Abstract: A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of an brush delivery catheter, and the brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and an brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form an brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles.

Abstract: A stent is provided which may be mechanically locked in an expanded diameter. The stent may have several locked diameters or may be locked at different diameters along the axial length of the stent.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a delivery apparatus for a self-expanding stent. The apparatus includes an outer sheath, which is an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends. The outer sheath is made from an outer polymeric layer, an inner polymeric layer, and a braided reinforcing layer between the inner and outer layers. The reinforcing layer is more rigid than the inner and outer layers. The apparatus further includes an inner shaft located coaxially within the outer sheath. The shaft has a distal end, extending distal to the distal end of the sheath, and a proximal end, extending proximal to the proximal end of the sheath. The shaft further includes a stop attached thereto. The stop is proximal to the distal end of the sheath. Lastly, the apparatus includes a self-expanding stent located within the sheath. The stent makes frictional contact with the inner layer of the sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deploying one or more stents within a body lumen comprises a catheter (such as a dilatation catheter) having a detachable proximal portion. Detaching the proximal portion from the catheter shaft allows a substantially tubular sheath to be slidably received over the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The tubular sheath has one or more substantially tubular stents positioned in a delivery configuration over a distal portion of the sheath. The sheath preferably has a proximal portion that is resistant to compressive forces, so that a user may advance the sheath along the catheter by pushing the sheath proximal end, thereby positioning the stent or stents at a desired deployment location within the body lumen. With the stents in position, the catheter proximal portion can be attached to the catheter shaft, and the stents can be deployed at the desired position.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery set is provided with a magnetic field source in the region of its mounting to a fluid flow control apparatus. The flow control apparatus includes a magnetic field sensitive switching component which detects the proper placement of the delivery set on the flow control apparatus and prevents operation of the fluid delivery system unless a set is in proper position.

Abstract: An improved laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling to a desired anatomical location and developing a surgical space is disclosed, including a tunneling member adapted to receive a laparoscope therein and an inflatable balloon secured on the tunneling member. The tunneling member has a passage extending between its open proximal and distal ends. A lip is integrally formed on the distal end to retain a laparoscope inserted into the passage, the lip having a substantially rounded and blunt distal edge. The lip defines a recessed or open center area in the distal opening, enhancing the field of view of the laparoscope therethrough. The balloon is formed from flexible, transparent material, and is rolled and secured to the tunneling member.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating scar tissue, wherein the scar tissue is covered with a masking element, and the masking element is pressed onto the scar tissue with an adjustable force by means of a pressure control unit and which is connected with inflatable or suction members in the masking element. The invention also relates to a device for treating scar tissue, consisting of a masking element which contacts the scar tissue, a supporting part which presses the masking element onto the tissue and means for adjusting the force with which the masking element is pressed onto the tissue. In another embodiment, the device is provided such that an active substance can be delivered in a controlled manner to the scar tissue through the inflatable or suction members in the masking element.

Abstract: Methods for folding a catheter mounted balloon, and delivery catheter systems which incorporate radially expandable intraluminal devices (e.g., stents, grafts and stented grafts) which are mounted on a balloon folded in accordance with this method. The method comprises generally folding the balloon at least twice, in opposite directions, so that any rotational forces created by the unfolding of the balloon as it is inflated will counteract each other, and will thus avoid substantial rotational movement of the intraluminal device during its radial expansion.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communications bus and a user interface connected to the data communications bus. The user interface provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of operating parameters of the microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules are also connected to the data communications bus. The data communications bus provides communication of data representative of the operating parameters between the user interface and the surgical modules.

Abstract: An endoscopic biopsy forceps instrument includes a distal jaws assembly detachable from a proximal handle assembly. The proximal handle assembly includes a centrally slotted shaft and a spool having a laterally seated cross block which passes through the central slot. The distal jaws assembly includes jaws mounted on a clevis at the distal end of a coil and coupled to a pull wire which extends through the coil to its proximal end. The proximal end of the coil is provided with a connecting sleeve provided with a frustoconical portion having double-helical threads for removably coupling the coil to a shaft having a distal frustoconical portion having double-helical threads. The proximal end of the pull wire is provided with a grooved mating member and the spool is provided with a locking assembly having a spring-biased push button latch for releasably engaging the grooved mating member.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for cutting joint tissue includes an outer tubular member, or cannula, sized for percutaneous insertion into an anatomical space, such as s joint space in the spine. The outer tubular member has a cutting opening at its blunt-tipped distal end. The proximal end is supported by a handpiece. A cutting member is slidably disposed within the outer tubular member and includes a tubular cutting head portion defining an end opening and a cutting edge at the end opening. In the specific embodiment, the cutting member is a tubular tubular member having a cutting head portion at its distal end and a body portion extending therefrom to the handpiece. A hinge is integrally formed in the tubular cannula to connect the cutting head portion with said body portion, to permit pivoting of the cutting head portion relative to the body portion. As the cutting member is reciprocated within the outer cannula, the cutting edge contacts tissue drawn into the cutting opening.

