Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel, and thereafter passing the dilator over the guidewire and through the radially expandable sleeve to effect radial expansion of the sleeve. Use of the sleeve reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least the radially expandable sleeve together with instructions for use.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for establishing vascular access are described. A system typically includes a radially expandable sleeve, a dilator, and a guidewire. The methods comprise positioning the guidewire through an initial tissue tract, passing the radially expandable sleeve over the guidewire through the tissue tract to a target blood vessel, and thereafter passing the dilator over the guidewire and through the radially expandable sleeve to effect radial expansion of the sleeve. Use of the sleeve reduces the risk of injuring tissue surrounding the tissue tract by lessening the axial forces imparted to the tissue. Kits comprise at least the radially expandable sleeve together with instructions for use.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for subcutaneously implanting articles, such as drug inserts and reservoirs. The methods rely on percutaneously forming a tissue tract and radially dilating the tract to a diameter which permits introduction of the article. By fully expanding the lumenal diameter of the tissue tract prior to introduction of the article, damage to the article resulting from passage through a partially expanded tissue tract can be avoided. In the exemplary embodiment, a radially expandable sleeve is first percutaneously introduced to the subcutaneous target site. An assembly of a cannula and dilator is then passed through the sleeve, effecting radial expansion. The dilator is removed and the article is then introduced through a lumen of the cannula.

Abstract: Hand-held surgical assembly for use in performing a laparoscopic medical procedure, comprising a housing. An actuator tube having a bore therein is slidably mounted in the housing. A handle operated mechanism is carried by the housing for causing reciprocatory movement of the actuator tube assembly within the housing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing access to a body cavity without substantial loss of inflation gas therein. The device comprises an access assembly 10 that may have a tubular member 12, at least one sleeve 16 coaxially disposed over the tubular member, a pneumostasis valve 13 attached to the tubular member, and an obturator 11 removably received in the tubular member. Sleeve 16 comprises expandable region 19 capable of forming an anchor 30 upon axial compression. A method to provide access using assembly 10 comprises insertion of the assembly 10 into the body cavity, expanding region 19, and insufflating the cavity with gas. Expandable region 19 on assembly 10 is axially compressed to form anchor 30 to seal against an interior wall of the body cavity. The method may further comprise either a second expanded anchor 50 or a non-expanding anchor 40 which clamps against an exterior wall of the body cavity to securely position and seal the access assembly 10.

Abstract: Methods and systems for introducing articles and surgical instruments to target body cavities utilize conformable sleeves which are percutaneously positioned within the cavity. Articles may then be passed directly through the conformable sleeve, without use of a rigid cannula, either by pushing the articles inwardly through the sleeve using an introducer or pulling the articles inwardly through the sleeve using a tapered carrier. Surgical instruments are also passed directly inwardly through the sleeve. Such systems and methods may be used in a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Hand-held surgical assembly for use in performing a laparoscopic medical procedure, comprising a housing. An actuator tube having a bore therein is slidably mounted in the housing. A handle operated mechanism is carried by the housing for causing reciprocatory movement of the actuator tube assembly within the housing.

Abstract: A retaining ring comprising a body of elastomeric material. The body has a wall with a generally cylindrical configuration and a longitudinal axis. The body also has an outer cylindrical surface and first and second end surfaces. The body has a bore extending therethrough along the longitudinal axis and through the first and second end surfaces with the wall of the body defining the bore. A plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart indentations are formed in the wall of the body and extend outwardly through the outer surface between the first and second ends.

Abstract: Introducer assembly for use on the skin of a patient overlying a cavity to be formed in the patient permitting the introduction of an introducer tube having a distal extremity and having a trocar therein having a distal extremity which extends beyond the distal extremity of the introducer tube. The assembly comprises a sleeve having proximal and distal extremities and having a flow passage extending therethrough from the proximal to the distal extremities. A flange having inner and outer margins is provided. The outer margin has a bottom side. An adhesive is secured to the bottom side and is adapted to make a sealing engagement with the skin of the patient. A fluid-tight seal is formed between the inner margin of the flange and the sleeve. A membrane extends across the sleeve and forms a fluid-tight seal with respect to said sleeve. The membrane is formed of a material and a thickness which can be readily punctured by the trocar.

Abstract: An improved flashing unit for use in weatherproofing a roof penetration including complimentary mating half portions of generally regid, high-strength sheet material, each half portion comprising a base plate, a generally semi-cylindrical stack portion attached to and extending upwardly from the base plate, each base plate having an upwardly directed generally semi-cylindrical flanged edge disposed within the lower end of each semi-cylindrical stack portion, a longitudinal edge portion of each stack portion forming an elongated continuous channel for receipt of a corresponding smooth longitudinal edge of the opposite stack portion for snap-fit frictional retention of the two stack portions when mated with the edge portions of the base plates in abutment, lap plates attached to abutting edge portions of the base plates to be received in lapping relation with an abutting side edge portion of the opposing base plate, and a generally cylindrical counterflashing, or cap, for surrounding a roof penetration and rece