Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: A tow control remotely controls a connected towing vehicle by generating and transmitting a signal that controls the propulsion of the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle is controllable to generate propulsion for the tow control, a towed vehicle, and an operator. A flexible tow line joins the tow control to the towing vehicle. The operator, while holding the tow control and mounting the towed vehicle, can maintain independent movement relative to the towing vehicle because of the flexible nature of the tow line and the distance between the towing vehicle and tow control. The towing vehicle includes a receiver that remotely receives a signal from a transmitter on the tow control. The receiver relays the signal to a processor that regulates a steering portion, motor, and brake mechanism on the towing vehicle. A control portion on the tow control generates the signal for operation.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a shaft, a flexible portion, and a head coupled to the shaft through the flexible portion and pivotably coupled to the flexible portion. The head includes a non-conductive surface and an electrically conductive surface. The flexible portion is configured to bias the non-conductive surface and the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface, such as cartilage. The non-conductive surface may include a material having a thermal conductivity less than or equal to about 30 W/m*K and/or a volume resistivity greater than or equal to about 1×1014 ohm*cm. The non-conductive surface may include a ceramic such as Macor® ceramic, ZTA ceramic, and/or 99.5% alumina ceramic.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. An adjustable filter is provided having a frame and a mesh disposed about the frame. The frame is generally circular when deployed and has a first point, a first arc extending 180° from the first point to a second point on the circular frame that is opposite the first point, and a second arc extending 180° from the first point to the second point. The filter is deployed by advancing the frame distally through the tubular member with the second point leading and the first point trailing.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.

Abstract: A modular blood filter apparatus and methods of use. The modular filter apparatus includes an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge to protect the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may be removably introduced into a blood vessel, and the adjustable filter device may be deployed through the device into the vessel. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the filter. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. An adjustable filter is provided having a frame and a mesh disposed about the frame. The frame is generally circular when deployed and has a first point, a first arc extending 180° from the first point to a second point on the circular frame that is opposite the first point, and a second arc extending 180° from the first point to the second point. The filter is deployed by advancing the frame distally through the tubular member with the second point leading and the first point trailing.

Abstract: A modular blood filter apparatus and methods of use. The modular filter apparatus includes an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge to protect the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may be removably introduced into a blood vessel, and the adjustable filter device may be deployed through the device into the vessel. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the filter. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising a hollow vessel insertion device with a modular filter apparatus. The insertion device, which can be an introducer, includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a proximal end adapted to receive a modular filter apparatus. When the insertion device is a cannula, the modular filter apparatus is received through a side port. The modular filter apparatus includes a shaft and an adjustable filter device or a removable filter associated with the shaft. The adjustable filter includes filter mesh, an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the mesh. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel or embolic debris may be removed by an aspiration tube.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising a hollow vessel insertion device with a modular filter apparatus. The insertion device, which can be an introducer, includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a proximal end adapted to receive a modular filter apparatus. When the insertion device is a cannula, the modular filter apparatus is received through a side port. The modular filter apparatus includes a shaft and an adjustable filter device or a removable filter associated with the shaft. The adjustable filter includes filter mesh, an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge, and the shaft is inserted into the cartridge, thereby protecting the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may then be removably received by the insertion device. An expandable obturator may be used to ease the entry of the insertion device into the vessel.

Abstract: A modular blood filter device and delivery system, comprising a hollow vessel insertion device with a modular filter apparatus. The insertion device, which can be an introducer, includes a distal end adapted to enter an artery, and a proximal end adapted to receive a modular filter apparatus. When the insertion device is a cannula, the modular filter apparatus is received through a side port. The modular filter apparatus includes a shaft and an adjustable filter device or a removable filter associated with the shaft. The adjustable filter includes filter mesh, an adjustable flame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge, and the shaft is inserted into the cartridge, thereby protecting the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may then be removably received by the insertion device. An expandable obturator may be used to ease the entry of the insertion device into the vessel.

Abstract: A dripless cannula system usable with a syringe or other fluid container in a fluid sampling procedure and operable to minimize retention of residual fluids at a sampling site following the sampling procedure. In the preferred embodiment, a vacuum chamber operatively connected to a blunt cannula of the dripless cannula system is operative upon withdrawal of the cannula from the sampling site to draw residual fluids at the site into the vacuum chamber for subsequent disposal. The dripless cannula system of the present invention is a simple, effective apparatus for minimizing the presence of residual fluids at a sampling site following a sampling procedure.

Abstract: A blood sampling system incorporates a fluid storage mechanism which can be disposed along the longitudinal axis of a fluid line extending from an injection site to a fluid supply. Both the main body portion of the fluid storage mechanism and a fluid draw element of the fluid storage mechanism are axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fluid line. The fluid storage mechanism also incorporates a vortex inducer element at the distal end of the fluid draw element to induce a swirl of fluid to cleanse the fluid storage mechanism once a sample drawn into the fluid storage mechanism has been returned to the patient. An alternative embodiment of the fluid storage mechanism includes a volume control device.