Abstract: Tissue engineering devices and methods employing scaffolds made of absorbable material for use in the human body for tissue genesis and regenerative and cellular medicine including breast reconstruction and cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and supplementing organ function in vivo.

Abstract: Tissue engineering devices and methods employing scaffolds made of absorbable material for use in the human body for tissue genesis and regenerative and cellular medicine including breast reconstruction and cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and supplementing organ function in vivo.

Abstract: An internal long term absorbable matrix brassiere including a ring member adapted to be fixed to the chest of a woman and a frusto-conical, pleated scaffold member, fixed within the ring member.

Abstract: An internal long term absorbable matrix brassiere including a ring member adapted to be fixed to the chest of a woman and a frusto-conical, pleated scaffold member, fixed within the ring member.

Abstract: A long term absorbable matrix brassiere including a circular tube member adapted to be fixed to the chest of a woman, a membrane or tarpaulin fixed within the tube member; and a cup held within the tube member.

Abstract: A long term absorbable matrix brassiere including a circular tube member adapted to be fixed to the chest of a woman, a membrane or tarpaulin fixed within the tube member; and a cup held within the tube member.

Abstract: Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a proximal entry into the carpal tunnel from an incision in the volar aspect of the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the incision, and severing the transverse carpal ligament from proximal to distal with the cutting blade of the cuffing member under direct endoscopic visualization.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery adapted to perform blunt dissection between two layers of anatomically named fascia. The dissection performed by the apparatus extends to the limits of anatomic space defined by fusion of said two layers of fascia in a minimally invasive manner. The apparatus is formed of a hollow tube body member including a malleable introducing flange having a spoonbill-like shape. Further, the apparatus includes an elastic dissection balloon movably positioned within the applicator. The dissection balloon is reversibly expandable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition and is movable from a first storage position within the hollow tube body of the applicator to a position exterior thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery adapted to perform blunt dissection between two layers of anatomically named fascia. The dissection performed by the apparatus extends to the limits of anatomic space defined by fusion of said two layers of fascia in a minimally invasive manner. The apparatus is formed of a hollow tube body member including a malleable introducing flange having a spoonbill-like shape. Further, the apparatus includes an elastic dissection balloon movably positioned within the applicator. The dissection balloon is reversibly expandable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition and is movable from a first storage position within the hollow tube body of the applicator to a position exterior thereof.

Abstract: Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a proximal entry into the carpal tunnel from an incision in the volar aspect of the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the incision, and severing the transverse carpal ligament from proximal to distal with the cutting blade of the cuffing member under direct endoscopic visualization.

Abstract: Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a subcutaneous pathway to the carpal tunnel from an incision in the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the pathway, and severing the transverse carpal ligament with the cutting blade of the cutting member, all of which steps are performed under direct endoscopic visualization.

Abstract: An Apparatus for the performance of a minimally invasive ventral hernia repair. The apparatus including a mechanical blunt dissector, fascial graspers, and a midline fascial stapling device. The mechanical blunt dissector is capable of performing a blunt dissection of the space between the External Oblique (EO) muscle and the Internal Oblique (IO) muscle. The device has a blunt spoonbill shaped set of plates with an open center (for improved endoscopic visualization during the dissection), connected to long arms which connect to a pair of hand grips. However, the blunt dissector may include a tapered blunt distal tip to the spoonbill element—more like a duck's bill—for advancing the mechanical dissector forward into the loose areolar connective tissue that exists between the EO and IO muscles. The apparatus further includes graspers formed of long endoscopic graspers that are modified to grasp and lock on to tissue as thick and tough as rectus fascia.

Abstract: A prosthetic mesh and method of use in surgical methods for closure of abdominal incisions and prosthetics for repair of ventral hernias. The mesh provides for a new prosthetic that can be used for closure of laparotomy incisions, in patients at high risk for hernia formation, and in the repair of existing ventral hernias. The mesh utilizes existing multi laminar technology for intra peritoneal mesh, and fashions it in the shape of an intact Rectus Sheath. The mesh matrix can be made of any of the various absorbable or permanent polymer filaments that are woven or knitted into a scaffold for added strength to the abdominal wall closure during the healing phase, and for delivery of bio active substances that contribute to a biochemical milieu that contributes to favorable healing. A permanent non absorbable prosthesis will be desirable in certain circumstances and for particular patients, a slowly dissolving mesh would be ideal in most cases.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft is disclosed for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligmentous boundaries.

Abstract: Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a subcutaneous pathway to the carpal tunnel from an incision in the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the pathway, and severing the transverse carpal ligament with the cutting blade of the cutting member, all of which steps are performed under direct endoscopic visualization.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft is disclosed for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligmentous boundaries.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery adapted to perform blunt dissection between two layers of anatomically named fascia. The dissection performed by the apparatus extends to the limits of anatomic space defined by fusion of said two layers of fascia in a minimally invasive manner. The apparatus is formed of a hollow tube body member including a malleable introducing flange having a spoonbill-like shape. Further, the apparatus includes an elastic dissection balloon movably positioned within the applicator. The dissection balloon is reversibly expandable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition and is movable from a first storage position within the hollow tube body of the applicator to a position exterior thereof.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft is disclosed for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligmentous boundaries.

Abstract: A method for surgical dissection, sizing and for expansion of a tissue pocket in a naturally occurring fascial cleft for use in plastic surgery applications and other applications where it is desirable to dissect an anatomically defined and bounded tissue pocket, determine the appropriate size of a prosthesis to be implanted into the tissue pocket and, if necessary, further expand the tissue overlying the tissue pocket. An inflatable device which performs the three distinct functions of dissection, sizing and tissue expansion is used. In a preferred method, a dissecting balloon device is tunneled bluntly to a desired location within a fascial cleft in the female breast. The device is then inflated to dissect tissue layers adjacent the fascial cleft until ligaments defining boundaries of the fascial cleft are reached, to create a tissue pocket extending to the ligamentous boundaries.