Abstract: The present invention provides skin grafting and devices that comprise a systematic approach to the process of skin grafting, i.e., harvesting, post-excision processing and application of donor skin and pre and post-graft treatment of the recipient site.

Abstract: An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.

Abstract: Medical devices, methods and kits useful in the disruption and removal of unwanted materials, such as calculi and other formations, from within body lumens are described. The disclosure describes particular embodiments and methods useful in the lithotriptic removal of stones from the salivary glands.

Abstract: The present invention features soft tissue implants comprising major and minor struts and methods for making same. The implants can includes a biocompatible film that is rendered porous due to the inclusion of uniformly or non-uniformly patterned cells, and the film has a thickness of less than about 0.015 inches in the event the starting material is non-porous and less than about 0.035 inches in the event the starting material is a microporous film. Multi-film implants can also be made.

Abstract: A laparoscopic scissor instrument can include a scissor assembly pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft. The scissor assembly can be formed of scissor blades having pivot posts thereon. The pivot posts can engage apertures on the elongate shaft, thus eliminating the need for a through-pinned pivot connection of the scissor blades. The scissor blades can also include actuation posts thereon. An actuation mechanism can include a slot to engage the actuation posts and open or close the blades of the scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies described herein can have a relatively low operational height such that they do not extend beyond a diameter of the elongate shaft during opening and closing of the scissor assembly.

Abstract: A method of modifying a refractive profile of an eye having an intraocular device implanted therein, wherein the method includes determining a corrected refractive profile for the eye based on an initial refractive profile, identifying one or more locations within the intraocular device based on the corrected refractive profile, and directing a pulsed laser beam at the locations to produce the corrected refractive profile. A system of modifying an intraocular device located within an eye, wherein the system includes a laser assembly and a controller coupled thereto. The laser assembly outputs a pulsed laser beam having a pulse width between 300 picoseconds and 10 femtoseconds. The controller directs the laser assembly to output the pulsed laser beam into the intraocular device. One or more slip zones are formed within the intraocular device in response thereto, and the slip zones are configured to modify a refractive profile of the intraocular device.

Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid, such as liquids or other noncompressible fluids. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of energy from the energy storage portion so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device includes an embolic filter mounted to the catheter shaft at a location distal to the angioplasty balloon. Thus the filter is downstream from the blockage and is properly positioned to capture embolic particles that may be set loose into the blood stream as the angioplasty procedure is performed. The embolic filter is normally collapsed against the catheter shaft to facilitate introduction and withdrawal of the device to and from the operative site. Once the angioplasty balloon is properly positioned, however, means operatively associated with the embolic filter are actuated to erect the filter to position a filter mesh across the lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: Described herein is a marking system for marking animals. The marking system may include a restraining device, a controller, and a marking device. The marking device includes a marking needle of fixed length comprising one or a plurality of needle tips; the restraining device is sized and configured for restraining an animal or animal body part thereof and oriented such that the marking device can make a mark on a substrate portion of the animal body part; and the controller is configured to control the position of the marking device and to make a mark on the substrate portion of the animal body part. Also described herein are media transfer assemblies for use in the disclosed marking system.

Abstract: An ocular implant delivery system is provided with a number of features. In some embodiments, the delivery system comprises a rotation mechanism configured to rotate and orient a cannula of the system, and an advancement mechanism configured to advance and retract an ocular implant through the delivery system and into an eye of a patient. In some embodiments, the cannula is sized and configured to be inserted into Schlemm's canal of the eye. The ocular implant is configured to maintain its orientation within the delivery system as the cannula is rotated. In some embodiments, the ocular implant automatically disengages the delivery system when it is advanced beyond a distal tip of the delivery system. Methods of implanting an ocular implant are also provided.

Abstract: A suture device includes: a longitudinal member extended along a longitudinal axis; a first grasping member and a second grasping member provided at a distal portion of the longitudinal member and configured to enable opening-closing movement; an opening-closing mechanism configured to open and close the first grasping member and the second grasping member; a delivery mechanism configured to deliver a distal member between the first grasping member and the second grasping member, the distal member to which a suture thread is fixed; and an engage portion supported by one of the first grasping member and the second grasping member so as to protrude from a distal end of at least one of the first grasping member and the second grasping member and having an engaging-surface capable of engaging the suture thread.

