Abstract: Embolization particles can be safely delivered to the left gastric artery of a patient by introducing the distal end of a catheter in the patient's left gastric artery, inflating a balloon located near the distal end of the catheter so that the balloon prevents blood from flowing through the left gastric artery, and injecting a mixture of particles and contrast agent into the proximal end of the catheter so that they flow through the catheter. In addition, a path is provided for blood to flow into the catheter through an opening in the sidewall of the catheter at a position that is proximal to the balloon, and out through the distal end of the catheter. This blood flow helps to carry the particles along to their destination in the distal portion of the left gastric artery. The particles are also prevented from flowing into portions of the patient's artery system that are proximal of the balloon.

Abstract: Vascular access devices, systems, and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a vascular access device includes a catheter, a balloon, and an inflation lumen. The catheter includes an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a primary lumen therethrough. The balloon is disposed about the distal end of the catheter. The inflation lumen is in fluid communication with the balloon and extends toward the proximal end of the shaft of the catheter. The balloon is inflatable into a shape having a first open end, a second open end, a sidewall between the first and second open ends, and a passageway therethrough, which, when the balloon is deployed and inflated within a vessel, permits blood flowing in the vessel to flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A tissue anchor system includes a fixation device and a tool. The fixation device includes a tab connected to a tissue anchor. The tool includes a shaft connected between a proximal handle portion and a distal tip. The distal tip is configured to limit movement of the fixation device during loading of the tissue anchor.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. A delivery device for staged deployment of an implantable device to a target area. The delivery device includes a deployment handle and one or more lock lines extending from the deployment handle through the catheter to the implantable device, the one or more lock lines being configured to engage with the implantable device to allow locking of the implantable device.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for attaching an operator-manipulatable tether(s) to the stent for: loading and/or collapsing the expandable stent into a delivery catheter or sheath, translating the collapsed stent along the delivery catheter or sheath, delivering the expandable stent into the subject heart chamber, repositioning the expandable stent as necessary within the subject heart chamber, recapturing or resheathing the expandable stent within the delivery catheter or sheath if needed, and deploying the expandable stent to, and within, the subject heart chamber.

Abstract: A suture device for use in combination with a delivery system including a lumen extending through the delivery system includes a needle usable to carry a suture, a distal shuttle configured to releasably secure the needle, a sleeve disposable over the distal shuttle, the distal shuttle movable relative to the sleeve between a locked position in which the needle is locked to the distal shuttle and an unlocked position in which the needle is releasable from the distal shuttle. A shaft is operably coupled to the sleeve and a control wire is operably coupled to the distal shuttle. A needle may include a needle cap.

Abstract: A slip knot suture construct system and method for securing multiple limbs of suture. The system includes a suture construct having a length of suture including a standing limb with a standing terminal end and a closing limb with a closing terminal end. The suture construct has three loops: a primary loop formed in the closing limb, the primary loop and closing limb extending to the standing limb, a secondary loop formed in the standing limb, and a locking loop formed in the length of suture between the primary loop and the secondary loop. A limb of suture extends through the primary loop. The limb of suture is secured in the suture construct by pulling the closing terminal end proximally, which pulls the primary loop holding the limb of suture through the locking loop and at least partially into the secondary loop.

Abstract: An intraosseous screw for deposit into a bone structure and retaining a soft tissue therein. The intraosseous screw includes a body and a retention member. The body defines an axial cavity in which soft tissue can be deposited and a window that permits the soft tissue to contact the bone structure in which the intraosseous screw is deposited. The retention member is positioned within the axial cavity and at least partially defines an opening through which a suture connected to soft tissue can pass to facilitate anchoring of the soft tissue within the axial cavity. The intraosseous screw can be combined with a passing suture, driver, and/or peg to provide a system for associating soft tissue with a bone structure. The intraosseous screw can be utilized in a method in which soft tissue is deposited into a bone structure after the interosseous screw is fully deposited in the bone structure.

Abstract: An Achilles tendon repair device comprises a handle for physician gripping and base having a first set of tendon rods disposed in an arcuate or U-shaped pattern about the base to engage the posterior surface of the tendon and impart a contour, or drape, the tendon in the posterior-anterior plane to increase the surface area for suturing. A second set of suture guide rods extend from the sides of the base and are spaced apart to allow insertion of suture needles along the entire length of the suture guide rods, and at any angle. A suture needle housing guide can be slidingly attached to the suture guide rods and includes sidewalls with predefined suture holes/angles. An adjustable clamping arm can engage the tendon's posterior surface such that the device grasps the tendon on both the anterior and posterior tendon surfaces simultaneously, while increasing posterior-anterior plane surface area to facilitate suturing.

