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.

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 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 method for operating a catheter provides a mechanical stiffener to a catheter shaft portion, the shaft comprising an inner sheath having a distal end and an outer surface and defining an access lumen extending distally to the distal end and an outer sheath having an inner surface surrounding the inner sheath distally to the distal end, defining an annulus between the outer and inner surfaces, the annulus having a connection at which vacuum applies to the annulus, and having a substantially constant outer diameter over the portion to the distal end. A tool is shaped and sized to pass through the access lumen and past the distal end. The portion is placed in an increased stiffened state by applying vacuum to create a stable base with at least a shaft segment within the anatomy that atraumatically resists reaction forces applied to the shaft by the tool.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness catheter includes a shaft comprising inner and outer sheaths, the sheaths each having proximal and distal ends. The outer surrounds the inner from the proximal to the distal end of the inner sheath, defining an annulus therebetween including a proximal portion having a vacuum connection to which vacuum is applied. The distal ends of the sheaths are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized for neurological vascular procedures. The outer has a substantially constant outer diameter over a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends. A vacuum device fluidically connects to the vacuum connection and is configured to apply vacuum thereto. Responsive to vacuum, annulus pressure lowers to draw the sheaths toward one another and stiffen the shaft over at least the distal portion to substantially and passively stiffen and maintain a current shape of the shaft over at least the distal portion.

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 includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.

Abstract: An external LAA exclusion clip comprises a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having a tissue-contacting surface and first and second bias surfaces, a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface. The bias assembly comprises at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut and at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut. The first bias spring and the second bias spring are configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical instrument, which comprises providing a surgical instrument handle, electrically connecting a controller disposed within the surgical instrument handle to a communication connection of a receiving portion of the surgical instrument, removably securing an interchangeable part at the receiving portion, the interchangeable part having an encryption device electrically connected to the communication connection when the interchangeable part is at the receiving portion, authenticating the interchangeable part upon an exchange between the controller and the encryption device, and after at least a partial use of the interchangeable part, storing within the encryption device a used status of the interchangeable part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical instrument to have a manual release, which comprises mechanically coupling a manual release to a transmission of a surgical instrument having a self-contained power source disposed within a handle thereof, the transmission mechanically connecting an electrically-powered motor inside the handle to a movable part of a surgical end effector connected to the handle such that the transmission is operable to displace the movable part to a starting position, an actuated position, and at least one point between the starting position and the actuated position when the motor is operated; and wherein the manual release is operable to interrupt the transmission from operation of the motor and, during interruption, displace the movable part towards the starting position irrespective of the position of the movable part and independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness catheter includes a shaft comprising inner and outer sheaths, the sheaths each having proximal and distal ends. The outer surrounds the inner from the proximal to the distal end of the inner sheath, defining an annulus therebetween including a proximal portion having a vacuum connection to which vacuum is applied. The distal ends of the sheaths are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized for neurological vascular procedures. The outer has a substantially constant outer diameter over a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends. A vacuum device fluidically connects to the vacuum connection and is configured to apply vacuum thereto. Responsive to vacuum, annulus pressure lowers to draw the sheaths toward one another and stiffen the shaft over at least the distal portion to substantially and passively stiffen and maintain a current shape of the shaft over at least the distal portion.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis designed to transition from a contracted state to an expanded state, including a continuous tubular helical winding and a plurality of bridges. The helical winding includes a plurality of circumferential sections spaced apart along a helical axis, each of the plurality of circumferential sections forming a non-orthogonal helical angle relative to the helical axis. The plurality of bridges connect adjacent circumferential sections, each having a length extending from a first end to a second end on a plane orthogonal to the helical axis, the length being equal to a circumferential offset between the adjacent circumferential sections in both the contracted state and the expanded state. The implantable prosthesis also includes a first annular ring orthogonal to the helical axis, and a first marker having a first end connected to the first annular ring, and a second end coupled to the first end of the helical winding.

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 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 circuit for generating a radio-frequency signal for a surgical device is disclosed. The circuit has a voltage regulator that supplies direct current (DC) voltage, a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, and a MOSFET driver. The MOSFET driver receives the DC voltage supplied from the voltage regulator and has a local oscillator. The local oscillator switches the first MOSFET and the second MOSFET on and off at a frequency generated by the local oscillator. The circuit further includes a transformer connected to the first and second MOSFETs, having a center tap and a main voltage applied at the center tap, and providing an alternating current (AC) output.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion has an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a motor and one or more actuators. The rotatable drive shaft has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion is configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism is configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve. The handle is configured for actuating the actuation mechanism, tracking a response of native tissue when the prosthetic heart valve is in contact with the native tissue, and stopping expansion of the prosthetic heart valve once a rate of change of expansion of the prosthetic heart valve declines below a threshold.

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.