Abstract: The radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radiopaque radially expandable frame with distal and proximal frame ends wherein the guide wire freely passes through the proximal frame end, an elongated actuation sleeve having a flexible distal end piece (coil strain relief) through which freely passes the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system which is defined by the proximal ends of the actuation sleeve and guide wire. The expandable frame includes radiopaque frame struts and has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The actuator flexible end piece is a coil which enables the system to flex in excess of 90 degrees. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces.

Abstract: The in-line hand operated valve controls the flow of at least the irrigation fluid or suction to a surgical site. First and second sources provide fluid and suction to the valve. Valve body source ports communicate with the source lines and a delivery port communicates with a delivery line. The valve includes collapsible internal fluid carrying channels linking these ports. Each valve mechanism includes an operator control surface, a stem, and a compressor member acting on and closing and opening the collapsible channels. A biasing element keeps the stem and compressor either open or closed. A two position interlocking mechanical switch, coupled to the stem, is extended in the ON valve position and withdrawn in the OFF position. The method of providing a valve control utilizes these shape and click open and click close systems.

Abstract: A device for cutting and retrieving tissue, includes a handle, a first set of at least one wire, and a second set of at least one wire. The handle includes an elongated shaft, a tube, a first sleeve member disposed over the shaft, and a second sleeve member disposed over the shaft. The shaft defines a passageway therein. The tube connects to and extends from a distal end of the passageway, and forms a continuing channel with the passageway. The two sets of wires, attached respectively to the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member, extend through the channel to distal ends of the wires, and form loops at their distal ends. A control tip is secured to the distal end of the first set of wire. A retaining pin is secured to the control tip, extends between at least two wires of the loop of the second set of wire, allows the second set of wire to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wire from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a proximal locking mechanism. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: The self securing suture includes a suture having at least one terminal end and a toggle, formed of suture material, at the suture's terminal end. In one embodiment, the suture toggle is a bar. In another embodiment the suture is a wire and the toggle is a wire element toggle. The wire element toggle is a double strand segment or an open loop segment. The suture delivery system includes a slotted needle configured such that a protruding tab or leg of the toggle bar fits within slot of the needle. For wire sutures, the open loop wire element toggle fits within the slotted needle. In another embodiment, a depending wire tip, from the wire element toggle, fits within the slot in the needle.

Abstract: A device for cutting and retrieving tissue, including a handle having a tube, a first set of wires positioned within the tube and extending from the handle to distal ends, and a control tip at the distal ends thereof. A second set of wires are positioned within the tube and extend from the handle. A retaining pin portion at the control tip, extends between at least two of the second set of wires, allows the second set of wires to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wires from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube. The retaining pin portion also extends the second set of wires from the tube upon the first set of wires being extended from the tube.

Abstract: A device for cutting and retrieving tissue, including a handle having a tube, a first set of wires positioned within the tube and extending from the handle to distal ends, and a control tip at the distal ends thereof. A second set of wires are positioned within the tube and extend from the handle. A retaining pin portion at the control tip, extends between at least two of the second set of wires, allows the second set of wires to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wires from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube. The retaining pin portion also extends the second set of wires from the tube upon the first set of wires being extended from the tube.

Abstract: The surgical clip includes a U or a V shaped body having clip legs extending from its apex and terminal ends having a lateral span extending outboard from the clip. The terminal ends are shaped as triangles, ovals, a T, oblong or a wide end hexagonal shape. Sometimes, the terminal ends define outboard directed hooks. The clip's inboard surface may have gripping grooves. A clip applicator includes clip carrying jaws pivotally coupled and forming a mouth. Keyways capture clip ends. If the clip is hooked, the jaws define complementary latch openings. A system for closing the clip jaws may be linked scissor-like members, cam actuators and followers or cam follower surfaces. The clip applier may include tactile response indicators for the user to indicate partial or full jaw closure and full open-clip release positions.

