Abstract: A surgical delivery instrument for delivering a vascular hole closure device having first and second flexible members and a first and second engagement members extending from the respective flexible member. The delivery instrument includes a housing having first and second longitudinally extending openings and first and second projecting surfaces, the first projecting surface extending into the first opening for engagement by the first engagement member and the second projecting surface extending into the second opening for engagement by the second engagement member. The first engagement member is held by the first projecting surface until a predetermined force is applied to the first engagement member during placement of the closure device at a target site.

Abstract: A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture and having a first opening. A first retainer is positionable external of the vessel. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer, wherein the first opening of the covering member is configured to restrict movement of the connecting member.

Abstract: A spinal implant having a series of sections or units hinged together and a balloon connected to at least some of the sections, the balloon having a curved configuration. The implant has a first delivery configuration and a second curved placement configuration, wherein it has a more linear configuration in the first delivery configuration than in the second curved configuration. The implant assumes the first delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and maintains the curved configuration after placement within the disc space. The curved configuration can result from filling or expanding the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient. The valve comprises a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a proximal side of the annulus of a patient and a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a distal side of the annulus of a patient, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions is movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus. The second portion has a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood. In one embodiment, the valve has a suture joining the first and second portions to draw the first and second portions into closer proximity and a cinch member to secure the suture to maintain the first and second portions in the clamped position.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising a first filtering portion and a first anchoring portion with a transverse dimension of the filtering portion in an expanded configuration being less than a transverse dimension of the anchoring portion in an expanded configuration, and a second filtering portion and a second anchoring portion with a transverse dimension of the second filtering portion being less than a transverse dimension of the second anchoring portion. The first and second filtering portions are positioned closer to each other than the first and second anchoring portions, and the anchoring portions are formed on first and second opposite portions of the vessel filter. At least one anchoring member having a sharpened edge for engaging the vessel wall is positioned on the anchoring portions.

Abstract: A vascular device comprising a plurality of vessel engaging members and a valve. The device is movable from a collapsed insertion position having a first diameter to a second expanded position having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The plurality of vessel engaging members extend outwardly from the device for securely engaging the internal wall of a vessel upon expansion of the device to the second expanded position, wherein the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly upon movement of the device from the second expanded position toward a first expanded position having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter. In the first expanded position the valve is movable between an open position to allow blood flow therethrough to a closed position to prevent blood flow.

Abstract: A surgical biopsy apparatus for cutting tissue comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, first and second members movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the housing, a third member slidably positioned and extendable with respect to the first member, a fourth member slidably positioned and extendable with respect to the second member, and an electrocautery cutting wire slidable with respect to the third and fourth members to surround a region of tissue positioned between the third and fourth members to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A method of locating a vessel lumen to enable placement of a vascular hole closure device comprising the steps of providing a syringe containing a fluid therein, connecting the syringe to an elongated instrument, exerting a force on the syringe plunger as it is inserted through the tissue towards the vessel wall, and detecting movement of the syringe to eject the fluid to determine entry of the elongated instrument into the vessel lumen.

Abstract: A spinal implant having a smaller transverse cross-sectional dimension in the radially compressed configuration than in a first expanded configuration and a more linear configuration in the second delivery configuration than in the first curved configuration. The implant assumes the radially compressed configuration and second delivery configuration during delivery to the disc space and assumes the first curved configuration and first expanded configuration upon placement within the disc space. The implant further moves towards the radially compressed configuration once implanted in response to a load placed on the implant by the vertebral bodies.

Abstract: An improvement to a thrombectomy apparatus for breaking up thrombus or other obstructive material in a lumen of a vascular graft or vessel having a wire and flexible sheath relatively movable, wherein the wire is sinuous in configuration and assumes its sinuous configuration when in the deployed configuration and has a straighter configuration in the first configuration. The wire is operatively connected to a motor for rotation of the wire to enable peaks of the sinuous wire to contact a wall of the lumen to break up the thrombus or other obstructive material. The improvement to the thrombectomy apparatus comprises the wire being formed of an inner core formed by a plurality of twisted wires and an outer wire wound directly around the inner core, wherein a distal portion of the outer wire extends distal of the inner core and progressively tapers towards a distal end to form a tapered region.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for cutting a tissue mass comprising an elongated housing having a distal portion, a rotatable shaft positioned in the elongated housing, and a plurality of flexible electrocautery cutting blades extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of cutting blades are radially expandable from a first position defining a first diameter to a second larger diameter and the blades are rotatable and transmit electrical energy to cut the tissue mass.