Abstract: A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. A cannula is positioned in the passageway. A visualization tool such as an endoscope is passed through a lumen or channel in the cannula to aid in visualization of the anatomical site of interest. A balloon dilation catheter is then deployed through or along the cannula so as to place the balloon within or across the constricted anatomical space (e.g., ostium). The balloon is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted anatomical space. Alternative embodiments include the use of an optional guide wire and incorporating a endoscope lumen through the balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an atherectomy catheter which has a cutting element that is able to cut both soft tissue and hard tissue, and methods of cutting material from a blood vessel lumen using a rotating cutting element. The cutting element has a sharp cutting edge that surrounds a cup-shaped surface and at least one surface of abrasive material. The cup-shaped surface directs the cut material into a tissue chamber. The cutting edge and the cup-shaped surface together are well suited to cut and remove relatively soft tissue from the blood vessel. The abrasive material surface in combination with the cutting element is well suited to abrade and remove hard material from the blood vessel.

Abstract: Instrument and method for removing material from an intervertebral disc. The instrument includes outer and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member defines a passage and a cutting window. The inner tubular member is coaxially disposed within the passage, and defines a central lumen and a cutting tip. The cutting tip forms an open mouth having a plurality of teeth. Upon assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window combining to define a shaving head. A manual decorticating implement is coupled to the outer tubular member and defining a scraping surface. A powered handpiece is coupled to the inner tubular member, and the shaving head is inserted into an intervertebral disc and positioned such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material (e.g., nucleus, annulus and/or end plate). The handpiece is activated to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window. Contacted material is sheared between an edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip.

Abstract: There is disclosed embodiments of a vascular filter having, among other things, a plurality of discrete segments, each having two or more loops and an extension. The loops of each segment can be connected to form a dome or conical shaped end with an unblocked central opening. Prongs and beads may be provided to enhance visualization and anchoring in a vessel. Methods for inserting and moving or removing the filter from the vessel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stent has a first end region, a middle region, and a second end region, each region including a plurality of strut columns. The stent includes at least one barb. Each barb in an expanded state is at an angle relative to the outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: A trocar wound closure system includes a suture passing needle and a guide for directing the needle through the wound site. A distal portion of the needle includes a capture rod with a slot. An obturator tube with a cutout section can be axially actuated to align the cutout section with the slot, and then moved out of alignment so as to capture the suture. The guide includes at least two tracks for directing the needle through the tissue track. A snare loop is located adjacent to the exit of each track, and configured to be actuated from a radially extended configuration to a retracted configuration so as to capture the suture section inserted through each loop. Radially expandable arms at distal section are movable between an expanded configuration and a slender configuration.

Abstract: A coronary predilatation and stent deployment catheter assembly includes a single sheathless unitary catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, a predilatation balloon located at the distal end of the body, and a stent inflation balloon located along the body a distance of between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters proximally of the predilatation balloon. An expandable stent is disposed over the stent balloon. A predilatation balloon inflation connection is located proximally of the stent inflation balloon and in fluid communication with the predilatation balloon through a predilatation inflation lumen. A stent balloon inflation connection is located proximally of the stent inflation balloon and in fluid communication with the stent inflation balloon through a stent balloon inflation lumen. At least one radiopaque marker is disposed on the predilatation balloon and at least one radiopaque marker is disposed on the stent inflation balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent for connecting adjacent tissues of the organs of a patient. The stent includes a hollow cylindrical body which is formed by weaving a superelastic shape-memory alloy wire in an overlapping manner such that rhombic openings are formed, and wing parts which are provided by expanding respective opposite ends of the hollow cylindrical body outwards and turning the opposite ends inside out on bent portions. The wing parts face each other so that the wing parts are tensed in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. Thereby, the wing parts can elastically move inwards or outwards with respect to the longitudinal direction to automatically adjust a distance between the wing parts in response to the distance between the adjacent tissues of the organs or thicknesses of walls of the organs, so that the wing parts are put into close contact with the adjacent tissues.

Abstract: A vascular closure device may comprise an elongate shaft, a vascular sealing structure, and a carriage. The vascular sealing structure may be located on the elongate shaft and configured to apply a pressure to an interior wall of a lumen. The carriage may be slidably coupled to the elongate shaft, and at least one elastically deformable structure may be configured to transfer at least a portion of a force applied to the carriage to the elongate shaft. A method of vascular closure may comprise positioning a vascular sealing structure located on the elongate shaft within a lumen, transferring at least a portion of a force applied to a carriage to the elongate shaft via at least one elastically deformable structure, and applying a pressure to an interior wall of the lumen with the vascular sealing structure to close a vascular opening.