Abstract: An apparatus for controlled perforation and aspiration of the inner ear.

Abstract: An implant delivery system is described. The implant delivery system utilizes an implant, implant wire, delivery sheath, and a torque device. The torque device may include a cutting element to slit the delivery sheath and a clamp device to fix the position of the implant delivery wire.

Abstract: A hernia repair device including a main body, a plurality of suture needle ports, a plurality of suture needles and a central shaft. The central shaft includes a retractable distal flange disposed at a distal end portion of the central shaft and defines a central channel extending through the main body. The suture needle ports are adjustable between a first configuration in which the suture needle ports are housed entirely within the main body and a second configuration in which the suture needle ports partially extend from the distal end portion of the main body. The suture needles are adjustable between a first configuration in which the suture needles are housed entirely within the suture needle ports and a plurality of second configurations in which the suture needles partially extend from distal end portions of the suture needle ports. A hernia repair mesh is attached to the plurality of suture needles.

Abstract: A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device has sufficient flexibility and dimension to be passed through the mouth, throat, and esophagus of a patient into the patient's stomach. The device includes a first member and a second member hingedly coupled to the first member. The first and second members are configured to flex in a direction to follow the esophageal path into the stomach and to be substantially rigid when forming the restored gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: A liquid applicator (1) for holding and discharging a curable liquid composition, comprises a receiver body (2) for holding a curable liquid composition, a discharge tip (20;30;40) having a longitudinal axis and further having a distal end remote from the receiver body (2) from which the liquid composition is discharged, and a discharge mechanism (5) for transferring liquid composition held by the applicator (1) to the tip (20;30;40) for discharge of the composition. The tip (20;30;40) comprises an outlet section (21d;31d;44d) having at least one groove formation (26;38;48) extending along the tip (20;30;40) to the distal end thereof. The applicator may be a surgical adhesive applicator.

Abstract: An implantable tissue connector (1; 1a) adapted to be connected to a tubular part of living tissue (70; 80) within a patient's body (100) comprises a conduit (2) and at least one flexible sleeve (10) adapted to axially extend and closely fit around at least part of the outer surface (6) of the conduit. The conduit is inserted into the tubular part of living tissue and the flexible sleeve placed over the tubular part of living tissue. Various alternatives are described of how the living tissue may be prevented form slipping off of the conduit.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a dynamic vascular access and closure device for radial cinching of an access site. The device includes a tensioning tube, a resilient member disposed within the tensioning tube, and a plurality of sutures extending axially between a distal end of the tensioning tube and a proximal end of the tensioning tube. A proximal end of each of the plurality of sutures can be configured to attach to the resilient member such that movement of that suture causes compression or extension of the resilient member within the tensioning tube to provide cinching to the sutures.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system may include a base that may include an annular body, an opening extending through the annular body in an axial direction of the annular body, and a recess extending circumferentially about the opening. The system also may include a lens that may be insertable into and removable from the recess. The lens may include a central optic, a first tab protruding radially away from the central optic, and a second tab protruding radially away from the central optic. The second tab may be more resistant to compression in a radial direction than the first tab. The first tab may include a first arm protruding radially away from the central optic, a second arm protruding radially away from the central optic and extending away from the first arm, and a third arm extending from the first arm to the second arm. Movement of one or more of the first, second, and third arms may result in deformation of the first tab.

Abstract: Cartridges configured to hold anchors and associated locking sutures and a common suture used in an array of anchors. A suture anchor array is connected in series by a single working suture and each of the suture anchors allows tensioning of the working suture between itself and the prior anchor implanted in the serial string. Further, each anchor includes a suture lock having a free tail that can be pulled to lock the working suture in place subsequent to tensioning. This creates an independently tensioned suture bridge between each implanted suture anchor and the just previously implanted anchor. The cartridges are configured to securely hold an individual anchor and store the tail of the suture lock, while allowing flossing of anchors along the common suture.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue that includes a needle actuation handle that cooperates with a housing. A hollow needle is selectively movable by the needle actuation handle, the needle including a slot extending proximally from a distal end of the needle. A suture anchor is positioned within and selectively releasable from the slot and coupled to a suture. A portion of the suture anchor extends proximally along an outer surface of the needle as the needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. In some embodiments, the occluder is formed from filaments that are joined together to define a substantially cylindrical form with openings defining struts. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is engaged so that the occluder closes the aperture.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a coaption element formed from a strip of material; a pair of extension members; a pair of paddles formed from the strip of material and connected to the coaption element; and a cap attached to the paddles. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, are disposed over the extension member, and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. Movement of the cap toward the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the closed position, and movement of the cap away from the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the open position. The cap has a retention body for receiving attachment portions of the extension members, a retaining nut, and a retaining bolt for securing the retaining nut.

