Abstract: A catheter-based system for accessing specific body cavities percutaneously and minimizing patient trauma is provided. In the preferred embodiment, in order to create an aperture at an access site in a patient's existing tubular body organ structure, a delivery sheath is passed axially along the interior of a portion of the existing tubular body organ structure to place a distal end of the delivery sheath near the access site. A centering wire is passed axially along the interior of the delivery sheath, piercing through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site by causing an end portion of the centering wire to emerge from the distal end of the delivery sheath. A cutting catheter is passed substantially coaxially over the centering wire and axially along the interior of the delivery sheath.

Abstract: A reaming tool for reaming bone canals with a drill head which is mounted on an elongate flexible shaft which has a diameter smaller than that of the drill head and be which can be connected to a rotary drive motor, wherein the drill head and shank comprise a through-bore for a guiding wire wherein the shaft at least over a part of its length is spiraled in a thread-like manner.

Abstract: A tissue excision and cutting apparatus used by being inserted into a trocar for cutting off a part of tissue as a sample piece for such a diagnosis in a laparoscopic surgery or the like. The apparatus comprises a resection blade having an inner hollow cylinder with a cutting blade at its tip end, and a forceps having at its tip end a clamp having a movable jaw capable of opening and closing which is joined to a fixed jaw with a chopping block piece, open-close mechanism having an operation part for opening and closing the movable jaw, and a longitudinal penetrating passage into which the resection blade is inserted and moves back and forth therein.

Abstract: A surgical blade includes an elongate outer tubular member and an elongate inner member movably received within the outer member. The inner member has a distal cutter positionable adjacent a distal opening in the outer member. A coating of copper or alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements is on a portion of the outer surface of the inner member, the inner surface of the outer member, or both. The outer and inner members are formed from stainless steel, e.g, soft stainless steel. A method of cutting tissue, e.g., hard tissue such as bone, includes providing a surgical blade having an inner member and/or an outer member coated with copper or alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements, placing the surgical blade against the tissue, and driving the inner member to cut the tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device preferably in the form of a ceramic trimmer that is useful in treating soft tissue such as gingival tissue in an individual. The device Is capable of heat coagulating the soft tissue when the device in rotary motion is contacting the soft tissue. The device is preferably used in the area of therapy or surgery carried out on the human or animal body.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece for use with a micro-cutting instrument, especially a bone-drilling device useful for ENT/head/neck procedures. The powered surgical handpiece includes a motor contained within a housing. The housing includes a motor enclosure surrounding the motor and a sleeve placed about the motor enclosure. At least a portion of the sleeve has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of a corresponding portion of the motor enclosure, such that the housing defines an internal gap or internal passage. Finally, the sleeve forms inlet and outlet ports that are fluidly connected to the internal passage. During use, a cooling fluid, such as de-ionized water or saline, is forced into the internal passage via the inlet port. The motor is sealed relative to the cooling fluid by the motor enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing bone from a femoral notch, or the like, which includes a guidewire and a router assembly. The router assembly comprises a cutting head fixed to a shaft rotatably disposed in a hole through a body portion of a shield assembly. A hood portion of the shield assembly extends from the body portion of the shield assembly and covers a first portion of the cutting head while leaving exposed a second portion of the cutting head. The guidewire extends through a hole in the shaft, a hole in the cutting head, and a hole in the shield assembly hood portion, such that the router assembly is movable along the guidewire. The shaft is rotatable in the shield assembly body portion such that the second portion of the cutting head is engageable with the bone and operative to remove portions of the bone. The guidewire is installed in the knee so that it extends along the length to be occupied by a graft ligament.

Abstract: A surgical micro-resecting instrument including an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member, a hub assembly, wiring, and an electrical insulator. The outer tubular member is formed of an electrically conductive material and defines a proximal section, a distal section forming a cutting window, and an internal lumen. The inner tubular member is disposed within the lumen and defines a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting tip. The hub assembly maintains the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The wiring is permanently electrically connected to the proximal section of the outer tubular member with the electrical connection being encompassed by the hub assembly. The electrical insulator covers a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly, at least the cutting window free of the insulator. In one preferred embodiment, the hub assembly includes an outer hub insert molded to the outer tubular member, and forms a generally radially extending shroud.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for cutting biological and notably human tissue, especially during endoscopic surgery, with an outer tube (2) and a hollow, cylindrical cutting tube (3) which is positioned within the outer tube (2) and can be rotated about its longitudinal axis (7) and at whose distal end at least one blade (5) is positioned. The instrument also comprises a manipulator (4) which is mounted at the proximal end of the tubes (2, 3). The outer tube (2) can be displaced in the axial direction of the cutting tube (3), which is immovably fixed to the manipulator (4), against the force of a pressure spring (16) between an initial position in which the outer tube (2) projects beyond the cutting tube (3) on the distal side and a working position in which the blade (5) protrudes from the distal end of the outer tube (2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for extracting and collecting bone marrow from the jawbone of a patient before, during, or after dental procedures. The method and apparatus further provides a readily accessible, and easily harvested, source of bone marrow without the drawbacks of current extraction methods.

