Abstract: A medical device has a base having an internally tapered wall mounted to a neck of a tube holder that has a reverse taper, so that rotation of the base relative to the neck may be effected with a controlled drag to provide a smooth and secure relative rotation. The base may be rotated relative to the holder by rotationally moving a needle protection housing hingedly attached to the base. The housing may be rotated to any orientation relative to the tube holder so long as a torsional force greater than the predetermined friction between the tapered surfaces is applied thereto. The base is designed to have a ring at its base that biases against the base of the neck in a self-adjustable manner. Other devices may also be fitted with reverse tapered complementary connection fittings to securely couple to each other.

Abstract: A medical device has a base having an internally tapered wall mounted to a neck of a tube holder that has a reverse taper, so that rotation of the base relative to the neck may be effected with a controlled drag to provide a smooth and secure relative rotation. The base may be rotated relative to the holder by rotationally moving a needle protection housing hingedly attached to the base. The housing may be rotated to any orientation relative to the tube holder so long as a torsional force greater than the predetermined friction between the tapered surfaces is applied thereto. The base is designed to have a ring at its base that biases against the base of the neck in a self-adjustable manner. Other devices may also be fitted with reverse tapered complementary connection fittings to securely couple to each other.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device may include a first portion having proximal and distal ends, a second portion having proximal and distal ends, and a grasping portion. The second portion may surround at least a portion of the first portion. The grasping portion may be movable between retracted and extended configurations. The grasping portion may include a proximal end, a free distal end, and a plurality of grasping members. Each grasping member may include a plurality of grasping elements extending between the proximal and free distal ends of the grasping portion. At least one of the grasping elements may be connected to the distal end of the first portion and extend to the free end, and at least one other grasping element may be connected to the distal end of the second portion and extend to the free end. Relative movement between the first and second portions may cause the grasping portion to move between the retracted and extended configurations.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle and a hollow sheath extending forward from the handle. A slide is attached to the handle for longitudinal movement along a path between a rearward location and a forward location. A rotary actuator having an axis of rotation generally transverse to the path of movement of the slide is mounted to the slide for rotational movement with respect thereto. A basket having at least three legs is located at a forward end of the sheath. Two adjacent basket legs are connected to a first side of the rotary actuator, and the remaining basket legs are connected to the opposite side of the rotary actuator such that rotation of the rotary actuator displaces the two legs in a first direction with respect to the sheath and displaces the remainder of the legs in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle, two gear racks movably mounted to the handle for longitudinal movement, and a pinion rotatably mounted to the handle so as to engage the two gear racks. Rotation of the pinion moves the gear racks in opposite directions. A basket has at least three legs, an adjacent two of the legs being connected to one of the gear racks, and the remainder of the legs being connected to the other gear rack such that rotation of the pinion displaces the two legs in a first direction and displaces the remainder of the legs in a second direction. Thus rotation of the pinion articulates the basket.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a handle and a hollow sheath extending forward from the handle. A slide is attached to the handle for longitudinal movement along a path between a rearward location and a forward location. A rotary actuator having an axis of rotation generally transverse to the path of movement of the slide is mounted to the slide for rotational movement with respect thereto. A basket having at least three legs is located at a forward end of the sheath. Two adjacent basket legs are connected to a first side of the rotary actuator, and the remaining basket legs are connected to the opposite side of the rotary actuator such that rotation of the rotary actuator displaces the two legs in a first direction with respect to the sheath and displaces the remainder of the legs in a direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A port assembly adapted for insertion into the tissue of a patient during laparoscopic or endoscopic surgery wherein the port assembly includes an access port having a plurality of openings therein to allow for the insertion of multiple surgical instruments therethrough while maintaining a barrier to the flow of gas from the body cavity of the patient to the atmosphere. The access port is positioned in the housing of the port assembly and preferably includes two or more circular or semi-circularly shaped openings therein and a sealing member associated therewith to allow for the independent movement of the instruments therethrough.

Abstract: Grasping devices and articles exhibit enhanced gripping or holding power to a variety of surfaces, including surfaces that are slippery or otherwise difficult to hold. The invention involves in some aspects the discovery and use of gripping materials that have the unexpected enhanced capability to provide enhanced holding power to a variety of surfaces, including surfaces that are wet, slippery or otherwise potentially difficult to manipulate effectively, or surfaces on which it may be difficult to maintain an effective grip or traction. The gripping material is smooth and has a relative surface area roughness of between about 1.03 and about 10.5.

Abstract: A releasably locking dilator/sheath medical introducer device is provided having a dilator with a non-circular cross-sectional shape to enable insertion of a catheter, guide wire and the like into a patient. More particularly, the invention provides an introducer device that has dilator with a non-circular cross-sectional shape, particularly a substantially oval cross-sectional shape, and that comprises a releasable lock for the dilator and the circumscribing sheath components of the device. In preferred embodiments, the introducer device also includes a visual indicator and/or a tactile indicator to conveniently inform a user of the device whether the dilator/sheath assembly is in a locked or unlocked position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical grasper device that comprises a generally elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end. First and second grasping elements are preferably releasably attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively. The grasping elements are positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping a targeted surface such as living tissue between the elements. A gripping material at least partially covers or is otherwise incorporated into the surface of one or both of the grasping elements. The gripping material provides enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the grasping elements in the absence of the gripping material.

Abstract: An improved and simplified catheter construction is provided to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The catheter(s) includes an elongate flexible relatively torsionally rigid core wire attached securely at each of the proximal and distal ends of the catheter. The core wire adds sufficient torsional rigidity to the catheter to enhance the steerability of the catheter when the catheter is manipulated from its proximal end by the physician. The catheter avoids the need for incorporating helically braided tubes in the wall of the catheter. The invention may be used to make a catheter having a reduced outer diameter or an increased inner luminal diameter.

Abstract: An improved and simplified catheter construction is provided to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The catheter(s) includes an elongate flexible relatively torsionally rigid core wire attached securely at each of the proximal and distal ends of the catheter. The core wire adds sufficient torsional rigidity to the catheter to enhance the steerability of the catheter when the catheter is manipulated from its proximal end by the physician. The catheter avoids the need for incorporating helically braided tubes in the wall of the catheter. The invention may be used to make a catheter having a reduced outer diameter or an increased inner luminal diameter.