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 adjac6ent band.

Abstract: According to the invention, a novelly improved ablation device includes releasably joinable drive and catheter assemblies. The drive assembly includes a tachometer assembly and a regulator for monitoring and controlling ablating burr speed. A bifurcated drive shaft includes a coiled distal portion and a tubular proximal portion for facilitating force transfer from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A dilating member is provided in addition to an ablating burr on the catheter assembly. The catheter tube may have multiple independent lumens having axes of elongation offset parallelly in the tube. Additionally, the ablating burr may be operatively connected to the catheter tube by drive gears or releasable threads. A radiopaque member is included on the distal end of the catheter tube, thereby rendering it visible to an observer. Novel, improved methods of ablating intravascular deposits are also provided.

Abstract: A uterine access catheter system comprises an inner catheter and a sleeve catheter slidably disposed over the inner catheter. The inner catheter is a balloon catheter having an elastomeric balloon near its distal end and suitable for performing hysterosalpingography procedures. The sleeve catheter includes an occluding member near its distal end, and the inner catheter and outer catheter may be used together to seal against and engage the cervix of a patient undergoing hysterosalpingography or other genealogical procedures. The sleeve catheter is locked to the inner catheter, typically relative by relative rotation of the two catheters. The occluding member may be detachable and reusable. Means may be provided for drawing a vacuum between the occluding member and the balloon to further engage the cervical os.

Abstract: A sheath defines a lumen. A mesh portion is coupled to the sheath and is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. An elongate member is disposed in the lumen and is operably attached to one of the mesh portion and the sheath such that longitudinal movement of the elongate member within the lumen causes movement of the mesh portion between the expanded position and the retracted position. The sheath and the mesh portion are introduced into the body along with an end effectuator. The mesh portion is moved to its expanded position to form an object supporting surface. The surface is used to support an object, such as a stone, during a medical treatment procedure using the end effectuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of a type for incising various types of material. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to tailor thermally induced tissue effects. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope or trocar sheath. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand held tongue cleaning device for applying the correct "downward" pressure on the tongue surface to release entrapped material without damaging the tongue. The device has a flat, curved cleaning element consisting of at least one blunted blade for cleaning the tongue on one end; and, a flat, curved handle on the other to form an elongated `S` profile. The curved blunted blade element is adapted for moving over the surface area of the tongue to dislodge the surface material from the tongue and withdraw the accumulated substance even from the back recesses of the mouth without injury to the tongue or triggering the "gag reflex".

Abstract: A multi-element occlusion device (10, 20, 30, 40) provides an improvement over existing systems by increasing the occupation of a vascular lumen. The device (10, 20, 30) comprises an anchoring element (12, 22, 32), a lead element (14, 24, 34) and at least one fiber (16, 26, 36) attaching said elements. The elements and fibers produce a cumulative occlusive effect greater than the sum of the individual elements. When placed in the blood stream, the anchoring element (12, 22, 32) lodges against the vessel wall and the lead element (14, 24, 34) is carried to a position distal thereto. In another embodiment, an "umbrella" of support members extend from the lead element. A fabric web extends between these support members. The umbrella intravascular device expands upon its exit from the catheter. The fabric web produces complete occlusion of the vessel without the need for thrombosis to form between the elements.

Abstract: A surgical forceps for use in clamping vascular tissue in a body cavity where the tissue being clamped may not be in full view of an operator. The forceps have jaws of uneven length with a projection on the longer jaw starting immediately at the end and extending above the shorter jaw when the forceps are closed. The shorter jaw closes adjacent the projection, with minimal space between, thus ensuring that a selected vascular tissue is contained between the jaws and the projection.

Abstract: A system for locally stabilizing an anastomotic site of a vessel of a beating heart during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The system includes bonding a pad to the myocardium and attaching a control arm to the pad, all by use of a bioabsorbable adhesive. The control arm is grasped and manipulated by a retractor thereby stabilizing the anastomotic area during the surgical procedure. The pad is optional and can be ommitted in one embodiment where the control arm has feet that are directly bonded to tissue. The pad may also have barbs or can include suction cups. The pad can include a helix-shaped fastener or a mechanical fastener that can be easily linked or hooked to a surgical instrument for manipulation.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes a handle with a proximal end and a distal end that defines a cavity with an open distal end within the handle. The handle further includes an opening. The scalpel of the invention has a cartridge removably mountable to the handle. The cartridge includes a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. The blade holder includes elements for removably mounting the cartridge to the handle. There is a blade fixedly attached to the blade holder so that the blade projects distally. The scalpel of has a shield mounted on the blade holder for slidable movement between a distal position wherein the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position wherein the shield is substantially within the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The shield has a latch for engaging the blade holder and releasably retaining the shield in both the distal position and the proximal position.

