Abstract: A surgical device for performing surgery generally includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending from the handle assembly, an articulation mechanism operatively associated with the handle assembly, and an end effector. The elongate member has an articulating section and straight section. The articulating section is configured to articulate with respect to the straight section. The articulation mechanism is operatively associated with the handle assembly and the articulating section such that the articulating section articulates toward a first direction relative to the straight section upon movement of the handle assembly towards the first direction with respect to the straight section. The end effector is operatively coupled to the articulating section of the elongate member and includes first and second jaw members. The surgical device further includes a locking mechanism configured for fixing a relative position of first and second jaw members.

Abstract: An ultrasonic treatment device includes a probe in which a hole-shaped portion, being opened at a first opening position placed at a distal end portion of the probe and a second opening position placed at an outer peripheral portion of the probe and allowing the first opening position and the second opening position to communicate with each other, is formed. The ultrasonic treatment device includes a path which is extended in the hole-like portion from the first opening position to the second opening position along the longitudinal axis, and which is extended to an outside of the probe from the second opening position, and the path being extended to the extending position of the fixed handle toward the handle extending direction in the fixed handle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for delivery of a stent for a vessel used for implanting the stent for a vessel in the blood vessel. The delivery system includes a protective sheath (1), inserted into the vessel of a living body, a catheter (2) inserted for back-and-forth movement in the protective sheath (1), a balloon (4) arranged on the outer peripheral surface towards the distal end side of the catheter (2), configured to be protruded from the distal end of the protective sheath (1), so that the balloon is expanded by a fluid supplied to the catheter (2), and a stent for a vessel (5) formed of a biodegradable material. The stent for a vessel (5) is mounted in a state contracted in diameter on the balloon (4) and is moved back and forth along with the balloon (4) relative to the protective sheath (1). The stent for a vessel has at least one end part temporarily held by a temporary holding member (23).

Abstract: A multi-port stent graft delivery device (100) has an annular access lumen (107) between a delivery catheter (112) and a main sheath (106), at least one indwelling access sheath (118, 122) within the access lumen, and an indwelling guide wire (138, 146) within the or each access sheath and a stent graft (131) retained in the delivery device. Upon deployment of the stent graft into the vasculature of a patient the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate stabilisation of the access sheath during cathertisation of a side branch and deployment of a side arm covered or uncovered stent therein through the advanced access sheath. A two part handle enables withdrawal of a nose cone dilator before final placement of the side arm stents. A manifold (114) associated with a proximal handle portion provides a plurality of access ports (116, 120).

Abstract: A filter (10) for use within the lumen of a blood vessel that includes a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements (14) adapted to flexibility convert between a filter configuration and an open configuration. The filter further includes a removable filter head (16) having a retainer (50) and a stopper (70) movable between a first position and a second position. The retainer and the stopper cooperate at the first position to secure the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements into the filter configuration and the movement of the stopper to the second position releases the plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements to the open configuration.

Abstract: An expandable spherical structure for deployment in a blood vessel or other body lumen, comprising: an open frame configured to assume a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a closed face carried by the open frame; wherein the open frame is configured so as to permit substantially normal flow therethrough when the open frame is in its expanded configuration, and further wherein the closed face is configured so as to obstruct flow therethrough.

Abstract: The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.

Abstract: A trigger wire release mechanism is disclosed that includes a control member for selectively releasing a trigger wire (22, 44) from a prosthesis retaining device. The control member includes an elongate body member (36) and a guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) slidably disposed on the elongate body member. The trigger wire 1 (22, 44) includes a distal end coupled to the prosthesis retaining device and a proximal end coupled to the guide member. The guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) can be moved from a distal end of the elongate body (36) to a proximal end of the elongate body, thereby disengaging the trigger wire (22, 44) from the retaining device. The control member may include a locking mechanism (120) for limiting the axial position of the guide member (24, 25, 93, 94) along the elongate body member (36). A prosthesis control member (81) is also disclosed. The prosthesis control member (81) is adapted to control the position of the prosthesis during deployment.

Abstract: An implant delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system includes an elongated member having an implant mounting location. A self-expandable implant is mounted at the implant mounting location. The implant is held in a compressed orientation by a retractable sheath. An interlock structure prevents the implant from deploying prematurely as the sheath is retracted. The interlock structure includes radio-opaque markers that identify the position of the implant.

Abstract: An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.

