Abstract: A passive shield system for a syringe including a body, shield, spring and ring which provide an interlock of the shield in the retracted position prior to receipt of the syringe for bulk transportation and processing and wherein the user selects the timing of the release of the shield to its extended position following injection, but which assures shielding of the syringe needle following release of the syringe plunger.

Abstract: An insertion device for inserting at least a portion of at least one piercing member of an insertion set through the skin of a patient, including: a device housing and a carrier body for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The carrier body includes a receiving structure to support the insertion set in a position with the at least one piercing member oriented for insertion through the skin of the patient at a predetermined angle relative to the skin of the patient. A driver urges the carrier body with a controlled force and speed to place at least a portion of the at least one piercing member of the insertion set through the skin of the patient to install the insertion set to the patient. The receiving structure is removable from the insertion set while maintaining installation of the insertion set to the patient.

Abstract: A needle stick protection device includes a housing and a locking member positioned within the housing to permit the selective locking of the needle relative to the housing. The locking member includes a spring biased strip having first and second upwardly extending arms connected by a central base member. The first and second upwardly extending arms are biased relative to each other and respectively include a first needle aperture and second needle aperture. A release member is associated with the locking member for facilitating the controlled release of a needle locked in position by the locking member. The release member engages the first upwardly extending arm and the second upwardly extending arm such that selective movement of the release member causes the first and second upwardly extending arms to move between a first locking position and a second release position.

Abstract: A cap (16) is provided for the type of injection device (1) which presents a needle assembly (11) to the exterior thereof for removal after use. The cap is of two part construction with a shell (17) of hard material, having opposite inwardly flexible tongues (19) defined by slots in the shell, and an over-mould (18) of relatively soft deformable material, extending over at least the tongues and the slots. The tongues are squeezable towards each other through the over-mould to grip the needle assembly when the cap is fitted after an injection, thus enabling the needle assembly to be removed with the cap so that the user does not come into contact with the used needle.

Abstract: An improved smoke evacuation system and method for removing gaseous byproducts of surgical procedures and noxious vapors from chemicals is provided. The smoke and vapor evacuation system includes a vacuum head positionable at a surgical site or incorporated into a workstation. The vacuum head includes a plenum, and a plenum support for preventing the plenum from collapsing when a vacuum or low pressure is established therein, and is adapted to facilitate the use of the system in a variety of surgical or commercial procedures at a variety of surgical sites or commercial workstations.

Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper has front and rear waist covering regions and a crotch covering region wherein a bodily discharge absorbing component extends over the crotch covering region into the front and rear waist covering regions. In the crotch covering region, the bodily discharge absorbing component is folded inward along first, second and third folding guides in a transverse direction of the absorbing component. A pair of flaps are formed along transversely opposite lateral side edges of the bodily discharge absorbing component. In each of the flaps, a first lateral marginal edge extending along the associated lateral edge is bonded to an outer surface of the bodily discharge absorbing component and a second lateral marginal edge lies on the side of an inner surface of the absorbing component. An elastic member is attached to the flap in a stretched state in a longitudinal direction of the flap.

Abstract: A refastenable absorbent garment comprises a front body panel comprising a pair of side portions defining opposite side edges and a landing portion extending between said side portions, wherein the landing portion and each of the side portions are separated by a line of weakness. A rear body panel comprises opposite side edges that are joined to the opposite side edges of the front body panel to form a side seam. A hook-type fastener member comprises a carrier member secured to the side portions of the front body panel in front of the side seam and a plurality of hooks extending from the carrier member, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of hooks are engaged with the landing portion. A method for making the absorbent garment, and for securing the absorbent garment to a user, also are provided. In another aspect, an absorbent garment comprises a body panel having a length and a fastening member comprising at least two engagement portions releasably engaging the body panel.

Abstract: Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip.

