Abstract: A suturing system including apparatus and methods for disposing sutures in a substrate.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting blood from an anatomical feature of a mammalian subject, the device including a vibrating plate assembly structured and arranged to retain the anatomical feature, a first biasing device releasably attachable to the vibrating plate assembly, a housing portion releasably connectable to the vibrating plate assembly, and a plurality of vibrating motors located beneath the vibrating plate assembly, such that vibrations translated to the anatomical feature enhance blood collection, such that the first biasing device constricts blood flow to the collection point on the anatomical feature, causing blood to pool therein, and low frequency and/or high amplitude vibrations cause vasodilation, encouraging blood flow through the capillaries at the collection point.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for removing material from patient vasculature. In some embodiments, an aspiration device may include a sheath and a catheter slidably disposed within the sheath and defining a lumen. The catheter may include a distal end portion and an elongate portion, the distal end portion being disposable adjacent to a clot, the elongate portion being couplable to a vacuum source that is configured to apply a negative pressure to the lumen to draw the clot into the distal end portion. The distal end portion may include a plurality of sections, each of the plurality of sections having a different cut pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.

Abstract: Delivery devices and device elements that provide steering capabilities and methods of steering such delivery devices during the delivery of a stented prosthesis to a target site. Various delivery devices include a shaft assembly having a plurality of lumens through which tension members that compressively retain the stented prosthesis to the shaft assembly are routed. By selectively tensioning one or more tension members, the shaft assembly can be pulled or steered in a desired direction. Various embodiments include one or more steering or stiffening rods that can reinforce the device or counteract any unintended bending or steering of the delivery device.

Abstract: A device for positioning a coronary stent within coronary arteries is described. The device has a housing having a cylindrical front part and an internally-threaded cylindrical rear part connected to each other by a slot allowing the cylindrical rear part to rotate around an axis. The cylindrical front part of the housing is provided with recesses for fixing a coronary guide. A runner is provided with projections for engaging an internal thread of the cylindrical rear part of the housing. The device includes a structure for clamping disposed in a threaded runner cap. The runner is disposed inside a retainer with ears projecting into side holes on both sides of the housing. Clamping is operable by rotation of the rear part of the device housing. A method for positioning a coronary stent within coronary arteries is also described.

Abstract: In some examples, a medical aspiration system includes a vacuum source; a vacuum tube coupled to the vacuum source; a vent tube; and a device configured to convert a constant suction force from the vacuum source into a periodic suction force, the device including a housing configured to receive a portion of the vacuum tube and a portion of the vent tube; a first plunger; a second plunger; and a rotatable cam configured to cause the first plunger to periodically compress the vacuum tube and to cause the second plunger to periodically compress the vent tube.

Abstract: A device having a hub assembly and a lever coupled with the hub assembly is provided. The device includes a sheath coupled with the lever and extending from the hub assembly. The sheath has a surgical elevator with a surgical elevator edge along with a hypotube having an access hole. The device has a shaver blade assembly with an outer shaft having an outer blade and an inner blade within the outer blade. The outer shaft has a stop and an access hole near the outer and inner blades. The sheath partially surrounds the outer shaft and the lever moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surgical elevator edge abuts the outer shaft stop and the outer shaft access hole aligns with the hypotube access hole. In the second position, the surgical elevator edge is spaced apart from the outer shaft stop.

Abstract: A hair-removal apparatus is provided that comprises a hair-removal device with a movable hair-removal component, which comprises at least a first hair-contacting member and a second hair-contacting member, which are movable relative to each other and which are configured and arranged to mutually co-operate for removing hairs by mutually exerting a contact force, a pressing component configured and arranged to generate said contact force by exerting a pressing force on the movable hair-removal component during operation, a skin proximity sensing component, and a force adjusting component. The skin proximity sensing component is configured and arranged to detect a relative distance between the movable hair-removal component and a portion of the skin with hairs to be removed. The force adjusting component is configured and arranged to adjust, during operation, the pressing force exerted by the pressing component in dependence on the relative distance detected by the skin proximity sensing component.

