Abstract: In an ultrasonic probe, a curved portion gravity center of a probe curved portion located on a first perpendicular direction side with respect to a longitudinal axis. A boundary position between a probe relay portion and a probe main body portion is located on a distal side with respect to a reference antinode position which is located most distally among antinode positions of a longitudinal vibration located on a proximal direction side with respect to the probe curved portion. By a cross-section changing portion located at the boundary position, a cross section gravity center in a cross section of the probe relay portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is away from the longitudinal axis toward a second perpendicular direction opposite to the first perpendicular direction.

Abstract: An internal tissue puncture closure method and apparatus. The method and apparatus provide a locking device for compressing and holding an external component such as a collagen sponge at a puncture situs. The locking device facilitates compression of the external component in a first direction, but prevents or locks against retraction.

Abstract: A method for securing a sleeve in a bore hole in bone. The method includes disposing at least a portion of a length of filament into the bore hole, and implanting the sleeve into the bore hole such that a first pathway extending through first and second ends of the sleeve opens in a direction toward the opening of the bore hole and in a direction toward the base of the bore hole. The method also includes pulling at least a portion of the length of filament through the first pathway of the sleeve, thereby forming a first loop configuration extending from the first end and at least one free end of the length of filament extending from the second end. Also included is passing the at least one free end through the first loop configuration to create a one-way cinch.

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: A support system for minimally invasive surgical instruments. A platform supports one or more minimally invasive surgical instruments that extend through a guide tube into a patient. The platform is supported by at least one support arm link that is coupled to a base a rotational joint. The rotational joint's axis of rotation is aligned with a point at which the guide tube enters the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed in various methods, devices and systems relating to rotational atherectomy. More specifically, an oscillating driver is connected to a drive shaft, or torque transfer tube, with abrasive element mounted thereon. The result provides a rotational working diameter for the rotating abrasive element that is larger than its resting diameter. Generally, the preferred abrasive element is concentric in profile and/or with center of mass collinear with the drive shaft's rotational axis. However, eccentric abrasive elements, both in terms of offsetting center of mass and/or geometric eccentricity may also be employed.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein relate to improved structures for removing obstructions from body lumens. Such devices have applicability in through-out the body, including clearing of blockages within the vasculature, by addressing the frictional resistance on the obstruction prior to attempting to translate and/or mobilize the obstruction within the body lumen.

Abstract: A device for controlling blood flow occurring in a haemorrhagic zone of a biological tissue, includes a flexible plate arranged to be placed opposite this zone, the flexible plate including: substantially leaktight peripheral supporting elements, for applying on the tissue so that the zone is surrounded; a back wall delimiting, with the supporting elements, opposite the zone, a hollow space; connecting elements connecting the hollow space, externally to the flexible plate, to an external aspiration source for creating a vacuum in the hollow space for aspirating and tightly applying the surface of the tissue against the peripheral supporting elements; and a hollow stud placed between the zone and the back wall and hollowed out in its center on the side of the zone along an axis substantially perpendicular to the back wall, and arranged to be in contact with the zone when the vacuum is created in the space.

Abstract: An embolic device deployment system includes a catheter having a first lumen and proximal and distal ends. A notch is disposed in the first lumen, forming a second lumen. An embolic device has a retaining ring at the proximal end. An engagement member includes a distal loop extending through the retaining ring, and a proximal loop extending into the first lumen. An elongated detachment member can be disposed through the loops and have a detachment member bump disposed between the loops. When the detachment member is disposed within the distal loop and the distal loop is disposed within the retaining ring, the embolic device is engaged. When the detachment member is pulled proximally, the detachment member is withdrawn from the distal loop, and the detachment member bump contacts the proximal loop. These acts assist in the disengagement of the distal loop from the retaining ring to release the embolic device.

Abstract: A lumen re-entry system includes a helically wound coil having open proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal movement axis. The helically wound coil includes a distal segment that is relaxed relative to a proximal segment. A tip deflection wire is attached to the relaxed distal segment and coaxially disposed relative to the helically wound coil. Movement of the tip deflection wire moves the lumen re-entry system from an advancement configuration in which the open distal end of the helically wound coil is substantially aligned with the longitudinal movement axis to a deflected configuration. The lumen re-entry system also includes a puncture wire slidably received within the helically wound coil and having a distal puncture tip.

