Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The operating handle includes a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable in a longitudinal direction within the movement space, and a coupler having locked and unlocked conditions, the coupler being operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith. The catheter assembly includes a shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the shaft being operatively connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly for movement therewith between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to multiple piece irrigated ablation electrode assemblies wherein the irrigation channels are insulated or separated from at least one temperature sensing mechanism within the distal portion of the electrode assembly. The present invention further pertains to methods for improved assembly and accurate measurement and control of the electrode temperatures while effectively irrigating the device and target areas.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

Abstract: A needle system a handle and a needle slider partially positioned in the handle. The needle slider has an aspiration port at a proximal end of the needle slider. A needle connected to and extending away from the needle slider. A restrictor is disposed in the aspiration port of the needle slider. The restrictor is configured to inhibit passage of a sample through the aspiration port.

Abstract: A needle system includes a handle, a needle slider partially positioned in the handle, and a needle connected to and extending away from the needle slider. A restrictor is disposed in the needle. The restrictor is configured to inhibit passage of a sample through the needle slider.

Abstract: A medical instrument that includes a needle and an expandable member located at a distal end of the needle. The expandable member includes a blocking member. The expandable member is configured to move tissue away from a distal end of the needle and/or from a distal end of a tubular member that is in fluid communication with a substance source. A substance is configured to be expelled into the anatomy through the expandable member. The blocking member is configured to restrict or prevent the substance from being expelled through the portion of the expandable member that includes the blocking member.

Abstract: A jaw assembly of a forceps that includes a first jaw body and a second jaw body. The first jaw body and the second jaw body are disposed in opposition relative to one another, and at least one of the jaw bodies is movable relative to the other jaw body between an open position and a closed position. In both the closed and the open positions, a medial edge of the first jaw body is in opposition to a medial edge of the second jaw body. Lateral movement of the first jaw body or the second jaw body closes a lateral gap between the first jaw body and the second jaw body.

Abstract: A forceps including a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper jaw includes an upper tooth having an upper proximally facing canted tooth surface and an upper distally facing canted tooth surface. The lower jaw includes a proximal end, and a distal end. The lower jaw includes a socket having a lower distally facing canted socket surface and a lower proximally facing socket surface. The upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both are moveable so that the gripping assembly moves between an open position and a gripping position. In the gripping position, a gap is defined between the upper distally facing canted tooth surface and the lower proximally facing socket surface.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising: (a) a pair of opposing jaw; (b) a channel in at least one of the opposing jaws for receiving a reciprocating blade; (c) a fluid distribution system that delivers a fluid to the jaws; wherein the fluid distribution system is in communication with one or more fluid openings located within the channel.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible heart valve includes an operating handle, including a frame defining a movement space therein, a carriage assembly moveable within the movement space, and a first resheathing lock having a locked position and an unlocked position. The delivery device further includes a catheter assembly, including a first shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the first shaft being fixedly connected to one of the frame or the carriage assembly, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the carriage assembly. The distal sheath is moveable between a closed condition adapted to maintain the valve in the compartment and an open condition adapted to fully deploy the valve. With the resheathing lock in the locked position, the distal sheath is unable to move to the open condition to fully deploy the valve.

Abstract: An electrosurgical assembly that includes one or more electrodes, and one or more AC conductors electrically connecting the one or more electrodes to a power source that is configured to generate and output an AC power signal to the one or more electrodes via the one or more AC conductors. A rectifier is electrically connected to the one or more AC conductors, and configured to convert the AC power signal into a DC power signal. A light source is electrically powered by the DC power signal.

Abstract: A forceps including a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper jaw includes an upper tooth having an upper proximally facing canted tooth surface and an upper distally facing canted tooth surface. The lower jaw includes a proximal end and a distal end. The lower jaw includes a socket having a lower distally facing canted socket surface and a lower proximally facing socket surface. The upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both are moveable so that the gripping assembly moves between an open position and a gripping position. In the gripping position, a gap is defined between the upper distally facing canted tooth surface and the lower proximally facing socket surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to ablation catheter electrodes that solve in part the problem of tissue charring during radiofrequency ablation. The electrode assemblies of the invention include passageways that lead from the inner lumen of the assemblies to the surface of the assemblies, wherein the passageways have a smooth conjunction with the outer surface. These smooth conjunctions comprise rounded edges or are chamfered. In the case of rounded edges, the rounded edges can have fixed radii of about 0.002? to about 0.008?.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: (a) a first jaw having a face; (b) a second jaw having a face that is substantially adjacent the face of the first jaw when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position; (c) a pivot connecting the first jaw and the second jaw together so that the first jaw and second jaw are movable between an open position and the closed position; (d) one or more fluid passageways extending between the first jaw, the second jaw, or both and a region outside of the surgical device so that fluid passes through the first jaw, the second jaw, or both; and (e) a valve connected to the first jaw, the second jaw, or both, the one or more fluid passageways extending through the valve so that when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the open position the valve is open and fluid can extend through the one or more fluid passageways and when the first jaw and the second jaw are in the closed position the valve is closed and fluid is prevented from flowing through the one or more fluid passa

Abstract: The invention relates to electrodes used in ablation catheter devices, where the electrodes contain two or more thermal sensors at different positions within the electrode that are capable of detecting temperature differences along the external surface of the electrode. In preferred embodiments, the thermal sensors are separated by one or more thermal insulating members and the thermal sensors are positioned near the external surface of the electrode at about the same distance from the end of the electrode, so that temperature measurements can indicate the position of the electrode with respect to the tissue desired to be ablated.

Abstract: An irrigated ablation catheter includes a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an irrigation lumen therein. The catheter further includes an electrode assembly coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The electrode assembly includes an ablation electrode and a manifold. The manifold is coupled to each of the distal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the electrode. At least a portion of the manifold is constructed of a flexible material to allow the electrode assembly to deflect. The manifold includes a body, an inner cavity within the body configured for fluid communication with the irrigation lumen, and an irrigation port also within the body and configured for fluid communication with the inner cavity. The irrigation port extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body, and is configured to allow for an irrigating fluid to be distributed from the manifold.

Abstract: A medical implant delivery system maintains an orientation between a guidewire lumen of an inner member of the system and a rapid-exchange port in an outer member. The medical device is disposed intermediate the inner and outer members and in friction or pressure-fit contact with the outer member. Once the guidewire lumen of the inner member and the rapid exchange port of the outer member are oriented, the friction or pressure-fit operates to maintain the orientation until deployment of the medical implant. Orientation is further maintained by a telescoping coupling of the guide wire lumen with the rapid exchange port.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first support member extending along a longitudinal axis; a bladder located on the first support member; a first sealing member located on the bladder; and a second sealing member located on the bladder. The sealing member is located on one side of the longitudinal axis; and the second sealing member is located on another side of the longitudinal axis. The bladder is inflatable, and inflating the bladder changes a position of the first sealing member, the second sealing member, or both relative to the first support member.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are selectively positionable relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface configured to connect to an electrosurgical energy source, and at least one of the jaw members includes two blade channels defined therein and extending therealong and a feed in member selectively positioned between the two blade channels. The end effector further includes a cutting blade that is translatable such that selective positioning of the feed in member enables the cutting blade to selectively enter into at least one of the two blade channels.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface; a second jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member including a blade slot defined therein and extending substantially along the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first sealing surfaces being positioned on an opposite side of the blade slot than the second sealing surfaces; and a cutting blade that reciprocates in the blade slot. When the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position, the first sealing surfaces are separated by a first gap and the second sealing surfaces are separated by a second gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.