Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting occult blood and other analytes in the water of a toilet bowl release a dye reagent into the water which produces an observable signal in the presence of the blood. The dye reagent is preferably dispersed as a liquid, powder, gel, or other form which rapidly mixes and combines with the sample. Usually, automatic mechanical or electromechanical dispensing systems are used to release the dye reagent into the water.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon. A hernia graft is attached to the balloon for repairing a hernia.

Abstract: A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of a conventional laparoscope therein to provide observation during surgical procedures. The laparoscope provides direct observation of dissection through the open distal end of the tunneling member. Observation is provided both when the device is used to tunnel between tissue layers to a region of interest within the body of a patient, and during subsequent balloon inflation when the tissue layers are dissected to cause separation of the tissue layers and the creature of an anatomical working space. After the anatomic space has been created, the device and laparoscope are withdrawn through the incision.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: A laparoscopic apparatus for tunneling dissection including a hollow tunneling member and an inflatable balloon disposed at the distal end of the tunneling member to form together a blunt tipped obturator. The tunneling member has a bore sized allow the insertion of a conventional laparoscope therein to provide observation during surgical procedures. The laparoscope provides direct observation of dissection through the open distal end of the tunneling member. Observation is provided both when the device is used to tunnel between tissue layers to a region of interest within the body of a patient, and during subsequent balloon inflation when the tissue layers are dissected to cause separation of the tissue layers and the creation of an anatomical working space. After the anatomic space has been created, the device and laparoscope are withdraw through the incision.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: An expansible tunneling apparatus and assosiated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure such as a hernia repair. Various embodiments of one and two piece apparatus that permit laparoscopic observation both during tunneling and during subsequent balloon dissection are disclosed. In a disclosed one piece embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope that is inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure both during tunneling to a desired location and during subsequent balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member. The elongated neck permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body comprises an introducer and a sheath. The tubular sheath may surround the introducer, and may have a weakened region along its longitudinal axis. A handle may be provided on the sheath. The handle may be adapted to be pulled proximally to separate the weakened region and allow the sheath to be removed from the introducer. The sheath may be secured to the introducer via detents or latches on the handle.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: Laparoscopic apparatus and method for insertion into a space or potential space in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is provided and is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A tunneling member is mounted on the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided which is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a balloon wrapped about said tunneling shaft. A sheath is provided which encloses the balloon on the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a slit extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed whereby the balloon can be released and inflated. A tubular member is provided which has a balloon inflation lumen thereon and is coupled to the balloon for inflating said balloon.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy needle assembly for use in combination with a stereotactic platform for excising tissue from the interior of the body. The biopsy needle includes a rotatable flexible blade that is capable of transforming between a contracted configuration for piercing into the interior of the body and an expanded configuration in which the flexible blade is expanded relative to the shaft of the needle for excising tissue. The needle assembly may be mounted in a stereotactic needle for a breast biopsy procedure that digitally directs the needle tip into a lesion with the flexible blades in a contracted configuration, then expands the flexible blades to the expanded configuration and rotates the blades thus excising tissue in a region having a cross sectional dimension that is large in relation to the cross section of the needle shaft. The excised tissue is extracted from the needle tip through an aspiration channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating an anatomic spade in tissue in a body comprising an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon.