Abstract: A pumping system for infusing fluids into a patient. The pumping system includes a pump and a controller constructed to control operation of the pump. The controller has a hold condition in which it deactivates the pump. The controller also has a timer subsystem having a variable duration. A magnitude control operable by a human is connected to the controller, the magnitude control being constructed to alter the variable duration of the timer subsystem of the controller. The pumping system further includes an alarm connected to the controller, the controller constructed to activate the alarm upon expiration of the variable duration of the timer subsystem.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passive drug delivery apparatus which has a simplified structure. The present invention includes a junction member, disposed within the fluid conduit, for forming a first flow path to supply a medical liquid along the fluid conduit. A coupling member is provided, one end of which is to be coupled to the junction member, and the other end of which is to be inserted into a vial containing a beneficial agent. The coupling member includes structure to close the medical liquid flow path, a second flow path for introducing the medical liquid into the vial and a third flow path for delivering the mixed solution containing the medical liquid and agent.

Abstract: The invention provides an intraocular balloon and associated devices such as an intraocular balloon insertion guide and a holder. They enable a surgeon to readily perform an operation for correcting retinal detachment and to lighten a burden imposed on a surgical patient to a great extent. The intraocular balloon is characterized by having a gas injection valve; the intraocular balloon insertion guide facilitates the insertion of the intraocular balloon into an eye; and the holder holds the intraocular balloon and the intraocular balloon insertion guide, and is fixed onto the eyeball. The invention is also directed to a surgical procedure for retinal detachment using such devices.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stent for implanting in the body. The stent is formed of a tube having a patterned shape which has first and second meander patterns having axes extending in first and second directions. The first meander patterns can be formed into even and odd first meander patterns. The even and odd first meander patterns are 180.degree. out of phase with each other and the odd patterns occur between every two even patterns. The second meander patterns are intertwined with the first meander patterns. The first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other. The second meander patterns can also be formed of even and odd patterns.

Abstract: A surgical fastening system for attaching one piece of tissue to another piece of tissue. The system comprises a surgical fastener, an installation tool for deploying the surgical fastener in tissue, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A encapsulated stent device for implantation within the vascular system includes a balloon of a balloon catheter formed around and adhered to a wire-like stent so that the outer surface of the device is more regular for delivery through the vascular system without an exterior sheath. The encapsulation securely anchors the stent to the balloon and maintains a low profile for negotiation of tortuous and narrowed vessels. Encapsulation requires placement of the stent over the balloon, placement of a sheath over the stent on the balloon, heating and preferably pressurization of the balloon to cause it to expand around the stent within the sheath, and cooling while preferably maintaining pressure to cause the balloon to adhere to the stent and to set the shape of the expanded balloon. Retainers may be placed at the distal and/or proximal ends of the stent during the encapsulation process, or the balloon material may expand to form retainers.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for use in a wide variety of roles including grasping, dissecting, clamping, or retracting materials or tissue during surgical procedures performed either in open surgery or within the abdominal cavity.The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a tubular body portion extending from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, and tool structure associated with a distal portion of the tubular body portion. A rotation assembly is provided for effectuating rotation of the tool structure about the longitudinal axis of the body portion. Rotation locking structure is provided to lock the rotation assembly at a predetermined orientation such that it cannot be rotated with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A vascular filter comprises an emboli-capturing portion having a set of helical filter-wires joined at a central region and extending in a given direction along the blood vessel in a diverging relationship to the axis of the filter, the wires terminating in free ends constructed to engage the walls of said vessel. A major mid-portion of the length of the free ended wires are of generally helical form, cooperatively related to form an effective emboli capturing array. Anchoring is accomplished by a separate assembly formed of struts and anchoring devices. A parallelogram supporting strut assembly and other means for providing linear engagement with the wall of the vena cava are shown. The parallelogram structure is shown to have filter capability by itself as well.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element (16) for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element (16) is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft (92) is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element (16) for rotating the removal element (16). A catheter (178) may surround a portion of the drive shaft (92). The catheter (178) is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft (92) 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 (312) and the outer drive (314) are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element (252) between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element (252).

