Abstract: The invention encompasses devices and methods used to provide wound closure based on rings positioned within the tissue layers of the wound opening (with the rings regionally separate the wound depth tissue layers into 2 compartments), followed by suture transport through the rings and full-thickness tissue layers of both compartments. Upon suture transport via synchronous or asynchronous manner and device removal, wound closure is achieved by tying the 2 ends of the suture without incorporating tissue above the level of the rings such as skin. When the device is applied to abdominal or chest wall wound opening, all tissue layers except the skin are incorporated in the suture closure of the wound. The closure process can be performed in a simple, reliable, and expeditious manner.

Abstract: Improvements for curettes currently used in debridement and removal of skin, tissue, and necrotic debris from wound beds comprising a pinchable cap and a circular metal cutting end, wherein an individual may preferably apply pressure to the cap, preferably covering the metal cutting end, in order to manipulate the cutting end into a shape to preferably debride narrow or smaller portions of a wounds such as a narrow oval. The surgical instrument also preferably includes a measurement scale, a depth probe that also acts as a packing tool, and finger grips. There can be an optional LED or LEDs included in or on the curette.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. A delivery device for delivering an implantable device to a target area includes a fluid management system for directing fluid and delivery device components to the target area. The delivery device includes a grip line assembly configured to control a gripper in the implantable device for grasping tissue at the target area. The delivery device includes a lock line assembly configured to control a locking mechanism in the implantable device to lock the implantable device in a desired orientation. The delivery device includes a deployment handle configured to provide staged deployment of the implantable device. A delivery assembly includes a housing and a delivery device partially housed within the housing and being adjustable using one-handed operation.

Abstract: A preloaded injector for storing and injecting hydrophobic intra ocular lenses (IOL) comprises a plunger (2), an injector body (12), an adapter (16), a rotatable member (18), a cartridge (20) with a nozzle tube (22) and a stopper (26). The rotatable member (18) is provided around the cartridge (20) for setting the cartridge (20) from an open position to a closed position. The rotatable member (18) is furnished with a portion interfering with a portion of the stopper (26) keeping the stopper (26) irremovable in its first position but releasing the stopper (26) in its second position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation drive assembly, and a locking feature. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly. The waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation drive assembly comprises an actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body assembly to drive articulation of the articulation section. The locking feature is in communication with the actuator. The locking feature is movable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The locking feature is configured to permit movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the unlocked state. The locking feature is configured to prevent movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the locked state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis (1) comprising a textile (2) of elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis A, and a reinforcing element comprising at least one semi-rigid elongate structure (8) connected to said textile, said structure being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis A and having a distal end provided with at least one fastening element (4) distinct from said textile and capable of cooperating with a part of a tool (10) that is able to pass through said trocar, in order to temporarily couple said prosthesis to said tool.

Abstract: Vessel closure system that can be affixed in a spatially defined position for closing open blood vessels has a closure element, at least one pressure body arranged on the closure element and holding bands coupled to the closure element and made from a material having elastic properties. The pressure body is designed, when placed on an opened vessel of a patient, to apply increased pressure, in relation to other regions of the vessel, to a puncture site in the vessel. A skin adhesive layer is arranged on each holding band on the same side of the closure element as the pressure body. Each pressure body has a curvature projecting outwardly from the closure element such that lateral sides of the pressure body are closer to the closure element than a middle region of the pressure body between the lateral sides to provide the pressure body with an elongate pressure surface.

Abstract: Flexible high-pressure angioplasty balloons are disclosed herein which utilize an inflatable balloon positioned upon the catheter and a supporting structure secured over or along the catheter at a first location proximal to the balloon and at a second location distal to the balloon. Inflation of the balloon reconfigures the supporting structure to urge the first location and the second location towards one another thereby inhibiting longitudinal elongation of the balloon relative to the catheter. The supporting structure may surround, support, or otherwise extend over the entire length of the balloon and allows for the balloon to retain increased flexibility which enables the balloon to bend or curve even at relatively high inflation pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant conveying device, comprising a pusher (20), a control component (21), a connecting wire (11) and a control wire (4). The pusher (20), of which one end is connected to the control component (21), is provided with a tube cavity (6) and a lock hole (7) communicated with the tube cavity. One end of the control wire (4) is connected to the control component (21), and the other end thereof is driven by the control component to be movably accommodated in the tube cavity (6) of the pusher. One end of the connecting wire (11) is connected to the pusher (20) or to the control component (21), and the other end thereof is used for passing through an implant (1) and then entering the lock hole (7).

