Abstract: One aspect relates to a catheter system, a use of such catheter system and a manufacturing method for such catheter system. The catheter system includes an at least partially flexible catheter body, at least a ring electrode, and at least a strain gauge. The ring electrode surrounds at least a portion of the flexible catheter body. The strain gauge is allocated to the ring electrode and the strain gauge is configured to measure a deformation of the flexible catheter body at a position allocated to the ring electrode to detect a contact between the ring electrode and tissue.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a guidewire system, a measuring system, and a method for manufacturing such guidewire system. The guidewire system includes a guidewire and a surface acoustic wave sensor device. A portion of a surface of the guidewire is coated by the surface acoustic wave sensor device. The surface acoustic wave sensor device may be configured for measuring a pressure change. The surface acoustic wave sensor device includes a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer. A thickness of the surface acoustic wave sensor device perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the guidewire is smaller than 100 ?m.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a catheter system, a use of such catheter system and a manufacturing method for such catheter system. The catheter system includes an at least partially flexible catheter body, at least a ring electrode, and at least a strain gauge. The ring electrode surrounds at least a portion of the flexible catheter body. The strain gauge is allocated to the ring electrode and the strain gauge is configured to measure a deformation of the flexible catheter body at a position allocated to the ring electrode to detect a contact between the ring electrode and tissue.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a guidewire system, a measuring system, and a method for manufacturing such guidewire system. The guidewire system includes a guidewire and a surface acoustic wave sensor device. A portion of a surface of the guidewire is coated by the surface acoustic wave sensor device. The surface acoustic wave sensor device may be configured for measuring a pressure change. The surface acoustic wave sensor device includes a piezoelectric substrate and a transducer. A thickness of the surface acoustic wave sensor device perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the guidewire is smaller than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. Both the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member permit transverse attachment. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is always in alignment with the retractor shaft, with a gripping portion extending above and in line with the shaft but attached to the clamp below the shaft. With this clamp and handle configuration, the clamp maintains a very low profile while still allowing easy access to the handle from above during the tightening and/or loosening motions, permitting a single handed “scissors action” tightening.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a support frame clamp member, a retraction shaft clamp member and a handle linked to the support frame clamp member and the retraction shaft clamp member for moving the clamp members between loosened and tightened positions. The shaft clamp and the support frame permit pivoting of the retraction shaft relative to the support frame. The handle is disposed to move through a throw of less than 90°, always outside the support frame and always in alignment with the retractor shaft. For a standard orientation of the clamp, the tightening throw is vertically upward, on a handle which is balanced and aligned relative to the pivot axis and possibly relative to the connection of the frame clamp to the support frame.

Abstract: A shaped surgical retractor blade is used in a surgical retractor assembly. The shaped retractor blade is not formed of sheet material but rather is formed to have a non-uniform thickness between the tissue contacting side and the surgical arena side. The non-uniform thickness can be provided by a longitudinally running rib running between two recesses on surgical arena side of the retractor blade. The recesses provide openings through which the surgeon can better view the surgical arena. The rib provides additional bending strength to the retractor blade. The tissue contacting side of the blade can have a convex curvature, minimizing the possibility of tissue damage at the location that the blade contacts the tissue. The retractor blade can have a constant longitudinally extending section and a distal, tapering section.

Abstract: A port for providing access to a surgical site in a patient's body includes a plurality of segments that when positioned substantially adjacent to each other form a substantially uninterrupted outer perimeter and an internal access portal to the surgical site The port also includes a locking mechanism for retaining the plurality of segments substantially adjacent to each other.