Abstract: A device for gripping a guide wire includes a body portion having an opening therethrough, and has an open position and a closed position. When the device is in the open position the guide wire may be passed through the opening. When the device is in the closed position the guide wire is gripped at more than one location thereby allowing force or torque to be applied to the guide wire. A device according to the invention may optionally, or instead, include (a) a snout to act as a guide wire director, (b) a structure, such as an opening, configured to receive an end of a guide wire package, (c) a structure for securing a body member to the device, and/or (d) a mechanism for advancing or retracting a guide wire. If the device includes one of these optional features, it need not be designed to grip a guide wire at two or more locations.

Abstract: A percutaneous harvesting device for the harvesting of tubular body members from a body is disclosed. The percutaneous harvesting device includes an endovascular guide for sufficiently straightening the tubular vessel to be removed and a perivascular cutting tool that is inserted over the endovascular guide. The cutting tool is advanced along the length of the tubular body member to be removed and it cuts body tissue (wherein the tubular body member is positioned inside the body tissue) as it is advanced. The body tissue is thus dissected from the body and can then be extracted percutaneously and rapidly from the body by pulling the endovascular guide, and the tubular body member and surrounding body tissue, from the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are surgical drains for use in surgical wounds. The drains are placed in the wound in the body and draw in unwanted bodily material. The drains can be of any shape, but preferably have a generally circular cross section or include a generally flat top surface, a generally flat bottom-surface and two sides connecting the top surface and bottom surface. The drain has an outer surface, two ends, a length and an interior lumen that may extend substantially along the length. At least one row of openings is formed in the outer surface along the longitudinal axis. The openings in a single row may comprise large cross-sectional openings alternating with small cross-sectional openings. If a plurality of rows are utilized, the small cross-sectional openings may not be included. It is preferred that the large cross-sectional openings in one row be offset, or staggered, from the large cross-sectional openings in a neighboring row.

Abstract: Disclosed is a race guide wire containment and dispensing system comprising an outer housing and an inner housing.

Abstract: The invention is a medical guide wire containment and dispensing device. The device is of unitary construction and defines a single, generally annular opening that receives the guide wire. Preferably, the device includes a mount for retaining a guide-wire torque device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical guide wire having a center portion and a floppy, or flexible and relatively soft, tail attached to each end of the center portion. Each floppy tail can be of any configuration, length or diameter. Also disclosed are optically-enhanced medical guide wires and medical guide wires with a smooth outer surface. The optically-enhanced medical guide wires preferably glow under ultraviolet light but can be optically enhanced in any manner that makes them highly visible during medical procedures. The smooth outer surface on a medical guide wire reduces friction and can be moved more easily through the vascular system, and are easier to clean than wires with a matte finish.

Abstract: A device for gripping a guide wire includes a body portion having an opening therethrough, and has an open position and a closed position. When the device is in the open position the guide wire may be passed through the opening. When the device is in the closed position the guide wire is gripped at more than one location thereby allowing force or torque to be applied to the guide wire. A device according to the invention may optionally, or instead, include (a) a snout to act as a guide wire director, (b) a structure, such as an opening, configured to receive an end of a guide wire package, (c) a structure for securing a body member to the device, and/or (d) a mechanism for advancing or retracting a guide wire. If the device includes one of these optional features, it need not be designed to grip a guide wire at two or more locations.

Abstract: A percutaneous harvesting device for the harvesting of tubular body members from a body is disclosed. The percutaneous harvesting device includes an endovascular guide for sufficiently straightening the tubular vessel to be removed and a perivascular cutting tool that is inserted over the endovascular guide. The cutting tool is advanced along the length of the tubular body member to be removed and it cuts body tissue (wherein the tubular body member is positioned inside the body tissue) as it is advanced. The body tissue is thus dissected from the body and can then be extracted percutaneously and rapidly from the body by pulling the endovascular guide, and the tubular body member and surrounding body tissue, from the body.

Abstract: A percutaneous harvesting device for the harvesting of tubular body members from a body is disclosed. The percutaneous harvesting device includes an endovascular guide for sufficiently straightening the tubular vessel to be removed and a perivascular cutting tool that is inserted over the endovascular guide. The cutting tool is advanced along the length of the tubular body member to be removed and it cuts body tissue (wherein the tubular body member is positioned inside the body tissue) as it is advanced. The body tissue is thus dissected from the body and can then be extracted percutaneously and rapidly from the body by pulling the endovascular guide, and the tubular body member and surrounding body tissue, from the body. The endovascular guide has one or more openings formed on the surface of the endovascular guide. The openings allow for introduced fluid to escape facilitating the removal of the endovascular guide from a tubular body member.