Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including a handle assembly supporting a manually operated suture needle loading assembly; a tool assembly operatively supported on and connected to the handle assembly; a suture needle operatively associated with the tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly includes a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another; and an actuation cable extending between the handle assembly and the tool assembly, wherein axial displacement of the actuation shaft results in opening and closing of the jaws and rotation of the actuation cable results in selective retention of the suture needle in the jaws. A proximal end of the actuation cable is connected to the suture needle loading assembly such that actuation of the suture needle loading assembly imparts rotation to the actuation cable to selectively engage the suture needle in one of the jaws.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.

Abstract: A living body tissue closing device includes an elongated body element, a clip (living body tissue closure) for closing a wound hole which penetrates a living body tissue membrane, and a thread. The body element includes a sheath, and elongated feeding and deformation arrangement. The elongated feeding and deformation arrangement includes a covered tube, a pusher tube, a thread anchoring cap, a guide wire, and a stopper. The clip includes a seal portion for covering the wound hole and a peripheral portion of the wound hole from one side of the living body tissue membrane, a deformation portion deformable between a first form in which the deformation portion can pass through the wound hole and a second form in which the deformation portion cooperates with the seal portion to sandwich the living body tissue membrane therebetween from the other side, and a fastener portion for retaining the deformation portion in the second form.

Abstract: Multifilament sutures are prepared by permeating the suture with an antimicrobial solution and applying an antimicrobial coating to the suture.

Abstract: A surgical device of suturing vascular vessels is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. In one form the device includes a distal member for insertion into a vascular vessel puncture wound. The distal member contains a suture and needle engaging fitting. At least one needle is advanced through tissue adjacent the puncture wound and into the needle engaging fitting to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close the puncture wound. In another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable through tissue and into a needle capture element within a distal end of the surgical device to draw lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds, particularly in vascular tissue. In still another form the device includes at least one needle advanceable through tissue to drawn lengths of suture material which can then be used to close various puncture wounds, particularly in vascular tissue.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating a surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable. Each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function.

Abstract: An intestinal anastomotic surgery aid 1 is constituted with a cylindrical portion 40 for covering the proximal end side of an engaging rod 28, and a cover portion 41 that extends from the cylindrical portion 40 towards the distal end side of the engaging rod 28. The proximal end part of the cylindrical portion 40 is inserted to a recessed portion 26 of a device main body 21 to be held to the device main body 21. The anus-side piece of the intestine is tied with a suture to be held to the outer face of the cylindrical portion 40.

Abstract: A method of occluding a vessel, comprises forming an incision through tissue covering the vessel to expose a portion of the vessel and looping a first suture around the vessel such that ends of the first suture extend out of the incision in combination with closing the incision with the ends of the first suture protruding through the closed incision, placing a force distribution element over the incision and tightening the first suture over the force distribution element to form a kink in the vessel.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.

Abstract: A method for placing an embolic coil into an aneurysm utilizing a delivery system having a deflected distal section. The delivery system stabilizes an embolic coil deployment system thereby placing the embolic coil with greater accuracy.

Abstract: A heart valve delivery system is provided wherein a prosthetic valve is carried on a valve catheter inside a delivery sleeve. A step balloon protrudes from the delivery sleeve and provides a tapered surface for facilitating advancement through a body vessel. The step balloon also aids in crossing the leaflets of a native valve. After the prosthetic valve is positioned within the native valve, the delivery sleeve is retracted to expose the prosthetic valve. In one embodiment, the delivery sleeve is retracted by the use of a lead screw, which effectuates relative movement between the valve catheter and delivery sleeve. The prosthetic valve is preferably self-expandable. If necessary, the step balloon may be expanded to securely seat the prosthetic valve at the site of the native valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue scaffold and a method of preparing a tissue scaffold for implantation. The tissue scaffold includes a body having a graphite foam core. At least a first portion of the external surface of that graphite foam core is covered by a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength to the scaffold.