Abstract: A stent delivery system can include a core wire and a self-expanding member disposed along the core wire. The self-expanding member can be used to facilitate expansion of a stent or other implantable device within the vasculature of a patient. The self-expanding member can include first and second end portions that are each axially slidable along the core wire and be able to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration upon axial convergence of the first and second end portions.

Abstract: A method of deploying a stent includes providing a delivery system with the stent loaded in a reduced diameter configuration between an inner catheter and an outer sheath, the stent including a covering positioned on a luminal wall surface thereof, the inner catheter including a radially outwardly extending protrusion that extends into the covering but does not intersect a plane along the stent luminal wall surface, advancing the delivery system to a stenting site, and withdrawing the outer sheath to deploy the stent at the stenting site.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical tool having a motor with a shaft configured to rotate, a cutting device that reciprocates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, and a position sensor that determines a state of the motor and outputs a position signal representing the motor state. A fluid regulator provides fluid to the motor, and the motor rotates in accordance with the fluid provided. A controller generates a fluid flow command based at least in part on the position signal. The fluid regulator receives the fluid flow command and regulates fluid flow to the motor accordingly.

Abstract: A thrombectomy catheter includes a catheter body having first and second lumens formed therein, and a flow directing mechanism upon a distal body end forming a channel for conveying fluid between an outlet and an inlet fluidly connected with the first and second lumens. The channel axially and circumferentially advances about the catheter body, and is positioned between the outlet and inlet such that fluid conveyed by the channel enters a suction stream flowing to the inlet and entraining material of disrupted thrombus.

Abstract: A navigable probe system and method of use is provided. The system may include a handle assembly having a locking mechanism enclosed and a stylus, a cannula, and a tracking device extending from the handle assembly. The stylus may include undercuts for receiving pins of the locking mechanism. A cam of the handle assembly may rotate such that in a first position, the pins of the locking mechanism may be engaged with the undercuts and in a second position, the pins of the locking mechanism may be disengaged from the undercuts releasing the stylus from the locking mechanism. The stylus may be slidably engaged with an inner diameter of the cannula. In some arrangements, the handle assembly may include a quick connect system that in a first position attaches the cannula to the handle assembly and in a second position releases the handle assembly and thus stylus from the cannula.

Abstract: A surgical device and procedure are provided for smoothly and easily accessing tissue to perform microsurgery, including a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye. The device includes a handpiece with a tip for insertion into an incision in the cornea of the eye. A sliding element is disposed within the handpiece and a suction cup is mounted to the sliding element. The sliding element can be translated to move the suction cup into and out of the handpiece. A compression mechanism associated with the suction cup and the handpiece compresses the suction cup for deployment through the tip of the handpiece. The suction cup can expand inside the anterior chamber into a cutting position on the lens capsule. A cutting element mounted to the suction cup is used to cut a portion of the lens capsule and to remove the portion from the eye.

Abstract: An improved holder and storage system for a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that constricts the commissure posts of the valve and prevents suture looping. A rod axially movable relative to the holder tensions lengths of attachment sutures that extend between the commissure post tips to create a tent and flex the tips inward, thus helping to prevent looping of any of an array of pre-implanted sutures around the leading tips during delivery of the valve. The holder has a safety mechanism that prevents valve delivery before the rod is deployed. One embodiment automatically deploys the rod upon opening a storage jar. One embodiment permits a delivery handle to directly deploy the rod, while another uses a separate worm screw and coupling. A holder clip that attaches to a packaging sleeve may be formed of flexible members meshed together from which the heart valve and holder are easily pulled free to eliminate a step of decoupling the clip from the sleeve.

Abstract: A suture delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating a delivery of the anchor into the abdominal cavity. The system allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall.

Abstract: Wound closure devices, systems, and methods may be used to close an opening, such as a puncture wound or incision, formed in tissue, such as heart tissue. A wound closure device may be configured and adapted to be placed within the puncture wound or incision to close and/or seal the puncture wound or incision. A bioadhesive may be used to strengthen the closure and/or seal of the puncture wound after placement of the wound closure device relative to the puncture wound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a femoral compression system (14) for applying compression against a puncture site of a vessel in a patient, and a method for applying compression with a femoral compression system. The compression system (14) comprises an inflatable compression element (15) adapted to apply a pressure against the puncture site, a tightening unit (23) adapted to extend around a part of, or the whole of, the patients body to fixate and to tighten the compression element (15) against the puncture site, a pump (16) adapted to inflate the compression element (15), a valve (17) adapted to deflate the compression element (15), a pressure transducer (18) adapted to sense the pressure within the compression element (15).