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.

Abstract: A biomaterial collection system has a receptacle, pouch or bag for collection and a status detection device for indicating pouch volume based on a distance between opposed sides or panels of the receptacle. The receptacle is a collection vessel having a sealed volume defined by at least two opposed panels, and an interior volume defined by a distance between the opposed panels. A detection circuit including a Hall effect sensor and rare-earth magnet provides a signal indicative of the distance. The collection vessel may be employed in conjunction with procedures such as ileostomy, urostomy and colostomy for indication of a nearly full collection vessel that requires emptying.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) system including a NWPT therapy unit and a wound dressing configured to overlay a wound bed. The NPWT system includes a first length of tubing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the first length of tubing coupled to the NWPT therapy unit and the second end of the first length of tubing having a first coupling half, as well as a second length of tubing having a first end and second end, the first end of the second length of tubing coupled to the wound dressing and the second end of the second length of tubing having a second coupling half. The NPWT system includes an inline filter comprising a sintered polymer and a superabsorbent material, and an inline coupling, wherein the inline coupling is configured to operably couple and de-couple the NPWT therapy unit and wound dressing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an irrigated medical system includes a medical tool, an irrigation line configured to fluidically connect an irrigation reservoir storing irrigation fluid to the medical tool, and provide at least some of the irrigation fluid to the medical tool, a force sensor configured to be coupled with the irrigation reservoir, and provide a signal responsively to a force exerted by the irrigation reservoir on the force sensor over time as irrigation fluid in the irrigation reservoir is depleted, and a controller configured to find an irrigation rate of the irrigation fluid flowing in the irrigation line responsively to the signal.

Abstract: Catheter assembly with a coaptation aid for repair of leaflets of a heart valve includes an elongate catheter shaft adapted to be positioned transvascularly proximate a heart valve and a lever coupled to the catheter shaft. The lever has a hinge to transition the lever between an elongate delivery configuration generally aligned longitudinally with the catheter shaft and a deployed configuration extending transversely from the catheter shaft. The lever also includes an atraumatic tip at a distal end thereof and adapted to contact a distal side of a native leaflet of the heart valve when the catheter shaft is positioned proximate the heart valve and the lever is in the deployed configuration, and an actuation assembly coupled to the lever to remotely transition the lever between the delivery configuration and the deployed configuration. Method for fixation of native leaflets of a heart valve using the catheter assembly also disclosed.

Abstract: The present patent specification provides a medical device including an outer tube, an operation portion and a control portion. The operation portion is at least partially located in the outer tube. The control portion has a channel communicating with the outer tube along a first direction; a second end of the control portion is coupled with a first end of the outer tube so that the channel and the outer tube communicate with each other along the first direction. The control portion includes a control module including a suction control unit, a suction, a suction valve actuator and a switching unit. The suction control unit has a stopping unit and is configured to move along a second direction which is different from the first direction. The suction valve actuator is located at a side opposite the suction control unit with the channel therebetween and the suction valve actuator is configured to be activated by the suction control unit.

Abstract: A medical device for removing lens tissue from inside a capsular bag of an eye including a cam assembly operatively coupled to a vacuum generation source positioned within the housing. A first portion is operatively coupled to the vacuum generation source and a second portion is operatively coupled to the first portion and to the shaft. The first portion is capable of rotating about an axis to cause the vacuum generation source to generate vacuum through the lumen. The second portion is capable of rotating about the axis with the first portion to cause the shaft to oscillate. A first degree of actuation of a trigger causes the vacuum generation source to generate vacuum within the lumen of the shaft, and a second degree of actuation of the trigger causes the shaft to oscillate as the second portion rotates. Related systems, devices, and methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant device for an eye disease for adjusting intraocular pressure. An implant device for an eye disease for adjusting the intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first tube into which the aqueous humor flows so as to adjust the intraocular pressure; and a second tube formed inside the first tube. The second tube is made of a biodegradable material configured to be degraded inside the eye over a predetermined period of time after being inserted into the eye. The first tube and the second tube may be divided into a first area and a second area according to the distance from the anterior chamber of the eyeball. The second area of the first tube and the second tube may have such a structure that the diameter thereof is larger than that of the first area of the first tube and the second tube, and the same can expand as the aqueous humor flows in.

Abstract: A vomit receptacle that includes a nausea relief substance that may be released on demand to relieve the nausea of a user who also must be prepared to contain a vomiting event. The receptacle may be a flexible bag, and the relief substance may be contained in a sealed packet in the bag, or in a kit with the bag. The substance may be an aromatic essential oil such as peppermint oil.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivering reduced pressure wound therapy are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a reduced pressure wound therapy device and a remote computer. The device can be configured to apply reduced pressure to a wound of a patient according to a default reduced pressure therapy prescription. The device can be configured to monitor usage data and transmit the usage data to the remove computer for determining compliance with a reduced therapy prescription. In some cases, non-compliance can be determined due to change of the prescription from the default prescription to a prescription more suitable for treating the wound. A non-compliance notification can be transmitted to the device. The device settings can be updated to the current prescription.

