Abstract: An instrument, a medical-endoscopic instrument or technoscope, includes a shank (2) and an instrument head (10), which is arranged at a distal shank end of the shank (2) and is bendable relative thereto via a joint. The instrument head (10) includes a tool with two jaw parts (20, 22) which are pivotable relative to one another and are coupled in each case to two pull cables (70, 72, 76), for the control of the jaw parts (20, 22). These pull cables (70, 72, 76), in the region of the joint, are guided around two deflecting rollers (78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92). Deflecting roller pairs are arranged on both sides of a middle axis (A) of the instrument. Deflecting rollers (82, 84, 90, 92) of a first deflecting roller pair have a smaller diameter than deflecting rollers (78, 80, 86, 88) of a second deflecting roller pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular transcatheter valve replacement devices and methods of using the same to treat valvular heart diseases. Disclosed is a bottom module that contains a heart valve replacement, and a top module connected to the bottom module. The top module may be bio-absorbable, or may contain one or more severable joints that allow the top module to be removed after implantation. The removable or absorbable top portion serves to add additional length the structure to add in orientation during implantation, but is removed or absorbed to minimize the metal and other foreign material in a patient's body that could cause thrombosis or other reactions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, a suture cartridge, and a cage securement. The suture cartridge is configured to be received within the cartridge receiving assembly and has a cartridge body, a needle, a drive assembly, and a cage. The cage is movably secured to the cartridge body to selectively move relative to the cartridge body from a closed position to an opened position. In the closed position, the cage is configured to contain the needle within the cartridge body. In the opened position, the cage is configured such that the needle is removable from the cartridge body. The cage securement is configured to move from a first position to a second position to inhibit movement of the cage from the closed position toward the opened position, yet release movement of the cage for selectively moving the cage to the opened position.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for implanting a prosthetic implant in a native lumen of the body includes a handle portion, and a first shaft extending from and movable relative to the handle portion. The first shaft has a proximal end portion coupled to the handle portion and a distal end portion. The delivery apparatus further includes a second shaft extending from the handle portion and coaxially disposed within the first shaft. The second shaft has a proximal end portion coupled to the handle portion and a distal end portion configured to mount a prosthetic implant in a radially compressed state. The handle portion of the delivery apparatus also includes a steering assembly configured to move the first shaft longitudinally relative to the second shaft while concurrently flexing the second shaft.

Abstract: A wall (39) of a catheter (38) (a) includes a braided portion (41) having an outer surface (45), an inner surface (47), and a braided interior (53) between the outer and inner surfaces (45, 47), and (b) is shaped to define first and second longitudinally-running channels (27a, 27b) therethrough. A distal portion of the catheter (38) is shaped to define first and second lateral openings (26a, 26b). An angle between (a) a first line (76) running between the first and second lateral openings (26a, 26b), and (b) a second line (78) that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the catheter (38) when the catheter (38) is straight, is between 30 and 150 degrees.

Abstract: A system for repairing a tricuspid valve and positioned at a distal end of a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The system comprises an activation element extending along the bore, the activation element including a first push element and a first pull element; a second push element and a second pull element; a third push element and a third pull element; wherein the first push element, the second push element, and the third push element are independently slideable in relation to each other; a first lower jaw being pin connected to the first pull element; a second lower jaw being pin connected to the second pull element; a third lower jaw being pin connected to the third pull element.

Abstract: A cosmetic facial mask is described, having high fitting properties onto skin, an excellent skin tightening effect, and an excellent lift-up effect on a flaccid cheek or face line. The cosmetic facial mask includes a laminate in which a non-elastomeric fiber layer and an elastomer layer are integrated through lamination, and has stretchability in a vertical direction of a face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substantially compressible, spherical porous embolization particles, including methods of making and using the particles. Methods of using the particles include methods of embolization, in which at least one particle can be positioned in a target area of a blood vessel. The particles can also include interior pores that extend to the surface of the particles. Further, the invention relates to embolization delivery systems for the introduction of the particle into the vascular luer.

Abstract: A system and method for nerve decompression comprise a knife unit having a parallel upper limb and lower limb terminating proximally at the cap of the tubular sheath and a triangular shaped surgical cutting blade disposed vertically in between the upper limb and the lower limb. Upper limb and lower limb extend distally beyond the cutting blade and have open slots to facilitate proper positioning and engaging of the tissue while allowing visualization of less routing structure. The knife receives the probe head of an endoscope just behind cutting blade for proper visualization and illumination. The guiding system comprises a handle unit and a pair of parallel guides with long open slots that act as a cannula of adjustable diameter. The open slots on parallel guides facilitate 360 degree visualization of the surroundings and also prevent derailing of endoscopic knife unit while passing through it.

Abstract: A clip device for an endoscope of the present invention comprises an outer tubular body 70; an inner tubular body 80 provided in the outer tubular body 70; a line member 50 placed in the inner tubular body 80; and a pinching part 20, for holding an indwelling clip, connected to a distal side of the line member 50; wherein the pinching part 20 has two pinching base plates 30a and 30b, a blade part 40a is provided at a distal end of the pinching base plate 30a and formed toward an inside of the pitching base plate 30a, a blade part 40b is provided at a distal end of the pinching base plate 30b and formed toward an inside of the pinching base plate 30b, a Young's modulus of the blade part 40a is smaller than that of the pinching base plate 30a, and a Young's modulus of the blade part 40b is smaller than that of the pinching base plate 30b.

