Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopically implantable weight control device that forms a gastric outlet obstruction in a patient's digestive tract. The weight control device includes an inflatable body residing within the patient's pylorus and between the stomach and duodenum. The body features a first bulbous portion and a second bulbous portion, the exterior dimensions of the first bulbous portion exceeding the exterior dimension of the second bulbous portion. The body also includes an intermediate portion with exterior dimensions that are less than the exterior dimensions of both the first and second bulbous portions, wherein the intermediate portion resides within the patient's pyloric valve when the device is implanted. An internal passageway extends through the body, wherein the passageway receives and allows for the passage of chyme from the stomach to the duodenum.

Abstract: A binding part of a basket-type grasping forceps includes: a first binding part to which proximal ends of first wires that are some of a plurality of basket wires are fixed; and a second binding part to which proximal ends of second wires not connected to the first binding part among the plurality of basket wires are fixed, which is engaged with the first binding part to be separable from the first binding part, is containable inside a sheath along with the first binding part in a state in which the second binding part is engaged with the first binding part, and is held by an inner surface of the sheath to be inseparable from the first binding part in the sheath.

Abstract: Controlled deployable medical devices that are retained inside a body passage and in one particular application to vascular devices used in repairing arterial dilations, e.g., aneurysms. Such devices can be adjusted during deployment, thereby allowing at least one of a longitudinal or radial re-positioning, resulting in precise alignment of the device to an implant target site.

Abstract: Methods for crimping a stent on an expandable member of a delivery catheter, and devices and methods for treating a bifurcation are disclosed. A method for crimping includes positioning a stent having a first portion and a second portion over the expandable member, and non-uniformly crimping the stent to the expandable member. The method can include routing an elongate shaft under the second portion of the stent and through the side hole so as to be routed external to the first portion. The stent second portion can be crimped so that the elongate shaft can be slidably disposed relative to the stent second portion prior to deployment of the stent.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing an incision in a portion of a tissue comprises first and second pivoting legs, movable towards each other with respect to a fixed end and defining a receiving space between the legs configured to receive the free edge of the portion of tissue. The surgical instrument has an initial position with relatively opened legs and a closed position, where no further closing movement of the pivoting legs towards each other is possible. A tissue perforating member located at a free end of the first leg extends into the receiving space at a distance from the fixed end, such that when the legs are in the closed position, the tissue can be perforated at a perforation location separated from the free edge of the tissue, while an uncut tissue band remains between the perforation location and the free edge.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an inner shaft having a distal end region. A valve implant may be releasably coupled to the distal end region. The valve implant may be capable of shifting between an elongated configuration and an expanded configuration. A post assembly may be disposed along the valve implant. The post assembly may include a release member that is axially slidable along the post assembly. The medical device may also include a rod designed to engage the release member. The rod may be designed to shift the valve implant between the elongated configuration and the expanded configuration. Axially shifting the release member along the post assembly may release the rod from the post assembly and deploy the valve implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material. A needle catcher is disposed over the shaft and configured to engage and retain at least a portion of each of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured to a proximal position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for suturing tissue. An elongated deployment shaft carries a needle deployment assembly with needles carrying suture material and a stabilizer that is reconfigurable between an unexpanded insertion profile and an expanded profile. A catcher tube over the shaft having a catcher at a distal end may retain at least a portion of the needles carrying the suture material when the needles are passed through the tissue to be sutured into engagement with the catcher. A sheath over the catcher tube may sandwich tissue to be sutured against the stabilizer when expanded under control of first actuator. A second actuator may control the needles.

