Abstract: Suture passer devices, including suture passers configured with an axially slideable jaw that includes a tissue-penetrating distal end region. Also described are suture passers including jaws housing tissue penetrating needles to pass suture that are substantially thin. Methods of using such devices to pass a suture through tissue are provided.

Abstract: A surgical device is described. The surgical device may comprise a rotatable cutter configured to cut tissue for insertion of a cannula, and a first driver configured to be driven by a motor arrangement and to rotate the cutter. The surgical device may further include, for example, the cannula, at least one of the rotatable cutter and the first driver being disposed in a bore of the cannula. In one embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include an auger having a cutting thread. In another embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include a disk-shaped blade.

Abstract: A surgical device is described. The surgical device may comprise a rotatable cutter configured to cut tissue for insertion of a cannula, and a first driver configured to be driven by a motor arrangement and to rotate the cutter. The surgical device may further include, for example, the cannula, at least one of the rotatable cutter and the first driver being disposed in a bore of the cannula. In one embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include an auger having a cutting thread. In another embodiment, the rotatable cutter may include a disk-shaped blade.

Abstract: A laparoscopic scissor instrument can include a scissor assembly pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft. The scissor assembly can be formed of scissor blades having pivot posts thereon. The pivot posts can engage apertures on the elongate shaft, thus eliminating the need for a through-pinned pivot connection of the scissor blades. The scissor blades can also include actuation posts thereon. An actuation mechanism can include a slot to engage the actuation posts and open or close the blades of the scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies described herein can have a relatively low operational height such that they do not extend beyond a diameter of the elongate shaft during opening and closing of the scissor assembly.

Abstract: The bur includes a shaft to which a bur head is attached. The bur head includes a plurality of flutes. Each flute at least has a rake surface, a cam surface and a cutting edge. The rake surface extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the head. The rake surfaces define the flute cutting edge (38). The associated cam surface curves away from the rake surface. One or more ribs extend radially outwardly from the cam surface.

Abstract: A dermatome assembly is operable to harvest a skin graft and includes an ultrasonic dermatome and a power supply. The ultrasonic dermatome includes a body and an ultrasonic blade assembly mounted in the body. The blade assembly includes a frequency generator and a cutting horn powered by the frequency generator. The cutting horn is spaced apart from the body so that the body is restricted from damping vibrational movement of the cutting horn. The dermatome assembly is operable to precisely control the thickness of the cut skin graft and also restrict the cutting horn from overheating.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue in a minimally invasive manner, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment, an anchor of an implant system may, when the implant system is fully deployed, reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface of the heart. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a delivery catheter. Delivering the anchor over the guidewire may provide improved control in the delivery and placement of the anchor within the right ventricle.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment an anchor of an implant system may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a catheter. An anchor force may be applied within a desired range to secure the anchors about the septum and epicardial surface. The anchor force may inhibit migration of the anchors relative to the septum and epicardial surface.

Abstract: A single use morcellator utilizes a disposable housing, cutting tube, battery and motor in combination with an attached and adjustable trocar to enable the surgeon to selectively utilize the cutting edge of the tube. The battery and control circuit are completely contained within the integral morcellator such that no separate components are needed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure on the blood vessel between and including 60 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel.

Abstract: An occlusion device and a production process for it are described. The occlusion device consists of a mesh or braiding of at least one wire or thread wherein the occlusion device has been given a suitable design using a reshaping and/or heat-treatment process, is self-expandable, and is configured for secure anchoring in an atrial appendage of the left or right atrium of a heart. The occlusion device comprises a proximal retention region on a proximal end of the occlusion device a distal retention region and a central region between the proximal retention region and said distal retention region and wherein the occlusion device has a closed distal end without a holder, and wherein the occlusion device is at least partly of essentially spherical form, and hollow.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise an elongate tube including a camming rod and an actuation mechanism operably connected to the camming rod; a first jaw spine having a first cam slot; and a second jaw spine having a second cam slot, the second jaw spine pivotally connected to the first jaw spine at a common pivot pin connected to the elongate tube. A camming pin rides along first and second interior camming surfaces and closes the jaw spines when the camming rod moves proximally. When the camming rod moves distally, a camming projection rides on first and second exterior camming surfaces on proximal sides of the first and second jaw spines and opens the jaw spines. One camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates closing the jaw spines while the other camming surface on each jaw spine facilitates opening the jaw spines. These two camming surfaces can be widely separated.

