Abstract: A reusable endoscopic surgical instrument includes a tool assembly and a detachable handle. The tool assembly consists of an outer sleeve to which a surgical jaw assembly such as scissors or graspers is mounted. An inner extension is mounted inside the sleeve and is longitudinally translatable with respect to the sleeve. When the distal end of the extension is in engagement with the jaws of the jaw assembly, translation of the extension causes the jaws to open and close. The extension can be translated out of engagement with the jaws to permit disassembly of the instrument for cleaning and changing jaw assemblies. The tool assembly is retained within the handle assembly. The sleeve is retained within the handle in a longitudinally stationary position with respect to the handle, while the extension is permitted to move longitudinally within the sleeve.

Abstract: Disposable intra-arterial augering and dottering-instruments for use in patients in clearing pathways at obstructed or nearly obstructed arterial sites are disclosed. A number of augering tips used on the instruments are disclosed along with a method for releasibly affixing augering tips to the instruments. In addition, a dottering tip is disclosed for use in procedures where it is desired to open a pathway without excising material from the obstructed site. A combined augering and dottering tip is disclosed for a procedure in which material displacement followed by excising of material from within an artery is accomplished without removal of the combined augering and dottering tip until the procedure is complete.

Abstract: A scissor action low profile hand instrument includes a first member pivotably attached to a second member at a pivot point. The instrument has a surgical tip separated from a handle by a middle section. A centerline passing through the pivot point separates each half of the handle and each half of the surgical tip. The middle section of the instrument includes switchback segments that are positioned on opposite sides of the centerline. The switchback segments allow the instrument to retain a relatively small maximum width over a large portion of its middle section when moved from a closed position to a spread position.

Abstract: A syringe safety sleeve apparatus having a hollow inner barrel which couples to a conventional syringe device, and a hollow outer sleeve slidably disposed on the inner barrel. The outer sleeve reversibly slides on the inner barrel between a retracted position and an extended, needle covering position to protect users of the invention from the syringe needle. A docking base is included which provides for protecting persons from needle puncture wounds during attachment and removal of needles from the syringe device, during removal and replacement of needle covers on needles, and during disposal of used needles.

Abstract: The invention discloses a stent which has a locking feature to prevent recoil. The stent is composed of a plurality of rings which are joined by crossties of various construction. The locking feature of each ring can be in alignment or staggered. The crossties may be straight or angled or they may have curvature to them to further promote longitudinal flexibility. The locking mechanism includes features which minimize sharp ends exposed to the vascular wall.

Abstract: An instrument for inserting a prosthesis into a body cavity and holding it in place. A shaft has a pair of pivoted jaws to open and close on the prosthesis. A releasable latch can hold the levers toward one another to exert a continuing grip on the prosthesis. A support element is slidably mounted to the shaft to hold the prosthesis in place after the jaws are opened and the shaft is withdrawn.

Abstract: A device for the cessation of the blood flow in an extremity comprising a plurality of chambers encircling the extremity in a sequential arrangement. Each chamber being able to individually apply or release pressure to the extremity. The device has a monitor for determining the pressure applied to the extremity. The device further having a mechanism for continuously cycling the chambers.

Abstract: The present invention is a stent for insertion into an artery or other vessel. The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands each formed with a first end which overlaps a second end. The overlap between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration and a fully expanded configuration which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers and a first tab on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube 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 stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer.

Abstract: An athetectomy catheter is disclosed having a composite cutter which is capable of cutting material, including hardened plaque, from a biological conduit. The composite cutter has a cutter and a sensor mount. The cutter has a proximal end and a distal end with a cutting edge. The proximal end of the cutter bonds with the sensor mount. The sensor mount is adaptable for holding a sensor and attaching to a cutter torque cable of an atherectomy catheter. Typically, the atherectomy catheter has a cutter housing with a window. The composite cutter is positioned in the cutter housing and moves in response to movement of the cutter torque cable to cut material from the biological conduit via the window.

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: An instrument for trimming intraoral tissue, such as periodontal flaps, having cutting edges that are contoured to excise tissue of a predetermined shape. The instrument has first and second trimming members that may be used to stabilize the intraoral tissue prior to trimming, and may be configured at an angle for easy positioning in the mouth. The instrument may optionally include one or more finger loops and/or thumb grips.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and support pads interconnected to the first blade. A torsional member is operably interconnected to the first blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the first blade in either direction and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor interconnected to the blades is used to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.

