Abstract: An amputation system includes a cutting element having a cutting blade traversing a V-shape. The V-shape has a vertex and an angle in a range of 90-120°. A rod, rigidly coupled to the cutting element, has its longitudinal axis aligned with the vertex so it bisects the angle of the V-shape. A barrel having a bore receives at least a portion of the rod therein wherein the rod's outboard end resides in the bore. An energetic energy source, positioned in the bore adjacent to the rod's outboard end, generates a pressure force that is incident on the rod's outboard end. The pressure force is one that peaks within 0.5 milliseconds to propel the rod from the bore at a velocity in a range of 300 to 1000 feet per second.

Abstract: A controller (10) for manually controlling a guidewire (50) includes a housing (100) including a passage (112) for receiving the guidewire. A gripper (140) is actuatable to grasp the guidewire (50) in the passage (112). A cap (200) is connected to the housing (100). The cap (200) is rotatable relative to the housing (100) to actuate the gripper (140). The housing (100) includes an element (160) for maintaining the cap (200) in a receiving position. The cap (200) when in the receiving position places the controller (10) in a condition for receiving the guidewire (50).

Abstract: A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire system includes a tubular member which at least partially encloses a core wire. A first or distal gripper is connected with a handle to grip a proximal end portion of the tubular member. A second or proximal gripper is disposed in the handle and grips a proximal end portion of the core wire. A first or distal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to rotate the core wire relative to the outer tubular member. A second or proximal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to move the first or distal motor longitudinally relative to the handle to thereby move the core wire longitudinally relative to the outer tubular member. The second or proximal motor is disposed in a coaxial relationship with the first or distal motor. Rotational and/or longitudinally directed forces may be manually applied to the handle to move the tubular member and core wire relative to a patient's body.

Abstract: A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.

Abstract: A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.

Abstract: A controller (10) for manually controlling a guidewire (50) includes a housing (100) including a passage (112) for receiving the guidewire. A gripper (140) is actuatable to grasp the guidewire (50) in the passage (112). A cap (200) is connected to the housing (100). The cap (200) is rotatable relative to the housing (100) to actuate the gripper (140). The housing (100) includes an element (160) for maintaining the cap (200) in a receiving position. The cap (200) when in the receiving position places the controller (10) in a condition for receiving the guidewire (50).

Abstract: A vascular guidewire system includes a tubular member which at least partially encloses a core wire. A first or distal gripper is connected with a handle to grip a proximal end portion of the tubular member. A second or proximal gripper is disposed in the handle and grips a proximal end portion of the core wire. A first or distal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to rotate the core wire relative to the outer tubular member. A second or proximal motor is disposed in the handle and is operable to move the first or distal motor longitudinally relative to the handle to thereby move the core wire longitudinally relative to the outer tubular member. The second or proximal motor is disposed in a coaxial relationship with the first or distal motor. Rotational and/or longitudinally directed forces may be manually applied to the handle to move the tubular member and core wire relative to a patient's body.

Abstract: A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collett or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits, among other advantages, ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.