Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point, moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point to form a tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold near the second tissue contact point.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a minimally-invasive placement of a mechanical structure for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ. Anchors may be secured within the hollow body organ and then cinched together using a tensioning member to form a stricture within the hollow body organ. In another embodiment a tensioning member may be threaded along the hollow body organ and then cinched to reduce the volume. The strictures may be placed anywhere within the hollow body organ, and more than one stricture may be formed within the hollow body organ.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprising an expandable stent and a plurality of graft segments, each graft segment having a first end attached to the stent and a second end not attached to the stent. In one embodiment, the plurality of overlapped graft segments form a continuous conduit wherein each overlap between axially adjacent graft segments comprises a fluid-tight seal when the stent in the radially expanded configuration sandwiches the graft segments against a wall of a body lumen. In another embodiment, there are one or more discontinuities in the plurality of graft segments. The discontinuities may be aligned with branch lumens. The graft segments may be cut perpendicular to the stent-graft axis, or on a bias. A delivery system for and method of deploying the stent-graft are also claimed.

Abstract: Medical devices, as well as methods of treatment and manufacturing such devices, are provided for applying vascular therapy locally within the body vessel. The medical devices include an expandable tubular frame and a sleeve. The medical devices can be used for local delivery of a therapeutic agent within a body vessel or a tamponade for a lacerated body vessel, while simultaneously allowing perfusion of fluid or blood flow distal of the implanted medical device. The tubular frame of the medical device can have a middle region with a plurality of members. The members can expand radially outward away from a longitudinal axis of the tubular frame, which can urge the sleeve to contact the wall of the body vessel. In the expanded configuration, a portion of the device allows fluid flow to continue while the sleeve is against the body vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides overbased detergents as lubricating additives effective for the lubrication of mechanical components in land and marine engines, such as, for example, hydraulic systems, transmissions, two-stroke and four-stroke vehicular engines, and trunk piston and two-stroke crosshead marine engines.

Abstract: An implantable graft device having treated yarn is disclosed. The device includes a graft body forming a lumen defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends. The graft body is constructed from a woven fabric having warp yarns aligned in a first direction and a weft yarns aligned in a second direction. At least one of the weft yarns and the warp yarns has an agent applied thereto defining treated yarns of the graft body.

Abstract: Percutaneous apparatus for forming a bicuspid venous valve from autologous tissue are disclosed. A multilumen catheter is disclosed that includes a delivery shaft positioned on either side of the balloon. When the balloon is inflated within the vein at a treatment location where a bicuspid valve is to be created, the delivery shafts are pressed into the wall of the vein by the inflated balloon so that exit ports in the delivery shafts are at diametrically opposed locations. The delivery shafts may than be used to deliver puncture elements through the exit ports and into the vessel wall to gain access to a subintimal layer of the vein wall. In this manner, the inventive multilumen catheter aids in making properly positioned flaps of venous tissue for creating a bicuspid venous valve from autologous tissue.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an endovascular graft having various frame-to-main body component attachment mechanisms which provide a secured bond, reduced graft material wear, and reduced delivery profile.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion tool with a tool body for accommodating an intraocular lens and adapted to insert into an eye the intraocular lens through displacement of the lens in an axial forward direction by a plunging member, and to push out the lens through an insertion tube section disposed at an axial distal end of the tool body. A base plate of a resting portion that houses the lens is provided with side plates that respectively project from two widthwise edges of the base plate to both sides in a thickness direction of the base plate thereby imparting to the resting portion a generally “H” shaped cross section. The tool body inclusive of the resting portion and the insertion tube section is integrally formed from light-transmissive synthetic resin material whereby the lens housed within the resting portion is viewable from an outside through the base plate.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly includes an outer hollow needle which may be used in puncturing skin to insert and advance the surgical instrument into the body, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The outer diameter of the needle may be dimensioned such that a wound formed from the hollow needle puncturing the skin is capable of being closed independent of stitching, and may be approximately 2 mm or smaller. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle.

