Abstract: A method for detaching, removing or otherwise disrupting bacteria or biofilm by applying with pressure an antimicrobial wash. The antimicrobial wash contains a biguanide compound or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A surgical method of removing tissue of a patient includes grasping a surgical cutting instrument. The instrument includes an outer blade including a tubular body, an end cap, and a cutting window defined by an edge on at least the end cap, and an inner blade including a cutting tip, the inner blade co-axially disposed within the outer blade, the cutting tip including a cutting edge extending toward the end cap of the outer blade, wherein the cutting tip is rotatably exposed at the cutting window. The method further includes positioning the cutting window and cutting tip to a target site, supplying fluid through an irrigation pathway to the cutting window and the target site, rotating the cutting tip of the inner blade to selectively cut the tissue, and aspirating fluid and cut tissue.

Abstract: Chronic wounds may be treated by debriding necrotic and other devitalized tissue from the wound, and applying to the wound an extracellular polymeric substance solvating system comprising a metal ion sequestering agent, surfactant and buffering agent. The solvating system disrupts biofilms which may be present in the wound and aids or enables the resumption of normal healing.

Abstract: Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A manual decorticating implement is coupled to the outer tubular member and defining a scraping surface. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making flexible bioresorbable foam having hemostatic properties and a preselectable in-vivo residence time. A blend of crosslinked collagen blended and a hyaluronic acid component is prepared. The blend is mixed with water to form a suspension. The blend is freezed and lyophilized at less than about 0° C. Next, the blend is crosslinked. The product is then sterilized and chain scission is performed by bombardment with gamma rays or a beam of electrons.

Abstract: A cutting device for use with a powered surgical tool includes an outer blade and an inner blade. The outer blade includes a tubular body, an end cap, and a cutting window defined by a beveled edge on the tubular body and the end cap. The inner blade includes a cutting tip. The inner blade co-axially disposed within the outer blade such that the cutting tip is rotatably exposed at the cutting window. The cutting tip has castellations extending toward the end cap of the outer blade and opposing teeth extending radially toward one another across an opening of the cutting tip.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a dry, free-flowing, sterilized mixture of chitosan particles and oxidized polysaccharide particles in sealed packaging. The mixture may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.

Abstract: Implants are placed in turbinate mucosal tissue using a surgical device having a proximal grip portion and a distal hollow sharp needle portion that is manipulated using the grip portion and inserted submucosally into mucosal turbinate tissue. One or more biodegradable, drug-eluting solid implants are disposed within the needle. The implants have one or more implant withdrawal-discouraging, mucosal tissue-engaging surface features along their length. An actuator disposed within the device is used to deliver one or more of the implants from the needle into the mucosal turbinate tissue and submucosally bury at least one such tissue-engaging feature therein.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a hydrated composition made from free-flowing substantially collagen-free rehydratable polysaccharide particles and rehydratable polysaccharide sponges. Rehydration of the particles without clumping may be carried out be dispersing the particles in a biocompatible water-miscible polar dispersant such as ethanol and combining the dispersion with sufficient aqueous solvent for the particles to convert them to a cohesive hydrogel. The hydrated composition may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

Abstract: A purified and sterilized polysaccharide that exhibits enhanced and extended shelf life over conventionally prepared polysaccharides for biomedical applications. The polysaccharide, upon crosslinking, forms a hydrogel that functions as a protective coating or on tissue and structures in the ears, nose, throat, limbs and spinal column.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: A surgical method of removing tissue of a patient includes grasping a surgical cutting instrument. The instrument includes an outer blade including a tubular body, an end cap, and a cutting window defined by an edge on at least the end cap, and an inner blade including a cutting tip, the inner blade co-axially disposed within the outer blade, the cutting tip including a cutting edge extending toward the end cap of the outer blade, wherein the cutting tip is rotatably exposed at the cutting window. The method further includes positioning the cutting window and cutting tip to a target site, supplying fluid through an irrigation pathway to the cutting window and the target site, rotating the cutting tip of the inner blade to selectively cut the tissue, and aspirating fluid and cut tissue.

Abstract: A cutting device for use with a powered surgical tool includes an outer blade and an inner blade. The outer blade includes a tubular body, an end cap, and a cutting window defined by a beveled edge on the tubular body and the end cap. The inner blade includes a cutting tip. The inner blade co-axially disposed within the outer blade such that the cutting tip is rotatably exposed at the cutting window. The cutting tip has castellations extending toward the end cap of the outer blade and opposing teeth extending radially toward one another across an opening of the cutting tip.

Abstract: An inflation device useful for inflating a balloon provided with a surgical instrument, such as a balloon sinus dilation instrument. The inflation device includes a syringe, a connector, and mechanical pressure indicator. The syringe includes a plunger slidably disposed within a barrel. The connector is configured to fluidly connect an outlet of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon in establishing a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and is configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the inflation device is characterized by the absence of a pressure gauge.

Abstract: A method for detaching, removing or otherwise disrupting bacteria or biofilm by applying with pressure an antimicrobial wash. The antimicrobial wash contains a biguanide compound or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric medical sealant for use in mammals other than humans. The medical sealant is useful for application to the tonsils, adenoids or paranasal sinus, wherein the sealant performs at least one of the following functions, a) inhibit the colonization of bacteria, b) inhibit the binding of bacteria to tissue, c) reduction of tissue morbidity, d) hemostasis, e) coating and protection of tissue during healing, f) promotion of healing, and g) reduction of pain.

Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a hydrated composition made from free-flowing rehydratable particles or a rehydratable sponge comprising substantially collagen-free dehydrothermally crosslinked thiolated polysaccharide. Rehydration of crosslinked or uncrosslinked polysaccharide particles may be carried out without clumping by dispersing the particles in a biocompatible water-miscible polar dispersant such as ethanol and combining the dispersion with sufficient aqueous solvent for the particles to convert them to a cohesive hydrogel. The hydrated particles or sponge may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymeric medical sealant. The medical sealant is useful for application to the tonsils and adenoids, wherein the sealant performs at least one of the following functions, a) inhibit the colonization of bacteria, b) inhibit the binding of bacteria to tissue, c) reduction of tissue morbidity, d) hemostasis, e) coating and protection of tissue during healing. f) promotion of healing, and g) reduction of pain.