Abstract: A spinal implant including a hollow, generally tubular shell having an exterior lateral surface, a leading end, and a trailing end. The shell has a helical thread projecting from its exterior surface. The thread includes a plurality of pillars. Each pillar has a height of 100-4500 microns and a lateral dimension at the widest point of 100-4500 microns. The exterior surface has a plurality of holes therethrough to permit bone growth therethrough. The spinal implant may alternatively have a plurality of pillars projecting from its exterior surface in a regular, non-helical array.

Abstract: An implant is provided with an open-celled silicone elastomer foam outer layer. The implant may be formed by compressively deforming beads mixed with liquid elastomer in a mold containing a preformed support structure. The elastomer is cured and the beads dissolved out. Infusion and sensor catheters covered with the foam provide improved transport rates and faster response.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an implantable subcutaneous access device for performing an endoscopic operative procedure, and the method of using the subcutaneous access device. The subcutaneous access device is comprised of a portal sleeve, the portal sleeve preferably being angulated to provide an angulated port of entry for a surgical device through cutaneous layers of the body. A subcutaneous flange is connected to the portal sleeve in order to secure the subcutaneous access device under the cutaneous layer. An access flange which may function as a surgical mat is also connected to the portal sleeve. The method of using the subcutaneous access device consists of forming a transdermal incision, inserting the subcutaneous access device into and through the incision, and inserting and manipulating a surgical device through the port of entry to thereby perform a surgical procedure.

Abstract: An implant is provided with an open-celled silicone elastomer foam outer layer. The implant may be formed by compressively deforming beads mixed with liquid elastomer in a mold containing a preformed support structure. The elastomer is cured and the beads dissolved out. Infusion and sensor catheters covered with the foam provide improved transport rates and faster response.

Abstract: An implant is provided with an open-celled silicone elastomer foam outer layer. The implant may be formed by compressively deforming beads mixed with liquid elastomer in a mold containing a preformed support structure. The elastomer is cured and the beads dissolved out. Infusion and sensor catheters covered with the foam provide improved transport rates and faster response.

Abstract: A gastric access device having an external bolster and a tubular body. The tubular body has an integral bolster portion at one end and an integral dilator portion at an opposite end. An incision extending from an external body surface to an internal body cavity is formed and the gastric access device is inserted through the incision such that the bolster portion is in contact with an inner body surface surrounding the internal body cavity, the tubular body lies within and projects outwardly from the incision, and the dilator portion is on the outside or exterior of the body. The external bolster is slid or pushed down over the dilator portion and the projecting portion of the tubular body and into contact with the external surface of the body. The projecting portion of the tubular body is clamped and subsequently severed to disconnect the dilator portion from the tubular body.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use in initial placement of a gastrostomy device in a patient includes an obturator, a cannula and an outer flexible tubular member. A pointed end of the obturator and an adjacent dilator cooperate to incise a tract through the abdominal and stomach walls of the patient. The obturator is removed, leaving the cannula and outer tubular member in place. A deformable section of the flexible tubular member is expanded by movement of the cannula. The outwardly deformed section is then pulled up against the inner wall of the stomach wherein the thickness of the stomach and abdominal walls can be measured by use of visible scale indicia carried on the external surface of the flexible tubular member. Subsequent to the noted measurement, a guidewire or pull wire is passed through a lumen provided by the cannula. The guidewire is used for placing a gastrostomy device of suitable size in the incised tract.

Abstract: A measuring device and method for determining the length of an incised tract or passage into which gastrostomy appliance is about to be installed. A trocar needle is used to incise a tract or passage extending from the outside surface of a patient's skin into the stomach through the abdominal and stomach walls. The measuring device is positioned in the patient's stomach via a previously endoscopically installed guidewire extending through the patient's mouth, down the esophagus and through the incision. The device is pushed along the guidewire outwardly through the incision until a distal end of the device containing scale indicia is visible. A stop on the device engages the inner wall of the patient's stomach to limit outward movement of the device through the incision, so as to establish an inner stomach wall reference point for the scale indicia.