Abstract: A stent delivery device includes a first retaining polymer disposed about and retaining a self-expanding stent at a proximal end portion, a second retaining polymer disposed about and retaining the self-expanding stent at a distal end portion, a first resistance member in thermal communication with the first retaining polymer, and a second resistance member in thermal communication with the second retaining polymer. The second retaining polymer and second resistance member are configured to allow release and expansion of the distal end portion of the self-expanding stent without expansion of the proximal end portion of the self-expanding stent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides examples of an open architecture anchor for securing soft tissue to bone, for example, to repair a torn rotor cuff. The anchor includes at least one open helical coil defining a polygonal internal volume and at least one rib disposed within the polygonal internal volume and connected to at least two turns of the at least one open helical coil. The at least one rib is sized to engage a driver and a combination of the at least one rib and the polygonal internal volume is sized to provide an anchor drive torque required to drive the anchor into bone.

Abstract: A delivery system for an embolic coil including a delivery tube having a lumen. A proximal coil junction is disposed between the delivery tube and the embolic coil. Insertable through the lumen and extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the delivery tube is a detachable wire with a terminating feature disposed on its distal end. At least one stretch resistant member is disposed within a lumen formed by the embolic coil. A distal end of each of the at least one stretch resistant members is secured to a distal end of the embolic coil, while each of the at least one stretch resistant members is also secured proximate the proximal end of the embolic coil. The distal end of the delivery tube is retained by the wire physically against without being attached in any way to the proximal junction.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivering and affixing tissue replacements. In one embodiment, a tissue scaffold can be delivered into a patient through a cannula to a cavity formed at a defect site in tissue, e.g., cartilage. A delivery shaft can be used to deliver the scaffold through the cannula, and a loading device can help load the scaffold onto the delivery shaft. A delivery guide device can position and temporarily hold the scaffold within the cavity. The delivery guide device can guide one or more surgical instruments to the scaffold to affix the scaffold within the cavity, e.g., to bone underlying the scaffold, using at least one securing mechanism.

Abstract: A system for facilitating deployment of an endoluminal prosthesis may include a main tubular graft body including a proximal end opening, a distal end opening, a lumen, and a sidewall. A branch may extend from the sidewall and may include a first end opening, a second end opening, and a lumen. A fenestration may be disposed in the sidewall and positioned distal of the second end opening of the branch. A wire segment may include a proximal portion positioned proximal of the proximal end opening and a distal portion positioned distal of the distal end opening. The wire segment extend through the fenestration and through the lumen of the branch in a preloaded configuration.

Abstract: A fistula cleaning and repairing device comprises a device for cleaning a fistula and a device for repairing a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning a fistula comprise a rotary device with ah head configured to debride a fistula. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise an abrasive catheter. Some versions of the device for cleaning comprise a plurality of abrasive beads. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable stent. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise an implantable mesh. Some versions of the device for repairing a fistula comprise a swab configured to deliver a medical fluid.

Abstract: A tourniquet hazard suppressor suppresses an action initiated by a user of a surgical tourniquet system having a touchscreen user interface if implementation of that action by the system may be hazardous to a surgical patient.

Abstract: An endoscope-like implanting instrument includes an endoscope cap having a holding and withdrawing mechanism for a tissue clip adapted to be slipped onto an expanding sleeve of the endoscope cap. The endoscope cap has a front groove opening at the front edge of the sleeve. A withdrawing thread radially crosses the front groove at an axial front cap portion. The instrument further includes a tissue grasping mechanism being shiftably inserted into the working channel for manually grasping and drawing the tissue inside the endoscope cap. A clamping mechanism is integrally arranged inside the endoscope cap in axial extension to the working channel, holding a capsule-like device and connected with the tissue clip via a thread, band or string such that the capsule-like device will be automatically detached by the grasping mechanism when being manually actuated for tissue grasping.