Abstract: The present disclosure relates to negative pressure-based gripping system for gripping and retaining a target, preferably a moving target, such as a heart of a human or animal, in a fixed position, comprising: a catheter having a tubular body; a proximal end; and a remotely operable and flexible distal end section with a distal opening; a negative pressure generator, such as a vacuum pump, in connection with the tubular body; and a control unit configured to position the distal end of the catheter, wherein said control unit is further configured to control an operation of the negative pressure generator such that a negative pressure is generated in the tubular body to grip the target by the distal opening of the catheter upon positioning of the distal opening adjacent to the target. The disclosure further relates to method for gripping and retaining a target, preferably a moving target, such as a heart of a human or animal, in a fixed position in relation to the device.

Abstract: A endovascular graft having sensing devices attached thereto to facilitate measurement of pertinent parameters within the vasculature into which the graft is implanted. Power sources and transmitters may be attached to the graft to facilitate transmission of measurements to a receiving device outside the patient's body. The sensing devices, may be electrically passive or integrated devices with measurement and transmission capability. The sensing devices may be attached to specific locations on the graft material or attached to the lumen, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be dispersed over the surface of the graft material or within the lumen to provide a profile of pertinent parameters. The sensing devices may be attached to the graft material with one suture using a running stitch to minimize graft bulk and may be coated with a material to inhibit or control tissue growth.

Abstract: A balloon anchor provides for the anchoring of a surgical instrument, such as conventional trocar sheath, within a puncture opening formed by a trocar. When used on a trocar sheath, the anchor is secured to the smooth outer surface of the sheath for extension through the puncture opening as the trocar within the sheath forms the opening. Adhesive or mechanical means are provided to secure the balloon the instrument. No modification to the structure of the instrument is required. Once in place within the opening, the balloon is inflated to the interior of the tissue to anchor the instrument in place. Certain embodiments also provide for inflation of the balloon within and/or to the exterior of the opening.

Abstract: A endovascular graft having sensing devices attached thereto to facilitate measurement of pertinent parameters within the vasculature into which the graft is implanted. Power sources and transmitters may be attached to the graft to facilitate transmission of measurements to a receiving device outside the patient's body. The sensing devices, may be electrically passive or integrated devices with measurement and transmission capability. The sensing devices may be attached to specific locations on the graft material or attached to the lumen, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be dispersed over the surface of the graft material or within the lumen to provide a profile of pertinent parameters. The sensing devices may be attached to the graft material with one suture using a running stitch to minimize graft bulk and may be coated with a material to inhibit or control tissue growth.

Abstract: A endovascular graft having sensing devices attached thereto to facilitate measurement of pertinent parameters within the vasculature into which the graft is implanted. Power sources and transmitters may be attached to the graft to facilitate transmission of measurements to a receiving device outside the patient's body. The sensing devices, may be electrically passive or integrated devices with measurement and transmission capability. The sensing devices may be attached to specific locations on the graft material or attached to the lumen, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be dispersed over the surface of the graft material or within the lumen to provide a profile of pertinent parameters. The sensing devices may be attached to the graft material with one suture using a running stitch to minimize graft bulk and may be coated with a material to inhibit or control tissue growth.

Abstract: A endovascular graft having sensing devices attached thereto to facilitate measurement of pertinent parameters within the vasculature into which the graft is implanted. Power sources and transmitters may be attached to the graft to facilitate transmission of measurements to a receiving device outside the patient's body. The sensing devices, may be electrically passive or integrated devices with measurement and transmission capability. The sensing devices may be attached to specific locations on the graft material or attached to the lumen, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be dispersed over the surface of the graft material or within the lumen to provide a profile of pertinent parameters. The sensing devices may be attached to the graft material with one suture using a running stitch to minimize graft bulk and may be coated with a material to inhibit or control tissue growth.

Abstract: A gas-sealed instrument for use in laparoscopic procedures in a gas-insufflated body cavity. The instrument comprises a static portion, a moving portion, and a sealing means for preventing gas from escaping from the body cavity through the static portion. The static portion includes a handle, and an elongate outer tube having a bore, a proximal portion attached to the handle, and a distal portion adapted for inserting into the body cavity. The moving portion includes an operating lever pivotally mounted in the handle, and an elongate operating rod mounted in the bore of the elongate outer tube, and sliding axially relative thereto in response to the operating lever.The sealing means includes a cylinder in the handle and a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder. The cylinder is in gas-tight communication with the bore of the outer tube, and the piston interconnects the operating lever and the operating rod.

Abstract: An gas-sealed instrument for use in laparoscopic procedures in a gas-insufflated body cavity. The instrument comprises a static portion, a moving portion, and a flexible seal for preventing gas from escaping from the body cavity through the static portion. The static portion includes a handle, and an elongate outer tube having a bore, a proximal portion attached to the handle, and a distal portion adapted for inserting into the body cavity. The moving portion includes an operating lever pivotally mounted in the handle, and an elongate operating rod mounted in the bore of the elongate outer tube, and sliding axially relative thereto in response to the operating lever. The flexible seal includes an outer portion attached to the static portion, an inner portion disposed about part of the moving portion, and a flexible mid portion between the outer portion and the inner portion. A rigid seal may be substituted for the flexible seal.

Abstract: An improved trocar is provided which includes converters for adapting to different size surgical instruments while maintaining sealing. The invention also includes an improved trocar tube body seal design which accepts and accommodates surgical tool angulation while still maintaining sealing. Still further, the invention provides a trocar obturator with a snap-fit joint which permits the forward portion of the obturator to be detached from the trocar body and separately used with the trocar tube subassembly. With this option, a latch mechanism is configured opposite to a converter to retain the obturator fixed with the trocar tube subassembly.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a surgical clip applier includes means for preventing closure of the clip closing mechanism when no clips are left in the applier. The clip applier includes a shaft having distal and proximal ends, means in the shaft for advancing clips to the distal end, means at the distal end for closing clips and a jam clip carried by the advancing means proximally of the surgical clips, wherein the jam clip is positioned in the clip closing means and prevents closure thereof after all surgical clips have been applied.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical clip for use in conjunction with a clip applier. The clip may be closed in a curved shape, has improved gripping capabilities, and maximizes the gripping surface relative to clip size. The clip preferably includes a longitudinal channel through the gripping surfaces of the clip legs, the channel having at least one sidewall inclined to form an undercut, such that the channel is wider at its floor than at its opening in the gripping surface. The clip further may have one leg longer than the other such that the clip may be closed in a curved shape with the legs parallel and the tips of the legs substantially even. The clip may also have one or more inverse arcuate portions on at least one of its legs to improve the tightness of clip closure.