Abstract: A system is provided for joining two tubular structures by a surgical stapling procedure. The system includes a series of sizers, a specifically designed graft, a loading unit, a wand, a tourniquet, and a stapling instrument. As a result, a plurality of staples may be simultaneously deployed quickly and accurately in a circumferential pattern so as to join together two tubular structures. The system may be used in either an open surgical procedure or laparascopically.

Abstract: A system is provided for joining two tubular structures by a surgical stapling procedure. The system includes a series of sizers, a specifically designed graft, a loading unit, a wand, a tourniquet, and a stapling instrument. The sizers are for determining the diameter of a target aorta and the availability of a sufficient transected aortic length to perform a stapling procedure. The loading unit holds the graft in position in the body and deploys a circumferential line of staples through the graft and an overlapping end of the aorta. The graft includes a side port by which the loading unit holds the graft during the stapling procedure, and which may be closed once the stapling procedure has been completed. The wand may be used to introduce the loading unit and graft into the body, to position them within the transected aorta, and to hold them in place during the application of the tourniquet.

Abstract: A system is provided for joining two tubular structures by a surgical stapling procedure. The system includes a series of sizers, a specifically designed graft, a loading unit, a wand, a tourniquet, and a stapling instrument. The sizers are for determining the diameter of a target aorta and the availability of a sufficient transected aortic length to perform a stapling procedure. The loading unit holds the graft in position in the body and deploys a circumferential line of staples through the graft and an overlapping end of the aorta. The graft includes a side port by which the loading unit holds the graft during the stapling procedure, and which may be closed once the stapling procedure has been completed. The wand may be used to introduce the loading unit and graft into the body, to position them within the transected aorta, and to hold them in place during the application of the tourniquet.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be inserted into a medical instrument for treating patients with radioactive seeds. The cartridge includes a rotating internal barrel that is loaded with a plurality of seeds, where the internal barrel has a plurality of conduits for accepting the seeds. As the internal barrel rotates, a seed from one of the conduits is deposited into a shuttle, and then the shuttle is fully extended so as to provide the seed to the medical instrument. The shuttle is then retracted, and the barrel is rotated to the next conduit, so as to receive a seed from that next conduit. The cartridge includes a first shield and a second shield, each having slots where the slots of the first and second shields are aligned in a first verification or calibration mode, and where the slots are not aligned in a normal, seed depositing mode. The second shield also includes a plurality of numeric indicators that indicate a current number of seeds remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a distal frame portion that accepts a needle cam. The needle cam has helical slots for accepting a collar, whereby the collar rides up and down the needle cam, to thereby cause the needle cam to rotate. Spin movement of the needle is caused by movement of the collar, to thereby achieve a proper seed implantation during a medical procedure by having the needle spin between seed implant locations.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a drive train assembly that causes precise index movement of the medical instrument, based on an operator-selected indexing amount resulting from actuation of a pitch adjustment knob on the medical instrument. The drive train assembly also causes a stylet to move distally within the outer housing of the medical instrument, to thereby push a seed from an extended shuttle of a seed cartridge located within the medical instrument, to a distal end of a needle cannula that is coupled to a distal end of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument provides for precise indexing in order to implant seeds into seed implant locations within a patient. The medical instrument is affixed to a targeting fixture, and upon operator actuation of a trigger, is automatically indexed from one seed implant location to a next seed implant location.

Abstract: A targeting fixture allows for x-y-z movement of a targeting fixture with respect to a grid template. The targeting fixture includes a sheath unit, which accepts a seed implanting device. The sheath unit is maintained at a fixed relation with respect to the grid template.

Abstract: A grid sheath that holds a medical instrument in place in order to insert treatment seeds into a patient. The grid sheath includes a sheath unit in which the medical instrument is fitted therein, whereby the medical instrument is capable of sliding movement within the sheath unit. The grid sheath also includes at least one plate support rod, which is preferably adjustable and that is integral with a distal end of the sheath unit. The grid sheath further includes a push plate, that is integral with a distal end of the plate support rod. When the medical instrument is placed in position with respect to a grid template, the medical instrument is engaged with a needle in a hole of the grid template, and the push plate rests against a distal surface of the grid template.

