Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for endoscopically harvesting an elongate structure such as a blood vessel or nerve from a patient's body. A harvesting head defines a channel for receiving a blood vessel or the like and an outer surface for dissecting and retracting connective tissue surrounding a vessel received in the channel. The head may have a substantially ovate shape and may depend from an extended handle. The head has at least one slot that extends between the outer surface and channel for receiving side branches of the vessel. The slot contains a blade for cutting the side branches and electrocauterizing plates for sealing the cut ends of the side branches. An opening may be provided for application of a ligation device to the side branch. The apparatus may be inserted into an incision in a patient's body and advanced along the length of a vessel to endoscopically dissect, ligate and transect the side branches to harvest the main trunk of the vessel to support subsequent surgical procedures.

Abstract: A fastener for securing an osteosynthesis plate to a plurality of bone segments is provided. The fastener in the form of a fastener blank includes an elongated shank adapted for insertion through an opening in the plate and into a hole formed in the bone. The upper end of the shank forms a head that serves to secure the plate to the bone. The elongated shank is constructed of a material which when heated will deform to form a tight fit within the hole drilled in the bone. The fastener is preferably made of a resorbable material. The invention also provides a method for securing a plate to a bone using the fasteners of the invention. A fastener blank is positioned into the hole so that a portion of the blank extends into the hole provided in the bone and another portion overlies the plate. The blank is heated to raise the temperature of the blank above the transition temperature of the material from which it is made and deform the blank into a tight fit within the hole.

Abstract: A novel system and method for anchoring a suture or other cord-like element to a bone or other workpiece. The system comprises a drill for forming an undercut hole in a bone or other workpiece, an anchor for securing a suture or other cord-like element in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece, and an inserter for deploying the anchor in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece.

Abstract: A novel system and method for anchoring a suture or other cord-like element to a bone or other workpiece. The system comprises a drill for forming an undercut hole in a bone or other workpiece, an anchor for securing a suture or other cord-like element in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece, and an inserter for deploying the anchor in the undercut hole in the bone or other workpiece.

Abstract: A method for removing a vessel from a patient's body comprises the steps of identifying the vessel to be removing and providing an incision in the patient's body near the identified vessel. An optical dissector is inserted through the incision and tissue is optically dissected away from the surface of the vessel with the optical dissector. The optical dissector is then withdrawn from the body through the incision. An optical retractor is inserted into the body through the incision and is used to retract the dissected tissue away from the surface of the vessel thereby providing space between the dissected vessel and the retracted tissue. The vessel and its side branches are then dissected, ligated and transected and the vessel is then removed from the body through the incision.