Abstract: A suture handling device for handling a plurality of suture elements is provided. The suture handling device comprises a body. It further comprises a plurality of passages defined on the body. Each passage has a mouth and an opposed end. The passages are arranged to diverge outwardly relative to one another in a direction away from their mouths, such that when the suture handling device is advanced over a plurality of spaced apart suture elements so that the suture elements enter the mouths and pass along the passages, the suture elements become spaced further apart. Advantageously, the suture handling device can be provided with an engaging formation for engaging the suture elements in the slots after they have been spaced further apart, thereby to retain the suture elements on the device.

Abstract: Various obesity treatment tools and methods are described herein, as well as treatments for other gastric-related diseases, e.g., GERD. Treatment includes reducing the size of the stomach pouch to limit the caloric intake as well as to provide an earlier feeling of satiety. This may be done by creating a smaller gastric pouch within the stomach directly from the interior of the stomach itself. The smaller pouches may be made through the use of individual anchoring devices, rotating probes, or volume reduction devices. A pyloroplasty procedure may also be performed to render the pyloric sphincter incompetent. A gastric bypass procedure may additionally be performed using atraumatic magnetic anastomoses devices so that sugars and fats are passed directly to the bowel while bypassing the stomach. Many of these procedures may be done in a variety of combinations. Treatment may create enforced behavioral modifications by discouraging the ingestion of high-caloric foods.

Abstract: A low profile device for simultaneous angioplasty and occlusion includes an angioplasty balloon and an occlusion element which adjoin a common catheter. The occlusion element may be either self-expanding (in which case it is deployed with a sheath that surrounds the catheter) or non-self-expanding (in which case it is deployed with a pull wire that passes through the catheter). The angioplasty balloon is inflated with fluid that either passes through the catheter or a separate tube (or lumen) that adjoins the catheter.

Abstract: A lancer device that enables a user to draw blood from a patient and discard the used lancet without touching it. The device also has an adjustable tip for selecting the depth of stylet penetration into the patient and a triggering mechanism that utilizes a yoke latch and a leaf spring to discharge the lancet. The lancer also has a dampening feature to reduce vibrations when the lancet is moving.

Abstract: A thrombus filter configured for placement in within a blood vessel lumen defined by a blood vessel wall. Methods and devices for selectively removing the thrombus filter when the presence of a filter in the vascular system is no longer desired. The thrombus filter includes a first strand formation, a second strand formation, and a joined portion.

Abstract: An intravascular filter for capturing embolic particles entrained in blood flowing in an arterial vessel during an interventional procedure. The filter is intended to be used as a primary filtering device in conjunction with interventional treatment procedures such as balloon angioplasty and/or stenting. The filter may also be used as a secondary filtering device in conjunction with suction in atherectomy and other interventional procedures. The filter is capable of capturing embolic particles at least as small as 150 microns in diameter, thereby increasing the safety of balloon angioplasty and stenting. The filter includes a spring-like expandable strut assembly and a filtering medium composed of a plurality of complex passageways. The filter assembly is compressible to an initial low profile delivery diameter and is expandable to a larger deployed diameter.

Abstract: A vein filter having improved collectability of chyme blood or thrombi and stability of indwelling. The filter includes at least 3 wires radially spreading backward of a head member and connected such that the intervals between any adjacent two wires are connected with threads of an equal length at a substantially equal distance from the head member. At respective connection parts where the threads are connected to the wires, hook parts to be hooked on the inner wall of a blood vessel are provided. The head member is on the apex of a shaft extending back and the rear end of each wire is connected to a slide member slidable along the shaft. The wires are preferably made of shape memory alloy or stainless spring steel.

Abstract: A breast stabilizing and support device has a generally oval base with a central opening therethrough, a variable diameter cord or band positioned concentrically within the central opening and adapted to be slid over the breast and tightened at the breast base to cause the breast to bulge firmly away from the base, and one or more articulated arms that are adapted to be attached to and adjustably positioned around the base for holding various instruments. The base is semi-rigid and compliant to form around the contours of the torso adjacent to the breast. Attached to the base and lying in the central opening is a loop of cord that is adjustable in diameter and adapted to surround and apply a radially inward, compressive force to the breast. One or more articulated arms have selectively lockable clamps at one end for securing the arms to the base at various positions.

Abstract: A surgical clamp having an elongate cavity to receive a replaceable pad. The pad includes a draw cord to draw the pad into place on the jaw. The pad is formed with an attachment member engagable in the elongate cavity of the jaw. The draw cord is preferably an extension of the attachment member.

Abstract: Methods for siliconizing surgical needles include a plasma polymerization coating process.

