Abstract: A magnetic article with a corrosion resistant barrier formed from a poly (tetrafluoro-p-xylene) conformal coating or from a parylene conformal coating having a melting point of at least about 430° C. and a moisture vapor transmission less than about 0.5 g-mm/m2/day at 90% RH and 37° C., the conformal coating being covered with a polysulfone thermoplastic overlayer.

Abstract: A magnetic article with a corrosion resistant barrier formed from a poly(tetrafluoro-p-xylene) conformal coating or from a parylene conformal coating having a melting point of at least about 430° C. and a moisture vapor transmission less than about 0.5 g-mm/m2/day at 90% RH and 37° C., the conformal coating being covered with a polysulfone thermoplastic overlayer.

Abstract: A magnetic article with a corrosion resistant barrier formed from a poly (tetrafluoro-p-xylene) conformal coating or from a parylene conformal coating having a melting point of at least about 430° C. and a moisture vapor transmission less than about 0.5 g-mm/m2/day at 90% RH and 37° C., the conformal coating being covered with a polysulfone thermoplastic overlayer.

Abstract: A magnetic article with a corrosion resistant barrier formed from a poly(tetrafluoro-p-xylene) conformal coating or from a parylene conformal coating having a melting point of at least about 430° C. and a moisture vapor transmission less than about 0.5 g-mm/m2/day at 90% RH and 37° C., the conformal coating being covered with a polysulfone thermoplastic overlayer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying energy to human tissue, which includes an energy generator and a usage-limited, energy delivery device, and ancillary information exchange capability therebetween for the purposes of security, reliability and operational monitoring and control. The invention also provides a usage-limited, energy delivery device for use in such an apparatus, a method for determining the suitability of the delivery device for use in such an apparatus, and a method of using the delivery device in such an apparatus. The present invention provides an efficient medical treatment system having ready data-communication capability between its permanent and non-permanent components, for the security, reliability and operational monitoring and control desired in such medical systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy seed delivery system which includes a seed cartridge including a central channel, a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within the central channel and a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within the central channel. The present invention is further directed to a method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system including the steps of: providing a seed cartridge including a central channel, seeds and spacers as described above; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula. The present invention is further directed to an improved brachytherapy method including inserting the brachytherapy needle of the brachytherapy seed delivery system recited above into a human organ; and forcing the seeds and the spacer through the cannula of the brachytherapy needle and into the human organ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seed cartridge assembly including a cartridge body, a seed drawer slideably disposed within the cartridge body, a radiation shield slideably disposed around the cartridge body and a seed retainer in the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above including a gravity lock between the seed drawer and the cartridge body. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above, wherein the cartridge body includes a magnification lens positioned above the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above wherein a seed channel extends axially along the seed drawer and a plurality of vents extending from the seed channel to an exterior surface of the seed drawer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying energy to human tissue, which includes an energy generator and a usage-limited, energy delivery device, and ancillary information exchange capability therebetween for the purposes of security, reliability and operational monitoring and control. The invention also provides a usage-limited, energy delivery device for use in such an apparatus, a method for determining the suitability of the delivery device for use in such an apparatus, and a method of using the delivery device in such an apparatus. The present invention provides an efficient medical treatment system having ready data-communication capability between its permanent and non-permanent components, for the security, reliability and operational monitoring and control desired in such medical systems.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seed cartridge assembly including a cartridge body, a seed drawer slideably disposed within the cartridge body, a radiation shield slideably disposed around the cartridge body and a seed retainer in the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above including a gravity lock between the seed drawer and the cartridge body. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above, wherein the cartridge body includes a magnification lens positioned above the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above wherein a seed channel extends axially along the seed drawer and a plurality of vents extending from the seed channel to an exterior surface of the seed drawer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seed cartridge assembly including a cartridge body, a seed drawer slideably disposed within the cartridge body, a radiation shield slideably disposed around the cartridge body and a seed retainer in the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above including a gravity lock between the seed drawer and the cartridge body. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above, wherein the cartridge body includes a magnification lens positioned above the seed drawer. Further embodiments of the present invention include a seed cartridge assembly as described above wherein a seed channel extends axially along the seed drawer and a plurality of vents extending from the seed channel to an exterior surface of the seed drawer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy seed delivery system which includes a seed cartridge including a central channel, a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within the central channel and a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within the central channel, wherein the absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers are interspersed between the brachytherapy seeds. The present invention is further directed to a method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system including the steps of: providing a seed cartridge including a central channel; placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into the central channel of the seed cartridge; placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in the central channel between the brachytherapy seeds; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brachytherapy seed delivery system which includes a seed cartridge including a central channel, a plurality of brachytherapy seeds disposed within the central channel and a plurality of absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers disposed within the central channel, wherein the absorbable, dimensionally stable spacers are interspersed between the brachytherapy seeds. The present invention is further directed to a method of loading a brachytherapy seed delivery system including the steps of: providing a seed cartridge including a central channel; placing at least two brachytherapy seeds into the central channel of the seed cartridge; placing at least one absorbable, dimensionally stable spacer in the central channel between the brachytherapy seeds; connecting the brachytherapy seed cartridge to a brachytherapy needle including a cannula; and forcing the seeds out of the brachytherapy seed cartridge into the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to staple a hernia patch to tissue inside a body cavity. The endoscopic surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge pivotally mounted on the distal end of a support tube extending from a handle provided with an actuator mechanism for actuating a staple forming mechanism inside the staple cartridge to fasten staples to the tissue. The staple cartridge is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support tube. The staple actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the staple cartridge in any of the angular orientations. The support shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle to adjust the rotational orientation of the support shaft and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the support shaft to adjust the rotational position of the staple cartridge relative to the support shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to perform a surgical technique inside a body cavity. The surgical instrument includes a shaft with a pivotally mounted tip attached thereto, the shaft extending from a handle for gripping the instrument for insertion to the body cavity. The tip of the shaft is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support shaft and is rotatable at any angular orientation of the tip. The support shaft may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle, or it may be fixed with respect to the handle, in which case the handle may be rotated to rotate the shaft inside the body cavity. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic stapling device and the tip of the instrument comprises a staple cartridge which is rotatable 360.degree. about its axes after the cartridge has been articulated with respect to the support shaft.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument with a remotely articulated staple head assembly on a rotatable support shaft. A joy stick mounted to the shaft of the instrument near the handle allows for remote articulation of the staple head assembly. The staple head assembly includes a narrow contour for insertion between adjacent rib pairs without rib spreading. The staple head assembly further includes a reloadable staple cartridge which may be replaced with differently sized staples of a second cartridge. A closure trigger clamps tissue prior to stapling and cooperates with a second trigger that performs the staple firing operation. The triggers include a safety lock mechanism for preventing premature staple firing.