Abstract: A catheter and a guidewire exchange system includes a catheter and a guide member. The catheter includes a lumen extending through the shaft and sized to receive the guidewire, and a longitudinal guideway enabling transverse access from the shaft exterior surface to the lumen. The guide member includes a housing, a catheter passageway extending through the housing and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, a guidewire passageway extending from one end of the housing into the catheter passageway and including a tube adapted to merge the guidewire transversely through the guideway and into the first lumen, a rigid nose cone attached to the housing and having an aperture extending therethrough that is continuous with the catheter passageway and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, and a first gasket positioned in line with the catheter passageway and tightenable to impede catheter movement through the catheter passageway.

Abstract: The present invention includes an osmotic pump that includes a means for venting an osmotic composition included in the pump before the internal pressure of the pump has the opportunity to build to such an extent that the pump is structurally compromised, such as when one or more components of the pump are physically separated. The means for venting osmotic material included in an osmotic pump according to the present invention includes a vent that allows the material included in the osmotic composition of the pump to dissipate into an environment of operation at a rate that results in dissipation of the pressure created within the osmotic pump and a reduced potential for subject discomfort or irritation.

Abstract: A laser-based refractive surgery system includes a laser source including a laser controller, wherein at least a portion of the incident beam is directed to target eye tissue of a patient. The incident beam portion produces a reflected beam after striking the eye tissue. The system includes at least one detector for detecting the reflected beam. A computer or data processor is communicably coupled to the detector and the laser controller. The computer or data processor generates a cross-correlation function using a plurality of discrete points which digitally represent a waveform representation of the reflected beam and a plurality of reference points. The reference points are preferably associated with a digital representation of the incident beam. The laser controller receives and utilizes the cross-correlation function or parameter derived therefrom, or the ablation rate, and adjusts at least one operating parameter of the laser beam in real-time during a refractive procedure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical wave guide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the wave guide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.

Abstract: A cryosurgical probe system includes a fluid supply line connectable at an inlet section to a source of cryogenic fluid; a fluid connector assembly securely connected to an outlet section of the fluid supply line for receiving fluid from the outlet section of the fluid supply line; and, a detachable cryosurgical probe detachably connectable to the fluid connector assembly. The cryosurgical probe system includes the capability of providing return fluid flow.

Abstract: A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.

Abstract: In order in the case of a catheter for the ablation of biological, in particular of animal or human, tissue, preferably for the ablation of human myocardial tissue, having at least one ablation or mapping electrode to permit the recording of ECG signals during catheter ablation and, in particular, to improve the quality of the recorded ECG signals to such an extent as to permit medical statements with reference to cardiac action, it is provided that the at least one ablation or mapping electrode has a reduced number of electrical interference centres. Furthermore, the invention provides methods and apparatuses with the aid of which conventional catheters can be treated in such a way that these interference centres are reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing the pericardial space which provides for stable short term or long term placement of a delivery catheter or cannula having its distal most end located in the pericardial space. The catheter or cannula may be introduced into the pericardial space either transvenously through the wall of a heart chamber or transthoracically by penetrating the chest wall and the pericardium. Some embodiments are provided with a mechanism for stabilizing the distal end of the catheter or cannula, which mechanism may employ an extensible elastic, generally tubular member located at the distal end of the catheter or cannula. The device may be provided with a mechanism for extending the tubular member longitudinally, causing its diameter to diminish substantially.

Abstract: A method for ablating tissue in or around the heart to create an enhanced lesion is provided. The distal end of a catheter including a needle electrode at its distal end is introduced into the heart. The distal end of the needle electrode is introduced into the tissue. An electrically-conductive fluid is infused through the needle electrode and into the tissue. The tissue is ablated after and/or during introduction of the fluid into the tissue. The fluid conducts ablation energy within the tissue to create a larger lesion than would be created without the introduction of the fluid.

Abstract: A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument can apply a large closure force between its jaws without damaging the small yoke assembly.

Abstract: An improved method and instrumentation for performing spinal surgery, including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral aspect of the spine is disclosed. The surgical procedure can be performed through a very small incision. The instrumentation of the present invention, all of which is inserted from a lateral position into the spine in the preferred embodiment, comprises a guide pin, a distractor, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve an adjustable drill and an implant driver. The distractor of the present invention is driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent vertebrae.

