Abstract: Suture passers and methods of use. Described herein are suture passers preloaded with suture, including cartridges that couple to a suture passer to form a loaded suture passer; the suture passer may be operated to pass one or more lengths of suture without having to be manually reloaded. In particular, described herein are preloaded and automatically reloading apparatuses typically.

Abstract: An airway assist device and methods of making and using an airway assist device to assist in opening an airway or removing fluid or material obstructing an airway of a subject.

Abstract: A tissue resecting instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, and a tissue cutting extending distally from the shaft. The tissue cutter provides for both radial and distal resection of tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus with a deployable blade for probing and cutting can include an elongate member having a probe and a blade associated with a first end thereof. The probe can include a target interaction surface that is selectively movable between a retracted state and a target acquisition state. The blade includes a cutting edge and is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The handheld apparatus may additionally include a manually operated control that is operably connected to the probe and/or the blade to cause the retraction/extension of the probe and/or blade.

Abstract: A graft retention device has an elongated body with first and a second ends, and a midpoint therebetween. A pair of elongated slots through the body defines a tang therebetween. At least one of the slots have an open first end into the body at the body first end such that the first end is closed via a retention line between the tang and the body. A graft retention loop disposed over the tang is slidable therealong from a first position closer to the body first end and a second position closer to the midpoint.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) injector is configured for single hand operation and employs a compressed gas to provide a motive force to present an IOL to a surgical site. The IOL injector includes a mechanical brake coupled to a plunger to preclude translation of an IOL absent operator input. The mechanical brake provides for selectively varying the speed and translation of the plunger, and hence IOL during presentation of the IOL to a patient. The IOL injector can also include at least a first stop, which halts movement of the plunger at a predetermined position. The at least first stop is then moved to a passing position, thereby allowing further operator controlled translation of the plunger to present the IOL to the surgical site.

Abstract: An example stent delivery system is disclosed. The example stent delivery system includes an outer shaft having a distal end region, an inner surface and a lumen extending therein. The delivery system also includes an inner shaft extending within the outer shaft lumen, the inner shaft having a stent receiving region disposed along a distal end region thereof. Additionally, the delivery system includes a stent disposed along the stent receiving region and a braided member positioned radially outward from an outer surface of the stent and radially inward from the inner surface of the outer shaft, the braided member being attached to an outer surface of the inner member proximal of the stent. Additionally, the delivery system includes a plurality of tether members coupled to the braided member, wherein longitudinal retraction of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft exposes the stent from the braided member.

Abstract: Suture anchors are disclosed having suture locking features able to lock multiple suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel, with a single device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intelligent femoral artery hemostasis device by compression, including a main body capable of automatic compression. The main body includes a compression mechanism and a pressing plate mechanism successively provided from bottom to top; a lift regulator is provided between the support column and the compression mechanism; the compression mechanism is further provided with a detector for bleeding detection; and the main body is further integrated with a power supply module, an operation module and a central processing module. This invention realizes automatic bleeding detection and automatic pressurizing, and ensures the integration and compactness of the device. The power supply module, the operation module and the central processing module are integrated in the main body, avoiding external connecting wires and making it convenient to use the device when the tourniquet works in a twining working condition.

Abstract: A vitrector for performing a vitrectomy comprises a tubular shaft portion which is attached to a distal end of a vitrector hand piece. The shaft portion is provided with a sharply pointed needle tip portion for piercing the pars plana and sclera of the eye, and a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter is incorporated within the shaft portion of the vitrector at a location immediately adjacent to the sharply pointed needle tip portion. A source of pneumatic air is operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is pneumatically connected to the guillotine cutter so as to drive the same. In addition, an aspiration line is also operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is also fluidically connected to the region immediately adjacent to the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter so as to remove the floater particles, severed from the vitreous cavity by means of the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter, by means of aspiration.

