Abstract: An intrauterine balloon apparatus to augment uterine birthing forces and assist fetal descent during parturition is provided. The body of the balloon apparatus begins packaged in a compressed state minimizing volume, enabling delivery through the birth canal. The apparatus is advanced to a proximal uterine location and deployed for operation by introducing a pressurized agent through its conduit, causing the body to expand and apply directional forces towards the infant and birth canal. The balloon body is shaped to apply pressures dispersed towards the infant and the bidirectional conduit enables fluid conduction as the infant descends. After the infant has successfully descended and been delivered through the birth canal, pressure within the balloon body is relieved through the conduit thereby collapsing the volume of the balloon body and enabling retraction through the birth canal.

Abstract: A surgical device including a cannula having a base member at a proximal end, a sidewall connected to the base member, and a bore defined by the base member and sidewall. The sidewall further has an opening into the bore between axially-extending edges of the sidewall. A configurable guide insert includes a combination track having a circular opening for insertion of a camera device and a slot opening for insertion of a cutting instrument. The configurable guide insert may be permanently or detachably coupled to the base member and is positionable in a right orientation for a procedure in a patient's right side or in a left orientation for a procedure in a patient's left side. The combination track slidably receives a camera device through the circular opening into the bore and slidably receives a surgical implement through the slot opening and into an action area outside the bore.

Abstract: A system for placement of biocompatible electrodes in an opening formed in a patient's body part, such as DBS electrodes inserted into a patient's skull during surgical procedures in the brain. The system includes a coupled catheter and annulus. The catheter includes a guide tube having at least three cooperating guide elements configured to releasably fit together and collectively form a continuous lumen through the catheter that is dimensioned to receive an electrode therein. The annulus is configured to be placed in the opening formed in the patient's body part, and to receive the catheter therethrough. A track mechanism is used to operably couple the catheter to the annulus.

Abstract: A gastrocutaneous closure device allows gastrocutaneous fistula closure from external abdominal access through the fistula site. Access through the fistula ensures accurate closure placement on the interior lumen wall of the stomach. A closure or clip has a plurality of prongs defined by a deformable material, such that the prongs extend radially from a central hub in an arcuate or curved, semicircular shape. The arcuate shape converges towards a central point or axis at a distal end, and the proximate end of the prongs attaches to the central hub such that the prongs radiate from the hub and the distal end curves back toward the axis through the hub. The deformable prongs may therefore radially compress or retract to define a larger or smaller diameter. The fistula lies on the axis such that the biased, inserted prongs pull the inner stomach wall closed around the healing fistula.

Abstract: A tool, consisting of an enclosure and a rotatable knob retained by, and protruding from, the enclosure. The tool has a tube having a proximal end that is retained by the enclosure, and the tube has an axis of symmetry. A Geneva drive is retained within the enclosure, the Geneva drive consisting of a drive wheel fixedly attached to the rotatable knob and a driven wheel fixedly attached to the proximal end of the tube, so that an axis of rotation of the driven wheel coincides with the axis of symmetry of the tube. Thus, a continuous rotation of the rotatable knob causes the tube to rotate about the axis of symmetry in discrete angular steps.

Abstract: A junctional tourniquet apparatus and related methods of use. An exemplary tourniquet has an inverted cone shape, wherein a narrower end has a mushroom shaped base that is pressed against a compression target and a broader end has a plurality of pass-through slots for straps. Another exemplary tourniquet has a broad plate component and a handle component. The handle component has a mushroom shaped base on a first end and a handle on a second end. The handle component passes through the center of the plate component with threads that allow the handle component to compress a target by twisting the handle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing and/or shipping an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge are provided. A system comprises a packaging comprising a passage. The IOL cartridge is removably disposed within the passage. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment configured to receive an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge further comprises a dial configured to rotate upon withdrawal of the IOL cartridge from the passage, wherein an inner surface of the dial is exposed to the compartment. The dial is configured to fold the IOL and release the IOL cartridge from the packaging upon rotation of the dial.

Abstract: A medical system may include a left atrial appendage closure device including an expandable framework and a proximal hub centered on a central longitudinal axis of the framework. An insert may be disposed within the proximal hub and include a collar configured to engage the proximal hub, a recess extending into the insert from a proximal end, and a post member disposed within the recess. The post member may be radially spaced apart from the collar and may extend proximally from a distal end of the recess to a proximal surface. The insert may include a first connection structure disposed distal of the proximal surface. The medical system may include a delivery catheter having a second connection structure configured to engage the first connection structure in a delivery configuration. The distal end of the delivery catheter includes a hollow portion configured to receive the post member in the delivery configuration.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: A suture device includes a suture ring that defines an arcuate channel extending therein. A first arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a first side of the arcuate channel and a second arcuate needle passer is slidingly disposed within a second side of the arcuate channel. An arcuate needle is passable between the first arcuate needle passer and the second arcuate needle passer and includes a first latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the first arcuate needle passer and a second latching feature adapted to releasably secure the arcuate needle to the second arcuate needle passer.

