Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure, pressurization rate, and volumetric flow rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a prosthetic valve annulus and at least one prosthetic valve leaflet member including at least one coaptation surface configured for cooperating with at least one corresponding coaptation surface of the prosthetic heart valve. At least one valve leaflet member is displaceable by blood flow between a closed position and an open position to produce, correspondingly, a contact and a separation of cooperating coaptation surfaces. In the open position the separation of the cooperating coaptation surfaces enables the blood flow through the orifice in a first direction, and in the closed position the contact of the cooperating coaptation surfaces prevents the blood flow through the orifice in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device advanceable over a guidewire. The rotational atherectomy device includes a drive shaft rotatably extending through an outer tubular member to rotate a cutting member positioned at a distal end thereof. The rotational atherectomy device further includes an insert positioned within the cutting member for frictional contact with the guidewire.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implantable medical device to a treatment site within a patient includes an implantable medical device including a rigid body, and a delivery device. The delivery device includes an elongated catheter shaft and an expandable balloon connected to the elongated catheter shaft adjacent a distal end of the elongated catheter shaft, where the expandable balloon includes a proximal region, a distal region, and an implant retaining portion disposed between the proximal region and the distal region. The delivery device also includes a compression element connected to the implant retaining portion of the expandable balloon, where the compression element is adapted to limit expansion of the implant retaining portion of the expandable balloon when the expandable balloon is at least partially inflated. At least a portion of the compression element and the implant retaining portion are disposed within a lumen of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A system for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels is provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Aspiration systems are further provided, the aspiration systems operable to remove ablated, cut, or dislodged material through a primary orifice at the distal end of the catheter and/or through an auxiliary orifice, which may be on the side of the catheter.

Abstract: Assembly (10) for positioning an electrode assembly (16) for radiofrequency ablation, comprising a first linear motion guide (11) defining a first axis of motion (103) and comprising a first carriage (111) operable to move along the first axis of motion (103), an XY positioner (12) operable to move a second carriage (123) in a two-dimensional space defined by a second axis of motion (104) and a third axis (105) orthogonal to the second axis of motion. The XY positioner is positioned relative to the first linear motion guide (11) such that the second axis of motion and the third axis are orthogonal to the first axis of motion (103). A first coupling means (125, 14) couples the electrode assembly (16) to the second carriage (123). A second linear motion guide (13) defining a fourth axis of motion (106) is disposed such that the fourth axis of motion is parallel to the second axis of motion (104).

Abstract: A pad configured to attach to a jaw of a surgical clamp includes an elongate body configured to extend over a surface of a jaw of a surgical clamp; and a flexible elongate attachment member connected to said body and configured for slidable insertion in a loading direction into an elongate cavity extending longitudinally through said jaw, wherein the elongate body has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be inserted first into the cavity, and further comprising a direction indicator to identify which end is first inserted into said cavity. A surgical clamp utilizing the pad is also disclosed.

Abstract: An system for treating arterial occlusive disease with rotating cutting baskets whose outer diameter can be infinitely adjusted to adjust by the operator for precise excision of plaque buildup in the body vessel.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent-graft provided in a diametrically compacted state for implantation and retained preferably by a constraining sheath, useful for the temporary or permanent repair of injured, partially or entirely transected body conduits including blood vessels. It may be used under direct visualization to quickly stop or substantially reduce loss of blood from such damaged vessels and to quickly re-establish perfusion distal to the injury site. The device would typically be implanted under emergency room conditions but also be used in field situations by trained medical technicians. After an end of the device is inserted into a blood vessel through the injury access, deployment preferably initiates from the device end in a direction moving toward the middle of the length of the device by directionally releasing the constraining sheath.

Abstract: A balloon including an outer circumferential portion which dilates to form a hollow circular cross-section and deflates when the internal pressure is reduced, an inner circumferential portion positioned inside the outer circumferential portion, and support portions positioned between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion to support deflating the outer circumferential portion while compressing the outer circumferential portion. The support portions form first compression portions, which have a high compressive strain, and second compression portions, which have a compressive strain lower than the first compression portions.

Abstract: A stent device includes a first graft member, a second graft member and a stent frame defining a central axis. The frame has an abluminal surface engaged with the first graft member and a luminal surface engaged with the second graft member such that the first graft member and the second graft member encapsulates the stent frame along the length of the central axis. The stent frame includes a configuration where the stent frame is disposed on a curvature such that the abluminal surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 20 millimeters about a center of the curvature and the luminal surface defines a substantially constant effective cross-sectional area at any portion generally transverse to the central axis of the stent frame disposed about the curvature.

