Abstract: A surgical instrument for performing an incision in a portion of a tissue comprises first and second pivoting legs, movable towards each other with respect to a fixed end and defining a receiving space between the legs configured to receive the free edge of the portion of tissue. The surgical instrument has an initial position with relatively opened legs and a closed position, where no further closing movement of the pivoting legs towards each other is possible. A tissue perforating member located at a free end of the first leg extends into the receiving space at a distance from the fixed end, such that when the legs are in the closed position, the tissue can be perforated at a perforation location separated from the free edge of the tissue, while an uncut tissue band remains between the perforation location and the free edge.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel is provided. The device includes an automatic mechanism, a shaft fixedly connected to the automatic mechanism, a seal assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pushing rod also engaging the seal assembly, the automatic mechanism moving the pushing rod from a first position to a second position in response to the shaft being pulled distally a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A device is configured for closing an aperture in a wall of a blood vessel. An embodiment of the device includes a body and at least one suture element held within the body. A suture capture rod is positioned within the body and is operatively associated with the suture element and arranged to pass the suture element through a vessel wall such that opposed portions of the suture element extend from the vessel wall. A removable guidewire segment is removably attached to a distal end of the body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering multiple embolization coils to a location within the body of a patient are disclosed. In one embodiment, a coil delivery system has coil deployment members coupled to embolization coils and is arranged for independent movement of the embolization coils. In some exemplary embodiments, the disclosure provides coil delivery systems in which the embolization coils are positioned within different lumens and/or on different straightening members. Methods and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A pacifier comprising a guard, having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface having a threaded connector, a nipple attached to and outwardly extending from the first surface of the guard, a detachable cleaning component, having an opening and an interior surface, and a plurality of bristles attached to the interior surface and extending inwardly, where the opening is configured to receive the threaded connector, sealingly connecting the guard and the cleaning component. A method of using the pacifier comprising separating the guard from the cleaning component, inserting the nipple into the cleaning component through the opening, moving the nipple within the cleaning component, such that the bristles contact the nipple, removing the nipple from the cleaning component; and sealing the cleaning component to the guard.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into a body lumen of a subject. A cutter is located generally at a distal end of the catheter body for rotation generally about a longitudinal axis of the cutter. An eccentric opening in a distal end portion of the cutter defines an angled cutting edge for cutting material from a wall of the body lumen. A center of the opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter. A cavity extends from the opening through the cutter from the distal end portion to a proximal end portion to allow material cut by the cutter to pass through the cutter into an interior passage of the catheter body for removal from the body lumen.

Abstract: A control system for deploying a stent graft (20) including a resilient ring stent (22) at one end, provides a delivery shaft (30) carrying the stent graft with the ring stent adjacent a proximal end (33) of the shaft for insertion into a lumen; a retractable sleeve (36) for containing the stent graft on the delivery shaft; a control handle (38) adjacent the distal end (34), of the delivery shaft; and stent peak (50, 52) and valley (70, 72) control wires extending from the proximal end of the delivery shaft to peak and valley controllers (58; 74, 76) at the control handle. Use of the control wires effects movement and/or rotation of the graft allowing fine control of deployment in the lumen.

Abstract: A two-stage teething mitten is provided that includes a fabric pocket defining an interior cavity adapted to enclose an infant hand. An opening is provided in the pocket to accommodate the insertion of an infant hand into the interior cavity. An elongate strap is positioned on the pocket adjacent the opening for detachably securing about the circumference of a wrist of the infant hand. A detachable teething member, which may take the form of a sleeve dimensioned to partially enclose the pocket, a teething ruff that may be attached to the elongate strap, or a second replacement fabric pocket, is provided.

Abstract: A vascular closure assembly is configured to seal a vascular puncture in a vessel. The vascular closure assembly includes a balloon location device and a sealant delivery device. The balloon location device includes an inflation tube and an inflatable balloon positioned at a distal end of the inflation tube and operable, when inflated, between a first position blocking blood flow through the vessel and a second position sealing the puncture from within the vessel. The sealant delivery device includes a sealant delivery tube having a first lumen sized to advance over the inflation tube to the puncture, and a second lumen configured to deliver a volume of sealant to the puncture. The first lumen may include a rapid exchange feature.

Abstract: A multiple-firing crimp device comprises crimps, a shaft, a crimp movement assembly, and a snare. Each crimp has an internal hollow. The shaft has a distal crimping location, an exterior surface, and an interior with the clips stacked therein, the crimps moving therein along a longitudinal axis. The shaft defines a lateral opening proximal to the crimping location and communicates the interior to the environment outside the exterior surface. The crimp movement assembly within the shaft delivers the first crimp to the distal crimping location by moving the first crimp longitudinally from a first proximal position into the distal crimping location and returning to a second proximal position without the first crimp. The snare pulls at least one cord from distal of the first crimp through the first crimp and through a portion of the shaft and out the side of the shaft through the lateral opening.

