Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a handheld tool (10) for installing or removing a railway track fastener (12) in the form of an e-clip. The handheld tool (10) generally comprises a drive assembly (24) including an actuator sub-assembly (26), and a driven assembly (28) including an actuated sub-assembly (30) operatively coupled to the actuator sub-assembly (26). The actuator sub-assembly (26) actuates by rotation under the influence of an impact wrench (not shown) effecting longitudinal movement of the driven assembly (28). The drive assembly (24) further includes a jaw member (36) mounted to a bracket (38) extending from an actuator housing (34) of the drive assembly (24). The driven assembly (28) includes an actuated housing (40) within which the actuated sub-assembly (30) is housed. The driven assembly (28) further includes an opposing jaw member (42) mounted to an opposing bracket (44) extending from the actuated housing (40).

Abstract: An exemplary system for delivering annuloplasty implants includes an elongated inner catheter assembly, a manifold attached to the proximal portion of the inner catheter, a steering knob assembly coupled to the manifold, a torquer control knob assembly coupled to the manifold, and a central lead extending from a proximal portion of the torquer control knob assembly to the distal portion of the inner catheter assembly. The manifold is configured to present a medial driver tube, a lateral driver tube, a medial lead, a lateral lead, a medial tether puller and a lateral tether puller to a surgeon. Additional annuloplasty implant instrumentation and methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A specimen collector for gathering tissue specimens includes a housing extending along a first axis between a first opening and a second opening to define a hollow interior. An inlet port and an outlet port are located axially between the first and second openings. A specimen tray defines a first specimen well and a second specimen well and is slideably disposed within the housing and axially slideable between a first position to dispose the first specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and a second position to dispose the second specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The specimen tray comprises a pair of tray components each defining a respective one of the first and second wells and jointly slideable. The pair of tray components are separable from one another and each individually removable from the housing.

Abstract: A control assembly for a catheter includes a housing extending along an axis between a proximal and distal housing end to define a housing compartment. A control case is disposed within the housing compartment, and a catheter shaft extends from the control case to a distal tip. The working component of the catheter includes at least one channel component extending from a static portion disposed in fixed and stationary relationship relative to the control case to a dynamic portion extending along and rotatable about the axis simultaneously with the catheter shaft. A lumen interruption mechanism is disposed in the control case and extends from a proximal mechanism end disposed in communication with the static portion of the channel component to a distal mechanism end disposed in communication with the dynamic portion of the channel component to transition the channel component between the static and dynamic portions.

Abstract: A gastrectomy device includes an elongated member defining a centerline that extends through proximal and distal ends thereof. A shape modification member coupled to the elongated member is movable relative to the centerline of the elongated member. The shape modification member is movable between a first state, adjacent to the elongated member, and a second state, spaced from the elongated member. The shape modification member conforms to a portion of a patient's stomach in the second state.

Abstract: A specimen collector for gathering tissue specimens includes a housing extending along a first axis between a first opening and a second opening to define a hollow interior. An inlet port and an outlet port are located axially between the first and second openings. A specimen tray defines a first specimen well and a second specimen well and is slideably disposed within the housing and axially slideable between a first position to dispose the first specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports and a second position to dispose the second specimen well in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The specimen tray comprises a pair of tray components each defining a respective one of the first and second wells and jointly slideable. The pair of tray components are separable from one another and each individually removable from the housing.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between proximal and distal tube ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the distal tube end, and a valve housing surrounds the tube and extends between proximal and distal valve housing ends. The valve housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the distal valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the flange to establish a closed condition of the medical valve assembly. The elastomeric seal axially moves one of the valve housing and the tube relative to the other when a medical device is inserted into the medical valve assembly to automatically increase the distance dimension and establish an open and sealed condition of the medical valve assembly with the inserted medical valve.

Abstract: A steerable shaft for an endoscope includes a plurality of shaft segments extending about an axis and positioned in axially end-to-end and pivotable relationship with one another between a first shaft end and a second shaft end. Each of the plurality of shaft segments define at least one wire lumen, with the wire lumens disposed in axially aligned relationship with one another in a neutral position of the steerable shaft. At least one control wire extends through the aligned wire lumens between t for pivoting the plurality of shaft segments relative to one another and moving the steerable shaft from the neutral position to a deflected position in response to tensioning of the control wire. At least one spine element is connected to the plurality of shaft elements for limiting the pivoting movement of the shaft segments and related movement of the steerable shaft to an articulation plane.

Abstract: A control handle includes a housing and at least one control wire that extends from the housing to terminate at a distal tip. A steering assembly is coupled with the at least one control wire for selectively tensioning the at least one control wire to effectuate movement of the distal tip. The steering assembly includes at least one cam that is rotatable about an axis and presents a winding surface that extends circumferentially. The at least one control wire is connected to the at least one cam. An actuator dial is rotatable about the axis and coupled with the at least one cam for rotatably driving the at least one cam from a neutral position to an actuated position to at least partially wind the control wire about the winding surface and to tension the at least one control wire for deflecting the distal tip.

