Abstract: A medical device and method for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a guide catheter, a guide wire, a balloon catheter, a guide wire movement mechanism and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The handle has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis along the length of the handle. The guide catheter is attached to the distal end of the handle and has a catheter lumen. The guide wire and balloon catheter are both disposed at least partially in the handle and catheter lumen. The guide wire movement mechanism and the balloon catheter movement mechanism are both operatively disposed on the handle. In addition, the guide wire movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the guide wire through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the guide wire movement mechanism.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical device includes an element positionable within a shaft having a lumen defined therethrough with the element movable from a stored position to a deployed position in which a larger portion of the element extends out of the distal end of the lumen. The element forming a closed loop which is positioned around the lens while the lens is within a capsular bag. The closed loop is reduced in size to form a cut in the lens.

Abstract: A medical device and method for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a guide catheter, a guide wire, a balloon catheter, a guide wire movement mechanism and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The guide wire and balloon catheter are both disposed at least partially in the handle and catheter lumen. The guide wire movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the guide wire through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the guide wire movement mechanism. The guide wire movement mechanism includes an integrated guide wire locking and rotation mechanism configured for rotation of the guide wire and for securely locking and unlocking the guide wire to the guide wire movement mechanism. The balloon catheter movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the balloon catheter through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the balloon catheter movement mechanism.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical device includes an element positionable within a shaft having a lumen defined therethrough with the element movable from a stored position to a deployed position in which a larger portion of the element extends out of the distal end of the lumen. The element forming a closed loop which is positioned around the lens while the lens is within a capsular bag. The closed loop is reduced in size to form a cut in the lens.

Abstract: A tool for closing an opening in tissue may include a catheter, a clasp applicator positioned substantially at the distal end of the catheter; and at least one clasp held by the clasp applicator, where the clasp may include a plurality of tines and be plastically splayable by the clasp applicator. A patent foramen ovale in heart tissue may by closed by, for example, advancing that exemplary clasp applicator through the patient's vasculature to a location in proximity to the patent foramen ovale, anchoring the clasp applicator with respect to the patent foramen ovale, splaying the clasp, advancing the splayed clasp into contact with tissue; closing the clasp, and removing the clasp applicator from the heart.

Abstract: A tool for treating a target vessel may include a longitudinally elongated anvil, a channel defined substantially longitudinally in the anvil, and a knife rotatable from a stowed position substantially completely within the channel to an active position in which at least part of the knife extends upward out of the channel, whereby rotation of the knife from the stowed position to the active position incises the target vessel from the inside out.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical device includes a shaft with a lumen defined therethrough and an element movable from a stored position to a deployed position in which a larger portion of the element extends out of the distal end of the lumen; wherein motion from the stored position to the deployed position causes a first leg of the element to advance distally relative to the distal end of the shaft, and causes a second leg of the element to move proximally relative to the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue may include possessing a surgical tool that has at least one movable feeder belt that includes staples frangibly connected thereto, where at least one staple is oriented relative to the feeder belt in a direction angled relative to the transverse direction; placing the surgical tool adjacent to tissue; deforming at least one staple into tissue; frangibly separating at least one deformed staple from the feeder belt; advancing the feeder belt; and repeating the placing, deploying and separating. Another exemplary surgical method of treating tissue of a patient may include holding a cartridgeless surgical tool that includes staples; stapling tissue with staples in response to a single actuation of the surgical tool; and repeating the stapling at least once.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient.

Abstract: A fastener suitable for anastomosis procedures may include a base, at least two sharp tines extending from the base, and at least one blunt wing extending from the base. The base may have a perimeter, and the tines and the wings may be arranged in alternating sequence along that perimeter. A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, may include stapling the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel, and deploying at least one fastener into tissue at least at one end of the anastomosis, wherein the fastener includes a plurality of tines and at least one wing, wherein each wing compresses the wall of the graft vessel against the outer surface of the target vessel without penetrating either of the graft vessel and the target vessel.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method of treating tissue within the body of a patient may include having an endocutter having an end effector; inserting the end effector into the body of a patient through an opening; engaging tissue with the end effector; stapling tissue along two staple lines with the end effector; cutting tissue between the staple lines with the end effector; releasing the tissue from the end effector; and repeating the engaging, stapling, cutting and releasing within the body of the patient on tissue at a different location within the body of the patient while maintaining the end effector within the body of the patient.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus or some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter is configured to guide the dilator into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway. The inflator may include a body, a plunger assembly, and locking features that selectively secure the position of the plunger assembly relative to the body by moving along a path that is transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the plunger assembly.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool may include an effector that both makes an opening in the wall of a target vessel and connects a graft vessel to the target vessel. The effector may include a cutter assembly and a connection module that are independently actuatable. The connection between the graft vessel and the target vessel may be compliant, and may be achieved by suturing an end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel with the connection module.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool may include an effector that both makes an opening in the wall of a target vessel and connects a graft vessel to the target vessel. The effector may include a cutter assembly and a connection module that are independently actuatable. The connection between the graft vessel and the target vessel may be compliant, and may be achieved by suturing an end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel with the connection module.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row.

Abstract: The transmission ratio between a first motor and an output shaft is varied by changing the speed of a second motor. The first and second motors are coupled to the output shaft with a planetary gear set. The first and second motors may both add power to the drive system.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical endocutter may include a staple holder; at least one feeder belt having two lateral edges, at least part of at least one feeder belt extending into the staple holder; and staples, wherein each said staple may include a first end frangibly affixed to a corresponding feeder belt, wherein each first end is affixed to the feeder belt at a location laterally spaced from the longitudinal centerline of the feeder belt, and a second free end; and wherein the staples form at least one row, each row including at least two said staples; wherein staples in least one row are staggered relative to said staples in at least one other row.