Abstract: A blood filter delivery system for delivering a blood filter into a vein includes a push rod for pushing the blood filter through and out of a catheter, the push rod having a filter positioning assembly on one end. The filter positioning assembly includes positioner members, which retain anchor members of the filter. The filter positioning assembly can position the end of the delivery catheter near the blood vessel centerline before releasing the filter's anchor members, thereby helping to align the blood filter along the centerline of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and their methods of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The surgical instrument may also include a fastener deployment system for deploying fasteners from the elongated shaft assembly including a reciprocating driveshaft disposed within the elongated shaft assembly. The driveshaft may include an internal channel and at least one guide surface shaped and arranged to maintain an orientation of at least one fastener in the channel of the driveshaft. In other embodiments, the fastener deployment system may include a follower disposed within the elongated shaft assembly for displacing one or more fasteners within the elongated shaft assembly towards a distal fastener deployment position.

Abstract: A valved sheath introducer for venous cannulation, including a valve, sheath, handle and cap. The valve is configured to permit safe introduction and removal of medical instruments through the sheath introducer. The valve may have one or more anchoring members and a thickened central portion through which a slit is formed. The central portion may have one or more concave surfaces and the slit can be angled with respect to the top surface of the valve. The cap is attached to the handle, compressing a portion of the valve therebetween.

Abstract: A septum for sealably covering a fluid cavity defined in an implantable device, which may be an access port, and methods for assembling the implantable device. The septum may include a resilient septum body, an annular flange extending radially outward from the septum body, and a reinforcement component disposed in the annular flange for reinforcing engagement with a corresponding annular groove defined in a body of the implantable device. The reinforcement component may inhibit unintended detachment of the septum from the implantable device.

Abstract: A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein from either a femoral or jugular access. The preferred system includes an introducer and a push-rod with a spline member disposed along the push-rod and a pusher member disposed on a distal end. The spline member has a main body, first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor members of the filter during delivery via the introducer. In an alternative embodiment, a preferred filter includes first and second filter structures diverging in opposite directions. A link is connected to portions of each of the first and second filter structures so that each filter structure can be independently collapsed into a generally cylindrical shape.

Abstract: Packaging and kit for urological procedures. For example, the packaging 100 may secure one or more urological devices 212, 240 that may be used during a urological procedure. Furthermore, the packaging and the devices included therein may, collectively, form a urological kit.

Abstract: A biopsy probe mechanism and method includes an elongate sample receiving member having a longitudinal axis and having a sample receiving notch. The elongate sample receiving member and a cutting cannula are movable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis. A first echogenic feature and a third echogenic feature are established on the elongate sample receiving member and a second echogenic feature and a fourth echogenic feature are established on the cutting cannula. The elongate sample receiving member and the cutting cannula have a first position in which the first echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the second echogenic feature, and in which the third echogenic feature is in longitudinal alignment with the fourth echogenic feature.

Abstract: A hernia repair device is provided which may include a soft tissue repair prosthesis and an expandable device configured to be removably connected with the soft tissue repair prosthesis. Attachment components may be used to removably connect the soft tissue repair prosthesis with the expandable device. The hernia repair device may be manipulated into a reduced configuration for insertion into the body. When expanded, the expandable device may be configured to position the soft tissue repair prosthesis adjacent a hernia defect. The expandable device and/or the attachment components may be shaped and/or configured to minimize the maximum dimension of the hernia repair device in its reduced configuration.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or augmenting anatomical defects, including an inguinal hernia. The prosthesis may include a repair fabric having a body portion and a pocket on one side of the body portion to facilitate deployment and/or placement of the prosthesis at the defect site. For some applications, such as a reversible prosthesis, a second pocket may be provided on the opposite side of the body portion. Each pocket may be configured to receive a sufficient length of one or more fingers of an individual for deploying and/or positioning the prosthesis. A support member may be provided to help deploy the repair fabric at the surgical site and/or help inhibit folding or buckling of the repair fabric.

Abstract: A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

Abstract: A dispensing and applicator system comprising: (a) a first and second moisture impermeable layers removably coupled to one another to delineate a first interior cavity; (b) a first applicator pad operatively coupled to an interior side of the first moisture impermeable layer and located within the first interior cavity; (c) a second applicator pad operatively coupled to an interior side the second moisture impermeable layer and located within the first interior cavity when the first and second moisture impermeable layers are coupled to one another; (d) a first finger flap operatively coupled to an exterior side of the first moisture impermeable layer, where the exterior side of the first moisture impermeable layer is opposite the interior side; and, (e) a second finger flap operatively coupled to an exterior side of the second moisture impermeable layer, where the exterior side of the second moisture impermeable layer is opposite the interior side.