Abstract: Delivery systems, methods and associated devices to facilitate delivery and deployment of a heart implant. Such delivery systems and methods of delivery include use of a pair of magnetic catheters, including an anchor delivery catheter carrying an anchor, which can be stacked with or can be axially offset from the magnetic head. Such systems further include use of a puncturing guidewire advanceable through the magnetic head of the anchor delivery catheter to establish access to a chamber of a heart and which is attached to a bridging element such that continued advancement of the guidewire draws a bridging element attached to the first anchor across the chamber of the heart while the bridging element remains covered by the magnetically coupled catheters. Methods and devices herein also allow for cutting and removal of a bridge element of a deployed heart implant.

Abstract: A system or device for skin closure comprises an elastic flat flexible tape elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a lower side and an opposing upper side, said tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of the lower side, said tape having a plurality of openings arranged side-by-side with spaces between said openings oriented across the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A medical device including a removable frame and biomaterial cover, methods of assembling and using the same, and a delivery system including the same are described herein. The medical device includes a frame having proximal and distal ends, the frame including a proximal disc at the proximal end, a distal disc at the distal end, and a connecting segment having a proximal end and a distal end connecting the proximal and distal discs. Each of the proximal and distal discs includes a respective plurality of prongs and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension larger than the connecting segment. The medical device further includes at least one biomaterial cover including an outer section and an inner section defining a cavity therebetween, wherein at least one of the proximal and distal discs of the frame is positioned in the cavity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for securing tissue to bone. A surgical system can include a driver device, an elongate shaft receivable within the driver device and having a dilator feature at its distal end, and a capture suture extending through the shaft such that the capture suture's terminal end portions extend to a more proximal position on the driver and the capture suture forms a loop that extends through an opening formed through a side of the shaft. The loop is configured to receive at least one retention suture therethrough and can be tightened by pulling the capture suture's terminal ends, thereby coupling the retention suture with the suture anchor. Once the shaft is inserted into bone and the loop with the retention suture is closed, the suture anchor is driven distally towards the dilator features and into the bone to secure the retaining suture in the bone.

Abstract: A hemostatic device is provided with: a first tubular member; a positioning member having a first engagement section and engageable with an opening of a blood vessel; a hemostatic agent arranged further to a proximal end side than the first engagement section of the first positioning member; a push-out member making it possible to push the hemostatic agent out from a distal end section of the first tubular member when the push-out member is moved; a first operation unit for executing a first distal end operation for causing the first tubular member and the push-out member to move in a relative manner to a distal end side, and a second distal end operation for causing the push-out member to move in a relative manner to the distal end side; and a switching mechanism for restricting the second distal end operation until the first distal end operation is completed.

Abstract: A wound or incision closure apparatus comprises a first and second panel. Each of the panels comprises a bottom adhesive layer, a medial substrate layer, and an upper load distribution layer which connect the two panels. A sensory or therapeutic element is disposed adjacent, within, or between two or more of the layers. The sensory or therapeutic element can provide sensing and/or therapy for the incision and/or monitor the incision so that the therapy can be customized and updated.

Abstract: A surgical tool that has a pair of transmissions coupled to one another to effect driving of a cutting tool in both an oscillating manner and a reciprocating manner. The transmissions are driven by a motor coupled to one of the transmissions.

Abstract: A fixation device. At least one example embodiment is a bone anchor comprising: a proximal head; a bollard coupled to the proximal head; a first barb coupled to the bollard, the first barb extends outward a first distance measured perpendicularly from an anchor central axis, the first distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the first barb extends outward at a first radial from the anchor central axis; and a second barb coupled to the first barb, the second barb extends outward a second distance measured perpendicularly from the anchor central axis, the second distance greater than half the transverse dimension of the bollard, and the second barb extends outward at a second radial from the anchor central axis, the second radial at a second rotational orientation at least 36 angular degrees from the first radial.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective heart valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member. The insert member self-expands to plug gaps between leaflets of the heart valve. The anchoring member is preferably a stent connected to the insert member by at least one elongate member. The stent is deployed within an adjacent blood vessel for anchoring the insert member. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the leaflets of the heart valve form a tight seal against the insert member for preventing regurgitation when the leaflets are closed and wherein blood passes through the insert member when the leaflets are open.

Abstract: A guide wire, a medical device, and a medical method are able to achieve satisfactory workability and while ensuring safety by preventing a puncture needle portion from performing erroneous puncture. A guide wire for guiding a dilator to be inserted into a living body includes a shaft portion, a puncture portion fixed to a distal portion of the shaft portion, and whose distal side includes a needle portion for forming a hole in a biological tissue, and a deformable deformation portion fixed to the shaft portion or the puncture portion. The deformation portion located inside the dilator restricts deflection of the distal portion of the shaft portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue capture anchor is described that includes an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and spreader and inside surfaces of a bone hole to secure the tissue within the hole. A bone anchor is described that includes an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. The spreader captures tissue via a suture loop at the distal end of the bone anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the anchor into bone and move the spreader within the anchor to expand the anchor and capture the tissue between the anchor and the bone. Methods are described that allow the use of bone anchors to secure tissue to bone.