Abstract: A tack device for holding plaque against blood vessel walls in treating atherosclerotic occlusive disease can be formed as a thin, annular band of durable, flexible material. The tack device may also have a plurality of barbs or anchoring points on its outer annular periphery. The annular band can have a length in the axial direction of the blood vessel walls that is about equal to or less than its diameter as installed in the blood vessel. A preferred method is to perform angioplasty with a drug eluting balloon as a first step, and if there is any dissection to the blood vessel caused by the balloon angioplasty, one or more tack devices may be installed to tack down the dissected area of the blood vessel surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for endoscopic dissection of blood vessels and control over cavity pressure within an endoscopic procedure are described herein. Apparatus, systems, and methods for harvesting of blood vessels are also described herein.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for treating a condition of a vessel near a bifurcation comprises a shaft including a proximal and distal end, and a side surface, at least one guide wire lumen extending longitudinally, a distal port extending from the guide wire lumen through the distal end, a side port extending transversely from the guide wire lumen through the side surface, and a balloon mounted on the shaft. The balloon comprises a first end sealed to the shaft proximally of the side port, a second end sealed to the shaft distally of the side port and an aperture aligned with the side port. A portion of the balloon surrounding the aperture is sealed to the shaft around the side port. The balloon may be guided to the bifurcation on a first and a second guide wires pre-positioned in main and in side branch vessel, respectively.

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: A fastener is provided for inserting into a body tissue. The fastener has a head and an anchoring portion comprising a plurality of distally extending legs. Each leg terminates in an anchoring element configured to penetrate tissue and to cause a net lateral resistance force on the leg during penetration. The legs are configured and structured so that when the net lateral resistance force on the anchoring element exceeds a predetermined level, at least a portion of the leg is deflected laterally away from a pre-insertion configuration and so that when the net lateral force is subsequently reduced below the predetermined level, the at least a portion of the leg is biased back toward the pre-insertion configuration.

Abstract: A hemostasis tool has a flexible bandage body that is used by being wound around a puncture site, a balloon that is arranged in the bandage body, and that is dilated by injecting a fluid so as to compress the puncture site in a dilated state, and a detection unit that detects a strength level of a pressing force of the balloon pressing the puncture site, based on discoloration or deformation. In this manner, it is possible to detect the pressing force of the balloon pressing the puncture site. Accordingly, the balloon can properly compress the puncture site.

Abstract: A device includes a first arm having a first rotating member including a first gear coupled thereto and a first rotation imparting member fixed thereto, a second arm pivotally coupled to the first arm at proximal ends of the first arm and the second arm, the second arm having a second rotating member including a second gear coupled thereto and a second rotation imparting member fixed thereto, wherein when the first arm and the second arm are brought towards each other, the first rotation imparting member engages with the second gear to cause the second rotating member to rotate in a first direction, and the second rotation imparting member engages with the first gear to cause the first rotating member to rotate in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

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 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: The present invention relates to hair removal. In order to provide a hair-removal apparatus with improved user acceptance, a hair-removal apparatus (10) is provided that comprises a hair-removal device (12) with a movable hair-removal component (14) which comprises at least a first hair-contacting member (36) and a second hair-contacting member (36) 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 (40) configured and arranged to generate said contact force by exerting a pressing force (20) on the movable hair-removal component during operation, a skin proximity sensing component (16), and a force adjusting component (18). The skin proximity sensing component (16) is configured and arranged to detect a relative distance (22) between the movable hair-removal component (14) and a portion of the skin (24) with hairs to be removed.

Abstract: A surgical assembly for operably connecting an end effector to an electrosurgical instrument includes an adapter assembly and an extension assembly. The adapter assembly includes a drive coupling assembly, a drive transfer assembly operably received through the drive coupling assembly and including a first rotatable shaft, and a first pusher assembly operably connected to the first rotatable shaft for converting rotational motion from the first rotatable shaft to longitudinal movement to perform a first function. The first pusher assembly includes a first pusher member having an outer housing formed of a first material, and a threaded insert formed of a second material and disposed within the outer housing. The extension assembly is operably connected to a distal end of the adapter assembly, and includes a flexible band assembly operably connectable to the first pusher member of the first pusher assembly.

Abstract: A tissue expansion device with a plurality of lobes made from non-compliant material, each lobe defining a chamber therein. Each chamber is fluidly isolated from every other chamber in the plurality of lobes. Each chamber has an inflation element with a valve to release a pressurized fluid to inflate the lobe to expand a cavity, and a deflation element with a valve to deflate the lobe by compressing the fluid.

