Abstract: Disclosed is a non-circular stent, as well as a graftstent complex, that may be used for isolating a pathological defect in the vicinity of a branching passageway. Also disclosed is an apparatus for expanding a stent and for aligning same relative to another stent. Further, a method for excluding a pathological defect such as an aortic aneurysm is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of inserting implants are disclosed wherein the apparatus includes a handle portion and a body portion attached to the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer tubular member fixed relative to the handle portion for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis. The outer tube member has first implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end. An inner tubular member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member and is mounted for longitudinal motion relative to the outer tubular member. Second implant engaging structure is positioned adjacent a distal end of the inner tubular member. The body portion further includes an inner shaft, coaxially mounted at least partially within the inner tubular member for independent rotation relative to the inner and outer tubular members, the inner shaft having third implant engaging structure adjacent a distal end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate, which includes inserting a transurethral incisional device through the patient's urethra, incising off at least one piece of targeted prostatic tissue using the incisional device, inserting a morcellation probe through the patient's urethra, morcellating the excised piece of targeted prostatic tissue with the morcellation probe, and aspirating the morcellated prostatic tissue through the morcellation probe and out of the patient.The morcellation probe of the present invention includes an elongated inner probe tube that defines an aspiration channel therein. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube. The outer probe tube has a first aperture with a first cutting edge for cutting tissue. The inner probe tube has a second aperture or a spiral shaped groove defining a second cutting edge that moves relative to the first cutting edge to cut tissue drawn through the first aperture.

Abstract: Multi-filar, open and closed coil, tubular medical stents that are introduced to a site in a body lumen and released to expand at the site to provide a passageway through the stent lumen are disclosed. Each stent filar is a coil wound in substantially the same pitch through the majority of its length between the ends thereof. The coils are attached together at least at one coil end to form an end of the stent and wound in an interleaved manner such that the adjacent coils are substantially evenly spaced apart or in close contact in the released state and do not cross over one another. In one open coil stent embodiment, both ends of each coil are attached in respective first and second common attachment junctions, and the resulting coils have relatively even predetermined spacing between adjacent coil turns through the majority of the length of the stent between the first and last coil turns when the stent is released.

Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive harvesting of a vessel, especially the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafting, are disclosed which facilitate a minimally invasive vessel harvesting procedure. Generally, an instrument is provided which facilitates introduction of vessel harvesting tools through a minimally invasive incision, and provides the capability to separate the vessel from surrounding tissue while minimizing trauma to the patient and preserving the patency of the vessel. The instrument includes a mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and may also include mechanisms for severing side branches from the vessel during the harvesting procedure. In one embodiment, an integrated vessel harvesting assembly is provided which may rotate around a vessel and provides a unitary mechanism for separating the vessel from surrounding tissue and for severing the side branches.

Abstract: A miniature articulating tip for an endoscopic instrument comprising a jaw with a curved slot through which two pivot lugs pass and are anchored in or integral to a fixed outer tip. The two pivot lugs guide the jaw over a path defined by the curved slot and provide stops at the ends of the curve.

Abstract: An integrated surgical tool system (30) for energizing different powered surgical handpieces (32, 33). Internal to each handpiece is a non-volatile memory (72) which stores data regarding the operating parameters of the handpiece. This data, includes information about the speeds at which any motor internal to the handpiece should be driven, the maximum current that should be drawn by the handpiece and the maximum internal temperature of the handpiece. The handpiece is plugged into a complementary control console (36). The control console reads the data in the internal memory. Based on the retrieved data and manual control signals, the control console supplies energization signals to the handpiece so as to cause the appropriate actuation of the handpiece.

Abstract: A transport and processing apparatus for a two-component material, in particular for bone cement, has a liquid component (1) and a powder component (2) which are separated by a membrane (3) and each occupy a transport chamber (4, 5) in a closeable container (6, 7) which has an expulsion piston (8) at one end and an opening (9) for the expulsion of mixed two-component material at the opposite end. The transport chamber (4) for the liquid component has a ring shape and a central aperture (34) for expelling the mixed two-component material through the aperture (34). The membrane is destroyed by a relative movement between the transport chamber for the liquid component (1) and a solid body (12, 17) enclosed in the container in order to effect a flow of the liquid component (1) into the transport chamber (5) for the powder component (2) and to enable the mixing with a mixing piston (11).

Abstract: A rotatable linkage for use in handling small objects at a distance, for example, in endoscopic surgery, by converting the longitudinal motion of a drive member to the opening and closing of jaws at the distal end of the drive member wherein the drive member is enclosed in an elongated housing on which the jaws are mounted which may be rotated relative to the drive member on a bearing by rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A double tapered esophageal dilator bougie is designed to be disposable after a single use, is radiopaque, and is tapered at both ends to different respective dilator circumferences. Each end of the dilator bougie tapers to two different French sizes available on each end, with one end of the dilator being smaller than the other end. The dilator bougies are produced in graduated sizes and can be packaged as a kit of five. Each bougie in the kit of five is made of a similar PVC material, but the durometer of the PVC decreases as the bougie size increases. This allows each bougie in the kit to have a similar flexibility despite differences in circumference. A central guide wire channel extends the length of each dilator bougie for optional use with a positional guide wire.

