Abstract: Heart valve prosthesis recapture devices and methods for recapture are disclosed, which can be used for recapturing a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture device comprises a recapture sleeve, configured to envelop and collapse a partially deployed heart valve prosthesis. The recapture sleeve comprises a distal end, configured to be securely attached to a guide wire, and a proximal end, comprising an opening along a longitudinal axis of the recapture sleeve. The opening can be configured to expand as it engages the heart valve prosthesis, and be biased toward a closed configuration. An attachment element can interface with the distal end of the recapture sleeve and be securely attached to a guide wire, such as by crimping. The recapture sleeve can include a support structure comprising at least one spine and a plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a needle guide, a rotation unit, a detector for the rotation position, a position measuring unit, an engageable stopper, and a setting unit for setting position information to a value corresponding to a predetermined position are provided herewith. The positioning apparatus can be used, for example, to position a needle placement manipulator.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a suturing device. The suturing device includes a length of suture that will be delivered to the site of the PFO and placed through the tissue adjacent the opening to close the PFO. As described in greater detail below, the suture is advanced through the tissue surrounding the opening by a pair of needles that penetrate the tissue adjacent to the opening. A knot is then loosely tied with the length of suture and advanced to the site of the PFO. The tails of the suture extending from the knot are then cut and removed. It is also contemplated that a pre-formed or pre-tied knot may be disposed on the device, wherein after deployment of the suture through the tissue adjacent to the PFO and removal of the device a loop of suture having a pre-tied knot will remain, wherein the pre-tied knot may then be tightened to close the PFO. Further still it is contemplated that other means may be utilized to retain the sutures.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.

Abstract: A marking device may include a body. The body may be configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The body may further include two arms. A distal end of each arm may be coupled to a distal end of the body. The marking device may further include a suture coupled to the body. Application of a force on a proximal end of each arm may be configured to cause the body to transition between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.

Abstract: A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes. A tool is provided to aspirate excess fluid and tissue from the treatment area.

Abstract: The invention is a method for reducing regurgitation through a mitral valve. The device and method is directed to an anchor portion for engagement with the heart wall and an expandable valve portion configured for deployment between the mitral valve leaflets. The valve portion is expandable for preventing regurgitation through the mitral valve while allowing blood to circulate through the heart. The expandable valve portion may include apertures for reducing the stagnation of blood. In a preferred configuration, the device is preferably configured to be delivered in two-stages wherein an anchor portion is first delivered and the valve structure is then coupled to the anchor portion. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming an anchor portion wherein a disposable jig is used to mold the anchor portion into a three-dimensional shape for conforming to a heart chamber.

Abstract: An occluding device for occluding fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel. The device comprises a coil and fibers attached to the coil. The coil has about 5 to 60 grams of initial tension to facilitate the coil to fold when deployed. The fibers extend from the coil at a length.

Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an injector for an intraocular lens, whereby it is possible to easily set a lens support part to an appropriate position on a lens holder, and to safely carry out insertion work. A lens holder (404) is provided with a base part (441), a release-side guide part (442), and a passing part (443). A concave part (450) for housing the tip of a first lens support part (92) is formed on the release-side guide part (442). The concave part (450) holds the first lens support part (92) above the passing part (443). The release-side guide part (442) guides the first lens support part (92) along the circumference of an optical part (91).

Abstract: A method of ankle syndesmosis repair according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, drilling a hole through a fibula and a tibia of an ankle joint, pulling a first button device through the hole using a pull-through suture until the first button device exits on a medial side of the tibia, flipping the first button device so it rests against a medial cortex of the tibia, and positioning a second button device at a lateral side of the fibula.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing, a testing member rotatably mounted in the housing, a lancet protruding from an edge of the testing member and having a piercing end, and a cover configured to cover at least the piercing end of the lancet and to be displaced from the piercing end of the lancet during actuation of the testing member.

Abstract: A method for forming a material in an in situ medical device by initiating polymerization of water soluble polymer precursors in an aqueous solution during or after transport of the polymerizable solution from its storage container to a space inside the in situ medical device is described. The stored aqueous solution with water soluble precursors lacks a free radical initiator which, in a powder form, is introduced into the aqueous solution during or after its transport into the space inside the in situ medical device. This storage and delivery system provides greater stability to the stored aqueous solution, allowing it to be stored at ambient temperature and providing extended shelf life over the solutions used in existing in situ polymerization systems. The flexibility to store and deliver/transport only one aqueous solution, instead of requiring the use of two different solutions, is also a benefit.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for connecting tissue layers, such as connecting tubular tissues to create an anastomosis, includes a single elongate member and a covering material. The devices provided may also be used for other purposes including, but not limited to, partially or fully occluding openings in tissue, temporarily or permanently holding generally planar layers of tissue together, aneurysm repair, and the like.

Abstract: A retrieval device having a contracted state and an expanded state may include a sheath, and at least three support members each having at least two lumens, a proximal end fixed to the sheath, and a distal end movable relative to the sheath. The retrieval device may also include at least three movable members movable relative to the support members. Each movable member may extend through a lumen of one support member of the at least three support members and through a lumen of a different support member of the at least three support members.

Abstract: A stone extraction fragmentation device of the present invention include: a stone extraction operation section having a first main body and a gripping section; and a fragmentation operation section having a second main body, a moving body which is capable of being connected with the first main body, and a rotating knob which is configured to move the moving body with respect to the second main body, wherein the moving body is configured to move the first main body in a direction away from the second main body by rotation of the rotating knob.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an occlusion device and methods of delivering the occlusion device. The occlusion device can include an expandable structure configured to move between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable structure can be configured to have an expansion ratio of at least about 5:1. Further, the occlusion device can be configured to prevent substantially all fluid from flowing past the occlusion device when the occlusion device is in the expanded configuration in the vessel.

Abstract: A device for capturing and removing an obstruction in a bodily duct of a patient. The device includes a cylindrical body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis. According to some implementations the cylindrical body is comprised of a plurality of closed cell structures arranged in diagonal rows around the longitudinal axis. At least some of closed cell structures have substantially the same shape and size. According to some implementations at least some of the closed cell structures of substantially the same shape and size occupy a same circumferential location in the cylindrical body and are longitudinally separated from one another by no less than two, three, four or more diagonal rows of closed cell structures. According to other implementations the closed cell structures include diagonally extending struts having at least a curve portion and a straight portion.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises an elongate slot extending along a first longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of first staple cavities arranged in a first row. Each first staple cavity defines a first axis and comprises a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of second staple cavities arranged in a second row. Each second staple cavity defines a second axis and comprises a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion. Each first axis and each second axis are transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Each first axis is transverse to each second axis.