Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument body and transmission assembly. The instrument body includes a motor, a switch, and an energy source (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer). The transmission assembly includes an end effector, a transmission feature (e.g., an acoustic waveguide), and a switch engagement feature. The end effector includes an active feature (e.g., a harmonic blade) in communication with the energy source. The switch engagement feature is operable to mechanically couple the energy source with the transmission feature in response to the switch engagement feature triggering the switch. A yoke of the instrument body is configured to selectively engage a translating member of the transmission assembly. A release switch is operable to selectively disengage the yoke from the translating member.

Abstract: A clot retrieval system comprises a clot retrieval device, a catheter 51, and a tubular shield element 61. The clot retrieval device comprises an elongate member 53 having a proximal end and a distal end, and a clot engaging element 54 at the distal end of the elongate member 53 the clot engaging element 54 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The catheter is adapted for placement at a location at which a distal end of the catheter is proximal of the clot engaging element and the tubular shield element 61 extends over the elongate member 53 and is adapted for location between the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end of the clot engaging element 54. The tubular shield element 61 is movable relative to the elongate member 54 when the clot engaging element is in the expanded configuration in that the force that is applied on retraction of the elongate member is spread over the outer surface of the tubular shield element.

Abstract: Devices and methods for temporarily affixing a surgical apparatus to a bony structure. The temporary mount includes a base member having a top face configured to be impacted by an insertion device and a plurality of elongated prongs extending downwardly from the base member and configured to engage a bony structure. The prongs are separated a distance from one another, and the prongs are configured to move inwardly toward one another when driven downward into the bony structure.

Abstract: An intraluminal apparatus for delivering a self-expanding stent which extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal side to a distal side. It comprises in delivery configuration (a) a retracting sheath having a lumen along its longitudinal axis and slidably covering a stent receiving region at the distal end of the lumen, (b) an inner shaft longitudinally disposed in the intraluminal apparatus, at least a distal portion of the inner shaft being disposed within the sheath, (c) the self-expanding stent in a compressed state disposed within the stent receiving region of the lumen, (d) a holding means delimitating an inner cavity, disposed adjacent to a proximal side of the stent in the sheath, the proximal end of the holding means being permanently joined to the inner shaft, and (e) a handling means placed towards the proximal side of the intraluminal apparatus, able to displace longitudinally the retracting sheath with respect to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, which includes a urethral insertion member and a vaginal insertion member which are inserted into the urethra and the vagina positioned adjacent each other, respectively, with a biological tissue interposed therebetween, a puncture needle disposed for movement for passing the biological tissue between the urethra and the vagina, a supporting member which supports the puncture needle for movement and supports the urethral insertion member and the vaginal insertion member thereon, a dissection portion which dissects, when the puncture needle moves, the biological tissue in accordance with the movement, and a restriction mechanism which restricts the dissection portion such that the direction in which the dissection portion dissects the biological tissue is fixed with respect to the urethral insertion portion and the vaginal insertion portion.

Abstract: A dilation catheter includes a shaft and an expandable element. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a tip and a bend. The tip is sized and configured to pass through an isthmus of a Eustachian tube (ET). The bend is proximal to the tip. The bend is formed at an angle configured to provide insertion of the tip into the isthmus of the ET via an ear canal associated with the ET. The expandable element is disposed at the distal portion of the shaft. The expandable element is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable element in the non-expanded state is configured for insertion into the ET via the isthmus. The expandable element in the expanded state is configured to dilate the ET.

Abstract: A suture loop is used in combination with a grasp-and-retrieve suture passer to pass a racking hitch through tissue in one step.

Abstract: A surgical clamp assembly 100 for use in keyhole surgery is disclosed. The assembly includes: a surgical clamp 10 for forming a clamping loop around a bodily lumen 8. The clamp includes: a strap 20, the strap including an elongate grippable portion 23; and a head 30 including a gripper 40, the gripper having an open mouth, the open mouth shaped to allow lateral entry of the strap into the gripper so as to form the clamping loop. The assembly further includes: a deployment tube 60 for deploying the clamp through a keyhole; and a manipulator 70 for manipulating the clamp through the deployment tube. The elongate body is biased to move from a constrained generally straight condition within the deployment tube to an unrestrained curled condition within a patient. A surgical clamp assembly, that includes a surgical clamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for placing a seal around an implant in a blood vessel, and associated treatment kit are provided. This device (24) includes a hollow sheath (60) having a longitudinal axis (Y-Y?), and at least one release member (62), which may be deployed with respect to the sheath (60) between a retracted position in the sheath (60) and an extracted position out of the sheath (60). The device (24) includes, for said or each release member (62), a seal body (64) having an angular extent strictly less than 360° around the longitudinal axis (Y-Y?), the seal body (64) being releasably attached onto the release member (62) so as to be released from the release member (62).

