Abstract: A delivery device usable to deliver an inverting implant is provided that includes a positioning mechanism that automatically initiates the inversion process once a predetermined length of the implant has exited a delivery catheter. The positioning mechanism allows the implant to be safely and accurately deployed with reduced operator experience and in a greater variety of target locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for percutaneous, transcatheter heart valve repair are disclosed. A system may include a catheter, an adjustable ring, and a stabilizer. The adjustable ring may include a body member that is transitionable from an insertion geometry to an operable geometry. The insertion geometry may be configured to allow percutaneous passage of the ring into the heart. The operable geometry may have an expanded state to conform to an annulus of a target valve and a contracted state to reduce a diameter of the annulus. The adjustable ring may also include a plurality of anchors deployable in the operable geometry to engage the annulus. The stabilizer may include a plurality of prongs configured to engage the ring in the operable geometry within the heart to enable percutaneous manipulation of the ring to orient and position the ring in intimate contact with the annulus.

Abstract: A nasal applique and corresponding applicator for placing the applique on the nose of a user. The applique includes a flexible body including a first surface and an opposing second surface with at least one perforation extending from the first surface to the second surface. The first surface includes an adhesive disposed thereon to enable the first surface to be selectively attachable to the nose of the wearer. A metallic element is coupled to the flexible body and is configured to interact with the magnet when the magnet is positioned adjacent the nose of the wearer and the flexible body is attached to the nose of the wearer. The interaction between the metallic element and the magnet imparts a dilating force on the nose of the wearer, which causes the nose of the wearer to dilate.

Abstract: A device for securing an eyewear lens to a nasal applique which results in nasal dilation. The device includes a base engageable with the eyewear lens. First and second pivot units are is coupled to the base pivotal about respective pivot axes. The pivot units collectively define a nose adjustment angle therebetween, with the nose adjustment angle being generally conformable to the user's nose. The first pivot unit and the second pivot unit are configured to interact with at least one nasal applique to magnetically couple the first pivot unit and the second pivot unit to the at least one nasal applique. The magnetic coupling between the first pivot unit and the second pivot unit and the at least one nasal applique imparts a dilating force on the user's nose to dilate the nasal passageway when the at least one nasal applique is attached to the user's nose.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a task specific robot for the procedure of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This robot has two arms with nine degrees of freedom (DOF), and the capability of tissue elevation and dissection. An optimal design of these robot arms requires the use of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire and steel wire actuators to develop an improved actuation mechanism, which enables force to be transmitted to the distal tip of the robot arms for an efficient tissue elevation and dissection.

Abstract: A retrieval device may have a contracted state and an expanded state and may include a sheath defining a longitudinal axis; a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm; a first member extending between a distal end of the first arm and a distal end of the third arm; and a second member extending between a distal end of the second arm and the distal end of the third arm. In the expanded state and from a distal-end view, the first and second members and the distal ends of the first arm, second arm, and third arm may form a V-shape with an open mouth.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus and related methods for fastening skin tissue so as to avoid piercing the epidermis with resultant percutaneous penetration when intending placement of surgical fasteners within a dermal layer on opposed sides of a skin wound. The apparatus includes a device body having a head portion for positioning between first and second sides of the wound, wherein the head portion includes a deflector shelf that physically prevents epidermal tissue from entering a capture zone defined on the head portion through which a penetrator assembly and fastener are advanced into the dermal layer. By ensuring that the epidermal tissue is not placed within the piercing zone, the potential for inadvertent piercing and percutaneous placement of the surgical fastener though the external skin surface is avoided.

Abstract: A delivery system for rapid placement of heart implants is provided that includes a delivery platform. The delivery system includes a tubular catheter body, a piercing member, and a delivery platform. The tubular catheter body is sufficiently long and flexible to be advanced from a peripheral blood vessel access site to an atrium of the heart. The piercing member is configured to create a transapical channel from an internal apical portion of a ventricle to an outside heart wall. The delivery system includes an elongate tension member and an enlargeable member disposed on a distal portion of the elongate tension member. The enlargeable member is configured to be enlarged in a pericardial space of an intact chest wall to cover an area of the outside heart wall surrounding an opening of the transapical channel. When tensioned, the tension member provides a stable zone for positioning a heart implant within the heart.

Abstract: A device for repair of a heart valve leaflet includes an elongated body having a lumen extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction, a proximal end, and an open distal end. The device further includes a plurality of clips disposed at spaced positions within the lumen, the plurality of clips being configured and arranged to couple to a portion of the heart valve leaflet. At least one clip in the plurality of clips and the heart valve leaflet are capable of translation relative to one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A surgical device for stapling patient tissue is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a housing, a rotator operably supported in the housing, and an elongate shaft operably coupled to and extending from the housing. The elongate shaft defines a shaft axis and includes a flexible shaft portion. The surgical device further comprises an end effector operably coupled to the flexible shaft portion. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge and a firing member which is displaced distally to staple the patient tissue in response to at least one actuation motion applied at the housing. The surgical device further comprises a flexible actuator extending along the shaft axis such that selective actuation of the flexible actuator causes articulation of the end effector. The flexible actuator is operably coupled between the end effector and the rotator. The firing member extends through the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for use by a surgeon can include a tray and a plurality of surgical instruments. The tray can have a plurality of structures located on an upper side of the tray for receiving the plurality of surgical instruments. The tray can receive a separate control unit. The tray can also have a fluid reservoir receiver for receiving a bottle or container of fluid, such as balanced salt solution. The fluid reservoir receiver can include one or more features, including, a spike, an air vent, and a light. A separate container can be used to place the bottle or container of fluid into the fluid reservoir receiver on the tray. This separate container can include a collapsible section.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for passing Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) from subintimal location and re-entry into a true-lumen of the patient using transient fenestration approach. The transient fenestration is induced by balloon dilatation within the CTO, and a guidewire quickly trails into a true lumen.

