Abstract: A cutting tip having an asymmetric, hydrodynamic channel that tightens the cutting tip during operation.

Abstract: A lancet for obtaining a drop of blood by capillary puncture is formed by a needle having a coating thereon of a composition which precludes contact clotting activation of the blood sample.

Abstract: A novel safety trocar assembly includes a cannula having a cannula housing with a cannula sleeve and an obturator assembly which includes (i) an obturator housing, (ii) an obturator sleeve connected to the obturator housing, (iii) an elongated obturator portion at least partially disposed within the obturator sleeve and having a penetrating distal tip for penetrating tissue, and (iv) a protective guard coaxially mounted about the penetrating tip. The obturator portion is longitudinally moveable between a disarmed position wherein the penetrating tip is contained within the cannula sleeve and an armed position wherein the penetrating tip at least partially extends beyond the distal end of the cannula sleeve. The protective guard of the obturator assembly is moveable relative to the penetrating tip between an extended position enclosing the penetrating tip and a retracted position exposing the penetrating tip for penetrating action.

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: The invention relates to an instrument set for laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy which comprises a uterine rotator comprising a rod with a uterine end for insertion into the uterus and a control end, and with at least one wing moveable in and out of the uterine end which in a folded-out position makes contact with the inner wall of the uterus and which is connected via coupling means to a control member located at the control end, wherein the rod is preferably provided with two wings, and more preferably the rod is provided with a hinge, and with optionally at least one artery forceps provided with a handle and mutually reciprocating jaws.

Abstract: A combination guarded surgical scalpel and blade stripper (200, 300) uses the sliding guard (202, 301) in cooperation with an ejector button (238, 311) to strip a (used) blade (224, 314) from the scalpel (200, 300) thereby avoiding manual contact with the blade (224, 314) and the problems associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for treating diseased portions of tissue lumens by the focal introduction of at least one therapeutic agent at the diseased region. A catheter is positioned in a lumen such that first and second expansile members surround the diseased portion of tissue. The expansile members are expanded to occlude the diseased region and a therapeutic agent is introduced to the occluded diseased region via the catheter. The catheter is allowed to remain in place for a therapeutically effective period of time to allow the therapeutic agent to contact the diseased portion for such a period of time. The catheter arrangement also can be used to occlude a diseased region, remove physiological fluid from the occluded region and subsequently to disrupt the diseased region and/or apply the therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can be selected to suppress cell proliferation in the diseased region, and the occluded region can be treated with a medicament to promote vessel healing.

Abstract: A cannula and injection site coupling system comprising a cannula assembly having a blunt cannula or piercing member partially surrounded by a protective shield. The protective shield is spaced apart from the blunt cannula and includes a bayonet arm, a bayonet barb, a bayonet lock and an opening or gap. The injection site has a septum with a pre-slit opening and an arm. When the cannula assembly and injection site are coupled, the injection site arm is lodged within the cannula assembly lock opening.

Abstract: A surgical device for altering the curvature of an eye includes a base which carries a transparent insert, a drive device, a knife edge coupled to the drive device and movable to a plane immediately adjacent the under surface of the transparent insert. The transparent insert includes a face having a surface portion shaped according to a predetermined correction. The base further includes a suction ring which forms a vacuum chamber with the eye. The suction ring is placed against the eye. Application of vacuum results in the cornea of the eye being urged into engagement with the shaped surface portion. Actuation of the drive device moves the knife edge whereby the cornea is cut. Only the knife edge traverses the insert. In a surgical procedure, a lamellar flap is first cut to remove the epithelium, and a second prescriptive cut is made to excise a disk to provide the prescriptive correction.

Abstract: A method and device for cutting venous valve located within the lumen of a vein. The device comprises an elongate shaft of rigid or flexible construction and a valvulotome blade positioned on the distal end of said elongate shaft. The valvulotome blade comprises an elongate shank portion which is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a head portion which extends laterally from the shank portion of the blade. The head portion of the blade comprises an outer venous wall abutment surface and a proximal cutting surface. The venous wall abutting surface is a spaced distance from the proximal cutting surface such that the venous wall abutment surface may be forced into abutment with the venous wall and the device may be drawn through a venous valve such that the proximal cutting surface will cut the venous valve, but will not come into contact with the adjacent vein wall.

Abstract: A keratotomy apparatus that comprises a plurality of plates. One of the plates is kept on the eye during the keratotomy. The other plates support corneal thickness sensors and guides that enable both radial and arcuate keratotomy cuts to be made. A keratotomy knife that has cams that cooperate with camming surfaces to guide the keratotomy knife. A keratotomy method comprises the steps of measuring the thickness of the cornea, providing a plurality of keratotomy knife guides, positioning the keratotomy knife guides over the cornea, and making the keratotomy cuts in the cornea.

