Abstract: A breathing system is provided which enhances the ability of a user to breathe through the user's nasal passageways. The breathing system generally includes a bridge member and a pair of nasal appliques which are attachable to the lateral portions of the user's nose. The bridge member is positionable adjacent the appliques to activate the system and impart a dilating force onto the user's nose. The system may be deactivated by removing the bridge member from the appliques, and thereby removing the dilating force from the user's nose.

Abstract: A tissue gripping device is formed from a shape-memory material, and has a base section, a first arm, and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section. The arms of the tissue gripping device are configured to resiliently flex toward a relaxed configuration in a distal direction as the tissue gripping device is moved from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration. The tissue gripping device is usable in a method for gripping tissue. The method includes positioning the tissue gripping device near target tissue and moving the tissue gripping device from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration in order to grip the target tissue.

Abstract: A suture apparatus having a housing, actuator and capture rod, the actuator being engaged to the capture rod to form an actuator-capture rod assembly, an elongated cannula shaft having a lumen that extends through the shaft, and capture rod retraction means, the housing including an internal region that is configured to receive and support the capture rod retraction means, actuator proximal end and actuator rod distal end therein, wherein said capture rod retraction means is in communication with said actuator. The actuator-capture rod assembly and capture rod retraction means being positioned and configured to transition from a retracted position to an extended position when an actuation force is applied to the actuator and return the retracted position by the retraction means when the actuation force is released.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double stent comprising 2 coaxially arranged stents, wherein a first membrane is arranged between a first inner stent and a second outer stent and a second membrane is arranged on the second stent and wherein the membrane ends of the first and second membrane are brought together at the ends of the stents and are folded over onto the inside of the first stent and clamped under flexible tongues of the first stent.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for the haptic sensation of forces at a remote location. Groups of MEMS-based pressure sensors are combined into sensor arrays. In some embodiments, the pressure sensors are encased in silicone or other elastomeric substance to allow for routine use in the aqueous environment of the body. The sensor arrays may be housed in a bio-compatible material (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) and may be attached to a printed circuit board to allow the electrical signal generated by the sensors to be communicated to a user. The sensor arrays may be used with faceplates that directly interact with the target tissue or object. The faceplates may be rough, smooth, serrated, or any other texture. The present apparatuses and methods are particularly well suited for robotic surgery and may be used wherever haptic sensing of forces at a remote location is desired.

Abstract: A deployment system (10, 410) includes an inner shaft (36, 436), removably disposed in a self-expanding stent-graft (40), and shaped so as to define (a) at least one conduit therealong (50, 450), which is (i) not coaxial with the inner shaft (36, 436), and (ii) shaped so as to define at least first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454), and (b) a restraining longitudinal portion (56, 456) that is longitudinally disposed between the first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454).

Abstract: A device for compressing body tissue includes a clip having a connection portion with first and second clip arms extending therefrom, the clip includes a recess formed on an inner surface of the connection portion, the recess being shaped and sized to slidably receive a mounting bar coupled to an outer surface of an endoscope on which the mounting bar is mounted with inner surfaces of the first and second clip arms maintained in an open position by contact between an endoscope on which the mounting bar is mounted and the inner surfaces of the first and second clip arms. The clip is slidable over the outer surface of an endoscope on which the mounting bar is mounted until the clip moves distally beyond the distal end of the endoscope so that the first and second clip arms spring closed to grip tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a skin pricking lancet includes: thermoforming a plastic component; locating the thermoformed component and, optionally, one or more further plastic components around a lancet mechanism; and joining the located component(s) to form a hermetically sealed enclosure surrounding the lancet mechanism, the component(s) being formed and joined to provide a housing that structurally supports the lancet mechanism during use, and a cap breakable from the housing to facilitate firing of the lancet mechanism.