Abstract: A low-profile surgical implant assembly is provided that includes a connector device that is an integral part of a rod, the connector device allowing the rod to be attached directly to a bone screw, such as a pedicle screw. Another aspect of the invention is a clamp device that allows the length of a rod spanning to attachment devices to be adjusted at the time of implantation, and further allows the clamp device to be secured by tightening a securing end of the clamp at the attachment device. The assemblies are useful for insertion into bone and connecting a foreign object to bone via a polyaxial coupling mechanism. A method for implanting the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing the femur. A connector is provided having a claw-like member to engage with the greater trochanter. Along the body of the connector are a plurality of cable apertures and cable screws to receive and engage with cables that loop around the femur. Along the inferior end of the connector are bone screw slots and bone screws engaging the connector with the femur. The bone screws provide added support to the re-attached greater trochanter and provide support for periprosthetic fractures. The connector may be used to re-attach the greater trochanter by impacting a connector onto the greater trochanter, positioning the greater trochanter onto the femur, passing cables around the femur and through the connector, tensioning the cables to provide engagement between the greater trochanter and the femur, and attaching the connector to the femur using at least one bone screw.

Abstract: A small cannulated bone screw is provided having an optimized combination of strength, cannula size and thread depth. A set of such strong and small size screws is also provided where the smallest sizes can have one performance ratio emphasized over another, and the larger sizes can have the emphasis reversed. In particular, the smallest screws optimize the combination of their strength and cannula size with the larger screws optimizing the combination of their strength and thread depth. In any event, each of the screws in the set has an optimized combination of strength, cannula size and thread depth throughout the full range of screw sizes in the set, e.g. 3.0 mm to 7.5 mm major diameters.

Abstract: A cannulated medical instrument for insertion of a medical device over a guide wire. The instrument includes a cannulated driver member configured to engage the medical device and insert the medical device at an insertion rate. The instrument also includes a cannulated follower member rotateably engaged with the cannulated driver member. A clasping device is connected to the cannulated follower member and moves the guide wire distally away from the cannulated driver member at an extraction rate. The clasping device can be configured to hold the guide wire rotationless and in a neutral position while the cannulated driver member rotates.

Abstract: A compression and ligation device includes a pair of jaws including one or more Doppler chips oriented to send and receive Doppler signals across the jaws, to assist a practitioner in determining whether or not a uterine artery is between the jaws. A suture leader with an attached suture can be pushed through a channel on one of the jaws, through tissue behind the uterine artery, into another channel on the other jaw, and proximally out the device so that the practitioner can ligate the artery and effect hemostasis.

Abstract: The ligation clip applicator and ligation clip design are provided which are particularly applicable to placement of a surgical ligation clip during a laparoscopic surgical procedure. The clip includes a support member and a clamping arm having enlarged portions thereon. The applicator device has a magazine including first and second longitudinally extending partially closed channels within which the enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm are received with the clip held in an open position. First and second articulated jaws are attached to the magazine and have first and second channel extensions therein aligned with the first and second channels of the magazine, so that a clip can be received from the magazine in the jaws with the first and second enlarged portions of the support member and the clamping arm being received in the first and second channel extensions of the jaws. The channel extensions include first and second releasing openings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting vision, including a corneal-pocket keratome device to create a corneal pocket and a lens to be inserted and retained in the corneal pocket to effect correction. The corneal-pocket keratome includes a drive unit having cutting head elements which contact the subject eye during corneal pocket formation. The cutting head elements may be removeable and may be disposable. The cutting head elements include a corneal restraint device, which may be a positioning ring to position an eyeball with the cornea protruding through the ring; a keratome blade assembly with a corneal-pocket blade; and may also include an applanation shoe surface to restrain the cornea, in addition or instead of the positioning ring. The applanation shoe may be pivotable away from the surgical area. The corneal-pocket blade may include a guide which travels with the blade.