Abstract: A disposable non-latex tourniquet formed from a thermoplastic elastomer and an additive comprising slip and anti-block components. More particularly, the disposable non-latex tourniquet is formed from a metallocene octene based polymer and an additive comprising slip and anti-block components. The disposable non-latex of the present invention substantially minimizes discomfort to the patient and facilitates ease of use in knotting and releasing the tourniquet from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for bluntly dissecting connective tissues in a plane around a vein or other anatomic structure in a minimally invasive surgery. An anterograde or retrograde spiral dissector comprises one or more elongate spiral members, each having a blunt distal tip adapted for helical advancement in a plane around the surface of a vein. Anterograde helical advancement of the spiral assembly bluntly dissects small diameter "guide paths" in connective tissues with little resistance to penetration. With the spiral dissector thus helically engaged, the instrument drives itself anterograde upon rotation. The spiral dissector includes a "path-expanding" structure associated with either a distal, medial or proximal region of each spiral member, by which is meant the path-expanding structure is adapted for anterograde or retrograde travel along the dissected "guide paths" to further expand the dimensions of the guide paths thereby to dissect the connective tissues in a 360.degree. plane around the vein.

Abstract: A device and method for clearing a stenosis in a vessel of a patient requires a catheter having a rigid, cone-shaped probe at its distal end. The probe has a distally diminishing taper and also has a plurality of blades which are mounted on the probe and longitudinally aligned with the catheter. The probe is formed to include a series of grooves which span the length of the probe. Advancement of the probe through the vessel to the stenosis can be accomplished either over a prepositioned guidewire or through a prepositioned guide catheter. At the stenosis, the probe with mounted blades are reciprocally moved back and forth across the stenosis to incise and dilate the stenosis and, thus, clear the stenosis. Blood flow is maintained within the vessel by the grooves formed in the surface of the probe. Movement of the probe across the stenosis can be facilitated by selectively activating a rigidizer which is located on the catheter immediately proximal to the probe.

Abstract: A spinal anulus cutter for cutting a multisided flap in an encapsulating ligament, such as an anulus of a human intervertebral disc, to provide access to an interior space or material surrounded by the ligament. The spinal anulus cutter is characterized by a knife blade comprised of a plurality of walls which are connected together to define a closed side and an open side. Further, a cutting edge is formed at the forward edge of the walls which is configured to cut the multisided flap in the ligament when an axial force is transmitted to the knife blade in a direction towards the cutting edge. The flap will conform in shape and size to the form of the knife blade, whereby the open side of the knife blade will not cut the ligamentary tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so as to limit longitudinal contraction during radial expansion. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are formed in an irregular serpentine pattern designed to expand evenly under radial stress, and maximize the overall radial expansion ratio.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which is suitably adapted for use in operations to be performed under an endoscopic surgery. This surgical instrument comprises an elongate main body of the instrument, a leading end part disposed on the leading end side of the main body of the instrument and endowed with surgically operating member for producing an open-close motion or a rotary motion, a manipulating part for effecting remote control of the surgically operating member, and an elongate transmitting member for transmitting the operation in the manipulating part to the leading end part mentioned above. It is provided in or near the leading end part with a locking mechanism for regulating the motion of the transmitting member relative to the leading end part and fixing the posture of the surgically operating member.

Abstract: A lancet actuator device and mechanism for sequentially advancing and retracting a lancet blade include a housing having an opening for operating projection of the lancet blade. The actuator mechanism includes a drive spring structure insertably mounted in the housing and arranged to drive pivotal motion of the lancet blade including sequential thrusting of the blade from the housing aperture followed by immediate pivotally reverse retracting of the blade from the aperture into the housing as the spring deengerizes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing more precise aiming by an eye tracking system, including a registration, or aiming, laser, that provides for precise location of where the next laser ablation shot will impinge upon the eye. The method and apparatus further includes an aiming assistance fixture that provides a fixed frame of reference for locating the origin of the eye.

Abstract: The childbirth-assisting device uses an automatically synchronized expandable pneumatic girdle to externally augment the secondary force of labor. The girdle through which the pressure is applied is fitted around the abdomen of the woman. An inflatable bladder within the girdle is inflated to create a downward pressure on the abdomen upon detection of a contraction. External pressure monitors which detect contractions may be attached directly to the girdle, and the girdle is configured to assure that the bladder is correctly positioned at all times. A member may be provided to prevent multiple uses of a girdle to assure the integrity of the girdle during use.