Abstract: A support stand for surgical implements is disclosed. The support stand provides an operating environment which is particularly useful for use in laparoscopic surgery. The support stand is compact and includes positionable wrists for providing spherical motion of surgical implements about fixed points which can be made to coincide with incisions in a patient being operated on. Each wrist includes a member pivotally mounted to a support arm. Rotating the member provides rotation about a first axis passing through a fixed point. A surgical instrument holder is connected to the member by a linkage which provides rotation about a second axis passing through the fixed point. The linkage has four pivotally connected links, two of which are bent through an angle to provide precise spherical rotation about the fixed point.

Abstract: The invention is based on an arrangement of a ureter split, a guide and an auxiliary splint, wherein a releasable connection between the guide and the hollow ureter splint is provided, which connects the ureter splint by being turned along with the guide, wherein after releasing this threaded connection the guide can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the ureter splint in respect to it and, if required, can be completely pulled out.

Abstract: An undercutting surgical instrument comprises a housing disposed along a longitudinal axis between a proximal region and a distal section which is sized to be inserted into a hole in a bone. A passage with an open end at the distal section is disposed through the housing along an axis to receive a guide wire for positioning the distal section adjacent to the bone. A plurality of axially extending slots in walls of the housing are arranged around the passage and extend between the proximal region and the distal section of the housing, and receive a plurality of axially extending arms. A proximal region of each arm is pivotally mounted to the housing, and a distal end of each arm carries a cutting tool so that the cutting tools are arranged around the open end of the passage (and the guide wire).

Abstract: A compound stent is disclosed, which includes a cylindrical member having first and second extremities and having a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis and extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, the cylindrical member having first and second end segments and an intermediate segment adjoining the first and second end segments, the first and second end segments being formed of slotted metal and being movable between contracted and expanded conditions, the intermediate segment being formed of a braided material to impart greater flexibility to the stent along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for introducing articles and surgical instruments to target body cavities utilize conformable sleeves which are percutaneously positioned within the cavity. Articles may then be passed directly through the conformable sleeve, without use of a rigid cannula, either by pushing the articles inwardly through the sleeve using an introducer or pulling the articles inwardly through the sleeve using a tapered carrier. Surgical instruments are also passed directly inwardly through the sleeve. Such systems and methods may be used in a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus is provided for use during surgical procedures. It includes a pump, a controller connected to the pump, a fluid delivery tube, and a pressure transducer connected to a downstream portion of the fluid delivery tube. Also provided is a replaceable tubing assembly for use with the fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system for the use in minimal invasive surgery is adaptable to all surgical tasks by interchangeable instrument heads with different surgical tools. The instrument holder includes a handgrip, a tube extending therefrom and a shaft. The shaft is slidably received in the tube and selectively engaged with the trigger handle of the handgrip. At a distal tie-in point different interchangeable instrument heads are connected tensile resistent to the shaft and their function is actuated with the trigger handle via the same shaft. With the aid of a grip member provided at its proximal end, the shaft is operated to set its tie-in points in function.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument in accordance with the present invention includes a transmission component adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from a transducer assembly and to transmit the ultrasonic vibration from a first end to a second end. The transmission component has an aperture to allow torque to be coupled to the transmission rod.

Abstract: A medical forceps, which is used in particular for detaching bone or cartilage tissue in the frontal sinus, has a handle, a shaft, an immovable jaw part and a movable jaw part both attached to the distal end of the shaft. An articulation element serves for rotatably moving the movable jaw part about the immovable jaw part. Said immovable jaw part is provided with a recess continuing over the entire width of said immovable jaw part. A section of said movable jaw part at which section said actuation element is connected to said immovable jaw part is arranged in said recess allowing said section of said movable jaw part to extend over the entire width of said immovable jaw part.