Abstract: A coring device for coring body tissue to define reproducible patent channels in the body tissue is provided. The coring device utilizes a coring member that is rotatable and linearly advanceable at coordinated predetermined rates to core body tissue. The device can include a suction assembly suitable for use during biopsy procedures and a cautery assembly to cauterize the cored body tissue. The coring member can also be oscillated along its longitudinal axis to effect cauterization and/or coring. The coring device is particularly suited for Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a blunt end assembly including a catheter and a blunt end member. The blunt end member includes jaw sections which have a first closed position for locating the blunt end member at the site of the occlusion within the native lumen of the blood vessel and a second open position wherein the jaw sections are able to press against the interior walls of the lumen adjacent the occlusion. The assembly includes an actuation member for moving the jaw sections from the closed to the open positions repeatedly resulting in a fracturing of the occlusion. A guide wire may be thread through an internal opening in the catheter and the blunt end member and after fracturing, across the occlusion.

Abstract: An intravascular medical catheter and method of manufacturing a medical catheter are provided herein. The medical catheter includes a guidewire shaft, a sleeve, and a balloon. The sleeve is attached to the guidewire shaft while a distal tail of the balloon is thermally bonded to the sleeve. Because of the sleeve, the distal tail of the balloon can be thermally bonded even if the guidewire shaft is made of a material which is thermally incompatible with the balloon. Thus, for example, a medical catheter can be made with an HDPE guidewire shaft and a balloon made of PEBA, PET, Polyurethane, or Nylon. The resulting medical catheter has a catheter tip which is durable, flexible, and has a relatively low profile for good tracking in the body vessel and good lesion crossing.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device for macerating a thrombus in a living being. The device includes an elongated main body defining a lumen. The elongated main body includes a sleeve component, also defining the lumen, and a mandril component positioned within the sleeve lumen. The elongated main body terminates at a distal end in one or more expandable rib elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery to create transmural channels in tissue, for example, as in transmyocardial revascularization, are provided using apparatus including a single-use handpiece having a mechanical cutting head and means for stabilizing the cutting head in contact with the tissue. The handpiece is coupled by a disposable cable to a controller that houses a vacuum pump and mechanisms for driving the cutting head. The cutting head is adapted to cooperate with the vacuum pump to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery and deployment of devices having abrading portions within a patient's lumen. A lumen in a flexible catheter that extends proximally from a distal end of the catheter receives the device in a compact form. At least one impervious segment positioned in the lumen overlies the abrading portions of the device to shield and buffer the surface of the lumen from the abrading portions. The segment is of a relatively short length so that the catheter remains relatively flexible therealong to enable relative ease in the transit of the catheter through the patient's lumen to a delivery site. Additional segments may be disposed in the catheter distally of the segment or the segment may move with the device to the distal end to buffer the walls of the catheter during the deployment of the device. Additional segments mate with the segment so that engaged ones of the segments are relatively radial deflectable.

Abstract: A device and method are set forth for performing hair grafts which includes a housing, plunger with a needle, and a carriage containing an inventory of hair grafts to be placed. The plunger is placed at an extended position where the needle extends from the catheter and the needle and catheter are inserted into the tissue. The plunger and needle are withdrawn and the carriage is indexed to position a graft. The plunger is moved to urge the graft from the carriage through the catheter into the tissue for transplantation.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle that has a proximal end, a open distal end and sidewalls that define an upwardly open cavity with a bottom with an open void therein. The sidewalls each have an elongate channel therein. The scalpel of the invention includes a cartridge that is removably retained within the cavity. The cartridge includes a shield. The cartridge has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end mounted within the shield for slidable movement between a proximal and a distal position. There is a latch on the blade holder for engaging the handle and the shield to retain releasably the blade holder in the distal position and the proximal position. The scalpel has a blade fixedly attached to the blade holder so that when the blade holder is in the distal position, the blade projects distally from the handle. When the blade holder is in the proximal position, the blade is within the shield and the handle and thus substantially protected from inadvertent exposure.