Abstract: An irrigation surgical tool system comprises a motorized handpiece, a tool for insertion in the handpiece, a console including a mounting plate and peristaltic pump rotor and a tube set including a cassette installable on the console for peristaltic pumping of irrigation liquid to the tool. Passages in the tool allow irrigation liquid flow, between a fixed outer tube and rotating inner tube of the tool, to a surgical site, through windows in the tool inner and outer tubes. Application of suction to the tool enables withdrawal through the inner tube of irrigation and surgical debris from the surgical site.

Abstract: A novel intravascular occlusion material removal device for removing vascular occlusion material in a vascular lumen comprises a prime mover and an expandable material removal element insertable intravascularly into the vascular lumen. A hollow drive shaft operatively connects the prime mover to the expandable material removal element for rotating the expandable material removal element intravascularly. A guidewire is insertable through the distal end of the expandable material removal element and the hollow drive shaft, and is shiftable within the drive shaft and the expandable material removal element. The expandable material removal element is expandable responsive to shifting of the guidewire.

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 pneumatic surgical tool for cutting bone during surgical procedures includes a pneumatic motor having a rotary shaft, a resecting tool having a cutting element rotated by the motor, a sleeve to surround and support the resecting tool, anti-friction bearings for further rotatably supporting the resecting tool, and a chuck for connecting the resecting tool to a spindle of the rotary shaft. The motor housing, rotor, spindle, and chuck are created from titanium. The bore of the housing and the cutting tip of the resecting tool have thin hard metal cases, such as titanium nitride, titanium aluminum nitride, or titanium carbon nitride.

Abstract: An atherectomy device having a handle housing, a rotatable prime mover movable longitudinally with respect to the handle housing, a rotatable drive shaft having a proximal end connected to the prime mover for rotation and longitudinal movement therewith, and a distal end portion having a tissue removal implement usable to remove tissue from a bodily passageway. A guide wire clamp is disposed within the handle housing for releasably clamping the proximal portion of a guide wire. An override clamp is removably securable to the handle housing for moving the guide wire clamp to a guide wire-released position and for holding the guide wire clamp in such released position. The override clamp may also include a mechanical linkage to the prime mover so that the override clamp locks the prime mover in a particular longitudinal position with respect to the handle housing.

Abstract: A rotating endoscopic shaver blade assembly adapted for side-cutting and end-cutting. A pair of longitudinally extending, symmetrical fingers extends from the distal end of an elongated tubular inner member and are juxtaposed adjacent a window at the distal end of an elongated tubular outer member. Each of the fingers is provided with laterally facing and transversely facing cutting edges and has a curvilinear profile terminating at a distal tip. The distal tips of the fingers are separated by an axially aligned gap which enables limited stress-relieving radial movement of the fingers.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved rotating mechanical, or roional, ablation device wherein one or more diamond plated burrs are attached to a driveshaft, which rotates at high speed driven by an advancer/turbine assembly. The driveshaft is provided with a quick connection/disconnection feature allowing for the easy removal of the burr/driveshaft assembly portion of the device from the advancer turbine assembly portion of the device.

Abstract: A percutaneous thrombolytic device, also referred to herein as a percutaneous mechanical fragmentation catheter system, that includes a wire cage or basket attached to a rotational drive motor. The fragmentation basket, ensheathed in an outer catheter, is introduced into the clotted graft or vessel via an introducer sheath. When deployed, the basket will automatically conform to the inner dimensions of the vessel lumen. The rotating basket is slowly withdrawn through the clotted graft, mechanically fragmenting the clot. The fragmented, homogenized debris can be flushed into the venous system or aspirated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for catheterized delivery or infusion of medication and anaesthesia are disclosed. The perforating catheter is first used to perforate the periodontal ligament and/or the cortical plate of bone tissue, and is then left in place and used as a catheter for insertion of a hypodermic needle of smaller gauge to deliver medication or anaesthesia to a target area. The perforator is a bevelled needle for drilling into the ligament or bone tissue. For drilling, the device comprises an adaptor which transmits the rotational movement from a dental hand piece or the like to the bevelled needle. A cap is also included for protecting the bevelled needle during storage of the device. The adaptor may have a rod which extends axially into the bevelled needle when the device is assembled for drilling. The rod is used to prevent the debris resulting from drilling from blocking the passage in the bevelled needle.

