Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject one or more of anchor bodies across an anatomical gap so as to approximate the gap. The insertion instrument can include a single cannula that retains the pair of anchor bodies in a stacked relationship, or a pair of adjacent cannulas that each retains respective anchor bodies. The insertion instrument can be actuated so as to eject the anchor bodies into respective target anatomical locations.

Abstract: A deployment system for a self expanding stent includes a catheter assembly with a tip attached to a distal end segment of an elongate tube. The tip includes a proximal portion molecularly joined to a distal portion, which has a lower durometer hardness than the proximal portion. The proximal portion includes an anchor surface in contact with the distal portion, and oriented perpendicular to a central axis of the elongate tube. The elongate tube may be formed from a thermosetting polyimide, and the overmolded tip may be made from two different colored and different hardnesses of polyether block amide material. The tip is overmolded onto an untreated external surface of the elongate tube.

Abstract: A medical device may include a snare loop and an elastic member that connects at least two sides of the snare loop. The elastic member is configured to transition from an unexpanded state where the elastic member is in a plane of the snare loop to an expanded state where the elastic member is outside the plane of the snare loop. The snare loop has a same shape when the elastic member is in the unexpanded shape and the expanded shape.

Abstract: The present technology is a prosthetic heart valve device, and related systems and methods, for treating a native valve of a human heart having a native annulus and native leaflets. One embodiment comprises a valve support, a prosthetic valve assembly within the valve support, and an anchoring member. The device further includes an extension member coupled to the anchoring member and having an annular first portion coupled to the anchoring member and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The extension member is folded in a delivery configuration such that the first portion overlaps the second portion. When released from the a delivery catheter, the extension member unfolds such that the first portion extends radially outwardly from the anchoring member and the second portion extends radially outwardly from the first portion.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device for deploying a ligation band may include a tubular body. The tubular body may include a proximal end, a distal end, a radially inner surface defining a lumen through the tubular body, and a radially outer surface. The radially outer surface may include protrusions arranged in rows extending at least partially around a proximal region of the radially outer surface. Protrusions in adjacent rows may be separated by a first distance. Surface features may extend at least partially around a distal region of the radially outer surface. Adjacent surface features may be separated by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: A suturing device includes an elongate body, a needle holder, an actuator, a needle and a needle retainer. The needle holder extends away from a distal end portion or is provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body. The needle holder includes a distal end section having a distal-most tip, and defines a needle passage and a distal opening adjacent the distal-most tip. The actuator is operable between a first operating position and a second operating position. Movement of the actuator from the first operating position toward the second operating position moves the needle in an advance direction. The needle is in the needle passage. The needle retainer engages the needle holder and the needle when the actuator is in the first operating position and inhibits movement of the needle toward distal opening while the actuator is in the first operating position.

Abstract: Described is a delivery system for percutaneous delivery and implantation of a heart valve. The delivery system includes a handle with a sheath extending therefrom. A splay shaft extends from the handle through the sheath. At least two arms extend from the handle through the splay shaft. The at least two arms are operable for holding a heart valve. A sheath controller is housed within the handle and is operable for selectively advancing or retracting the sheath to constrain or expose a heart valve as attached with the at least two arms. A splay shaft controller is housed within the handle for allowing the user to selectively advance or retract the splay shaft to constrain or expose the at least two arms. Finally, a valve release is attached with the handle to allow a user to selectively release a heart valve as attached with the at least two arms.

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: A surgical suturing device is disclosed. The surgical suturing device has a forked guide tip having a plurality of legs, wherein each of the plurality of legs comprises a proximal end, an anatomical variation, and a distal end. A method of chord replacement for a heart valve is also disclosed. A suture is placed in a papillary muscle using a surgical suturing device having a forked guide tip and a papillary suture. A leaflet suture is placed in a leaflet. The papillary suture and the leaflet suture are loaded in a suture fastener from opposite directions in a coaxial fashion. The length of the papillary suture and/or the leaflet suture are adjusted relative to the suture fastener to achieve a desired replacement chord length. The suture fastener is attached to the papillary suture and the leaflet suture to lock the desired replacement chord length.

