Abstract: Methods for accessing a disc space of a patient as a part of an interbody fusion, as well as the tools employed therewith. An exemplary method may include inserting a leading end of a tool into the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from a patient's spinous process and disc. The tool's initial entry into the patient may be from a posterior approach. As the tool is advanced along its designated path, it begins to deviate from the posterior approach towards a lateral approach. When the leading end reaches the disc, it may access the disc from a lateral or substantially lateral location. The tool may be used to access the disc location, to remove disc material, to deliver a cutting tool for removing the disc material, and other steps associated with the spinal interbody fusion procedure.

Abstract: A pacifier assembly device comprising two pacifier components. The pacifier components are assembled together using a connection component. When assembled together, opposing nipple-like protrusions of each pacifier component assists an infant with successfully positioning one of the protrusions into its mouth. When disassembled, the pacifier components may each be used individually or thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

Abstract: A surgical clamp may have two elongated members with a bight portion that joins the two elongated members at a proximal end of the clamp and that may bias the two elongated members in an open position at a distal end. The bight portion may have one or more engagement features, such as a slotted aperture or other engagement or coupling feature. A clasp mechanism at the distal end of the clamp may have a male or first component disposed on or adjacent one of the two elongated members and a female or second component disposed on or adjacent the other of the two elongated members at the distal end of the clamp.

Abstract: A basket apparatus is described that assists in removing objects from within a patient. The apparatus includes a number of pull wires, each pull wire physically coupled to a different capstan that individually actuates one of the pull wires. The apparatus also includes an outer support shaft itself including a number of channels through which the pull wires traverse. The portions of the pull wires extending out of the outer support shaft form a basket of adjustable size, shape, and position. The pull wires are attached together at a tip located at a distal end of the basket apparatus. By controlling the actuation of the various pull wires, the basket's shape, position size can be manipulated to reposition the basket around an object located within a patient, independent of or in conjunction with motion of the remainder of the apparatus or an associated endoscope.

Abstract: A method is described for using percutaneous access to a patient to remove an object from a cavity within the patient. The method includes inserting a suction tube into a port created by a percutaneous cut. An endoscope is also advanced into the cavity, however the endoscope passes through a patient lumen rather than through the port. Using a working channel within the endoscope, fluid is irrigated through the cavity. Additionally, a negative pressure is applied to the suction tube, such that the combination of fluid irrigation and negative pressure assist in removing the object from the cavity through the suction tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for use are provided, where the apparatus includes: (a) a filter, and (b) a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the frame includes a first support and a second support extending between the first end and the second end, wherein at least the first support and the second support of the frame are coupled to at least a portion of a periphery of the filter, wherein the frame and the filter together define a lumen, wherein the frame has shape memory and is movable between a first position in which the lumen has a first diameter and a second position in which the lumen has a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.

Abstract: An IOL delivery device which has a macro movement actuator which is actuateable to move an IOL into position in the device for the IOL to be delivered, and a micro movement actuator comprising at least one pivotable member which is pivotable to deliver the IOL to the eye. The pivotable member may comprise one or more wheels that are rotatable using one's finger.

Abstract: A medical device and a treatment method are disclosed that can be applied to body lumina with a wide range of inside diameters and can enhance a property for suction of a substance from the inside of a body lumen by restricting flow within the body lumen. The medical device includes an elongated shaft section; an expanding section that is an elastically deformable tubular body provided with a plurality of openings; a flexibly deformable tubular cover section that is coupled to an end portion on a proximal side of the expanding section, surrounds an outer periphery of the expanding section on the proximal side, but does not surround, and externally exposes, an outer periphery of the expanding section on a distal side; and a sheath capable of accommodating the expanding section and the cover section in a diameter-reduced state.

Abstract: A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue having an introducer sheath therein includes an elongate positioning member including a housing on a proximal end and an expandable member on a distal end, and a cartridge advanceable along the positioning member from a proximal position to a distal position. The cartridge includes a tubular member including a sealant and an advancer member disposed within lumen of the tubular member. A sleeve is slidably disposed over the tubular member distal end such that, when the tubular member is advanced over the positioning member, the tubular member distal end enters the introducer sheath while the sleeve is stopped and slides over the tubular member to expose the tubular member distal end within the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath and cartridge are then withdrawn, exposing the sealant within the puncture.