Abstract: The surgical tool of a surgical instrument is configured to have a plurality of tissue-cutting edges circumferentially spaced by flutes disposed in an exterior surface of the tool. Each flute includes an aperture that intersects an interior chamber of the tool for conveying tissue fragments cut by the edges into the chamber. The chamber communicates with an interior passage of a rotating tube on which the tool is mounted. During operation, the tissue fragments (e.g., bone fragments) cut by the rotating surgical tool are conveyed into the flutes and through the apertures into the chamber for removal from the surgical site through the interior passage of the tube, while the instrument remains in situ for further cutting.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an inner member having a plurality of interengaging segments that are disposed within a bend region of an elongated outer member. The interengaging segments transmit force applied to a proximal region of the inner member through the bend region to cause a cutting implement at a distal region of the inner member to move and cut tissue admitted through an opening at the distal end of the outer member.

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 instrument includes a plastic hub which is received by a handpiece for operating the instrument. The plastic hub includes a wall that encloses a passage that receives a surgical tool-carrying member, and at least one detectable coding element is embedded at a selected circumferential position in the wall. For example, the coding element is embedded in a hole disposed in the wall. Alternatively, the coding element is molded into the wall during injection molding of the hub. The coding element is, for example, a magnet.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-centrifugal locking member having a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The centrifugal locking member is pivoted on an axis transverse to the drive shaft axis and has a leg extending past said rotational axis. The leg has tool gripping structure on the opposite side of such rotational axis for receiving a tool rear shank rearward axially therepast and for more strongly radially gripping such a tool shank in response to faster rotation of the drive shaft. The invention, in another aspect, includes a tool having an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes a radially depressed plateau engageable by such centrifugal locking member.

Abstract: The invention provides tubular surgical cutter devices which include aspiration flow control ports to enhance the ability of the cutter to remove severed tissues from an internal surgical site. The aspiration flow control ports will admit sufficient aspiration fluid to transport tissue fragments that are severed by the tubular surgical cutter through the lumen of the cutter, even when the severing aperture is entirely blocked by a target tissue. The aspiration flow control ports will typically be in one of two forms. In the first form, a vacuum relief port provides open fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular cutter when the cutting aperture is open to receive target tissues for severing. In the second form, a fenestration pattern through an outer tube of the cutter ensures that aspiration flow continues even when the cutting aperture of the outer tube is blocked.

Abstract: A catheter device for performing atherectomy procedures and the like in which cutting blades at the distal end of the catheter are extended by the application of fluid pressure to the catheter to inflate a balloon. One or more cutting blades are attached to the end of a resilient support that maintains the blade in a retracted position until engaged by the expanding balloon to extend the blade radially outward. Specific embodiments include separate expandable balloons provided on each side of the cutting blade to isolate the operative site and separate conduits for the infusion of a flushing liquid to the operative site.

Abstract: An instrument for treating deep malignant brain tumors. A slender conically-tipped yttrium tubular instrument is provided for simultaneous intra-tumor surgery, aspiration, and brachytherapy. Features include: minimally disruptive stereotactic access to the tumor, incremental rotary surgical excision from the center of the tumor, vacuum aspiration of excised matter and fluids through the tubular instrument, intense tumor-confined yttrium-90 beta radiation, and progressive suction collapsing of the tumor. Potential benefits include: tumor bulk reduction, relief of intracranial pressure, confined radiation of marginal tumor extensions, radiation sterilization of the instrument, prevention of seeding, and avoidance of radiation necrosis complications.

Abstract: A single surgical instrument capable of being used as a powered resection instrument or a conventional liposuction cannula. The instrument is elongated and may be used in either open or closed (endoscopic) lipectomy procedures, with or without visualization. The instrument comprises a stationary elongated outer tube having a side-facing window near its distal tip and a rotatable elongated inner tube situated within the outer tube and having a cutting edge juxtaposed adjacent the window of the outer tube. The method of using the device comprises the steps of utilizing it as a powered resecting instrument, in which the uniquely shaped surfaces of the inner edge and outer window cooperate to resect tissue, or as a liposuction cannula in which the inner member is stopped in alignment with the outer window.