Abstract: An implant can include a single- or dual-layer braided body having a variable porosity. In a dual-layer body, first and second longitudinal sections, having respective first and second porosities, can be overlapped such that the first and second porosities overlap each other. The dual-layer construction can cumulatively provide a third porosity at a distal portion and a fourth porosity at a proximal portion. The third and fourth porosities can each be greater than each of the first and second porosities.

Abstract: A method for effecting neuromuscular mechanisms for treatment of specific non-restless leg syndrome, non-restless arms, and non-foot and leg cramps diseases, conditions, and/or illnesses utilizes a device for applying positive pressure to specific areas of the foot. Slight variations to the positioning and/or patient application of the device may be adopted to increase benefits for specific diseases, conditions, or illnesses. Such variations can include frequency or time intervals of use and variations in pressure and positioning of pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an anatomical tear, such as a tear in the meniscus of a human knee. The apparatus includes a guide cannula directing a penetrating shaft through the meniscal tear and through the outer skin layer of the knee. The penetrating shaft pulls a line to the outside of the skin layer of the knee where it is used to pull or kedge a repair implant into position across the meniscal tear.

Abstract: A minimally invasive suture insertion device utilizing small gage needles is provided for threading one or more sutures through subcutaneous tissue, both locally and from remote access points, to support, attach, sever, ligate or constrict tissue, vessels, ligaments, nerves or other anatomical features, or for pulling another device into position defined by a suture pathway. A manually operated suture transfer device and method are provided for use in various surgical applications. The suture transfer device operates as an instrument for inserting sutures into and through desired pathways. Tethered cannulas are coupled to the positioned sutures and dock, transversely, with a captured component having a capacity for engaging a single suture or multiple sutures, together or in turn within subcutaneous tissue from local or remote access points.

Abstract: A control system for controlling movement of a stent delivery system, a stent delivery system and a method for controlling movement of a stent delivery system are provided. The control system includes a housing having a chamber formed therein, a first drive at least partially positioned within the housing and operably connected to the first shaft of the delivery system and a second drive at least partially positioned within the housing and operably connected to the second shaft. The control system also includes a pressure controller operably connected to the housing and configured to change the pressure within the chamber. The first drive and the second drives are movable in response to the pressure change within the chamber and movement of the second drive relative to the first drive causes the second shaft to move relative to the first shaft to expand or constrain a stent operably connected thereto.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a prosthetic heart valve, the valve expandable from a collapsed condition for delivery to an ex paneled condition for implantation, the delivery catheter comprising: a holder for engaging the valve in the collapsed state of the valve, the holder configured such that (i) in response to a radial compression force exerted thereon, the holder has a first shape defining an exposed engagement region for engaging at least a portion of the collapsed prosthetic heart valve for restraining axial displacement of the prosthetic valve in at least one axial direction of the catheter, and (ii) in response to removal of the radial compression force upon expansion of the valve, at least a portion of the holder transitions to a second shape.

Abstract: A pericardium puncture needle assembly comprises a puncture needle (12) and a guide wire (13) capable of sliding in the puncture needle (12); or comprises an outer sleeve (22) and a guide wire (13) capable of sliding in the outer sleeve (22); or comprises an outer sleeve (22) and a puncture needle (12) and a guide wire (13) capable of sliding in the outer sleeve (22), wherein after the puncture needle (12) is pulled out of the outer sleeve (22), the guide wire (13) is capable of sliding in the outer sleeve (22). The guide wire (13) is made of a highly elastic material and comprises a far-end bent segment (32). The far-end bent segment (32) is formed by bending the guide wire (13) and has a preset bending shape, and is suitable for being recovered from a stretching state to the preset bending shape. The tip of the far-end bent segment has a pointed structure.

Abstract: A system for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes a stent retriever, a catheter configured to receive the stent retriever in a collapsed configuration, wherein the stent retriever is movable relative to the catheter, a sheath having a tubular body and defining a distal opening and a proximal opening, and a wire coupled to the stent retriever for positioning the stent retriever. The wire extends through the proximal opening and the distal opening of the sheath. The stent retriever is moveable relative to the sheath, and the distal opening of the sheath is sized to allow the stent retriever to be withdrawn into the sheath without substantially compressing the stent retriever.