Abstract: A medical system includes a display monitor, a catheter, a sensor, non-light-obtained image data of a patient, and a computer. The catheter has a distal end insertable into a body lumen of the patient. The sensor is attached to the catheter and is adapted to provide position data. The computer is adapted to calculate a position of the sensor using at least the position data indexed to a reference coordinate system, to create an internal image representation of the body lumen using at least the image data indexed to the reference coordinate system, and to display on the monitor a display image of the internal image representation of the body lumen. A storage medium contains a program readable by a computer which instructs the computer to perform the previously described steps. A method for visualizing a position of a catheter within a patient performs the above-described steps.

Abstract: A health care assessment system and associated methods are provided for providing increased access to individuals for assessing whether a need exists for health care and then also facilitating an individual's access to health care as needed. Embodiments of the system include a health care assessment system for receiving input from a patient and generating an output reflecting an indivdual's risk of one or more disease states. The health care assessment system is further capable of providing resources for health care and visual tools for collecting patient history.

Abstract: Disclosed is a minimally invasive surgical instrument that may be used in hand-assisted laparoscopic surgeries. The device is a multifunctional surgical instrument that may be mounted directly on a surgeon's fingertip and inserted through an incision to allow the surgeon to manipulate tissue during a surgical procedure. Versions show a self-righting suture needle holder and a version with a dual pivoting jaw (e.g., grasper, cutter) that has an elongate neck to enhance the reach of the instrument. In addition, an elongate neck of an actuated fingertip instrument enhances the range reachable through a single incision.

Abstract: A first extruded member in joined to a molded member to form an integrated component. In one exemplary form, a surgical anchor is overmolded onto the end of an extruded suture to form a suture/anchor system.

Abstract: A number of surgical devices for the mixing and dispensement of a dual component surgical adhesive onto tissue are described. The surgical devices can provide adhesive storage chambers for the adhesive components within the surgical device and can have removable cartridges that draw and mix and apply the adhesive onto tissue. The removable cartridges can be easily replaced when clogged with set adhesive. Alternately, an adhesive dispensing device can comprise an adhesive dispensing gun containing the dual components of the adhesive and a plurality of rotatable orifices that can dispense the adhesive. One orifice can be selected and aligned with the adhesive dispensing gun to mix and apply the adhesive onto tissue. A fresh orifice can be rotated into alignment with the gun should a prior orifice become blocked.

Abstract: A method and devices for accomplishing the successful anastomosis of two hollow organ structures are disclosed. The method includes bringing the structures together, applying at least one fastener to hold the structures together and form a connection site, and applying, as alternatives or in conjunction, an adhesive, a wrap and/or a buttress about the connection site. Various examples of fasteners, fastener appliers, adhesives, adhesive initiators and buttress rings also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for creating an identifying mark on tissue within a patient is disclosed. The method comprises the step of first positioning a surgical marker device within the patient's body. Next, the tissue is studied and identified, and one or more visible marks are drawn on the internal tissue. The visible the marks comprise a mix of a visible pigment and a polymer adhesive that is selected from the group consisting of a polymerizable monomer, a polymerizable 1,1,1,1-disubstituted ethylene monomer, and a cyanoacrylate. The visible marks are adhered to the tissue by polymerizing the polymer adhesive with tissue contact.

Abstract: A fastening device for clamping and fastening tissue together with fasteners formed from an adhesive is disclosed. An embodiment of the adhesive fastening device can clamp a first and a second portion of tissue together between a first and a second jaw, and can place a fluid polymer adhesive into tissue and form it into a polymerized surgical fastener within the tissue. The adhesive fastener can be formed as a polymerized shank or shaft extending through the tissue, and can have one or more heads formed on the shank. The shank can be formed solely from the polymerizable adhesive, or can be formed from another material such as nitinol, titanium, stainless steel, suture, or a plastic. Shanks of other material can be combined with the adhesive. Alternately, an adhesive fastener can be formed extending distally from a distal end of the surgical device. And, an adhesive fastener can be formed around a luminal tissue or within luminal tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a two-piece anastomosis fastener that can be used to join two tissue sections together in accordance with Natural Orifice Transendoscopic Surgery (NOTES). The fastener may be releasably attached to a fastener applying instrument for delivery in accordance with such procedures. The fastener includes a first member and a second member, where the clamp members are operably configured to fasten together to clamp and hold tissue, such as gastric tissue, in juxtaposition to establish an anastomosis. The first clamp member and the second clamp member are coupled with an adhesive.

Abstract: A multiple use adhesive dispenser facilitates precise, extended dispensing for a surgical procedure by sequentially positioning an ampoule containing a flowable material, such as a polymerizable monomer compound such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive. In one version particularly suited to an open surgical procedure, the ampoules are affixed to a tape substrate that is unreeled from an internal storage reel and transported proximate to an ampoule gripping mechanism with an underlying tape substrate peeled away and internally stored as each ampoule is positioned for dispensing. Actuating an ampoule advancement handle positions the next ampoule and squeezing a movable handle toward a fixed handle effects dispensing. Another version has an elongate shaft that internally augers each ampoule in succession into a pair of spaced jaws that are pinched together by actuating rods to dispense adhesive.

