Abstract:
A dual bar warp knit, hexagonal mesh fabric for use in hernia repair and to mend other muscle and tissue wall defects, produced according to a back bar pattern chain of 2/0 2/4 2/0 4/6 4/2 4/6 and a front bar pattern chain of 4/6 4/2 4/6 2/0 2/4 2/0.
Abstract:
A dilatation catheter wherein the effective "over-the-wire length" is adjustable. The catheter includes an elongated inflation shaft having a longitudinal inflation lumen, an extension shaft disposed distal to the inflation shaft and through which the inflation lumen is continued, a balloon element disposed at the distal end of the extension shaft and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, a guidewire shaft having a longitudinal guidewire lumen which extends from the distal end of the balloon member, through the balloon member and the extension shaft, to the proximal end of the extension shaft, and a telescoping portion. The telescoping portion comprising first and second telescoping tubes which are slidably mounted on the inflation shaft and the extension shaft. The first and second telescoping tubes are sized so that the first telescoping tube can be retracted into the second telescoping tube. The extension shaft is sized so that it can be retracted into the first telescoping tube. The effective "over-the-wire length" of the telescoping balloon catheter can be reduced by retracting the first telescoping tube and the extension tube into the second telescoping tube. In another embodiment, the telescoping portion comprises three telescoping tubes, which results in a greater reduction of the effective "over-the-wire length".
Abstract:
This invention is a dilation catheter which comprises an elongated catheter shaft (20), a guide wire tube (22), and an angioplasty balloon (24). The distal end of the balloon (24) is attached to the distal portion of the guide wire tube (22), and the proximal portion of the balloon (24) is attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft (20). A stiffening wire (30) is attached to the inner wall of the catheter shaft (20) at a plurality of points along its length. The distal extremity of the guide wire tube (22) is decreased in size relative to the proximal portion of the guide wire tube (22). A fluid is contained within the guide wire lumen (68).
Abstract:
A subsantially transparent ligating band dispenser has a spring loaded, reciprocating inner cylinder movable within a spring loaded, radially expandable cone having inner teeth for engaging a plurality of ligating bands. The cone is formed by four arcuate fingers, normally biased by small flat springs towards and into engagement with the reciprocating inner cylinder, with each ligating band being positioned distally of a respective inner tooth on the inside of the finger. When the dispenser is actuated, the inner cylinder is drawn proximally with respect to the cone, and the distal end surface of the cone forces the distal-most ring off of the reciprocating cylinder and onto internal tissue that has been drawn inside the cylinder. After the ring has been dispensed, a coil spring forces the inner cylinder distally again with respect to the cone, whereupon the fingers are splayed outwardly. The inner teeth then "ratchet" over the bands, with the distal-most band being placed in front of the distal end surface of the cone, and thus in position for delivery as desired at a different internal body site.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for guiding a medical instrument to a predetermined target location within the periurethral tissues of a patient. The apparatus directs the instrument along a predetermined path with respect to the patient's urethra (250) and limits penetration of the instrument to a predetermined depth. The disclosed embodiment comprises an apparatus for implanting inflatable prostheses (220) within the periurethral tissues to coapt the urethra (250) and thereby manage incontinence. A method for effecting coaptation of a urethra (250) of a patient is also disclosed. According to this method, a pair of working channels are formed within the periurethral tissues, and an inflatable prosthesis (220) is introduced into each working channel. The prostheses (220) are inflated only after both working channels have been formed, and preferably after both prostheses (220) have been positioned within their respective working channels. The inflated prostheses (220) confront the urethra (250) and effect coaptation of the urethra (250).
Abstract:
This invention is a dilatation balloon catheter (16) including a short central cylindrical section (33) with a tapered section (18, 20, 22, 24) on either or both sides thereof. The tapered sections have a gradual reduction in diameter in comparison to the abrupt angular transition of conventional dilatation balloons.
Abstract:
An implantable prosthesis and device and method for loading and delivering the implantable prosthesis to a trocar cannula. The implantable prosthesis includes a body portion sufficient to extend across and occlude a defect opening and a semi-rigid ring for supporting the body portion. The implantable prosthesis may be provided with a sufficient hoop strength to prevent the body portion from collapsing into the defect opening. A loading and delivery tool (200) includes a main body (202) with a lumen (204) sized to collapse the implantable prosthesis (205). An elongated shaft (206) is rotatable to wind the implant into a slender configuration and axially moveable to advance the rolled-up implant into the trocar cannula. A cartridge (210) extends from the main body and holds the implant in a normal expanded configuration.
Abstract:
A collapsible and expandable container (10) for collecting fluids under the influence of a vacuum. A rigid front wall (12) and a flexible rear wall (14) define a variable volume collection bag interior. A plurality of rigid, elongated panels (18) are spaced about and attached to the flexible rear wall (14). A rigid stent (16) is releasably engageable to the panels (18) to distend the rear wall (14) relative to the rigid front wall (12).