Abstract: Presented herein are various embodiments of a safety scalpel. According to one embodiment is a safety scalpel system including handle capable of coupling to a blade with or without a safety housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single-use surgical cutting device for cutting a planar piece of tissue into a predetermined shape. The cutting device comprises a housing having one or more side walls, a top, a base, and a hollow interior portion. A blade retaining member is disposed within the housing between and substantially parallel to the top and base such that the blade retaining member can move vertically between the top and base. A blade defining a predetermined tissue shape is disposed on the bottom surface of the blade retaining member. A pressure mechanism creates potential energy for exerting a downward force on the top surface of the blade retaining member, such that when the blade retaining member is released, the pressure mechanism forces the blade retaining member downward with sufficient force to cut the piece of tissue. An actuator is configured to release the blade retaining member only once without disassembling the housing and resetting the pressure mechanism.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a full-length inflation shaft and a guidewire shaft for fast catheter and guidewire exchange. The proximal portions of the inflation shaft and the guidewire shaft are detached from one another. The detached proximal shaft portions transition within a conversion portion of the catheter shaft and become coaxial within a distal portion of the catheter shaft. The proximal portion of the guidewire shaft may contain a continuous, longitudinally extending slot that acts as a guide member or guidewire track. Alternatively, the proximal portion of the guidewire shaft maybe removable from the catheter at a conversion joint via a snap-fit connection. Both embodiments allow for catheter exchange without removing the guidewire from a body lumen, or allow guidewire exchange without removing the catheter from the body lumen.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expanding stent includes a catheter having a distal end and being configured to retain a self-expanding stent proximate the distal end. The delivery system also includes an inflatable device provided on the catheter and positioned proximate the distal end. The inflatable device, typically a balloon, is configured to selectively assist the self-expanding stent with radially expansion. The catheter includes a tubular member and an outer member coaxially positioned about the tubular member. The outer member can slide relative to the tubular member in an axial direction. The outer member is configured to retain a self-expanding stent in a radially-compressed position and to release the self-expanding stent to a radially-expanded position. The delivery system may also include a holding sleeve provided on the tubular member, spaced from the distal end of the catheter, and configured to hold the self-expanding stent.

Abstract: A reattachable introducer and method of using such introducer is disclosed for inserting an embolic coil deployment system into the tortuous vasculature of the human brain for placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm. The introducer includes a sheath having a lumen, a side opening and a longitudinal slit and includes a cylindrical sleeve slideably disposed about the sheath. A deployment catheter with a conical expander member is slideably disposed through the side opening of the sheath and through the lumen of the sheath. The conical expander member detaches the introducer from the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit of the sheath, while the cylindrical sleeve reattaches the introducer to the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit.

Abstract: The invention consists of a hand gripping portion 11, a tissue manipulating portion 13 and a needle retaining means 16. The needle retaining means is placed proximal or adjacent to the tissue manipulating portion. It comprises a needle impervious sleeve 15, which contains a needle pervious material 18.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive surgery. The apparatus can comprise a tool which includes a multi-functioning end effector for insertion into a patient, a user control adapted for use by the surgeon external of the patient, and an intermediate section between the end effector and the user control to translate control instructions from the user control through an actuating mechanism to operate the end effector in one of at least two different functioning states. No instrument exchange is necessary to change between states. The actuation mechanism could be a manually operated mechanical mechanism. Alternatively, it could be partially or fully electromechanical or electrical or electronic. According to one aspect, the end effector is a rigid link mechanism. According to another aspect, the end effector could be a compliant mechanism, at least in part.

Abstract: For stretching tissue of the skin a pull force is introduced into the skin via hooks (22) stuck into the skin at points. The hooks (22) are arranged adjacent to each other in a row transverse to the pull direction. Via the hooks (22) a high pull force can be introduced into the skin for a long stretch time. The high pull force is respectively alternatingly introduced via a portion of the hooks (22) while the other portion of the hooks (22) is relaxed. Thereby tissue necrosis on the pressure side of the hooks (22) is prevented even in the case of high pull forces and longer stretch durations.

Abstract: A fluorescence concentrator system that provides for high brightness light source. The system can include a host doped with fluorescent material, which is optically pumped by an adjacent illumination source. The fluorescence concentrator captures a portion of the isotropically emitted fluorescent light and guides it to an output surface. The fluorescent energy emerging the output surface provides a high brightness light source suitable for a number of applications. For example, the fluorescence concentrator system can be used as the light source in a medical apparatus suitable for various aesthetic procedures. Further aspects of the fluorescent concentrator system can include providing for controlling the illumination source to output pumping energy suitable for high energy applications.