Abstract: The suture lock or suture lock rivet for locking suture thread includes a lock head defining a cut-out, a first locking surface and a stem connected via a breakaway section. The lock also includes a lock base defining a second complementary locking surface. The locking surfaces trap the suture in the cut-out. The stem breaks away. A suture lock applicator is utilized to deliver and apply the suture lock to the surgical site. The system includes the lock loaded within the suture lock applicator. The applicator, or rivet gun, is designed to grip the stem body and coact with the lock base to cause the lock base to slide over the stem towards the lock head or rivet head, and subsequently, with the application of additional longitudinally directed force, to remove the stem from the lock head or first body part at the breakaway section.

Abstract: A device for cutting and retrieving tissue, includes a handle, a first set of at least one wire, and a second set of at least one wire. The handle includes an elongated shaft, a tube, a first sleeve member disposed over the shaft, and a second sleeve member disposed over the shaft. The shaft defines a passageway therein. The tube connects to and extends from a distal end of the passageway, and forms a continuing channel with the passageway. The two sets of wires, attached respectively to the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member, extend through the channel to distal ends of the wires, and form loops at their distal ends. A control tip is secured to the distal end of the first set of wire. A retaining pin is secured to the control tip, extends between at least two wires of the loop of the second set of wire, allows the second set of wire to be extended from the tube and through the control tip, and prevents the second set of wire from being withdrawn from the control tip and into the tube.

Abstract: A hemostatic composition for effecting hemostasis at a hemorrhaging site comprises a hemostatically effective amount of cationic substance and a wax base, wherein the cationic substance is substantially uniformly dispersed in the bone wax base. The method of preparing the hemostatic composition includes admixing an aqueous solution of a cationic substance and a bone wax, and freeze-drying the mixture to remove substantially all of the water to yield a viscous water soluble composition of fine particles of cationic which is substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the bone wax base. The method for effecting hemostasis comprises making the hemostatic composition and applying a hemostatically effective amount of the hemostatic composition to the hemorrhaging site.

Abstract: A hemostatic composition for effecting hemostasis at a hemorrhaging site comprises a hemostatically effective amount of cationic substance and a base, wherein the base is in a form of an ointment, a cream, a gel, a foam or a paste, and wherein the cationic substance is substantially uniformly dispersed in the base. The method of preparing the hemostatic composition includes admixing an aqueous solution of a cationic substance and the base, and freeze-drying the mixture to remove substantially all of the water to yield a viscous water soluble composition of fine particles of cationic which is substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the base, and the method of its use to provide hemostasis to a hemorrhaging site of a mammal.

Abstract: The radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire, a radiopaque radially expandable frame with distal and proximal frame ends wherein the guide wire freely passes through the proximal frame end, an elongated actuation sleeve having a flexible distal end piece (coil strain relief) through which freely passes the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system which is defined by the proximal ends of the actuation sleeve and guide wire. The expandable frame includes radiopaque frame struts and has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The actuator flexible end piece is a coil which enables the system to flex in excess of 90 degrees. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces.

Abstract: The self securing suture includes a suture having a stiff end segment at a terminal end and a toggle disposed on the terminal end such that the stiff end segment and toggle define an acute angle between 25 degrees and 65 degrees. The toggle may be a metal or a biocompatible plastic. In one embodiment, a portion of the stiffened end segment is swaged onto the toggle in a closed channel. The present invention also includes methods for producing suture toggles. One method includes creating a partial channel on a toggle, stiffening an end segment of a suture thread, positioning a portion of the stiffened end segment in the partial channel, and swaging the toggle channel closed. The toggle and swaged suture thread may be coated with a biocompatible polymer. An alternative method of manufacture includes utilizing a tubular toggle, passing the stiffened end segment through the tube and swaging the toggle tube closed.

Abstract: The controllable deployment system for a radially expandable frame utilized during catheterization includes a guide wire with a stop, a radially expandable frame through which the guide wire freely passes, an elongated actuation sleeve over the guide wire, and a friction locking mechanism located at the proximal end of the system. The expandable frame has a closed, radially compact form and an open, radially expanded form. The proximal end of the frame is coupled to an actuator sleeve. The actuator sleeve, at its proximal end, includes a friction locking mechanism having locking members with respective locking surfaces. The locking mechanism permits the user to lock or hold static the actuator sleeve (and therefore, the expandable frame) with respect to the guide wire, typically in an open, radially expanded form and a closed form. Tactile markers or indicia may be included.

