Abstract: A method is for controlling a system including an imaging modality. The method includes receiving an image and/or a series of images of a portion of a patient from the imaging modality, the field of view of the image and/or of the series of images covering at least a part of an instrument; determining whether the part of the instrument is located within a defined portion of the field of view and/or in a given state selected from a plurality of first states and/or the part of the instrument executes a given movement selected from a plurality of movements; and generating a control command for performing an action depending on whether the part of the instrument is located within the defined portion of the field of view and/or the part of the instrument is in the given state and/or the part of the instrument executes the given movement.

Abstract: A biodegradable device capable of producing a high radial force is described. Such a force will be created in devices made of relatively inelastic materials that are to be deployed to the vasculature or a body cavity in a patient. As the halves of the devices move together subject to a longitudinal force, at the point where they are in contact and unable to move closer together in the longitudinal direction, a radial force is created. The devices may have a tension element that assists in bringing the device halves together and which may partially and optionally remain within the body of the device.

Abstract: Lead extraction is the removal of one or more leads from inside the heart utilizing a lead removal catheter having a tubular sheath that is placed in the blood vessel, either subclavian or femoral. The sheath of the lead removal catheter may accidentally tear or perforate the blood vessel as it is advanced over the lead toward the heart. Such an occurrence must be dealt with quickly to prevent harm to the patient or subject. An expandable member, such as a balloon, attached to the exterior of the sheath of a lead removal catheter can be deployed temporarily adjacent the perforation in the vessel wall. Inflation of the balloon not only stops (or substantially stops) the bleeding, but, upon inflation, the balloon may include one or more channels that allow blood to continue to flow through the channel(s) until the blood vessel perforation can be repaired.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluoroscopic needle guide device for use in medical procedures that facilitate the direct targeting of a pre-identified target in a subject and methods for reaching the same with a medical device. The present disclosure includes fluoroscopic needle guide devices including detachable alignment indicators and methods for using the same.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.

Abstract: A medical device and method for closure of a puncture in a body lumen are disclosed. The device has an aggregate (10) of a support structure (20) and a substantially fluid tight patch member (30) attached thereto at an attachment unit (40). The aggregate has a first, temporary delivery shape, for delivery to an interior of said body lumen and to be subsequently subjected to a change of shape to a second shape, which is a tubular shape. When delivered in said body lumen, the patch member is arranged radially outside of said tubular support structure and arranged towards an inner tissue wall of the body lumen. The aggregate is the detached from a delivery device and said puncture is intraluminally closed in a leakage tight manner, advantageously supported by a physiological pressure of a body fluid in said body lumen. Rotational orientation is detectable by fiducial markers.

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: 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 tissue removal device includes a housing, an outer tube having a distal portion configured for transcervical insertion into a uterus, an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube lumen, a vacuum generation chamber disposed within the housing, a movable piston slidably disposed in the vacuum generation chamber, a collection chamber, a manual actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the piston, and proximal and distal one-way valves. The outer tube has an outer tube lumen, a tissue in-take opening proximate a distal end thereof, and a proximal end coupled to the housing. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen extending from an open inner tube distal end to an open inner tube proximal end, the open inner tube distal end comprising a cutting edge configured to sever intrauterine tissue extending through the tissue in-take opening in the outer tube.

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: An implantable permanent filter assembly (1) for deployment in a bifurcated vessel includes a main vessel and at least two branches. This assembly includes a filtering sleeve (2) formed of an expendable braided framework (20) able to expand from a radially compressed state in a delivery configuration to a radially expanded state. The filtering sleeve extends along an axis and defines a cylindrical lumen devoid of impermeable layer, having a distal end configured to extend toward the branches of the bifurcated vessel and a proximal end configured to extend toward away from the branches of the bifurcated vessel. The braided framework has a plurality of mesh layers (22,23,24) of wires (25) made of biocompatible material, forming a lattice with a plurality of wires of each layers. The lattice, when observed normal with respect to a wall of the implantable endoluminal prosthesis, defines polygonal openings.

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 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: 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 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 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 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.