Abstract: A tissue plication device and method of using the same is described. The tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a distal portion with a first pitch and a proximal portion with a second pitch that is smaller than the first pitch. The method includes introducing the distal tip of the helical fastener into the tissue and advancing the helical fastener to plicate the tissue. Another tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a first configuration with a first pitch and a second configuration with a second pitch. The helical fastener in the first configuration is advanced into a tissue and then converted to the second configuration by applying a stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a minimally invasive multipoint fixation device adapted to laparoscopically locally reposition body tissues. The device comprises: a distal anchor, a proximal anchor and an elongated connecting element, adapted to interconnect between the distal anchor and the proximal anchor. The distal and the proximal anchors are characterized by two configurations: (i) a FOLDED CONFIGURATION; and, (ii) a DEPLOYED CONFIGURATION. The fixation device further comprises deployment means adapted to deploy the distal and the proximal anchors by reconfiguring the same from the FOLDED CONFIGURATION to the DEPLOYED CONFIGURATION.

Abstract: Tissue management methods can include inserting a clamping device into a vessel and clamping a vessel wall via the clamping device. Tissue can be dilated about the clamping device and an anastomotic device provided to the vessel.

Abstract: A dissecting tip is provided for use with a surgical stapler or instrument. In one embodiment, the dissecting tip is secured to the end effector of the surgical instrument, e.g., to the cartridge assembly. The dissecting tip extends distally from the end effector and is configured to dissect or separate target tissue from certain tissue, e.g., adherent, connective, joined or other tissue.

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: A stent graft (10) for deployment into the aorta of a patient has a tubular body (12) with a proximal portion (14) of a selected diameter and a portion (16) of a reduced diameter less than the selected diameter distal of the proximal portion and a tapered portion (18) extending between the proximal portion and the portion of reduced diameter. Low profile side arms (26, 28, 30, 32) are provided in the portion of reduced diameter and/or the tapered portion. The side arms are for connection of an arm extension to an aortic branch vessel. A paraplegia prevention vent tube (34) is provided in fluid communication with the main lumen and open to external of the tubular body in the region defined by the portion of reduced diameter and the tapered portion.

Abstract: A seal element for sealing between tissue lumens includes a first material for allowing tissue ingrowth and a second sealant material.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes a vessel-engaging member attached to a distal end of a delivery wire via a connection mechanism. The vessel-engaging member includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of bridges positioned between each adjacent row, each of the bridges connecting a vertex of a first row with a corresponding vertex of a second row. The vessel-engaging member further includes first and second tapered sections coupled to the connection mechanism, each of the tapered sections projecting from a proximal row and tapering in a direction from the proximal row toward the connection mechanism, each of the tapered sections having a length measured along a longitudinal axis, wherein the length of the first tapered section is less than the length of the second tapered section.

Abstract: A system for attaching an access port to bodily tissue includes an access port assembly and including an access port having a generally central axis. The access port assembly further includes an attachment mechanism structured to enable the access port to be attached, for example, to an abdominal muscle of a patient. The delivery tool includes a handle having a generally longitudinal axis and a delivery head structured to engage the access port assembly, and an activation mechanism for enabling deployment of the attachment mechanism when the delivery head is so engaged with the access port assembly. The delivery tool is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the handle is spaced apart from the generally central axis of the access port when the delivery head is so engaged with the access port assembly.

Abstract: A system for attaching an access port to bodily tissue includes an access port assembly and including an access port having a generally central axis. The access port assembly further includes an attachment mechanism structured to enable the access port to be attached, for example, to an abdominal muscle of a patient. The system includes a safety cap which lies substantially flush against the anchor base to provide no space for movement of the anchors. The safety cap prevents the anchors from deploying prematurely.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator system that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The system includes a one-piece torque wrench that is provided with cantilever arms aligned in an annular fashion about the centerline of the torque wrench. The cantilever arms include teeth in an inward perpendicular fashion in relation to cantilever arms. The clamp coagulator includes an outer tube retainer that includes spline gears projecting in a perpendicular fashion along the outer circumference of retainer. Torque is transmitted through the cantilever arms to the spline gears for attaching a handpiece to the clamp coagulator.

Abstract: An assembly for breaking up vascular thrombus or other obstructive material including a motor housing having a motor, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a first housing positioned at a distal end of the motor shaft, a rotational thrombectomy wire and a second housing positioned at a proximal end of the wire. The first housing has a first magnet positioned therein and recessed from the distal edge of the first housing which has a first plurality of teeth. The second housing has a second magnet positioned therein and recessed from a proximal edge of the second housing which has a second plurality of teeth intermeshing with the first plurality of teeth when the wire is coupled to the motor shaft. The first and second plurality of teeth slip when a torque of the motor shaft exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may configured to be more flexible.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object such as an intragastric balloon from a patient. The apparatus includes a delivery tube having a lumen and a retrieval tool able to slide within the lumen that can both puncture and grasp the intragastric balloon. The retrieval tool may have sharpened graspers with either a sharp tip and/or knife-like edges. Alternatively, the delivery tube itself may have sharpened cutting blades that deploy outward to puncture the intragastric balloon. One embodiment utilizes a suction cup tip on the delivery sheath and a sharpened puncture rod that extends past the distal tip of the lumen, for rapid deflation of a balloon. Various embodiments hasten the deflation process and simplify the manipulation required by the surgeon.

Abstract: A puncture apparatus includes a puncture needle for puncturing living body tissue of a living body, and a vaginal-insertion assembly positionable in a vagina of the living body. The vaginal-insertion assembly includes a vaginal-insertion member and an inserter connected to the vaginal-insertion member. The inserter is connected to the vaginal-insertion member so that the distal-most end portion of the inserter is located distally beyond the distal-most end portion of the vaginal-insertion member. The size of distal-most end portion of the inserter is less than the size of the distal-most end portion of the vaginal-insertion member. The vaginal-insertion member and the distal-most end portion of the inserter are movable relative to each other to reduce the distance between the distal-most end of the inserter and the distal-most end of the vaginal-insertion member after inserting the vaginal insertion assembly into the vagina.

Abstract: Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a force-limiting apparatus that, upon reaching the borderline force, ensures maintenance of the applied resistance force. It is proposed that the force-limiting apparatus should include a housing in which two components that can move in opposite directions to one another in the longitudinal direction of the housing are disposed in such a way that both components are disposed so that they can slide axially in the housing against the force of at least one spring element disposed in the housing, such that the two components are coupled with one another by at least one force transmission element that is acting on both components.

Abstract: A puncture apparatus includes a puncture needle for puncturing living body tissue, an axial portion, a puncture member including an interlock portion interlocking the puncture needle and the axial portion, an elongated urethral-insertion member insertable into the urethra, an elongated vaginal-insertion member insertable into the vagina; and a supporting member supporting the puncture member, the urethral-insertion member and the vaginal-insertion member. The distal end of the puncture needle includes a sharp needle tip, and the needle is bent in an arc shape centered on the axial portion. The axial portion is freely rotatable on the supporting member, and the supporting member restricts the positional relation between the puncture member and the urethral-insertion member such that when the puncture member rotates and punctures the living body tissue, the needle tip passes a far-position side from the center of the puncture needle compared with the urethral-insertion member or an extended line of such member.

Abstract: An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second arms are in the closed position, the arms extend generally in the longitudinal direction. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.