Abstract: An irrigating bladder dethrombulator for removing blood clots in the urine. The device includes a housing having an outflow conduit insertable into the bladder through the urethra for transporting bodily fluid from the bladder and a bladder pressurization conduit for transporting fluid into the bladder to increase the internal pressure of the bladder. Connected to the housing is a structure for mechanically reducing the size of the blood clots in the urine. The mechanism for driving the reducing structure can be a magnetic drive or a fluid drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically-assisted liposuction treatment. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable housing, an electro-cauterizing cannula assembly, and a reciprocation mechanism. The hand-holdable housing has a cavity adaptable for receipt of a portion of the electro-cauterizing cannula assembly. The electro-cauterizing cannula assembly includes an inner cannula and an outer cannula, each having a distal end and a proximal end and at least one aspiration aperture about the distal end. The inner cannula is disposed within the outer cannula and the inner and outer aspiration apertures are in at least partial registration to form an effective aspiration aperture. The reciprocation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably associated with either the inner or outer cannula so that one of the cannulas can be selectively caused to reciprocate relative to the housing while the other is stationarily disposed relative to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical tool designed for irrigated microsurgery or pediatric surgery. The tool includes an outer hub that is fixed to a complementary handpiece. An outer tube extends forward from the outer hub. An inner hub is coupled to a drive member integral with the handpiece to rotate in unison with the drive member. An inner tube extends forward from the inner hub and is disposed inside the outer tube. A cutting member is located on the forward end of the inner tube. The inner wall of the outer tube and the adjacent outer wall of the inner tube are in close proximity to each other. Irrigation fluid is introduced between the tubes through an opening in the outer hub. The outer wall of the inner tube is formed with a flat that extends longitudinally along the tube from the section of the inner tube that is subtended by the opening for the irrigation fluid to the distal end at which the cutting assembly is located.

Abstract: Devices, methods, kits, and methods remove clot material from the vasculature and other body lumens. Expansible baskets may be used as cooperating radially expansible shearing members. Helically oriented struts of each basket may wind in a uniform circumferential direction. The struts can be independently flexible, allowing the shearing members to flex axially together. The inner basket may be rotatably driven and may use an axial pump extending proximally from the shearing members and/or a distal penetrator for advancing into an occlusion which inhibits guidewire access. The struts may slide substantially continuously across each other, and may be sufficiently aggressive for highly effective thrombectomy.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into a bore of a surgical handpiece and a latch that includes a resilient member connected to the body. The resilient member has a latching structure configured to latchingly engage a surface of the surgical handpiece within the bore.

Abstract: A bone boring device and method wherein the device includes a hinge, a handle coupled to the hinge, and at least one curved needle with a tip. The needle is rotatably mounted on the hinge such that when the tip is placed against bone and the needle is rotated on the hinge, the needle is urged and advanced into the bone.

Abstract: A cataract removing device (CRD) in a system for surgically removing a cataract from an eye includes a cryomanipulator having a body and a manipulator head with a cryogenic tip for selectively freeze-gripping a region of contact of the cataract and for manipulating it within the eye. The cryomanipulator may also include a surgical tip and a heating device. The cryomanipulator may further include a sleeve having an aperture associated with a supply of liquid for providing irrigation of the eye. The sleeve may be also associated with a vacuum suction device for producing suction at the aperture. The CRD is designed for breaking up the cataract while it is at least partially frozen by the cryomanipulator. The CRD includes a drilling unit for breaking the cataract and a handle for manipulating the drilling unit within the eye.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for cutting a bone including a cutting assembly having a cutting blade, a cutting guide for guiding the shape of the cut in the bone, and a power source for powering the cutting blade. The cutting blade is moveable radially to vary the depth of the cut in the bone, and the cutting blade is capable of cutting around the circumference of the bone as well as in a longitudinal direction along the bone. A powered bone breaking device for completing the breaking of the weakened bone is also disclosed. A miniaturized version of the bone cutting apparatus can be used to cut out sections of a femur head from inside a femur body.