Abstract: The disclosure presents methods and systems for applying a suction force to a surface of a left atrial appendage (LAA) with a plurality of tubes. A method may include puncturing the surface of the LAA using a tissue-penetrating tip while the suction force is applied to the surface. The disclosure also presents methods and systems for inflating a first inflatable balloon within a cavity of a left atrial appendage (LAA). A method may include applying a suction force with at least one tube coupled to the first inflatable balloon to attract the first inflatable balloon to an interior surface of the LAA or to a second inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A device for delivering an implant (e.g., an embolic micro-coil) to a vascular disorder of a patient includes a delivery pusher, a moveable element, and first and second elongate members. The delivery pusher defines a lumen between its proximal and distal ends. The moveable element (e.g., a floating tube or a floating coil) defines a passageway therethrough and is disposed within the lumen of the delivery pusher. The first and second elongate members (e.g., core wires) are also disposed within the lumen of the delivery pusher. A portion of each elongate member passes through the passageway of the moveable element. Movement of the first elongate member in a first direction (e.g., retraction of the first elongate member from a locked to an unlocked configuration) causes a time-delayed or lost motion movement of the second elongate member in the same (i.e., first) direction, which releases the implant from the delivery pusher.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating disc herniation include surgical and endoscopic access and removal of disc tissue. The tissue removal devices that may be used include flexible elongate members, such as a cable, that may be inserted into a vertebral disc and rotated to pulverize the disc material and facilitate its removal.

Abstract: A medical instrument is provided including, an expandable tip which is embedded within a sheath. The expandable tip comprises a plurality of fingers which extend distally from the embedded portion. The plurality of fingers are heat set in a first position so that the distal ends of the fingers define a distal opening, where the distal opening has a smaller diameter than the embedded portion of the expandable tip. The plurality of fingers is reversibly expandable to a second position, creating a larger distal opening to deploy an expandable accessory.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for holding and maneuvering a valve during preparation and attachment to patient, providing increased visibility of the prosthetic valve and the sewing ring to prevent suture entanglement. A handle attachment is spaced from the valve for improved visibility of the sewing ring and the outlet end of the valve during attachment. Commissure posts are bent inward at the tips while preventing crashing of the commissure posts into each other causing damage. A release force needed to remove the holder and unthread the holder sutures is reduced. The holder and related methods can provide a kink free holder suture path to reduce suture entanglement and prevent damage to the implanted valve during holder removal by reducing the release force needed to remove the holder sutures by up to 30%.

Abstract: A system for delivering a surgical staple can include various components. The system may include an elongate body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of delivery platforms disposed adjacent the distal end. A sheath can move relative to the elongate body from a first position in which the distal end of the sheath is disposed distally of a distal-most distal delivery platform to a second position in which the distal end of the sheath is disposed proximally of at least one delivery platform. A plurality of intravascular tacks can be within the system with each disposed about a corresponding delivery platform.

Abstract: A mantle tube including a bendable member, which is formed in such a way as to be received in an elongate, annular, cylindrical member, includes two fixed sites that are fixed to the cylindrical member and a bendable site that is interposed between these fixed sites and bendable in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction thereof, an angle adjustment member that is capable of adjusting a bending angle of the bendable site, and an angle holding mechanism that is capable of holding, at any desired bending angle, the bendable site bent by the angle adjustment member.

Abstract: A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part is presented. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the tourniquet comprises a first elongated member, and a second elongated member in slidable engagement with the first elongated member. In addition, the tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the second elongated member using the tensioning mechanism. The tourniquet is suited for emergency use, and may be applied by using only one hand. Thus, the tourniquet may be applied, manipulated and tightened by the wearer, even if the wearer is limited to the use of a single hand.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides repositionable medical instrument support systems, devices, and methods. A repositionable medical instrument support system comprises a frame for rigidly connecting the system to a patient support, a ball and socket joint configured to provide three degrees of rotational freedom, a frame mounting arm configured to releasably mount the ball and socket joint to the frame, a sliding joint configured to provide one degree of translational freedom, a connecting arm configured to connect the sliding joint to the ball and socket joint, and a docking member configured to engage a medical instrument to support the medical instrument during a medical procedure.

Abstract: Biocompatible tissue grafts are provided. The biocompatible tissue grafts include a bulk graft including a biocompatible material and having at least a first surface. The biocompatible tissue grafts also include a coating including a hydrogel and being immobilized on the bulk graft at the first surface. The biocompatible material includes at least one of a biologic material or a biologic-synthetic composite material. The hydrogel includes cross-linked hydroxyphenyl-substituted hyaluronan (HPS-HA), cross-linked hydroxyphenyl-substituted collagen (HPS-C), or both. The cross-linked HPS-HA, cross-linked HPS-C, or both have been formed by cross-linking of hydroxyphenyl groups of HPS-HA, HPS-C, or both to form dihydroxyphenyl bridges. Also disclosed are methods for repair of tissue damage in a subject in need thereof. The methods include surgically implanting the biocompatible tissue graft into a site of the tissue damage in the subject.

Abstract: A method of securing a turbinate to a nasal septum includes positioning an instrument in a nostril. The turbinate and nasal septum are pierced. The instrument is used to urge a barbed suture through the pierced turbinate and nasal septum. The turbinate is medialized against the nasal septum by urging the turbinate against the septum. The barbed suture holds the turbinate in a medialized state against the nasal septum.