Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for auto return of articulated end effectors are provided. In general, a surgical device can include an end effector configured to articulate. The device can include an actuator configured to be actuated to move the end effector from an articulated position to an unarticulated position. In at least some embodiments, the actuator can also be configured to be actuated to move the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to rotate the end effector about a longitudinal axis of an elongate shaft having the end effector at a distal end thereof. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to articulate the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guidewire adjuster and a delivery-system control handle provided with the guidewire adjuster. The guidewire adjuster includes a support mechanism which has a lumen for a guidewire to extend therethrough; and a driving mechanism for driving the guidewire to move back and forth in the lumen. The guidewire adjuster is able to drive the guidewire to move with respect to a sheath of the delivery system. The support mechanism is connected to the control handle of the delivery system and forms a lumen for accommodating the guidewire. A proximal end of the sheath together with the stent can be driven to move upwardly, due to the relative movement between the guidewire and the sheath of the delivery system. Therefore, the position of the stent can be adjusted by advancing the guidewire forward when the stent has been deployed at a lower position than expected.

Abstract: A foot operated traction device for allowing a pregnant woman to selectively self-induce dilatation of her cervix via her foot and a method for doing the same, the device comprising a balloon catheter comprising an inflatable balloon insertable above the cervix of the pregnant woman and an elongate catheter tube comprising a catheter tube proximal end portion and a catheter tube distal end portion coaxially mounted to the inflatable balloon, the inflatable balloon inflatable with a fluid to apply dilatative pressure against the cervix, and an elongate stirrup connected to the catheter tube at the catheter tube proximal end at a stirrup proximal end and removably engageable with the foot of the pregnant woman at a stirrup distal end, wherein the stirrup distal end is movable by the movement of the foot to selectively vary a traction force of the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A surgical snare assembly is disclosed. The surgical snare assembly has a suture fastener having an entrance and an exit. The surgical snare assembly also has first and second suture engaging loops. The surgical snare assembly further has first and second handles configured such that: a) movement of the first handle a first distance away from the suture fastener causes the first suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the exit to the entrance; and b) movement of the second handle a second distance away from the suture fastener causes the second suture engaging loop to move through the suture fastener from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch has a body side wall and a distal side wall defining a collection chamber. An opening is provided in the body side wall. A barrier is operably mounted to the body side wall over the opening. The barrier has an inlet opening. An internal collection member is mounted to the barrier. The internal collection member includes a tubular net having a first open end and a second closed end, and a ring-shaped capsule for storing the net inside the capsule in a collected manner. The ring-shaped capsule has an open central region and is mounted to the barrier with the capsule open central region and the barrier inlet opening aligned with one another to define a pouch inlet. The capsule extends into the pouch collection chamber and the first open end of the net is mounted to the capsule overlying the pouch inlet. Excretion is inlet to the pouch and is discharged into the net, paying out the net.

Abstract: An oral expansion device comprises a first body, main body and a second body wherein the first body and second body are attached to a body and a first tube and a second tube wherein the first tube and second tube having one end attached to the body and having a second end attached to an inflation device. The first tube can be attached internally to the first cavity to the inflate or deflate it and the second tube can be attached internally to the second cavity to inflate or deflate it. The body is manufactured from a flexible material. The first cavity and the second cavity can be manufactured from an inflatable material. The first cavity is an oval and the second cavity is a rectangular shape. The body has a 35-degree bend wherein the second cavity is centered on the 35-degree bend and the body can have two depressions on its sides.

Abstract: A canister connection system for a negative pressure wound therapy system. The canister connection system includes an attachment fixture removably connected to a pump unit. The attachment fixture includes a first engaging mechanism disposed adjacent its first end configured to engage a corresponding first engaging mechanism of the canister and a second engaging mechanism disposed adjacent its second end for engaging a corresponding second engaging mechanism of the canister for removably connecting the canister to the pump unit.

Abstract: A reconstitution device includes a body, a first piercing member located at a first end of the body, and a receptacle located at the second end of the body. The receptacle includes a collar configured to engage a vial, and a cap extending from the collar and holding a second piercing member. The second piercing member is disposed within the collar. The reconstitution device includes a first fluid pathway formed within and extending from the first piercing member to the second piercing member. The reconstitution device includes a second fluid pathway formed within and extending from the second piercing member to a portion of the body between the first piercing member and the second piercing member.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: The availability of a heart-lung machine in a box provides an opportunity for saving lives in emergency situations arising outside a hospital and for more cost effective care in hospital settings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible surgical instrument system, comprising: a flexible surgical instrument comprising: a distal structural body comprising at least one distal structural segment comprising a distal fixing disk and structural backbones; a proximal structural body comprising at least one proximal structural segment comprising a proximal fixing disk, structural backbones, and driving backbones, the structural backbones of the distal structural segment being securely connected to or the same as corresponding structural backbones of the proximal structural segment; and a driving unit comprising a plurality of linear motion mechanisms operable to cooperatively push-pull the driving backbones to turn the proximal structural segment, each linear motion mechanism comprising an input end to receive a first linear motion; and a sterile barrier disposed at a proximal side of the plurality of linear motion mechanisms and operable to transfer the first linear motions to the input ends, respectively.

