Abstract: A vitrectomy system includes a surgical cutting apparatus and a processor. The system includes a cutting assembly with an outer cutter and an inner cutter. The cutting assembly includes a housing containing a drive chamber, a spring chamber, at least a first diaphragm. The first diaphragm is adhered to the inner cutter and positioned between the drive chamber and the spring chamber. The system also includes a drive chamber valve to supply compressed air to the drive chamber and a spring chamber valve to adjust air pressure within the spring chamber. The processor is configured to pulse the drive chamber valve based on a desired cut rate to translate the inner cutter and adjust the air pressure within the spring chamber based on the desired cut rate to adjust the stiffness of the spring chamber.

Abstract: A delivery system for prosthetic medical devices. The delivery system may include a delivery system configured to be driven between a containment configuration and a deployment configuration. The delivery system may be configured to cause relative motion between a delivery capsule and a prosthetic device within the delivery capsule. The delivery system may include a first fluid pathway and a second fluid pathway and may be configured to switch between the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway as the delivery system transitions toward a deployment configuration. The delivery system may include a recapture circuit configured to enable the delivery system to recapture a prosthetic device using the delivery capsule.

Abstract: A delivery tool includes a tubular distal tip fixed to a distal end of a delivery tube. A retention portion of an implant wire of an implant is removably disposed within the tubular distal tip. A pull wire has a distal end portion that is shaped so as to define a pull-wire loop and is removably disposed partially within the delivery tube. A safety wire is removably disposed partially within the tubular distal tip, with a distal portion of the safety wire passing through a tip distal opening. The safety wire has a proximal end portion that is shaped so as to define a safety-wire hook hooked on the pull-wire loop. Proximal pulling on the pull wire proximally retracts the safety wire from the tip distal opening, thereby allowing the retention portion to pass through the tubular distal tip. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A delivery catheter system includes a guide catheter, an anchor catheter, a collapsible and expandable anchor, a balloon formed from a portion of the positioning catheter, and a needle. The anchor may be for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve. The anchor may be configured to be received within the anchor catheter. The balloon may be inflated or deflated and provide mechanical support to enable the needle to pierce a ventricle wall. A metallic guide wire can simultaneously be inserted through the aorta to outline the heart when viewed through fluoroscopic imaging.

Abstract: A vascular anastomosis device includes a vascular fastener having a first ring and a second ring, and a vascular fastening mechanism. The first ring is provided a first groove and the second ring is provided with a first projection. In addition, the vascular fastener is disposed in the vascular fastening mechanism. The vascular fastening mechanism includes a first tube, a vascular supporting unit, an advancing ring, a third tube, and a spreading unit. The first tube is connected with a second tube. The vascular supporting unit is disposed in the second tube. Furthermore, the vascular supporting unit includes a vascular supporting body and a vascular spreader assembled on the vascular supporting body. The first ring, the second ring, and the advancing ring are assembled on the second tube. The third tube is disposed in the first tube. The spreading unit is disposed in the third tube.