Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can comprise a stent frame radially movable between a contracted configuration and a maximum expanded configuration. The stent assembly can comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending jack strut assemblies, wherein each jack strut assembly comprises a proximal jack strut comprising a distal surface, a distal jack strut comprising a proximal surface, and a jack screw connecting the proximal jack strut and the distal jack strut. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut does not contact the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the contracted configuration. The proximal surface of each distal jack strut contacts the distal surface of each respective proximal jack strut when the stent assembly is in the maximum expanded configuration.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A surgical clip delivery device end effector that is configured to implant a clip having a pair of opposing clip struts each having a proximal end and a distal end includes a clevis, a pair of jaws connected to the clevis, and a pair of clip-connecting ends configured to removably connect respectively to the pair of clip struts, at least one of the pair of clip-connecting ends connected to at least one of the pair of jaws with two angular degrees of freedom such that, responsive to connection of the clip struts of the clip to the clip-connecting ends, a movement of the jaws in an initial opening action separates the proximal ends of the clip struts before separating the distal ends of the clip struts.

Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprised of a stapling end effector having a staple-applying assembly with opposing stapling surfaces defining a closure distance therebetween, wherein at least one stapling surface is movable, and a handle connected to the stapling end effector and comprising a staple-firing assembly that causes the staple-applying assembly to staple tissue between the stapling surfaces. The handle further comprises a power source, electric motor, and closure assembly that has a drive part movable by the motor, detection mechanism, a controller. The drive part is connected to the stapling end effector. When the motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the movable stapling surface towards the opposing stapling surface. The detection mechanism detects a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis and the controller is configured to prevent stapling unless the drive part is at a position corresponding to a closure distance within a pre-defined range.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a surgical end effector, an actuation assembly having a part operable to move between a first position and a second position, an electrically-powered motor, a transmission mechanically connecting the motor to the part and being operable to selectively displace the part between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displace the part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: An LAA exclusion system includes a clip comprising first and second separate clip struts, and a bias device comprising spring portions, and a delivery device having clip-contacting ends. The first clip strut has a first proximal end. The second clip strut has a second proximal end adjacent the first proximal end. The clip struts together define a first exterior surface and an opposing second exterior surface. The first spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the first exterior surface and the second spring portion connects the first clip strut to the second clip strut along the second exterior surface. The spring portions define therebetween a strut-securing area at the first and second proximal ends. The clip-contacting ends are configured to removably connect to the proximal ends of the clip struts through the strut-securing area.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.

Abstract: A method of operating an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end includes the acts of at least partially blocking the distal end of the aspiration catheter with an embolus, creating a vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter with a vacuum source adjacent the proximal end of the aspiration catheter, at least partially relieving the vacuum at the distal end of the catheter by at least one of interrupting the vacuum from the vacuum source and venting the aspiration catheter with a vent fluid adjacent the proximal end, and repeating the acts of interrupting the vacuum and venting the aspiration catheter in a timing cycle that maximizes the time that the aspiration catheter is at vacuum and changes pressure at the distal end of the catheter from vacuum to at least atmospheric pressure during each cycle.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device comprises a shaft comprising an exterior surface, an interior receiving therein suture fixation clips, and a distal end opening shaped to eject a suture fixation clip therefrom. The shaft defines a lateral opening and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and the distal end opening. A shuttle moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body, a snare having a distal snare portion, and a snare extension slide movable from the shuttle body along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end. The shuttle extends at least the distal snare portion distally through the lateral opening from the environment into the interior, through the distal shaft portion, and through the distal end opening along a length that is at least equal to the slide distance when the snare extension slide moves to the distal end of the given extent.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.

Abstract: A battery-powered, modular surgical device comprising an electrically powered surgical instrument that requires a pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy to complete a surgical procedure, and a power module assembly that has a battery that powers the surgical instrument and has a current state of electrical charge, and a control circuit that is electrically coupled to the battery and the surgical instrument and has a memory and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the current state of electrical charge of the battery, compares the current state of electrical charge to the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy, permits the battery to discharge if the current state of electrical charge is above the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy, and maintains the battery in a non-discharge state if the current state of electrical charge is below the pre-determined minimum amount of electrical energy.