Symbiosis Corporation

Other

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Symbiois Corporation

David H Turkel

Frank A Scarfone

Thomas O Bales, Jr

David P Gordon

Charles R Slater

Matthew S Solar

Jurgen A Kortenbach

Dana W Ryan

Kevin W Smith

Matthew A Palmer

Juergen Andrew Kortenbach

George A Nunez

Joel F Giurtino

Kevin F Hahnen

Herbert Cohen

Kirk William Charles

Thomas A Gallagher

Juan J Arias

Joe Kopp

Lionel Gillespie

John Whittier

Milton L Jackson, Jr

Alan L Weisenborn

Constance M Ryan

Sarah E Gillim

A jaw assembly for an endoscopic bioptome includes a pair of opposed end effectors having resilient arms formed from a super-elastic metal. The distal ends of the resilient arms terminate in end effector jaw cups which are also preferably formed from super-elastic metal, while the proximal portions of the resilient arms include angled portions which urge the jaw cups away from each other. The jaw cups are brought together into a biting action by a cylinder having a sharp distal edge which moves relative to and over he arms of the end effectors. As the resilient arms are formed from a super-elastic metal, they exhibit very high resiliency and durability even after numerous uses.

Super-elastic flexible jaw assembly

A tissue core biopsy cannula of the present invention includes a distal end which is ground in two planes which intersect each other at a first angle along a line which intersects the longitudinal axis of the cannula at a second angle. This produces a cardioid shaped opening in the distal end of the cannula. The entire edge of the sidewall is thereby inclined inward toward the distal opening and two distal cutting edges are provided. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the first angle at which the two planes intersect is approximately 60.degree. and the second angle at which the intersection of the two planes intersects the longitudinal axis of the cannula is approximately 20.degree.. In order to aid in removal of the biopsy sample from the target tissue site, the cannula according to the invention is provided with side fenestration holes and/or a split end which aids in grasping the tissue so that it can be pulled away from the target tissue site. The cannula according to the invention may be used with a solid stylet or a notched stylet and may be provided as part of a manual or automatic biopsy tool. A preferred stylet for use with the cannula has a distal end which is also ground in two planes like the distal end of the cannula.

Tissue core biopsy cannula

A colposcopic surgical punch instrument includes a hollow tube and a push rod extending through the hollow tube. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube and an actuation lever is pivotally coupled to the handle and the proximal end of the push rod for effecting axial movement of the push rod relative to the tube. A stationary jaw in the form of a die having an open top and bottom is coupled to the distal end of the tube and a movable jaw in the form of a punch is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by a tongue and groove arrangement. In one embodiment, the stationary jaw is provided with a pair of ramped projections on its sides and a tab projection on its distal end. A removable plastic sleeve fits over the stationary jaw. The plastic sleeve has an open proximal end and an open top. A pair of holes in the sides of the sleeve engage the ramped projections on the sides of the stationary jaw and a hole in the distal end of the sleeve engages the distal tab on the stationary jaw. The top opening of the sleeve is dimensioned to allow free movement of the movable jaw into and out of the stationary jaw. When attached to the stationary jaw, the sleeve functions as a multiple sample basket beneath the open bottom of the stationary jaw. In another embodiment, the jaw has surface recesses and the sleeve has interior projections.

Colposcopic biopsy punch with removable multiple sample basket

A protected microbiological sampling brush assembly includes a sampling brush mounted on the distal end of a control wire, an inner catheter which houses the brush, an outer catheter which houses the inner catheter, and an elastomeric tip which is rigidly attached to the distal end of the outer catheter and which has a weakened end. The proximal ends of the control wire and catheters are coupled to a handle for independently moving the control wire, the inner catheter, and the outer catheter relative to each other. The weakened end of the elastomeric tip is preferably a slit which defines lips which are parted when the distal end of the inner catheter is moved distally against the elastomeric tip to allow the inner catheter to pass therethrough. When the inner catheter is moved proximally relative to the outer catheter, the lips of the elastomeric tip close to protect the inner catheter (and the sampling brush) from contamination. Easy to use handles which are attached to the proximal ends of the control wire, the inner catheter, and the outer catheter are disclosed.

Protected microbiological sampling brush assembly

An air introduction system for a medical needle assembly is provided and includes a flexible bladder, and a male luer assembly with an air valve which is biased to allow air to enter the air introduction system but not to exit. The air introduction system is coupled to a needle assembly which is to be introduced into the epidural space. As the needle traverses the tissue layers overlying the epidural space, and the practitioner applies pressure to the bladder, the practitioner experiences resistance to the forcing of air through the needle assembly. If air is lost from the bladder, the bladder may be refilled by releasing the pressure on it and allowing outside air to enter via the air valve. Once the epidural space is penetrated, air is quickly forced from the bladder through the needle assembly and the practitioner can feel a sudden drop in pressure. To aid in detection, the air introduction system is provided with an air activated sound device situated so as to be exposed to the air flow pushed out of the bladder. With the sound device, an audible warning is provided as the air rushes from the bladder through the needle assembly and into the epidural space.

Air introduction system for medical needles

The needle assembly of the present invention includes a hollow cannula having a sharp distal end, a hollow stylet having a blunt distal end with a radial opening and an interior deflection surface near the radial opening, and a mechanism for biasing the stylet in a first position where the blunt distal end of the stylet extends beyond the sharp distal end of the cannula. Preferably, the hollow cannula hub has a proximal end which is coupled, e.g., via insert molding, to a hollow cannula hub. Likewise, the stylet preferably includes a proximal end which is coupled, e.g., via insert molding, to a hollow stylet hub which is longitudinally movable within the hollow cannula hub. The mechanism for biasing typically comprises a spring inside the cannula hub which biases the stylet hub to the first position where the blunt distal end of the stylet extends beyond the sharp distal end of the cannula. The stylet is movable against the spring to a second position where the sharp distal end of the cannula extends beyond the blunt distal end of the stylet. A first indicator is provided on the cannula hub showing the position of the stylet relative to the cannula and a cannular orientation indictor on the cannula shows the direction of the radial opening.

