Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: An articulating working channel system for use with a plurality of flexible tools which are adapted to be interleaved in a single surgical procedure, comprising: a working channel subassembly including a hollow flexible shaft; and a surgical tool subassembly including the flexible tool, wherein the flexible tool includes a flexible tube which is adapted to be inserted into the flexible shaft and wherein the flexible shaft is adapted to be articulated and the flexible tube is adapted to be passively articulated therewith.

Abstract: An articulating working channel system for use with a plurality of flexible tools which are adapted to be interleaved in a single surgical procedure, comprising: a working channel subassembly including a hollow flexible shaft; and a surgical tool subassembly including the flexible tool, wherein the flexible tool includes a flexible tube which is adapted to be inserted into the flexible shaft and wherein the flexible shaft is adapted to be articulated and the flexible tube is adapted to be passively articulated therewith.

Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical device including: a body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a body longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; the body including: an elongated sheath arranged along a sheath longitudinal axis, the sheath including: a sheath flexible portion; and a lumen running longitudinally through the sheath; an elongated spine arranged along a spine longitudinal axis, the spine connected to the sheath, the spine including a spine joint; wherein the spine is rigid in a direction of elongation of the spine; wherein the sheath longitudinal axis and the spine longitudinal axis are aligned, for at least a portion of a sheath longitudinal length, wherein the flexible portion axially overlaps with the spine joint, bending the spine joint thereby bending the flexible portion.

Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: An articulating working channel system for use with a plurality of flexible tools which are adapted to be interleaved in a single surgical procedure, comprising: a working channel subassembly including a hollow flexible shaft; and a surgical tool subassembly including the flexible tool, wherein the flexible tool includes a flexible tube which is adapted to be inserted into the flexible shaft and wherein the flexible shaft is adapted to be articulated and the flexible tube is adapted to be passively articulated therewith.

Abstract: A bone drill guiding device including a drill entry part comprising a cannula having a distal end portion and sized to receive a bone drill, a drill exit part comprising a fixation tip portion and a coupling that rigidly couples the drill entry part and the drill exit part so that longitudinal axes of the cannula distal portion and the fixation tip portion are arranged on a single mutual axis. In some embodiments, the coupling is a linear sliding coupling that parallels the single mutual axis.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism and method for attaching or coupling a guide wire to a catheter for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The attachment mechanism generates friction forces against the guide wire to couple the guide wire to a catheter, which design permits a greater force to be used on the guide wire during a re-canalization procedure. The invention also encompasses use of the attachment mechanism in conjunction with active catheters, which have vibration-generating means to oscillate the distal end of the catheter or a component in the distal end of the catheter, to add vibration motion, preferably axial vibration motion, to the increased force that may be applied to the guide wire for purposes of penetrating an occlusion. The methods of the invention relate to methods of attaching the guide wire to the catheter and methods of treating a vessel having a partial or total occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is disclosed. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for both cardiovascular as well as peripheral vessels, use hydraulic pressure to drive a vibratable member, and the system includes a control unit to permit the frequency or amplitude of oscillation of the vibratable member to be adjusted to suit the morphology or hardness of the target occlusion. Also disclosed is a method for adjusting the force of vibration.