Abstract: An expandable tubular reinforcing member of the invention is used for a body lumen, such as a blood vessel for reinforcement. The reinforcing member is formed of a tortuous section having a plurality of laterally extending elongated members, and a plurality of vertically extending end members situated between two adjacent elongated members for connecting the same. The tortuous section is arranged diagonally to form a cylindrical shape with a first diameter extending in a spiral form. The elongated members generally extend parallel to a central axis of the cylindrical shape. A plurality of joint members is situated between two end members arranged in the cylindrical shape to keep the shape. When a radial force is applied from an inside of the reinforcing member, the elongated members are bent relative to the end members to thereby allow the tubular reinforcing member to have a second diameter larger than the first diameter to thereby hold the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter catheter. This catheter comprises a tube-like basic body with a proximal and a distal end, a filter element arranged at the distal end formed by a number of strips arranged spaced out around the circumference, which are connected with both ends to the basic body. The relatively distal ends of the strips are connected in a detachable manner to the basic body by connecting member.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument assembly for use with a removable tip. The shaft between the removable tip and the external, body or handle portion of the instrument includes a rod moving axially within a sheath to transmit the manipulation of the handle portion to actuate the tip. Both the sheath and the rod are removable from the handle for cleaning of the instrument. Thus, after use, the shaft may be readily disassembled from the handle, the shaft and handle portion sterilized, and the shaft and handle readily reassembled for reuse of the instrument. Alternatively, a non-removable tip may be provided as part of a shaft-tip unit.

Abstract: A device for enabling crimping of an intravascular stent onto a balloon catheter assembly. The stent crimping device includes a pair of elements, adapted to be held in the hands of the user, which enable one element, in which a stent and balloon catheter assembly are positioned to slidably move relative to the other element, and to move through a tapered opening to crimp the stent onto the balloon catheter assembly.

Abstract: To ensure continuous incising or coagulating technique without adhesion of carbonized body tissue proteins and fats which may be produced by thermal action of an arc discharge or Joule heat attendant on the electrotomy or electrocoagulation, at least a part of a surgical instrument, such as an electric knife or a forceps, is formed of a C/C composite material.

Abstract: A catheter to be used as an injection tube includes a flexible sheath to be inserted into a celom through an insertion channel of an endoscope for injecting a medicinal solution or the like into the celom through the sheath. The sheath includes a distal end portion which has a distal aperture smaller than the inside diameter of the sheath, a frontmost portion rounded with a radius of curvature larger than the thickness of the wall of the sheath, and at least one slit extending to the distal aperture.

Abstract: An automatic nasal aspirator for cleaning matter in the nasal canal of an infant. The aspirator includes a collection member for collecting the cleaned matter. The collection member is designed for insertion into the nasal canal. The aspirator further includes a hose having a first end and a second end with the first end being removably connected to the collection member. A motor is connected to the second end of the hose. The motor imparts a suction action to the collection member through the hose, wherein the suction action causes the matter to be cleaned from the nasal canal and collected in the collection member.

Abstract: The holder is designed for use with piercing instruments such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,224. The holder consists of a pair of jaws connected by a flexible bight. Each jaw has a recess at its free end to receive a portion of the piercing instrument. One jaw has a number of opposing protrusions disposed on an inner surface of the jaw. In use, the piercing instrument is inserted between the jaws of the holder. The piercing instrument is thereby securely retained in all three dimensions, so that it cannot be accidentally dislodged from the holder prior to use, such as during packaging, sterilizing or shipping. The holder and instrument are aligned with, for example, an earlobe between the pin and locknut carried by the piercing instrument. As the jaws of the holder are squeezed together, the piercing pin and a receiving locknut are moved toward one another.

Abstract: A self-expanding endovascular stent formed of stainless steel wire which is bent into an elongated zigzag pattern. The zigzag pattern has a plurality of substantially straight wire sections of various lengths separating a plurality of bends. The zigzag pattern is helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of the bends are disposed in a helix. Adjacent bends in the helix are interconnected with a filament. The stent is capable of being radially compressed such that the straight wire sections and the bends are tightly packed around a central axis. The stent resiliently self-expands to assume a tubular shape when released from the compressed state. Depending on the pattern of the lengths of the straight wire sections in the zigzag pattern, the final tubular shape can be made irregular to match a patient's vascular system. In other words, the diameter of the tube which is defined by the stent can be made to vary along the length of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for making electro-surgical devices, such as electro-surgical blades, that have a thin coating of non-stick material with a narrow continuous gap, or stretch of opening, in the coating, exposing the metal surface along an edge. This opening has a shape that tends to prevent it being clogged by charred tissue in use. The present invention includes a method of manufacturing the devices that has fewer steps than the prior art, and a better way of forming an opening in the electrically insulating non-stick coating to electrically expose the metal beneath.

Abstract: A clamping device for securing a pair of clamps to the umbilical cord of a newly born infant includes pressure plates to remove blood from the section of the cord between the clamps. Thus, there is a greatly reduced risk of infection from blood squirting out upon the cutting of the cord during delivery of the infant.