Abstract: A surgical instrument for excising a targeted tissue mass to be biopsied from adjacent bodily tissue on a surgical patient is disclosed. The instrument has an elongated tube and a tissue penetrating spiral having a spiral lumen therethrough mounted within the elongated tube for rotational movement. When the spiral is rotated, it penetrates distally into the targeted tissue mass. The mass is received in the spiral lumen for subsequent excision of the mass to be biopsied. A large biopsy sample can be obtained because of the ample space within the lumen of the tissue penetrating spiral. Since a large biopsy sample can be taken, the number of samples which need to be taken is minimized, and the consequent trauma to the patient is significantly reduced.

Abstract: An implantable marker for implantation in tissue of a surgical patient is disclosed. The marker has a base and an elevated bridge. A pair of legs descend from first and second transitions of the bridge. Each leg has a distal tip, a generally straight leg arm adjacent the tip, and a camming marker surface between the transitions of the base and the straight leg arm. The camming marker surfaces extend outwardly from the straight leg arms of the legs. In its open configuration, the first and second straight leg arms of the legs of the marker are generally parallel to each other. In its closed configuration, the first and second straight leg arms converge towards each other, and a marker apex is formed at the distal tips of the legs. The marker is particularly adapted for fixation in tissue to mark the site of a lesion or other abnormal tissue which may be removed during a biopsy procedure, for example a breast biopsy procedure.

Abstract: An improved electro surgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedances, thicknesses and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface. A second pole is located on one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.

Abstract: A body fluid drainage device that includes a wedge-shaped reservoir evacuator which has a first sidewall and a second sidewall integrally formed and joined along a coextending common edge. A third collapsible bellows-shaped sidewall extends between the nonjoined edges and is sealed to the nonjoined edges of the first sidewall and second sidewall to enclose and form a fluid tight reservoir between the first, second and third sidewalls. An inlet port and outlet port are provided in fluid communication with the reservoir. A one-way valve is provided in the inlet port for permitting fluid flow into the reservoir but preventing fluid flow out of the inlet port. A spring element is provided for storing energy to force the first sidewall away from the second sidewall following compression of the first sidewall towards the second sidewall such that as the first sidewall moves away from the second sidewall a partial vacuum is created within the reservoir for drawing fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided for cauterization and/or welding of tissue of varying impedance, thickness and vascularity especially in the performance of endoscopic procedures. The instrument compresses the tissue between one pole of a bipolar energy source located on one interfacing surface, and a second interfacing surface applying pressure in a predetermined range. A second pole is located one of the two interfacing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the second pole is located on the same interfacing surface as the first pole and an insulator electrically isolates the two poles. A preferred application of the invention is in a cutting instrument wherein a hemostatic line is formed along a cut line using RF energy.