Abstract: A suture device including: an elongated shaft member extending along a longitudinal axis; a pair of gripping members provided at a distal end of the elongated shaft member in a pivotable manner about a pivot orthogonal to the longitudinal axis so as to be opened and closed relative to each other; and a passing mechanism which passes a suture needle between the gripping members, in which the gripping members include: fitting hole portions which are formed along an opening-closing direction of the gripping members, and to which the suture needle is detachably fitted; and contact portions which are brought into contact with front and back surfaces of a suture object in a course of a closing action of the gripping members so as to suppress a movement of the suture object along the front surface of the suture object.

Abstract: A recanalization catheter assembly and method for establishing a subintimal pathway around an occlusion in a blood vessel. The recanalization catheter assembly an inflatable balloon structure including a distal anchoring portion configured to expand within a true lumen portion of the blood vessel distal of the occlusion to anchor the recanalization catheter from unintentional movement during expansion of a stent in the subintimal pathway. The expandable stent, such as a bioabsorbable stent, may be configured to promote native tissue regrowth around the stent to create a superficial intimal layer along the subintimal pathway.

Abstract: The present application discloses apparatuses with deployable probes and blades and exemplary methods of use. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary handheld apparatus for probing and cutting is provided. Such an exemplary handheld apparatus includes an elongate member having a probe and a blade associated with a first end thereof. The probe comprises a target interaction surface and is selectively movable between a retracted state and a target acquisition state. The blade comprises a cutting edge and is selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The handheld apparatus may additionally include a handle associated with the second end of the elongate member that is operably connected to the probe and the blade. In some embodiments, the disclosed handheld apparatus is sized and shaped for use in endoscopic surgeries.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a housing; at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing; a channel assembly extending distally from the housing; a jaw assembly including a pair of jaws extending from an end of the channel assembly, opposite the housing, the jaw assembly adapted to accommodate a clip of a plurality of clips loaded in the clip applier and being operable to effect formation of the clip in response to movement of the at least one handle; and a dissector bar supported on the housing and the channel assembly, wherein the dissector bar is actuatable from the housing and includes a proximal position wherein a distal end of the dissector bar is disposed proximal of a distal-most end of the jaw assembly, and at least one distal position wherein the distal end of the dissector bar projects beyond the distal-most end of the jaw assembly.

Abstract: Filamentary fixation devices may be used in a variety of surgical procedures to secure soft tissue to bone. The present invention provides various devices, systems, kits and instrumentation for performing such surgical procedures including preparation of soft tissue and bone, preparation and manipulation of such filamentary fixation devices, and insertion and utilization of the fixation devices within a patient's anatomy. In one embodiment, a method for securing soft tissue to bone, the method includes accessing the soft tissue and the bone, passing a filament through the soft tissue, preparing a bore hole in the bone, loading the filament into a filamentary fixation device, implanting the filamentary fixation device, with the filament, into the bore hole, and tensioning the filament so that the filamentary fixation device and filament are secured within the bore hole.

Abstract: A deployment device for positioning a soft tissue repair prosthesis includes a self-expanding support body releasably attachable to the prosthesis. The support body may be removably insertable into a pocket of the prosthesis. A handle coupled to the support body facilitates positioning the patch and/or removal of the support body from the pocket. The support body may substantially occupy the pocket in an expanded configuration. The handle may be arranged to direct a pulling force to the outer peripheral edge of the support body and/or cause a portion thereof to be pulled downward and below the body during withdrawal of the deployment device from the prosthesis. The support body may include support segments pivotally coupled together and foldable to collapse the support body for insertion into and removal from the pocket. One or more resilient support members may be provided for collapsing and expanding the support body and the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter system and methods of using such catheter system for the treatment of vascular and non-vascular pathologies. More specifically, the present invention is directed towards a catheter system for the actuation of a temporarily implantable member elastically deformable by hydraulic means.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for managing suture filament during a tissue repair procedure. One exemplary embodiment of an anchor insertion tool includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, and a ring disposed around the elongate shaft. The ring can be configured to slide along a length of the shaft, and can be configured to engage a filament extending from an anchor removably coupled to the shaft's distal end during a suture anchor insertion procedure. In some embodiments, the ring can include one or more slots for receiving a filament and maintaining a tension applied to the filament. The ring can also include features that prevent it from rotating with respect to the shaft, such as a boss formed on a ring's central opening that engages a slot formed in the shaft. Other devices, systems, and methods for suture anchor insertion are also provided.