Abstract: A reinforcement device for reinforcing tissues having one or more structural deficiencies includes a longitudinally-extending reinforcing layer for treating the structural deficiency, a plurality of spiked naps distributed across the reinforcing layer and projecting therefrom for adhering to the tissue, and a dissolvable matrix layer covering at least a portion of the reinforcing layer and a portion of the plurality of spiked naps. The matrix layer increases the time before the spiked naps substantially adhere to the tissue, thereby allowing the practitioner additional time to position the reinforcement device.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: To provide a catheter having a simple structure capable of excising an atheroma in a blood vessel and capable of obtaining ultrasonic images of a blood vessel. [Solution] A catheter 10 has a shaft 11 having an opening 20 in a part of the side wall on the distal end side, a cutter 12 which is located in the vicinity of the opening 20 in the internal space of the shaft 11 and which can move in the axial direction 101 of the shaft 11, a balloon 23 which is disposed on the side opposite to the opening 20 with respect to the axis of the shaft 11 and which outwardly expands from the side wall of the shaft 11, and a phased array ultrasound probe 17 disposed along the circumferential direction 102 of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall in the vicinity of the opening 20 at least on the same side as the side where the opening 20 is provided with respect to the axis of the shaft 11.

Abstract: A suture construct having a soft button, defining a multiplicity of first apertures and a set of second apertures. Also, a suture loop assembly has a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap having a first end and a second end, formed in a trap region of the suture, and in which a first portion of the suture is threaded through the trap region lumen from the first end to the second end and the first portion extends out from the second end, and a second portion of the suture is threaded through the trap region lumen from the second end to the first end, and the second portion extends out from the first end. Finally, the double loop passes through the set of second apertures of the soft button.

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: The present invention provides transseptal puncture devices configured to access structures on the left side of the heart from the right side of the heart without requiring open-heart surgery. The devices have adjustable stiffness to enter the vasculature in a flexible, atraumatic fashion, then become rigid once in place to provide a stable platform for penetration of the fossa ovalis. The devices are further configured to controllably and stably extend a needle to puncture the FO. The devices include an indwelling blunt stylus that can extend perpendicularly from the device to increase the accuracy of placement near the fossa ovalis.

Abstract: A surgical port includes a shell and a seal assembly. The shell has a housing and a cannula that extends from the housing. The housing has a sidewall defining a window therethrough. The seal assembly includes one or more seals. The seal assembly is selectively receivable into the housing through the window of the housing of the shell.

Abstract: An instrument driver comprises opposing rotatable gripping pads. Each of the gripping pads includes an outer circular rim and a center hub. The pads are configured for applying a gripping force to an elongated member. The instrument driver further comprises shafts affixed to the center hubs, and a driver assembly configured for rotating at least one of the shafts, thereby causing the pads to rotate in opposite directions to linearly translate the gripped member. Each of the pads further includes a framework for partially collapsing in response to the gripping force, such that portions of the rims flatten to contact each other. Each rim has a concave gripping surface in order to facilitate vertical centering of the member between the pads. Each of the pads further includes a pair of upper and lower sprockets for interlacing with each other to prevent the elongated member from slipping out between the pads.

Abstract: A tissue guard includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therethrough. The distal end has a long petal and a short petal disposed in substantial opposition relative to one another and the short petal is configured to move between a first position wherein the short petal is disposed within the lumen to facilitate insertion of the long petal within an incision and a second position wherein the short petal is extended relative to the lumen and in substantial opposition to the long petal to facilitate retention of the tissue guard within the incision.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instruments (100, 200, 400, 1100, 1400, 2100, 2400, 3400) and methods useful in delivering graft material (1) to a surgical site. Some embodiments may particularly be directed to forming a graft (1) and accurately and effectively handling and delivering the graft (1) to a surgical site arthroscopically. Graft material (1) may include blood components such as clotted fibrin derived from a patient's or a donor's blood.

Abstract: Surgical robot systems for remote manipulation having robotic telemanipulators are provided. The surgical robot systems are well adapted for use by the surgeon, seamlessly integrateable into the operation room, allow for a surgeon to work between the robot and the patient throughout a surgery in a sterile manner, are relatively low cost, and/or permit integrated laparoscopy. The system preferably includes a master console having a plurality of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints, and a handle coupled to the master console for operating the telemanipulator. The system further includes a slave console operatively coupled to the master console and having a plurality of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints that move responsive to movement at the master console to permit an end-effector to perform surgery.

Abstract: A polymer coating/ring is employed to aid in the sealing and connection of modular elements used in body flow lumens for the exclusion and bypass of diseased regions of the flow lumen, such as where aneurysm occurs adjacent to branching blood vessels.