Abstract: A covered vascular filter can be placed in a blood vessel, for the purpose of intercepting thrombus. The filter may be introduced to a desired site for medical treatment through a catheter which defines a lumen or passage and a distal port or opening. The filter tends to resiliently expand from a compressed shape when it is inside the catheter lumen, to an expanded shape when the filter is pushed from the catheter lumen. A cover or sleeve over those portions of the filter that would otherwise contact the vessel wall tends to reduce pressure on the vessel wall. The sleeve also tends to resist growth of the vessel wall among the elements of the filter, called endothelialization. In other words, the sleeve resists incorporation of the filter elements into the vessel wall, enabling the filter to be retrievable for a longer time. The various features of the present invention may be used singly or in any combination, as desired in a particular vascular filter.

Abstract: An endoscopic scissor instrument includes an elongate hollow member, an actuator that moves axially through the hollow member, and first and second scissor blades with respective cutting surfaces. At least one of the scissor blades is rotatably coupled to the hollow member adjacent its distal end. At least one of the scissor blades includes a base supporting a resilient leaf-spring portion that includes a respective cutting edge. The resilient leaf-spring portion extends from the base in a cantilevered arrangement and generates a spring force acting on the respective cutting edge such that in a loaded state there is an automatic preload force imparted between the cutting edges of the scissor blades to maintain a consistent and continuous mating force between the two opposed sharpened cutting edges preferably over the complete range of rotational movement of the scissor blades.

Abstract: A device and related methods of use are provided for the capture and removal of various unwanted objects present within the body's anatomical lumens. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the device includes a sheath, an elongate member, and a retrieval assembly connected to the elongate member and retractable within and extendable from a lumen of the sheath. The device includes one or more legs releasably connected to a portion of the retrieval assembly in response to movement of the elongate member relative to the sheath.

Abstract: The production of solid lubricant agglomerates by combining solid lubricant powder, an inorganic binder, other fillers if optionally desired, and a liquid to form a mixture, and driving off the liquid to form dry agglomerates which are subsequently classified by size or milled and classified by size to yield agglomerates of a desired size range. These agglomerates are then treated to stabilize the binder, thereby strengthening the binder and rendering it nondispersible in the liquid. The undesired size ranges can be readily recycled because the agglomerates with untreated binder can be reprocessed, thereby promoting high recovery rates.

Abstract: A novel high tensile strength semi-absorbable composite suture with minimized non-absorbable mass. The suture has a core made from a bioabsorbable polymer. The core is covered by a braided sheath. The braided sheath is made from an absorbable yarn and a bioabsorbable yarn. The bioabsorbable yarn is made from a least one filament of a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable yarn is made from at least one filament of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: Compression plate apparatus enables vessels to be joined together in various anastomosis configurations. The compression plates are guided to each other in a parallel orientation by guides. The compression plate apparatus may be utilized with an intraluminally directed anvil apparatus or an externally positioned anvil apparatus. One of the compression plates assists in the eversion of the anastomosis fenestra contour. One of the compression plates enables a graft vessel to be pre-everted so that the anastomosis fenestra contours are everted. The apparatus provides a structure that enables the vessels to be joined without being penetrated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for cutting filaments percutaneously. The methods and systems may be used in conjunction with sealing a puncture percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The present invention provides for safe filament cutting below the skin and may reduce the risk of cutting the filament distal of any knots.

Abstract: An ambidextrous locking clamp system for providing a user the ability to use the right or left hand to engage and disengage a ratcheting means on the clamp. The locking clamp has a hingedly connected first and second elongated member each with a finger engaging member, and a working head. At least two inter-engaging latching members are attached to the first and the second elongated members. The latching members each have a ratcheting head adapted to interact with each other, and are removably or fixedly attached to their respective finger engaging members. At least one of the latching members can have a flexible arm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a gastrointestinal tissue fold by engaging tissue at a first tissue contact point, moving the first tissue contact point from a position initially distal to a second tissue contact point to a position proximal of the second contact point to form a tissue fold, and extending an anchor assembly through the tissue fold near the second tissue contact point.