Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a sharp distal end. An insulating member extends through the hollow needle and is movable relative to the hollow needle. An elongated member extends through the insulating member and is movable relative to both the insulating member and the hollow needle. A resilient wire projects from the elongated member and is retractable within and extendable outside of the insulating member and the hollow needle. The insulating member, elongated member, and resilient wire are movable relative to the needle using first and second moving means whereby the surgical assembly assumes various configurations having different operational functions.

Abstract: A therapeutic compression apparatus having a primary wrap, a foot wrap and a stirrup is provided. The primary wrap encircles a first portion of a leg and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap encircles at least a portion of the foot and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap may be integrated with the stirrup, detachably connected or provided separately. The compression apparatus may be configured such that one or more bladders are provided therein. The compression apparatus may include a pressure gauge and pump for controlling an amount of pressure applied to the treatment site. A bladder assembly with a number of fluid bladder configurations is also provided for use within a compression apparatus. The bladder may be configured to provide a gradient pressure profile to the treatment site when filled.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter, a longitudinal axis, and a sharp distal end. An insulating member extends through the hollow needle and is movable relative to the hollow needle. An elongated member extends through the insulating member and is movable relative to both the insulating member and the hollow needle. A resilient wire projects from the elongated member and is retractable within and extendable outside of the insulating member and the hollow needle. The insulating member, elongated member, and resilient wire are movable relative to the needle using first and second moving means whereby the surgical assembly assumes various configurations having different operational functions.

Abstract: A venous closure catheter is disclosed for performing sclerotherapy which includes an elongated catheter body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, a fluid delivery lumen and a guidewire lumen. A plurality of discharge apertures are associated with the distal end portion of the catheter body and communicate with the fluid delivery lumen for delivering a sclerosing solution into the saphenous vein. A circumferential flange is positioned on an exterior surface of the catheter body proximal to the discharge apertures, which has a plurality of projections formed thereon for traumatizing the inner wall of the saphenous vein upon removal of the catheter body therefrom to promote closure of saphenous vein after sclerotherapy. A compression apparatus is disclosed for providing therapeutic pressure subsequent to sclerotherapy. The compression apparatus includes first and second wraps for providing compression of an upper leg, and the lower leg and foot, respectively.

Abstract: A compression garment for use on a limb includes a stocking, a first fastening device, and a second fastening device. The stocking has upper and lower portions configured to apply compressive forces to the limb. The upper portion of the stocking is configured to at least partially wrap around the first fastening device during rotation thereof, and the lower portion of the stocking is configured to at least partially wrap around the second fastening device during rotation thereof whereby rotation of the first and second fastening devices adjusts compressive forces applied by the upper and lower portions of the stocking to the limb.

Abstract: Supportive exercise devices assist a user in achieving and maintaining any of a variety of postures prescribed by various exercise practices, including yoga disciplines, and are particularly suited for training, by assisting and guiding a user in proper technique. Such supportive exercise devices are adapted and configured to assist a user in achieving and maintaining an exercise posture and include a seat adapted and configured to be placed under a user, a support frame extending upwardly from the seat, a backrest carried by the support frame, and shoulder straps carried by the support frame, adapted and configured for maintaining the user's shoulders in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A compression garment includes a wrap member with a proximal end portion and opposed distal end portion. The wrap member is configured to wrap about at least a portion of a lower leg between calf and heel. The wrap member includes an inner sheet configured and adapted to be disposed facing the lower leg in use, and an outer sheet joined to the inner sheet with a leg compression bladder defined between the inner and outer sheets. The leg compression bladder is configured to compress at least a portion of the lower leg to augment venous return flow in the lower leg.

Abstract: A rake retractor for use in minimally invasive medical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery includes a handle shaft, rake prongs, and end configurations that can be used to move elements within a body cavity. The prongs of the rake retractor are biased to an open position such that when the rake prongs extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The end configurations are offset so that they may be compactly brought together within the narrow space of a needle having a diameter typically not greater than 2.5 mm.

Abstract: A medical assembly includes a platform which is securely mountable to an operating room fixture, and a plurality of arms or arm modules coupled to the platform and each with a grasper for holding a surgical instrument or port. The medical assembly is particularly applicable for laparoscopic surgery although it is not limited thereto.

Abstract: A compression garment includes a backing member with a proximal end portion and opposed distal end portion. The backing member is configured to be disposed about at least a portion of a lower leg between calf and heel and has an inner surface to be disposed facing the lower leg, and an opposite outer surface. The garment further includes at least one compression bladder disposed within the backing member configured to compress at least a portion of the lower leg to augment venous return flow in the lower leg, an elevation member operatively coupled to the backing member and configured to elevate the heel from an underlying support surface and at least one support member disposed along a portion of the elevation member and along a portion of the backing member to retain the elevation member in a desired position with respect to the backing member to elevate the heel.