Abstract: A device and method for the surgical removal of tissue from a mammalian body, specifically arteriosclerotic plaques from human beings, including a photo-degradatory endoscope having a tip end and a tubular body connected to a power source, a light source, controls, and a viewer, which are remote from the tip end, the tubular body comprising a light-transmissive material such that catalyst-activating wavelengths emitted from the light source are transmitted to the tip end and through a tip into the body; and a photocatalyst for tissue degradation that is presented proximal the tip end for making a reaction with catalyst-activating wavelengths transmitted from the light source through the tubular body, through the tip, and into the body.

Abstract: A device for irradiating a limited, defined area where uniform and intense irradiation is obtained of a sharply defined light field (7) of variable size, the light from a halogen lamp (1) or similar incoherent light source being directed by means of an elliptical mirror (2) towards one end surface (3) of a transparent rod (4) whose opposite end surface (6) is thereby uniformly irradiated and is imaged by a lens (7) in the area (9) which has to be irradiated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing hypothermia of a selected organ without significant effect on surrounding organs or other tissues. A flexible catheter is inserted through the vascular system of a patient to place the distal tip of the catheter in an artery feeding the selected organ. A compressed refrigerant is pumped through the catheter to an expansion element near the distal tip of the catheter, where the refrigerant vaporizes and expands to cool a flexible heat transfer element in the distal tip of the catheter. The heat transfer element cools the blood flowing through the artery, to cool the selected organ, distal to the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: An inflatable cover is constructed with a base sheet to which is attached an overlaying material sheet in order to form an inflatable structure. There is an opening to admit warmed air into the inflatable structure. A plurality of apertures open through the base sheet, into the inflatable structure for the purpose of exhausting warmed air therefrom, through the base sheet. The plurality of apertures vary in density toward an edge of the base sheet for the purpose of establishing various temperature profiles with respect to the inflatable cover. In a particular embodiment, the density of the apertures increases toward the edges of the base sheet, from the center of the inflatable cover.

Abstract: Partially encapsulated stents are made using strips and bands of covering material. In one embodiment ringed stents are placed over an inner ePTFE tube (e.g., supported on a mandrel) and are covered by a series of longitudinal strips. A series of spaced apart ePTFE circumferential bands can then be placed over the top of the longitudinal strips and ringed stents; alternatively bands alone or strips alone may be employed. All of the components of the structure are then laminated to the inner ePTFE tube to capture the stent. By selecting the size and position of the ePTFE bands, it is possible to leave critical parts of the stent unencapsulated to facilitate flexibility and expansion. The longitudinal strips can be woven about the stent and later laminated into position to provide an anti-compression function as well as overall structural stability. Although a single stent can be used, these approaches lend themselves to use of a plurality of individual ring stents spaced apart along the inner ePTFE tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stent including a stent body having a stent axis. The stent body includes structural members defining openings through the stent body. The structural members are provided with regions having different widths. The relative sizes of the widths are selected to control the length of the stent body as the stent body is radially expanded from an un-deployed orientation to a deployed orientation. In one embodiment, the regions having different widths are provided by tapering the widths of selected segments of the structural member.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible suture guide of predetermined length in a substantially taut position used to achieve a suture line having a dimension equal to the length of the suture guide, such as the circumference about a heart valve annulus. The assembly includes a rigid suture guide holder having a surface against which the length of suture guide is releasably positioned. The guide holder can have a shape or geometry, such as a circumference or circumferential segment, equivalent to the shape or geometry of the intended suture line. The shape of the guide holder can therefore be selected to hold the suture guide in the shape most advantageous to placing the desired suture line.

Abstract: A semilunar stentless valve is formed entirely of biological tissue, and has a plurality of leaflets that are joined to form an annulus and coapt to form a one-way valve. The leaflets open fully to minimize obstruction. A narrow rim of tissue is provided over commissures where the leaflets join and around a base of the valve for a sewing ring. The valves can be sutured to heart tissue wall in a single suture row.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for inhibiting posterior capsular opacification, or secondary cataract, includes an optic having a periphery provided with at least two sharp edges which lie radially spaced from each other with respect to the optical axis of the lens optic.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens including a higher diopter positive intraocular lens and a lower diopter negative intraocular lens. The positive intraocular lens includes a positive optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more polyurethane elastomer flexible attachment components. The negative intraocular lens includes a negative optic portion having an outer peripheral edge and two or more polyurethane elastomer flexible attachment components. Each flexible attachement component is durable and formed to have specific flexibility characteristics so as to be less resistant to bending in a plane generally parallel to an eye's optical axis than in a plane generally perpendicular to the eye's optical axis. The subject durable accommodating intraocular lens enables axial displacement of the positive optic portion with respect to the negative optic portion along the eye's optical axis under a compression force.