Abstract: A surgical blade includes an elongate outer tubular member, an elongate inner movably received within the outer member, and a polymer coating disposed on a portion of the outer surface of the inner member, the inner surface of the outer member, of both. The inner member has a distal cutter positionable adjacent a distal opening in the outer member. A method of cutting tissue, e.g., hard tissue such as bone, includes providing a surgical blade having an inner member and/or an outer member coated with a polymer, placing the surgical blade against the tissue, and driving the inner member to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A microkeratome and related surgical methods for performing lamellar keratotomies are provided. The microkeratome includes a guide ring assembly for placement on the eyeball, or ocular globe such that the globe's cornea protrudes therethrough. The guide ring can be temporarily fixed to the ocular globe, immobilizing the eyeball relative to the instrument. A cutting blade suitable for corneal resections is carried in a cutting head over the guide ring through a cutting path defined by the guide ring. An adjustable float head, also generally known as a plaque, is connected to the cutting head for at least partially compressing the cornea ahead of the blade, so as to set the desired thickness of the corneal resection. The cutting head and float head can be driven across the guide ring, whereby the blade cuts at least partially through the cornea to perform the lamellar keratotomy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for resecting bony tissue such as the facet joint processes using a cannulated resector held by a guidance platform. Rotation of the support holding the cannula causes the resecting surface of a rotating burr to move into contact with the facet joint.

Abstract: A catheter-based system for accessing specific body cavities percutaneously and minimizing patient trauma is provided. In the preferred embodiment, in order to create an aperture at an access site in a patient's existing tubular body organ structure, a delivery sheath is passed axially along the interior of a portion of the existing tubular body organ structure to place a distal end of the delivery sheath near the access site. A centering wire is passed axially along the interior of the delivery sheath, piercing through from inside to outside of the patient's existing tubular body organ structure at the access site by causing an end portion of the centering wire to emerge from the distal end of the delivery sheath. A cutting catheter is passed substantially coaxially over the centering wire and axially along the interior of the delivery sheath.

Abstract: A driven rotary incision scalpel having a pistol handle-shaped housing halves providing for mounting of a small form factor motor having a drive shaft. A gear on the front end of the drive shaft is enmeshed with the inner teeth of a ring gear of a two-stage reduction mount, which in turn drives a bevel gear that is enmeshed with a second driven bevel gear on a hollow rotary scalpel. When a trigger assembly is pulled backward and locked in, the outer barrel simultaneously moves to the rear, causing the front end of the hollow rotary scalpel to extend and switching on the motor that drives the blade at the front end into synchronous rotation.

Abstract: An irrigating bladder dethrombulator for removing blood clots in the urine. The device includes a housing having an outflow conduit insertable into the bladder through the urethra for transporting bodily fluid from the bladder and a bladder pressurization conduit for transporting fluid into the bladder to increase the internal pressure of the bladder. Connected to the housing is structure for mechanically reducing the size of the blood clots in the urine. The mechanism for driving the reducing structure can be a magnetic drive or a fluid drive.

Abstract: A body-fluid inspection device, which sticks a skin so as to obtain a fine amount of body fluids and measures ingredients of the body fluids, includes a casing having an opening, a sticking device having a sticking needle that is allowed to protrude from the opening of the casing, and a suction device which places at least portion of a space inside the casing in a reduced-pressure state. Also included are a reduced-pressure releasing device for releasing the space inside the casing from the reduced-pressure state, a chip which is detachably attached to the opening of the casing and is provided with test paper for absorbing the body fluids that have been sucked by the body-fluid suction device, a measuring device for measuring ingredients of the body fluids that have been absorbed by the test paper, and a display device for displaying results of measurements made by the measuring device. The display device is placed on one portion of a surface of the casing.