Abstract: A stent comprises a framework that includes a sequence of cells that each occupy a discrete segment of the stent length, and each of the cells includes a plurality of struts with ends connected at respective vertices. An adjacent pair of the cells are attached to one another by a plurality of T-bars that each include a column defining a long axis that extends parallel to the stent axis, and a top bar attached to one end of the column. An opposite end of the column is attached to a first cell, and the top bar is attached at opposite ends to a second cell of the adjacent pair of cells. The column has a minimum width perpendicular to the long axis that is wider than a maximum width of each of the struts, and the column defines at least one slot. The top bar includes a curved edge on an opposite side from the column, and the curved edge straddles the long axis.

Abstract: A method and system of enhancing facial or other body sites that are sagging, including incisionlessly inserting a lumen into a head or other areas of the body of a patient, the lumen having a first end configured to penetrate skin and a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the patient, and having a first end with a suture attached thereto, a main control unit configured to translate, rotate, and flex the lumen, such that the lumen is steerable around an ear of the patient, and such that the suture remains under the skin of the face and passes through the SMAS, directing the lumen to exit the skin, detaching the lumen from the suture, and pulling taut the suture to elevate the SMAS.

Abstract: The devices and methods can prevent pulmonary aspiration thereby allowing for procedures, such as an endoscopic procedure, to be performed under sedation without general anesthesia. The device may include a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween. The body may have a central lumen along the length. The device may include a first base member fixedly disposed at the first end and a second base member fixedly disposed at the second end. The device may also include an expandable assembly movable along the length of the body with respect to the first base member. The expandable assembly may be configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable assembly may also be configured to expand radially with respect to the body when in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a core assembly, a sheath assembly, a sheath, a sheath processing method and an interventional instrument delivery system and method. A core assembly for delivering an interventional instrument according to the present invention comprises a core tube, a locking member fixed at a distal end of the core tube for connecting the interventional instrument, and a bendable adjustable tube mounted around an outer periphery of the core tube, wherein the distal ends of the bendable adjustable tube and the core tube are fixedly connected to each other, and the proximal ends can slide relative to each other.

Abstract: Detachment of a medical device from a delivery assembly can utilize features of electrolytic detachment and features of mechanical detachment. Detachment zones can facilitate mechanical retention of the medical device as well as electrolytic corrosion of portions of the delivery assembly to allow mechanical release of the medical device. Such a delivery system, can include an implant comprising a hub, the hub defining an aperture having an aperture cross-sectional dimension; and a delivery wire comprising (i) a core member extending through the aperture and (ii) a stopper positioned distal to the aperture, the stopper having a first cross-sectional dimension larger than the aperture cross-sectional dimension, and the stopper being electrolytically corrodible to reduce the first cross-sectional dimension to a second cross-sectional dimension smaller than the aperture cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: The helical balloon assist device includes a tubular balloon formed at least partially into an independent helical shape in an uninflated state and an inflation tube in sealed communication with the balloon and extending from the helical balloon assist device in a proximal direction. The helical balloon assist device may include an inner core member formed at least partially into an independent helical shape and supporting the helical shape of the tubular balloon.

Abstract: An intravascular device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of energy transmitting conduits extending within the elongated body. The distal ends of the energy transmitting conduits terminate at different axial locations along the distal end of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the number of energy transmission conduits is only two, such that the number of bends in the compound curve assumed by the distal end of the elongated body is only two, although the number of energy transmission conduits may be any suitable number.

Abstract: The first step for removal of cataracts generally is a capsulotomy—the removal of the anterior capsule of the eye lens. The circular capsulotomy incision tool provides a device that produces sharper cuts, with precise measurements, in an economical, reliable form without the need for complicated or expensive equipment, or extensive surgeon training or skill. The tool uses a resilient ring with a sharp cutting edge. The ring is collapsed, put in place through a corneal incision, and the original circular shape is allowed to return. The device uses a pulley mechanism to rotate the ring, enabling the cutting edge to reliably create a precisely edged capsulotomy.

Abstract: A suturing device with built-in needle-transfer of a double-ended needle has a first jaw element with a first needle lock device for retaining and releasing a first end of the needle; a second jaw element with a second needle lock device, wherein the jaw elements are movable between an open and closed position; and a needle-transferring mechanism for alternately transferring the needle from one of the jaw elements to the other when the jaws are moved from the open to the closed position. The needle-transferring mechanism includes a first rotatable wheel connected to the first needle lock device, the first wheel having a first wheel inner portion rigidly connected to a first wheel outer portion and a second rotatable wheel connected to the second needle lock device, said second rotatable wheel comprising a second wheel inner portion rigidly connected to a second wheel outer portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders. The handle and cartridge contain safety interlocks.