Abstract: An implantable prosthesis is provided for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle defect, that promotes tissue of muscle ingrowth into the prosthesis and subsequently strengthens the area of the defect. The prosthesis is easy to manipulate and may be designed to minimize the incidence of postoperative adhesions between a portion of the prosthesis and surrounding tissue or organs. The prosthesis may include one or more layers of biologically compatible material that is suitable for repairing a defect. The prosthesis may include a support assembly to facilitate manipulation and deployment of the prosthesis. The support assembly may include a stiffening member that is surrounded by material that separates the stiffening member from the layer of material. The stiffening member may be located in a sleeve of material, such as mesh fabric. The stiffening member may be formed from a resorbable material.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis includes a stent architecture having a series of stent elements repeating along a circumferential axis. One series of stent elements includes v-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and V-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent v-shaped stent elements. One series of stent elements includes R-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and U-shaped stent elements having at least two different orientations, the U-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent R-shaped stent elements. Adjacent series of stent elements can be connected by connectors. Portions of the stent elements may narrow in width along a length thereof. The stent architecture may include radiopaque element receiving members. The stent architecture may be formed by machining a metal or polymer tube. The intraluminal prosthesis may include one or more graft layers.

Abstract: A securement device (10) secures a medical article (12) to the body of a patient and prevents longitudinal movement of the medical article (12) relative to the securement device (10). The securement device (10) includes a base portion (50) that is disposed over at least a part of a securement piece (20). The securement piece (20) forms a channel (19) configured to receive at least a portion of the medical article (12). The device (10) includes at least one actuator (40). The at least one actuator (40) is coupled with the securement piece (20) and configured to move the securement piece (20) between open position and a closed position. When the securement piece (20) is in the open position, it can receive at least a portion of the medical article (12). When the securement piece (20) is in the closed position, it prevents the received medical article (12) from moving in the longitudinal direction relative to the securement device (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a tube of material (1) having a seam (12) extending between a proximal end and a distal end, two edges (10a, 10b) of the material meeting and at least partially overlapping along the seam (12) and being sewn together at the seam by stitches (21, 22, 24) of relatively flexible thread (20), the thread of one or more of the stitches (22, 24) passing from a first side (12a) of the overlapped edges (10a, 10b) of material, through both layers of overlapped material, crossing a relatively rigid member (30) which is disposed on a second, opposite side (12b) of the overlapped edges of material, and passing back to the first side (12a). There is further disclosed an implant delivery catheter (40) incorporating the tube of material (1), and associated methods for its manufacture.

Abstract: A catheter securement device (100) holds a medical article such as a catheter hub or a connector fitting in position upon the body of a patient and at least inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article. The securement device (100) includes a retainer (120) and at least one anchor pad (110). The retainer (120) has one or more curved ribs (280) into which at least a portion of the medical article is inserted. The retainer (120) includes a spine (145) that extends in a proximal direction from the retainer (120). The spine (145) includes a clip (147) having an abutment surface that can abut against a contact point or surface on the medical article. The abutment, in conjunction with a second abutment and/or a tapering shape of the retainer (120), inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article in both proximal and distal directions.

Abstract: A stent includes a matrix of struts. The matrix of struts may be disposed parallel to one another in a non-expanded disposition. A plurality of loops along the longitudinal axis may be formed by the matrix of struts. In one aspect, a plurality of cusps in each loop of the plurality of loops connects adjacent struts, the plurality of cusps including tied cusps and free cusps. The tied cusps of one loop can be connected to the tied cusps of an adjacent loop by a bridge extending therebetween. In one aspect, the adjacent struts connected by a tied cusp have different lengths. In one aspect, at least one free cusp in each loop joins two struts of approximately equal length.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed comprising a diaphragm having at least one slit valve disposed therein, and a valve housing configured to secure the diaphragm at a peripheral portion of the diaphragm, wherein a central portion of the diaphragm is positioned relative to the peripheral portion of the diaphragm such that compressive forces acting on the peripheral portion of the diaphragm create moment forces which bias the slit valve in a closed position. A method is disclosed for using the device in connection with a catheter for regulation of fluids to and from a patient.