Abstract: A self-centering meniscal prosthesis device suitable for minimally invasive, surgical implantation into the cavity between a femoral condyle and the corresponding tibial plateau is composed of a hard, high modulus material shaped such that the contour of the device and the natural articulation of the knee exerts a restoring force on the free-floating device.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides indented structures that each include (a) a body defining a plurality of indentations, substantially all of the plurality of indentations including a surface layer including a biologically active substance; and (b) a body surface, wherein each of the plurality of indentations opens onto the body surface through a plurality of openings, and wherein the biologically active substance is not substantially present on the body surface. Examples of structures of the present invention include medical devices, such as medical devices that are completely or partially implantable into a living body. The surface layer of the indentations (or at least some of the indentations) of the medical devices of the invention may include biologically active molecules, such as proteins, that promote the growth of cells into and/or within the indentations, thereby promoting the acceptance of the implanted device by the living body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an interbody spinal fusion implant having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length therebetween, and opposed upper and lower portions adapted to contact each of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Each of the upper and lower portions has at least one opening adapted to communicate with one each of the adjacent vertebral bodies and to communicate with one another to permit for the growth of bone from vertebral body to adjacent vertebral body through the implant. Each of the upper and lower portions has at least one screw hole passing therethrough proximate the trailing end. The apparatus further includes bone screws adapted for placement through the screw holes of the upper and lower portions and into each of the adjacent vertebral bodies adjacent the disc space to be fused and into which the implant is adapted to be positioned. At least one lock may be used to prevent the bone screws from backing out of the vertebral bodies and implant.

Abstract: A modular fusion cage and tool for the insertion of the fusion cage is provided. The fusion cage includes a ramp member having superior and inferior bone contacting surfaces, and anterior and posterior sides. The ramp member is adapted to be positioned between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant also includes a ring member slidably matable with the ramp member. The ring member includes superior and inferior bone contacting surfaces, and anterior and posterior sides. The implant according to the present invention is particularly useful for facilitating the safe and accurate insertion of the implant between adjacent vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A shoulder prosthesis including a fracture stem has body having an exterior surface, a shank attached to the body and a head. The body includes a medial fin, an anterior fin and a posterior fin. The medial fin includes a suture hole. The anterior and posterior fins each include a plurality of suture holes. The prosthesis further includes a lateral suture hole intersecting the exterior surface of the body. The lateral suture hole may be formed in a projection on the lateral side of the prosthesis. In an alternative embodiment, a trail prosthesis includes indicia for noting the proper placement of the stem. The prosthesis includes corresponding indicia for replicating the placement of the trial stem.

Abstract: A distal femoral knee-replacement component provides additional points of cam action to facilitate a more normal rollback while inhibiting initial translation which could lead to increased wear and sub-optimal patella femoral mechanics. The inventive component preferably includes additional points of cam action, useable separately or together, to prevent early translation at the initiation of flexion, and a distinct point of cam action to prevent a dislocation of the femoral component over the tibial post which often occurs in cruciate-substituting designs. The preferred embodiment includes three distinct point of cam action. The first is preferably located substantially where existing cams are found, namely, at a point spaced apart a slight distance posteriorly relative to the post in full extension. A second point of cam action is located immediately adjacent the posterior aspect of the superior post to minimize and, ideally, prevent anterior translation at the initiation of flexion.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis has a medial condyle (1) and a lateral condyle (5), the running surfaces (2) of which and the counter-surfaces A, B of which that lie on a tibia platform (3) are sections of spherical surfaces with radii R1, R2, with their center M1′ and M2′ forming in their vertical projection onto the counter-surfaces A, B the points M1, M2. The lateral counter-surface B belongs to a lateral meniscus part (7) which, guided on a plane (13) of the tibia platform, is pivotal with the point M2 on a circular arc with radius R3 about the point M1, with the radius R3 corresponding to the distance a of the centers M1′, M2′.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymeric prosthesis precoated with a bone cement compatible polymer. The bone cement compatible polymer coating, is provided by an activated powder mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene which is bonded to the outer surface of the prosthesis by sintering. Once bonded to a polymeric prosthesis in accordance with the present invention, the precoat strengthens the interface between a bone cement and a prosthesis when the prosthesis is later implanted. The inner layer of the prosthesis may be provided of cross-linked UHMWPE powder sintered with virgin UHMWPE powder or fibers to provide a intermediate layer(s) of the coating present on the prosthesis. The precoat also decreases the likelihood that the prosthesis will loosen and break away from the cement over time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument, valve prosthesis and procedure for the minimally invasive implantation of a sutureless anti-reflux valve in a patient for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Self-anchoring or stapleable one-way anti-reflux valve prostheses are provided, which may be implanted proximate a patient's gastroesophageal junction without open or laparoscopic surgery. An instrument for the peroral insertion, positioning and fixing of the valve prosthesis to the tissue of the esophagus is described for the implantation of either the self-anchoring or stapleable prosthesis.