Abstract: A targeting fixture allows for x-y movement of a targeting fixture with respect to a grid template. The targeting fixture includes a cradle unit, which accepts a seed implanting device. The cradle unit is hingedly connected to a housing surrounding the grid template. The housing is capable of x-y movement by actuation of x-y knobs provided on the housing.

Abstract: A grid sheath that holds a medical instrument in place in order to insert treatment seeds into a patient. The grid sheath includes a sheath unit in which the medical instrument is fitted therein, whereby the medical instrument is capable of sliding movement within the sheath unit. The grid sheath also includes at least one plate support rod, which is preferably adjustable and that is integral with a distal end of the sheath unit. The grid sheath further includes a push plate, that is integral with a distal end of the plate support rod. When the medical instrument is placed in position with respect to a grid template, the medical instrument is engaged with a needle in a hole of the grid template, and the push plate rests against a distal surface of the grid template.

Abstract: A targeting fixture allows for x-y movement of a targeting fixture with respect to a grid template. The targeting fixture includes a cradle unit, which accepts a seed implanting device. The cradle unit is hingedly connected to a housing surrounding the grid template. The housing is capable of x-y movement by actuation of x-y knobs provided on the housing.

Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be inserted into a medical instrument for treating patients with radioactive seeds. The cartridge includes a rotating internal barrel that is loaded with a plurality of seeds, where the internal barrel has a plurality of conduits for accepting the seeds. As the internal barrel rotates, a seed from one of the conduits is deposited into a shuttle, and then the shuttle is fully extended so as to provide the seed to the medical instrument. The shuttle is then retracted, and the barrel is rotated to the next conduit, so as to receive a seed from that next conduit. The cartridge includes a first shield and a second shield, each having slots where the slots of the first and second shields are aligned in a first verification or calibration mode, and where the slots are not aligned in a normal, seed depositing mode. The second shield also includes a plurality of numeric indicators that indicate a current number of seeds remaining in the cartridge.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a distal frame portion that accepts a needle cam. The needle cam has helical slots for accepting a collar, whereby the collar rides up and down the needle cam, to thereby cause the needle cam to rotate. Spin movement of the needle is caused by movement of the collar, to thereby achieve a proper seed implantation during a medical procedure by having the needle spin between seed implant locations.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a drive train assembly that causes precise index movement of the medical instrument, based on an operator-selected indexing amount resulting from actuation of a pitch adjustment knob on the medical instrument. The drive train assembly also causes a stylet to move distally within the outer housing of the medical instrument, to thereby push a seed from an extended shuttle of a seed cartridge located within the medical instrument, to a distal end of a needle cannula that is coupled to a distal end of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument provides for precise indexing in order to implant seeds into seed implant locations within a patient. The medical instrument is affixed to a targeting fixture, and upon operator actuation of a trigger, is automatically indexed from one seed implant location to a next seed implant location.

Abstract: A targeting fixture allows for x-y-z movement of a targeting fixture with respect to a grid template. The targeting fixture includes a sheath unit, which accepts a seed implanting device. The sheath unit is maintained at a fixed relation with respect to the grid template.

Abstract: A medication delivery pen having a repeat-dose feature that limits motion of the dose control mechanism using an adjustable repeat-dose stop on the dose knob. In addition, the medication delivery pen also provides the user a simple mechanism for setting and correcting the dose and a drive mechanism that makes the dispensing operation as easy as possible requiring as little force as necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a syringe pump with a plunger, an electronic control element which releases at least one electric charge at predetermined time intervals, a shape memory element with a contractible length decreasing from an uncharged length to a charged length, and a driving mechanism connected to both the shape memory element and the plunger so that the change in length of the shape memory element causes the driving mechanism to provide an activating force to move the plunger and force the expulsion of the fluid from the syringe pump's chamber. As the apparatus according to the present invention can be manufactured as a disposable unit, the problems associated with reusable syringe pumps are avoided.