Abstract: In general, surgical devices including visual indicators thereon are provided. A user of the device therefore may quickly visually ascertain various operational details of the surgical device and/or various pieces of information about the device and/or tissue of a patient being operated on.

Abstract: A surgical end effector is provided having upper and lower jaws pivotally coupled to one another by at least one connecting member that is configured to allow a gap between the jaws to be set at a desired height. In one embodiment, the connecting member can be pivotably coupled to the upper jaw and fixed within a slot in the lower jaw. The connecting member can be fixed within the slot in one of multiple positions so as to position first and second tissue contacting surfaces of the upper and lower jaws at a predetermined distance from one another when the first and second jaws are in the closed position. The connecting member can include a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the upper jaw. Alternatively, the upper jaw can include a pin formed thereon that extends into a bore formed in the connecting member.

Abstract: In general, surgical devices including visual indicators thereon are provided. A user of the device therefore may quickly visually ascertain various operational details of the surgical device and/or various pieces of information about the device and/or tissue of a patient being operated on.

Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a first jaw, a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end. A second jaw of the end effector includes a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end. The end effector also includes an electrically conductive gap setting member which defines a distal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. At least one pivot is fixed to one of the jaws to set a proximal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. A method for making an end effector and a method for assembling an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a first jaw, a first energy delivery surface, a first distal end, and a first proximal end. A second jaw of the end effector includes a second energy delivery surface, a second distal end, and a second proximal end. The end effector also includes an electrically conductive gap setting member which defines a distal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. At least one pivot is fixed to one of the jaws to set a proximal gap distance between the first and second energy delivery surfaces. A method for making an end effector and a method for assembling an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the formation of blood clots. Also, the devices may be modified to promote endothelialization. In addition, various polymer combinations may be utilized to control the elution rates of the therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds from the implantable medical devices.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for performing a procedure inside a patient. The instrument includes a handle assembly including a grip for holding the instrument and controls for controlling movement of the instrument. An elongate shaft having a grip end is mounted on the handle assembly. The shaft has a working end opposite the grip end. The shaft has a proximal portion adjacent the grip end and a distal portion adjacent the working end. The proximal portion has a centerline and is selectively rotatable with respect to the handle assembly. The distal portion has a centerline and is selectively articulatable relative to the proximal portion of the shaft. The instrument includes an end effector mounted on the working end of the elongate shaft. The end effector is selectively rotatable about the distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for rotating an end effector on a long, flexible medical device. The methods and devices utilize an actuator mechanism that is effective to rotate an end effector on the distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The actuator mechanism is movable between a freely rotatable position and a rotationally resistant position. When the actuator mechanism is in a freely rotatable position, the actuator mechanism can be rotated to impart torque to the end effector, and thus at least a distal portion of the elongate shaft, to cause the end effector to rotate. In order to prevent the actuator mechanism from “freewheeling,” wherein the actuator mechanism freely rotates in an opposite direction upon release rather than the end effector rotating in the desired direction, the actuator mechanism can be moved to the rotationally resistant position.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion. The housings are also shaped to minimize their impact on the overall profile of the stent.

Abstract: A stent or other intraluminal medical device having markers formed from housings integral with the stent and marker inserts having a higher radiopacity than the stent provides for more precise placement and post-procedural visualization in a vessel, by increasing the radiopacity of the stent under X-ray fluoroscopy. The housings are formed integral to the stent and the marker inserts are made from a material close in the galvanic series to the stent material and sized to substantially minimize the effect of galvanic corrosion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composite pipe for handling destructive materials under pressure and vacuum conditions. The pipe includes a tubular liner formed of thermoplastic material capable of withstanding the destructive material. A strip of glass fiber fabric is helically wrapped around the outer surface of the liner. Heat is applied externally to the wrapped liner at a sufficient rate to simultaneously melt the exterior surface of the liner and thermally expand the liner radially outwardly into the openings in the fabric. Upon cooling, a permanent mechanical bond is achieved between the liner and the fabric. A layer of fiber glass and resin is then applied to the outer surface of the wrapped liner for structural rigidity and strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composite pipe for handling destructive materials under pressure and vacuum conditions. The pipe includes a tubular liner formed of thermoplastic material capable of withstanding the destructive material. A strip of glass fiber fabric is helically wrapped around the outer surface of the liner. Heat is applied externally to the wrapped liner at a sufficient rate to simultaneously melt the exterior surface of the liner and thermally expand the liner radially outwardly into the openings in the fabric. Upon cooling, a permanent mechanical bond is achieved between the liner and the fabric. A layer of fiber glass and resin is then applied to the outer surface of the wrapped liner for structional rigidity and strength.