Abstract: A medullary rotational reaming apparatus includes an elongated, flexible, hollow, tubular shaft formed of a nickel-titanium alloy and having coupling portions at the opposite ends thereof. Each of a cutter head and a rotational drive coupling element has a hollow tubular coupling shank, each shank having a coupling inner surface which is quadrilobular in transverse cross section and is dimensioned to prevent free reception of a coupling portion of the shaft therein. The coupling portions of the shaft are axially press-fitted in permanent engagement, respectively, within the shanks of the cutter head and the drive coupling element, with said coupling portions being permanently deformed to the transverse cross section of the coupling inner surface of the shanks, thereby to fix the cutter head and the coupling element to the shaft solely by the press-fitted engagement of the coupling portions in the shanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a surgical device includes a housing and a magnetic switching element mounted on the housing. The magnetic switching element includes a magnet, a magnetic sensor configured to produce a control signal for controlling the surgical device, and an actuator mounted on the housing for movement between a first position in which a magnetic field of the magnet is decoupled from the magnetic sensor and a second position in which the magnetic field is coupled to the magnetic sensor so as to change a value of the control signal produced by the magnetic sensor. The magnetic switching element may also include magnetically soft material positioned so that movement of the actuator causes relative movement between the magnet and the magnetically soft material.

Abstract: A shaver blade assembly useable in either an irrigation-only mode, an aspiration-only mode or an irrigation/aspiration mode. The shaver blade assembly has a stationary elongated outer tube and a movable (e.g. rotatable) elongated inner tube, both inner and outer tubes having hubs attached to their proximal ends for attachment to a handpiece which provides power to move the inner blade relative to the outer blade. The inner and outer tubes are provided with cutting windows at their distal tips and the relative movement between these cutting windows acts to cut tissue during surgical procedures. The outer tube is provided with a fluid inlet port at the proximal end of its tubular surface and a fluid adapter is selectively attachable to the outer tube so as to provide a means for introducing irrigating fluid into the fluid port. The adapter is integrally formed with sealing surfaces which obviate the need for O-rings and the like.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting tissue, which includes a housing, a cutting element movable between a retracted position disposed substantially within the housing and a deployed position extending outwardly from the housing, a guide member configured and dimensioned to direct orientation of the cutting element, operatively connected to the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, the guide member movable from a first orientation wherein the longitudinal axis of the guide member is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the housing to a second orientation wherein the longitudinal axis of the guide member is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical abrading instrument for removing soft bodily tissue includes a stiffening support member and an abrasive member formed of a rubbery polymeric material. The abrasive member is mounted on the stiffening support member and includes an integral abrasive surface having a roughness to remove soft bodily tissue when the abrasive member is driven against the tissue via movement of the stiffening support member. The abrasive member can be of integral one-piece construction, in which case the abrasive member can also be formed simultaneously with attachment to the stiffening support member. In one embodiment, the stiffening support member includes a cylindrical shaft with proximal and distal ends, and the abrasive member is formed at the distal end of the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A method and devices are provided for performing end-to-side anastomoses between the severed end of a first hollow organ and the side-wall of a second hollow organ utilizing transluminal approach with endoscopic assistance. In particular, the method utilizes a catheter, having a selectively operable cutter, which is introduced into the first hollow organ until the distal end of the catheter is substantially adjacent to the severed end of the first hollow organ. The severed end of the first hollow organ is positioned in proximity to the site for anastomoses on the side wall of the second hollow organ and the severed end is secured in sealing engagement with the side-wall, thereby defining a region of securement on the side wall of the second hollow organ.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a curved bore are disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a handle (20) and a removable cartridge (174) in which cutting bits (240) are disposed to produce the bore. The handle includes a trigger (66), (66'), or (66"), which the user squeezes toward a grip (24) of the handle to both energize a pneumatic motor (42) and to advance the opposed cutting bits in curved arcs at different rates. As the trigger is squeezed, a curved guide arm (234) conveying one of the cutting bits is advanced more rapidly than the other curved guide arm, passing a median point in the bore and then being withdrawn as the other curved guide arm and cutting bit are advanced past the median point. Thus, interference between the two cutting bits is avoided and a clean bore hole is produced. In addition, the removable cartridge minimizes breakage of a flexible drive cable (238) used to transmit rotational force to the cutting bits from rotating left and right extended drive shafts (190) and 192).

