Abstract: A stent delivery system is provided with a stent which, when inserted into an organism, is compressed in the center axis direction and which, when placed in the organism, can be expanded outward and restored to the shape which the stent has before being compressed; an inner tube body (inner tube); and a stent housing tube body (sheath) in which the stent is housed. The stent can be discharged by moving the stent housing tube body to the proximal side relative to the inner tube body. At least a portion of an inner surface of the stent housing tube body is a substantially polygonal prism-shaped inner surface which extends in the axial direction of the stent housing tube body.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for cutting and fastening tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device can be used to at least partially transect a stomach by not cutting and/or not fastening a portion of tissue engaged in an end effector located at the device's distal end. A portion of the stomach can be engaged by the end effector, and the end effector can be actuated to cut and/or to apply one or more fasteners to tissue engaged in a distal portion of the end effector but not to cut and/or apply fasteners to tissue engaged in a proximal portion of the end effector. In a similar way, the surgical device can be used in any surgical procedure in which it is desired to cut and/or fasten a distal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector but not a proximal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a blood vessel includes a cartridge including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, and a lumen extending therebetween. A bioabsorbable plug is disposed within the lumen adjacent the distal end, and an anchoring element is disposed within the lumen proximal to the plug. A pusher member is disposed within the lumen for deploying the plug and anchoring element out the distal end of the cartridge. The plug may be formed from lyophilized hydrogel and the anchoring element may be formed from air-dried hydrogel, the anchoring element hydrating slower than the plug when exposed to an aqueous environment. During use, the plug and anchoring element are delivered into the puncture, the plug is cinched against the vessel wall. Protrusions on the anchoring element engage tissue surrounding the puncture to prevent proximal movement of the plug.

Abstract: A delivery/recovery system to allow an operator to deploy and recover a medical implant, such as an occluder for closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO). In one embodiment, the system includes a delivery mandrel for preventing the occluder from moving in the proximal direction, a delivery wire for securing the occluder to the delivery mandrel and preventing unwanted movement in the distal direction, and a sheath for enveloping the delivery wire, mandrel and occluder. By moving the sheath relative to the occluder in a series of steps, the occluder opens first on a distal side and then on a proximal side, in a manner that holds the occluder in place.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a glaucomatous eye are provided. An amount of pulsed laser energy is delivered to the pars plana of the eye by a hand-holdable device which comprises a hand-holdable elongate member and a contact member disposed on an end of the elongate member. A contact surface of the contact member is placed in direct contact with the eye so that a reference edge of the contact member aligns with the limbus and a treatment axis defined by the elongate member is angularly offset from the optical axis of the eye. The amount of pulsed laser energy delivered is insufficient to effect therapeutic photocoagulation but is sufficient to increase uveoscleral outflow so as to maintain a reduction from pre-laser treatment intraocular pressure. Amounts of pulsed laser energy will be transmitted to a circumferential series of tissue regions of the eye.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the endovascular repair of aneurysms approximate to side branch vessels and more particularly to devices and methods for placing an acutely angled bifurcated stent graft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the treatment of diseases in the vasculature, and more specifically, devices and methods for treatment of aneurysms found in blood vessels. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a two part prostheses, where one part is an expandable sponge structure and the other part is an expandable tubular mesh structure, is provided. In the first embodiment, the expandable sponge structure is intended to fill the aneurysm cavity to prevent further dilatation of the vessel wall by creating a buffer or barrier between the pressurized pulsating blood flow and the thinning vessel wall. In the first embodiment, the expandable tubular mesh structure is placed across the aneurysm, contacting the inner wall of healthy vessel proximal and distal to the aneurysm.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for use with a drive motor, and related system and method, is described. The surgical cutting instrument includes an elongated drive member, a cutting tip secured to the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body adapted for connection to a motor assembly, a housing maintaining the coupling body, a fluid coupling assembly and an electrical connector for connection to a stimulating energy source. The electrical connector is in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway.