Abstract: There is provided an air-cylinder apparatus for use in a prosthetic limb capable of effectively adjusting the pressure characteristics over a wide range of walking speed. A second chamber 82 defined by a piston 113 is increased in pressure by air confined therein in accordance with the bending motion of the knee. Air is restricted from flowing out of the second chamber 82 by a constant throttle valve 140. In addition, the second chamber 82 is divided into plural chambers 821, 822 in accordance with increase in bending angle of the knee and air is restricted from flowing out of the newly divided chambers 821, 822 by throttle valves corresponding thereto. The division of the second chamber 82 is achieved by mutual engagement between a projection 1140b on the piston side and a recess 1127 on the bottom part of a cylinder body.

Abstract: The inventive editor allows web authors to edit HTML visually while preserving the HTML source document. The editor preserves the structure and format of the HTML, and permits simultaneous modeless visual and source document editing. When an edit is made with the invention, only the HTML source around that edit is updated, rather than rewriting the whole HTML source document. Furthermore, when an edit is made, the new HTML source code is outputted in a format that is specified by the user. In order to preserve the format of the document, format information is stored in the parsed tree. The format of the node is preserved when its source is regenerated; edits to the node will reformat it according to user preferences. In order to preserve the structure of the document, invalid HTML structures are maintained and not corrected.

Abstract: A cleaning system that utilizes an organic cleaning solvent and pressurized fluid solvent is disclosed. The system has no conventional evaporative hot air drying cycle. Instead, the system utilizes the solubility of the organic solvent in pressurized fluid solvent as well as the physical properties of pressurized fluid solvent. After an organic solvent cleaning cycle, the solvent is extracted from the textiles at high speed in a rotating drum in the same way conventional solvents are extracted from textiles in conventional evaporative hot air dry cleaning machines. Instead of proceeding to a conventional drying cycle, the extracted textiles are then immersed in pressurized fluid solvent to extract the residual organic solvent from the textiles. This is possible because the organic solvent is soluble in pressurized fluid solvent. After the textiles are immersed in pressurized fluid solvent, pressurized fluid solvent is pumped from the drum.

Abstract: The method of dyeing keratin fibers includes the steps of providing an oxidation dye precursor composition containing from 0.01 to 10 percent by weight of a total amount of at least one coupler compound and at least one developer compound, mixing the oxidation dye precursor composition with an oxidizing agent and applying the resulting mixture to the keratin fibers. The oxidation dye precursor composition is characterized by containing 1,4-diamino-2-methoxymethylbenzene, or a physiologically compatible salt thereof, either alone as sole developer compound, or in combination with other known developer compounds. The oxidation dye precursor composition can also contain at least one direct-dyeing dye compound and conventional cosmetic additive ingredients.

Abstract: A method for cooling is provided which makes use of materials which undergo a pressure induced structural phase transition such that the material's crystal field interaction changes, and which colds down during this phase transition. This effect is used for cooling objects which are thermally coupled to the material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of conducting a simultaneous chemical reaction and controlled crystallization of the product employing impinging fluid jet streams containing reactants capable of producing the product with desired particle size characteristics.

Abstract: A capacitor of hybrid construction is disclosed comprising a single cathode and multiple anode combination utilizing a variety of anode foils selected for their ability to achieve optimal performance in selected areas of the construction of a spiral would capacitor and blended in a fashion to create maximum energy density and minimum open space. In addition, a method is claimed for reducing open space left by a mandrel in producing spiral wound capacitors.

Abstract: A paste of organic solvent with dissolved organic salt and active carbon is formed and a uniform film of the paste is applied onto a substrate by casting the paste into a clearance between a knife blade and the substrate. The paste is evaporated to form a paste electrode for an ultracapacitor.

Abstract: In a film packed battery, a battery power source comprising, at least, a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator is packed with a film. In a method for producing film packed battery, a pre-charging step for charging the film packed battery while pressure is applied, for example, by sandwiching it between two flat plates is included at least once.

