Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating the implantation of a medical device through an incision so as to promote soft tissue ingrowth into a biocompatible porous layer, e. g, titanium, carried on the periphery of the medical device. The method utilizes an incision (either percutaneous or subcutaneous) which is intentionally undersized by 10-20% relative to the width dimension of the porous layer. Accordingly, a physician must stretch the surrounding tissue to maximize the size of the opening to insert the device. Because the opening is undersized relative to the porous layer, the surrounding tissue remains physically stressed, i.e., radially and/or circumferentially, and acts to enhance cell proliferation and healing. A surgical cutting tool is preferably provided to assist the physician to form a properly dimensioned opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating the management of indwelling conduits to avoid and/or treat infections associated with long term implantation. A sleeve carrying a layer of porous material on its outer surface is percutaneous implanted to place the layer of porous material just under the patient's outer skin in contact with the patient's dermis where it functions to promote soft tissue ingrowth. A catheter passes through the sleeve passageway and along an interior body path to an interior destination site, e.g., an opening into a vein, i.e., venotomy site. Within about 3-6 weeks after implantation, the patient's dermal tissue integrates sufficiently with the sleeve porous material to physically anchor the sleeve and create an infection resistant barrier. Further, a tunnel, characterized by an epithelialized capsule, typically forms around the catheter along the interior body path extending to the interior destination site.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

Abstract: An apparatus for removal of premixed drugs or reconstitution of lyophilized drugs and for the injection of the reconstituted drug into the patient. The apparatus includes a syringe assembly and an adapter assembly that can be removably connected to a medicament container containing a premixed drug or lyophilized medicament. The syringe assembly of the apparatus includes a body portion to form a liquid chamber between the forward end of the body portion and the piston and a syringe cannula assembly. The syringe cannula assembly, which can be removably interconnected with the body portion, comprises a cannula support and a hypodermic needle sealably connected to the cannula support. The adapter assembly comprises an adapter preferably molded from a moldable plastic that includes a top wall, an adapter cannula connected to and extending from the top wall and a variety of connectors connected to the top wall for removably interconnecting the adapter with the medicament container.

Abstract: A cycling, suturing and knot-tying device is characterized by an arcuate fixed, grooved or recessed way provided in a correspondingly shaped support frame for accommodating a curved needle fitted with thread, and frictional needle-engaging devices provided in the way for selectively engaging the needle and driving the needle in one or both rotational directions to suture a wound with the thread. Selective articulation of the frame and the way and driving of the needle in the way by positioning the frictional needle-engaging devices with respect to the needle are typically effected by manipulation of a pistol-grip operating apparatus having a transmission tube that mounts the frame and the way in articulating relationship and rotates and articulates with respect to the pistol grip and carries various operating elements that interface with the frictional needle-engaging devices in the way.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand-held radiation device for treating bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections found on the skin of a patient and in various of the body's anatomical orifices. The device of the invention is particularly effective in treating Methicillin resistant staphlococcus aureus (MRSA) colonies in the nose and on the skin surface of a patient. The device includes a reusable UV light source and a UV-transparent disposable cover for covering the probe portion of the reusable UV light source. The device further includes a combination probe cover ejector and disabling assembly for safely ejecting the probe cover after use without the necessity of the operator touching the contaminated probe cover and for disabling the device if the cover is not in place over the probe.

Abstract: A cycling suturing and knot-tying device is characterized by an arcuate fixed, grooved or recessed way provided in a correspondingly-shaped support frame for accommodating a curved needle fitted with thread, and frictional needle-engaging devices provided in the way for selectively engaging the needle and driving the needle in one or both rotational directions to suture a wound with the thread. Selective articulation of the frame and the way and driving of the needle in the way by positioning the frictional needle-engaging devices with respect to the needle are typically effected by manipulation of a pistol-grip operating apparatus having a transmission tube that mounts the frame and the way in articulating relationship and rotates and articulates with respect to the pistol grip and carries various operating elements that interface with the frictional needle-engaging devices in the way.

Abstract: Integrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Abstract: Integrated system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purpose. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Abstract: Integrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other sturctures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.

Abstract: Integrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Abstract: Integrated system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for retracting, lifting, compressing, supporting or repositioning tissues, organs, anatomical structures, grafts or other structures within the body of human or animal subjects for the purpose of treating a diseases or disorders and/or for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes and/or for research and development purposes or other purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved anesthesia manifold and an improved induction valve mechanism. A plurality of induction valve elements may be joined or “ganged” together in order to define a manifold. In the preferred embodiment of the induction manifold, at least two individual valve elements are combined to form the manifold. Each of the plurality of valve elements includes the following components: (1) a valve body; (2) a first inlet port carried by the valve body and defining at least in part a central fluid communication flow path for supplying intravenous fluid to patient; and (3) a second inlet port carried said valve body and at least in part defining an anesthesia drug inlet.

Abstract: Integrated systems and associated methods for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchoring devices for such purposes.