Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.

Abstract: A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element.

Abstract: A method of implanting an injection port using the step of providing an injection port having a housing having a body, a fluid reservoir, a needle penetrable septum, and at least one stabilizing element mounted to the housing comprising a member having an undeployed position and a deployed position, wherein the stability element extends radially from the body. The method further involves the step of creating a surgical incision through the skin and subcutaneous fat layers of the patient to expose the fascia, and placing the injection port between the subcutaneous fat layer and the fascia tissue. The method even further involves the step of deploying the stability element.

Abstract: An implantable surgical injection port including a housing having a body, a closed distal end, a open proximal end and a fluid reservoir therebetween. The housing includes a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening. The injection port further includes at least one stabilizing element mounted to the housing for stabilizing the port within tissue. The stabilizing element is a member having an undeployed position and a deployed position. Wherein the element extends radially from the body in the deployed position.

Abstract: An overhead door bracket for attachment of the main arm of an overhead door opener to a metal overhead door for the purpose of opening and closing the door. The inventive bracket has a relatively wide mounting plate which spans the distance between the portions of the sheet metal doors having existing reinforcing backing strips for mounting of the hinges connecting the metal panels of the door. The inventive bracket has conventional connecting tabs spaced and extending outward to receive the lower end of the main arm of an opening system. The tabs have pin receiver bores for pivotally securing the main arm to the bracket by means of a pin. The bracket mounting plate has three spaced rows of mounting holes for mounting the bracket to the upper panel of a hinged door panel, the mounting holes being proximate the respective ends of the bracket.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 120, 300) and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope (22), are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopaedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope, are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopaedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in the performance of minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, including apparatus and methods for use in the performance of such procedures under the visualization of an endoscope, are herein disclosed. Such procedures include a minimally invasive intramedullary nailing procedure, a minimally invasive bone graft harvesting procedure, a minimally invasive pelvic osteotomy procedure, an orthopaedic implant revision procedure, and a minimally invasive percutaneous bone plating procedure.

Abstract: A method for implementing vascular anastomosis in the attachment of a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery, and subsequently creating a passageway between the vessels in order to establish fluid flow communication therebetween. Further is to the provision of novel devices which are utilized in implementing the steps of attaching a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery through vascular anastomosis, and thereafter creating a fluid flow passageway therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is a medical device for use on a bodily organ of a patient. The medical device includes a concave support element that is removably attachable to the surface of the bodily organ, thereby defining an enclosed space adjacent to the bodily organ. The enclosed space is fluidly connected to a fluid management system for circulating a fluid inside of the enclosed space. The medical device also has an energy transfer element mounted to the concave support element and electrically connected to a control unit. In some embodiments, the energy transfer element transmits intense ultrasound energy in a frequency range of 1-30 megahertz, and the fluid acoustically couples the energy transfer element to the bodily organ, and the fluid also cools the energy transfer element.

Abstract: An injection port for subcutaneous placement within a body. The injection port includes an elongated flexible substantially non-rigid body having first and second ends and a wall therebetween. The wall is made from one or more materials such that it will self seal after being punctured by a needle. The body of the device further includs and a fluid reservoir surrounded by the wall. Lastly, the injection port includes a flexible elongated tubular catheter attached to the body which is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for subcutaneously implanting an injection port for use with an implantable medical device. The method involves providing an injection port comprising an elongated flexible substantially non-rigid body having first and second ends and a wall therebetween, the wall is such that it will self seal after being punctured, the body further including and a fluid reservoir surrounded by the wall and a flexible elongated tubular catheter attached to the body which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. Thereafter, the method involves creating an incision within the patient, accessing the subcutaneous fat layer of the patient through the incision, creating a space in the subcutaneous fat layer and implanting the injection port within the subcutaneous fat layer such that the port can be found externally by palpitation.

