Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. A sheath pair is placed over the crimped scaffold after crimping to reduce recoil of the crimped polymer scaffold and maintain scaffold-balloon engagement relied on to hold the scaffold to the balloon when the scaffold is being delivered to a target in a body. The sheath pair is removed by a health professional before placing the scaffold within the body.

Abstract: A lancet magazine for use in a lancing aid is described comprising a plurality of lancets each having a lancet body at the proximal end of the lancet and a lancet tip at the distal end of the lancet, where the proximal end of the lancet points in the direction of the proximal end of the housing of the lancet magazine and the distal end of the lancet is aligned in the direction of the distal end of the housing and the lancets in the unused state are completely surrounded by the housing. Furthermore, an extension unit is movably connected to the housing in such a manner that the housing can be extended by movement of the extension unit in the direction of the distal end of the housing such that the lancet is prevented from emerging from the lancet magazine.

Abstract: A hair removal device and method using, or for use in combination with, a wax-strip, the device comprising: a user holding member; a wax-strip engagement mechanism for removable engagement with the wax-strip; and a wax-strip removal mechanism comprising a wax-strip removal acceleration arrangement, wherein the wax-strip removal mechanism is disposed, or adjustable, to apply a pulling force on the wax-strip at an angle or a range of angles relative to the skin including essentially parallel to the skin.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of an end effector assembly, and in particular for causing mimicking motion between a handle and an end effector assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a handle or actuator, an elongate shaft, and an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The handle or actuator is configured such that movement of the handle is mimicked, not mirrored, by the end effector assembly. The mimicking motion can be achieved using various techniques, but in an exemplary embodiment the handle is located distal to an input joint, and motion is transferred to the end effector assembly through an output joint at a distal end of the elongate shaft. The motion is preferably transferred using a mechanical transmission coupled between the input and output joints.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, devices of the invention include a housing, in which a distal end of the housing includes a protrusion, a deployment mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing, and a hollow shaft coupled to the deployment mechanism, in which the shaft is configured to hold an intraocular shunt.

Abstract: Introducer sheaths for use with embolic coil devices and methods for making and using the same. An example introducer sheath assembly may include an introducer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body portion defined therebetween. The body portion may include two or more bends formed therein. An embolic coil device may be disposed within the introducer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention describes an earwax removal device having varying structures to provide different earwax removal capabilities. In all designs, the overall contour of the earwax-extracting member resembles the dimensions of the external auditory canal and is flexible enough to conform to it during insertion. Each engages and collects wax using the pressure of insertion and rotation effects. Embodiments include a club-like member having multiple protrusions and extractions to collect wax along its sides, and an opening in the tip that leads to a channel to collect wax; a flexible spiral member to compress when the device is inserted in an ear and thereby extract wax as it expands when the device is removed; a screw-like structure to laterally move wax and grind as it rotates; a multi-channel structure to cut and collect wax simultaneously; and a shovel-like structure to effectively shear and scrape wax from an ear canal.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a housing having an elongated sleeve extending therefrom that, together, cooperate to define a lumen extending therethrough. A shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof is selectively translatable between a first position, wherein the end effector assembly is disposed within the sleeve, and a second position, wherein the end effector assembly extends distally from the sleeve. A specimen retrieval bag is releasably coupled to the end effector assembly and is deployable to an extended position upon movement of the end effector assembly from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A device for performing fetotomy on a dead fetus or repositioning of a live fetus has a primary attachment in the form of a looped brace that is provided around a fetal limb within the birth canal of the mother animal and engages the armpit or groin of the fetus. An extension bar connects the brace to a tensioning device. A secondary attachment such as a cable or chain is attached at the foot of the fetal limb and connected to the tensioning device. The tensioning device is operated to provide tension between the brace and the secondary attachment, thereby placing the fetal limb in traction. Sufficient traction causes removal of the entire limb without exposing sharp bone edges. Variations of the device may be used for a fetal repositioning procedure.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes an elongate shaft and a tip hub. The elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is configured to be inserted into a vagina. The tip hub is disposed at the distal end and is configured to releasably receive and support a tip mount for engaging a uterus. The elongate shaft includes one or more channels extending between the distal and proximal ends. The channels are configured to releasably receive catheter tubing.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion tool is presented. An introductory part in an insertion cylinder is provided, at a widthwise central portion of a bottom surface, with a central protrusion which extends in an axial direction of a tool body and protrudes toward an upper surface to get in contact with a center portion of a rear surface of an optical zone of an intraocular lens. The upper surface is provided, at its both widthwise ends, with a pair of lateral protrusions, which extend in the axial direction of the tool body and protrude toward the bottom surface to get in contact with both ends of a front surface of the optical zone of the intraocular lens. A lens pressing face of a plunging member is formed with a dimension spanning from the bottom surface to the upper surface at a tip end section of the insertion cylinder.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and including an elongated sleeve extending distally therefrom. The housing and the elongated sleeve cooperate to define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A shaft having an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof is selectively translatable between a first position, wherein the end effector is disposed within the elongated sleeve, and a second position, wherein the shaft is translated through the lumen such that the end effector extends distally from the elongated sleeve. An articulation mechanism operably coupled to the end effector is configured for articulating the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. A specimen retrieval bag is coupled to the end effector and is deployed therefrom upon movement of the end effector from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A method of removing cerumen or a foreign body from an ear canal utilizes an articulating ear curette.

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 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 automated system for harvesting or implanting follicular units, including a moveable arm; a harvesting and/or implantation tool mounted on the moveable arm; one or more cameras mounted on the moveable arm; a processor configured to receive and process images acquired by the one or more cameras; and a controller operatively associated with the processor and configured to position the moveable arm based, at least in part, on processed images acquired by the one or more cameras, wherein the moveable arm is positionable such that the tool may be positioned at a desired orientation relative to an adjacent body surface.

Abstract: An organ fixing equipment includes a securing part formed by bundling a suturing thread into a bar, and a fixing part composed of the suturing thread forming the securing part and a continuous suturing thread. By pulling the fixing part relative to the securing part with a force of not less than a predetermined magnitude, the suturing thread forming the securing part can be unraveled. A set of organ fixing equipment is provided with an insertion equipment, for inserting the organ fixing equipment and taking-out equipment for taking out the organ fixing equipment from the patient body.

Abstract: Compressed air dissector is a surgical dissector which is used in tumor dissection and excision phases in surgical branches and especially in neurosurgery and microsurgery. The problem at this point is removal of the tumoral tissue without damaging the adjacent normal tissue and the blood vessels feeding the normal tissue. Moreover, serious difficulties may be encounter in the dissection phase of the arachnoid matter in brain surgery. The occurring adhesions can easily be opened with the aid of the air dissector. This provides great convenience in aneurism surgery. The operation principle of the compressed air dissector is direction of the controlled, sterile compressed air (gas) to the brain parenchyma and removal of the dissected particles from the location with an aspirator system. In said system, the particles in the air are cleaned with a filter system. When the compressed air is directed to the tumor tissue it easily dissects and removes the tumor.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided for excising and imaging material in a body lumen. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a catheter body, a cutting blade, and an imaging device. The cutting blade is mounted on the catheter body and configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to an aperture or cutting window. When the cutting blade is in the second position, the blade substantially closes the aperture on the catheter body. The imaging device which is mounted on or otherwise coupled to the cutting blade is configured to be in an imaging position when the cutting blade substantially closes the aperture or cutter window. This allows the imaging device to survey material within the cutting zone of the atherectomy catheter. By allowing the imaging device to view materials within this cutting zone, material may be imaged and then removed from the body lumen without having to reposition the catheter between each step.