Abstract: An air introduction system for a medical needle assembly is provided and includes a flexible bladder, and a male luer assembly with an air valve which is biased to allow air to enter the air introduction system but not to exit. The air introduction system is coupled to a needle assembly which is to be introduced into the epidural space. As the needle traverses the tissue layers overlying the epidural space, and the practitioner applies pressure to the bladder, the practitioner experiences resistance to the forcing of air through the needle assembly. If air is lost from the bladder, the bladder may be refilled by releasing the pressure on it and allowing outside air to enter via the air valve. Once the epidural space is penetrated, air is quickly forced from the bladder through the needle assembly and the practitioner can feel a sudden drop in pressure.

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: A balloon dissector in which an elastic balloon is positioned on an exterior portion of a rigid tube. The tube is inserted into the patient and then a medium, such as saline solution, is inserted into the hollow tube. The medium is communicated to an interior portion of the elastic balloon causing the balloon to expand and dissect tissue in the area. This dissection permits a subsequent surgical procedure to be performed at the site. Since the tube is rigid, one end of the tube is preferably shaped as a dissector. The rigid tube is graspable by the surgeon and is used as an instrument during its insertion into the site. The rigid tube, in one embodiment of the invention, is rigidly affixed to a syringe containing the medium so that the syringe/tube form one unit which is manipulated by the surgeon.

Abstract: A dilating speculum comprises a tubular body (8) adapted for connection at one end to an eye-piece and light source, a tubular probes (11) adapted to be inserted into the vagina or other body cavity and comprising an outer probe part (13) detachably secured to the tubular body (8) and an inner probe part (12) lodged within the bore of the outer part (13). An inflatable latex (15) sheath surrounds a length of the probe (11) and is sealed thereto at each end of that length. The seal at one end is effected by virtue of an end portion of the sheath (15) being sandwiched between the two probe parts (12, 13) and at the other end by a stretched elastic ring (35) encircling the probe (11) and sheath (15). A passage (24, 23, 25, 28, 29) through the body (8) and probe (11) allows the sheath (15) to be inflated between the seals.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing procedures such as carpal tunnel release. The instrument consists of an elongated member having a spring or cam plate positioned therein. The spring or cam plate is movable from a retracted position within the elongated member to an extended position protruding through an aperture in the elongated member. Movement of the spring or cam plate to the extended position stretches a flexible membrane positioned over at least a portion of the elongated member to stretch the carpal tunnel ligament.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for creating a transection in a coronary artery. Structurally, the present invention includes an inflatable balloon mounted at the distal end of a catheter. A single blade is mounted to project radially from the surface of the balloon and is aligned with the balloon's longitudinal axis. Additionally, a series of radio-opaque markers are distributed on the balloon's surface. Operationally, the balloon is advanced, using the catheter, until it is positioned at the approximate site of the desired transection. An X-ray imaging system is then used to visualize the radio-opaque markers, allowing the balloon and blade to be oriented radially and longitudinally at the location required for the transection. The balloon is then inflated, forcing the blade to incise the artery wall and creating the desired transection. The transection creates a new artery composed partially of the old artery and partially of the surrounding fibrous tissue.

Abstract: A surgical device is provided to reduce the size of and relieve the pressure within an aneurysm. The surgical device is comprised of catheter tubing containing a spring wound under stress. The catheter is inserted through the aneurysm to be repaired and the catheter is then pulled back leaving the spring to expand within the aneurysm. The spring has a one-way helical flap mounted between the spring coils. The flap allows the blood to flow from the swollen part of the aneurysm but not to enter it.

Abstract: Hermaphroditic biopsy forceps jaws for use in an endoscopic biopsy forceps instrument are made from a flat sheet of stainless steel or other suitable material which is stamped and then progressively formed into a jaw cup having a tang. According to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the jaw is provided with two substantially parallel tangs, one being shorter than the other. Both tangs are provided with central mounting holes for mounting the jaw on an axle pin between the arms of a clevis. The longer of the tangs is provided with a hole for coupling it to the distal end of a control wire. The tangs are located such that when the jaws are mounted in the clevis, the short tang of each jaw resides between the two tangs of the other jaw. The stamped jaw of the invention may be provided with or without teeth. The location of the tangs permits the mounting of a knife between the jaws, if desired. Other end effectors of similar construction are also disclosed.