Abstract: An expandable implant (100, 150, 160, 200, 250, 300, 400) has a base (10) and a displaceable element (12) hingedly interconnected at one end. At the other end, the base and the displaceable element are formed with complementary jaws (24, 26) which provide continuous overlap of facing surfaces over a range of angular positions of the displaceable element relative to said base. In some cases, the first end portion (16) of the displaceable element (12) is formed with projecting teeth (28) forming a partial gear centered on an axis (18) of the hinged interconnection with the base (12) for engaging a worm gear. In certain embodiments, the base is formed with a socket (30) for removably receiving a worm gear tool (32) for engaging the teeth (28) and displacing said displaceable element. After expansion, the worm-gear tool (32) can be removed.

Abstract: A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (112) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical hearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical hearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for operating a suturing mechanism includes a user input displaceable through a range of motion and a linkage mechanically associated with the user input and with a shuttle transmitter of the suturing mechanism. The linkage converts displacements of the user input unidirectionally or bidirectionally into a sequence of operations of the shuttle transmitter including sufficient to perform a sequence of operations of the suturing mechanism to perform successive bidirectional stitching, with the shuttle transmitter penetrating tissue alternately with and without a shuttle needle attached.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a shuttle for holding a suture, a shuttle transmitter and a shuttle receiver. The shuttle transmitter includes a shuttle holder for holding the shuttle and a shuttle releaser displaceable relative to the shuttle holder for releasing the shuttle from the shuttle holder. The shuttle holder advances through a material at a first location while holding the shuttle until the shuttle engages the shuttle receiver. The shuttle releaser then releases the shuttle from the shuttle holder for withdrawal of the shuttle transmitter through the material, leaving the shuttle engaged with the shuttle receiver. The shuttle transmitter the penetrates the material at a second location opposite the shuttle receiver and retrieves the shuttle, holding it while withdrawing through the material at the second location. This sequence can be repeated to form a wide range of multi-stitch suture patterns for vascular closure and a wide range of other applications.

Abstract: An adjustable implant includes a telescopic body with first and second portions in sliding engagement, and a deflectable linkage formed from a first linking segment, an intermediate segment and a second linking segment pivotally interconnected so that adjustment of a length of the telescopic body causes a corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage. The first linking segment and the second linking segment are formed with projecting features that provide a partial gear engagement between the first and second linking segments such that, during adjustment of a length of the telescopic body and corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage, pivotal motion of the first and second linking segments relative to the intermediate segment about the first and second pivot axes occurs in a fixed ratio defined by the partial gear engagement.

Abstract: An adjustable implant includes a telescopic body with first and second portions in sliding engagement, and a deflectable linkage formed from a first linking segment, an intermediate segment and a second linking segment pivotally interconnected so that adjustment of a length of the telescopic body causes a corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage. The first linking segment and the second linking segment are formed with projecting features that provide a partial gear engagement between the first and second linking segments such that, during adjustment of a length of the telescopic body and corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage, pivotal motion of the first and second linking segments relative to the intermediate segment about the first and second pivot axes occurs in a fixed ratio defined by the partial gear engagement.

Abstract: A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (112) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Abstract: An expandable implant (100, 150, 160, 200, 250, 300, 400) has a base (10) and a displaceable element (12) hingedly interconnected at one end. At the other end, the base and the displaceable element are formed with complementary jaws (24, 26) which provide continuous overlap of facing surfaces over a range of angular positions of the displaceable element relative to said base. In some cases, the first end portion (16) of the displaceable element (12) is formed with projecting teeth (28) forming a partial gear centered on an axis (18) of the hinged interconnection with the base (12) for engaging a worm gear. In certain embodiments, the base is formed with a socket (30) for removably receiving a worm gear tool (32) for engaging the teeth (28) and displacing said displaceable element. After expansion, the worm-gear tool (32) can be removed.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical hearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (12) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical bearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: An expandable implant (100, 150, 160, 200, 250, 300, 400) has a base (10) and a displaceable element (12) hingedly interconnected at one end. At the other end, the base and the displaceable element are formed with complementary jaws (24, 26) which provide continuous overlap of facing surfaces over a range of angular positions of the displaceable element relative to said base. In some cases, the first end portion (16) of the displaceable element (12) is formed with projecting teeth (28) forming a partial gear centered on an axis (18) of the hinged interconnection with the base (12) for engaging a worm gear. In certain embodiments, the base is formed with a socket (30) for removably receiving a worm gear tool (32) for engaging the teeth (28) and displacing said displaceable element. After expansion, the worm-gear tool (32) can be removed.