Abstract: An improved catheter device includes an elongate shaft having a distal portion adapted to be disposed with the abdominal aorta and a plurality of expandable members disposed thereon. One expandable member is dimensioned and configured so that it rests within the iliac bifurcation when expanded. At least two expandable members are spaced apart from the one expandable member and configured to selectively occlude blood flow to different abdominal/pelvic arteries when expanded. Preferably, the distal-most and the proximal-most expandable members are spaced apart at a distance more than 20 cm and less than 40 cm (and most preferably on the order of 30 cm). The expandable members are preferably realized by four inflatable balloons controlled by fluidic pressure supplied thereto via corresponding inflation lumens in the shaft. The catheter device can be fixated within the abdominal aorta and manipulated in order to quickly and efficiently identify and isolate a hemorrhage flowing from an abdominal artery.

Abstract: The subject invention includes devices for providing therapeutic pressure to a treatment site. The devices include a bladder portion and a dressing portion. The bladder portion has opposed upper and lower exterior walls sealed to one another along common peripheral edges thereof to form an interior pressure chamber therebetween, without a lip or flange extending around the perimeter of the peripheral edge. The dressing portion is integrated with the bladder portion or detachably provided so that none of the bladder material comes into contact with the patient's skin at the treatment site. The interior pressure chamber of the bladder portion may have a number of configurations and serves as a bolster for the dressing portion, used to aid in the healing process of the wound.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly includes an outer hollow needle which may be used in puncturing skin to insert and advance the surgical instrument into the body, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The outer diameter of the needle may be dimensioned such that a wound formed from the hollow needle puncturing the skin is capable of being closed independent of stitching, and may be approximately 2 mm or smaller. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle.

Abstract: A therapeutic compression apparatus having a primary wrap, a foot wrap and a stirrup is provided. The primary wrap encircles a first portion of a leg and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap encircles at least a portion of the foot and applies compression thereto. The foot wrap may be integrated with the stirrup, detachably connected or provided separately. The compression apparatus may be configured such that one or more bladders are provided therein. The compression apparatus may include a pressure gauge and pump for controlling an amount of pressure applied to the treatment site. A bladder assembly with a number of fluid bladder configurations is also provided for use within a compression apparatus. The bladder may be configured to provide a gradient pressure profile to the treatment site when filled.

Abstract: A venous closure catheter is disclosed for performing sclerotherapy which includes an elongated catheter body having opposed proximal and distal end portions, a fluid delivery lumen and a guidewire lumen. A plurality of discharge apertures are associated with the distal end portion of the catheter body and communicate with the fluid delivery lumen for delivering a sclerosing solution into the saphenous vein. A circumferential flange is positioned on an exterior surface of the catheter body proximal to the discharge apertures, which has a plurality of projections formed thereon for traumatizing the inner wall of the saphenous vein upon removal of the catheter body therefrom to promote closure of saphenous vein after sclerotherapy. A compression apparatus is disclosed for providing therapeutic pressure subsequent to sclerotherapy. The compression apparatus includes first and second wraps for providing compression of an upper leg, and the lower leg and foot, respectively.

Abstract: A vascular introducer sheath includes a sheath body having an interior lumen for accommodating a dilator. The vascular introducer further includes a guidewire positioning means operatively associated with the interior lumen of the sheath body for directing a guidewire in either a vascular direction or an arterial direction within a venous system.

Abstract: Various surgical instruments for laparoscopic procedures is provided, which are adapted and configured to aspirate and retract a hollow organ, such as a gallbladder. The surgical instruments can includes a needle body, an anchor that is deployable with respect to the needle body, which is adapted and configured for engaging and retracting the hollow organ. Moreover, an aperture can be provided in connection with the needle body, which is adapted and configured for permitting aspiration of contents of the hollow organ. The anchor can be held within, and deployable from, a lumen of the needle body, or held on, and deployable from, an outside surface of the needle body, for example.

Abstract: A garment that includes at least one inflatable chamber for applying compression to a limb for assisting venous return, and an elevation member to elevate the limb. The elevation member may comprise an inflatable chamber, and the garment may be configured for compressive therapy of the leg while elevating the heel, eliminating or otherwise reducing or mitigating pressure on an individual's heel while the leg is in an extended position and undergoing compressive therapy.