Abstract: An endovascular delivery system includes a bifurcated and inflatable prosthesis including a main tubular body having an open end and opposed ipsilateral and contralateral legs defining a graft wall therein between. A tether is disposed securably disposed to the contralateral leg, and the contralateral leg is releasably restrained towards the ipsilateral leg tether to prevent undesirable movement of the contralateral leg. A release wire within the endovascular delivery system releasably retains the tether near the ipsilateral leg.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis delivery system is disclosed. The system comprises: an inner cannula; a prosthesis releasably secured to the inner cannula, the prosthesis having a radially-inwardly contracted delivery configuration and a radially-expanded deployed configuration, wherein the prosthesis comprises at least two suture loops secured to an outer surface of the prosthesis and circumferentially spaced from each other; a releasable trigger wire extending along at least a portion of the length of the prosthesis, wherein the releasable trigger wire is wound around at least a portion of the inner cannula and wherein the releasable trigger wire engages at least one of the at least two suture loops to retain the prosthesis in the radially-inwardly contracted delivery configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle, a cartridge configured to removably couple to the handle, an actuator movably coupled to the handle, and a lock operably coupled to the actuator. A first needle assembly and a second needle assembly of the cartridge are operably coupled to a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion, respectively, of the actuator when the cartridge is coupled to the handle. The first coupling portion is configured to transition the first needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a first capture portion engages a first needle. The second coupling portion is configured to transition the second needle assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a second capture portion engages the second needle. The lock is configured to selectively limit movement of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a guide catheter, a tubular stent into which the guide catheter can be inserted, and a tubular pusher catheter into which the guide catheter can be inserted and disposed nearer to a proximal end side than the stent. The pusher catheter includes a diameter expansion-suppressing part provided at a distal end part and having the same inner diameter as the stent and an intermediate part provided at a proximal end side of the diameter expansion-suppressing part and having a bending stiffness less than that of the diameter expansion-suppressing part. When the stent is pushed toward a distal end side by pushing the intermediate part of the pusher catheter toward the distal end side and bringing a distal end part of the diameter expansion-suppressing part into contact with a proximal end part of the stent, an inner diameter of the pusher catheter is prevented from expanding.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel is provided. The device includes an automatic mechanism, a shaft fixedly connected to the automatic mechanism, a seal assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pushing rod also engaging the seal assembly, the automatic mechanism moving the pushing rod from a first position to a second position in response to the shaft being pulled distally a predetermined distance.

Abstract: In an embolization device (1) with a main body (3) and with at least one thrombogenic fiber (2), which main body can be converted from an elongate primary shape to a secondary shape, the at least one thrombogenic fiber (2) is arranged in a configuration wound around the main body. In a method for producing an embolization coil of this kind, a primary coil (30) forming a main body (3) of the embolization coil (1) has at least one thrombogenic fiber (2) wound around it, and the primary coil (30) is converted in shape to a secondary coil.

Abstract: A device is configured for closing an aperture in a wall of a blood vessel. An embodiment of the device includes a body and at least one suture element held within the body. A suture capture rod is positioned within the body and is operatively associated with the suture element and arranged to pass the suture element through a vessel wall such that opposed portions of the suture element extend from the vessel wall. A removable guidewire segment is removably attached to a distal end of the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering multiple embolization coils to a location within the body of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coil delivery system has coil deployment members coupled to embolization coils and is arranged for independent movement of the embolization coils. In some exemplary embodiments, the disclosure provides coil delivery systems in which the embolization coils are positioned within different lumens and/or on different straightening members. Methods and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A suturing assembly including a first puncture element including a sharp distal end for puncturing tissue, a second puncture element including a sharp distal end for puncturing tissue, the distal ends of the first and second puncture elements being spaced from each other by a gap, and a spacer arranged for sliding distally and proximally on at least one of the first and second puncture elements.

Abstract: A pacifier comprising a guard, having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface having a threaded connector, a nipple attached to and outwardly extending from the first surface of the guard, a detachable cleaning component, having an opening and an interior surface, and a plurality of bristles attached to the interior surface and extending inwardly, where the opening is configured to receive the threaded connector, sealingly connecting the guard and the cleaning component. A method of using the pacifier comprising separating the guard from the cleaning component, inserting the nipple into the cleaning component through the opening, moving the nipple within the cleaning component, such that the bristles contact the nipple, removing the nipple from the cleaning component; and sealing the cleaning component to the guard.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into a body lumen of a subject. A cutter is located generally at a distal end of the catheter body for rotation generally about a longitudinal axis of the cutter. An eccentric opening in a distal end portion of the cutter defines an angled cutting edge for cutting material from a wall of the body lumen. A center of the opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter. A cavity extends from the opening through the cutter from the distal end portion to a proximal end portion to allow material cut by the cutter to pass through the cutter into an interior passage of the catheter body for removal from the body lumen.

Abstract: A control system for deploying a stent graft (20) including a resilient ring stent (22) at one end, provides a delivery shaft (30) carrying the stent graft with the ring stent adjacent a proximal end (33) of the shaft for insertion into a lumen; a retractable sleeve (36) for containing the stent graft on the delivery shaft; a control handle (38) adjacent the distal end (34), of the delivery shaft; and stent peak (50, 52) and valley (70, 72) control wires extending from the proximal end of the delivery shaft to peak and valley controllers (58; 74, 76) at the control handle. Use of the control wires effects movement and/or rotation of the graft allowing fine control of deployment in the lumen.