Abstract: Devices and methods for increasing or restoring a flow in a body lumen. The devices and the methods may treat conditions like stroke by removing a clot from a blood vessel and/or reopen the vessel. The device may include a plurality of engaging elements, a central wire, and proximal control element. The device may include a linking structure between engaging elements. The linking structure may include segments configured to respond differently upon the application of longitudinal loads. The positions of the engaging elements and the distance therebetween can be adjusted simultaneously or sequentially to promote the engagement of the clot or occlusion. The device may include be configured to inhibit or prevent the proximal engaging element from being pulled back into a microcatheter when pulling the central wire to pull the distal engaging element proximally and/or during retraction of the device holding a clot.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical handpiece may include an assembled handpiece, an ultrasonic tip, a tubing set, and an irrigation sleeve. The assembled handpiece may include an assembled motor, a housing sleeve, and a nosecone. The housing sleeve and the nosecone may be disposed over a portion of the assembled motor. The assembled motor may include an assembled transducer, a transducer sleeve, and an angled adaptor. The transducer sleeve may be disposed over a portion of the assembled transducer. The assembled transducer may include an amplifier, one or more piezoelectric rings, and a connector block. A surgeon may use the ultrasonic surgical handpiece to perform a portion of a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a self-expanding frame which includes a self-expanding atrial skirt that forms a flanged region, a self-expanding ventricular skirt, and a first self-expanding tab coupled with the ventricular skirt. A receptacle for receiving a valve leaflet is formed by the area bounded by an outer surface of the atrial skirt, an outer surface of the ventricular skirt, and an inner surface of the first tab. The receptacle has a window for receiving the valve leaflet that is defined by a gap between an edge of the flange and a tip of the first tab. The gap is maximized when the tip of the first tab is unconstrained and a base of the first tab is at least partially constrained. The gap is minimized when the tip of the first tab and its base are unconstrained.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a system and method of use for delivering an interventional instrument, such as an artificial chordae tendineae (ACT) delivery instrument, into a beating heart. By delivering interventional instruments in a beating heart via the system described here, complex and invasive open heart procedures as well as cardiopulmonary bypass can be avoided, significantly reducing patient trauma and recovery time as well as operation time and complexity. The system disclosed includes an optical imaging system to provide the practitioner with visual imagery from the end of the system, and allow for real-time or near real-time imaging of tissue inside the beating heart (e.g., leaflet tissue). This provides for accurate verification of placement of the interventional instrument. In addition, the system includes a grasping mechanism, which allows the practitioner to hold tissue in position prior to placing the interventional instrument.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, and an elongated shaft extending from the housing. The elongated shaft has a proximal end secured to the housing, a distal end spaced from the proximal end, and a first axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the elongated shaft. Surgical fasteners are disposed in the elongated shaft. The surgical fasteners are stacked at an angle relative to the first axis of the elongated shaft. A distal end cap having a surgical fastener dispensing window is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument has a firing system disposed in the housing, and an actuator coupled with the firing system for activating the firing system to dispense the surgical fasteners through the surgical fastener dispensing window.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a cannula body and an anchor. The cannula body includes a housing, and an elongated portion extending distally from the housing. The elongated portion defines a longitudinal axis and defines a channel extending therethrough. The anchor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion of the cannula body and is longitudinally translatable relative to the elongated portion. The anchor defines an aperture and includes a ratchet mechanism configured to selectively lock a size of the aperture.

Abstract: A circumcision apparatus is provided. The circumcision apparatus includes a first surgical scissors and a second surgical scissors. The first surgical scissors include two first clips and one pair of blades, and the second surgical scissors include one second clip and one pair of blades. In the circumcision operation, after the foreskin is cut by the first surgical scissors along the direction of the shaft of the penis, the two first clips clamp a part of the foreskin near a first incision. After the foreskin is cut further by the second surgical scissors along the circumference of the penis, the second clip clamps another part of the foreskin near a second incision. Therefore, bleeding from the first and second incisions can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a support frame defining first and second non-circular apertures each defining at least one stop surface, and a jaw member having a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion. A jaw liner is engaged with the elongated distal portion and defines a tissue-contacting surface. A first and a second pivot boss protrude from opposite sides of the proximal flange portion and at least partially into the first and second non-circular apertures, respectively. Each pivot boss is non-circular and defines at least one stop surface configured to mate with the at least one stop surface of the respective non-circular aperture to stop rotation of the jaw member before the jaw liner is forced into contact with a blade from the surgical instrument. A surgical instrument including such a jaw member is also provided.