Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing (12), a shield (13), and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.

Abstract: A medical instrument insertable through a cannula, the instrument comprising an elongate shaft; and an operative tip having a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw. The operative tip disposed at a distal end of said elongate shaft and being disposed on said shaft for rotation relative to at least a distal end portion of said shaft about a longitudinal axis of said distal end portion.

Abstract: A medical instrument insertable through a cannula, the instrument comprising an elongate shaft; and an operative tip having a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw. The operative tip disposed at a distal end of said elongate shaft and being disposed on said shaft for rotation relative to at least a distal end portion of said shaft about a longitudinal axis of said distal end portion.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. One or more embodiments include reuse prevention features and features that prevent premature activation of the retraction mechanism. Methods for aspirating and expelling liquid from medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal cap that can fit a variety of head sizes is disclosed. The cap can include a shell having a fluid inlet and outlet, a sealing mechanism and removable sizing layers disposed within the shell. Depending upon the size of a patient's head, sizing layers can either be added to or removed from the outer shell to maintain a fluid circulation space between the head and the rigid shell and allow substantially even distribution of a thermal fluid about the scalp of the patient during operation. The shell is preferably rigid and an elastomeric member can seal the periphery of the cap to the patient's head to prevent leakage. Other types and aspects of thermal cap systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided lo have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, mid the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the daig reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a resectioning device, comprises a first actuator coupled to a flexible drive shaft for actuating a first mechanism when operated in a first direction and for actuating, when operated in a second direction, a second mechanism and a first lockout mechanism coupled to the first actuator for preventing actuation of the first actuator in the second direction before a predetermined amount of actuation in the first direction has been completed. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to control the release during operation in a second direction of torsional energy stored in a flexible drive shaft during operation in a first direction.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes an actuator, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly. The actuator and shield are movable relative to one another. The skin-puncturing assembly includes a carrier and a skin-puncturing element. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the distal end of the skin-puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin-puncturing element is exposed to puncture the skin of a patient. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by interference engagement between the carrier and shield. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted to puncturing positions. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier to a position wherein the shield encompasses the skin puncturing element.

Abstract: A suture lock fastening device to cinch a suture in a suture lock, cut the suture end, and deploy the suture lock in response to a single movement of a user. The fastening device includes a fastening head with a retainer that is configured to hold a suture lock in the fastening head. To release the suture lock from the fastening head, the retainer is irreversibly deformed. The fastening device may include an axially movable cutter with a cutting edge to sever the ends of the suture close to the suture lock. A threading device may be preloaded into the fastening device to facilitate threading the suture through the fastening device.

Abstract: Embodiments of a retractable syringe assembly are provided that include a dual syringe barrel configuration. One or more embodiments include reuse prevention features and features that prevent premature activation of the retraction mechanism. Methods for aspirating and expelling liquid from medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: A suture lock fastening device to cinch a suture in a suture lock, cut the suture end, and deploy the suture lock in response to a single movement of a user. The fastening device includes a fastening head with a retainer that is configured to hold a suture lock in the fastening head. To release the suture lock from the fastening head, the retainer is irreversibly deformed. The fastening device may include an axially movable cutter with a cutting edge to sever the ends of the suture close to the suture lock. A threading device may be preloaded into the fastening device to facilitate threading the suture through the fastening device.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: A collection device and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes a separating member to separate the whole blood into its components, and at least reagent positioned to selectively interact with a component of the separated sample. The reagent is able to selectively interact with the plasma/serum, and is prevented from contacting or interacting with the whole blood.

Abstract: A medical instrument insertable through a cannula, the instrument comprising an elongate shaft; and an operative tip having a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw. The operative tip disposed at a distal end of said elongate shaft and being disposed on said shaft for rotation relative to at least a distal end portion of said shaft about a longitudinal axis of said distal end portion.

Abstract: An active heat sink is described for use in the transfer of heat from a heat generating device such as a semiconductor chip and the like with a heat sink having an embedded fan surrounded by a plurality of heat conducting flow augmenting rings separated by apertures through which a radially inward flow arises and with the rings being sufficiently axially separated to enable fan propeller tip vortices to penetrate the axial spacings so as to cause a substantial cooling of annular ring regions so as to raise the overall heat transfer coefficient of the active heat sink in a significant manner. Several embodiments are described.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes an actuator, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly. The actuator and shield are movable relative to one another. The skin puncturing assembly includes a carrier and a skin puncturing element. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed to puncture the skin of a patient. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by interference engagement between the carrier and shield. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted to puncturing positions. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier to a position wherein the shield encompasses the skin puncturing element.