Abstract: The invention provides a delivery system for a prosthesis, said delivery system comprising a catheter shaft with a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis, a space for a prosthesis with a distal end and a proximal end, the space being at the distal end of the catheter shaft, a sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath being disposed at the distal end of catheter shaft so as to surround the space, a pusher element attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft and arranged at the proximal end of the space for abutting prosthesis, a pull element with a longitudinal axis, the pull element running the length of the catheter shaft and having a distal end attached to the proximal end of the sheath and a proximal end for pulling the pull element proximally, thereby retracting the sheath proximally relative to the prosthesis space, and at least one fixation element having a proximal end and a distal end and being disposed within a flexible portion of the length of the shaft that lies betwee

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: Tear-away sheath introducers for catheters, methods for making such introducers, and methods for using such introducers are described. A splittable sheath introducer may include a sheath, a hub disposed at a proximal end of the sheath, a valve included with the hub, and a valve actuator movable from a first position to a second position, the valve actuator opening the valve when in the second position. The valve actuator may include a retaining member that enables the valve actuator to be retained by a portion of the hub when the sheath introducer is split apart.

Abstract: A needle assembly including a positive flush mechanism for use with a vascular access port. The needle assembly is configured to supply fluid to the port and to provide a positive flush to overcome negative pressures in the port that can potentially occur during withdrawal of the needle from the port.

Abstract: An insertion device for use in assisting with the placement of a medical device within the body of a patient is disclosed. For example, the insertion device can be employed to assist with the placement of an introducer, which provides a conduit for insertion of a catheter into the body. In one embodiment, the insertion device comprises a needle that is removably disposed within a bore defined by the medical device, and a needle retraction assembly. The needle retraction assembly can position the needle in any one of a first position wherein a distal tip of the needle is disposed a predetermined distance distal to a distal end of the medical device, a second position wherein the needle distal tip is disposed distal but proximate to the distal end of the medical device, and a third position wherein the needle distal tip is retracted within the medical device bore.

Abstract: A method of moving a stent device into an outer sheath of a stent: device delivery system is disclosed. The stent device (4) is Crimped into a collapsed configuration onto the loading mandrel (6). The loading mandrel is pushed towards the outer sheath as the engaging surfaces (10) resist relative longitudinal movement between the stent device and the loading mandrel to move the stent device into the outer sheath (16). Upon entering the outer sheath, the stent device expands radially until radially constrained by the outer sheath.

Abstract: A hernia repair device, comprising: an inflatable balloon having an inflation tube, the inflation tube having a proximal end attached to said balloon and a distal end adapted to be extracted from the body, separately from the balloon, via an opening which is smaller than a laparoscopic opening; and a mesh removably attached to said balloon, wherein the inflation tube passes through the mesh.

Abstract: A radially expansible annular stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a plurality of stenting turns around a lumen centered on a longitudinal axis. Adjacent turns of the stent are joined by connector struts. The stent annulus has a wall thickness related to the material from which it is formed. The radial thickness of the connector struts is smaller than that of the stent annulus. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed. The method includes cutting the connector struts from a tubular workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is aimed so as to be offset from a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to provide the reduced radial thickness of the connector struts.

Abstract: A method and device for treating hernia by implanting at least one collapsible hernia repair patch, such as a planar mesh body at least partially enveloped by one or more elastic collars. A posterior end of an applicator carrying the repair patch may be inserted through a hernia and into the wall of the abdominal cavity, and the patch may be released into the cavity, e.g., so as to helically deploy the patch such that the patch lies in parallel to the abdominal wall. A balloon, which is removably attached to the patch, may be inflated to help move the patch to a deployed configuration, and thereafter the balloon removed from the hernia site.