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 intracorporeal marker, for marking a site within living tissue of a host, includes an outer body portion of biodegradable material. An inner body portion is located in the outer body portion. The inner body portion includes biological material that becomes calcified in the living tissue of the host over time. An agent interacts with the biological material to promote calcification of the biological material of the inner body portion in the living tissue of the host.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has at least one drainage opening. A hydrophilic coating is provided on at least a portion of the elongate end of the catheter. A fluid containing member is provided and is either arranged on the elongate member or within a separate area of the container. The fluid containing member contains sufficient hydrating fluid to hydrate the coating of the catheter. A container contains the elongate member and the fluid containing member and incorporates at least one foil layer to prevent evaporation of the hydrating fluid. A method of using the catheter includes inserting a catheter into a user's body and draining fluid from the user's body.

Abstract: A deployment device and an associated surgical fastener as well as their methods of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the deployment device includes a restraining mechanism constructed and arranged to temporarily limiting movement of a surgical fastener back span. The surgical fastener includes two legs extending in a distal direction from opposing ends of the back span. The legs are in a first closed position with a first shape. The deployment device also includes a spreader configured and arranged to engage the legs of the surgical fastener in the first closed position. When the spreader is moved in a distal direction relative to the back span, the spreader spreads the legs of the surgical fastener from the first closed position to a second open position as the back span is limited from distally moving by the restraining mechanism.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a non-deforming surgical fastener are discussed. In one embodiment, the fastener includes two legs and a backspan extending between the two legs. The fastener also includes a backspan thickness that is adapted to reduce the pressure and/or increase the holding strength applied to underlying materials. The non-deforming fastener is constructed and arranged to retain substantially the same shape before, during and after deployment into the target implantation site.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is provided for various surgical fastening applications, including attaching an implantable prosthesis, such as a soft tissue repair fabric, to tissue and/or muscle. The surgical fastener may include a coil body and a separate head that is attached to the coil body. The head may include two or more radial wings extending in an outward radial direction from the head body. Each wing may include an external thread to engage with a corresponding internal thread of a delivery device. Each wing may be spaced from an adjacent wing by an opening therebetween to receive a drive member for driving the surgical fastener. The coil body may be attached to the center of the head. A proximal-most coil of the coil body may be spaced from a distal face of the head to form a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical fastener is provided for various surgical fastening applications, including attaching an implantable prosthesis, such as a soft tissue repair fabric, to tissue and/or muscle. The surgical fastener may include a coil body and a head attached to the coil body. The head may include at least one external thread adapted to engage with a corresponding internal thread of a delivery device. The head may include a through hole adapted to receive a rod therethrough for guiding and/or driving the surgical fastener from the delivery device. The through hole may have a non-circular configuration that complements at least a portion of the shape of a non-circular rod. The coil body may also define a channel with a non-circular configuration. The non-circular through hole and/or channel may be engaged and rotated by the non-circular rod to rotate the surgical fastener for delivery and insertion of the fastener into the prosthesis and/or tissue.

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 surgical fastener is provided for various surgical fastening applications, including attaching an implantable prosthesis, such as a soft tissue repair fabric, to tissue and/or muscle. The surgical fastener may include a coil body and a separate head that is attached to the coil body. The head may include an internal thread that is threadably attached to the coil body. The head may also be further secured to the coil body with a compression fit therebetween. A locking feature may prevent back-out of the coil body from the head. The surgical fastener may be assembled by threading the coil body through the head.

Abstract: A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.

Abstract: A securement system (100) includes a device which permits a portion of a catheter or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suture. A securement system for an elongated medical article comprises an anchor pad (110) and a retainer (120) mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer (120) includes a channel (130) that has at least one abutment surface (160) corresponding to a contact surface on the medical article and a groove (210) configured to receive a spline (40) of the medical article. The medical article is placed into the channel (130). The medical article is secured within the channel by retaining at least one spline (40) and contact surface on the medical article.