Abstract: A display device is described which indicates the number of heatings performed, especially for the purpose of autoclave sterilization. The display device comprises a temperature-sensitive mechanical element which essentially reversibly transforms from a first spatial state to a second spatial state when the temperature-sensitive mechanical element is heated in excess of a predetermined temperature. The temperature-sensitive mechanical element is coupled to the actuating element of a counter mechanism and upon the transformation to the second spatial state effects movement of the actuating element into an actuation position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for clamping and cutting during surgical procedures, particularly for use with tissues of varying thicknesses. The instrument in a preferred embodiment compresses tissue between electrodes associated with jaws of the clamping device and applies electrosurgical energy to the tissue. The invention provides an expandable cutting element which is adapted to compensate for various thicknesses in tissue and contractible by providing a knife which can be contained within the jaws and expand as needed for thicker tissues. The cutting element is preferably actuated as or after the electrosurgical energy has been applied, to cut tissue engaged and treated by the jaw members.

Abstract: An endoscopic gripper consists of a guide tube with an operating device arranged at the proximal end and a pair of gripper jaws located at the distal end, which pair of gripper jaws are connected to each other by joint means in such a way that an opening and closing of the gripper jaws via tension or pressure means is made possible. Each of the gripper jaws is formed from segments and the segments are linked together by joints in such a way that a swivelling of the individual segments among each other between an unfolded position guaranteeing the operability of the gripper and a folded-together position is made possible. The segments are unfoldable by another tension means or by a pressure means after the positioning of the gripper at the surgical object.

Abstract: The rod system consists of an outer guide tube in which there is arranged an inner sliding sleeve, displaceable coaxially to the outer guide tube, in which are located an elongated support rod fixed relative to the outer guide tube an elongated slide displaceable on the support rod. The holding and shaping mechanism comprised by sliding sleeve, support rod and slide, project from the distal end of the outer guide tube in a manner guaranteeing the holding and shaping function of the clip or staple applying apparatus. After the distal end of the slide, designed as a tip, has struck the anvil, it displaces the sliding sleeve in the same direction beyond the distal end of the support rod and of the slide. The sliding sleeve and the slide return to the starting position in the proximal direction upon release of the actuating lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a staple for surgical purposes, made from bendable wire-like material. According to the invention, a staple is so designed that the base is shaped bent backwards from its tissue fastening surface, starting from its center section, on both sides, opposite to the direction of the legs, so far that the ends of the base touch or come close to each other, the base and legs thereby forming an essentially .OMEGA.-shaped contour. The bent-back configuration effects a substantial reduction in the width of the staple when it is pushed forward through the trocar cannula, so that endoscopically larger staples than usual can be set with a suitable fastening mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscopic inspection closure is described which has a guide device preventing the puncture incision created by a trocar obturator and cannula from closing and a closure device which fits within the guide device. The closure device is removable after the initial endoscopic operation, for observation of healing and introduction of endoscopic surgical instruments.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is provided which employs a highly pressurized gas as its source of energy. The highly pressurized gas is conducted to means for indicating the presence of the pressurized gas and to a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator controllably develops gas pressurized to a desired operating pressure. The pressure regulator supplies gas at a fixed or variable pressure to a tissue clamping mechanism and to the trigger mechanism of the instrument. In response to actuation of the trigger mechanism gas at the desired stapling pressure is supplied to a stapling mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, pressurized gas is maintained at the stapling mechanism until the trigger mechanism is reset for a subsequent stapling procedure.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is provided having safety and sequencing features to mandate proper operation of the instrument during surgical clamping and stapling of tissue. The instrument is powered by pressurized gas, and includes a manual control for supplying gas to a clamping mechanism in the stapler head and a trigger for actuating a stapling mechanism therein. The instrument prevents actuation of the trigger until the tissue has been clamped. The trigger may not be actuated to implant staples until a trigger safety has been actuated. Following actuation of the stapling mechanism, the instrument is either automatically reset to its initial condition, or may require manual control by the user to restore the clamping and stapling mechanisms to their initial conditions. The instrument affords correct sequencing of operation and prevents inadvertent stapling.