Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for conveying material, for example for removal of tissue from a body. The apparatus generally comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and having an aperture at its distal end and a tissue removal member disposed within the lumen. The apparatus may further include a motorized source of rotational energy operatively connected to the tissue removal member. The tissue removal member may comprise a shaft having at least one outwardly extending projection, and the tissue removal member, or a projection thereof, may be recessed proximally relative to the aperture in order to prevent unnecessary damage to the surrounding environment. The elongate member may define at least one slot extending proximally from said distal end of said elongate member. The apparatus disclosed herein may be useful for, for example, removal of tissue from a patient's body in a minimally invasive manner.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for regulating pressure applied during a medical procedure, including an inelastic housing enclosing an inner volume, a housing having a first and second end; an aperture in the housing, the aperture for coupling to an element for applying a pressure during a medical procedure, the element having an inner volume communicated with the inner volume of the housing; and a pressure-operated valve coupled to the housing for providing access to the inner volume of the housing when pressure in the housing is above a threshold, whereby the valve releases pressure from within the inner volume of the housing. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in preparation of conduits such as veins and arteries during grafting procedures.
Abstract:
An instrument for locating and sealing a previously formed percutaneous puncture in a wall of a blood vessel or lumen of a living being. The instrument (20) has a distal end for insertion through the puncture into the blood vessel or lumen and a proximal end for location outside the body of the living being, and comprises a closure means (22) for closing said puncture (24), and a locating means (28, 200, 300, 400, 402,502) for locating the wall of the blood vessel or lumen (26). The vessel locating means comprises a flow passageway (10, 402, 502) extending from an inlet (204, 304, 404, 506) of the passageway adjacent the distal end (28C) of the instrument (20) to the proximal end of the instrument (20). The passageway being constructed so that in use of the instrument (20) when the instrument is in a first position relative to the wall of the blood vessel (26), the inlet (204, 304, 404, 506) of the passageway is located inside the blood vessel to allow blood from the interior of the blood vessel to enter into the passageway and flow through the passageway to become visible at the distal end of the instrument (20). When the instrument (20) is in a second position relative to the wall of the blood vessel or lumen (26), the inlet (204, 304, 404 506), the passageway is obturated by the wall of the blood vessel thereby to prevent blood from the interior of the blood vessel from entering the passageway.
Abstract:
A thermal compress cuff (10) for treating an injured knee has a fluid impervious chamber of flexible material with an upper transverse portion (12) and depending arms (13, 14) extending from the transverse portion (12). The transverse portion (12) is adapted to encompass a portion of the limb above the knee and the depending arms (13, 14) are adapted to encompass the limb along the sides of the knee and a portion of the limb below the knee while exposing the patella of the knee. The chamber is adapted to receive and contain a thermal fluid for abutting contact with the encompassed portion of the limb. A hand-held pump (58) is provided for pressurizing an outer compartment to force an inner compartment with the thermal fluid against the areas of the limb being treated. An elastic strap (22) connects the arms (13, 14) around the limb below the knee to minimize venous constriction.
Abstract:
Laparoscopic instrument comprising a fixed or replaceable tool and a fixed or replaceable handle, which tool and handle are mounted or mountable on opposite sides of an actuator rod, wherein the handle is equipped to actuate the tool and wherein an adjustment mechanism is provided that operates on the actuator rod to provide a compensatory force to the actuator rod that supports actuation of the tool by the handle, the adjustment mechanism comprising symmetrically placed flexural elements on opposite sides of the actuator rod providing a pressurizing force on the actuator rod, wherein the flexural elements are loaded by at least one longitudinally along the actuator rod movable tuning wheel.
Abstract:
A selective aortic balloon device includes a catheter comprising an open distal end configured to be inserted into a body cavity or vessel, and a plurality of adjustable port regions with inflatable balloons between adjacent adjustable port regions. Each adjustable port region is configured to move between a closed position and an open position to selectively allow fluid flow to enter the catheter through the open distal end and to exit the catheter through one or more of the plurality of adjustable port regions depending on an inflation pattern of the inflatable balloons.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for the sampling of the eye surface, to the uses thereof in research and basic diagnostics in the veterinary, agro- feeding and medical field, in particular Ophthalmology. The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the sampling and analysis of the outer layers of the ocular surface, by impression cytology, solving the disadvantages of the devices of known art.
Abstract:
An inflation device (20, 100) for selectively inflating a balloon (26) of a surgical instrument (24) including a syringe (102), a connector (106), a mechanical pressure indicator (104), and a relief port (218). The syringe includes a plunger (122) slidably disposed within a barrel (120). The connector fluidly connects an outlet (132) of the syringe with a surgical instrument balloon to establish a closed inflation system between the syringe and an interior of the balloon. The mechanical pressure indicator is associated with the syringe and configured to transition from a non-alert state to an alert state when a pressure of the inflation system has reached a predetermined level. The relief port is associated with the mechanical pressure indicator and configured to relieve a pressure of the inflation system when the system at least reaches the predetermined level.
Abstract:
A system for clipping tissue includes a clip (106) having first (110) and second (112) jaws. Each of the first and second jaws defines an opening (114) through which a control wire (104) passes. A collapsible member (116) is coupled between the first and second jaws. The member is biased to urge the first and second jaws away from one another along an axis of the control wire to a first expanded configuration. The first and second jaws are movable against the bias of the member via the control wire to a second contracted configuration in which the first and second jaws are moved along the axis of the control wire toward one another to lockingly engage tissue received therebetween. The movement of control wire causes a corresponding movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw to move the first and second jaws from the first expanded configuration to the second contracted configuration.
Abstract:
A device for performing a remote ischemic conditioning treatment. The device includes an inflatable cuff and a cartridge which is a source of gas for inflating the cuff. A first valve controls the flow of gas from the cartridge to the cuff so as to maintain a predetermined pressure in the cuff during an ischemic period. A second valve allows gas to escape from the cuff during a reperfusion period of the remote ischemic conditioning treatment. A controller which may be battery-powered is used to control the opening and closing of the valves. The cartridge may contain a gas, or materials which, under certain conditions, react to produce a gas. The chemical reaction may be initiated by an electrical pulse or signal from the controller.