Abstract: Medical devices for retaining an end of a medical tube. Each of the devices of the present invention comprises a base and at least one tab having a portion that is moveable within the base. The base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, at least one side cavity for receiving a tab, and an opening transverse to the upper and lower surfaces. To facilitate tube retention, the tube is inserted through the opening in the base and the tab(s) is(are) moved within the cavity(ies) such that a portion of each tab contacts and retains the tube.

Abstract: Medical devices for retaining an end of a medical tube. Each of the devices of the present invention comprises a base and at least one tab having a portion that is moveable within the base. The base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, at least one side cavity for receiving a tab, and an opening transverse to the upper and lower surfaces. To facilitate tube retention, the tube is inserted through the opening in the base and the tab(s) is(are) moved within the cavity(ies) such that a portion of each tab contacts and retains the tube.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing a watertight electrical connection between a flat, single or multi-traced, rigid and/or flexible printed circuit and a separate electronics unit. The electrical connector is comprised of a plug having one or more keyhole-shaped slots which serve to mechanically secure the connection between the one or more traces of the circuit and one or more fixed pins on the body of the separate electronics unit. The plug is placed over the one or more pins such that the pins are inserted up through the wider portion of the slots and in a push or pull action, the pins are slid into the narrower portion of the slot such that the pins are locked into place. The conductive traces are then secured into contact with the electrical contacts of the separate electronics device.

Abstract: A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an inexpensive and simple means for electrically and mechanically connecting a plurality of printed circuits together. The present invention also comprised embodiments where the printed circuits can be moved relative to each other without breaking the electrical contact between them. Yet another embodiment contemplates a means for joining two linear printed circuits to make a longer circuit. In yet another embodiment, the printed circuits and connections are used to make an inexpensive, reliable electrical harness for contacting a patient-worn sensor to a patient monitor such as an ECG monitor.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing a watertight electrical connection between a flat, single or multi-traced, rigid and/or flexible printed circuit and a separate electronics unit. The electrical connector is comprised of a plug having one or more keyhole-shaped slots which serve to mechanically secure the connection between the one or more traces of the circuit and one or more fixed pins on the body of the separate electronics unit. The plug is placed over the one or more pins such that the pins are inserted up through the wider portion of the slots and in a push or pull action, the pins are slid into the narrower portion of the slot such that the pins are locked into place. The conductive traces are then secured into contact with the electrical contacts of the separate electronics device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insertion of medical devices is disclosed. One embodiment includes an access tube with a retention portion disposed at a distal end. The retention portion is reconfigurable between first and second configurations of reduced and increased lateral extent. A trocar can be moveably disposed within the access tube, which can be movably disposed within an overtube. One method of the invention includes inserting the trocar and access tube through a patient's body wall where the retention portion is configured from a reduced to an increased lateral extent . An overtube can be inserted around the access tube through the body wall where the retention portion can be received through a slot defined by the overtube. The retention portion can be returned to reduced lateral extent. The access tube can be removed and the medical device can be inserted within the overtube.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.

Abstract: An instrument for collecting body tissue includes a tubular cutting member having an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end capable of penetrating body tissue; and a flexible cutting extension coaxially and slidably disposed around the exterior surface of the cutting member, the flexible cutting extensions having a proximal end and distal end capable of cutting tissue located at the distal end of the cutting member and covering the distal end of the cutting member so that tissue that has entered the cutting member is retained in the cutting member. A first tubular member may be connected to the cutting member, and a second tubular member mayb connected to the cutting extension, the second tubular member being coaxially disposed on the first tubular member.

Abstract: A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel indwelling shunt implant and an associated surgical method for the treatment of glaucoma in which the implant device comprises at least one spiral body and/or grooved or corrugated body and is placed to divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal, the collector channels, or the aqueous venous system or to distribute aqueous fluid within Schlemm's canal. The present invention is further directed to providing a permanent, indwelling shunt to provide increased egress of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal, collector channels, or aqueous venous system for glaucoma management.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for insertion of medical devices is disclosed. One embodiment, includes an access tube with a retention portion disposed at a distal end. The retention portion is reconfigurable between first and second configurations of reduced and increased lateral extent. A trocar can be moveably disposed within the access tube, which can be movably disposed within an overtube. One method of the invention includes inserting the trocar and access tube through a patient's body wall where the retention portion is configured from a reduced to an increased lateral extent. An overtube can be inserted around the access tube through the body wall where the retention portion can be received through a slot defined by the overtube. The retention portion can be returned to reduced lateral extent. The access tube can be removed and the medical device can be inserted within the overtube.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be released from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device for collecting body tissue. The device includes an inner end effector comprising a hollow portion, a distal edge that defines an opening of the hollow portion at least a portion of which is sufficiently sharpened to cut body tissue, and a proximal end configured to receive an inner tubular member. The device also includes an outer end effector comprising a flexible extension on a distal end with an edge at least a portion of which is sufficiently sharpened to cut body tissue and biased inwardly toward the hollow portion of the inner end effector to cover the opening, and a proximal end configured to receive an outer tubular member. The inner end effector is slidably disposed within the outer end effector.

Abstract: Devices and methods permit dilation of a track of a body to any of a plurality of diameters using a single integrated device that can reach any of a plurality of expanded diameters upon actuation by a user of an actuating mechanism which directs and controls the dilation of a dilating element to which it is connected by a dial and transmission mechanism. A variety of dials, transmission mechanisms and dilating elements are disclosed which may be combined in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The invention concerns in particular novel peptides and polypeptides comprising at least the following sequence in amino acids: -W-S-A1-C-S-A2-C-G- in which A1 and A2 are amino acid sequences comprising 1 to 5 amino acids, useful as medicines in therapeutic treatments involving the regeneration of the nervous system cells, for treating neuroblastomas, and also useful as additives in the culture of nervous cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the percutaneous insertion of medical devices is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an access tube defining a central lumen and a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube. The retention portion is reconfigurable between a first configuration of reduced lateral extent and a second configuration of increased lateral extent. A trocar is moveably disposed within the central lumen of the access tube. The access tube is movably disposed within a central lumen of an overtube. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of inserting the trocar and access tube through a body wall of a patient, where the trocar is disposed within the access tube and where a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube is configured in a first configuration of reduced lateral extent. The retention portion is then configured in a second configuration of increased lateral extent.

Abstract: Medical devices for retaining an end of a medical tube. Each of the devices of the present invention comprises a base and at least one tab having a portion that is moveable within the base. The base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, at least one side cavity for receiving a tab, and an opening transverse to the upper and lower surfaces. To facilitate tube retention, the tube is inserted through the opening in the base and the tab(s) is(are) moved within the cavity(ies) such that a portion of each tab contacts and retains the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in the percutaneous insertion of medical devices is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an access tube defining a central lumen and a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube. The retention portion is reconfigurable between a first configuration of reduced lateral extent and a second configuration of increased lateral extent. A trocar is moveably disposed within the central lumen of the access tube. The access tube is movably disposed within a central lumen of an overtube. In an embodiment of a method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of inserting the trocar and access tube through a body wall of a patient, where the trocar is disposed within the access tube and where a retention portion disposed at a distal end of the access tube is configured in a first configuration of reduced lateral extent. The retention portion is then configured in a second configuration of increased lateral extent.

Abstract: The invention provides a mold assembly for manufacturing contact lenses. The mold assembly comprises a plurality of identical molds which are stacked one on another. Each pair of neighboring molds cooperate with each other to define a molding cavity having a configuration of a desired contact lens. The present invention also provide a method for casting contact lenses in a mold assembly composed of multiple identical molds that are stacked one on another.