Abstract: A system for treating tissue including a clip assembly including a pair of clip arms, a proximal end of each of the clip arms slidably received within a channel of a capsule and moveable between a tissue receiving configuration and a tissue clipping configuration. The system also including an applicator releasably coupleable to the clip assembly, the applicator including a control member connectable to the proximal end of each of the clip arms and a locking sleeve coupleable to a proximal end of the capsule via a deflectable tab including an engaging structure configured to engage a corresponding engaging structure at the proximal end of the capsule and a releasing structure proximal of the engaging structure, the releasing structure engagable with a portion of the control member to deflect the deflectable member and disengage the engaging structure of the locking sleeve from the corresponding engaging structure of the capsule.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and methods related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having a rotational helical cutter. An example helical cutter includes an outer cutter portion and an inner cutter portion received therewithin. The inner cutter portion is operable to rotationally reciprocate within the outer cutter portion about a longitudinal axis thereof. A helical shearing surface formed at a distal end of the inner cutter portion is operable to sever material entering the cutter via a port formed in the outer cutter portion.

Abstract: A biocompatible tissue graft includes a first layer of a bioremodelable collageneous material, a second layer of biocompatible synthetic or natural remodelable or substantially remodelable material attached to the first layer; and at least one fiber that is stitched in a reinforcing pattern in the first layer and/or second layer to mitigate tearing and/or improve fixation retention of the graft, and substantially maintain the improved properties while one or more of the layers is remodeling.

Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided of an assembly having a prosthetic valve, the prosthetic valve having a radially expandable and compressible annular frame, and a crimping accessory device, and methods for using the assembly in compressing the prosthetic valve. The frame includes an outer surface and an inner surface. A leaflet assembly is supported inside the annular frame. The leaflet assembly includes a plurality of leaflets, each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The crimping accessory device has a plurality of axially-extending fingers. At least a first finger of the plurality of fingers is disposed between the outer surface of a first leaflet of the plurality of leaflets, and at least a second finger of the plurality of fingers is disposed radially-inwardly of the inner surface of the first leaflet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are minimally invasive systems and methods for intravascularly accessing the heart and performing a transcatheter repair of a heart valve by inserting a suture as an artificial chordae into a heart valve leaflet. In various embodiments, such systems and methods can be employed in other heart valve repair procedures such an edge to edge repair to coapt leaflets by inserting one or more sutures that retain the leaflets in a coapted positioned or inserting a suture to repair a tear in a leaflet, for example.

Abstract: A knot may be formed in suture material using a device having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis and a holder. A rail portion of the suture material is secured with a first grasper on the elongated body and a non-rail portion of the suture material is secured with a second grasper on the holder. A plurality of helical windings may be created with the non-rail portion. Detaching the holder from the elongated body in a motion away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated body completes the knot. The holder may be wrapped around the elongated body in a knot-forming pattern.

Abstract: A vascular closure system is configured to seal an incision in a vessel of the patient's body. The system includes a slider that is moved from an initial position to a deployed position (that is, towards the puncture of the patient body), until the proximal end of the slider exposes a reference marker on an inner tube. This confirms the deployment of the closure element and completely expands or opens or pivots the closure element in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle includes a hub for connection to an ultrasonic handpiece. An elongated shaft is formed with the hub and extends from the hub. A distal end of the shaft breaks-up tissue when the distal end is caused to be vibrated by the handpiece. At least a distal portion of the shaft is formed of a material that has properties providing advantages compared to a metal needle. Example properties include a substantially lower density, a substantially higher electrical resistivity, a substantially lower thermal conductivity, a substantially lower mechanical lateral stiffness, a substantially higher efficiency of converting electrical energy powering the handpiece into motion of the distal end, a substantially lower acoustical impedance, a substantially higher Poisson's ratio, and a substantially higher mechanical gain.

