Abstract: Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize.

Abstract: A stent graft delivery device (30) has a pull wire arrangement with a pull wire (46) fastened to the distal end of a nose cone dilator (45) and extending to a wire pull mechanism (60) for the pull wire associated with a handle (52) of the stent graft delivery device. The pull wire can be pulled by the wire pull mechanism to induce a curve in a guide wire catheter (44) distally of the nose cone dilator such that the proximal end of the delivery device more closely fits the shape of a portion of the vasculature of a patient into which the device is deployed.

Abstract: Ischemia-reperfusion injury commonly results from any surgical procedure requiring stopping of blood supply to an organ followed by reperfusion such as in heart bypass, angioplasty or organ transplant. The invention discloses a method to harness the innate power of repetitive transient ischemia in protecting organs against imminent ischemia-reperfusion, or any patho-physiological insults. This method of optimal remote ischemic preconditioning (ORIP) comprises of utilizing a pair of programmable pneumatic cuffs that inflate/deflate alternately occluding blood circulation to each of the limbs for pre-defined time intervals. The apparatus delivers maximal ORIP dose in shortest possible time either as an EMS procedure during patient transportation to hospital, as elective pre-surgery treatment, or in critical care for preventing multiple-organ-dysfunction-syndrome. ORIP can be self-administered and remotely monitored by clinician especially in chronic patients for homeostasis of malfunctioning target organs.

Abstract: A system for mechanically deploying intraluminal implants is disclosed. The system is used with an implant that is delivered and/or deployed via a pull wire and includes a handle having a funnel and receiving channel for receiving the pull wire, a slider having a thumb grip and a wedge, and a shuttle having a grabber for grasping the pull wire. The thumb grip is pulled proximally to retract the wedge to cause the grabber to grasp the wire and retract the shuttle but not the wire. An extension spring linked between the slider and the shuttle abruptly pulls the shuttle to retract the pull wire after the slider is fully retracted.

Abstract: A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part is presented. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the tourniquet comprises a first elongated member, and a second elongated member in slidable engagement with the first elongated member. In addition, the tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the second elongated member using the tensioning mechanism. The tourniquet is suited for emergency use, and may be applied by using only one hand. Thus, the tourniquet may be applied, manipulated and tightened by the wearer, even if the wearer is limited to the use of a single hand.

Abstract: A medical instrument with a shank consisting of pivotable jaw parts and a handle, the two jaw parts of the tool are pivotable relative to each other independently via the handle and each of the pivotable jaw parts is actuated via a separate drive. One drive is designed as a grip part mounted pivotably on the handle and is connected to one jaw part via a first push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank, and the other drive is an adjusting wheel rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shank and is connected to the other jaw part of the tool via a second push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank. The push/pull element is designed as a push/pull rod, and the push/pull element which is coupled to the adjusting wheel is designed as a push/pull tube coaxially surrounding the push/pull rod.

Abstract: This invention is a stent that has cutting bars or blades in the direction of the balloon and longitudinally at five equidistant points along the direction of the stent's body. There are two patterns in this invention. The first pattern has five blades equidistant from the other and run longitudinally along the direction of the stent body and the other pattern has five shorter blades equidistant from the other to constitute one set. Each set is arranged in a staggered pattern from the next set. Furthermore, the edges of stent's blades or bars are angular or beveled and integrated into a stent strut pattern in order to facilitate the entry of blades into a blockage caused by calcium, plaque and/or debris.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting surgical devices inside a patient's body cavity comprising an external frame, a plurality of elongated members extending from the external frame and through the patient's skin into the body cavity, and an internal platform located inside the body cavity. The internal platform includes a plurality of links reconfigurable from a first elongated position wherein the links are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis for insertion to a second position wherein the links are angled with respect to one another to form a non-linear configuration.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for delivering a device assembly into a gastric or other space within the body, allowing the device to expand to occupy volume within the gastric space and, after an effective period of time, delivering a substance or stimulus to begin breakdown of the expanded device so that it may release from the body.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods related to endoscopic surgery, particularly related to robotic surgical operations, provide a tissue stabilizer for endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body. For stabilizing a beating heart during a closed-chest coronary artery bypass grafting procedure, a stabilizer is inserted through an endoscopic cannula and provides sufficient surface area to contact the heart and effectively stabilize the target tissue area. The stabilizer can straddle a blood vessel, such as a coronary artery, which is targeted for an anastomosis. Vessel occlusion fasteners may occlude the target blood vessel prior to the anastomosis procedure.

Abstract: A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.

Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment device comprises a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen disposed therebetween; a dilator having a distal end slidingly disposed within the sheath lumen; a valve assembly comprising a valve housing affixed to the sheath and a valve disposed within the housing between the sheath and the dilator; and a valve lubrication mechanism disposed between the valve and the dilator.

Abstract: A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.

Abstract: A fixed wire dilatation catheter for treating the vasculature of a patient. The dilatation catheter includes an elongated member that has a distal end portion which can be elongated to puncture through blockages within the blood vessels. The dilatation catheter also includes an expandable device located along the elongated member at a location proximal the distal end portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: Robotic surgical systems and methods of coupling a surgical instrument to a manipulator arm are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a base; a setup link operably coupled to the base, the setup link locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a distal link operably coupled to the proximal link. A plurality of instrument manipulators are rotatably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, each of the instrument manipulators including a plurality of actuator outputs distally protruding from a distal end of a frame.

Abstract: A device including a stent structure or frame to which a sheet is attached for use in minimizing or preventing emboli, particles. and/or air bubbles from migrating into certain areas of the anatomy. The device can be placed in the blood stream in an area of the heart, such as the aortic arch, to direct particles toward the descending aorta rather than toward the brain. The sheet of the device can be a thin film material, which may include multiple fenestrations that are smaller in size than the particles that are to be filtered.

Abstract: An anchor, formed of at least two different materials, for securing a suture relative to bone. The anchor includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a leading end configured to facilitate insertion of the body portion into the bone; a passage which is oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the body portion and proximate the leading end of the body portion; and bone engaging projections to secure the anchor in the bone.

Abstract: A scaled head frame positioner and tabletop adapter are provided. The positioner may be employed for any neurosurgical procedure that requires fixed positioning of the stereotactic head frame or ring onto a patient's skull. The positioner employs a generally triangular shaped member with Velcro tapes fixed at each corner. The tapes have measurement markings, such as measurement tapes. The positioner supports the head frame with the tapes engaging means on the frame and fastened back to themselves, with markings indicating distances to adjust the position of the frame about the patient's head. Furthermore, the tabletop adapter clamps the patient with a stereotactic head frame onto a CT or treatment table. The tabletop adapter includes a generally U-shaped bracket secured to a support to be placed on the tabletop. The bracket is attachable to the head frame of the patient to hold his head in a desired position.

Abstract: One embodiment of a nasal dilator comprises a pair of pads (100), supported by arms (110, 112) surrounding an air passage (115). Each arm has a bend portion (120) and a pad (121) that grips a wearer's septum (615). Leg portions (125, 125?) extend down from the arms and are connected by a bight that surrounds the wearer's columella (620). The dilator is installed by gripping an optional handle (130) or the bight and inserting the pads and the arms into both nostrils. The dilator is urged upward and inward until the inner side of the bight touches the wearer's columella. To remove the dilator, the user grips the handle or bight and gently pulls downward until the dilator is removed. In an alternative embodiment, optional cushions (102, 122) soften the contact points between the dilator and the user's nasal structures and can supply medications through the user's nasal membranes.