Abstract: An apparatus and methods for treating carpal tunnel syndrome are disclosed herein. A surgical knife and guide tool for performing carpal tunnel release surgery includes an elongated handle having a cutting head comprising an upper edge, a bottom edge, and a cutting edge therebetween, wherein the bottom edge comprises at least one glider extending from the bottom edge of the cutting head; and an elongated body having a longitudinal opening comprising a top portion having a first width for accepting the cutting head of the elongated handle and a bottom portion having a second width for accepting the at least one glider extending from the bottom edge of the cutting head, wherein the at least one glider controls longitudinal movement of the elongated handle.

Abstract: Suture anchors and methods for using the suture anchors for attaching soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, to bone are disclosed herein. A suture anchor for attaching soft tissue to bone includes a catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the catheter has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a light curable adhesive to pass therethrough; a balloon portion engaging the distal end of the catheter, wherein the balloon portion expands from a deflated state to an inflated state when a light curable adhesive is delivered to the balloon portion; and at least one suture material for passing through soft tissue to attach the soft tissue to a bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing fluid and atherogenic, thrombotic and inflammatory (ATI) markers from blood are disclosed. A system for removing fluid and atherogenic, thrombotic and inflammatory markers from blood includes an ultrafiltration module for removing fluid from blood drawn from a patient; and an apheresis module for removing atherogenic, thrombotic, and inflammatory markers from the blood, wherein the ultrafiltration module and the apheresis module form a continuous closed-loop extracorporeal blood circuit.

Abstract: An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section.

Abstract: Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. A device for use in repairing a fractured bone includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for delivery of reinforcing materials to a weakened or fractured bone is disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a reinforcing mixture to a bone including a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass therethrough; a balloon engaging the tube wherein the balloon expands from a substantially deflated state to a substantially inflated state upon the bone reinforcing mixture entering the balloon; and at least one light guide extending through the tube into the balloon to guide a light into the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reinforcing weakened or fractured bone are disclosed. An apparatus for delivering a bone reinforcing mixture to a bone includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the tube has at least one inner lumen capable of allowing a bone reinforcing mixture to pass through, and a bone fitting portion having an opening for accepting the tube, an insertion portion for insertion into the bone, and at least one relief valve.

Abstract: A method for removing an occlusion is provided comprising introducing a transverse mode ultrasonic probe into a blood vessel, positioning the probe in proximity to the occlusion, and transmitting ultrasonic energy to the probe, until the occlusion is removed. The probe has a small cross-sectional lumen and is articulable for navigating in a tortuous vessel path. The probe can be used with acoustic and/or aspirations sheaths to enhance destruction and removal of an occlusion. The probe can also be used with a balloon catheter. The probe, sheaths, and catheter can be provided in a sharps container which further provides a means of affixing and detaching the probe from an ultrasonic medical device.