Abstract: An irrigating bladder dethrombulator for removing blood clots in the urine. The device includes a housing having an outflow conduit insertable into the bladder through the urethra for transporting bodily fluid from the bladder and a bladder pressurization conduit for transporting fluid into the bladder to increase the internal pressure of the bladder. Connected to the housing is a structure for mechanically reducing the size of the blood clots in the urine. The mechanism for driving the reducing structure can be a magnetic drive or a fluid drive.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intraoperatively performing surgery to create transmural channels in tissue, for example, as in transmyocardial revascularization, are provided using a device including a mechanical end effector and means for stabilizing the end effector in contact with the tissue. The end effector is adapted to cooperate with a source of suction to evacuate tissue severed during the channel forming process, and may optionally include an electrode for cauterizing the tissue surrounding the channel.

Abstract: A medical instrument for removing tissue in the human or animal body has a tubular shaft that has at least one window in the region of its distal end. The instrument moreover has a cutting element that is arranged in the shaft in the region of the window and is connected to a drive shaft, extending in the shaft, by way of which the cutting element can be driven rotationally about its longitudinal axis, the shaft having at least one bending point. The drive shaft terminates proximally from the bending point and is connected to the cutting element through the bending point by way of at least one flexible wire element. The wire element is attached to the drive shaft eccentrically with respect to the latter's longitudinal center axis and to the cutting element eccentrically with respect to the latter's longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical instrument having at least one surgical element, such as a knife or the like disposed at the distal end thereof, a motor disposed at the proximal end thereof, and a shaft which connects the shaft of the motor to the shaft of the surgical instrument in such a manner that the surgical element is rotated. According to the invention either the motor is detachably connected to said shaft of the said surgical element in an as such known manner so that a bend can be inserted between the motor shaft and said shaft disposed in the instrument or that a flexible bend is inserted between the motor and the shaft in such a manner that the motor shaft and the shaft disposed in the instrument includes an adjustable angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating revascularization channels in tissue, such as the myocardium of the heart, mechanically cuts the channels using a hand piece with easily removable cutting tip assemblies having angled, sharpened edges to allow rapid tip replacement. The cutting tip assembly has an inner needle within an outer hollow needle with each needle attached to the hand piece for independent rotation and axial movement. The inner needle may be hollow, or formed with a pointed tip, and may rotate counter to the outer needle to enhance gripping and storage of the tissue excised by the outer needle. The hand piece may attach a cylindrical magazine of cutting tip assemblies or one cutting tip assembly. The cutting tip assembly may be heated to provide thermal damage to the heart muscle during the creation of the channel, providing some of the advantages of the laser method of TMR.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical apparatus including a surgical instrument including a housing and a cannula, and a surgical tool including a shaft and a tip, and a drive interface and an electrical interface, and the drive interface producing a surgical motion of the tip, and the electrical interface producing a cauterizing action of the tip. Also disclosed is a cutting and cauterizing device for connection to a surgical instrument. Additionally, methods for using both the surgical apparatus and the cutting and cauterizing device are disclosed.

Abstract: An ablation assembly has an advancer mechanism coupled to a proximal end of a driveshaft, and an ablation device, such as a rotatable burr, coupled to a distal end of the driveshaft. The advancer mechanism is moveable from a first position forward along a path of motion, the ablation device being advanced as the advancer mechanism is moved forward. A stop extends into the path of motion of the advancer mechanism by a sufficient amount to stop the forward motion of the advancer mechanism when it contacts the stop. The stop is secured at a location spaced forward from the starting position of the advancer mechanism by a distance equal to the length of a lesion to be ablated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical apparatus including a surgical instrument including a housing and a cannula, and a surgical tool including a shaft and a tip, and a drive interface and an electrical interface, and the drive interface producing a surgical motion of the tip, and the electrical interface producing a cauterizing action of the tip. Also disclosed is a cutting and cauterizing device for connection to a surgical instrument. Additionally, methods for using both the surgical apparatus and the cutting and cauterizing device are disclosed.

Abstract: A resecting tool contains a rotatable chuck inside a base for engaging the drive shaft of a motor. The chuck extends into a tubular casing that has an outer actuator sleeve. The sleeve is limited to rotation relative to the casing and is used to move a pair of locking elements or balls in separate helical slots in the casing. Each ball is seated in a collar that abuts a collet receiver inside the casing. During implement changeover, the collar abuts the collet receiver and acts as a brake to prevent accidental actuation of the chuck of the tool. The collet receiver is spring-biased into contact with a first collet which closely receives a tool implement within the resecting tool. The sleeve is used to manipulate the collet to clamp onto and unclamp the tool implement. A collet coupling is located on the front end of the casing and has a collet nut on its forward end. The collet nut houses a second collet with a serpentine cut for engaging and retaining a guide sleeve for supporting the tool implement.