Abstract: A drug diffusion polymer system for the sustained release of drugs includes a composition comprising a polymeric matrix containing a uniform dispersion of a matrix expander and a drug. The matrix expander and drug are each present in the form of solid particulate. Upon exposure to body fluid or water, the matrix expander swells to cause the ingress of fluid into the polymeric matrix for solubilizing and diffusing the drug. Devices may incorporate such drug diffusion compositions as a coating or as a primary material of construction. Such devices may be formed by molding the compositions at room or elevated temperatures depending on the polymer used.

Abstract: An implant is provided with an open-celled silicone elastomer foam outer layer. The implant may be formed by compressively deforming beads mixed with liquid elastomer in a mold containing a preformed support structure. The elastomer is cured and the beads dissolved out. Infusion and sensor catheters covered with the foam provide improved transport rates and faster response.

Abstract: A mammary implant is disclosed. Extending from the outer surface of the mammary implant are a plurality of projections of specific combinations of height and width dimensions selected from the group of (1) approximately 750 microns high and approximately 250 microns wide and (2) approximately 1600 microns high and approximately 800 microns wide. Preferred edge to edge spacing distances between adjacent projections and center-to-center spacings between adjacent projections are also disclosed. The projections are thickened near the base.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed. The device has a plurality of fin projections extending from the outer surface of the device, forming a textured exterior surface over at least a portion of the device. Each fin projection has a length substantially greater than its width, the fin projections being arrayed in a basket weave-like, herringbone-like, or other suitable pattern to create a sinuous path for collagen formation around the implanted device. Uses include as a prosthesis, mammary implant, drug mass transport device, and sensor device.

Abstract: A tissue expander is disclosed. Extending from the outer surface of the tissue expander are a plurality of projections of specific combinations of height and width dimensions selected from the groups consisting of (1) approximately 750 microns high and approximately 250 microns wide and (2) approximately 1,600 microns high and approximately 800 microns wide. Preferred edge-to-edge spacing distance between adjacent projection and center-to-center spacings between adjacent projections are also disclosed. A method of expanding tissue utilizing the disclosed tissue expander is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low profile or skin level gastrostomy device for initial endoscopic placement in an incision provided through the stomach and abdominal walls of a patient has a collapsed resilient end portion packaged and compressed within a shroud that allows the end portion of the device positioned within the stomach to easily pass from the inner to the outer end of the incision. The shroud is pulled or pushed outwardly through the incision until the device is properly positioned therein. Subsequent to device placement, the shroud is removed and discarded, allowing the now external end portion of the device to expand to its normal position so as to engage the outer surface of the abdominal wall to maintain the device in position. Such a gastrostomy device package and method of placement avoid the need for establishing a fistulas stoma tract before placement of a low profile gastrostomy device, as is the usual case.

Abstract: A pair of biopsy forceps for capturing, by remote operation, a sample of tissue from an internal location in a patient. The device includes a flexible sheath with a control wire extending therethrough, a pair of jaws movable by the control wire to capture a sample of tissue, and a manual operating means connected at the outer end of the sheath for extending and retracting the control wire. The jaws are mounted at the ends of tongs pivotally mounted in an end housing for movement between open and closed positions. The control wire is connected to lever arms at the rearward end of the tongs by means of two cable lengths connected between the wire and the rearward ends of the lever arms in such a way as to form an effective extension of the respective lever arm.

Abstract: A fluid injection device for an intravenous delivery system that has an access port for insertion of liquid medication. The access port is sealed with a resilient, compressible closure element adapted to be forced into the port into a sealing condition. The closure element has a preformed central passage formed therein and is adapted to have a normal uncompressed condition and a sealing condition wherein the element is pressed into the access port to compress it sufficiently to close the passage. An elongated, hollow injection probe is used to penetrate the closure element through the preformed passage. The injection probe has a relatively blunt forward end so that when the probe penetrates the seal element, fluid to be administered may be delivered to the sterile interior through the probe.