Abstract: A device for incising and dilating a stenosis in a vessel of a patient includes a dilator housing and a plurality of blades which can be selectively extended from the housing. Specifically, the housing is formed to surround a chamber and the chamber contains an inflatable balloon. The plurality of blades are mounted on the inflatable balloon and pass through slits in the housing. The housing is attached to a placement catheter which includes a lumen for inflating and deflating the balloon. In the operation of the device, the balloon is selectively inflated within the chamber to move the device between a retracted and an expanded configuration. In the retracted configuration, the balloon is deflated and the blades are withdrawn into the housing and the housing is used as a dilator. In the expanded configuration, the balloon is inflated and the blades are extended through the slits in the housing and the device is used as an incisor.

Abstract: A cable comprising helically wound superelastic fibers and having a drilling tip provided at its distal end is housed in an elongated holder through which the cable may be advanced, the holder having a distal end for supporting the cable during a drilling operation and through which the distal end of the cable may protrude. The holder includes contains a cable support shaped to bend the cable through a predetermined angle adjacent its distal end and to support the cable as it is rotated and advanced. A motor is attached to the cable remote from the distal end of the cable to rotate the cable in a direction tending to tighten the cable fibers.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure Intramedullary reamers are well known in orthopaedic procedures for reaming out a tubular passage within a bone for accommodating an implant such as a femoral nail. The reamer head of this invention is designed to accommodate a press fit connection to a reamer shaft. Heretofore, such press fit connections placed a hoop stress on the neck of the shaft such that the hoop stress significantly exceeded the yield strength of the material. Therefore in such prior art heads, the neck of the head would begin to crack adjacent the opening of the neck. The reamer head of this invention substantially reduces the hoop stresses on the neck of the head at its opening and provides for a smoother transition of stresses along the neck by forming a counter bore through the neck while maintaining a satisfactory press fit connection between the head and the shaft.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical device for macerating the lens nucleus in the eye and for removing particles of the macerated lens nucleus from the eye of a living being, includes a hand-held housing with a head piece attached at one axial end of the housing and supporting a guide tube. Disposed in the guide tube is a tubular probe which is operatively connected to a motor drive and projects beyond the guide tube with its tip to carry a cutting element in form of at least two rotatable wing-like blades oriented approximately transversely to the longitudinal axis of the guide tube. By means of the drive, the tubular probe is rotatable relative to the stationary guide tube about the longitudinal axis and movable at a high frequency in direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A drill head for intramedullary drilling has a front part, a middle part and a rear part and is shaped as a hollow body of revolution. The front and rear parts have spiral slots formed with cutting edges. The rear part has an attachment for coupling to a drilling shaft.

Abstract: A powered rotatable surgical tissue working tool for chucking in a powered rotating surgical handpiece includes a tubular elongate outer member having a distal tip portion angled off the central axis of the proximal portion of such tubular outer member, by reason of a angled portion therebetween. A rotatable elongate inner member extends coaxially and rotatably within the tubular outer member and has a rotatably drivable proximal portion, a distal tip portion for tissue working interaction with the distal tip portion of the outer member, and a flexibly bendable portion therebetween rotatably housed within the angled portion of the outer member. A suction passage communicates between the distal tip portions thereof and the handpiece for permitting suction withdrawal of flowable materials from a surgical site axially through such suction passage and to a suction source.

Abstract: A twist drill comprising a shank section at a top of the drill and a body section at a bottom of the drill, the body section having two or more flutes which spiral downwardly in a first direction and terminate proximate a point, the drill having cutting lips formed by the flutes and operatively arranged to cut material when the drill is rotated in a second direction opposite that of the orientation of the spiral flutes.

Abstract: A rotational ablation device for use in medical applications which are designed to reduce lesions, particularly vein-graft lesions, within blood vessels, the device includes a distal balloon located at the end of a guide wire, a proximal balloon having a cuff surrounding a guide catheter, an inflation lumen for use in inflating a distal balloon on the guide catheter, one or more rotating burrs used in conjunction with a helical drive system surrounding the guidewire; a suction system to remove ablated lesion material; and a control console to provide for the necessary control of the various systems of the device.