Abstract: A treatment method reduces the time required to exchange a long catheter which is introduced from an arm to treat the lower limb artery. The treatment method involves introducing a first catheter from an artery of one arm of the patient to dispose a distal portion of the first catheter at least in front of the lesion area in the lower limb artery; introducing a second catheter from an artery of the other arm of the patient; disposing a first treatment catheter in the lesion area through the first catheter; treating the lesion area with the first treatment catheter; and assisting the treatment with the second catheter and/or a second treatment catheter that is inserted into the second catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various exemplary systems and methods for deploying an implant to a target location of a body vessel. The delivery member can include a tubular body including a lumen and compressed distal portion. The delivery member can include a loop wire with a loop opening positioned approximate the compressed distal portion. The delivery member can include a pull wire that has a proximal pull wire portion and a distal pull wire portion connected by a suture linkage. The suture linkage can include a proximal suture knot engaged to the proximal pull wire portion and a distal suture knot engaged to the distal pull wire portion. Pull wire beads positioned on the proximal pull wire and distal pull wire portion can retain the suture knots during proximal translation of the pull wire. The suture linkage can include slack that is effective to prevent premature deployment of the implant.

Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for closing a transapical opening (9) in a wall of the heart include utilizing a suturing device (100) that is advanced through the transapical opening (9), extending suture arms (110) from a retracted position to an extended position within a ventricle of the heart, extending needles (120) from a retracted position to an extended position through the wall of the heart to engage a plurality of suture portions (52) held by the suture arms (110), retracting the needles through the wall of the heart to draw the suture portions through the wall of the heart, retracting the suture arms, withdrawing the suturing device from the transapical opening, and closing the transapical opening with the suture portions (52). The needles (120) can be deployed from within the transapical opening (9) at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device or through the exterior wall of the heart parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suturing device.

Abstract: The embodiments described relate to retrieving temporary Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters and other endovascular implants or foreign bodies. Features are provided for effective actuation in closing an inner aperture of the embodiments.

Abstract: A strap tie includes a body including a receiving channel and a strap engagement member. The receiving channel extends through the body. The receiving channel is configured to receive a remote strap. The engagement member is configured to engage a movement restriction member of the remote strap to prevent translation of the remote strap away from the body. The strap extends from the body. The strap includes a proximal end attached to the body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a plurality of movement restriction members. The rotational element of the body is configured to removably couple to a base to allow the strap tie to rotate relative to the base.

Abstract: A delivery system for percutaneously deploying a valve prosthesis. The system includes a catheter assembly including a delivery sheath capsule and a handle having an oscillating device. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the valve prosthesis during implantation. After the valve prosthesis is partially exposed during implantation, the oscillating device can create a vibratory motion to reduce the friction between the valve prosthesis and the delivery sheath capsule in order to recapture the valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A valve delivery system and valve delivery method are disclosed. The valve delivery system includes an inner shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and an elongated tension member to continuously circumferentially coil around a prosthetic valve disposed on the inner shaft to form a sheath portion to releasably contain the prosthetic valve on the inner shaft in a compressed state, the elongated tension member extending from the sheath portion along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are disclosed including a tissue removal tool for treatment of endometrial tissue on a background tissue of a patient. The tissue removal tool can optionally comprise a graspable portion, a shaft and an end effector. The shaft can be coupled to the graspable portion. The shaft can have a proximal portion and a distal portion and can be configured to access an anatomic location of the endometrial tissue. The end effector can be coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The end effector can be configured to lift the endometrial tissue relative to the background tissue to a lifted position. The end effector can be configured to cut the endometrial tissue from the background tissue with the endometrial tissue in the lifted position.

Abstract: The triple endoscopic loop for laparoscopic appendectomy includes an elongated cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. A first loop is located at the distal end and secures the base of the appendix at a first point. A second loop is spaced apart from the first loop at the distal end, and secures the base of the appendix at a second point. A third loop is spaced apart from the second loop at the distal end, and secures the body of the appendix at a third point. A handle is located at the proximal end. The handle is connected to the first loop, the second loop and the third loop such that when the handle is pulled away from the cannula, the loops further secure the appendix at the first point, the second point, and the third point, respectively.