Patent•
Intravascular imaging apparatus and methods for use and manufacture
21 Feb 1992-
TL;DR: In this article, a transducer is used to scan the distal coronary vessels with ultrasonic pulses, and a signal processor is connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the transducers for generating and receiving pulses.
Abstract: A device for ultrasonic imaging, and methods for the use an manufacture thereof, particularly of small coronary vessels. The device comprises an elongate member with a distal end that can be positioned within a small vessel of a patient's body while a proximal end is located outside the body, a transducer located at a distal end of the elongate member and operable to scan the distal coronary vessels with ultrasonic pulses, and a signal processor connected to a proximal end of the elongate member and to the transducer for generating and receiving pulses to and from the transducer. A motor may be also connected to the proximal end of the elongate member for rotating the transducer.
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Patent•
10 Jun 2011
TL;DR: In this article, a surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described, which includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly.
Abstract: A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device
2,013 citations
Patent•
30 Sep 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a body portion (2, 3), a handle (4), and a staple fastening assembly (8), which includes a curved cartridge (10), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil (22), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge.
Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a body portion (2, 3), a handle (4) and a staple fastening assembly (8). The staple fastening assembly (8) includes a curved cartridge (10), which comprises at least one curved open row of staples, and a curved anvil (22), which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge (10) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge (10). The staple fastening assembly (8) is adapted to allow unobstructed access towards the concave inner faces of the cartridge (10) and the anvil (22). The cartridge (10) can be moved towards the anvil (22) from a spaced position for positioning tissue therebetween to a closed position for clamping the tissue. Preferably, a knife is contained within the cartridge (10) and is positioned such that there is at least one row of staples on at least one side of the knife.
1,502 citations
Patent•
14 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for the representation presented in this paper.
Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.
1,500 citations
Patent•
21 Apr 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel.
Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.
1,498 citations
Patent•
20 Sep 2016TL;DR: In this article, an E-beam firing bar is used to drive staples on each side of the cut in a surgical severing and stapling instrument, which is suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil.
Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
1,384 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a set of selectable catheter sheaths, including a sheath with an integral acoustically-transparent window, sheaths with end extensions that aid in positioning and a liquid injection-producing sheath.
Abstract: Acoustic imaging balloon catheters formed by a disposable liquid-confining sheath supporting a high fidelity, flexible drive shaft which carries on its end an ultrasound transducer and includes an inflatable dilatation balloon. The shaft and transducer rotate with sufficient speed and fidelity to produce real time images on a T.V. screen. In preferred embodiments, special features that contribute to the high fidelity of the drive shaft include the particular multi-filar construction of concentric, oppositely wound, interfering coils, a pre-loaded torque condition on the coils enhancing their interfering contact, and dynamic loading of the distal end of the probe, preferably with viscous drag. The coil rotating in the presence of liquid in the sheath is used to produce a desirable pressure in the region of the transducer. Numerous selectable catheter sheaths are shown including a sheath with an integral acoustically-transparent window, sheaths with end extensions that aid in positioning, a liquid injection-producing sheath, a sheath having its window section under tension employing an axially loaded bearing, a sheath carrying a dilatation or positioning balloon over the transducer, a sheath carrying a distal rotating surgical tool and a sheath used in conjunction with a side-viewing trocar.
851 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an ultrasonic transducer is carried by the distal end of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel, and either the transducers or another element is rotated and/or translated relative to the catheter to image different portions of the vessel.
Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus, system and method for high resolution intravascular imaging to assist indovascular lesions and to monitor the results of interventional therapy. An ultrasonic transducer is carried by the distal end of a catheter adapted for insertion into a vessel, and either the transducer or another element is rotated and/or translated relative to the catheter to image different portions of the vessel.
475 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an in vivo imaging device is provided for producing real-time images of small, moving or stationary cavities and surrounding tissue structure, which includes a probe assembly of very small dimensions and preferably sufficiently small to fit within cavities having a diameter on the order of that of a human coronary artery.
Abstract: An in vivo imaging device is provided for producing real-time images of small, moving or stationary cavities and surrounding tissue structure. The imaging device includes a probe assembly of very small dimensions and preferably sufficiently small to fit within cavities having a diameter on the order of that of a human coronary artery. The probe assembly may be mounted to a positioning device such as a catheter, which allows for the use of, for example, conventional guiding catheters and guide wires.
403 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an endoscope with an ultrasonic diagnosis function is described, where the probe is arranged in the front end region of the portion to be inserted into a coelom or the like cavity, and is connected to an external rotational drive portion by a hollow multi-layered power transmission means to provide an observation field extending through the entire angular range.
Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis device disclosed includes an endoscope with an ultrasonic diagnosis function, wherein an ultrasonic probe is arranged in the front end region of the portion to be inserted into a coelom or the like cavity, and is connected to an external rotational drive portion by a hollow multi-layered power transmission means to provide an observation field extending through the entire angular range. Signal wires from the probe and passed between outer and inner layers of the power transmission means which thus has a hollow center channel. Preferably, an observation optical system is arranged within the hollow channel to provide a visual field on the front side in the insertion direction, for a continuous confirmation purpose, permitting the insertion portion to be safely inserted even into a narrow cavity of an organ with a complex undulation.
395 citations
TL;DR: An array of miniature ultrasound crystals mounted on preassembled subassembly which is, in turn, mounted on a small lumen catheter provides dimensional and other quantitative information relating to arterial wall geometry and character at disease or obstruction sites as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: An array of miniature ultrasound crystals mounted on preassembled subassembly which is, in turn, mounted on a small lumen catheter provides dimensional and other quantitative information relating to arterial wall geometry and character at disease or obstruction sites Balloons also mounted to the catheter make it possible to use the catheter for the angioplasty (PCTA) procedure while actually imaging, in real time, the artery being dilatated and unblocked by the procedure Efficient, highly miniature transducers are presented along with several different configurations for catheter structure containing fluid lumen, through-lumen, and electrical microcable assemblies for conducting electrical signals to and from the transducers
385 citations