Abstract: A fluid controlled device is adapted for disposition in a body conduit where it controls the flow of body fluids within the conduit. A sleeve is provided with a wall of separation having a first surface which defines a flow passage facilitating the flow of body fluids, and a second surface which defines an exclusion chamber sealed from the flow passage. Various dilators have properties for moving the seal between a low-profile state facilitating insertion of the device, any high-profile state defining the flow passage and exclusion chamber. The dilator may be skeletal, inflatable, and/or porous. An associated method includes the step of dilating a dilation assembly to move a wall from a low profile, insertible state, to a high-profile wherein the wall defines a flow passage and an exclusion cavity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to nanostructure surface treatments, coatings or modifications formed from nanoscale building blocks. The nanostructure surface treatments, modifications or coatings have hydrophobic, hydrophilic and surface adherence properties. The nanoscale building blocks have orientation, geometry, packing density and composition that may be adjusted to control the unique surface characteristics of the desired treatment, coating or modification. Applications of this nanostructure technology include surgical clips, staples, retractors, sutures and manipulators where an improvement in traction, retention or occlusion is desired without excessive material or tissue deformation or where high compressive forces would be undesirable, dangerous or ineffective. In one aspect, a nanostructure surface treatment for a medical device having an external surface is disclosed, wherein the treatment is applied on the external surface to provide a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers.

Abstract: A process of making a tack-free gel is disclosed comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a mold cavity, the mold cavity comprising a plastic material; pouring or injecting a molten gel having a high molding temperature into the mold cavity; and forming the tack-free gel as a thin layer of plastic of the mold cavity is melted over the gel. The forming step further comprises cooling the gel from the molten state to a solidified state. The melting temperature of the plastic material is lower than the molding temperature of the gel; and the higher the temperature differential, the greater the melting of the plastic material and the thicker the layer of the plastic material on the surface of the gel. The mold may be formed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). With the process of the invention, the heat of the molten gel at its molding temperature is transferred to the surface of the LDPE mold so as to melt a thin layer of the LDPE.

Abstract: A multi-seal trocar system (10) includes a plurality of co-axial sealing elements (30 60,80) adapted for forming a seal with either a large or small instrument. Small and large scaling elements (45,62) are disposed in an in-line arrangement such that a single port is provided for instrument insertion.

Abstract: A steerable kink resistant access device is provided having an elongated body and a steerable portion. The access sheath has an outside diameter sufficiently small so that it may be inserted into a body cavity or conduit. The access sheath typically has two internal lumen, a first lumen sized and configured as an access to a surgical site and a second lumen sized and configured to contain a tensioning device that, when acted upon, will deflect the steerable portion. The tensioning device may be directly or remotely attached to an actuation device that operates to control the tensioning and loosening of the tensioning device.

Abstract: A drainage catheter is adapted to drain fluid from the body cavity through a body conduit and includes an elongate tube having a distal end and a retention member disposed at the distal end and adapted for movement between the low-profile state facilitating insertion of the catheter and a high-profile state facilitating the tension of the catheter in its operative position. A woven mesh forms at least a portion of one of the tube and the retention member, and can be made permeable or impermeable in various regions of the catheter. The woven mesh can be formed of filaments heat-settable so that the catheter automatically moves to the high-profile state. Insertion of the catheter can be facilitated using an obturator and a guidewire in an associated method, an obturator facilitating insertion of the catheter can be removed to permit the catheter to automatically return to a normal, high-profile state.

Abstract: A stent is adapted for disposition in a body conduit of a patient and comprises a mesh formed in the configuration of a tube and having an axis and axial convolutions, which facilitate movement between a low-profile state and a high-profile state. The tube in the low-profile state has an elongate configuration and a wall with a first thickness and first tube strength. The tube in the high-profile state has a compressed configuration and a wall with a second thickness greater than the first thickness and a second hoop strength greater than the first hoop strength. An associated method of use includes the steps of mounting the step on a catheter between first and second enlargement members, increasing the size of the enlargement members, and moving the enlargement members to axially compress the stent to the high-profile state. An associated method of manufacture includes the steps of corrugating the mesh on a mandrel by moving the ends of the mesh toward each other.