Abstract: A method for securing suture to bone comprises drilling a hole in a desired portion of bone at a desired procedural site, passing a strand of suture through a portion of soft tissue to be approximated to the portion of bone, and extending the free suture ends proximally from the soft tissue. The suture is loaded into an anchor implant. Using an inserter, on a distal end of which is attached the anchor implant, the anchor implant is manipulated into the bone hole. The suture is then tensioned to a desired level by pulling on the free suture ends, after the anchor implant is positioned in the bone hole. The free suture ends are wrapped about a suture cleat on an inserter handle once the desired tension level is achieved. A proximal anchor component is moved distally to engage with a distal anchor component to lock the anchor in place within the bone hole, and to lock the suture in place within the anchor. Then, the inserter is removed from the procedural site.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: An implant including an open end and a pinched end can have a predetermined shape. When in the predetermined shape, the tubular braid can include a proximal inversion and two segments, and the braid can be composed of one or more wires. The first segment can extend from the open end of the tubular braid to the proximal inversion. The second segment can be at least partially surrounded by the open end and extend from the proximal inversion to the pinched end. The tubular braid can also include at least one corrugated fold. The one or more corrugated folds can be located within the first segment, second segment, or both. The corrugated folds can be configured to assist in anchoring the example device when in the implanted shape within an aneurysm in a similar manner to stent struts to help the tubular braid hold its shape.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body assembly, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft assembly, a motor, and a locking feature. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises a waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations. The motor is operable to rotate the ultrasonic transducer to thereby selectively couple the ultrasonic transducer with the waveguide. The locking feature is configured to selectively prevent rotation of at least a portion of the shaft assembly relative to the body assembly. The locking feature and the motor may be activated automatically in response to an operator positioning a proximal portion of the shaft assembly in a distal portion of the body assembly. The surgical apparatus may include a feature configured to alert a user when the waveguide has been adequately secured to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Described are medical devices useful for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening device such as a stapler, and related methods of manufacture and use. The devices include an applicator element for receipt between arms of the stapler, and a bolster material, desirably a remodelable extracellular matrix material, coupled to the applicator element. In certain embodiments, the bolster material is held by the applicator element, for example having at least a portion looped around or received through or over a portion of the applicator element. Also described are unique implantable materials including coatings of dried, reversible adhesive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to end effectors. An end effector includes an outer shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and an inner shaft partially located within the outer shaft. The end effector may include an ultrasonic blade. The inner shaft may include biased and unbiased portions. The inner shaft and outer shaft may be translatable relative to one another. At one translatable position, the biased portion of the inner shaft may be located within the outer shaft and the unbiased portion may be substantially straight along the longitudinal axis. At another translatable position, the biased portion of the inner shaft may be located outside of and distally positioned from the outer shaft such that the biased portion of the inner shaft is bent away from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A braided implant is provided that can secure within an aneurysm sac, occlude a majority of the aneurysm's neck, and at least partially fill the aneurysm sac. The implant can include a tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position. In some examples, the tubular braid can be implanted in two distinct implanted shapes, allowing for treatment of a wide range of aneurysm sizes. In some examples, the implanted braid can include a compaction resistant column spanning the height of the aneurysm.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone, for securing one or more objects using a surgical filament, and for drawing two or more tissues together so they can be secured in a desired location. One exemplary embodiment of a surgical repair construct that is configured to atraumatically pass through soft tissue to secure tissue in a knotless manner includes a snare linkage, a collapsible loop, and a flexible suture pin. The snare linkage can include a collapsible snare for receiving the collapsible loop, and in use the snare can be collapsed around the collapsible loop and advanced distally towards the bone until the snare is proximate to the tissue, while the collapsible loop can be collapsed distally towards the bone to bring the tissue into proximity with the bone. Other exemplary systems, devices, and methods for use with soft tissue repair are also provided.

Abstract: An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.

