Abstract: An apparatus and kit for making holes of controlled depth and different diameters on chondral and osteochondral surfaces, comprises: a reamer member (2) having a cutting head (3) for removing tissue from said chondral and osteochondral surface (A), said member (2) being mobile approaching the chondral and osteochondral surface (A) for arranging the head (3) at said tissue; guide means (4) for guiding the reamer member (2) that can be firmly associated with the chondral or osteochondral surface (A), said reamer member (2) being slidable along said guide means (4); and mechanical means (5) for controlling the depth of the hole interposed between the reamer member (2) and the guide means (4) for defining an end stop of the reamer member (2) in the respective movement towards said chondral and osteochondral surface (A).

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly configured for use with a tissue biopsy device is disclosed. The biopsy needle assembly may be configured to be advanced to a predetermined tissue sample, sever the tissue sample, and extract the tissue sample from a body tissue of a patient. The biopsy needle assembly may be further configured to minimize or eliminate the length of dead space at or adjacent a position of the tissue sample extraction.

Abstract: An excisional device for either handheld or stereotactic table/MRI use may comprise a work element configured to rotate at a first rotation rate and comprising at least one articulable beak configured to cut tissue in a longitudinal direction. Helical elements or equivalent assemblies may be configured to transport tissue cut by a work element and may be co-axially disposed relative to the work element and may be operative to rotate at rotation rates that may be different from the work element rotation rate. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated in replacement of or in conjunction with helical elements. A proximal sheath and a distal sheath may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element and may be configured to rotate a work element and to actuate a beak or beaks. A simplified embodiment of this device may be applicable to field use where power sources for actuation may be limited.

Abstract: A biopsy system is discloses that includes a percutaneous biopsy needle and an inner cannula. The percutaneous biopsy needle includes an internal passageway. At a distal end, the percutaneous biopsy needle includes an expandable section. A distal section of the internal passageway of the percutaneous biopsy needle, which corresponds to the expandable section, is tapered to enable the expandable section to expand and collapse as the inner cannula is positioned within and/or moves through the tapered distal section. The inner cannula may be configured to aspirate a sample from a location of interest within a subject's body and, in some embodiments, may cooperate with the distal end of the percutaneous biopsy needle in a manner that facilitates removal of the sample from the subject's body. Biopsy methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A food cutting apparatus includes a body defining a first opening and supporting a first blade extending within the first opening. The first blade is configured to cut the food item. The apparatus also includes a dial rotatably coupled to the body about an axis and defining a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening. The dial supports a second blade extending within the second opening. The second blade is configured to cut the food item.

Abstract: A bulb planter includes a pair of blade halves cooperating to form a tubular tool head and a molded plastic handle body forming a pair of handles. The blade halves are preferably metal and riveted to the handle body. The handle body forms a living hinge for selectively pivoting the blade halves upon movement of the handles. The blade halves pivot toward and away from each other between a soil plug cutting position and a soil plug releasing position upon movement of the handles. A resilient member biases the blade halves toward the soil plug cutting position. The resilient member is preferably an elastomer ring encircling the blade halves. The handles extend in opposed directions substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis and are manually movable against the bias of the resilient member to move the blade halves to the soil plug release position.

Abstract: A stone removing tool for removing a stone from a fruit having an outer flesh portion surrounding the stone, the tool having a head section configured for being gripped by a user and a stem section extending from the head section and having an end opposite the head section configured for penetrating the flesh of the fruit and positively engaging the stone for removal from the fruit in an axial pulling action.

Abstract: A scraper tool particularly useful for hand deburring internal rounded corners, holes an concave surfaces includes a scraper blade integrally formed with a front part having a scraping edge, and a back part joined to a shank at the back end fixed to the handle. The front face of the front part is of circular configuration and is cut at an oblique angle to the plane passing perpendicularly to the scraper blade to define a continuous oblong scraping edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining a bone biopsy comprising a trocar which includes a guide tube with gripping teeth at one end and a tubular drill which is insertable through the tube. The drill has cutting teeth at its forward end and comprises an outer retaining sheath and an inner retaining sheath which is slidable axially within the outer retaining sheath. The inner retaining sheath consists of two separable longitudinal halves which separate when the inner retaining sheath is removed from the outer retaining sheath by means of an elongated extractor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an instrument of a type known variously a a biopsy needle or cannula and used to gather tissue, and particularly soft tissue such as bone marrow, from living persons or animals for pathological study. The instrument retains a gathered tissue specimen by closing the end of a hollow member while the member is in the gathering position, and more particularly by deforming a flexible portion of the member. A pair of members are employed, one moving within the other. By a particular cooperation between the members, a flexible portion of the inner member is displaced or deformed to occlude an open, tissue receiving end thereof and thereby capture tissue and retain it against loss on removal of the instrument from the body of tissue into which it has been thrust.

Abstract: A cutting tip for a rotary motor-driven cutting instrument for cataract surgery consists of a hollow stationary tube and a tubular cutter journaled therein and projecting therefrom, the cutting tip being open at its end and having concentric axially directed arcuate cutting edge portions. An annular passage extends between the concentric tubes, and the stationary tube has an orifice in the side close to the tip. An irrigating fluid is adapted to be discharged through the side opening of the stationary tube, and a suction connection to the internal tube is effective to remove severed tissue through the hollow rotatable internal cutter.