Abstract: A lavage catheter for the treatment of a maxillary sinus is described. The catheter comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion comprises an irrigation tip. The irrigation tip has a tip opening through which fluid may be delivered by one handed operation of the catheter. A method for lavaging the maxillary sinus includes inserting the lavage catheter into a patient's anatomy and advancing the irrigation tip into the maxillary sinus using one hand.

Abstract: A wound closure assembly and method for its use. The wound closure assembly includes a curved inserter having a distal end and a proximal end, a filamentary element extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the proximal end of the curved inserter, a first anchor coupled to the filamentary element between its first and second ends, and a second anchor positioned at the distal end of the filamentary element. The filamentary element is configured to form a slip knot between the first and second anchors so as to enable the distance between the first and second anchors to be decreased by pulling on the proximal end of the filamentary element. The distal end of the curved inserter is received within a channel in the first anchor that extends along its longitudinal length.

Abstract: A surgical device for inserting an anchor, including a handle having an actuator, an outer barrel shaft extending from the handle to a distal end and having a channel therethrough, and an outer barrel tip the distal end thereof having an elastomeric septum, a drive pin within the channel, and an implantable anchor removably coupled to the drive pin. The outer barrel shaft is coupled to an actuator for movement between a first extended position wherein the outer barrel shaft tip substantially cover the anchor, and a second retracted position where the outer barrel shaft tip do not cover the anchor. When the shaft is in the first position, the elastomeric septum of the outer barrel tip circumferentially surrounds and engages the anchor to thereby stabilize the anchor prior to deployment, and when the shaft is in the second position, the elastomeric septum does not engage the anchor.

Abstract: A medical patch system has a first medical patch including an outer locating ring securable to a surface and an inner patch, separable from the outer locating ring, disposed within the outer locating ring. The medical patch system includes a second medical patch adapted for insertion into the central area bounded by the outer locating ring after the inner patch is separated from the outer locating ring. The second medical patch includes a second outer locating ring securable to the surface, and a second inner patch section, separable from the second outer locating ring, disposed within a second central area bounded by the second outer locating ring. The first and second outer locating rings have adhesive layers for securing the outer locating rings to a surface. The adhesive layers on the respective outer locating rings have different sizes, shapes or patterns to minimize skin irritation.

Abstract: A surgical assembly including an introducer having a handle portion and a needle portion, and at least a first retaining device extending outwardly therefrom. The assembly also includes first and second sheath elements each having a proximal end, a closed tissue penetrating distal end, a channel extending therein and a side aperture extending into the channel, and an implant having first and second ends coupled to the proximal ends of the sheath elements respectively. Channels of the first and second sheath elements are dimensioned to slidably receive therein through the side aperture the needle portion of the introducer, and for each of the first and second sheath elements when the needle portion of the introducer is so received therein, the peripheral edge of the side aperture is capable of being removably coupled to the retaining device to thereby fixedly secure the sheath element to the introducer.

Abstract: A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device includes a catheter having an articulating tip formed with shape memory properties and thus having a pre-shaped curvature. A tubular member is reciprocatingly slidable axially on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary the degree of curvature of the articulating tip. An actuator operatively linked to the tubular member selectively moves the tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter. The pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter is constrained by the tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the tubular member covers the articulating tip, and bends to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the tubular member.

Abstract: A device for treating a patient having carpal tunnel disease includes a neural stent formed from an elastically deformable material or one that has shape memory properties. The neural stent is in the form of a mesh which, when implanted in a patient, curls about the median nerve below the transverse carpal ligament to separate the two and relieve pressure on the nerve caused by the carpal ligament.

Abstract: A medical patch system has a first medical patch including an outer locating ring secureable to a surface and an inner patch, separable from the outer locating ring, disposed within the outer locating ring. The medical patch system includes a second medical patch adapted for insertion into the central area bounded by the outer locating ring after the inner patch is separated from the outer locating ring. The second medical patch includes a second outer locating ring secureable to the surface, and a second inner patch section, separable from the second outer locating ring, disposed within a second central area bounded by the second outer locating ring. The first and second outer locating rings have adhesive layers for securing the outer locating rings to a surface. The adhesive layers on the respective outer locating rings have different sizes, shapes or patterns to minimize skin irritation.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for mixing and dispensing a plurality of components and a method for its use. The system includes a first assembly having first and second separate chambers capable of holding first and second components respectively, a second assembly having third and fourth separate chambers capable of holding third and fourth components respectively, and a coupling device for movably coupling the first and second assemblies such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first position wherein the first, second, third and fourth chambers remain isolated from one another, and a second position wherein at least the first and third, and second and fourth chambers are in communication with one another via at least one conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for placing surgical implants and having particular application for pelvic floor repair. The system includes an assembly having a guide element with a tissue penetrating tip, a cannula, and a retrieval device having a capture element at its distal end. A channel in the cannula is dimensioned to allow passage therethrough of the guide element, and of the retrieval element when removably coupled with an extension of the surgical implant.