Abstract: An adjustable implant includes a telescopic body with first and second portions in sliding engagement, and a deflectable linkage formed from a first linking segment, an intermediate segment and a second linking segment pivotally interconnected so that adjustment of a length of the telescopic body causes a corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage. The first linking segment and the second linking segment are formed with projecting features that provide a partial gear engagement between the first and second linking segments such that, during adjustment of a length of the telescopic body and corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage, pivotal motion of the first and second linking segments relative to the intermediate segment about the first and second pivot axes occurs in a fixed ratio defined by the partial gear engagement.

Abstract: An adjustable implant includes a telescopic body with first and second portions in sliding engagement, and a deflectable linkage formed from a first linking segment, an intermediate segment and a second linking segment pivotally interconnected so that adjustment of a length of the telescopic body causes a corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage. The first linking segment and the second linking segment are formed with projecting features that provide a partial gear engagement between the first and second linking segments such that, during adjustment of a length of the telescopic body and corresponding deflection of the deflectable linkage, pivotal motion of the first and second linking segments relative to the intermediate segment about the first and second pivot axes occurs in a fixed ratio defined by the partial gear engagement.

Abstract: An expandable implant (100, 150, 160, 200, 250, 300, 400) has a base (10) and a displaceable element (12) hingedly interconnected at one end. At the other end, the base and the displaceable element are formed with complementary jaws (24, 26) which provide continuous overlap of facing surfaces over a range of angular positions of the displaceable element relative to said base. In some cases, the first end portion (16) of the displaceable element (12) is formed with projecting teeth (28) forming a partial gear centered on an axis (18) of the hinged interconnection with the base (12) for engaging a worm gear. In certain embodiments, the base is formed with a socket (30) for removably receiving a worm gear tool (32) for engaging the teeth (28) and displacing said displaceable element. After expansion, the worm-gear tool (32) can be removed.

Abstract: A device (10) which serves as a stiff guide wire for surgical procedures includes a tube (12) having an internal channel, and a central rod (14) in close-fitting sliding engagement within the tube. The tips of the tube and the central rod are in rigid mechanical engagement or interconnection. A region of the tube (12) is longitudinally slotted to form deflectable strips (18) so that advancing of the tube (12) relative to central the rod (14) causes outward deflection of the strips (18) to form an anchoring configuration. The central rod (14) and the tube (12) together define a stiff guide wire preferably having a length-to-width ratio in excess of 100:1.

Abstract: An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical bearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.

Abstract: An adjustable implant (10, 60, 70, 80, 90) has a base (12) and a displaceable element (16) providing opposing tissue contact surfaces (14, 18). A linkage (20, 26) is pivotally connected to the displaceable element. A linkage mover (38, 40), engaged so as to be displaceable along the base, is associated with the linkage (20, 26) so as to define a displaceable pivot location (24, 30) for pivotal motion of the linkage relative to the base, in certain preferred embodiments, the base (12) has an internally threaded track (42, 44) in which a threaded segment of the linkage mover (38, 40) is engaged, so that rotation of the threaded segment about its central axis advances the linkage mover along the threaded track, thereby displacing the displaceable pivot locations and adjusting a separation between the first contact surface and at least part of the second contact surface.