Abstract: A needle module for a drive-controlled handheld unit for repeatedly piercing human or animal skin, comprising a housing; a needle holder, which can be moved back and forth in the housing in a longitudinal direction of the housing; a piercing device on the needle holder, which can be moved, on account of the movement of the needle holder, between a proximal and a distal position, in which a piercing tip of the piercing device is arranged outside the housing; a coupling component, which is coupled to the needle holder in such a way that a driving movement provided with a repetition frequency by a drive device that can be coupled to the coupling component can be introduced onto the needle holder; and a damping component, which is arranged between the needle holder and the coupling component and is configured to damp a transfer of force therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a plurality of securing devices. For example, the present disclosure includes securing devices comprising sutures, everting anchors, and inverting anchors. The sutures and anchors disclosed herein may be capable of deployment to a depth within a body lumen, such that body tissue external to the body lumen is not damaged by the devices. Moreover, in various embodiments, the securing devices described herein may couple one or more medical devices (e.g., stents, grafts, and/or stent-grafts) to body tissue such as a body lumen.

Abstract: A microsurgical device and methods of its use can be used for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A dual-blade device can be used for cutting the trabecular meshwork (“TM”) in the eye. The device tip provides entry into the Schlemm's canal via its size (i.e., for example, 0.2-0.3 mm width) and configuration where a ramp elevates the TM away from the outer wall of the Schlemm's canal and guides the TM to first and second lateral elements for creating first and second incisions through the TM. The dimensions and configuration of the blade is such that an entire strip of TM is removed without leaving TM leaflets behind and without causing collateral damage to adjacent tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an occlusion device having a mesh structure. The occlusion device configured to transition between a two-dimensional configuration and a three-dimensional configuration. In the two-dimensional configuration and at rest, the occlusion device is flat or planar. In the three-dimensional configuration, the occlusion device defines an internal volume.

Abstract: A suture passer comprising: a shaft having an axis; a first jaw mounted to the shaft in alignment with the axis, the first jaw being configured to releasably support a length of suture thereon; a second jaw movably mounted to the shaft; and a needle movably mounted to the shaft, the needle having a hook and being configured to reciprocate in alignment with the axis so that the hook can selectively pass by the second jaw and engage suture releasably supported on the first jaw; wherein the first jaw comprises a spring for selectively binding the suture to the first jaw, and further wherein the spring comprises a recess for receiving the suture therein.

Abstract: Controls systems and methods are provided for controlling a surgical clip applier for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system is provided for controlling at least one motor coupled to a drive system on a surgical clip applier device for driving one or more drive assemblies and thereby actuating one or more actuation assemblies. The control system can be configured to communicate with the drive system of the clip applier tool and to control and modify movement of one or more drive assemblies and actuation assemblies based on certain feedback.

Abstract: Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft anchor by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. Particularly preferred embodiments allow for the one-handed operation. To that end, embodiments in which relative axial movement between the inner tensioning device and outer driver device is optionally physically constrained, for example by means of cooperating and/or compressive elements disposed in the respective hub and handle portions, are described herein.

Abstract: An automatic acupuncture device includes: a case; a motor or an electromagnet; a needle driver, configured to move linearly under the force of the motor or electromagnet to drive an acupuncture needle in a needle gadget into a human body, the needle gadget comprising a needle tube and an acupuncture needle inside the needle tube; a needle gadget chamber configured to house the needle gadget; and a locking-releasing structure that is configured to lock the needle gadget so that it will not fall out of the needle gadget chamber during acupuncture treatment, and also configured to release the needle gadget from the needle gadget chamber after acupuncture treatment. A needle gadget is provided for use with the acupuncture device, so that the acupuncture needle will not be exposed in air outside the needle tube before or after acupuncture. The acupuncture process is automatic, safe, without complicated manual operation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a braided implant with a retractable dual proximal layer and methods for administering the braided implant to treat aneurysms. The implant can include a tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position that is based on the predetermined shape and the geometry of the aneurysm in which the braid is implanted. The implant can also have a retractable dual layer at the proximal end of the device made of the same braid to provide additional coverage at the neck of the aneurysm. The dual layer can be pressed distally into a first implanted portion of the tubular braid, moving the first portion of the tubular braid towards the distal portion of an aneurysm wall so that the implant can partially or completely occlude an aneurysm neck.

Abstract: An improved guide for a medical needle is disclosed herein. An aligning element for aligning a needle guide, which is equipped for longitudinally guiding a medical needle, includes a connecting element for arranging the aligning element on the needle guide, and a light-guiding element for a predetermined diffusion of light. The light-guiding element only generates a predetermined light pattern relative to the diffusion of light in a pose predetermined by the geometry of the apparatus. Such an aligning element may be used in a treatment arrangement for longitudinally guiding a needle and in a method for aligning a needle guide.