Abstract: A tissue anchor comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end with one set of dimensions and a projected surface area, a distal end with a second set of dimensions and a projected surface area where the respective dimensions of the first and second ends are not identical and the projected areas are substantially the same. The tissue anchor may further have a fixing member to attach the anchor and one or more tissues together or to attach the other structures to tissue.

Abstract: A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves. The system also includes a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel.

Abstract: A laparoscopic medical fluid delivery device includes a catheter having an articulating tip formed with shape memory properties and thus having a pre-shaped curvature. A tubular member is reciprocatingly slidable axially on the catheter to selectively cover and uncover portions of the articulating tip to thereby selectively vary the degree of curvature of the articulating tip. An actuator operatively linked to the tubular member selectively moves the tubular member reciprocatingly on the catheter. The pre-shaped articulating tip of the catheter is constrained by the tubular member from articulating to the pre-shaped curvature when the tubular member covers the articulating tip, and bends to a selected degree of curvature when the articulating tip is at least partially uncovered by the tubular member.

Abstract: A device for treating a patient having carpal tunnel disease includes a neural stent formed from an elastically deformable material or one that has shape memory properties. The neural stent is in the form of a mesh which, when implanted in a patient, curls about the median nerve below the transverse carpal ligament to separate the two and relieve pressure on the nerve caused by the carpal ligament.

Abstract: A device for repositioning tissue includes a hand held main body having a housing which defines a chamber for holding tissue. The chamber is connected to a negative pressure source to create a vacuum in the chamber. A flexible cannula is affixed to the main body, and includes a distal end and a proximate end, with openings through the thickness of the walls of each. The cannula defines a hollow lumen which is in communication with the distal end opening and the proximate end opening and the tissue holding chamber. The distal end of the cannula may be positioned in proximity to a patient's body to receive tissue therefrom through the distal end opening and to transport the tissue through the lumen and proximate end opening to the tissue holding chamber in response to the vacuum created in the tissue holding chamber.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for mixing and dispensing a plurality of components and a method for its use. The system includes a first assembly having first and second separate chambers capable of holding first and second components respectively, a second assembly having third and fourth separate chambers capable of holding third and fourth components respectively, and a coupling device for movably coupling the first and second assemblies such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first position wherein the first, second, third and fourth chambers remain isolated from one another, and a second position wherein at least the first and third, and second and fourth chambers are in communication with one another via at least one conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A system for holding surgical fasteners each having a first anchor, a second anchor and a connector extending therebetween upwardly from the first and second anchors, and a method for loading the same into an applicator. The system includes a shuttle having first and second channels dimensioned to slidably receive therein the first and second anchors, and having first and second grooves respectively forming openings into the channels along a portion of a length of the channels. When the first and second anchors are received within the first and second channels, the connector of the surgical fastener extends out of the shuttle through the first and second grooves. The system also includes a cartridge having at least a first channel dimensioned to slidably receive the shuttle therein, and having a first projection extending into the first channel.

Abstract: A system and method for placing surgical implants and having particular application for pelvic floor repair. The system includes an assembly having a guide element with a tissue penetrating tip, a cannula, and a retrieval device having a capture element at its distal end. A channel in the cannula is dimensioned to allow passage therethrough of the guide element, and of the retrieval element when removably coupled with an extension of the surgical implant.

Abstract: A fluid collection device for collecting fluid leaking from the uterus of a patient during endometrial ablation includes a collar which is mounted on a catheter of an endometrial ablation device. The collar defines with the catheter of the ablation device an interior fluid collection area. The collar has a first open end which allows leaking fluid to pass therethrough into the collection area, and is dimensioned so as to be closely contactable with the cervix of the patient undergoing treatment. Any fluid leaking from the uterus of the patient during the ablation process will be captured by the collection area of the collar. A drain tube connected to the collar removes any fluid collected by the collar. The fluid collection device removes any fluid passing from the uterus to the cervix before it may enter the vagina of the patient to cause burns or damage to the vaginal tissue lining.