Abstract: The present invention provides a braided implant with a retractable dual proximal layer and methods for administering the braided implant to treat aneurysms. The implant can include a tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position that is based on the predetermined shape and the geometry of the aneurysm in which the braid is implanted. The implant can also have a retractable ball segment at the proximal end of the device made of the same braid that can be heat treated into an ellipsoid shape. The retractable ball segment can be movable from a position outside the aneurysm to a position at least partially enclosed within the implant to increase or decrease the height of the implant relative to the aneurysm or better conform the implant to the neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A system for providing illumination for an endoscope device. The system includes a light source comprising light bundles, wherein each light bundle comprises light emitters. The light source sequentially pulses electromagnetic energy in individual electromagnetic partitions, where each of the plurality of light bundles corresponds to one of the individual electromagnetic partitions. The system includes an electromagnetic sensor embedded within the light source to sense electromagnetic energy emitted from at least one, but less than all, of the light emitters within each of the light bundles. The system includes a control circuit in electronic communication with the electromagnetic sensor and at least one of the light emitters, wherein the electromagnetic sensor receives electromagnetic energy from at least one of the light emitters, and wherein the electromagnetic sensor measures an amount of electromagnetic energy generated by the at least one of the light emitters.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for passing sutures around anatomical structures. In an exemplary embodiment, a suture delivery device is provided that includes a body portion having a suture delivery member disposed therein and configured to pass a suture around an anatomical structure. The suture delivery member can be movable between a retracted configuration in which the suture delivery member is disposed within the body portion and an advanced configuration in which the suture delivery member extends distally beyond the body portion and assumes an arcuate shape. The arcuate shape can correspond to a shape of the anatomical structure and can extend almost all of the way around the anatomical structure, for example at least around 270° of a circle, thus assisting a user in passing the suture around the anatomical structure without having to manually manipulate the suture delivery device at awkward angles around adjacent tissue.

Abstract: A braid for treating an aneurysm can include a first radially expandable segment operable to move from a collapsed state within a microcatheter to a deployed state distal of the microcatheter. The first radially expandable segment can be capable of radially expanding to form an outer occlusive sack in the aneurysm in the deployed state. The braid can also include a second radially expandable segment operable to move from the collapsed state within the microcatheter to the deployed state distal of the microcatheter, wherein the second radially expandable segment is capable of radially expanding inside the outer occlusive sack to form an inner occlusive sack in the outer occlusive sack in the deployed state. An expansion mechanism can be included and be disposed at a proximal end of the first and second radially expandable segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-expanding braided implant, including a distal implant end and a proximal implant end, the braided implant being invertible about the distal implant end. Translation of the braided implant distally causes the braided implant to invert and fold into itself thereby forming an occlusive sack configured to occlude the aneurysm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a braided implant with a retractable dual proximal layer and methods for administering the braided implant to treat aneurysms. The implant can include a tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position that is based on the predetermined shape and the geometry of the aneurysm in which the braid is implanted. The implant can also have a retractable ball segment at the proximal end of the device made of the same braid that can be heat treated into an ellipsoid shape. The retractable ball segment can be movable from a position outside the aneurysm to a position at least partially enclosed within the implant to increase or decrease the height of the implant relative to the aneurysm or better conform the implant to the neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A device can detect and retrieve a blood clot by advancing a catheter with a clot sensing element through a patient’s vascular system. The catheter can map, using an electromagnetic sensor disposed at a distal end of the clot sensing element, the patient’s vascular system. A force sensor can generate a position signal indicating the clot sensing element contacted the clot in the patient’s vascular system. Once located, a blood clot retrieval device can be deployed through the catheter and a lumen in the clot sensing element to remove the clot from the patient’s vascular system.

Abstract: A dilation system for accessing a surgical target site to perform surgical procedures. In one version, the dilation system includes a wedge assembly and an actuating mechanism. The wedge assembly comprises includes a base and a plurality of blades extending from the base so that the distal end of the blades extend away from the base. The mechanism is operably associated with the blades so as to cause the distal end of the blades to move from a closed condition to an expanded condition.