Abstract: A clot evacuation catheter includes a hollow tubular body disposed within an outer lumen. The tubular body is elongate and includes a selectively rotatable cutting blade disposed within a distal portion thereof to cut clots occluded in at least one opening of the cutting blade. The tubular body also includes a fluid conveying irrigation lumen to deliver fluid to a distal end of the catheter at predetermined times. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a hood member extends from the distal portion of the tubular body. The hood member has a distal end that is spaced from, but coaxial with, the distal portion of the tubular body through a side portion of the hood member.

Abstract: An adapter unit for a mechanical tissue cutting implement such as a shaver, morcellator or the like includes a mounting block from which an electrically insulating sheath extends. The sheath fits over the cannula or shaft of the cutting implement, and is secured in alignment and attached so that the cutting tip, for example, the tool and its window in the cannula tip, are exposed through the sheath. A conductor, which may be a conductive layer, extends along the length of the sheath and is exposed to form a distal electrode at the tip in close proximity to the opening, constituting one electrode of a bipolar electrode arrangement at the exposed tool. The other electrode is provided by electrical connection to the implement itself, so that a high current density path is formed through tissue in the cutting region.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass having an elongated housing having a proximal and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, and further including at least two electrodes supported at its distal end and mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through a tissue mass. A drive shaft may be disposed within the elongated housing and operatively engageable with the electrodes for causing their rotational movement. The apparatus may include an electrode gear and a drive shaft gear in cooperative engagement whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes corresponding rotation of the electrodes. Preferably, a motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft causing its rotational movement. Desirably, the distal end of the electrodes are threaded. A method for thermally treating a tissue mass is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical suction cutting instrument includes a tubular outer member defining a cutting chamber with an opening, an inner member with a distal cutting edge movably received in the outer tubular member and a flushing mechanism for supplying fluid to the cutting chamber via an outlet communicating with the cutting chamber. The cutting edge of the inner member is disposed within the cutting chamber adjacent the opening to engage bodily tissue through the opening, and a lumen is preferably defined through the inner tubular member in communication with the cutting chamber for aspirating cut bodily tissue. In one embodiment, the flushing mechanism includes a tubular member disposed alongside the outer tubular member and having an outlet communicating with the cutting chamber for supplying fluid to the cutting chamber to prevent and clear clogging of the passage without the need of having to remove the cutting instrument from the surgical site.

Abstract: A device for coagulating, vaporizing, resecting, and removing prostate and bladder tissue. The resectoscope uses the standard diathermy electrical units available at hospitals. The resectoscope uses a rotating cutting/coagulation element to cut, coagulate and vaporize tissue at a much higher speed compared to the linear motion of currently available resectoscopes, allowing the operator to perform these procedures more efficiently, and also allowing the operator to retrieve most of the excised tissue for histological examinations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective sheath assembly which combines the function of an introducer, the function of a protective sheath and the function of a sealing valve in an integrated assembly. The protective sheath assembly of the present invention preferably comprises a protective sheath, a strain-relief tubing, and a connecting member or a hub. These parts are mounted, removably or permanently, into an integral device. The protective sheath assembly can also be used in combination with an introducer such as a needle introducer. The protective sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated hollow body defining a lumen along the longitudinal direction of the protective sheath. A hub is provided to secure the proximal end of the protective sheath to an introducer. The lumen of the protective sheath serves to accommodate and protect a balloon catheter, as well as seal around the catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate, which includes inserting a transurethral incisional device through the patient's urethra, incising off at least one piece of targeted prostatic tissue using the incisional device, inserting a morcellation probe through the patient's urethra, morcellating the excised piece of targeted prostatic tissue with the morcellation probe, and aspirating the morcellated prostatic tissue through the morcellation probe and out of the patient. The morcellation probe of the present invention includes an elongated inner probe tube that defines an aspiration channel therein and an aperture with opposing cutting edges formed adjacent to its distal end. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube, and moves relative thereto in a longitudinal reciprocating manner. The outer probe tube has an open distal end and another aperture with opposing cutting edges.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece includes a housing having an interior cavity and an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user. A rotary drive mechanism is provided inside of the housing and includes a driven shaft with a passageway extending axially therethrough. A suction connection is provided on the housing as is a suction control mechanism operable between first and second operative positions for preventing suction from being applied to the passageway in the driven shaft when in a first operative position and for connecting suction to the passageway when in a second operative position.