Abstract: A surgical cutting tool, such as a pair of scissors, is provided suction means which allows suction to be applied to the site of operation. In the case of scissors, the closure of the blades is used to reduce the opening of a recess formed alone one of the inboard edges of the blades, and to effectively move the opening through which suction is applied, along the blade so as to constantly juxtapose the point of cutting. Electrodes can be connected to the blades to permit the tool to also act as a cautery.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved stent for placement in corporeal lumens. More particularly, the present invention concerns an improved stent for placement in a corporeal lumen comprising a coiled ribbon which is rigid enough to maintain the relative position of each turn of the coiled ribbon during its expansion within the lumen after placement.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deployment of a detachable, inflatable balloon at a target site in vivo are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the method involves providing a holder; passing a protective sheath through the lumen of the holder; passing a positioning element through the lumen of the sheath; advancing the positioning element to the target site in vivo; withdrawing the positioning element while keeping the sheath fixed relative to the holder; passing a detachable, inflatable balloon coupled to a distal end of a delivery device through the sheath; withdrawing the sheath into a retractor disposed at proximal end of the delivery device such that the delivery device remains fixed relative to the holder and the balloon is exposed to the target site in vivo; and inflating and detaching the balloon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for utilizing the vascular system as a conduit to reach other vascular and extravascular locations within the body. Included are methods for revascularization wherein the extravascular passageways are formed to permit blood flow between vascular locations. Also included are methods for performing transvascular interstitial surgery (TVIS) wherein extravascular passageways are formed from a blood vessel to another vascular or non-vascular intracorporeal location. Also disclosed are devices usable for forming extravascular passageways in accordance with the invention, or for modifying, valving, maintaining or closing such passageways.

Abstract: A surgical fastening system for attaching one piece of tissue to another piece of tissue. The system comprises a surgical fastener, an installation tool for deploying the surgical fastener in tissue, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: An access system comprises a radially expandable sleeve, a pneumoperitoneum needle, a cannula assembly, and an obturator. Methods for reconstructing and reusing the access system comprise replacing the radially expandable sleeve and cannula valve cap components of the system, both of which are disposable. All remaining system components may be sterilized and reused one or more times. The pneumoperitoneum needle can be separated into tubular needle body and needle stylet components, which may be separately replaced or sterilized and reused. Similarly the cannula comprises both a cannula hub and a cannula tube, where the hub and tube may be separately replaced or sterilized.

Abstract: A two piece construction disposable carpal tunnel ligament tome is provided. In a preferred embodiment the tome has a handle, stem, cutting head with two forward extending and parallel spaced upper and lower forks. The handle, stem, cutting head and forks are injection molded as one plastic piece. Mounted in the cutting head is a blade fabricated from flat stock metal with a forward facing cutting edge concealed by the forks. Extending forward from the blade are upper and lower fork reinforcement members. The fork reinforcements are encapsulated by the molded upper and lower forks. The inventive carpal tunnel ligament tome provides very rigid forks, yet does not require the extensive machining required by tomes with metal forks. Since the blade and fork reinforcement can be fabricated from a flat stock material, fabrication costs can be lowered with extremely high performance of the tome being maintained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for harvesting tissue using a cannula having a diameter of from 0.5 to 4.0 mm and of a length of from 25 to 20 cm to access by minimally invasive techniques a host to withdraw autogenous tissue processed to remove loose fat and/or fragmented tissue. Thereafter, the resulting tissue substrate is morcellated to form particulate tissue of a particle size of from 1 to 200 .mu.m. The particulate material is thence passed through screens having opening sizes of from 1 to 100 .mu.m to form a material of a size for introduction into a syringe of from 16 to 30 gauge for implantation in the host. The processed tissue may be admixed with extenders, gelling agents and the like.

Abstract: A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body has a catheter and a tissue collector formed proximate the distal end of the catheter. The tissue collector is configured so as to facilitate the removal of a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and so as to capture the tissue sample within the first lumen of the catheter. A passage provides fluid communication between a first lumen within which the collected tissue sample is disposed and a second lumen into which a fluid may be caused to flow. Flowing the fluid distally through the second lumen moves the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen so as to facilitate the collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.

Abstract: An expandable intraluminal vascular graft is implanted in a coronary artery or other vessel to maintain the patency of the lumen. The vascular graft, commonly referred to as a stent, expands from a first diameter to a second diameter, and a plurality of teeth are moved in relation to a longitudinal slot to lock the stent in an expanded condition.

Abstract: A blood vessel dilator has an inner tube defining a first passageway therein, an outer tube over the inner tube and forming a second passageway, and a dilating member communicating with the second passageway. The outer tube is constituted by an inner tubular component having a high rigidity, and an outer tubular component covering the inner tubular component. The forward end portion of the outer tubular component protrudes from the distal end of the inner tubular component, and its distal end portion is diametrically constricted to closely contact the inner tube and extends near the distal end of the inner tube.