Abstract: The suture lock or suture lock rivet for locking suture thread includes a lock head defining a cut-out, a first locking surface and a stem connected via a breakaway section. The lock also includes a lock base defining a second complementary locking surface. The locking surfaces trap the suture in the cut-out. The stem breaks away. A suture lock applicator is utilized to deliver and apply the suture lock to the surgical site. The system includes the lock loaded within the suture lock applicator. The applicator, or rivet gun, is designed to grip the stem body and coact with the lock base to cause the lock base to slide over the stem towards the lock head or rivet head, and subsequently, with the application of additional longitudinally directed force, to remove the stem from the lock head or first body part at the breakaway section.

Abstract: The suture clip includes a pair of plates joined together at one end to form a vertex having an acute angle. Each plate, at its remote terminal end, defines an inwardly facing hook. The hook end members establish a clip mouth slightly larger than the diameter of the suture thread such that when the thread is passed through the clip mouth, the thread cannot easily escape entrapment from the central region of the clip. The suture clip may be C-shape, V-shape, broken leg V-shape, heart shape or pentagonal shape. In another embodiment, the clip is a closed loop or elliptical in shape. To enhance operability, the hooks on the C, U or V shaped sutures are disposed on tabs which are laterally displaced with respect to each other such that, upon collapse and closure of the clip plates, the tabs interleave each other and interlock over the opposite clip plate. This feature enhances attachment to suture thread.

Abstract: The suture lock or suture lock rivet utilized for locking at least one suture thread includes a lock head or rivet head defining a cut-out adapted to capture the suture thread therein. The lock head also defines a first locking surface and includes a stem connected via a breakaway section. The suture lock or suture lock rivet also includes a lock base defining a longitudinal passage adapted to mate with the lock head or rivet. The lock base also defines a second locking surface complementary to the first locking surface on the lock head. The two locking surfaces are adapted to lock the lock base onto the lock head such that a suture thread is trapped in the cut-out by the base. The stem is adapted to break away from the lock head at the breakaway section. The suture lock rivet includes a rivet head and a two-part rivet stem. The first body part of the stem defines a cut-out adapted to capture the suture thread therein, and the second body part is connected to the first body part via a breakaway section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for stapling and cutting a blood vessel or other organic structure utilizes surgical staple clips. The surgical instrument includes an elongated tube or rod having a longitudinally movable rod disposed therein. A handle is mounted on the proximal end of the tube. The handle has a movable member which causes the movable rod to longitudinally shift positions in the tube. In one version, a pair of surgical staple clip-carrying jaw sets are pivotally mounted on a common lateral axis located at the distal end of the elongated tube. A scissor jaw set may also be included in the system. When the rod longitudinally moves with respect to the elongated tube or rod, the clip jaw sets clip the surgical staple clips onto the blood vessel or other organic structure. The handle for the surgical instrument includes a movable member coupled to a movable rod and a stationary grip member mounted to the elongated tube, within which moves the longitudinally movable rod.

Abstract: The in-line hand operated valve controls the flow of at least one, and preferably both, irrigation fluid and suction respectively to and from a surgical site via a delivery line. In one working embodiment, suction fluid is supplied to the valve via a first source line and suction is supplied to the valve via a second source line. The valve body defines, source ports in fluid communication with the source lines and a delivery port in fluid communication with the delivery line. The valve body includes at least one, and preferably two, collapsible internal fluid carrying channels in fluid communication with the respective source port and the delivery port. Each valve mechanism includes an operator control surface, a stem, and a compressor member acting on and closing and opening the collapsible segment of the fluid carrying channel or body. A biasing element (such as a spring or other resilient body) keeps the valve stem and the compressor element in either an open or a closed state.