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: Apparatus and methods for performing surgery within a hollow-body organ are provided. A catheter is provided having a longitudinal axis and an end region carrying an end effector, the end region movable to a series of positions along the longitudinal axis and with an selectable orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The catheter includes elements for stabilizing the end region of the apparatus within a hollow-body organ, and for counteracting reaction forces developed during actuation of the end effector. The end effector provides for tissue cutting and aspiration of severed tissue from a treatment site.

Abstract: Dosing feeding teat intended to dispense to the suckling child small doses of food, medicines or mixtures of both, having a perforated nipple with conventional protection ring to which is added at the opposite extremity an extraction feeding bottle made of elastic material, to which is incorporated subsequently the protection ring, the latter being provided with a container for humidifying the nipple, with planar base, similar to that of the doser.

Abstract: The invention is devices and techniques which use a negative (suction) pressure or vacuum, applied through a surgical instrument, to fix the position of a portion of the surface of a beating heart so that a surgical procedure can be more easily performed. The devices apply a negative pressure at several points on the outer surface of the heart such that a portion of the heart is fixed in place by the suction imposed through the surgical instrument. Because the instrument fixes the position of the tissue, and because the instruments remain at a constant distance from the particular portion of the heart where the surgery is being performed, the device may also serve as a support or platform so that other surgical instruments or devices can be advantageously used at the site.

Abstract: An improved expandable removal element (16) for an atherectomy device wherein the expandable removal element (16) is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single drive shaft (92) is operatively connected to the distal end of the expandable material removal element (16) for rotating the removal element (16). A catheter (178) may surround a portion of the drive shaft (92). The catheter (178) is shiftable with respect to the drive shaft (92) for moving the material removal element between the expanded position and the contracted position. In another embodiment of the present invention, dual coaxial drive shafts are employed. The inner drive shaft (312) and the outer drive (314) are shiftable with respect to one another for moving the removal element (252) between the expanded position and the contracted position. The present invention also describes several embodiments for an improved removal element (252).

Abstract: A generator of ultrasonic signals for a transducer which incorporates at least a phase lock loop feedback system for purposes of maintaining the output frequency between first and second voltage values also incorporates supervisory control circuitry for monitoring whether or not the generator and the transducer continue to operate in a resonant condition. In the event that the generator and transducer fail to stay in a resonant condition, the supervisory circuitry will super-impose a control voltage on the phase lock loop feedback path for the purpose of restoring the generator and the transducer to a resonant condition. To reduce the time to return to resonance, a representation of the last resonant frequency can be stored by the supervisory circuitry. When a loss of resonance is detected, the prestored value can be retrieved and superimposed on the phase lock loop feedback circuit for purposes of more quickly restoring the generator and the transducer to resonance.

Abstract: A system and method removes material from the wall of a passage, such as a vein or artery, in a patient's body with a series of bristles that are rotated. The bristles are part of a sweep catheter having a proximal end and a distal end with a tip thereon. Bristles next to the tip extend out from the distal end a shorter distance than the bristles further from the tip. The bristles, which have smaller bristles or sub-bristles thereon, are inclined away from the tip as they extend out from the distal end of the sweep catheter. The bristles push removed materials away from the tip and towards a suction channel of a guide catheter whereby the materials are removed.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the appearance of a body area having wrinkles, blemishes or excess mass or having been disfigured by an injury such as a burn. A cosmetic mask having a specially sculpted body contacting surface adapted to treat a subject's distinctive bodily characteristics is formed by first forming a negative impression of the subject's targeted body area; filling the impression with a hardening material; when the hardening material has hardened, separating the impression from the hardening material, the hardening material being in the form of a mold reflecting a positive image of the body area; sculpting the mold to achieve a desired body contacting surface; and forming a mask from the mold. After the mask is formed it is applied to the body area for a time sufficient to enhance the appearance of the body area.

Abstract: A replaceable flexible protective cover for an infusion device formed from a transparent membrane adhesive on one side affixable to the skin of a person to surround at least a part of the infusion device, and the membrane includes a portion through which a portion of the device passes and grips the infusion device to assure stability as well as added waterproof characteristic to the cover.

Abstract: A new endocystotomy tool for suprapubic cystostomy has a rigid sound, said rigid sound having standard configuration such as a standard Van Buren urethral sound. Said rigid sound having a distal end, said distal end having a removable tip, said removable tip being rounded. A second embodiment of said new endocystotomy tool for suprapubic cystostomy has an extendable trocar slidably seated within the rigid sound. Said second embodiment of said new endocystotomy tool for suprapubic cystostomy having a proximate end thereof which is provided with an insufflation port and a spring loaded plunger, which spring loaded plunger activates said extendable trocar. Either a catheter, a sheath, or a cystoscope is passed inside the tip of the new endocystotomy tool and secured therein. Thus the catheter, sheath, or cystoscope easily slides through the abdominal wall and bladder, i.e., the diameter of the catheter, sheath, or the cystoscope being smaller than the diameter of the new endocystotomy tool.