Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating body tissues through narrow body passages employs an elongated cantilevered beam having a proximal end supported in a rigid block and a narrower distal end extendable through the narrow passages. One or more piezoelectric actuators are fixed to the beam surface and energized from an AC source provided by an electrical excitation system through electrodes interspersed with the piezoelectric actuators to produce oscillatory motion of the beam distal end in multiple modes of movement.

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, and methods of using a modified scalpel tool that is removable from a polyurethane mated sheath for use in carpal tunnel surgeries and the like. The modified scalpel tool has an elongated stem with a flat blade at the distal end and an elongated handle at the proximal end. The sheath has a cavity for allowing the elongated blade to be inserted therein, two slots to receive two metal studs and a handle at its proximal end. The flat blade tool when combined (mated) with the polyurethane sheath produces a stable configuration that allows motion in only one rotational plane and with an arc of 90-95 degrees.

Abstract: Occlusive plugs are provided which comprise a single elongate member that is insertable into and through a microcatheter and assumes a space-occupying shape when deployed into a vascular structure. The elongate member optionally includes one or more polymer fibers, one or more polymer sleeves to secure the polymer fibers to the elongate member, and/or a radiopaque marker band.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of a radially expandable device to an implantation site in a patient, the delivery system including an elongated tubular member comprising a distal tip and an outer surface, first and second balloon portions spaced proximally from each other and the distal tip along a length of the tubular member, an annular space between the first and second balloon portions, a plurality of clip deployment tubes extendably moveable relative to the outer surface of the tubular member, and a plurality of clips, wherein each clip is moveable within a length of one of the clip deployment tubes between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for clearing effusion from an ear. The method may include applying liquid to an ear canal, which is proximal to a perforated tympanic membrane, which is proximal to a middle ear containing effusion, applying an ear device to seal and pressurize the liquid inside the ear canal, the ear device regulating the amount of pressure inside the ear canal, and inducing a Eustachian tube, which is distal to the middle ear, to open, which causes the fluid to displace the effusion into the Eustachian tube.

Abstract: A suction catheter system is described with a suction nozzle that can extend from a guide catheter of the like. The suction nozzle can be positioned by tracking the suction nozzle through a vessel while moving a proximal portion of the suction extension within the lumen of the guide catheter. A suction lumen extends from the proximal end of the guide catheter through at least part of the guide catheter central lumen and through the suction tip. Desirable suction flow can be established using the guide lumen to facilitate the suction. Also, a delivery catheter is described with an elastic tip that can track closely over a guidewire. The elastic tip of the delivery catheter can be expanded to provide for the delivery of medical devices past the tip.

Abstract: A needle for use with an endoscopic stitching device includes a first end portion that is movable relative to a second end portion to allow the needle to convert from a first, mis-aligned orientation to a second, aligned orientation, thereby allowing the length of the needle in the aligned orientation to exceed the height of an end effector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic end effector comprising a proximal end formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a waveguide configured to transmit ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic end effector. The waveguide includes an attachment portion formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The attachment portion is configured to be selectively expandable into an acoustically coupled retaining engagement with the ultrasonic end effector by expanding faster than the proximal end of the ultrasonic end effector when heat is applied to establish an interference fit therebetween.

Abstract: A ratcheting inserter device for tensioning a knotless suture anchor includes an outer inserter shaft and an inner inserter shaft having a common longitudinal axis. A ratcheting mechanism provided between the inner inserter shaft and the outer inserter shaft permits rotation of the inner inserter shaft in one direction relative to the outer inserter shaft. The outer inserter shaft has a protrusion at a distal end that is received by an anchor outer sleeve of a suture anchor to prevent relative rotation thereof, and the inner inserter shaft has a projection at the distal end that is received by an inner core of the anchor for rotational movement therewith. The ratcheting inserter device rotates the inner core of the suture anchor to spool and tension suture thread. Thereafter, the ratcheting mechanism is disengaged and the inner inserter shaft is forced axially into the anchor outer sleeve.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for connecting a surgical loading unit to a handle assembly is provided. The adapter assembly includes a sleeve, a trocar assembly releasably securable within the sleeve, and a locking mechanism configured to releasably secure the trocar assembly within the sleeve.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for deploying at least a portion of a stent, comprising a retaining member having a main body. At least one slot is formed into the main body. The at least one slot comprises a circumferentially enclosed segment and an axial opening. A portion of a stent is restrained from moving radially outward when disposed within the circumferentially enclosed segment, and the portion of the stent is self-expandable radially outward when aligned with the axial opening.

Abstract: A catheter device and method are disclosed for transvascular delivery of a medical device to a cardiac valve region of a patient. The catheter device comprises an elongate sheath with a lumen and a distal end for positioning at a target site e.g. a heart valve.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for placement in or against tissue. The anchor includes a flat fibrous construct having a first end and a second end; and a filament having a first end and a second end passing through the fibrous construct in two locations including a first passing location nearest a first end of the fibrous construct, a second passing location nearest a second end of the fibrous construct, the filament remaining free to slide through the first passing location and the second passing location such that the filament can be removed from the flat fibrous construct from the first end of the fibrous construct and the second end of the fibrous construct.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses various methods and devices for providing multiple types of indicators to be used with a sheath set. One type of indicator indicates the linear position and alignment of each of the sheaths within the sheath set, and another type of indicator indicates the rotational position and alignment of the sheaths. Both types of indicators may be included on the ends of the sheath set proximal to the user outside the patient's vasculature, thereby informing the user of the sheath set of the linear and rotational position and alignment of the ends of the inner and outer sheaths within the vasculature.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a cooling module. The cooling module includes a fluid reservoir retaining a conductive cooling fluid, a pump configured to pump the conductive cooling fluid along a flowpath, first and second electrodes disposed at first and second positions along the flowpath and configured to sense an electrical property of the conductive cooling fluid at the first and second positions, and a controller configured to determine an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the sensed electrical properties of the first and second electrodes. A method for cooling a surgical instrument includes detecting an electrical property of a conductive cooling fluid at first and second positions along a flowpath and determining an impedance of the conductive cooling fluid between the first and second positions based upon the detected electrical properties at the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to vascular implants and methods for fabricating the same. The implantable devices include but are not limited to stents, grafts and stent grafts. In many embodiments, the devices include one or more side branch lumens interconnected with the main lumen.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for deploying at least a portion of a stent. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cannula having an outer surface, and an auger having a plurality of turns coupled to the outer surface of the cannula. A stent has a portion dimensioned to be disposed within a valley of the auger. Rotation of the cannula and the auger advances the portion of the stent in a predetermined longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides suture retention devices for retaining a suture on a bodily wall, e.g. for affixing the suture to the skin such as during the creation of an external percutaneous fluidic connection. In one embodiment, a device includes a base member and a swivel member. In another embodiment, the device includes a base member, first and second jaws, and a key. Operation of the swivel member or key serves to lock the suture to the device, and hence maintain tension on the suture while affixed to the skin.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery profile for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant may be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate configuration having a diameter larger than the delivery profile and smaller than the deployment diameter. The sleeves may be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant may comprise a number of side branch fenestrations or fenestratable portions.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns medical devices, such as catheters and implantable devices, having radially adjustable features. More particularly, the catheters and implantable devices can radially expand and contract to perform various functions within the body. Expansion and contraction can be performed by a radially adjustable structure mounted on the medical device. For example, a medical device can include an body configured for in vivo introduction, a strip attached to the body and rolled into a ring such that layers of the strip radially overlap each other, and at least one motor actuatable by electrical energy to move the radially overlapping layers of the strip relative to one another and change a diameter of the ring and the body.