Abstract: A catheter having opposed tissue contacting surfaces for creating an anastomosis between two blood vessels is utilized to facilitate a method for percutaneously placing a biologic graft at a procedural site. The method may comprise steps of inserting a guidewire into a blood vessel, placing a sheath over the guidewire, advancing a biologic graft over the guidewire into the blood vessel at a biologic graft attachment site, advancing a catheter over the guidewire, pushing a distal tip of the catheter through the biologic graft, a vessel wall of the blood vessel, and into a lumen of the blood vessel, and creating an anastomosis between the biologic graft and the blood vessel by activating the catheter to apply energy to the vessel wall and to a wall of the biologic graft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a replaceable cartridge (1) for an ophthalmological apparatus (2), comprising at least one hard region as a housing and at least one soft region, the hard region and the soft region forming inner liquid channels of the replacement cartridge (1). The soft region embodies functional elements of the replacement cartridge (1), said functional elements comprising at least one pump device for pumping liquid into the liquid channels, a valve device for modifying a through-flow cross-section in at least one of the liquid channels, and a pressure-detecting device for determining a liquid pressure in at least one of the liquid channels. The pressure-detecting device comprises a pressure chamber which is connected to one of the liquid channels, and a flexible membrane which peripherally surrounds a coupling element.

Abstract: An ostomy pouching device for the removal of biological waste from a patient. An embodiment of an ostomy pouching device includes an outer container housing an inner bag for receiving waste from a patient's bowel. The device includes a bowel connector to connect the bowel to the inner bag. The outer container includes an air exit aperture through which air may exit the container as it is displaced as the inner bag expands, and a gas tunnel for removing gas from the inner bag.

Abstract: A stent graft transport device includes a mounted state keeping wire that keeps a mounted state of a stent graft on a transport tube or a contracted state keeping wire that keeps a contracted state of the stent graft. The transport tube can be separated from the stent graft by pulling an operation end part of the mounted state keeping wire, and the stent graft can be in an expanded state by pulling an operation end part of the contracted state keeping wire. Furthermore, the operation end part of each of the wires is housed inside the transport tube. In order to draw the operation end part, a wire pulling-out string is provided, one end part of which is mounted on the mounted state keeping wire and the other end part of which is pulled out from a window arranged on a side peripheral surface of the transport tube.

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: The present invention relates to an implant device for an eye disease for adjusting intraocular pressure. An implant device for an eye disease for adjusting the intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first tube into which the aqueous humor flows so as to adjust the intraocular pressure; and a second tube formed inside the first tube. The second tube is made of a biodegradable material configured to be degraded inside the eye over a predetermined period of time after being inserted into the eye. The first tube and the second tube may be divided into a first area and a second area according to the distance from the anterior chamber of the eyeball. The second area of the first tube and the second tube may have such a structure that the diameter thereof is larger than that of the first area of the first tube and the second tube, and the same can expand as the aqueous humor flows in.

Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: Absorbent articles with biodegradable and/or biocompostable elements are disclosed, wherein the absorbent articles include sensors. The sensors detect and determine variables associated with collected fluids, solids, and gases, including a presence of fluids, solids, and gases, a volume of fluids, solids, and gases, and/or a distribution of fluids, solids, and gases. In one embodiment, the sensors and/or connected computing systems are calibrated to capacities and other properties of elements within the articles, including superabsorbent polymers, and are operable to trigger an alert based on detected or determined conditions.

Abstract: Devices used to drain fluid are disclosed. The devices may be configured to drain fluid from a body cavity using a vacuum pressure. The devices include a reservoir and a vacuum generating member configured to expand the reservoir and generate a vacuum pressure within the reservoir. The devices can be configured to be shipped in a collapsed state.

Abstract: A cutting assembly configured to be removably coupled to a drive assembly of a surgical instrument. An inner tube is coaxially and rotatably disposed within an outer tube and defines a lumen in communication with a cutting window. A drive hub is coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube to define a suction path through the hub member and the inner tube. A hub member of the drive hub defines a first aperture, and further defines a reduced aperture. A diameter of the lumen of the inner tube is less than the inner diameter of the reduced aperture of the drive hub such that resected tissue moves from smaller to larger cross sectional portions of the suction path at an interface between the drive hub and the inner tube. The drive hub may include a lip disposed within the suction path with the inner tube abutting the lip.