Abstract: The surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is disclosed. The disclosed methods include: 1) a technique of probe passage to avoid injuring the bladder and to provide a more accurate and reproducible capture of the pubocervical fascia lateral to the bladder neck and urethra, 2) anchor fixation of the suspending sutures to the pubic bone to decrease the risk of suture pull through from above and to decrease post-operative pain and 3) a simple and reproducible technique to set a limited tension of the suspending sutures. A description of these methods and results of procedures with some of these methods are disclosed. Novel drill guides, suture passers, suture tensioners, and various related tools and devices for use in the surgical method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent which minimizes or solves the problem of restenosis. The present stent is designed so as to have a cyclical change in diameter, the change in diameter corresponding to the changes in blood pressure caused by the cardiac cycle. The present stent is constructed through several structural members, each structural member interlocking in a fashion which permits the stent diameter to be altered from a first, diastolic diameter to a second, systolic diameter. This variable diameter is provided through a series of joints between the interlocking structural members. The joints may be provided in any acceptable manner, including an interlocking dog bone configuration, an interlocking elastic coupling, mating struts, as well as interlocking guides.

Abstract: A template for guiding the placement of a fixation device during a surgical procedure. The template comprises:(a) a body portion; and(b) at least one guide disposed in a predetermined spacial relationship to the body portion;wherein the template is configured such that at least a portion of the template may be aligned within the vagina of a patient such that the guide may be employed to direct the placement of a fixation device or other medical instrument through at least a portion of the tissue adjacent the vagina. A surgical method employing this template is also provided, along with an urethral sling used in conjunction with one embodiment of the template.

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 a single layer sheath retaining sleeve means for retaining the stent in its delivery configuration attached to a slipping sleeve means for releasing the stent to self-expand. A balloon may optionally be used to seat the stent in the vessel after self-expansion. The stent may also optionally be retained by water soluble or swelling bands.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device 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. An inner damping member surrounds at least a portion of the transmission component. The dampening member is adapted to contact the transmission component to dampen undesired vibration during ultrasonic transmission.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for interfering with the adhesion formation process. In some embodiments, the present invention makes use of intermittent blunt dissection of fibrin bridging adjacent tissues prior to the formation of adhesions. Dissection is generally provided by pulsing a balloon implanted between the tissues. Optionally, the balloon will comprise an elastic structure to disrupt the formation of fibrin between the balloon and the surrounding tissues. Alternatively, the balloon may be at least partially covered by a bio-active anti-adhesion material. In some embodiments, the anti-adhesion material forms an envelope which is left between the tissues when the balloon is removed.

Abstract: A cannula and method provide manually manipulable orientation of a dissection probe carried eccentricity on the cannula for rotational and translational positioning relative to the field of view of an endoscope at a distal end of the cannula. Rotation of the cannula at fixed axial position relative to the endoscope, and rotational and translational positioning of the dissection probe relative to the distal end of the cannula provide wide-area access within the surgical site for bluntly dissecting connective tissue surrounding a vessel of interest being harvested.

Abstract: A stent with axial flexibility, in a preferred embodiment, has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of longitudinally disposed bands, wherein each band defines a generally continuous wave along a line segment parallel to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of links maintains the bands in a tubular structure. In a further embodiment of the invention, each longitudinally disposed band of the stent is connected, at a plurality of periodic locations, by a short circumferential link to an adjacent band.

Abstract: The drainage catheter for continent urinary neo-bladders, is specific in all the cases to the reconstruction of the urinary bladder either when a tract of the intestine, or when a portion of the stomach is utilized after the surgical removal of the natural bladder. The catheter can be utilized either for orthotopic urinary neo-bladders (anastomosis to the urethra), or for neo-bladders with a stoma (anastomosis to the abdominal wall), and also in enlargement entero-cystoplasties, when the natural urinary bladder is enlarged utilizing different intestinal segments. The catheter is characterized by a wide draining surface for urine, having several holes, which plays a role in preventing dangerous inadvertent obstructions of neo-bladders in the post-operatory period, caused by the continuous formation of mucous clots, when the intestine has been utilized. This catheter also prevents and minimizes bleeding caused by acid secretions when a portion of the stomach has been utilized.

Abstract: A position signaling is usable in connection with an image guided surgery system. A plurality of infrared emitters are mounted on a reference object. The reference object is in turn attached to the rocker arm of a head clamp. The head clamp includes a frame and a first head engaging pin secured to one side of the frame. The rocker arm includes two head engaging pins and is movable in relation to the frame. The image guided surgery system uses the signals provided by the infrared emitters to determine and account for movement of the patient's head.