Abstract: Tear-away sheath introducers for catheters and methods for making and using such introducers are described. The sheath introducers contain movable valves that are encapsulated in a movable housing that allows the valve to move along the introducer axis. As the movable valve and housing travel along the axis, a portion of the hub protrudes past the valve and is exposed. As well, the sheath introducers can also contain a stationary valve and housing that can be opened to expose a portion of the hub when a conduit penetrates the stationary valve. The conduit can include a one-way, two-way, or other suitable valve actuator that can penetrate and open the valve, yet remain attached to a portion of the introducer when the introducer is split for removal from a patient. In both instances, the protruding portion of the hub contains a friction-free pathway for a catheter into the sheath introducer.

Abstract: A hand-held actuator device for releasing into the body from a delivery system a medical prosthesis, like a stent, comprising a frame (10) that acts as a housing, a reel (30) for receiving a wire (8), a manually operable slider (34) mounted to the frame and a one-way connection between the slider and the reel. Actuating the slider causes the reel to wind up the wire and release the medical prosthesis.

Abstract: An instrument for delivering a suture transfascially may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and at least one needle that is moveable to an extended position beyond the end of the shaft. A suture may be delivered transfascially with the instrument. The instrument may include a suture catch associated with each needle for retaining and releasing a suture segment. A shield may be provided to shield the sharp end of each needle when it is moved to the extended position. A method of delivering a transfascial suture may include inserting an instrument into an abdominal cavity and deploying, from within the abdominal cavity, each needle through a soft tissue repair patch and then through at least part of the abdominal wall. A suture or suture segment may be advanced across the fascia with the at least one needle.

Abstract: An access port for providing subcutaneous access to a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the port includes an internal body defining a fluid cavity that is accessible via a septum. A compliant outer cover including silicone is disposed about at least a portion of the body. A flange is included with the port body and is covered by the outer cover. The flange radially extends about a perimeter of the port body proximate the septum so as to impede penetration of a needle substantially into the outer cover in instances where the needle misses the septum. The flange can further include both an anchoring feature for securing the outer cover to the port body and an identification feature observable via x-ray imaging technology for conveying information indicative of at least one attribute of the access port. The outer cover provides a suitable surface for application of an antimicrobial/antithrombotic coating.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a sample receiving notch formed in an elongate member. The sample receiving notch defines a side port adjacent the outer surface. The sample receiving notch extends inwardly from the side port toward a longitudinal axis and terminates at a sample floor in an interior of the elongate member. The sample receiving notch has a proximal end wall separated from a distal end wall along the longitudinal axis. The floor extends between the proximal end wall and the distal end wall. A tissue anchor has a cantilever portion and a head portion at a free end of the cantilever portion. The cantilever portion extends from a distal portion of the elongate member adjacent to the sample receiving notch toward the proximal end wall of the sample receiving notch. The head portion has a sharp tip that extends from the cantilever portion toward the sample floor.

Abstract: A method of deploying a stent includes providing a delivery system with the stent loaded in a reduced diameter configuration between an inner catheter and an outer sheath, the stent including a covering positioned on a luminal wall surface thereof, the inner catheter including a radially outwardly extending protrusion that extends into the covering but does not intersect a plane along the stent luminal wall surface, advancing the delivery system to a stenting site, and withdrawing the outer sheath to deploy the stent at the stenting site.

Abstract: A disposable biopsy unit includes a biopsy needle unit and a pump. The biopsy needle unit includes a carrier, a biopsy needle and a cutting sheath. The carrier is configured to mount the biopsy needle and the cutting sheath. The cutting sheath is configured to move along a longitudinal axis relative to the biopsy needle. The pump has an elongate cylinder and a plunger. The plunger is configured to be movable inside the elongate cylinder in a first direction from a distal end of the elongate cylinder to a proximal end of the elongate cylinder to generate a vacuum and configured to be movable inside the elongate cylinder in a second direction from the proximal end of the elongate cylinder to the distal end of the elongate cylinder to build up pressure. The distal end of the elongate cylinder is coupled in fluid communication with the biopsy needle.