Abstract: A medical device and methods for hemostasis in a living body are disclosed. The medical device including a base configured to arranged on an upper surface of the tissue in the living body; a plurality of levers, each of the plurality of levers having a needle arranged on a lower surface thereof and configured to puncture the tissue in the living body, and wherein the plurality of lever are configured to be received with a slot or track of the base; and at least one tie, the at least one tie configured to hold together the plurality levers and needles upon compressing the tissue in the living body upon moving the plurality of levers inward in the slot or track of the base.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon (1) comprises an elongate tube (16) having a relaxed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The elongate tube (16) comprises a proximal neck portion (10), a distal neck portion (8), a main body region, a tapered proximal portion (11) extending between the main body region and the proximal neck portion (10); and a tapered distal portion (9) extending between the main body region (3) and the distal neck portion (8), the elongate tube has only three fins (4, 5, 6) which are integrally formed with the tube and which are spaced equidistant from one another about the exterior of the tube. The fins (4, 5, 6) project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the tube and the fins (4, 5, 6) extending longitudinally only along part of the main body region (3), resulting in the end-sections of the balloon main body being fin-free.

Abstract: Disclosed herein shock wave catheters comprising one or more shock wave electrodes for cracking calcifications located within blood vessels. In some variations, a shock wave catheter has first and second shock wave electrodes each circumferentially disposed over the outer surface of the catheter. In certain variations, the first electrode has a recess and the second electrode has a protrusion that is received by the recess and a spark gap is located along the separation between the recess and the protrusion. The second electrode can also have a recess that receives a protrusion from a third shock wave electrode, where the separation between the second and third electrodes along the separation between the recess and the protrusion forms a second spark gap. A shock wave can be initiated across these spark gaps when a voltage is applied over the electrodes.

Abstract: An adjustable artificial chordae tendineae fixing assembly includes an occlusion device and an adjusting rod which are both a hollow structure allowing the artificial chordae tendineae to pass through. The occlusion device is configured to be clamped on the interventricular septum. The occlusion device is provided with a switch adjusting device which controls the artificial chordae tendineae to move and to be fixed. The adjusting rod is connected to the occlusion device, and is capable of repeatedly adjusting the switch adjusting device on the occlusion device. The artificial chordae tendineae fixing assembly can fix the artificial chordae tendineae on the interventricular septum, and can also overcome the problem of unsuitable length of the artificial chordae tendineae in most of patients after the procedure due to cardiac changes. The artificial chordae tendineae is retained at the skin puncture point for a short time.

Abstract: A suture anchor includes an anchor body having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The anchor body includes a central bore located at the proximal end and a passage extending between the central bore and the distal end. The central bore has a first dimension substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the passage has a second dimension substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis less than the first dimension. The suture anchor includes a flexible strand extending through the passage, and a first knot formed in the flexible strand at the distal end has a third dimension greater than the second dimension to prevent the first knot from passing through the passage. A closed loop is positionable at least partially within the central bore and formed entirely by the flexible strand without forming any additional knots on the flexible strand extending proximally from the first knot.

Abstract: An occluder and an occlusion device, including: a mesh occlusion body, which defines a cavity, and a proximal end bolt head; the proximal end bolt head configured with a locking hole which penetrates the cavity; the occluder further having a locking member, a distal end of the locking member being connected to a distal end of the occlusion body; the locking member having a connecting portion which is connected to the occlusion body; the diameter of a circumscribed circle of a projection of the first bending portion on a cross section perpendicular to a length direction thereof being smaller than the diameter of the smallest inscribed circle of a locking hole, and the width of a projection of the first bending portion on a plane perpendicular to longitudinal central axis direction of the locking hole being larger than the diameter of the largest inscribed circle of the locking hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis (1) comprising a textile (2) of elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis A, and a reinforcing element comprising at least one semi-rigid elongate structure (8) connected to said textile, said structure being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis A and having a distal end provided with at least one fastening element (4) distinct from said textile and capable of cooperating with a part of a tool (10) that is able to pass through said trocar, in order to temporarily couple said prosthesis to said tool.

Abstract: Methods for replacing a native heart valve. An anchor comprises coils adapted to support a heart valve prosthesis. The anchor is positioned at a native heart valve. An expansible heart valve prosthesis is delivered into the anchor and expanded inside the coils. This moves at least one coil from a first diameter to a second, larger diameter while securing the anchor and the heart valve prosthesis relative to each other. The heart valve prosthesis comprises a seal on the expansible heart valve prosthesis. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.