Abstract: A protective device for maintaining body temperature in a living being is provided. The inventive protective device comprises a first sheet member having a left portion and a right portion. The first sheet member has a left edge and a right edge. A first channel member defines structure defining a first channel. The first channel member defines structure which is secured to and overlies a first portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlies a first portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. A second channel defining structure defines a second channel, the second channel defining structure secured to and overlying a second portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlying a second portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. Each of the channels have a first side and an opposite side opposite the first side. A variable length member is disposed on and extends along the length of each of the channels.

Abstract: A protective device for maintaining body temperature in a living being is provided. The inventive protective device comprises a first sheet member having a left portion and a right portion. The first sheet member has a left edge and a right edge. A first channel member defines structure defining a first channel. The first channel member defines structure which is secured to and overlies a first portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlies a first portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. A second channel defining structure defines a second channel, the second channel defining structure secured to and overlying a second portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlying a second portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. Each of the channels have a first side and an opposite side opposite the first side. A variable length member is disposed on and extends along the length of each of the channels.

Abstract: A protective device for maintaining body temperature in a living being is provided. The inventive protective device comprises a first sheet member having a left portion and a right portion. The first sheet member has a left edge and a right edge. A first channel member defines structure defining a first channel. The first channel member defines structure which is secured to and overlies a first portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlies a first portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. A second channel defining structure defines a second channel, the second channel defining structure secured to and overlying a second portion of the left portion of the first sheet member and overlying a second portion of the right portion of the first sheet member. Each of the channels have a first side and an opposite side opposite the first side. A variable length member is disposed on and extends along the length of each of the channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An endo-vascular fastener applicator is provided for endo-luminal fastening a prosthetic to a vessel with a fastener. The applicator includes a tubular body that is configured for positioning within a vessel; an expandable portion disposed adjacent distal end of the tubular body, and deployed to support a prosthetic in contact with an inner surface of a vessel; and a drive assembly for advancing a fastener into the prosthetic. The applicator may include a control assembly; and a delivery tube that is disposed for movement within the tubular body, and which defines a channel for movement of the drive assembly therewithin. The delivery tube may include an applicator head having an injection mount that is disposed for movement relative to the prosthetic. A method for endo-luminal repairing a damaged portion of a vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An endo-vascular fastener applicator is provided for endo-luminal fastening of a prosthetic to a vessel with a fastener. The applicator includes a tubular body that is configured for positioning within a vessel, an expandable portion disposed adjacent the distal end of the tubular body and deployed to support a prosthetic in contact with an inner surface of a vessel, and a drive assembly for advancing a fastener into the prosthetic. A delivery tube may be included that is disposed for movement within the tubular body, and which defines a channel for movement of the drive assembly there within. The delivery tube may include an applicator head. The applicator head may include an injection mount that is disposed for movement relative to a prosthetic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A guide wire torque device has an elongate tubular body with interior long axial channel and a rotary clamp wheel for gripping and ungripping a guide wire extending through the channel. The clamp wheel is accommodated within an integral enlargement of the tubular body with a segment of the wheel surface extending through the surface of the enlargement for rotation by a user's thumb in order to grip and ungrip the guide wire for feeding, withdrawing or rotating the wire with respect to a catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractable blade. A surgical instrument is provided which in engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present application provides a surgical apparatus for forming a hole in a vessel comprising a housing, an elongated member extending from the housing, a penetrating tip having a cutting blade extending from the elongated member, and a hole cutter positioned proximally of the penetrating tip. The penetrating tip preferably includes a shield protecting the cutting blade, the shield being movable from a first position shielding the blade to a second position exposing the blade. The shield is preferably spring biased distally to the first position, is forced proximally by the vessel wall during penetration, and returns to the first position upon penetration through the wall. An actuator is moved from a first position to a second position to advance the annular cutter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Channel-bodied surgical needles and surgical incision members are disclosed having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional body portion and a penetrating tip portion formed on at least one end thereof. Preferably, penetrating tip portions are formed at both ends of the channel-bodied portion. The surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally includes apparatus engagement structure formed adjacent either end of the body portion and engagable with a suitable surgical suturing apparatus. The channel-bodied surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally include securement structure for attachment of a length of suture material thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for forming a channel-shaped body portion and the suture attachment structure. Additionally, methods for suturing tissue sections, particularly vascular tissue sections, with the channel-bodied surgical needle and the channel-bodied surgical incision members, are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Channel-bodied surgical needles and surgical incision members are disclosed having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional body portion and a penetrating tip portion formed on at least one end thereof. Preferably, penetrating tip portions are formed at both ends of the channel-bodied portion. The surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally includes apparatus engagement structure formed adjacent either end of the body portion and engagable with a suitable surgical suturing apparatus. The channel-bodied surgical needle and/or surgical incision member may additionally include securement structure for attachment of a length of suture material thereto. There is also disclosed apparatus for forming a channel-shaped body portion and the suture attachment structure. Additionally, methods for suturing tissue sections, particularly vascular tissue sections, with the channel-bodied surgical needle and the channel-bodied surgical incision members, are disclosed.

Abstract: The surgical suturing apparatus is configured to pass a surgical suturing needle having an associated length of suture material attached thereto between opposed pairs of jaws. The surgical suturing apparatus generally includes a housing having an elongated tubular portion extending distally therefrom. A pair of jaws extend distally from the elongated tubular portion and are each individually longitudinally movable with respect to the elongated tubular portion and with respect to each other. Each of the jaw structures includes a jaw and a securing mechanism for tightly holding the surgical needle within the jaw. Parts of the securing mechanism engaging the needle also move longitudinally with respect to the associated jaw and the elongated tubular portion. Various control structures are provided to advance the securing mechanism relative to its associated jaw to secure the surgical needle therein and to move the entire jaw structure longitudinally with respect to the suturing apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for aspiration, irrigation, and blowing gas adjacent a surgical site is provided. The instrument includes a handle portion and a cannula member extending distally from the handle portion. First and second connection ports are supported by the handle and are in fluid communication with the cannula member. An insertion port is also supported by the handle portion and is preferably axially aligned with the cannula member. A blow tube is removably positioned within the cannula member via the insertion port. The first and second connection ports are adapted to communicate with a source of irrigation fluid and a vacuum source and the blow tube is adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized gas such that irrigation fluid, aspiration, and/or pressurized gas can be selectively provided via the cannula member at the surgical site.

Abstract: A clamp applicator is disclosed having a housing, a clamp support member extending distally from the housing, an actuator assembly and a locking device. The actuator assembly is movable with respect to the clamp support member into engagement with a clamp supported at the distal end of the clamp support member to bias the clamp to an open position. A locking device is provided to retain the actuator assembly in a position to maintain the clamp in the open position.