Abstract: A delivery system for a stent includes a catheter having an elongated inner member and at least one flexible, longitudinally oriented outer member that is operably attached to the distal portion of the inner member. A stent is placed concentrically around the flexible outer member, near the distal end of the catheter. When the elongated inner member is retracted, the flexible outer member folds longitudinally adjacent to the lumen of the stent causing the stent to be deployed. Another aspect according to the invention provides a method for delivering a stent to a treatment site within the vascular system.

Abstract: A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.

Abstract: An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decrease, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to implantable medical devices for delivery of therapeutic agents, such as drugs, to a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to a device having therapeutic agents protected by a protective layer that prevents or retards processes that deactivate or degrade the active agents.

Abstract: Covalently-bound, hydrophilic copolymer coatings for implants are disclosed. The copolymer coatings comprise a hydrophobic aryl acrylic monomer, a hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, n-vinyl pyrrolidone and acrylamides, and a (meth)acrylamide reactive plasticizer.

Abstract: Surgical devices such as implants or suture fastenings are assembled from a plurality of discrete components, one of which components includes a heat bondable plastic material for bonding the components together. At least two components are bonded to each other by the applying heat to the heat bondable plastic material of one component. The heat bondable plastic material is preferably a polymeric or composite material suitable for surgical applications and implantation in humans, and may be a biodegradable material. A laser may be used as the heat source. The present invention is advantageously embodied in heat bonded fastenings for sutures or K-wires, in which a variety of different suture anchors are usable, including expandable distal suture anchors.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer device having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, coupled to one another by a convex element mounted to one of the plates and maintained against the other plate by a retaining wall and a retaining ring.

Abstract: A bone repair device includes a mesh tube coated with poly-L-Lactide and in which a graft is inserted. The tube is maintained in position by a plate fixed with screws to healthy bone portions. The invention is useful for filling bone cavities.

Abstract: Chromium-free leather having a waterproofness, measured as penetration time according to DIN 53338 , of at least 30 min.

Abstract: A processing agent for synthetic fibers contains four specified kinds of components (Components A, B, C and D) each by a specified amount and also by a specified total amount so as to have improved characteristics of preventing occurrence of fluffs yard breaking and uneven dyeing when applied to synthetic fibers at a specified rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising at least one fluorescent dye and at least one particular associative polymer, processes using this composition, and a device therefor. Further disclosed herein is the use of a composition comprising at least one fluorescent dye and at least one particular associative polymer for dyeing a human keratin material, such as artificially dyed or pigmented hair and dark skin, with a lightening effect.

Abstract: Process for treating dyed human keratin fibres, in which the fibres are washed with a washing composition (B) containing at least one amphoteric surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant chosen from alkylpolyglucosides and monoglycerolated or polyglycerolated surfactants. The invention also relates to a kit for performing this process.

Abstract: A system for printing a label to be used to return a component located in an appliance. When a detection unit detects a condition regarding an end of lifetime of the component, a first communication unit sends to a remote server a request to receive data representing information to be included in images on a label to be printed and used to return the component. The request includes information identifying the component to be returned. A second communication unit receives from the remote server the data representing information to be included in images on the label to be used to return the component, the images representing the information identifying the component to be returned.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for fabricating two layers separated by a gap comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first material; (b) treating the first material to reduce the number of available bonding centers; (c) placing a second material over the first material and allowing bonds to form between the two materials to form a composite; and (d) separating the composite so formed along the boundary of the two materials. In a further aspect, subsequent layers of material may be introduced to the composite by repeating steps (b) and (c) under conditions where adhesion between the subsequent layers is greater, smaller or substantially the same as the adhesion between the first and second material.

Abstract: A fuel composition for use in an internal combustion engine containing (a) a diesel fuel, (b) ethanol, (c) a surfactant, and optionally (d) a combustion improver, which provides lubricity to the engine and reduces exhaust emissions.