Abstract: A system for tissue dissection and retraction is disclosed herein. A tissue dissection assembly generally comprises an elongate body shaft, an actuation member movable relative to the elongate body shaft, and at least one dissector arm member having at least a first end attached to the elongate body shaft, wherein the at least one dissector arm member is adapted to reconfigure within a plane from a low profile to an expanded profile when urged via the actuation member, and wherein the at least one dissector arm is further adapted to dissect tissue within the plane. In use, the assembly dissects tissue within the plane typically by advancing the elongate body shaft into the tissue region where the dissector arm member or members are then reconfigured within the plane from its low profile to its expanded profile to thereby dissect the tissue region along the plane.

Abstract: A system and method of variable velocity control of a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted medical device including an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, an actuator, and drive mechanisms for coupling force or torque from the actuator to the end effector. To perform an operation with the instrument, the computer-assisted medical device sets a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity, monitors force or torque applied by the actuator, reduces the velocity set point when the applied force or torque is above a first threshold, increases the velocity set point when the applied force or torque is below a second threshold, decreases the velocity set point to zero when the applied force or torque is above a maximum threshold, and drives the actuator based on the velocity set point. The first and second thresholds are lower than the maximum threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous catheterization assembly includes a catheter arrangement for insertion into the vascular system of a patient. In an embodiment, the catheter arrangement includes a sensor arrangement to sense a condition in the interior of a vessel of the vascular system, a shape adjustment device arranged in a distal portion of the catheter arrangement, and an actuator arrangement to control the shape adjustment device to adjust the shape and/or orientation of the distal portion of the catheter arrangement. The autonomous catheterization assembly further includes a propulsion assembly to propel elements of the catheter arrangement through the vascular system of the patient; a route computation module to compute a route through the vascular system to a target; and a control unit to actuate the propulsion assembly based upon the computed route and/or in response to a sensed condition in the interior of a vessel of the vascular system.

Abstract: A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

Abstract: A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a hook embedded within a tissue is presented. The hook has a barb extending from a point section of the hook. The apparatus includes a clamping device configured to secure the hook. A probe is coupled to the clamping device. The probe has a tip portion configured to fit within a space between the barb and the point section of the hook to allow the hook to be removed from the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a sheath comprising a plurality of openings at a distal end; an elongate first needle extendible perpendicularly from said sheath through one of said plurality of openings; and an assembly comprising at least two second needles arranged in a predetermined pattern relative to said first needle, and extendible perpendicularly from said sheath, wherein, when extended from said distal end of said sheath: (i) each of said second needles extends a different length from said distal end of said sheath, (ii) at least a distal portion of each of said second needles is resiliently biased to extend laterally outwardly in relation to said first needle, and (iii) a lateral spread region defined by said distal portions of all of said second needles is determined based, at least in part, on a distance of said extending from said distal end of said sheath.

Abstract: A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter with a catheter or delivery sheath having a dual lumen extending therethrough, the catheter having a proximal segment and a distal segment and a linear section coupled therebetween, the distal segment configured as a loop, a port or aperture formed therein said dual lumen of said catheter, the port positioned proximate the distal segment, and a guidewire configured to longitudinally traverse therethrough one of the dual lumen of the catheter, an aspiration device connected thereto one of the dual lumen and configured to create a vacuum therein the catheter and the loop to extract a biomaterial.

Abstract: A device for insertion of a medical tool held in an end effector, the device comprising moveable platforms providing motion in two generally orthogonal directions, and two piston mechanisms operating within cylinders, coupled to the moveable platforms, and being attached at their distal end to the end effector by means of a common joint. The pistons may be linear actuators. The end effector is manipulated by driving mechanisms propelling the pistons linearly. The proximal ends of the cylinders may be coupled to a common shaft. The axes of the cylinders and the pistons, the line connecting the pistons axes through the common joint and the axis of the cylinders' common shaft may all be located substantially in a single plane. Coordinated motion of the moveable platforms and the piston mechanisms enables the maintenance of a virtual remote center of motion of the medical tool as its orientation changes.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a tissue resecting device and a tissue resecting device including the end effector assembly and a handpiece assembly. The end effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing, a cutting member extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with the inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates the cutting member, and a lock and release mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

Abstract: An axis-aligning, force-limiting periarticular/intraarticular reduction forceps suitable for the reduction and realignment of specific anatomic structures includes a pair of medial and lateral forceps tines. A pair of tine tips may terminate the forceps tines, respectively. A pair of lateral and medial forceps handles may extend from the medial and lateral forceps tines, respectively. A first tine/handle junction may attach the lateral forceps handle to the medial forceps tine. A second tine/handle junction may attach the medial forceps handle to the lateral forceps tine. The second tine/handle junction may be pivotally attached to the first tine/handle junction. A force quantifying and limiting mechanism limits the magnitude of clamping force the medial and lateral forceps handles apply to the medial and lateral forceps tines. A pair of X-ray-visible targets on the medial and lateral tines assist with axis alignment for the insertion of fixation devices.

Abstract: An expandable intragastric device, configured for being positioned into the stomach by an endoscopic procedure is provided. The device is capable of assuming a minimum-encumbrance configuration for delivery into the stomach and an expanded configuration for use in situ. The device also includes a balloon structure, which is capable of assuming a deflated configuration for delivery into the stomach and an inflated configuration for occupying a part of the stomach inner space. The overall configuration of the device is such that, once it is delivered in the stomach, food passes into the inner lumen of the supporting tubular body and into the intestine.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter with a catheter or delivery sheath having a dual lumen extending therethrough, the catheter having a proximal segment and a distal segment and a linear section coupled therebetween, the distal segment configured as a loop, a port or aperture formed therein said dual lumen of said catheter, the port positioned proximate the distal segment, and a guidewire configured to longitudinally traverse therethrough one of the dual lumen of the catheter, said guidewire having a first end affixed to a mesh strainer, the mesh strainer configured to longitudinally traverse therethrough the other of the dual lumen of the catheter and exit therethrough said port and follow said loop to form retractable mesh strainer.

Abstract: A system and method used to deliver an aortic valve therapeutic device to an aortic valve site includes a cable percutaneously introduced a cable into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, through the heart via a transeptal puncture, and to a femoral artery. The therapeutic device is passed over an end of the cable at the venous side and is secured to the cable. The therapeutic device is pushed in a distal direction while the second end of the cable is pulled in the proximal direction to advance the therapeutic device to the mitral valve site. A left ventricle redirector aids in orienting the therapeutic device and preventing migration of the cable towards delicate mitral valve structures and chordae tendoneae during advancement of the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical equipment and discloses an anastomotic/occlusion reinforcing and repairing composite member which includes a reinforcing and repairing portion, a protection portion and a connecting thread, wherein two ends of the reinforcing and repairing portion are detachably connected by the connecting thread; and the protection portion penetrates into a space enclosed by the two ends of the reinforcing and repairing portion. The present disclosure also provides a preparation and application method of the anastomotic/occlusion reinforcing and repairing composite member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for exploiting intramural (e.g., subintimal) space of a vascular wall to facilitate the treatment of vascular disease, particularly total occlusions. For example, the devices and methods disclosed herein may be used to visually define the vessel wall boundary, protect the vessel wall boundary from perforation, bypass an occlusion, and/or remove an occlusion.

Abstract: An intravascular device delivery system includes an elongated member with a distal end cap and a delivery disc that are longitudinally movable using a disc handle. A main body of the disc handle is configured to move the distal end cap and a movable body of the disc handle is configured to move the delivery disc. The movable body is movable relative to the main body, and the main body and movable body are movable together.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter of 3.0 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extended out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.