Abstract: A hemostatic device can perform hemostasis by compressing a puncture site on a hand of a patient, and can prevent a movable range of fingers from being narrowed or can prevent misalignment at a wearing position, when the hemostatic device is worn on the hand. The hemostatic device has a covering portion to cover a site where bleeding is to be stopped on a hand of a patient, and a pressing portion that compresses the site where bleeding is to be stopped, in a state where the covering portion covers the site where bleeding is to be stopped. The covering portion includes a securing portion that surrounds at least a portion of the hand while covering the pressing portion, and a restriction portion that restricts a movement of the securing portion in an axial direction. The restriction portion is disposed between adjacent fingers and of the hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a locator. The method includes inserting a tissue locator through an opening in a tissue wall, and distally advancing a proximal member, positioned proximal a proximal end of a first arm of the tissue locator, to move a portion of the first arm from a first position to a second position that is separated from a longitudinal axis of the tissue locator by a greater distance than the first position.

Abstract: A method of retrieving calculus in a living body and relocating the calculus to a different location in the living body involves positioning an elongated member in the living body in which the calculus is located, drawing the calculus in the living body toward the elongated member while the elongated member is positioned in the living body so that the calculus is retained by the elongated member; moving the elongated member so that the elongated member is located at a position in the living body that is different from the position of the elongated member in the living body during the drawing of the calculus toward the elongated member; and releasing the calculus from the elongated member so that the calculus is at a position in the living body different from a location of the calculus in the living body while the calculus is being drawn toward the elongated member.

Abstract: A sinus dilation instrument useful with a navigation system and including a handle, a rigid probe, a balloon, and an identifier device. The probe extends from the handle, forms a curved segment, and carries the balloon. The identifier device is programmed to generate a signal indicative of an instrument identification assigned to the instrument, and is a frontal, maxillary or sphenoid sinus instrument. The signal is formatted to be recognized by an IGS. Once connected, the IGS recognizes the instrument and can retrieve information indicative of a spatial location of the balloon, for example via an instrument tracking device. A surgeon can “plug and play” the sinus dilation instrument with the IGS to perform a procedure.

Abstract: A system and method of accessing a heart of a patient is provided. A cardiac access channel is established through an apical wall of the heart to provide direct access through the apical wall to the left ventricle. A vascular access channel is established through the skin to a peripheral blood vessel. A first end of an elongate member is advanced from the outside of the apical wall through the cardiac access channel and into the left ventricle. A second end disposed opposite the first end remains outside the patient. The elongate member is drawn into and through the vascular access channel to externalize the first end of the elongate member while leaving the second end outside the apical wall of the heart.

Abstract: A balloon guiding sheath may include an elongated sheath comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner tube, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, an access port, a distal port, and a working lumen extending through an interior portion of the elongated sheath between the access port and the distal port. The balloon guiding sheath may also include an inflatable balloon located on an outer surface of the elongated sheath adjacent the distal end. The balloon guiding sheath may include a plurality of inflation holes extending through a side wall of the elongated sheath. The elongated sheath may be sized and configured to enable direct insertion into a patient's vasculature through an arteriotomy in at least one of a femoral artery and vertebral artery to position the inflatable balloon at a target site.

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: A device includes a handle, an apparatus for probing and cutting, and an adaptor. The handle includes one or more triggers. The apparatus for probing and cutting is connectable to the handle and includes an elongated member, a probe, and a blade. The probe and the blade are selectively deployable from the elongate member via activation of the one or more triggers on the handle. The adaptor is configured to selectively connect the apparatus to the handle in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Surgical constructs, assemblies and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A surgical construct includes a spreadable web attached to a plurality of peripheral strands. The spreadable web may be tensionable and may include one or more flexible filaments or strands. At least one of the filaments is coupled to the peripheral strands. The filaments may extend from the peripheral strands in different directions and/or orientations. The spreadable web is expandable and can be adjusted to various widths. The spreadable web may be knotless. The spreadable web may be tensionable. The surgical construct may be attached to one or more knotted or knotless fixation devices.

Abstract: A teether is provided for infant use. The teether comprises an exterior portion and a mouthpiece wherein the mouthpiece includes a substantially U-shaped biting section comprising first and second arms extending from a central portion. At least part of said central portion is resiliently collapsible upon application of pressure thereto during use of the teether by an infant.