Needle assembly and methods useful for epidural anesthesia

A jaw assembly for an endoscopic bioptome includes a pair of opposed end effectors having resilient arms formed from a super-elastic metal. The distal ends of the resilient arms terminate in end effector jaw cups which are also preferably formed from super-elastic metal, while the proximal portions of the resilient arms include angled portions which urge the jaw cups away from each other. The jaw cups are brought together into a biting action by a cylinder having a sharp distal edge which moves relative to over the arms of the end effectors. As the resilient arms are formed from a superelastic metal, they exhibit very high resiliency and durability even after numerous uses. Several embodiments of jaws and different ways of coupling the jaws to the distal end of the bioptome are disclosed.

Super-elastic flexible jaws assembly for an endoscopic multiple sample

A bipolar roller electrode has a non-conductive base upon which two electrical conductors are placed with a gap between the conductors. The electrode is provided with a blind hole at each end thereof for rotatably mounting it between a pair of arms. Each of the two conductors preferably extends into or forms a part of a respective blind hole. An electrocautery probe according to the invention includes a pair of electrically conductive arms between which the electrode is mounted with each of the arms entering one of the blind holes in the electrode. The arms are mechanically joined but electrically isolated and their proximal ends are individually coupled to a pair of electrode leads. A non-conductive or insulated mounting sleeve is preferably provided intermediate of the arms and the leads for slideably coupling the probe to a resectoscope. The distal end of each arm of the probe enters a respective blind hole in the roller electrode and makes electrical contact with a respective one of the two conductors. Several methods of manufacturing the electrodes are disclosed as are several different embodiments of the electrodes.

Bipolar roller electrodes and electrocautery probes for use with a

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for recording the source and orientation of biopsy samples typically taken with a multiple biopsy sample instrument. The apparatus includes a multiple compartment fixative cup and a multiple copy record keeping label form. The fixative cup is preferably cylindrical and has several compartments defined by sector walls as well as by concentric cylindrical walls. The multiple copy record keeping label form preferably includes a circular label with indicia corresponding to the sector walls of the fixative cup and at least one carbon or carbonless copy form. The preferred method of the invention includes the steps of obtaining biopsy samples and marking the corresponding location on the label form with an indication of order. After the several biopsy samples have been taken, and their locations marked on the label form, the biopsy samples are removed from the body and placed in order in the appropriate compartments in the fixative cup. The cup is then covered and the label is removed from the label form and applied to the fixative cup. The carbon or carbonless copy of the label is placed in the chart or file of the patient.

Methods and apparatus for recording the source and orientation of as

An apparatus for counting the number of times a temperature cycle occurs includes an indicator having sequential indicia and a temperature responsive member for indicating a next one of the indicia. Mechanical, fluid mechanical and electronic versions of the invention are disclosed. In the mechanical version, the indicator can be a ratchet member having teeth, a pawl and a display surface containing indicia. A temperature responsive element such as a bimetallic member engages the teeth of the ratchet and advances the ratchet each time the apparatus is subjected to a preset temperature cycle. A housing with a window masks the display to indicate one of the indicia as advanced by the temperature responsive element. Preferred embodiments of the mechanical version include a ring-like ratchet member with interior teeth and an exterior display surface. The number of teeth is preferably one or more less than the number of indicia so that upon advancing the ratchet member to the last indicia, it can be advanced no further. The bimetallic element is mounted inside the ring and the housing covers the outer surface of the ring. A removable locking pin is provided to prevent movement of the ratchet member until activated.

Temperature cycle counter

Bone marrow biopsy needle

A disposable arthroscopic surgical instrument includes a hollow tube with a manual actuator coupled to its proximal end and an end effector coupled to its distal end. The actuator and the end effector are coupled by a push rod which passes through the hollow tube and the push rod includes a frangible link so that the push rod will break when a predetermined force is applied to the end effector by the actuator. The frangible link is a flattened portion of the cylindrical push rod having a strength reducing throughbore. An end effector having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw is also disclosed. The stationary jaw is coupled to the distal end of the tube and has a throughbore for receiving the push rod. The movable jaw is coupled to push rod and is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by arcuate engaging surfaces on both jaws. The movable jaw preferably includes a pair of arcuate grooves while the stationary jaw has a pair of arcuate flanges which engage the grooves on the movable jaw. The movable jaw is also provided with a knife-like edge and the stationary jaw is provided with a receiving opening into which the movable jaw fits when the jaws are in a closed position.

Arthroscopic surgical instruments

A coaxial bone marrow biopsy needle assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow cannula with a handle having an interlocking device and a trocar insertable in the cannula and having a second handle with another interlocking device which mates with the interlocking device in the cannula handle. The interlocking devices are a spring biased pin radially entering a receiving socket, and a notched projection which extends into the receiving socket. The pin has a ramped portion, and the notched projection has a rounded or conical tip which rides down the ramped portion of the pin and thereby pushes the biased pin radially out of the socket during assembly of the hollow cannula with the trocar. The assembled handles provides a smooth upper surface which fits comfortably in a palm and a lower gripping surface around which fingers easily wrap. The interlocking devices hold the handles securely together keeping the trocar within the cannula during puncture, but are easily separated thereafter.

Growing community of inventors

Miami, FL, United States of America

David H Turkel