Abstract: An expandable introducer assembly for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes an expandable sheath subassembly including a sheath hub and an expandable sheath extending from the sheath hub for initial insertion into the body vessel of the patient. The expandable introducer assembly also includes introducer subassembly including a hemostasis valve and an introducer sheath extending from the hemostasis valve and axial advanceable through the sheath hub and into the expandable sheath for radially expanding the body vessel. A coupler is releasably connected to the sheath hub and disposed in interlocked relationship with the hemostasis valve when the hemostasis valve is axially advanced with the introducer sheath towards the sheath hub for allowing serial retraction of the introducer sheath and the expandable sheath out of the body vessel of the patient.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly includes a dial rotatably connected to a handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis. A first gear arm extends from the dial and terminates at a first traction surface. A second gear arm is connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis that is parallel to the first rotary axis. The second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip that presents a second traction surface disposed against the first traction surface such that rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction. A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips and presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting a deflection wire during rotation of the dial to steer a distal end of a steerable catheter containing the deflection wire.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first and second tube end along an axis, and a plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end. A valve housing surrounds the tube and includes a radially inwardly extending flange. A compression member is biased against the plunger plate and compresses an elastomeric seal from a non-compressed condition to a compressed condition to establish a sealed condition of the medical valve assembly. An inner surface of the elastomeric seal in the non-compressed condition has a plurality of planar portions and a plurality of radiused portions, with adjacent planar portions interconnected with one of the radiused portions to improve a closure of the elastomeric seal during compression. The inner surface preferably includes three planar portions and three radiused portions to define a generally triangular-shaped inner surface as viewed in cross section in the non-compressed condition.

Abstract: An expandable introducer assembly includes a dilator subassembly extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The dilator subassembly includes a dilator having an insertion portion disposed adjacent the distal end, an expansion portion disposed adjacent the distal end, and a tapered transition portion disposed between the insertion and expansion portions. The dilator subassembly includes a distal sheath disposed in overlaying relationship with the insertion portion of the dilator. An introducer subassembly is disposed in coaxial relationship with the expansion portion of the dilator, and includes a valve disposed adjacent the proximal end and an introducer sheath extending from the valve in overlaying relationship with the expansion portion of the dilator.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly includes a dial rotatably connected to a handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis. A first gear arm extends from the dial and terminates at a first traction surface. A second gear arm is connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis that is parallel to the first rotary axis. The second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip that presents a second traction surface disposed against the first traction surface such that rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction. A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips and presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting a deflection wire during rotation of the dial to steer a distal end of a steerable catheter containing the deflection wire.

Abstract: A gastrectomy device includes an elongated member defining a centerline that extends through proximal and distal ends thereof. A shape modification member coupled to the elongated member is movable relative to the centerline of the elongated member. The shape modification member is movable between a first state, adjacent to the elongated member, and a second state, spaced from the elongated member. The shape modification member conforms to a portion of a patient's stomach in the second state.

Abstract: A gastrectomy device includes an elongated member defining a centerline that extends through proximal and distal ends thereof. A shape modification member coupled to the elongated member is movable relative to the centerline of the elongated member. The shape modification member is movable between a first state, adjacent to the elongated member, and a second state, spaced from the elongated member. The shape modification member conforms to a portion of a patient's stomach in the second state.

Abstract: An expandable introducer assembly for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes an expandable sheath subassembly including a sheath hub and an expandable sheath extending from the sheath hub for initial insertion into the body vessel of the patient. The expandable introducer assembly also includes introducer subassembly including a hemostasis valve and an introducer sheath extending from the hemostasis valve and axial advanceable through the sheath hub and into the expandable sheath for radially expanding the body vessel. A coupler is releasably connected to the sheath hub and disposed in interlocked relationship with the hemostasis valve when the hemostasis valve is axially advanced with the introducer sheath towards the sheath hub for allowing serial retraction of the introducer sheath and the expandable sheath out of the body vessel of the patient.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first tube end and a second tube end to define a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between the ends. A plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end of the tube, and a valve housing surrounds the tube about the second tube end and extends from a first valve housing end to a second valve housing end. The valve housing includes a housing flange extending radially inwardly from the second valve housing end and disposed in spaced relationship with the plunger plate to define a distance dimension D extending therebetween. An elastomeric seal is compressed between the plunger plate and the housing flange, and one of the valve housing and the tube is axially movable relative to the other to vary the distance between said plunger plate and said housing flange and adjust an inner diameter of the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A medical valve assembly includes a tube extending between a first and second tube end along an axis, and a plunger plate extends radially from the second tube end. A valve housing surrounds the tube and includes a radially inwardly extending flange. A compression member is biased against the plunger plate and compresses an elastomeric seal from a non-compressed condition to a compressed condition to establish a sealed condition of the medical valve assembly. An inner surface of the elastomeric seal in the non-compressed condition has a plurality of planar portions and a plurality of radiused portions, with adjacent planar portions interconnected with one of the radiused portions to improve a closure of the elastomeric seal during compression. The inner surface preferably includes three planar portions and three radiused portions to define a generally triangular-shaped inner surface as viewed in cross section in the non-compressed condition.