Abstract: A suture anchor for knotless fixation of tissue. A swivel suture anchor has an anchor tip for receiving a suture strand, for surgical tissue repair without requiring suture knots. Tension on the repair constructs is adjustable. The swivel anchor is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, over the body of the anchor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for disrupting material in a body vessel and a method for making such a device. The device includes a plurality of arms disposed circumferentially about an axis. Each arm includes two blades; one sharper, and one blunter. The sharper blades are all oriented in the same direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, such that when the device is rotated in a first direction, the sharper blades engage the material, and in the other, the duller blades engage the material.

Abstract: A device for forming a tissue fold includes a recess and an opening at the end of the recess. Tissue is drawn into the recess and through the opening using a tissue engaging element. As the tissue is drawn through the opening, the tissue layers are compressed together. A fastener is used to secure the tissue fold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to a target within the body, such as placing an access needle into a renal capsule into the human body. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for performing a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure accurately and efficiently while minimizing exposure of the medical professional to harmful radiation.

Abstract: A system for delivering a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve into a patient includes a valve support structure around which the valve is disposed in a collapsed condition. A sheath structure surrounds the collapsed valve, but can be moved relative to the valve to uncover it for expansion at the desired implant site in the patient. The sheath structure may be variously mounted and moved to deploy the valve in various ways. For example, the sheath structure may include multiple parts, each of which can be moved separately to separately deploy various parts of the valve. The apparatus may have other aspects, such as the ability to reverse deployment of the valve, the ability to pass other instrumentation through the valve delivery apparatus, the ability to be smoothly withdrawn from the patient after deployment of the valve, etc.

Abstract: A suture construct includes, inter alia, a sheath and a flexible strand threaded through the sheath to configure the sheath in a circular or oblong shape. The suture construct may be utilized in various tissue reconstruction procedures. The suture construct can be connected to a second suture construct to form a surgical assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for surgically repairing a tear in soft tissue is disclosed. A plurality of collapsible tubes are positioned about the suture. The collapsible tubes are pushed through soft tissue and orthopedic mesh on opposite sides of a tear in soft tissue. When tension is applied to the suture, the tubes are compressed to fix the suture to the soft tissue and draw the soft tissue portions together.

Abstract: A capturing unit provided on a distal end of a second tube can be deformed into a contracted state and an expanded state, in which the capturing unit is deployed to form a capturing chamber. The capturing chamber has an opening area decreased as it goes from a distal end opening of the capturing chamber toward a proximal end opening of the capturing chamber. A third tube rotatable relative to the second tube and a cutting unit provided on a distal end of the third tube for cutting a foreign substance are arranged in a second lumen. In the expanded state of the capturing unit, the cutting unit is arranged more toward the proximal end opening of the capturing chamber than the distal end opening.

Abstract: The forceps instrument includes a central pull-push member formed by transmission and actuating elements. The central push-pull member opens and closes the branches, and also acts as a tissue abutment that is variable based on the degree of closure of the branches. The variable tissue abutment may be configured as a slider element and is adjustable proportionally to the opening angle of the branches. When grasped, the vessels are brought proximally. The tissue abutment acts as a spacer between the hinge region and the grasped material. While the branches are being closed, the vessel is held stationary and compressed. During compression, expansion of the vessel occurs axially in distal and proximal directions. Due to the receding of the variable tissue abutment during the closing operation, room is created for the grasped material to escape. Tissue accumulations can thus be restricted and overstressing of the tissue can be counteracted.

Abstract: A surgical anchoring device may include a first beam and a second beam each extending along a longitudinal direction; and a connecting member bridging a first proximal portion of the first beam to a second proximal portion of the second beam such that the first beam is substantially aligned with the second beam. In addition, the anchoring device may include a first barb protruding from a medial side of the first beam, wherein the first barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction; and a second barb protruding from a medial side of the second beam, wherein the second barb extends diagonally in a generally proximal direction. The first barb may include a proximal facing surface that is separated from the first beam by a recess.