Abstract: A dialysis catheter comprising a first portion having a first diameter, an elongated distal portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a transition region between the first portion and distal portion. A first longitudinally extending central lumen configured to deliver blood terminates in an opening in the distal portion. At least two independent longitudinally extending lumens are positioned radially of the first lumen, configured to withdraw blood from a patient, and terminate in a longitudinally directed opening in the transition portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for removing a portion of tissue comprising an elongated body having a distal edge and a cutting member fixedly mounted to the elongated body and extending distally of the distal edge of the elongated body member. The cutting member has an exposed conductive distal edge forming an electrosurgical cutting surface for applying electrical energy to tissue. The cutting member resects a tubular region of tissue as the apparatus is advanced through tissue and the resected tissue extends through an opening in the cutting ring for containment within the elongated body.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising a first filtering portion and a first anchoring portion with a transverse dimension of the filtering portion in an expanded configuration being less than a transverse dimension of the anchoring portion in an expanded configuration, and a second filtering portion and a second anchoring portion with a transverse dimension of the second filtering portion being less than a transverse dimension of the second anchoring portion. The first and second filtering portions are positioned closer to each other than the first and second anchoring portions, and the anchoring portions are formed on first and second opposite portions of the vessel filter. At least one anchoring member having a sharpened edge for engaging the vessel wall is positioned on the anchoring portions.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising first and second filtering portions and first and second anchoring portions. A transverse dimension of the first filtering portion in an expanded configuration is less than a transverse dimension of the anchoring portion in an expanded configuration, and a transverse dimension of the second filtering portion is less than a transverse dimension of the second anchoring portion. The first and second filtering portions are positioned closer to each other than the first and second anchoring portions, and the anchoring portions are formed on first and second opposite portions of the vessel filter. Preferably a sleeve is positioned between the first and second filter portions.

Abstract: The present provides a removable vessel filter comprising a first and second filtering portion and a first and second anchoring portion, wherein a transverse dimension of the first filtering portion in an expanded configuration is less than a transverse dimension of the first anchoring portion in an expanded configuration, and a transverse dimension of the second filtering portion is less than a transverse dimension of the second anchoring portion. The first and second filtering portions are positioned closer to each other than the first and second anchoring portions, and the anchoring portions being formed on first and second opposite portions of the vessel filter. The vessel filter is removable from a vessel wall by engagement of either the first filtering portion or the second filtering portion.

Abstract: A surgical introducer sheath comprising a first member having a first longitudinally extending lumen dimensioned to receive a surgical instrument therethrough, a second member having a second longitudinally extending lumen dimensioned to receive the first member, and a retainer adjacent a distal portion of the second member movable from a first retracted position to a second extended position to limit proximal movement of the introducer sheath. Rotational movement of the second member in a first direction moves the retainer to the extended position and rotational movement of the second member in a second direction moves the retainer to a retracted position.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering fluid to treat a lesion comprising an elongated member having a distal tip and a plurality of slots formed in a sidewall proximal of the distal tip, a plurality of fluid delivery members positioned in the elongated member and having a lumen and at least one opening communicating with the lumen for delivering fluid to the lesion, and an actuator actuable to a first position to move the plurality of fluid delivery members from a retracted position within the elongated member to a first deployed position extending radially with respect to the elongated member and actuable to a second position to move the plurality of fluid delivery members from the first position to a second deployed position extending further radially from the elongated member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering fluid to treat a lesion comprising an elongated member having a distal tip and a first and second set of openings formed in a sidewall proximal of the distal tip. The second set of openings is positioned proximally of the first set of openings. First and second set of fluid delivery members are movably positioned in the elongated for delivering fluid to the lesion. An actuator moves the fluid delivery members from a retracted position within the elongated members to a first deployed position extending radially with respect to the elongated member and moves the fluid delivery members from the first deployed position to a second deployed position extending further radially from the elongated member. The fluid delivery members are retained in the first and second deployed positions by a retention member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for delivering fluid to treat a lesion comprising a housing, an elongated member extending from the housing, and a plurality of tines positioned in the housing. Each of the tines has a lumen and at least one opening communicating with the lumen for delivering fluid to the lesion. An actuator is operatively associated with the tines and actuable to a first position to move the plurality of tines from a retracted position substantially within the elongated member to a first deployed position extending from the elongated member and actuable to a second position to move the plurality of tines from the first position to a second deployed position.