Abstract: A device for spinal surgery that may be used for tightening a locking cap onto at least a portion of a pedicle screw. The device may include a torque-generating body having a proximal end and an opposing distal end and a drive shaft rotatably driven by the torque-generating body. A proximal end of the drive shaft may be operatively engaged to the distal end of the torque-generating body and an opposing distal end of the drive shaft may engage at least a portion of one of the locking cap and the pedicle screw. An anti-torque device is provided that has an elongated and generally hollow member defining a longitudinal axis. The member has a proximal end and an opposing distal end, where the proximal end of the anti-torque device may be fixed from rotating relative to at least a portion of the torque-generating body and the distal end may be fixed from rotating relative to a spine rod or a pedicle screw.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: A patella fracture fixation system includes a bone plate that is configured to be implanted along an anterior approach. The bone plate has a fixation hub and a plurality of fixation nodes that are connected to the fixation hub. The fixation hub and the fixation nodes can define respective fixation holes. The bone plate can further include legs that are configured to be bent around respective inferior aspects of the patella.

Abstract: Methods of designing and manufacturing a number of low-profile metallic customized, patient-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed.

Abstract: A distractible intervertebral implant configured to be inserted in an insertion direction into an intervertebral space that is defined between a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body is disclosed. The implant may include a first body and a second body. The first body may define an outer surface that is configured to engage the first vertebral body, and an opposing inner surface that defines a rail. The second body may define an outer surface that is configured to engage the second vertebral body, and an inner surface that defines a recess configured to receive the rail of the first body. The second body moves in a vertical direction toward the second vertebral body as the second body is slid over the first body and the rail is received in the recess.

Abstract: A device for treating an aneurysm with a braided implant can include a delivery tube having a spiral groove on an outer surface of the delivery tube and a braided implant having a spiral segment. The spiral segment can engage the spiral groove as the braided implant is delivered to an aneurysm treatment site. At the treatment site, the braided implant can be implanted, and the delivery tube can be rotated to disengage the spiral segment from the spiral groove. Once released, the spiral segment can reshape to occlude the neck of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A method of delivering a catheter to a location of interest in the vasculature, the method including positioning a self-expanding sheath within a lumen of the catheter; advancing the catheter and the self-expanding sheath in tandem over a guidewire; and distally moving a distal end of the self-expanding sheath out from the lumen of the catheter thereby causing the self-expanding sheath to move from a collapsed state within the catheter to an expanded state outside the catheter, wherein when the self-expanding sheath is in the expanded state both the self-expanding sheath and the catheter are distally advanceable in tandem.

Abstract: A drill guide, including: frustoconical body with a first opening at a narrower distal end and second opening at a wider the proximal end; a first support with a first end connected to the frustoconical body and a second end; a zero angle guide with an opening aligned with the first opening and wherein the zero angle guide is connected to the second end of the first support.

Abstract: An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surf aces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for delivering bone anchor assemblies into bone are disclosed herein. Use of these anchors or instruments can eliminate one or more of the steps in a conventional bone anchor installation procedure, improving surgical efficiency and safety. In general, a surgical instrument can include a handle assembly having an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The handle assembly can be configured to axially translate a stylet extending therethrough relative to a bone anchor assembly coupled to the elongate shaft, and it can be configured to move the stylet proximally in response to distal advancement of a bone anchor assembly into bone. The surgical instruments can include various mechanisms for adjusting the position of the stylet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits for treating unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations in a human patient with reduced procedure time by embolizing by delivering a first embolic agent comprising N-butyl cyanoacrylate (“n-BCA”) within at least one blood vessel adjacent a vascular tangle in a first group of human patients and achieving a reduced embolization procedure time compared to a second group of human patients treated by delivering a second embolic agent. Methods, systems, and kits for reducing costs of embolization by at least approximately 18% are described.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features. The features of the systems and methods described herein may include providing improved resolution and color reproduction.