Abstract: An endovascular graft, which is configured to conform to the morphology of a vessel to be treated, includes a tubular ePTFE structure; an inflatable ePTFE structure disposed over at least a portion of the ePTFE tubular structure; and an injection port in fluid communication with the inflatable ePTFE structure for inflation of the inflatable ePTFE structure with an inflation medium. The inflatable ePTFE structure may be longitudinally disposed over the tubular ePTFE structure. The ePTFE structure may be a bifurcated structure having first and second bifurcated tubular structures, where the inflatable ePTFE structure is disposed over at least a portion of the first and second bifurcated tubular structures.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a medical device can comprise an elongate outer sheath that extends along a sheath longitudinal axis and defines a central lumen extending therethrough, the elongate outer sheath can comprise a proximal sheath portion and a distal sheath portion. A first guidewire can comprise a first guidewire end and a second guidewire end, the first guidewire can extend from the first and second guidewire ends through the central lumen and can form a distal looped portion. An occlusion device can be disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft. The elongate flexible shaft can extend from the proximal sheath portion through the central lumen. The occlusion device can include a guide lumen through which the first guide wire passes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument enables dispensing of a series of fasteners within a patient's body. The device includes a magazine sized and dimensioned to hold a series of fasteners, the series of fasteners insertable through an opening at the end of the magazine. A splined guide bore is rotatably supported within the magazine, and slidingly supports a shaft having an external surface mateable with the splined guide bore to restrict radial rotation of the shaft with respect to the support about said longitudinal axis. A biasing element is connected between the support and the shaft, to urge the shaft along a longitudinal axis towards a distal end of the instrument. A ratchet is connected to the shaft and engages the magazine to permit sliding of the shaft in a direction for dispensing fasteners only, unless disengaged with the magazine.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a tube and an implant moveable at least in part through a lumen of the tube. The implant includes a longitudinal member and a locking mechanism coupled to the longitudinal member. The locking mechanism has (i) an unlocked state in which the locking mechanism is configured to facilitate adjustment of tension of the longitudinal member, and (ii) a locked state in which the locking mechanism is configured to restrict adjustment of the tension of the longitudinal member. A tool maintains the locking mechanism in the unlocked state via contact of the tool with the locking mechanism in the heart, and moves the locking mechanism into the locked state. The locking mechanism is disposed distally to the distal end of the tube while the longitudinal member is disposed entirely within the tube. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A radial compression band is configured to provide hemostatic compression to an arterial access site on the arm of a wearer. The radial compression band includes an elongated arm band that presents an arm opening sized to receive the arm. The arm band presents proximal and distal margins, with the arm opening being defined between the margins.

Abstract: A suture anchor delivery device includes a handle and first and second knobs coupled to the handle. A shaft is coupled to the handle and the shaft includes an outer member, an inner member disposed within the outer member and a driver disposed within the inner member.

Abstract: A method of providing ligamentory like support between two spaced locations in the body of a patient comprising fixing an anchor in each location, connecting the anchors by a filamentary element, adjusting the tension of the filamentary element between the locations to establish the desired spatial relationship between the locations to provide at least a supplementary ligamentory support between the locations.

Abstract: A medical instrument comprising: (A) a first joint comprising a first member and a second member, the first member configured to be repositionable with respect to the second member in an X-Y plane; (B) a second joint operatively coupled to the first joint, the second joint comprising a third member and a fourth member, the third member configured to be repositionable with respect to the fourth member in a Y-Z plane perpendicular to the X-Y plane; and, (C) a controller operatively coupled to the first joint and the second joint, the controller including a first control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the first member and the second member, and a second control configured to direct repositioning of at least one of the third member and the fourth member.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient, may include providing an endocutter having a knife, a staple holder along which the knife is slidable, feeder belts located on each side of the knife, staples having a first size, those staples integral with and breakable from at least one feeder belt, and staples having a second size different from the first size, those staples integral with and breakable from at least one feeder belt; engaging tissue of the patient with the staple holder; deploying at least two staples having a first size; disengaging tissue of the patient from the staple holder; once again engaging tissue of the patient with the same staple holder; and deploying at least two staples having a second size.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device including a drive shaft rotatably extending through an outer tubular member to rotate a cutting member positioned at a distal end thereof. The rotational atherectomy device further includes an elongate penetrator extendable distal of the cutting member a predetermined maximum distance and configured to stabilize the cutting member as the cutting member engages an occlusion to control the trajectory and advancement of the cutting member through the occlusion.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods for attaching soft tissue to bone are provided. In general, a soft tissue can be attached to a bone of a patient using a collapsible suture and a suture anchor. In at least some embodiments, attaching a soft tissue to bone includes use of a suture anchor and a collapsible suture in the form of a collapsible loop. In at least some embodiments, attaching a soft tissue to bone includes use of a suture anchor and a collapsible suture that is cinched with a cinchable knot.

Abstract: An expandable tissue dilator for dilating tissue around a spinal column includes a housing and a shaft at least partially positioned distally of the housing and adapted to pierce a tissue around the spinal column. An expandable member attached to the housing expands around a portion of the shaft to dilate the pierced tissue in a single-pass dilation resulting in a reduction of any traumatic impingement of nerves or muscle tissue and reduction in procedure time.