Abstract: A surgical fastener deployment system may include a plurality of coil fasteners having a head and coil body. In one embodiment, the head may be larger in diameter than the coil body. The fasteners may also be mounted on a guide rod or mandrel that passes through a through-hole of the head and the coil body. The shaft may also include a guiding element that contacts and stabilizes the coil body as the fastener is deployed from a distal end of the shaft. When the head approaches and contacts the guiding element, the guiding element may deflect to permit the head to pass.

Abstract: A stent device delivery system and method of making. The stent device delivery system includes a stent device and an outer sheath overlaying the stent device in a radially compact, delivery configuration of the stent device. The system also includes a pull member for pulling proximally on to retract the outer sheath, wherein a portion of the outer sheath is heat shrunk radially onto a relatively heat shrink resistant support member in order to capture a distal portion of the pull member radially between the outer sheath and the heat shrink resistant support member.

Abstract: A prosthesis for repairing a hernia defect includes a patch body, a hoisting frame releasably attachable to the patch body, and a tether attached to the hoisting frame and having a free end extendable through the thickness of the patch body and accessible from the side of the patch body opposite to the side where the hoisting frame is releasably attached. The patch body and/or the hoisting frame includes a self-expanding support member. The hoisting frame includes a frame body and a translation component for directing pulling forces on the tether to the frame body.

Abstract: A drainage system comprising: (a) a catheter including a sensor; (b) a first valve in fluid communication with an interior of the catheter; (c) a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller including logic configured to direct at least one of opening and closing of the first valve using at least one of an elapsed time and a presence of a predetermined condition; and, (d) a venturi pump in fluid communication with the interior of the catheter.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a stent device that is expandable from a radially reduced, delivery configuration to a radially expanded, deployed configuration. A retaining sheath is disposed over the stent device for maintaining the stent device in the delivery configuration. A pull line to be pulled upon is provided to retract the retaining sheath in a rolling manner such that the retaining sheath is folded back on itself to provide a radially inner sheath of the retaining sheath, a radially outer sheath of the retaining sheath and a fold portion therebetween. The retaining sheath may be made of a cold drawn plastic at least along the path of travel of the fold portion in retracting the retaining sheath from over the stent device.

Abstract: An endoscopic vacuum controller may include a housing having a vacuum inlet, a vacuum outlet configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a vacuum passage fluidly coupling the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum controller may also include an actuator supported by the housing and configured to control the flow of fluid through the vacuum passage. An indicator may be supported by the housing to provide an indication that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the vacuum inlet. The vacuum controller may include a connector to detachably couple the housing to an endoscope shaft. The connector may be configured to slidably couple the housing to the endoscope shaft to allow adjustment of the controller along the length of the shaft while the housing remains coupled to the shaft.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a housing containing an electric power source and a tension slide, wherein the tension slide is configured to be moved to a cocked position against the action of a first spring. A releasable locking mechanism is configured to lock the tension slide in the cocked position. A removable element is configured for insertion into the housing. The removable element has a cutting sheath configured to couple the electric power source to the tension slide. The electric power source is configured to rotate the cutting sheath to move the tension slide to the cocked position.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including one or more conductive pathways is disclosed. The conductive pathways assist with initial placement of the catheter assembly into a patient's vasculature by enabling ECG signals emanating from the patient's heart to be detected. In addition, the conductive pathways are configured to be used to reconfirm via ECG signal detection proper placement of the catheter assembly at a time subsequent to initial catheter placement into the vasculature. In one embodiment, therefore, a catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising an elongate catheter tube defining at least one lumen, a first conductive pathway extending distally from a proximal point on the catheter assembly to a predetermined distal location on the catheter tube, and a second conductive pathway at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the catheter tube and extending distally from a proximal point of the catheter assembly to a predetermined distal location on the catheter tube.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a proximal catheter assembly portion and a distal catheter assembly portion. The proximal catheter assembly portion includes a bifurcating hub that defines at least one fluid passageway. The distal catheter assembly portion includes a catheter tube that defines at least one lumen and includes a polymeric material. A cannula assembly is also disclosed and includes at least one cannula that is operably connected with the fluid passageway of the birfurcating hub. The cannula is further configured to operably connect with the lumen of the catheter tube so as to provide fluid communication between the proximal and distal catheter assembly portions when the two portions are connected. A polymeric coating is included with the cannula and the catheter tube, and is configured to provide a seal between the cannula and the catheter tube when the proximal and distal catheter assembly portions are connected together.