Abstract: An emergency fuel for an internal combustion engine comprises a hydrocarbon solvent having a flash point of at least 100° F. (such as about 65-75% paraffins and about 25-35% naphthenes, or about 75-85% paraffins and about 15-25% of C7 or higher alcohols, or an aromatic solvent, or an naphthalene-depleted aromatic solvent) and a cold starting additive. The cold starting additive may be provided in an amount of less than 5,000 ppm, preferably between about 1 ppm and 150 ppm. The cold starting additive is preferably selected from peroxides, azo compounds, cyano compounds, cetane improvers, or combinations of these compounds. When the emergency fuel is added to a cold engine, including one substantially at room temperature, the engine may be easily started.

Abstract: A fire starting assembly is provided in accordance with the present invention for easily lighting and maintaining a fire in an outdoor environment. The inventive fire starting assembly includes, in its simplest form, a combustible container defining an interior, and intermixed layers of flammable and combustible materials in the container interior having first and second burning points, respectively. To provide oxygen for the fire, the container includes holes for admitting air into the container interior, thus fueling the fire within the container interior.

Abstract: A process of upgrading low rank coal, including subjecting the low rank coal to pyrolysis in a liquid phase such as in an organic solvent at a temperature of 400-450° C.

Abstract: A process of making coal fines into a commercially viable fuel product using tall oil and tall oil pitch emulsions. The tall oil based emulsions are sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning filters in which raw gas with particles suspended therein is conducted from a raw gas space to a clean gas space and through which intermittently a back-flushing gas is conducted from the clean gas space to the raw gas space, a flow dynamic control element is disposed in the clean gas space which blocks the outflow of gas from the clean gas space when a back-flushing gas is admitted to the clean gas space under a pressure, which exceeds the filter operating pressure so as to prevent excessive back-flushing gas losses during back-flushing. The flow dynamic control element is switched between an open and a blocking state by the pressure changes in the clean gas space without including any movable parts.

Abstract: An intake filter (1) or a coalescing filter (4) of a compressor or vacuum pump, or an in-line filter has its identity recorded in a transponder (50, 54), memory chip or other device such as a magnetic or magnetostrictive strip. Interrogation e.g. by means of antennae (52, 56) enables a control unit (55) to verify the identity of the filter and to store the result in memory (57). A record can therefore be maintained of whether approved filters are being used and whether they are exchanged at approved intervals.

Abstract: The present invention describes a composition which has as its base a dry, granular fertilizer and to which is added a flowing agent and further to which is added a hydrophobic agent. The present invention also describes methods for making this composition.

Abstract: An electroslag refining apparatus includes upper and lower integral crucibles, with the lower crucible having a drain. In situ hot start is effected by depositing in the lower crucible a pre-refined starter. The starter is melted in the lower crucible to form a starter pool, and slag is deposited atop the starter pool for being melted thereby to develop a slag pool thereatop. An ingot electrode is lowered through the upper crucible to immerse a tip thereof into the slag pool. The electrode is powered to effect resistance heating of the slag pool to melt the electrode tip. The slag and starter pools are increased in volume into the upper crucible, with the drain then being opened to effect steady state operation.

Abstract: Metal powder Ta and/or Nb, with or without one or metals from the group Ta, Nb, Ti, Mo, W, V, Zr and Hf, is made in a fine powder form by reduction of metal oxide by contact with a gaseous reducing agent, preferably an alkaline earth metal, to near complete reduction, leaching, further deoxidation and agglomeration, the powder so produced being sinterable to capacitor anode form and processable to other usages.

Abstract: The method of the invention is based on the unique electron-carrying function of a photocatalytic unit such as the photosynthesis system I (PSI) reaction center of the protein-chlorophyll complex isolated from chloroplasts. The method employs a photo-biomolecular metal deposition technique for precisely controlled nucleation and growth of metallic clusters/particles, e.g., platinum, palladium, and their alloys, etc., as well as for thin-film formation above the surface of a solid substrate. The photochemically mediated technique offers numerous advantages over traditional deposition methods including quantitative atom deposition control, high energy efficiency, and mild operating condition requirements.

Abstract: A removal system for removing a waste metal from a waste solution. The removal system comprises outer and inner containers and inlet, intermediate, and outlet conduits. The outer container defines an outer chamber, and the inner container defines an inner chamber. The inner container is located within the outer chamber. The inlet conduit allows fluid to flow from an exterior of the outer container to the inner chamber. The intermediate conduit allows fluid flow from the inner chamber to the outer chamber. The outlet conduit allows fluid flow from the outer chamber to the exterior of the outer chamber. A first reaction media located in the inner chamber, and a second reaction media located in the outer chamber. In use, the waste solution is forced along a removal path through the inlet conduit, the first reaction media, the intermediate conduit, the second reaction media, and the outlet conduit.