and at least one gripping surface which extends over at least a section of the gripping portion and which affords enhanced friction in comparison with the adjacent sections of the instrument, is improved in that the gripping surface is in the form of a roughening with small, juxtaposed raised portions and depressed portions of different dimensioning and with an arrangement which is irregular in respect of dimensioning.