Abstract: A multiple use fluid dispenser dispenses a flowable material in a precise pattern and quantity with leaking and clogging between dispensing avoided by employing a trigger fired syringe plunger to expel a fixed volume through a band. Between strokes, an advancement knob rotates the band over a distal dispensing tip to a nondispensing location that wipes excess flowable material and seals a dispensing orifice in a fluid conduit. The advancement knob further may rotate the band to a dispensing position wherein a combination of one or more dispensing holes produce a desired pattern and rate of flow with material over the dispensing hole(s) serving to initiate the flowable material, to control placement, serve as a detachable bandage or buttress material, etc.

Abstract: Provided are surgical fasteners coated with a material including an initiator configured for activation upon application of an initiator. The surgical fasteners may be configured for use in combination with a surgical fastener applying apparatus. In one version, the surgical fastener is a surgical staple including a pair of legs, a crown interconnecting the pair of legs, and a material including an initiator coating at least a portion of the legs and/or crown. Adhesive may be delivered into contact with the initiator associated with the surgical fasteners such that a desirable size, shape, and configuration of activated or polymerized adhesive is created.

Abstract: A surgical implant for adhering two portions of tissue together with a polymer adhesive is disclosed. The surgical implant has a matrix structure with one or more layers and a plurality of holes for tissue growth therethrough. The matrix structure controls placement of the adhesive to minimize adhesive area and maximize tissue regrowth areas. In addition, the surgical implant can include drugs and adhesive initiators, and can include multiple layers of structure with any combination of holes, drugs, adhesives and adhesive initiators within. Additionally, the surgical implant can be surrounded by a rapidly dissolving pouch to prevent unwanted polymerization of the adhesive prior to placement in the body.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying a bandage onto tissue is disclosed. The surgical device has an actuator and contains one or more releasable bandages and an adhesive. Actuation of the actuator releases the adhesive, saturates the bandage with the adhesive, and releases the bandage onto tissue. The actuator can be squeezed, moved linearly, or rotated to dispense the adhesive onto the bandage and release the saturated bandage. The adhesive can be stored in an ampoule, or a sealed chamber. Actuation of the surgical device breaks the ampoule and/or seal and releases the adhesive for use. In addition to the adhesive, additional fluids or additives can be mixed with the adhesive or stored in separate chambers of the ampoule or surgical device. These additives can include drugs, image enhancing agents, necrosing agents, sclerosing agents, and the like.

Abstract: Expanding or foaming adhesives are used to reduce the stomach volume to reduce the caloric intake and weight of a patient. A web structure is attached inside the stomach and an expanding or foaming adhesive is applied to the web structure. The expanding or foaming adhesive attaches to the web structure and to the stomach to partition the stomach. The partition barrier divides the stomach volume into a reduced volume available for food storage and an empty volume that the food cannot enter. The reduced volume enables the patient to feel full faster and reduce caloric intake. A passageway can be provided between the two volumes near the base of the stomach to allow food or fluids to exit from the empty volume.

Abstract: A method for inducing weight loss with a patient, using the step of providing an implant for placement within the stomach wherein the implant is a member having an undeployed shape for delivery to the stomach and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The method also involves the step of delivering the member to the stomach while in its undeployed shape. The method further involves the step of exerting an outward force against an interior of the stomach so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body by placing the member in its deployed position.

Abstract: A medical system includes a display monitor, a catheter insertable into a body lumen, at least one sensor attached to the catheter and adapted to provide position data, an imager adapted to provide image data of the patient, and a computer. The computer is adapted to perform steps including receiving the position data and the image data, calculating a position indication of the at-least-one sensor using at least the position data, creating an image representation of the patient using at least the image data, and displaying on the display monitor a registered overlay image using at least the image representation of the patient and the position indication of the at-least-one position sensor. A storage medium contains a program readable by a digital computer which instructs the digital computer to perform the previously described steps. A method for visualizing a position of a catheter within a patient performs the above-described steps.

Abstract: A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.

Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown and a deformable member extending from the crown, the deformable member having a notch configured to cause the deformable member to bend at the notch when the staple is deformed from a first shape into a second shape. The crown of the surgical staple, in various embodiments, further includes a forming surface, or anvil, which is configured to deform the deformable member and/or guide a distal end of the deformable member when the distal end contacts the crown.

Abstract: A surgical staple including a crown comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material, a first deformable member, and a second member. In at least one embodiment, the crown connects the first member and the second member, however, after the crown has been dissolved, the first member is unconnected to the second member and, as a result, the first and second members can move relative to each other. Accordingly, the staple can be rigid during the early stages of healing and can be flexible during the latter stages of healing, for example. In various embodiments, the first and second members of the staple are also comprised of a dissolvable, bioabsorbable, or biofragmentable material. In these embodiments, the first and second members can be constructed so that the crown and first and second members dissolve at different rates and/or dissolve away at different times.