Abstract: A laparoscopic scissor instrument can include a scissor assembly pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft. The scissor assembly can be formed of scissor blades having pivot posts thereon. The pivot posts can engage apertures on the elongate shaft, thus eliminating the need for a through-pinned pivot connection of the scissor blades. The scissor blades can also include actuation posts thereon. An actuation mechanism can include a slot to engage the actuation posts and open or close the blades of the scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies described herein can have a relatively low operational height such that they do not extend beyond a diameter of the elongate shaft during opening and closing of the scissor assembly.

Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.

Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.

Abstract: Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure, to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device, such as a dilator sensor device, a hollow needle sensor device, or a trocar sensor device, which penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The penetration sensor device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the penetration sensor device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using medical cutting tools for treating aortic septal dissections.

Abstract: A stent deployment device and methods for use, where the device comprises: (a) an outer sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, (b) a pull apparatus at least partially disposed within the outer sheath, where a portion of the pull apparatus is sized and shaped to receive a stent or a stent graft, (c) a push apparatus, where a portion of the push apparatus is sized to fit within a portion of the pull apparatus, and (d) a push-pull drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the pull and push apparatuses, where the push-pull drive mechanism includes at least a push and a pull gear or a push and a pull reel sized and shaped based on a stent ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing a guiding device having a dilatable, drilling tip. The tip is formed by wound helical members such that resistance to rotation in an unwinding direction dilates the tip. The helical members are configured so that the dilatable tip increases in stiffness when the helical members are tensioned by a resistance to rotation in the winding direction. In some embodiments, application of relative force between coaxial inner and outer tubular members is used to control the dilation, stiffness and drilling of the guiding member.

Abstract: An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel.

Abstract: A tissue plication device and method of using the same is described. The tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a distal portion with a first pitch and a proximal portion with a second pitch that is smaller than the first pitch. The method includes introducing the distal tip of the helical fastener into the tissue and advancing the helical fastener to plicate the tissue. Another tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a first configuration with a first pitch and a second configuration with a second pitch. The helical fastener in the first configuration is advanced into a tissue and then converted to the second configuration by applying a stimulus.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a force-limiting apparatus that, upon reaching the borderline force, ensures maintenance of the applied resistance force. It is proposed that the force-limiting apparatus should include a housing in which two components that can move in opposite directions to one another in the longitudinal direction of the housing are disposed in such a way that both components are disposed so that they can slide axially in the housing against the force of at least one spring element disposed in the housing, such that the two components are coupled with one another by at least one force transmission element that is acting on both components.

Abstract: An endovascular delivery system includes an endovascular prosthetic device and a signal active guide wire engaging the endovascular prosthetic device. A rotary encoder is coupled with the guide wire and the endovascular prosthetic device to provide an encoder signal on the guide wire. The encoder signal is indicative of axial angular position of the endovascular prosthetic device during implantation of the endovascular prosthetic device in a body of a patient.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval apparatus includes a housing having an elongated tubular member extending distally therefrom. The elongated tubular member defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector assembly is coupled to a distal end of the elongated tubular member. The end effector assembly is configured to retain a specimen retrieval bag thereon. An articulation mechanism is operatively coupled to the elongated tubular member and the end effector assembly. The articulation mechanism is configured for selectively articulating the end effector assembly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member.

Abstract: An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second arms are in the closed position, the arms extend generally in the longitudinal direction. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a glaucomatous eye are provided. An amount of pulsed laser energy is delivered to the pars plana of the eye by a hand-holdable device which comprises a hand-holdable elongate member and a contact member disposed on an end of the elongate member. A contact surface of the contact member is placed in direct contact with the eye so that a reference edge of the contact member aligns with the limbus and a treatment axis defined by the elongate member is angularly offset from the optical axis of the eye. The amount of pulsed laser energy delivered is insufficient to effect therapeutic photocoagulation but is sufficient to increase uveoscleral outflow so as to maintain a reduction from pre-laser treatment intraocular pressure. Amounts of pulsed laser energy will be transmitted to a circumferential series of tissue regions of the eye.

Abstract: Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The lancing device includes a first housing, second housing, movable member, lancet, and lancet depth adjustment member. The lancet depth adjustment member is captured by both the first and second housings so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for extracting a tubular structure from tissue using a device including a handle having an actuator, an elongate body with a first end coupled to and extending from the handle, and an operational head disposed at a second end of the elongate body. The operational head is longitudinally movable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The method includes inserting the elongate body into the tubular structure; placing the operational head into the actuated position; engaging the tubular structure with the operational head when in the actuated position; and pulling the tubular structure from the tissue by moving the operational head.

Abstract: A disposable lancing device including: a lancet housed in a housing and urged by a spring member such that a puncture member provided at a distal end of the lancet is adapted to extend out from the housing so as to carry out a puncturing operation; a locking ring disposed within the housing such that the lancet is allowed to displace in an extension direction through the locking ring; a locking protrusion provided to the lancet and adapted to be engaged by the locking ring so as to hold the lancet in a puncture-ready position located deep in the housing with the spring member being compressed; and an operating member adapted to carry out the puncturing operation by rotating the locking ring so as to disengage the locking protrusion from the locking ring and displace the lancet in the extension direction by means of the spring member.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel. The re-entry catheters employ deflectable struts to stabilize and support the distal tip in a subintimal location while a passageway back into the true lumen is formed. Re-entry to the true lumen can be effected with a cutting element or with a conventional guidewire.

Abstract: A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. A cannula is positioned in the passageway. A visualization tool such as an endoscope is passed through a lumen or channel in the cannula to aid in visualization of the anatomical site of interest. A balloon dilation catheter is then deployed through or along the cannula so as to place the balloon within or across the constricted anatomical space (e.g., ostium). The balloon is then expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted anatomical space. Alternative embodiments include the use of an optional guide wire and incorporating a endoscope lumen through the balloon dilation catheter.

Abstract: An implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The device includes an implant spreader assembly disposed proximate the distal end of a delivery shaft. The implant spreader assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The arms are coupled to the delivery shaft such that the first arm and second arm are moveable between a closed position and an open position. When the first and second arms are in the closed position, the arms extend generally in the longitudinal direction. When pivoting to the open position the distal end of each arm travels in a generally transverse direction to spread a sheet-like implant.