Abstract: Fastening devices are provided that are designed to effectively close tissue as well as instruments for applying the inventive fastening devices. The devices are useful for closing tissue such as mucosa in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, laryngeal surfaces, oronasopharynx, or other mucosal tissues. In particular, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), uvulopalatal flap (UPF) technique, and tonsillectomy can be assisted using the inventive system. Embodiments also provide methods of using the fastening devices and/or instruments, and kits including the fastening devices.

Abstract: A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting an implant of synthetic material or healthy bone or cartilage into a bone or cartilage defect of unknown depth. The device includes an inner shaft within a hollow outer shaft. One end of the inner shaft of the device is suitable for inserting into the bone or cartilage defect in order to determine the depth, while the other end of the outer shaft is suitable for holding an implant. The implant is cut to fit the defect once its depth has been determined and then inserted into the defect. A cutting device for cutting the implant is disclosed. Also disclosed is an implant capsule loader for inserting an implant into the delivery device.

Abstract: A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A method of making a cut in the nasal bone of a patient includes the steps of reciprocating a distal end of an osteotome via a powered surgical handpiece and moving the distal end of the osteotome, while it is being reciprocated, forwardly along the nasal bone of a patient in a predetermined path with a cutting edge of the osteotome in contact with the nasal bone to make a cut of desired length in the nasal bone along the predetermined path. The distal end of the osteotome may be moved so as to produce a straight cut and/or a curved cut in the nasal bone. The distal end of the osteotome may be reciprocated by converting rotary motion of the handpiece into reciprocating motion of the osteotome.

Abstract: A method of skin rejuvenation by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning an ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of the skin, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into the skin, focusing the ultrasound energy in the skin, ablating the skin with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area below the external surface of the skin containing unablated tissue of the skin and a plurality of lesions at which the tissue of the skin is ablated, and removing the ultrasound emitting member from adjacent the external surface of the skin. The lesions cause collagen production by the skin to be stimulated. The lesions can begin and end at predetermined depths beneath the external surface of the skin so that the epidermis and the deep layer of the dermis are not damaged.

Abstract: A surgical osteotome for being reciprocatively driven to cut anatomical tissue includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end presenting a cutting element. The cutting element comprises an upper part and a lower part, with the lower part having inwardly angled lateral surfaces merging at a cutting edge. The upper part forms a blunt tip disposed distally of the cutting edge. A handpiece adapter assembly includes the osteotome removably coupled to a handpiece adapter. The handpiece adapter includes a motion converting mechanism for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion of the osteotome. A powered surgical handpiece assembly includes the osteotome, the handpiece adapter and a powered surgical handpiece having a rotatable drive shaft.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A method of tongue reduction by thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound includes the steps of introducing an ultrasound emitting member in a patient's oral cavity, positioning the ultrasound emitting member adjacent an external surface of the tongue, emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitting member into tissue of the tongue, focusing the ultrasound energy within the tongue at a focusing zone contained in a target area disposed beneath the external surface, heating the tissue with the focused ultrasound energy such that the tissue at the target area is heated to an ablative temperature to form a lesion and withdrawing the ultrasound emitting member from the oral cavity. The lesion is allowed to be absorbed by the patient's body and/or to remain as altered tissue such that the tongue is reduced in size to correspondingly increase the size of the patient's airway and/or is stiffened to resist vibration.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece adapter for converting rotary motion of a powered surgical handpiece into reciprocating motion to drive a cutting member includes a rear drive shaft for being removably coupled to a rotatable drive shaft of the handpiece, a front drive shaft for being removably coupled to the cutting member and a motion converting mechanism causing reciprocation of the front drive shaft and, therefore, the cutting member coupled thereto, in response to rotation of the rear drive shaft by the drive shaft of the handpiece. A handpiece adapter assembly is formed by an adapter and a cutting member coupled thereto, and a powered surgical handpiece assembly is formed by an adapter, a cutting member coupled to the adapter and a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the adapter.

Abstract: A drill guide for positioning on a surface of a bone includes a projection for penetrating the bone, an abutment for engaging the surface of the bone to ensure penetration of the bone by the projection to a predetermined depth, less than the length of the projection, and a pair of guide passages having central longitudinal axes, respectively, converging at a predetermined point in the bone when the projection penetrates the bone to the predetermined depth. A kit for fixating soft tissue to bone includes a drill guide, a drill bit, a suture and a suture passer. The drill bit is insertable in a pair of guide passages of the drill guide to cut first and second passages converging in the bone to define a continuous tunnel. The suture passer has a portion for being introduced in the tunnel to engage the suture externally of the bone such that the suture is drawn through the tunnel when the suture passer is withdrawn therefrom.