Abstract: A tubular sheath is disclosed which is slidably disposed over a tubular medical device which tubular medical device is positioned at a body tissue access site. The sheath is deposited within a patient to assist in sealing the incision caused by the tubular medical device and inhibit internal and external bleeding. The sheath includes a generally rigid outer coating and an absorbable and expandable inner core, which when positioned, in situ, at the accessed opening of the patient's body part can function as a vascular plug.

Abstract: A stylet for a biopsy needle is provided with a specimen recess inwardly of the distal end thereof which has a bottom wall parallel to the axis of the stylet and distal and proximal end walls which are reentrant relative to the distal end and proximal position of the stylet, respectively.

Abstract: A tubular sheath is disclosed which is slidably disposed over a tubular medical device which tubular medical device is positioned at a body tissue access site. The sheath is deposited within a patient to assist in sealing the incision caused by the tubular medical device and inhibit internal and external bleeding. The sheath includes a generally rigid outer coating and an absorbable and expandable inner core, which when positioned, in situ, at the accessed opening of the patient's body part can function as a vascular plug.

Abstract: A tubular sheath is disclosed which is slidably disposed over a tubular medical device which tubular medical device is positioned at a body tissue access site. The sheath is deposited within a patient to assist in sealing the incision caused by the tubular medical device and inhibit internal and external bleeding. The sheath includes a generally rigid outer coating and an absorbable and expandable inner core, which when positioned, in situ, at the accessed opening of the patient's body part can function as a vascular plug.

Abstract: A hemostatic gelatin sheath is fitted as a portion of an outer cannula over the distal portion of the inner cutting cannula of a biopsy needle. Positioning means associated with the cannulas accurately deposits the hemostatic sheath at the position where the biopsy specimen was taken and the needle with the specimen therein is then withdrawn. The in situ sheath minimizes bleeding from the biopsy site before the gelatin is absorbed by the body.

Abstract: An improved medical needle is disclosed which has a bioabsorbable gelatin cutting or puncturing tip formed therein. The gelatin characteristic renders the needle incapable of penetration after initial use. Additionally, the gelatin partially dissolves to leave a coating on the punctured tissue margin which acts to minimize hemorrhaging complications. Hemorrhaging complications are alternatively addressed by a non-bioabsorbable in situ sheath positioned at the punctured tissue site which compresses the tissue.

Abstract: The vacuum biopsy apparatus includes a syringe having a side wall defining a chamber. It further includes a vacuum tube receivable within the syringe chamber. The vacuum tube has a septum at one end. The septum is shaped and dimensioned received within the syringe chamber with a fluid type fit. The vacuum tube and the septum are capable of movement within the syringe chamber to enable the vacuum tube to serve as the syringe plunger. Venting means are provided on the syringe side wall to prevent expelling air from the syringe when the vacuum tube is moved within the syringe chamber. The syringe includes mating means to allow the syringe to be connected to a biopsy needle. This allows communication between the biopsy needle and the vacuum tube when the vacuum tube is within the syringe chamber and the biopsy needle is connected to the syringe.

Abstract: An improved medical needle is disclosed which has a bioabsorbable gelatin cutting or puncturing tip formed therein. The gelatin characteristic renders the needle incapable of penetration after initial use. Additionally, the gelatin partially dissolves to leave a coating on the punctured tissue margin which acts to minimize hemorrhaging complications. Hemorrhaging complications are alternatively addressed by a non-bioabsorbable in situ sheath positioned at the punctured tissue site which compresses the tissue.

Abstract: A hemostatic gelatin sheath is fitted as a portion of an outer cannula over the distal portion of the inner cutting channula of a biopsy needle. Positioning means associated with the cannulas accurately deposits the hemostatic sheath at the position where the biopsy specimen was taken and the needle with the specimen therein is then withdrawn. The in situ sheath minimizes bleeding from the biopsy site before the gelatin is absorbed by the body.

Abstract: A cannula for a biopsy needle is provided with an axially and circumferentially open end forming cutting edges for severing tissue upon insertion or rotation at a lesion side. Concentric cannulas may be used for electively performing end cutting biopsy sampling or side cutting biopsy sampling with a single instrument.

Abstract: A method of fragmenting stones that are lodged in a discrete organ of a human body, such as the kidney, which method includes the steps of providing a plurality of elongated tubular sheaths, each formed from a thin walled material with a high acoustical impedance and having an inner passage extending in a given direction from an inlet or first end to an outlet or second end. These tubular sheaths are forced into the body by a trocar adapted to extend through the sheath passage and having a cutting end adapted to extend through the second end of each sheath. As each sheath is forced into the body its position relative to the organ containing the stone is monitored by an appropriate radiographic device so that the end of each sheath is near to, but spaced from, the organ, such as a kidney, with the given direction determined by the elongated passage in each of the sheaths pointing generally toward the stone.