Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and/or kits that encompass various components for accessing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a CSF containing space of a subject to drain the CSF into a dural venous sinus (DVS) of the subject via a single cranial hole are disclosed herein. The described methods, devices, systems and/or kits drain the CSF into the DVS to treat hydrocephalus in a manner that does not require penetration into the gray matter of the subject’s brain.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A modular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drain system for treating hydrocephalus without penetration of the gray matter of the brain is disclosed. Modular components of the CSF drain system may include a subarachnoid space (SAS) inlet drain implant, a SAS implant plug, a connector implant, a dural venous sinus (DVS) implant plug, and a DVS outlet drain implant. When implanted, the modular components may be fluidly coupled such that cerebrospinal fluid may flow from a subjects subarachnoid space through the modular components and into the subjects cerebral venous sinuses. A kit including a guide device and the CSF drain system, as well as a method for installing the CSF drain system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A bone repair system, kit and method for percutaneous repair of a bone segment containing a first bone segment and a second bone segment in a patient, each bone segment having a drill hole. The system comprises a longitudinal member configured to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment and having at least one opening and cleats on the side adapted to contact the first bone segment and the second bone segment; a first fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the first bone segment; and a second fastener assembly configured to be disposed through the opening of the longitudinal member to hold the longitudinal member in place through the opening and the hole in the second bone segment.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A polycrystalline mesoscale component, formed through a process including filing a mold cavity formed in a photoresist with a mold fill, is provided with an overall length L divided into multiple segments with a second segment extending from a first segment at a nonlinear angle. The first segment has a first segment height H1 and a first segment thickness T1, while the second segment has a second segment height H2 and a second segment thickness T2, with the lesser of H1 and H2 defining a minimum segment height Hmin and the lesser of T1 and T2 defining a minimum segment thickness Tmin. The resultant component has a ratio of L:Hmin:Tmin of 20-80:1:0.5-10 where Hmin is between 5 and 500 microns. In specific instances, the nonlinear angle is acute, the multiple segments are rectilinear in cross section, and a segment thickness has an edge resolution of between 0.1 and 2 microns.

Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.

Abstract: A polycrystalline mesoscale component is provided that has an overall length L divided into multiple segments with a second segment extending from a first segment at a nonlinear angle. The first segment has a first segment height H1 and a first segment thickness T1, while the second segment has a second segment height H2 and a second segment thickness T1, with the lesser of H1 and H2 defining a minimum segment height Hmin and the lesser of T1 and T2 defining a minimum segment thickness Tmin. The resultant component has a ratio of L:Hmin:Tmin of 20-80:1:0.5-10 where Hmin is between 5 and 500 microns. In specific instances, the nonlinear angle is acute, the multiple segments are rectilinear in cross section, and a segment thickness has an edge resolution of between 0.1 and 2 microns. A process for forming a polycrystalline mesoscale component is provided that includes filling a mold cavity formed in a photoresist with a mold fill.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided for use in performing endoscopic procedures having a handle and an elongate tubular member having a proximal end coupled with the handle for being disposed externally of the anatomical cavity and a distal end for being disposed within the anatomical cavity. The distal end further includes a pair of opposed, relatively movable jaws that form a grasping portion operable by manipulation of the handle to releasably grasp a releasable trocar. The releasable trocar has a complementarily shaped shank, a relatively sharp tip and may include a pair of blunt-edge tissue separators that project outwardly from the outer surface of the trocar. In an alternative embodiment, the relatively movable jaws define (i) a grasping portion operable by manipulation of the handle to grasp or cut objects; and (ii) a pair of blunt-edge tissue separators that project outwardly from the outer surface of the jaws so that when the jaws are in a closed position they may be used as a trocar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive surgery. The apparatus can comprise a tool which includes a multi-functioning end effector for insertion into a patient, a user control adapted for use by the surgeon external of the patient, and an intermediate section between the end effector and the user control to translate control instructions from the user control through an actuating mechanism to operate the end effector in one of at least two different functioning states. No instrument exchange is necessary to change between states. The actuation mechanism could be a manually operated mechanical mechanism. Alternatively, it could be partially or fully electromechanical or electrical or electronic. According to one aspect, the end effector is a rigid link mechanism. According to another aspect, the end effector could be a compliant mechanism, at least in part.