Abstract: A nasal mucus suction device includes an air pump and a head structure. The air pump has an intake tube and an outlet tube. The head structure is coupled to the intake tube and the outlet tube of the air pump, and defines a channel between a nasal mucus suction inlet and a gas outlet. The channel includes a first channel section in communication with the nasal mucus suction inlet, and a second channel section in communication with the gas outlet. The first channel section includes at least one mucus storage cavity, the second channel section is in communication with the intake tube and the outlet tube of the air pump. The first channel section has a maximized path length, and includes an anti-backflow channel structure. The second channel section includes a noise reduction space.

Abstract: A closed transfer system for transferring metered dose of a beneficial agent from a flexible primary container to a second reservoir or to a patient. The system can be configured to transfer multiple doses.

Abstract: The present invention is a surgical suturing device that assists in applying an open-looped, pre-knotted suture around a targeted area of application. The surgical suturing device contains a handle, a grasping mechanism, a first jaw, a second jaw, a first coupler, and a second coupler. The first jaw and the second jaw each contains a jaw body and a coupler receiver. The first coupler and the second coupler each contains a strand receiver. The handle is operatively connected to the first jaw and the second jaw through the grasping mechanism. The coupler receiver is positioned adjacent to the jaw body, opposite to the grasping mechanism along the jaw body. The first coupler is removably positioned within the coupler receiver of the first jaw. The strand receiver traverses into the first coupler and the second coupler. The second coupler is removably positioned within the coupler receiver of the second jaw.

Abstract: A new and improved NPWT bandage which is simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use, small in size (including having a low profile), is atraumatic to the wound during use, has improved pump efficiency, incorporates an automatic pressure indicator for indicating the level of negative pressure created, and provides an automatic pressure limiter for limiting the level of negative pressure created.

Abstract: Endovascular variable aortic control catheters (EVACC) are provided that are adapted to augment upstream blood pressure and regulate downstream blood flow for patients in shock. The EVACC devices provide improved treatment for truncal wounds, which may be used for example on a battlefield, thereby increasing survivability of injured soldiers. The devices are a catheter-based system having a proximal hand piece for controlled deployment of the device through a delivery sheath. A collapsible, wire framework supports an expandable and collapsible occlusion barrier. The wire basket and occlusion barrier expand to fit within the lumen of the aorta. Various movable elements are used to adjust an adjustable passageway to regulate controlled anterograde blood flow.

Abstract: A pressure gradient wound therapy apparatus (50) including a pump assembly (10). The pump assembly (10) includes a diaphragm (12) comprising a magnetic material (16), an electromagnetic actuator (18) switchable between two or more operational states and a valve arrangement (24) including an inlet valve (26) and an outlet valve (28) for the introduction and/or removal of fluid into a fluid chamber (30) of the pump assembly (10). The actuator (18) is configured to move the diaphragm (12) with respect to the actuator (18) between a first position corresponding to a first operational state of the actuator (18) and a second position corresponding to the second operational state of the actuator (18).

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy system includes a wound dressing, at least one pump fluidly coupled to the fluid interface, a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the wound dressing, a control housing, and an electrical coupler. The wound dressing includes a sealing layer, an absorbent layer adjacent to the sealing layer, and a fluid interface attached to at least one of the sealing layer or the absorbent layer. The at least one pump is configured to apply negative pressure to the fluid interface to draw fluid from the wound dressing via the fluid interface. The pressure sensor is configured to detect a fluid pressure of the wound dressing. The control housing is remote from the wound dressing. The electrical coupler is configured to removably connect the control housing to the at least one pump.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for creating pockets in tissue for accepting implantable medical devices. For example, a surgical tool includes a shaft defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and one or more blades configured to move between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the one or more blades extend, in the deployed configuration, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the shaft. The one or more blades may be configured to separate tissue in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A suture including a loop having a tapered surface is provided. The suture includes an elongate body including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes first and second overlapping sections and a loop. A proximal end of the first overlapping section may be tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The first overlapping section may be secured to the second overlapping section proximal of the loop. The overlapping sections may be secured together by at least one method selected from the group consisting of glues, adhesives, epoxies, solvents, heat and ultrasonic energy.