Abstract: A teething device can include a base having a handle, and a coupling on an opposite end. The base and coupling can be formed from a first material having a first hardness. A reservoir may be configured to contain a liquid therein. The reservoir may be coupled and sealed to the base coupling and configured to provide a watertight seal. The reservoir can have at least one self-sealing aperture. The self-sealing aperture can have a default position wherein the self-sealing aperture is configured to be substantially closed to essentially prevent the liquid from flowing therethrough, and a flexed position wherein the self-sealing aperture is configured to be opened to allow the liquid to flow therethrough. In addition, the reservoir can be formed from a second material having a second hardness that is softer than the first hardness.

Abstract: A profile altering tip is provided for a delivery system. The tip defines a first profile with a generally conical shape and a second profile with an expanded profile. During use of the delivery system, a tip profile control assembly can alter the tip from the first profile to the second profile.

Abstract: A device having an implantable body associated with at least two filaments or sutures and configured for use in soft tissue reconstructions is provided. One exemplary embodiment includes an implantable body, an adjustable filament loop for holding ligament grafts that is coupled to the body, and a shuttle suture removably coupled to the implantable body and configured for shuttling the body through at least a portion of a bone tunnel. The loop can be defined by a self-locking knot, and one or more loop-adjusting limbs can extend from the knot, with a portion of the limb(s) also extending into a hollow portion of the shuttle suture. In some embodiments having two adjustable limbs, an intermediate portion of each limb can be the portions disposed in respective hollow portions of the shuttle suture. Other configurations of devices and systems, as well as methods for performing ACL repairs, are also provided.

Abstract: Medical devices for delivering compositions or medical articles to a patient are disclosed. The medical plug delivery devices can include a fluid delivery device (e.g., a syringe), a frame, and a rotatable magazine. The rotatable magazine can include a plurality of chambers that each hold a composition or a medical article (e.g., a medical plug). By rotating the rotatable magazine relative to the frame, material within the chambers of the rotatable magazine can be sequentially deployed to a patient.

Abstract: An assembly including a deployment device for deploying a stent device into an aorta of a patient is provided. The deployment device includes a rod translatable within an aorta of a patient and a first release wire configured for releasing one or more radially constraining members, wherein the radially constraining members are configured to constrain a diameter of the stent device. The stent device is at least partially permeable and engaged with the deployment device in an initial configuration, wherein a diameter and a length of the stent device in a deployed configuration can be altered by axial translation of the rod and releasing one or more of the radially constraining members by translation of the first release wire.

Abstract: A burr hole cover is configured to be recessed in a burr hole formed in a patient and includes a base and a cap provided with complementary features to allow a portion of a medical device, such as a brain lead, to be situated in the burr hole cover and then secured by rotation of the cap relative to the base. The features include channels on the base and matching cut-outs on the cap, and slots and locking pockets on the base that are configured to be aligned with locking tabs and locking protrusions on the cap. Because the burr hole cover is recessed in the burr hole, the medical device can extend proximally of the burr hole at the level of the cranium. A bottom surface of the cap may be provided with guides for the lead extending distally in towards the brain.

Abstract: A catheter inner assembly includes a receptacle with an interior contour configured to mate with a head and neck contour of a holding member of an implantable medical device; and a laterally facing opening of the receptacle has a profile matching a longitudinal profile of the head and neck. Thus, the opening allows only a properly oriented passage of the holding member therethrough, the passage being without deformation of holding member or opening. The inner assembly further includes a lock and release member useful for securing the device to the catheter, when the holding member has been passed through the receptacle's opening to mate with the receptacle's interior contour. The lock and release member may include an arcuate sidewall moveable between a first location, at which the sidewall overlays the laterally facing opening, and a second location, at which the sidewall is located proximal to the opening.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various embodiments of implant tools and implant techniques utilizing those tools. In one embodiment, an implant tool comprises a handle and a shaft. The shaft includes a proximal end adjacent the handle, a distal end, an open channel that extends from near the proximal end to the distal end, and at least one lumen that extends from a proximal end of the shaft to a location near the distal end of the shaft. The implant tool may also include a coupler configured to connect to a fluid delivery device. In one example, the fluid delivery device may be a syringe. In some instances, the handle of the implant tool may include a compartment or a recess configured to receive the fluid delivery device.

Abstract: A tissue defect closure system includes an endoscopic surgical fixation device and an implant. The endoscopic surgical fixation device includes a handle assembly and an elongated outer tube having a distal end and including a plurality of fasteners disposed therein. The implant includes an elongated hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end, and defines an elongated pocket therein. The elongated pocket is dimensioned to engage the elongated outer tube of the endoscopic surgical fixation device.

Abstract: A catheter for positioning a valve during a transcatheter aortic valve replacement is formed from a resilient hollow body conformable to a guide wire when a guide wire is passed in through an upper opening in the hollow body and through the hollow body. When the guide wire is retracted, the catheter deploys to form a substantially straight upper shaft portion that extends downwardly from the upper opening and a distal ring perpendicular to the upper shaft portion. The distal ring approximates the size and shape of the patient's aortic valve annulus. An outer surface of the distal ring is radiopaque, and the distal ring comprises openings for dispersing radio opaque medium used in imaging. The deployed catheter is retracted until it snugly contacts the aortic valve annulus. The distal ring will be viewed as a straight line when the x-ray C-arm is properly aligned with the aortic valve annulus.