Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye, are provided. The apparatus comprises an IOL cartridge comprising a nozzle, a compartment, a plunger, and a plunger case. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment, and the plunger case is in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger is disposed within the plunger case. The plunger case includes flexible members extending from an outer surface of the plunger case. The IOL cartridge is configured to removably attach to a handpiece.

Abstract: A device having one or more adjustable loops or coils associated with an implant body for use in soft tissue reconstructions is provided. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes a body and a suture filament, with the filament being used to form a self-locking sliding knot disposed on a top side of the body and a plurality of adjustable coils that are substantially disposed on the body's bottom side. Terminal ends of the filament located above the body's top side can be passed through an opening of a Lark's Head knot from opposite sides, thus forming a self-locking sliding knot, and then the terminal ends can be tensioned to adjust a circumference of the coils. Changing a coil's circumference changes a location of a ligament graft disposed on the coil. Other configurations of devices and systems, as well as methods for performing ACL repairs, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vibration induced membrane rupture include an epiretinal membrane (ERM) treatment method that includes providing a vibrational device that includes an interface configured for engaging a closed eyelid of an eye of a patient, where the eye of the patient includes an ERM disposed on an epiretinal surface of a retina of the eye. The interface of the vibrational device engages with the closed eyelid and an instance of vibrational force is applied, via the vibrational device while the interface is engaged with the closed eyelid, to the eyelid, where the vibrational force is capable of propagating through the closed eyelid to the retina of the eye. Further, the instance of vibrational force is applied at predetermined frequency (s) and predetermined intensity(s) for predetermined period(s) of time.

Abstract: An extravascular access system includes a tubular stent configured to be deployed in a blood vessel, the stent having a sidewall and a proximal end opening and an internal scaffolding comprising one or more structural members, and an elongate access catheter having a distal end portion configured to access the blood vessel wherein when the stent is deployed in the blood vessel, and the distal end portion of the catheter is inserted into the proximal end opening of the stent, the one or more internal structural members of the stent deflect the distal end portion of the catheter towards a wall of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a surgical device including a transducer positioned to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an end effector positioned distally from the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a sleeve configured to receive the surgical device and a rail positioned along an interior portion of the sleeve. The surgical device includes a feature for receiving the rail. The surgical device is slidable along the rail.

Abstract: An embolic implantation system configured to deliver an embolic implant intravascularly to a treatment site includes an elongated delivery tube to which the embolic implant is detachably attached by a flexible loop extending through a retaining ring or opening on the embolic implant and an elongated detachment member or pull wire extending through the delivery tube and flexible loop. The pull wire has a bump near its distal end that inhibits the pull wire from moving further distally when the bump presses distally against the flexible loop and/or retaining ring. The flexible loop and retaining ring thereby serve as a distal obstruction obstructing distal movement of the bump and thereby distal movement of the pull wire into the implant.

Abstract: A stitching device includes a handle assembly and an elongate shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a main rod and a drive conversion assembly including a cam wheel, a pivot block, first and second links, and a pawl. The pawl is operatively coupled to the main rod, and is configured to engage the pivot block to cause rotation of the pivot block which, in turn, causes reciprocating displacement of the first and second links. The elongate shaft assembly includes first and second blade drive members coupled to the cam wheel. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws and first and second blades. The first and second blades are operatively coupled with the respective first and second blade drive members, wherein axial displacement of the main rod transitions the first and second jaws between open and closed positions and causes reciprocating axial displacement of the first and second blades.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a prosthetic heart valve includes a shaft, an inner balloon, and an outer balloon. The shaft has a lumen extending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and a plurality of openings formed in the distal end portion. The shaft is configured such that a fluid can flow through the lumen and the openings. The inner balloon has end portions and a center portion disposed between the end portions. The inner balloon is mounted on the distal end portion of the shaft and is in fluid communication with the openings of the shaft. When the inner balloon is inflated with the fluid, the end portions expand farther radially outwardly than the center portion. The outer balloon is mounted to the shaft and disposed over the inner balloon. The outer balloon is configured to fully expand after the inner balloon at least partially expands.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an interlocking cannula system that includes a handle and a set of cannulas. The set of cannulas includes a sequence of smaller to larger cannulas constructed such that the smaller cannulas may be nested within larger cannulas. Each cannula in the set of cannulas includes a respective locking mechanism configured such that each cannula may be interlocked with each of the other cannulas in the set. The handle is constructed such that each cannula in the set may interlock with the handle by the respective locking mechanism of the cannula. In some instances, the respective locking mechanisms are constructed to enable an ordered release of the cannulas.

