Abstract: Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion device includes: a plunger that extrudes a deformable intraocular lens into an eye along an extrusion axis, the deformable intraocular lens including an optical part and one or a plurality of support parts extending outward from a periphery of the optical part; an installation part in which the intraocular lens is installed in a state where at least one support part is placed closer to a proximal end side of the extrusion axis than the optical part; and an off-axis movement part that presses the support part of the intraocular lens installed in the installation part from a direction different from the extrusion axis to deform and move the support part.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular main body and a branch. The main body may include proximal and distal end openings, a lumen, a sidewall, and a fenestration in the sidewall. The branch may include a tubular retrograde branch segment, a tubular antegrade branch segment, and a tubular branch junction. The retrograde branch segment may include an inlet opening fluidly coupled to the fenestration of the main body and an outlet opening fluidly coupled to the branch junction and positioned longitudinally between the proximal end opening and the fenestration of the main body. The antegrade branch segment may include an inlet opening fluidly coupled to the branch junction and an outlet opening positioned longitudinally distal of the inlet opening of the antegrade branch segment. The retrograde branch segment and the antegrade branch segment may be in fluid communication with one another through the branch junction.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an intraocular lens into an eye including a fluid delivery device that includes a fluid passageway extending to a proximal end of the fluid delivery device, the fluid passageway adapted to allow a fluid to flow therethrough from the proximal end of the fluid delivery device to within the fluid passageway, and a side vent that is not an intraocular lens delivery port, the side vent disposed proximal to an intraocular lens and adapted to vent air when fluid flows through the fluid passage, wherein the side vent is adapted to resist the flow of a viscoelastic material therethrough.

Abstract: The invention being disclosed describes a medical device for removal of a thrombus or clot in a vascular setting by using a rotational, expandable basket structure in combination with drug infusion, blood/particle aspiration and clot isolation by distal and proximal occlusion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed for delivering a therapeutic device to a desired location within the vasculature of a patient, which includes an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the tubular body including an outer wall surrounding an interior lumen, wherein an elongated target opening is formed through the outer wall of the tubular body within the distal end portion thereof in communication with the interior lumen. At least one distal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening, and at least one proximal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening, wherein the sensing electrodes allow placement of the target opening within the vasculature of a patient for the delivery of a therapeutic device to a desired location.

Abstract: A catheter having a tubular body and a rotatable shaft disposed within a lumen of the tubular body. A cutting element is coupled to the rotatable shaft, the cutting element having a cutting edge, the cutting element and rotatable shaft being longitudinally moveable within the tubular body between a stored position in which the cutting element is parallel a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and a cutting position in which the cutting element is deflected between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular body to extend beyond an outer diameter of the tubular body. The cutting element is configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting window.

Abstract: A tissue removal device including customizable tips and method of use thereof. The tissue removal device may include an outer shaft having a removable tip attached to the outer shaft and a rotatable inner shaft extending through the outer shaft and having a rotatable cutting portion extending from the inner shaft. Disc material may be cut and removed from a surgical area using an auger-like and/or suction mechanism to facilitate the transfer of removed tissue away from the surgical area.

Abstract: There are many methods of tying a knot in a surgical suture. One method is to form a loop in the suture and then pull the other end of the suture through the loop. To do this laparoscopically is the object of the present invention. The finger loop handles of two small diameter laparoscopic graspers are sacrificed, and their shafts are then placed within a single common sheath, using also a single common in-line handle. The jaws of the graspers are operated by spring loaded push knobs on the handle. A loop is formed by grasping the same suture at two points a short distance apart simultaneously with the two graspers, and then bringing them together. The present invention is capable of doing this by virtue of one of the two graspers being slide-able, extendable and retractable.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes a puncture needle that is inserted into body tissue from outside a body and pierces membranous tissue near pulsating tissue inside the body tissue; a tubular protection member that is disposed on the outer side of the puncture needle; a pulse-information acquisition portion that acquires pulse information of the pulsating tissue; and a driving unit that moves the puncture needle and the protection member relative to each other in synchronization with the pulse information of the pulsating tissue acquired by the pulse-information acquisition portion, in such a manner that a tip of the puncture needle is retracted toward a proximal end from a distal end of the protection member when the pulsating tissue expands and that the tip of the puncture needle is projected farther forward from the distal end of the protection member when the pulsating tissue contracts.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.