Abstract: The instrument for morcellating, in particular for endosurgical operations, includes a tube with a cutter formed at its distal end which is the actual morcellator, and a gripping instrument introduced into this tube for holding the tissue to be removed. Between the gripping instrument and the cutting tube is provided a protective sheath into which the gripper of the gripping instrument is inserted before the beginning of the cutting procedure. This configuration reliably prevents fouling between the cutting instrument and the gripper.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a manually engageable handle. A first stem section having a longitudinal axis extends from the handle. A second stem section is connected between the first stem section and a cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a rotatable shaver. The second stem section has at least a portion which is bendable. A rotatable drive shaft is connected with the shaver and extends axially through the first stem section and the second stem section. The drive shaft has a flexible portion disposed in the flexible stem section. A passage extends axially through the drive shaft for conducting tissue from a location adjacent to the cutting tool through the second stem section toward the handle. A mechanism is connected to the bendable portion of the second stem section for bending the bendable portion to change the orientation of the cutting tool relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation.

Abstract: Novel apparatus and related methods are disclosed by which plaque is connected to the head of a removal instrument for removal of a unitary segment of plaque from an artery intact to increase blood flow through the artery.

Abstract: A single surgical instrument capable of being used as a powered resection instrument or a conventional liposuction cannula. The instrument is elongated and may be used in either open or closed (endoscopic) lipectomy procedures, with or without visualization. The instrument comprises a stationary elongated outer tube having a side-facing window near its distal tip and a rotatable elongated inner tube situated within the outer tube and having a cutting edge juxtaposed adjacent the window of the outer tube. The method of using the device comprises the steps of utilizing it as a powered resecting instrument, in which the uniquely shaped surfaces of the inner edge and outer window cooperate to resect tissue, or as a liposuction cannula in which the inner member is stopped in alignment with the outer window.

Abstract: A novel surgical router bit is disclosed which comprises a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and an outer surface tapering outwardly from its distal end to its proximal end, at least one spiral cutting flute or groove formed in and extending along the length of the shaft from the distal end of the shaft to the proximal end of the shaft, with the at least one spiral cutting flute or groove having a planar floor which is inclined relative to the center axis of the router bit, wherein for each pitch of the at least one spiral cutting flute or groove, the distal end of the floor is level with the tapering outer surface of the shaft and the proximal end of the floor has a fixed depth relative to the tapering outer surface of the shaft so as to define a helical cutting edge of fixed height, and at least one straight cutting flute or groove formed in and extending along the length of the shaft from the distal end of the shaft to the proximal end of the shaft, the at least one straight cutting flute or gro

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for removing objects, such as a pacemaker lead or catheter, embedded in biological tissue. The cutting instrument includes a rigid proximal end and a flexible distal end, the flexible distal end having circular opening and a cutting blade disposed longitudinally therein. A control handle connected to the rigid proximal end and extending radially therefrom provides a force applied to an inner member which extends the cutting blade beyond the circular opening and simultaneously rotates the cutting blade to cut tissue exposed to the blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which is suitably adapted for use in operations to be performed under an endoscopic surgery. This surgical instrument comprises an elongate main body of the instrument, a leading end part disposed on the leading end side of the main body of the instrument and endowed with surgically operating member for producing an open-close motion or a rotary motion, a manipulating part for effecting remote control of the surgically operating member, and an elongate transmitting member for transmitting the operation in the manipulating part to the leading end part mentioned above. It is provided in or near the leading end part with a locking mechanism for regulating the motion of the transmitting member relative to the leading end part and fixing the posture of the surgically operating member.

Abstract: A device and method for clearing a stenosis in a vessel of a patient requires a catheter having a rigid, cone-shaped probe at its distal end. The probe has a distally diminishing taper and also has a plurality of blades which are mounted on the probe and longitudinally aligned with the catheter. The probe is formed to include a series of grooves which span the length of the probe. Advancement of the probe through the vessel to the stenosis can be accomplished either over a prepositioned guidewire or through a prepositioned guide catheter. At the stenosis, the probe with mounted blades are reciprocally moved back and forth across the stenosis to incise and dilate the stenosis and, thus, clear the stenosis. Blood flow is maintained within the vessel by the grooves formed in the surface of the probe. Movement of the probe across the stenosis can be facilitated by selectively activating a rigidizer which is located on the catheter immediately proximal to the probe.