Abstract: A guide wire brake for use in an ablation assembly includes a clamp positioned in and between recesses provided in an air-actuated piston and a retainer. The clamp is provided with a first member and a second member coupled together on opposite sides of a spring member. An outer surface of the clamp is tapered to matingly engage the tapered inner surface of the first and second recesses. In operation, the piston is in fluid communication with a source of air. As air contacts an inner surface of the piston, the piston moves toward the retainer, thereby pushing the first and second recesses together along the tapered outer surface of the clamp. This action causes the first and second members to overcome the spring force of the spring member, and clamp together against a guide wire extending therethrough, thereby preventing longitudinal and rotational motion of the guide wire.

Abstract: This invention is a vacuum centering device which may be used in conjunction with other surgical instruments in opthomological surgery. The device provides an improved interface with the eye by way of features that reduce interference with a patient's eyelids interocular pressure and/or the propensity to rotate. These features may include a flared outer wall portion which may either be curved or straight for a section, providing a low profile vacuum chamber, and/or the use of a non-circular outer sealing region potentially producing a saddle-shaped outer periphery providing for potentially increased vacuum exposure to the eye and a contour resistant to rotation.

Abstract: A device and system for creating small (e.g., less than 3 mm and preferably about 1 mm in cross dimension) openings in the anterior lens capsule of a mammalian eye to facilitate insertion of lens reduction/removal device(s) and/or cannulae for injecting flowable lens replacement materials into the lens capsule. The device generally comprises a handpiece having an electrosurgical probe extending forwardly therefrom. The electrosurgical probe incorporates an annular tip electrode which is positionable in contact with the lens capsule, to create the desired less than 3 mm opening therein. The annular electrode tip may be either monopolar or bipolar in design.

Abstract: A surgical blade for use in ophthalmic surgery has distal cutting edges formed by a pair of anterior-to-posterior bevels which meet at an angle greater than 90.degree. and preferably 140.degree., resulting in a blade with a surface area greater than that of similarly dimensioned prior art blades. An anterior shoulder is positioned intermediate the distal and proximal ends of the blade to direct the blade to dimple down when the blade has been inserted into the cornea a sufficient distance to bring the shoulder into contact with the corneal tissue, allowing the surgeon to make a reproducible, leak-free incision by using a straight-in hand motion. The distal cutting surface is rounded at its lateral edges to avoid snagging the incision when the blade is passed through the cornea.

Abstract: A disposable, bone graft harvester having a clear, graduated plastic tube tipped with a bone cutting head at one end and a handle or other torque supplying connection at the other end.

Abstract: A cutting blade assembly for use with a handpiece having a motor for rotatably driving the cutting blade assembly. The handpiece has a bore therein for receiving the cutting blade assembly. The cutting blade assembly includes an elongate tubular outer member having a distal end with an opening thereat, a proximal end, a hub unremovably secured to the proximal end so as to be a permanent part of the outer member. The hub is configured to be directly received and engaged in the handpiece bore. An elongate inner member is received in the outer member and has a distal cutting end disposed adjacent the opening in the distal end of the outer member. A proximal end of the inner member is adapted to be received in the handpiece bore and rotatably driven by the motor to rotate the inner member in the outer member.

Abstract: A rotatable atherectomy device having an exchangeable drive shaft cartridge and a rotatable prime mover coupling. The cartridge has a rotatable drive shaft socket carried by a carriage. The coupling radially expands during rotation such that it interlocks with the socket to drive a tissue removal implement on the end of a drive shaft attached to the cartridge. Upon slow or no rotation of the socket, the coupling disengages from the socket to allow for exchange of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a housing which contains a motor that drives a spindle. A tool bit is attached to the motor by a holder that includes a body with a first end portion connected to the spindle, a central portion with a cavity therein, and a second end portion having an aperture through which a shaft of the tool bit passes into the cavity. A pair of lock pawls are pivotally mounted in the cavity with each one having a first tab that enters a slot in the shaft when the lock pawls are in a first position to hold the tool bit in the instrument. The first tabs retract from the slot when the lock pawls are in a second position for changing the tool bit. The lock pawls have second tabs that engage a restrainer only in the second position to prevent the body from rotating. A ring extends around the body and pivots the lock pawls between the first and second positions when the ring moved longitudinally along the body.