Abstract: A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a hand operated syringe for injecting a liquid which includes an elongated barrel having proximal and distal ends and an exit orifice at its distal end. A pair of opposing finger grips are present at the proximal end of the barrel, each having a proximal inner portion defining a most proximal pressure point closely adjacent the barrel to which finger pressure is applied during operation of the syringe. These points define a plane substantially perpendicular to the barrel's axis.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device is provided for obtaining tissue samples, or removing tissue for therapeutic reasons, at a site within a body, while maintaining access to the site through an access lumen of the biopsy forceps. The device includes an elongate tubular body for introduction into the body and navigation to an area of interest. An inner tubular member having a lumen, or a plurality of lumens, extends through or adjacent the outer tubular member, from the proximal end to the distal end, where cutting jaws are provided. The cutting jaws are rotatably mounted at the distal end of the device and are controlled by movement of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member is coupled with a handle portion allowing control of the cutting jaws at the proximal end. Access to the lumen of the inner tubular member is gained at the proximal end, where a luer fitting is provided.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps device is provided for obtaining tissue samples at a site within the body, while maintaining access to the site through an access lumen of the biopsy forceps. The device includes an elongate tubular body for introduction into the body and navigation to an area of interest. An inner tubular member having a lumen, or a plurality of lumens, extends through or adjacent the outer tubular member, from the proximal end to the distal end, where cutting jaws are provided. The cutting jaws are rotatably mounted at the distal end of the device and are controlled by movement of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member is coupled with a handle portion allowing control of the cutting jaws at the proximal end. Access to the lumen of the inner tubular member is gained at the proximal end, where a luer fitting is provided.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus for cutting tissue and for ablating occlusions includes a pulse generator for selectively generating a train of pulses of electrical energy for application to a wire having an attached electrode, the generator having a variable output impedance, the wire and the electrode being at least part of a load impedance. The apparatus senses the load impedance relative to the output impedance and adjusts the output impedance to match the load impedance. The generator produces pulses of variable energy, measures the relative electrical energy produced by an arc in response to a pulse, compares the relative electrical energy to a predetermined value to determine an energy difference, and adjusts the energy of a subsequent pulse to reduce the energy difference for the subsequent pulse toward zero.

Abstract: A fluid control valve has a valve body with a cylindrical bore and a plurality of channels which communicate between the bore and the outside of the valve body. The inner ends of at least two of the channels lie in a first plane, and the inner end of at least one of the channels lie in a second plane. A valve stem rotatably mounted in the bore has two independent channels. One of the channels has two ends lying in the first plane, while the other channel has one end lying in the first plane and the other end lying in the second plane.