Abstract: A method includes providing an inflatable implant formed of a flexible polymer material suitable for residence in the body. The implant includes a slit valve provided in its wall. The slit valve includes an elastomeric valve body with an open internal chamber being in fluid communication with a proximal opening of the valve, a concave section at its distal end, and a normally closed slit in a solid portion of the valve body connecting the concave section and the distal end of the valve body. An inflation tube having an injection tip with a distal end and an insertion stop is provided. The injection tip is inserted into the internal chamber of the slit valve until the insertion stop positively engages the proximal opening. Then, the implant with the inflation tube is delivered to a body cavity. Once delivered, fluid is introduced through the inflation tube and into the implant.

Abstract: A system includes a slit valve for use with an inflatable intragastric balloon having a flange surface with an opening therein. The slit valve has a valve body connected to the flange surface and a chamber formed in the valve body. The system also includes a filler tube, that is accepted into the chamber when it is inserted through the opening in the flange surface.

Abstract: An embolic protection device includes an outer surface that is configured to form a substantially sealed relationship with a body lumen such that emboli are deflected and/or captured by the outer surface before such emboli can travel to other parts of the body. An inner surface of the embolic protection device includes a longitudinally extending lumen through which instrumentation may be inserted, facilitating passage of such instrumentation through the body lumen while minimizing risk to the patient from emboli.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to an endoluminal prosthesis, and more particularly, to a stent graft assembly and method for treating branched vessels. The assembly comprises a first prosthesis having an overall shortened length comprising a main body formed of biocompatible graft material having a tapered proximal end. A bifurcated portion extends distally from the main body. The bifurcated portion comprises a first tubular portion defining a first lumen and a second tubular portion defining a second lumen. The assembly further comprises a second prosthesis having a tubular body of biocompatible graft material with a flared distal end portion. The flared distal end portion of the second prosthesis is configured to sealingly engage with the tapered main body of the first prosthesis.

Abstract: A vascular closure device includes a handle, a carrier tube, a sealing tip, a sealing tip connection member, and an actuator. The carrier tube extends from the handle. The sealing tip is positioned at a distal end of the carrier tube. The sealing tip connection member extends from the sealing tip to the handle. The actuator is mounted to the handle and operable to move the sealing tip connection member to release the sealing tip from the carrier tube.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The trigger includes a compliant feature configured to limit the amount of force delivered to tissue by the clamp arm. The flexible feature may comprise a flexible band, living hinge, a series of living hinges, or a flexible tab.

Abstract: The invention is a skin puncturing apparatus for use in a non-surgical method for eradication of a tattoo from an area of skin. The apparatus comprises: (a) a handle section comprising a motor and gear assembly for causing a reciprocating motion to a shaft connected to the gear assembly; (b) a barrel section surrounding the shaft, the first end of the barrel section attached to the handle and the second end of the barrel section having a tip adapted to be placed in contact with the area of skin; (c) a bundle of needles attached by means of a needles holder to the distal end of the shaft; and (d) an inlet body comprising an inlet port through which cleaning solution is introduced into the tip located at the lower edge of the barrel section.

Abstract: A device for repeated piercing of an organic tissue and method thereof are disclosed. The device may comprise an arrangement of application tools each of which is connected to an operating mechanism and has a distal tool end which is formed for at least one application tool with a penetration device, whereby by way of the operating mechanism the tools can be displaced relative to each other between an initial position and a penetration position. During the relative movement, the effect direction of an application force provided by at least one application tool is counter to the effect direction of the application force provided by the other application tool. A mechanical actuation device, which is connected to the operating mechanism, is suitable for repeatedly effecting the relative displacement of the at least one application tool between the initial position and the penetration with an operating frequency.

Abstract: Tissue compression devices having a tension limiting strap retainer and methods of using the same. The tissue compression devices described herein may include a strap retainer that is attached to a base by an elastic member that is configured to draw the strap retainer towards the base. The tissue compression devices described herein may also include a tension indicator that extends between the base of the tissue compression device and strap retainer. The tension indicator may be configured to limit the travel distance of the strap retainer away from the base in response to forces acting on the strap retainer. The tension indicator may also provide visual feedback to a user of the tension force in a strap to attach the tissue compression device to a patient.

Abstract: A nasal dilator comprises magnets. The nasal dilator is a set comprising two bodies. Each of the two bodies has a first leg having at a distal portion thereof a magnet; and a second leg connected to the first leg via a bridge comprising flexible material. Each of the two bodies are designed so as to allow said body to be clamped to an ala nasi of a human nose between the distal portions of said first leg and said second leg. The magnets of the bodies are aligned such that with a body clamped to the ala nasi of a nose, the magnet is oriented at an angle to a plane defined by the ala nasi area clamped between said two distal portions of said first leg and second leg. Thanks to the repelling action of the magnets, the alae nasi are pushed apart, resulting in improved ease of breathing.