Abstract: Device and method for enabling independent tuning of frequency and amplitude of a reverse crankshaft motor. The reverse crankshaft motor provides periodic reciprocating motion based on periodic rotational motion from a rotational motor. The reverse crankshaft motor includes a crankshaft structure having first and second frames with a third axle arranged between them and connected to them by hinges. An amplituder is affixed to the third axle and may communicate with an external device. As the first and second frames move toward or apart from each other, the third axle moves radially toward or away from a central axis of the crankshaft structure. The position of the third axle determines the amplitude of the periodic reciprocating motion of the amplituder. By adjusting the position of the first and second frames, the operator may adjust the amplitude independently from the frequency of the periodic rotational motion supplied by the rotational motor.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism and method for attaching or coupling a guide wire to a catheter for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The attachment mechanism generates friction forces against the guide wire to couple the guide wire to a catheter, which design permits a greater force to be used on the guide wire during a re-canalization procedure. The invention also encompasses use of the attachment mechanism in conjunction with active catheters, which have vibration-generating means to oscillate the distal end of the catheter or a component in the distal end of the catheter, to add vibration motion, preferably axial vibration motion, to the increased force that may be applied to the guide wire for purposes of penetrating an occlusion. The methods of the invention relate to methods of attaching the guide wire to the catheter and methods of treating a vessel having a partial or total occlusion.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism and method for attaching or coupling a guide wire to a catheter for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The attachment mechanism generates friction forces against the guide wire to couple the guide wire to a catheter, which design permits a greater force to be used on the guide wire during a re-canalization procedure. The invention also encompasses use of the attachment mechanism in conjunction with active catheters, which have vibration-generating means to oscillate the distal end of the catheter or a component in the distal end of the catheter, to add vibration motion, preferably axial vibration motion, to the increased force that may be applied to the guide wire for purposes of penetrating an occlusion. The methods of the invention relate to methods of attaching the guide wire to the catheter and methods of treating a vessel having a partial or total occlusion.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism and method for attaching or coupling a guide wire to a catheter for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The attachment mechanism generates friction forces against the guide wire to couple the guide wire to a catheter, which design permits a greater force to be used on the guide wire during a re-canalization procedure. The invention also encompasses use of the attachment mechanism in conjunction with active catheters, which have vibration-generating means to oscillate the distal end of the catheter or a component in the distal end of the catheter, to add vibration motion, preferably axial vibration motion, to the increased force that may be applied to the guide wire for purposes of penetrating an occlusion. The methods of the invention relate to methods of attaching the guide wire to the catheter and methods of treating a vessel having a partial or total occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for cardiovascular and peripheral vessels, use a pulling member and a spring element, for example a compression spring, to oscillate a distal component disposed at a distal end of the spring element. The apparatus further includes a sleeve covering the spring element and at least a portion of the distal component. The sleeve may reduce friction between the spring element and the vessel lumen as the spring element vibrates during operation of the apparatus. The sleeve may also serve to protect or seal the spring element from blood and/or plaque debris that is loosened from an occlusion during a re-canalization procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for both cardiovascular as well as peripheral vessels, use a pulling member and a spring element, for example a compression spring, to oscillate a vibratable member, and the system of the invention includes the apparatus and a control unit to permit the frequency or amplitude of oscillation of the vibratable member to be adjusted. Also provided is a method for oscillating a vibratable member using a pulling member and a spring element. The apparatus and system are useful not only for penetrating a total or partial occlusion, but also to improve deliverability of a catheter through a partially occluded vessel or a tortuous vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for cardiovascular and peripheral vessels, use a pulling member and a spring member, for example a compression spring, to oscillate a drilling component. The drilling component at the distal end of the catheter tip has combined longitudinal stiffness for penetrating a total or partial occlusion and high axial (lateral) flexibility to improve deliverability and crossability of a catheter through a partially occluded vessel or a tortuous vessel, and may taper distally. The system of the invention includes the apparatus and a control unit to permit adjustment of the frequency or amplitude of oscillation of the drilling component. Also provided is a method for oscillating a drilling component using a pulling member and a spring member and a method of traversing an occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for both cardiovascular as well as peripheral vessels, use a pulling member and a spring element, for example a compression spring, to oscillate a vibratable member, and the system of the invention includes the apparatus and a control unit to permit the frequency or amplitude of oscillation of the vibratable member to be adjusted. Also provided is a method for oscillating a vibratable member using a pulling member and a spring element. The apparatus and system are useful not only for penetrating a total or partial occlusion, but also to improve deliverability of a catheter through a partially occluded vessel or a tortuous vessel.