Abstract: A disposable lancing device including: a lancet housed in a housing and urged by a spring member such that a puncture member provided at a distal end of the lancet is adapted to extend out from the housing so as to carry out a puncturing operation; a locking ring disposed within the housing such that the lancet is allowed to displace in an extension direction through the locking ring; a locking protrusion provided to the lancet and adapted to be engaged by the locking ring so as to hold the lancet in a puncture-ready position located deep in the housing with the spring member being compressed; and an operating member adapted to carry out the puncturing operation by rotating the locking ring so as to disengage the locking protrusion from the locking ring and displace the lancet in the extension direction by means of the spring member.

Abstract: A method for extracting a tubular structure from tissue using a device including a handle having an actuator, an elongate body with a first end coupled to and extending from the handle, and an operational head disposed at a second end of the elongate body. The operational head is longitudinally movable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The method includes inserting the elongate body into the tubular structure; placing the operational head into the actuated position; engaging the tubular structure with the operational head when in the actuated position; and pulling the tubular structure from the tissue by moving the operational head.

Abstract: A tunneling device for creating a pathway in subcutaneous tissue of a person's body. The tunneling device includes a member having two ends, where each of the ends defines an insertion surface that facilitates the insertion of the ends into the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body. The tunneling device includes an interchangeable handle connectable to each of the ends. The handle defines a grasping surface and an opening. The opening is configured to receive either of the ends. The grasping surface enables a user to securely hold the handle with one hand to forcibly move the member through the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body to create the pathway in the subcutaneous tissue, and pull a cable of an implant device through the created pathway.

Abstract: A lancet includes a lancet body having a distal end portion of a puncturing member protruding from the front end portion thereof, and a cap that houses and protects the distal end portion of the puncturing member that protrudes before use, wherein the front end portion of the lancet body and the rear end portion of the cap are integrated in substantially adjoining state with each other via a weakened portion. One of the end face at the front end portion of the lancet body and the end face at the rear end portion of the cap that opposes the former has protrusions, and the top ends of the protrusions define an imaginary plane that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member, and the other end face defines the flat surface that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member.

Abstract: Articulating mechanisms, link systems, and components thereof, useful for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, the remote manipulation of instruments such as surgical or diagnostic instruments or tools are provided. The link systems include links wherein at least two adjacent links are pivotable relative to one another around two distinct pivot points. Mechanisms for locking the links are also provided.

Abstract: An oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured for being at least partially positioned in an oral cavity of a user, such as an infant, and is adapted for being deformed. Although the oral stimulatory device may be fabricated from any suitable material, in certain embodiments, the tubular body of the oral stimulatory device is fabricated from a material comprising silicone. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device includes at least one stimulatory element, for example, a plurality of stimulatory elements, which elements may be adapted for soothing the gums of an infant when positioned in an oral cavity (e.g., mouth) of the infant.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery comprises a source (28) for a pulsed femtosecond laser beam, a telescope (32) expanding the laser beam, a scanner (36) downstream of the telescope, for deflecting the laser beam in a plane perpendicular to the beam path, and also an f-theta objective (44) downstream of the scanner, for focusing the laser beam. In accordance with the invention, an entrance lens (52) of the telescope (32) takes the form of a controllable lens of variable refractive power. The entrance lens (52) is preferentially constituted by an electrically controllable liquid lens or liquid-crystal lens.

Abstract: A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. A cannula is positioned in the passageway. A visualization tool such as an endoscope is passed through a lumen or channel in the cannula to aid in visualization of the anatomical site of interest. A balloon dilation catheter is then deployed through or along the cannula so as to place the balloon within or across the constricted anatomical space (e.g., ostium). The balloon is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted anatomical space. Alternative embodiments include the use of an optional guide wire and incorporating a endoscope lumen through the balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: A puncture needle cartridge including a puncture needle, a lancet body adapted to cover part or all of a tip of the puncture needle, a cylindrical puncture needle holder disposed on an outer surface of the lancet body to permit the lancet body to move in an axial direction of the puncture needle; and a protective cap that is separable from the puncture needle holder. The protective cap includes a base adapted to cover an opening in the puncture needle holder, a shaft protruding from the base, and arms mounted on the shaft and configured to abut an inner circumferential surface of the opening in the puncture needle holder by spreading in the opening. A space between tips of the arms is larger than an inside diameter of the opening in the puncture needle holder, and is reduced by elastic deformation when the arms are housed in the opening.