Abstract: A system includes an access cannula, a deployment cannula having a plurality of engagement arms, and a containment bag. The deployment cannula is slidable within the access cannula between an initial condition, wherein the engagement arms are retained in a contracted configuration, and a deployed condition, wherein the engagement arms are disposed in an expanded configuration. The containment bag includes an open end portion configured to receive the first elongated tubular member and the second elongated tubular member. In the initial condition, a portion of the containment bag towards the open end portion is positioned adjacent at least one of the first elongated tubular member or the second elongated tubular member. In the deployed condition, the portion of the containment bag is expanded such that the portion of the containment bag is spaced-apart from the at least one of the first elongated tubular member or the second elongated tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aortic embolic filter mounted on a catheter. A pair of spaced apart hubs are provided, one hub being a catheter hub mounted on the catheter, the other hub being a tip hub spaced distally of the catheter hub. A filter basket is attached to the hubs and positioned distally of the catheter hub. The basket includes multiple supports that each span the two hubs. A filter material/sheet is supported by the supports, the filter material having concave and convex surfaces, first and second edge portions, and an opening that spans most of the distance between the hubs and in between the filter material edge portions. One of the supports is movable relative to the catheter hub. An operator, controller or handle enables the movable support to change length between the hubs to put more or less of a curvature of the filter basket.

Abstract: A scoring device includes an elongate shaft, a balloon disposed on a far side of the shaft and inflatable radially of the shaft by a fluid flowing into the balloon, at least one storage tube disposed along an outer surface of the balloon and having a storage lumen defined therein, and an elongate scoring wire storable in the storage tube and made of a harder material than the balloon. The storage tube is fixed to the balloon or the shaft, and an opening portion is defined in the storage tube to provide fluid communication between outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the storage tube along the storage lumen when the balloon is inflated. The scoring wire is movable in the storage lumen along a longitudinal axis of the storage tube.

Abstract: An endoluminal needle or punch is describes wherein the distal end of the endoluminal needle is able to articulate laterally out of the longitudinal axis of the steerable endoluminal needle. The endoluminal needle further comprise a blunted distal end configuration that is minimally traumatic. Under control by the user, at the proximal end of the endoluminal needle, a sharp stylet can be advanced to punch tissue and then be retracted to maximize safety. The endoluminal needle is configured for use within an introducer.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for accurately positioning a prosthetic valve such as a prosthetic heart valve at a desired position for deployment. The invention includes extendable positioning elements which provide tactile feedback to a user to confirm proper positioning of the catheter with respect to the native valve annulus. During delivery, the extendable positioning elements may lie against or near the catheter, over the prosthetic valve and expandable balloon, providing a low profile for advancing the catheter to the desired treatment location via small passages such as body lumens. Prior to valve deployment, the positioning elements are extended and brought into contact with tissue of the native annulus to confirm the proper positioning of the delivery system and prosthetic valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of implanting a blood clot removal device in a patient's body, by cutting the skin of the patient's body, dissecting an area of the patient's vascular system, placing the blot clot removal device at the dissected area, and connecting a blood flow passageway of the blood clot removal device to the patient's vascular system to allow circulation of the patient's blood through the blood flow passageway.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for removably attaching a drive mechanism handpiece to an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge that folds the IOL upon retraction of a cap, are provided. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment configured to receive an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge also includes a retractable cap that covers the nozzle and the compartment. The retractable cap is configured to expose the nozzle and fold the IOL upon retraction of the retractable cap. The IOL cartridge may also include a plunger case that is in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments comprise AV fistulas and other anastomotic devices for creating new or reinforcing existing side-branch vessels, and/or bridging neighboring vessels together. An exemplary embodiment may comprise a sidewall port, such as a flanged sidewall port, and/or flow frame design, such as a partially bare, flexible stent or a whisk, for purposes of creating a transmural flow. Another exemplary embodiment may comprise a compliant vessel support to aid in the transition from device to vessel and/or vessel to device, and to promote vessel dilation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injector assembly having: a folding chamber which is designed to receive an intraocular lens which has an optical body and two haptic elements; a holder; a folding wedge which is attached to the holder and is designed to be introduced into the folding chamber via a folding chamber opening, thereby folding the intraocular lens; and a first slider and a second slider which are each designed to push one of the two haptic elements onto the optical body by means of a displacement of the respective slider from a starting position to an end position, the holder being designed to drive the first slider and/or the second slider from the starting position to the end position by means of a movement of the holder towards the folding chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for tissue reduction are described where one embodiment of the tissue resection device may generally comprise an external clamping mechanism having at least two distally extending members shaped with an atraumatic distal end and defining a confined region between the distally extending members sized to receive a tissue region therebetween. Additionally, an elongate coring needle defining a lumen and having a proximal end attached to a handle and a distal end which defines a cutting mechanism may also be included, wherein the coring needle is translatable adjacent and/or relative to the external or internal clamping mechanism defined by the confined region.