Abstract: A clip device (1612) for hemostasis includes a clip having a plurality of arms (1640, 1650) each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the arms are spaced apart from each other when the clip is in an open position and adjacent to each other when the clip is in a closed position. At least one lumen (1643, 1653) is disposed within a first of the plurality of arms and spans from the proximal end to the distal end of the first arm. At least one outlet bore is formed in the distal end of the first arm. In use, the distal ends of the plurality of arms are adapted to engage tissue in the closed position, and a sclerosing agent is adapted to be delivered to tissue via the lumen and an outlet bore formed in the first arm. Such technique facilitates treatment of the underlying bleeding using a combination of mechanical and sclerotherapy approaches.

Abstract: A method for occluding an anatomical structure (such as a vessel or duct) having a lumen comprises: introducing percutaneously into the body of the patient a delivery device; advancing the delivery device to an occlusion site outside the lumen of an anatomical structure; deploying an occlusion instrument from the delivery device; and occluding the anatomical structure with the occlusion instrument. The advance of the delivery device and the deployment of the occlusion instrument are guided by near-real-time imaging of a target region of a body of a patient, the target region including the occlusion site on the anatomical structure. The delivery device is guided to the occlusion site outside the lumen of the anatomical structure, and the structure is occluded with the deployed occlusion instrument engaging the exterior of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention satisfies the long felt need for a more compact and durable valve which may be formed in situ. The present invention provides a self-deployable valve system, a method of delivery, and a method of manufacturing for the self-deployable valve system. The present invention delivers the necessary components for forming a complete valve system in situ. The collapsed subcomponents of the system lack any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before being expanded. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: An occlusion device for implantation within a body vessel is provided with a screen member and an associated support member. The occlusion device is radially expandable from a compressed condition, suitable for inserting the device in an introducer, to a deployed or expanded condition within a vessel. The screen member includes a plurality of substantially parallelogram-shaped openings in the compressed condition arranged in longitudinal rows, the openings being axially offset from each other. The porosity of the screen member is less than the porosity of the support member in the expanded condition.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first and a second interlaced component, each having a permeable adhesive-backed wound edge pad for attachment to the skin of a patient adjacent to a laceration or incision to be closed. Each of the permeable wound edge pads is attached to an opposing tension adjusting pad that also has an adhesive backing. The wound edge pads are connected to the respective tension adjusting pads by elongate connecting elements that may be flat or tubular in shape. The present invention also includes an adhesive that may be applied in liquid form to the permeable wound edge pads. Adhesion of the adhesive on and within the permeable wound edge pads seals the wound site and adds structural rigidity to the interlaced components.

Abstract: A mechanical system for rotatably, sequentially securing opposing sides of a tissue wound with a fastener. An applicator apparatus is capable of imparting rotatable motion to a falcate tissue penetrator that sequentially pierces and carries a fastener into a first side and a second side of the tissue wound. The first side and second side of tissue can be simultaneously captured and positioned with respect to a tissue definition member or alternatively, the first tissue side and second tissue side can be individually, sequentially captured and positioned relative to the tissue definition member. The applicator apparatus can comprise a single fastener for small tissue wounds or resections or alternatively, the applicator can comprise a plurality of staged fasteners for use in closing a larger wounds or wounds with increased tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resorbable polymeric mesh implant, that is intended to be used in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The mesh implant comprises at least a first and a second material, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material following the time of implantation. The mesh implant is adapted to have a predetermined modulus of elasticity that gradually is decreased until the mesh implant is completely degraded and subsequently resorbed. Due to the gradual decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the inventive mesh implant, the regenerating tissue may gradually take over the load applied to the tissue defect area.

Abstract: A device serves to insert an anchoring element and a suture thread into a bone to attach a tendon or a ligament without drilling a hole into the bone. The device comprises an anchoring element, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis and further a continuous channel, and a tool for inserting the anchoring element and the suture thread, having a longitudinal axis, a distal end section and a further section being designed in such a way that it can be introduced into the anchoring element from the proximal end to the distal end. The tool can be inserted into the continuous channel of the anchoring element in such a way that the distal end section of the tool projects distally beyond the anchoring element, wherein the projecting distal end section is designed as a stable driving head. The anchoring element further has an external thread.