Abstract: The implant comprises a tubular proximal sleeve, extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and deployable between a contracted configuration and a deployed configuration. Proximal arms each extend between an end connected to the distal end, and a free end positioned past the distal end. At least one proximal arm is elastically deformable between a separating position and an anchoring position, the radial distance between its free end and its connected end being larger in the separating position rather than in the anchoring position. This proximal arm is elastically recalled toward its anchoring position. The implant includes: a first stop, supported by this proximal arm, and a second stop, cooperating with the first stop in the contracted configuration to keep this proximal arm in its separating position, and releasing this first stop in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: An implant unit delivery tool is provided. The implant delivery tool may include a body, a holder disposed at a distal end of the body and adapted to hold an implant unit, and an implant activator associated with the body, the implant activator configured to receive power from a power source. The implant activator may be configured to selectively and wirelessly transfer power from the power source to the implant unit during implantation of the implant unit into the body of a subject to cause modulation of at least one nerve in the body of the subject, and determine a degree of nerve modulation response resulting from the selective and wireless transfer of power from the power source to the implant unit claims.

Abstract: An article, comprising a substrate and a polymer film attached to the substrate is provided, the polymer film comprising a first layer of a first polymer functionalized by a first functionalization compound covalently bound to said first polymer and bearing at least one catecholic group being present on a surface of the first layer. The polymer film is a layered film, a top layer of which is formed by the first layer, the layered film comprising at least one further layer of at least one further polymer functionalized by a further functionalization compound covalently bound to said further polymer and bearing at least one catecholic group being present on a surface of the at least one further layer, wherein an average ratio of catecholic groups per polymer molecule is equal to or less than 1 in case of the first polymer and greater than 1 in case of the further polymer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device for reducing venous blood flow in a human limb. The device of some embodiments comprises: a first rigid part having a first non-linear inner profile; a second rigid part having a second inner profile generally facing the first inner profile; and a coupling portion that couples the first and second parts together while allowing relative movement of the first and second parts between a clamped position and an unclamped position. The first and second inner profiles are arranged to press against veins in the limb when the device is in the clamped position and thereby reduce venous blood flow in the limb.

Abstract: A transseptal punch with a steering mechanism within the punch, such that punch can be steered and deflected within a guide catheter during delivery, to avoid skiving of the guide catheter inner wall by passage of the punch tip through the guide catheter. The punch can be advanced through a body lumen in its straight configuration and then be selectively articulated or curved to permit negotiation of tortuous curvature or to permit optimal approach or access to a puncture site. The punch is able to create holes in the atrial septum of the heart or other structures and is easier to use than punches that are pre-curved near their distal tip since it is easier to advance through accessory catheters.

Abstract: A cartridge for an intraocular lens insertion device is disclosed. An example cartridge may include an intraocular lens insertion cartridge body having a distal end and a proximal end and configured to receive an intraocular lens for insertion into a patient's eye through an incision; the intraocular lens insertion cartridge body having an inner surface comprising at least one polymeric material having a hardness greater than about 50D and an elongation at break greater than about 150%; the inner surface of the intraocular lens insertion cartridge body defining an at least partially tapering insertion pathway disposed within the intraocular lens insertion cartridge body and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the intraocular lens insertion cartridge body.

Abstract: An aspiration probe tip for use in surgical procedures includes a body defining a first channel therein for aspirating material therethrough from a surgical region along a first vector. The body includes a straight portion connected to a first end and a curved portion connecting the straight portion to a second end. A fluid sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the body and defines a second channel between the fluid sleeve and the body for injecting a fluid into the surgical region along a second vector. An end of the fluid sleeve securely fits over the body to substantially seal the end of the fluid sleeve. The fluid sleeve further defines an aperture for injecting fluid along the second vector from the second channel into the surgical region.

Abstract: A flow diversion device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and other medical conditions is disclosed. The flow diversion device may include a generally tubular wire stent frame formed from a plurality of zig-zag shaped wire elements that are coupled together. The device further includes a base layer of graft material coupled to the wire stent frame and surrounding at least a portion thereof, the wire stent frame maintaining the base layer in an open condition. In some embodiments, the base layer may be formed of porous graft material having a plurality of pores formed thereon to provide a passageway for a small blood flow to maintain the long term patency of important small side branches, while also reducing blood flow to the aneurysm to promote occlusion and avoid potential rupture.