Abstract: A nail boring device uses a common drill bit to penetrate a traumatized nail having collected fluids trapped below it. A novel depth of penetration control device is used with the bit to assure that a bored hole is only as deep as necessary and that the process may proceed in small steps acceptable to the patient. A method of approach necessary to the successful use of the device is described.

Abstract: A self-reaming intramedullary nail and method for using the same are disclosed. Nail 10 includes a rotatable reaming head 30 mounted to the distal end 24 of the cannulated nail body 20. A detachable drive shaft 40 connects reaming head 30 through nail body 20 to a conventional rotational drill device 8. Reaming head 30 and drive shaft 40 have longitudinal bores 31, 41 that when connected form a passage for receiving a guide wire 6.

Abstract: A flexible surgical instrument is provided which is ideal for providing flexibility in surgery performed through a small incision, such as arthroscopic surgery. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument is provided with an outer member having at least one opening in a distal region and a hollow inner member disposed within the outer member for transmitting force applied to the proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at the distal end. The cutting implement is constructed and adapted to perform a cutting function at the opening in the outer member. The hollow inner member is substantially flexible between its proximal and distal ends. The outer member is provided with a predetermined flexibility and rigidity such that the outer member is provided with sufficient flexibility to be manually bent by a surgeon during and operation, and provided with sufficient rigidity to retain such bend during the continued performance of the operation with the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The device includes a bar having a longitudinal axis and adapted to be inserted into a fistulous tract. A cutting tool cooperates with the bar such that the cutting tool separates the fistulous tract from the surrounding tissue by coring the fistula.

Abstract: Disposable intra-arterial augering and dottering instruments for use in patients in clearing pathways at obstructed or nearly obstructed arterial sites are disclosed. A number of augering tips used on the instruments are disclosed along with a method for releasibly affixing augering tips to the instruments. In addition, a dottering tip is disclosed for use in procedures where it is desired to open a pathway without excising material from the obstructed site. A combined augering and dottering tip is disclosed for a procedure in which material displacement followed by excising of material from within an artery is accomplished without removal of the combined augering and dottering tip until the procedure is complete.

Abstract: Disposable intra-arterial augering and dottering instruments for use in patients in clearing pathways at obstructed or nearly obstructed arterial sites are disclosed. A number of augering tips used on the instruments are disclosed along with a method for releasibly affixing augering tips to the instruments. In addition, a dottering tip is disclosed for use in procedures where it is desired to open a pathway without excising material from the obstructed site. A combined augering and dottering tip is disclosed for a procedure in which material displacement followed by excising of material from within an artery is accomplished without removal of the combined augering and dottering tip until the procedure is complete.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion in body vessels for removing occlusions or obstructions such as thrombus, clot, plaque and other vascular or arterial deposits without generating distal emboli. Removal of freshly or recently formed obstructions is a preferred application. Concurrently or subsequently, suction or aspiration removal of the resulting occlusion debris is disclosed. A catheter system of this invention comprises elongate, hollow, inner and outer coaxial catheters having distal and proximal ends. The distal end of the outer catheter terminates short of the distal end of the inner catheter. The catheters may be independently movable with respect to each other. The inner catheter wall defines a central lumen which fluidically couples the proximal and distal ends of the inner catheter and through which a guidewire can pass. The central lumen has a reduced diameter distal portion which, with an occluder means (e.g., a guidewire), is adapted to restrict distal fluid delivery therethrough.

Abstract: A replaceable rotary patient tissue working tool and a high speed rotational surgical handpiece having a centrifugal chuck for axial push-in chucking and pull-out release of such a tool includes a chuck including a centrifugal locking member with a mass portion located on one side of a rotational axis of a drive shaft. The working tool includes an elongate shank, patient tissue working structure at a front end of the shank and mounting structure at the rear end of the shank. The mounting structure includes several plateaus and a ramped hill. One radially depressed plateau is engageable by the centrifugal locking member.