Abstract: Described is a delivery system for minimally invasive delivery of a self-expandable stent to a body lumen, and particularly delivery of a prosthetic valve to the right ventricular outflow tract. Also described is a method of loading a stent onto such a delivery system, and a method of delivering a self-expandable stent to a desired anatomic site.

Abstract: A pressure bearing appliance for treating an auricular hematoma is taught which incorporates an anterior magnetic disc having a protected permanent magnet, enclosed with an outer soft covering and antimicrobial outside veneer layer placed on a human auricle anterior directly over a hematoma. A posterior magnetic disc protected permanent magnet, enclosed with an outer soft covering and an antimicrobial outside veneer layer is centered on a posterior side of an auricle. Magnetic attraction applies compression therebetween eliminating potential separation between the auricle perichondrium and cartilage during healing.

Abstract: A phacoemsulsification needle for use with an ultrasonic handpiece in performing cataract surgery has a plurality of external grooves along its shaft. The external grooves are configured to convert longitudinal drive motion delivered by the handpiece at the base of the needle into torsional motion at the needle tip. The torsional motion at the needle tip has a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the longitudinal drive motion at the base, i.e. the longitudinal to torsional gain is greater than one. The grooves may be helical grooves, wherein the groove configuration is defined by a set of groove parameters including a helical pitch of the grooves, a width of the grooves, a depth of the grooves, an axial length of the grooves, and a total number of grooves.

Abstract: A wound closure device for positioning within a wound gap defined between at least two tissue segments has an effect of drawing the at least two tissue segments to a state of proximity that closes the wound gap. The wound closure device includes a tubular collapsible member having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The wound closure device further includes tissue engaging structure for attaching the tissue segments to the tubular collapsible member.

Abstract: The present invention provides for devices and methods for providing endovascular therapy, including facilitating establishment of vascular access, placement of endovascular sheaths, catheter tip localization, and administration of vascular occlusion. The inventions includes a vessel cannulation device, an expandable sheath, an occlusion catheter, and a localizer each of which may be provided separately or used as part of a system.

Abstract: A delivery system is described. The system includes an integrated shield which is used to selectively cover a needle end portion of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the repair of the functioning of heart valves are provided. A device may comprise a ventricular winding having a generally spiral shape, wherein the device is free of any atrial stabilizing section. A method involves positioning the device such that chords associated with the heart valve are positioned within the path of the generally spiral shape of the ventricular winding and turning the ventricular winding such that the chords move closer to the center of the ventricular winding. The ventricular winding draws the chords closer together, thereby pulling the valve leaflets closer together in order to facilitate their coaptation and proper closing. A delivery system for maneuvering and releasing a heart valve repair device comprises an applicator tube and internal rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. A collapsible tube is positioned about the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel and the collapse of the tube to form an anchor.

Abstract: A medical instrument is that the first holding portion or the second holding portion is capable of moving so that a distance between a distal end of the first holding portion and a distal end of the second holding portion changes from a first dimension which is larger than a diameter of the wire to a second dimension which is smaller than the diameter of the wire and the space is formed by the first holding portion and the second holding portion such that the wire is capable of rotating about a line connecting a first contact point where the first protrusion portion contacts with the wire with a second contact point where the second protrusion portion contacts with the wire.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of locating a mitral valve commissure, and implanting tissue anchors at or near the mitral valve commissure. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for locating a mitral valve commissure percutaneously and allowing a guide wire to be placed across a mitral annulus at the mitral valve commissure. Another aspect of the present teachings provides methods for deploying a tissue anchor across a mitral annulus at a mitral valve commissure, including near the P1 or P3 regions of the posterior mitral annulus. Another aspect of the present teachings further provides methods of plicating a mitral annulus between two or more tissue anchors.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy system is disclosed, comprising: an elongated, flexible spin-to-open drive shaft having a distal end for insertion into a vasculature of a patient and having a proximal end opposite the distal end remaining outside the vasculature of the patient; a concentric or eccentric abrasive element, preferably a solid crown, attached to the drive shaft proximate the distal end of the drive shaft; an electric motor rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the drive shaft, the electric motor being capable of rotating the drive shaft in a spin-to-open direction; and control electronics for monitoring and controlling the rotation of the electric motor. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected by the applied torque and/or current reaching a predetermined maximum allowed level and with the drive shaft opened to a maximum allowed outer diameter, power to the motor is eliminated.