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: A rear-loaded injector cartridge for an intraocular lens (IOL) having a proximal opening that provides a haptic slot. The haptic slot receives a leading haptic of an IOL loaded therein, and temporarily retains the leading haptic while the optic of the IOL is inserted into a holding area of the cartridge. As the optic passes by, the leading haptic folds over the top of the optic, on its anterior side. The length of the haptic retention slot is sufficient to maintain the leading haptic in its anteriorly folded position while the IOL remains in holding area, typically while the cartridge is mated with a handpiece of the injector. The cartridge also has a rear or proximal cut out which advantageously keys with a similarly-sized rail on the handpiece so that the cartridge cannot be inserted in the wrong way.

Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal end of the tubular member, the pair of jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; wherein each of the pair of jaws has an arcuate section, and the pair of jaws are closable by advancing the tubular member over the arcuate section of the jaws; and an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the pair of jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the axis of the tubular member, wherein at the distal end portion of the tubular member there is a profile shape that is non-circular.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue-removal devices and methods for treating spinal diseases using such devices. The tissue-removal devices may comprise a cable and/or extendable elements with a retracted and a deployed configuration. The cable and/or extendable elements may be distally supported and restrained by a support element such that the support element may be pushed transversely away when the extendable element is distally extended into its deployed configuration. An annular cutting element may be provided about the distal end of the extendable element or the support element. Various configurations of the extendable and support elements are described herein, as well as methods of using tissue-removal devices with extendable and support elements coupled by an annular cutting element for treating spinal diseases.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: A tissue grasping device includes a longitudinal axis member; an actuating member provided at a distal end portion of the longitudinal axis member; a wire member elongated to an outside of the actuating member and being curved in a loop shape; a through hole formed in a distal end surface of the actuating member and holding a first end side of the wire member such that the first end side of the wire member is capable of moving with respect to the actuating member; and a direction restriction portion provided at a side surface of the actuating member and fixing a second end portion of the wire member to the actuating member such that an elongated direction of a second end side of the wire member is coincide with a direction intersecting a side surface of the actuating member.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure using a trans-septal approach. The device includes a dilator including a proximal end, a distal end terminating in a distal tip, and a lumen extending between the dilator proximal and distal ends, and a needle device including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into the dilator lumen and terminating in a sharpened distal tip. The needle is movable relative to the dilator to selectively expose the needle device distal tip distally from the dilator lumen and advance the dilator relative to the needle device. The dilator may have a complex tapered shape on its distal tip, e.g., including first and second tapered regions. The needle device may include an inner needle including the sharpened distal tip and an outer tube including a substantially blunt distal end that slidably receives the inner needle.

Abstract: Embolic coil implant systems and methods whereby coils are mechanically detachable are disclosed. The coils include a retention element that may be releasably retained within the distal end of an implant tool. The implant tool may include a fulcrum configured to engage a first filament and prevent the release of the coil when the first filament is engaged. Alternatively, an urging means and aperture may be disposed within the sidewall of the implant tool, and a first filament may, in conjunction with the aperture and sidewall, releasably retain the coil until the first filament is withdrawn. The implant tool may also include an alignment member for aligning the first filament.

Abstract: Described here are devices and components for use in performing an atherectomy. Generally, the atherectomy devices may have a handle, a cutter assembly, and a catheter or catheter assembly therebetween. The cutter assembly may include a housing and a cutter comprising a proximal cutter and a distal cutter, each of which may be rotated relative to the atherectomy device to cut occlusive material.