Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A surgical tool (112, 410) for use in expanding a cannula (10, 150, 250) includes a first leg (114, 414) having a first end (118, 418) engageable with an inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula. A second leg (114, 414) is connected with the first leg (114, 414). The second leg (114, 414) has a second end (118, 418) engageable with the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250). The first and second ends (118, 418) are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250) and cause expansion of the cannula.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end.

Abstract: A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).

Abstract: One device in accordance with the present invention includes a surgical device for creating channels in tissue of a patient. The device includes a catheter defining a lumen and a transducer assembly carried by the catheter along a lengthwise dimension of the catheter. An end effector is operatively coupled to the transducer assembly and extends distally relative to the transducer assembly. The end effector has a vibrating channel-forming tip wherein the channel-forming tip is adapted to create channels in the heart of a patient. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of inserting an end effector having a tip into a patient, placing the tip of the end effector in direct contact with a surface of the heart, energizing the end effector to cause the tip to vibrate, piercing through the surface of the heart with the tip to create a channel, and removing the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical tool (112, 410) for use in expanding a cannula (10, 150, 250) includes a first leg (114, 414) having a first end (118, 418) engageable with an inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula. A second leg (114, 414) is connected with the first leg (114, 414). The second leg (114, 414) has a second end (118, 418) engageable with the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250). The first and second ends (118, 418) are movable away from each other to apply a radially outwardly directed force to the inner surface (70, 212, 322) of the cannula (10, 150, 250) and cause expansion of the cannula.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure on a body includes providing a cannula having a tubular structure with first and second tubular portions defining first and second passages for receiving surgical instruments. The second tubular portion is inserted inside the body and the first tubular portion is inserted so that the first tubular portion extends from an exterior of the body to inside the body. The second tubular portion expands to increase the cross-sectional area of the second passage in the second tubular portion while the second tubular portion is inside the body. The cross-sectional area of the first passage in the first tubular portion is maintained. The first tubular portion has a first thickness and the second tubular portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness.

Abstract: A cannula (10) receives surgical instruments (120) for performing a surgical procedure on a body (130). The cannula (10) comprises a tube structure (12) defining a passage (16) through which the surgical instruments (120) are inserted into the body (130). The tube structure (12) has a proximal end (20) and a distal end (62). The tube structure (12) includes an expandable portion (40) for enabling an increase in the cross-sectional area of the passage (16) at the distal end (62). The expandable portion (40) of the tube structure (12), when expanded, has a conical configuration.

Abstract: One device in accordance with the present invention includes a surgical device for creating channels in tissue of a patient. The device includes a catheter defining a lumen and a transducer assembly carried by the catheter along a lengthwise dimension of the catheter. An end effector is operatively coupled to the transducer assembly and extends distally relative to the transducer assembly. The end effector has a vibrating channel-forming tip wherein the channel-forming tip is adapted to create channels in the heart of a patient. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of inserting an end effector having a tip into a patient, placing the tip of the end effector in direct contact with a surface of the heart, energizing the end effector to cause the tip to vibrate, piercing through the surface of the heart with the tip to create a channel, and removing the end effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ultrasonic scalpel blade with a hook and having flat, non-sharpened, relatively dull edges to improve ultrasonic coupling to adjacent tissue and afford exceptional coagulation and hemostasis. The blade with hook is particularly useful for cutting loose, unsupported tissue by grasping the tissue with the hook portion and tensioning it while cutting. The blade affords improved coagulation and hemostasis in loose, unsupported tissue, while simultaneously providing an improved cutting action.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus includes a surgical instrument having a handpiece with a transducer for converting an electrical signal into longitudinal vibratory motion of a blade connected to the handpiece and an accessory releasably connected to the handpiece to enable clamping of tissue against the vibrating blade to afford improved coagulating and cutting of tissue. Scissors-like grips actuate a pivoted clamp jaw along one side of the ultrasonically vibrating blade to compress and bias tissue against the blade in a direction normal to the direction of longitudinal vibratory movement. The clamp jaw and blade are rotatable relative to one another to align a selected blade edge of a multi-edged blade with the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating while clamping or circumferentially spacing a selected blade edge from the clamp jaw for cutting and coagulating without clamping.

Abstract: The ultrasonic scalpel blade includes a blade having an included blade edge angle of 25.degree. and greater such that, upon application of ultrasonic power, the otherwise blunt blade has a perceived sharpness corresponding to the sharpness of manually used scalpel blades with the added advantage of improved coagulation and hemostasis. Blades are also provided with varying included angles for ultrasonically incising different tissues.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly is provided which includes a silicone rubber catheter for insertion into the left ventricle of the heart. A stylet of malleable metal covered by a plastic cover is inserted into the catheter to permit the catheter and stylet to be manually shaped into a desired form before insertion into the patient. The stylet is removable from the catheter after the catheter is in the patient.

Abstract: A medical underwater seal, chest drainage apparatus is provided which includes a catheter having a main lumen and an auxiliary lumen for insertion into a chest cavity to be drained of body fluid. The main lumen is connected to a drainage collection device and the auxiliary lumen is adapted to be connected to a variable setting venting valve so that an adjustable flow rate of air from the atmosphere can flow into the auxiliary lumen for venting the cavity.