Abstract: A rapid exchange stent delivery catheter includes an inner tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a stent holding portion located adjacent the distal portion of the inner member, and a guide wire lumen extending from a proximal guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the inner member to a distal guide wire opening disposed at a distal end of the inner member. The proximal guide wire opening has a first length. An outer tubular member is slidably disposed about the inner member. The outer member has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wire opening disposed distal of the proximal portion of the outer member. The guide wire opening of the outer member has a second length that is shorter than the first length and a guide wire ramp extends into, and is movable along the first length.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a prosthetic vascular conduit includes a prosthetic vascular conduit for coupling to a prosthetic valve having an annular portion. The conduit includes a terminal collar member for receiving the valve. The kit further includes a holder including a shaft and a hub including a receiving portion configured for housing a prosthetic valve. The conduit is fitted on the holder so that at least a portion of the conduit wraps over the receiving portion of the hub. A sleeve member fitted onto the conduit in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the hub, and a portion of the collar member is wrapped or folded over the sleeve member. The sleeve member is slidable away from the hub to unwrap the collar member such that it is disposed around the annular portion of a prosthetic valve.

Abstract: An expandable substantially spherical structure for deployment in a blood vessel or other body lumen, comprising: an open frame formed out of a closed loop of filament and configured to assume (i) a collapsed configuration in the form of a substantially two-dimensional elongated loop structure so as to facilitate insertion into the blood vessel or other body lumen, and (ii) an expanded configuration in the form of a three-dimensional substantially spherical structure so as to facilitate retention at a site in the blood vessel or other body lumen; and a flow-restricting face carried by the open frame; wherein the open frame is configured so as to permit substantially normal flow therethrough when the open frame is in its expanded configuration, and further wherein the flow-restricting face is configured so as to restrict flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter suitable for conducting and positioning a medical device in an organic cavity comprising at least one side branch, such as a blood vessel, which comprises a tubular body, having a central lumen having a cross-section suitable for the passage of the medical device and a mandrel slidable in the central lumen and distally a flexible end portion. On the outer surface of the mandrel there is a longitudinal groove defining, with the inner wall of the tubular body, a passage suitable for receiving a first guide wire in a sliding manner. In addition, in the mandrel there is an inner lumen suitable for housing a second guide wire in a sliding manner. The present invention further relates to a catheter assembly comprising the aforesaid catheter and a method of use the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, a tool positioned on the distal end of the shaft consisting of a rigid jaw member and a jaw member that can rotate with respect to the rigid jaw member, as well as a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft. The tool and the handle are in active connection with one another by a push-pull rod mounted in the shaft, and the jaw members of the tool are mounted on one another by pins. It is proposed with the invention that the push-pull rod should be configured as a hollow slide tube mounted in the shaft so that it can slide axially and is in active connection with the rotatable jaw member by an actuation element that is essentially rod-shaped.

Abstract: A delivery system for self-expanding medical devices is provided. The delivery system includes seals around an inner catheter. The self-expanding medical device may be mounted on the seals to define an open space between the seals and the inner surface of the medical device and the exterior of the inner catheter. Vacuum pressure may be applied to the open space to reduce friction between the exterior surface of the self-expanding medical device and the inner surface of an outer catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, which may be articulated to facilitate positioning of an end effector. The instrument accommodates reactionary forces associated with closing the end effector without substantial disruption to the position of the end effector. The instrument includes an elongated shaft housing generally defining distal and proximal shaft axes, and a torsion member extending through the shaft housing. The torsion member transmits rotational displacement from a handle portion of the instrument to the end effector to selectively move the end effector between open and closed configurations. The torsion member comprises a flexible shaft exhibiting a plurality of generally radial slots spaced longitudinally along a length of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. These tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements of the end effector. Control mechanisms and methods refine operator control of end effector actuation and of these articulational and rotational movements. A multi-state ratchet for end effector actuation provides enablement-disablement options with tactile feedback. The tool may also include other features. A force limiter mechanism protects the end effector and manipulated objects from the harm of potentially excessive force applied by the operator. An articulation lock allows the fixing and releasing of both neutral and articulated configurations of the tool and of consequent placement of the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical robot for performing surgery of the minimally invasive type on a body to be operated upon, which surgical robot includes a number of surgical arms having respective distal ends, to each of which distal ends a surgical instrument is connected for performing surgical procedures inside a human or animal body, a base element, manipulation means for manipulating the surgical arms relative to the base element for performing the surgery, and control means for controlling the manipulation means. Positioning means are provided for positioning the base element above the body.

Abstract: A method for facilitating treatment of catheter induced vascular injuries may first involve introducing a guide wire into a vascular sheath residing in a blood vessel, where the guide wire has a distal end and an inflatable balloon at least 15 cm proximal of the distal end. The method may further involve proximally retracting the vascular sheath while leaving the wire in place and observing indicia of the presence or absence of a vascular injury caused to the blood vessel by the vascular sheath or a procedural catheter previously advanced through the vascular sheath. If indicia of a vascular injury are observed, the method may involve positioning the inflatable balloon at or near the vascular injury and inflating the balloon to reduce blood flow past the vascular injury, while leaving the guide wire in place to provide subsequent access to the injury.