Abstract: Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. An adjustable loop region of a flexible construct contained in a bore defined by a fastener is passed through a tissue. The adjustable loop is passed through the tissue. The fastener is passed back through the adjustable loop to fold the adjustable loop upon itself. The fastener is attached to the bone. An adjusting arm on the flexible construct is engaged to reduce the size of the adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue to the bone.

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: This invention is an intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device with a proximal resilient stent which becomes wider than the aneurysm neck and a distal flexible net which is expanded by being filled with embolic members. The stent and the net work together. The stent occludes the aneurysm neck and prevents the device from slipping out. The net conforms to the walls of even an irregularly-shaped aneurysm sac and keeps the stent pressed against the inside of the aneurysm neck. This has advantages over the prior art, especially for aneurysms with irregularly-shaped sacs.

Abstract: A surgical system uses a single entry port in a wide variety of surgeries. To insert multiple surgical instruments into a patient through a single entry port requires that the shaft (262A1) of at least one (260A1) of the surgical instruments be bent between the base of the surgical instrument (260A1) and the point where the shaft contacts a channel in an entry guide (270A). Each surgical instrument (260A1, 260A2) is positioned by an instrument manipulator positioning system (231A) so that when the shaft is inserted in a channel of the entry guide (270A), any bending of the shaft does not damage the surgical instrument and does not inhibit proper operation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.

Abstract: A multiple balloon catheter designed to quickly and easily obtain hemostasis during open and minimal access surgery in the event of venous injury.

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: The present invention relates to a surgical instrument (1) for deploying a prosthesis (200) and includes a first layer and second layer assembled together so as to define an internal space accessible to said surgical instrument (1) by means of an opening provided in said first layer, said surgical instrument including at least one sheet (2) made of a flexible resilient material, said sheet continuously overlapping itself one or more times so as to define a plurality of levels forming a spiral (3). The invention also relates to a kit including such a surgical instrument and such a prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable balloon for medical use, intended to be inserted deflated into a human or animal body cavity and then inflated once inside this cavity so as to apply pressure against the cavity. The inflatable balloon includes a balloon body, the wall of which is made from a flexible inflatable material, the balloon body having a generally elongated shape with a proximal inflation end and a distal positioning end at the back of the cavity. It further includes an inflation opening formed in the proximal end through which a fluid is introduced into the balloon body so as to inflate it under pressure. The wall of the balloon body locally has an elongated portion called the sole that is stiffer than the rest of the wall, this sole extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery catheter for implanting a leadless biostimulator. The delivery catheter includes a shaft and a tubular body having a lumen and an atraumatic end. The atraumatic end includes at least one of a braided, woven or mesh construction configured to facilitate the atraumatic end changing diameter. When a distal portion of the shaft is coupled to a proximal region of the leadless biostimulator, at least one of distally displacing the tubular body relative to the shaft or proximally displacing the shaft relative to the tubular body causes the leadless biostimulator to be received in the volume of the atraumatic end and the atraumatic end to encompass the leadless biostimulator. Conversely, at least one of proximally displacing the tubular body relative to the shaft or distally displacing the shaft relative to the tubular body causes the leadless biostimulator to exit the volume of the atraumatic end.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring safe and tolerable insertion of a needle into a subject's body according to a preplanned or continuously monitored sequence of insertion steps. The system comprises a gripping device for gripping the needle in order to perform robotic insertion steps, yet for releasing the grip between such insertion steps, until the next insertion step is initiated. Thereby, the robot has full control of the needle during insertion steps, but does not constrain the needle between insertions, such that movement of the subject can cause neither damage nor discomfort. The gripping and insertion steps may be coordinated to keep in synchronization with the subject's breathing cycles, such that the insertion steps may be performed in the same segment of each cycle of motion of the subject's chest. The gripper can either fully disconnect from the needle, or can partially disconnect but constrain motion within limits.