Abstract: A laminated negative pressure wound dressing system and method is described. The wound dressing is disposed in the wound in layers including at least one bioabsorbable layer that contacts the wound bed, a bioabsorbable fluid communicating layer, an atmospheric barrier layer, and a tube for applying a negative pressure to the wound bed. Ingrowth of granulation tissue into the bioabsorbable wound bed layer does not need to be inhibited as the bioabsorbable material need not be removed during dressing changes. A kit containing the components of the wound dressing system is also disclosed as well as a method for applying the dressing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using an ultrasonic medical device to reinforce bone. An ultrasonic medical device ablates a marrow in a bone to create a channel in the bone for injection of a bone supporting compound to reinforce and strengthen the bone. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is inserted through an introducer and into the bone to engage the marrow. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to provide an ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic probe to ablate the marrow. The ultrasonic probe is moved within the bone to ablate the marrow in the bone and create the channel in the bone. A bone supporting compound is injected into the channel to reinforce the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device to treat urolithiasis and ablate a stone. The ultrasonic medical device comprises an ultrasonic probe having a wire body with a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween and a plurality of tines extending from the distal end of the wire body. The ultrasonic medical device includes a sheath capable of surrounding the wire body and the plurality of tines. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into the sheath and the ultrasonic probe is moved until the plurality of tines surround at least a portion of an outer surface of the stone. An ultrasonic energy source engaged to the ultrasonic probe supplies an ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic probe to produce a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the ultrasonic probe to ablate the stone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic probe capable of bending, flexing and deflecting with the aid of a balloon to remove a biological material. An ultrasonic medical device includes a balloon catheter, a balloon that is supported by the balloon catheter, an inflation lumen located along a longitudinal axis of the balloon catheter and an ultrasonic probe located along an outside surface of the balloon catheter wherein the ultrasonic probe engages an outer surface of the balloon. The ultrasonic probe is inserted through at least one engaging mechanism on an outside surface of the balloon catheter. The inflated balloon causes the ultrasonic probe to bend, allowing the ultrasonic probe to move along a bend in a vasculature and increase a surface area of the ultrasonic probe in communication with the biological material for ablation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode and a transverse mode. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with a biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a component of force in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, thereby exciting a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis causing the ultrasonic probe to undergo both a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. The torsional vibration and the transverse vibration cause cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode to treat a biological material. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with the biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a rotation and a counterrotation along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe that creates a plurality of torsional nodes and a plurality of torsional anti-nodes along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe resulting in cavitation along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe comprising a radially asymmetric cross section that ablates the biological material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing plaque, fatty deposits, and other occlusions from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy. The method and apparatus has particular application in removing plaque from the carotid artery in a non-thermal manner. The apparatus is designed to have as small a cross-sectional profile as possible, therefore allowing the apparatus to be used in a minimally-invasive manner. As a result, the apparatus can be used in both surgical and outpatient treatment with minimal post-operative complications and minimal damage to areas other than the area of treatment. An ultrasonic probe may include aspiration channels on its outer surface. An aspiration sheath may surround the ultrasonic probe, such that the location of an aspiration port may be varied axially relative to the ultrasonic tip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using an ultrasonic medical device to treat chronic total occlusions comprises an ultrasonic probe, a transducer, a coupling engaging a proximal end of the ultrasonic probe to a distal end of the transducer and an ultrasonic energy source engaged to the transducer. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into a vasculature and placed in communication with the chronic total occlusion. The ultrasonic energy source produces an ultrasonic energy that is transmitted to the transducer, where the transducer creates a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration creates a plurality of transverse nodes and a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, creating cavitation along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe to ablate the chronic total occlusion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using an ultrasonic medical device to treat coronary thrombus bearing lesions comprises an ultrasonic probe, a transducer, a coupling engaging a proximal end of the ultrasonic probe to a distal end of the transducer and an ultrasonic energy source engaged to the transducer. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into a vasculature in communication with the coronary thrombus bearing lesion. The ultrasonic energy source produces energy that is transmitted to the transducer, which generates a transverse ultrasonic vibration along the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration creates a plurality of transverse nodes and a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, creating cavitation along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe to ablate the coronary thrombus bearing lesion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing plaque, fatty deposits, and other occlusions from blood vessels using ultrasonic energy. The method and apparatus has particular application in removing plaque from the carotid artery in a non-thermal manner. The apparatus is designed to have as small a cross-sectional profile as possible, therefore allowing the apparatus to be used in a minimally-invasive manner. As a result, the apparatus can be used in both surgical and outpatient treatment with minimal post-operative complications and minimal damage to areas other than the area of treatment. An ultrasonic probe may include aspiration channels on its outer surface. An aspiration sheath may surround the ultrasonic probe, such that the location of an aspiration port may be varied axially relative to the ultrasonic tip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device having an ultrasonic probe with a small proximal end to facilitate over the ultrasonic probe exchanges in a time efficient manner. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into a vasculature and moved to a treatment site of an occlusion. A coupling engaging the ultrasonic probe to a transducer is disengaged to expose a small diameter at the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe. A vascular intervention device is placed over the small diameter at the proximal end and moved along a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe while the ultrasonic probe remains in an approximately fixed position in the vasculature. In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic probe acts a guidewire for over the ultrasonic probe exchanges of various vascular intervention devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an ultrasonic medical device to treat peripheral artery disease. The ultrasonic medical device comprises an ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The ultrasonic probe is inserted into an insertion point in a leg opposite the leg having an occlusional deposit and is moved adjacent to the occlusional deposit. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to generate a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. The transverse ultrasonic vibration creates a plurality of transverse nodes and a plurality of transverse anti-nodes along the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, generating cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the occlusional deposit causing peripheral artery disease.