Abstract: A method and device for securing a tissue graft within a bone passage includes providing a graft fixation device that houses a closed loop having both braided and non-braided portions. A tissue graft is looped through the closed loop at the non-braided portion to attach the tissue graft to the graft fixation device. The graft fixation device is passed through the bone passage and seated against the surface of the bone to secure the tissue graft within the bone passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ankle syndesmosis repairs includes, inter alia, a first button, a second button, and a suture connecting the first button and the second button. The first button and the second button are stainless steel buttons. At least one of the first button and the second button is oblong. The suture includes multiple strands that extend between the first button and the second button. A first free end of the suture is tensionable to shorten a length of the suture between the first button and the second button and thereby move the first button and the second button closer together.

Abstract: An anchor device and system for coupling soft tissue to osseous tissue includes a stopper member that supports a loop of suture material. A fixing member includes features that allow it to be rigidly coupled to surrounding bone and thus hold the stopper member in a cavity within the bone. The loop of suture material, in turn, supports a second suture device, which is coupled to, and thus retains, the soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the fixing member includes a wadding structure having a generally elastic property.

Abstract: A percutaneous, transluminal, angioplasty system includes a non-foreshortening stent and a stent anchor to hold the stent in place until delivery. The stent comprises rings and fused rings comprising various motifs such as butterfly or pinched ellipsoid motifs. Stent anchors can release the stent after an outer sheath uncovers the stent or uncovers the stent and biased or bent fingers of the stent anchors.

Abstract: A scar subcision devices comprising a first elongated element comprising a pivotal connection to a second elongated element, the first elongated element having a blunt distal end, the second elongated element having a proximal-facing cutting edge at a distal end thereof, the device having a first state wherein the cutting edge is retracted to a location within an outer perimeter of the first elongated element, and a second state wherein the cutting edge is exposed outside of the outer perimeter of the first elongated element and the device transitioning between the first state and the second state by the first elongated element and the second elongated element rotating relative to each other about the pivotal connection are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: This specification describes methods of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, placing the mesh over the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the methods include the loop member and attached mesh positioned, and longitudinally movable within, a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.

Abstract: An adjustable length laparoscopic instrument is provided. The instrument includes a shaft with a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. The instrument further includes an actuation rod with an actuation rode distal end and an actuation rod proximal end. The actuation rod is receivable by the shaft such that the actuation rod can translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate an end effector. The instrument further includes a handle configured to hold the shaft and the actuation rod. The handle is configured to cause the actuation rod to translate longitudinally relative to the shaft to actuate the end effector. The instrument further includes a length adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a shaft length. The shaft length is defined between the handle and the shaft distal end.

Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.

Abstract: A delivery assembly and methods for accurately positioning a stent within a body lumen are disclosed. The delivery assembly comprises a stent releasably attached to the distal end of an inner catheter. A handle at the proximal end of the assembly is operatively connected to the proximal end of an outer catheter and is configured for imparting axial movement to the outer catheter. A sheath is fixed to the handle or inner catheter and disposed about at least a portion of the outer catheter. The sheath comprises indicia visible to the user of the assembly to identify a particular measured distance from a selected point on the sheath to a selected point on one or more components of the delivery device. The inner catheter and sheath are fixed components that do not move relative to each other during axial movement of the outer catheter.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a multiple suture threader. Embodiments of the multiple suture threader include a handle that is coupled with a first collapsible loop and a second collapsible loop that is axially offset from the first collapsible loop. In use, one or more sutures are doubled over each of the first and the second collapsible loops such that when the axially spaced loops are passed through a narrow axial passage of a surgical implant, a surgical instrument, or a bodily passage such as a bone tunnel, a twenty-five to fifty percent reduction in suture traffic, or in the maximum number of suture thicknesses that simultaneously pass through the narrow passage, is achieved. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly used in minimally invasive procedures whereby laparoscopic instrument heads, prepositioned in the abdomen of a patient are securely doubly attached and detached internally while under direct laparoscopic visualization. The present invention permits surgeons to utilize full sized laparoscopic instrument heads on needlescopic instrument shafts. Multiple locking structures are employed to securely attach the laparoscopic instrument heads to a needlescopic instrument.