Abstract: A surgical method for creating an operative space during an endoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. The method incorporates the use of an elongate instrument with an atraumatic tip for facilitating manual dissection of layers of tissues by advancing the instrument between the layers desired to be dissected. As the manual dissection is performed, the space between the dissected layers is enhanced by concurrently insufflating the dissected space as the instrument is advanced. Concurrently insufflating while dissecting eliminates the need to use a balloon dissector for creating the operative space. An improved surgical instrument particularly adapted to carry out this procedure is also disclosed. The improved surgical instrument is an optical obturator incorporating a contrasting imaging element displayed on the transparent tip of the obturator.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft to which is attached an inflatable balloon, commonly referred to a "balloon dissector", for dissecting a desired layer of internal bodily tissue from remaining tissue layers to create an operative space is disclosed. Alternatively, an instrument without a balloon can be used to perform a manual dissection. In one embodiment, the instrument has a tissue-contacting element in communication with the shaft distal end, and at least a portion of the tissue-contacting element is transparent. The instrument is adapted to receive an endoscope through its shaft and extend to adjacent the tissue-contacting element. The endoscope is supported and positioned in an extension assembly. The instrument provides for visualization using the endoscope as the instrument is advanced through tissue, but prevents direct contact between the tip of the endoscope containing the lens and the tissue.

Abstract: A trocar including a cannula with a tubular sleeve having a stepped region thereon is disclosed. The stepped region has a plurality of discrete steps. Each step has a step floor and a step support base tapering radially inwardly from the step floor to an adjacent step floor. When the trocar is inserted through the body wall, and the stepped region of the sleeve of the cannula contacts the body wall, the force required to inadvertently pull the cannula out of the body wall when surgical instruments are withdrawn from the cannula increases. Thus, the tubular sleeve of the cannula increases the retention force of the cannula during surgery. The retention force is increased without appreciably affecting the force required to insert the trocar through the body wall. Additionally, these benefits are achieved without using helical threads or externally mounted stability devices, which add cost, complexity and increased risk of causing unwanted tissue trauma.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided which is insertable through an endoscopic tube to enable a surgeon to perform a surgical technique inside a body cavity. The surgical instrument includes a shaft with a pivotally mounted tip attached thereto, the shaft extending from a handle for gripping the instrument for insertion to the body cavity. The tip of the shaft is adjustable to different angular orientations relative to the support shaft and is rotatable at any angular orientation of the tip. The support shaft may be rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle, or it may be fixed with respect to the handle, in which case the handle may be rotated to rotate the shaft inside the body cavity. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic stapling device and the tip of the instrument comprises a staple cartridge which is rotatable 360.degree. about its axes after the cartridge has been articulated with respect to the support shaft.