Abstract: An assembly for treating a native heart valve can include a prosthetic valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic valve can include an expandable frame, a valve structure, a first end with apertures formed therein, and a second end. The delivery apparatus can include a valve catheter, flexible extension arms, slidable wires, and release members. First ends of the arms can be coupled to a cylindrical coupling element, second ends of the arms can be releasably coupled to the prosthetic valve, and the coupling element can be connected to the distal end of the valve catheter. The slidable wires can extend distally from the distal end of the valve catheter. The release members can be coupled to the distal end of the valve catheter and can extend through a respective aperture of the prosthetic valve, thereby forming a releasable connection between the prosthetic valve and the slidable wires.

Abstract: The invention is a method for reducing regurgitation through a mitral valve. The device and method is directed to an anchor portion for engagement with the heart wall and an expandable valve portion configured for deployment between the mitral valve leaflets. The valve portion is expandable for preventing regurgitation through the mitral valve while allowing blood to circulate through the heart. The expandable valve portion may include apertures for reducing the stagnation of blood. In a preferred configuration, the device is preferably configured to be delivered in two-stages wherein an anchor portion is first delivered and the valve structure is then coupled to the anchor portion. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming an anchor portion wherein a disposable jig is used to mold the anchor portion into a three-dimensional shape for conforming to a heart chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a prosthetic heart valve includes a holder, to which the heart valve is releasably attached, and an elongated handle. The handle can be connected to the holder simply by pushing a distal end of the handle straight into a recess in the holder. After this has been done, the holder preferably releasable latches onto the handle, and the handle can also be rotated about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque to the holder (e.g., a rotatable portion of the holder). Rotation of such a rotatable portion of the holder can be used to deflect portions of the valve radially inward. This operation of a rotatable portion of the holder is preferably one-way only. The handle can be released from the holder at any time, and it can similarly be reconnected to the holder at any time.

Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A body has a track receiving the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover captures the needle in the track. A cage engages and retains the needle cover against the body. The cage may slide relative the body to disengage with a portion of the cover allowing the cover to deflect and release the needle from the track.

Abstract: A device for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ includes a tissue port and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may be coupled to a flexible filament, such as a suture, which is tensioned to constrict the hollow body organ to achieve volume reduction.

Abstract: In a discharge mechanism of basket-type grasping forceps according to the present invention, a support member can advance and retract relative to a plurality of basket wires, the position of the support member can be fixed, and an object inside a basket part is discharged to the outside of the basket part from a portion of the basket part proximal to the basket wires by movement of the support member and the basket part relative to each other.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member configured as a stitch lock that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: An insertion instrument is configured to eject at least one anchor body into respective target locations, and subsequently apply a predetermined tensile force at least one actuation member of the at least one anchor member so as to actuate the at least one anchor body from a first configuration to a second expanded configuration. The insertion instrument can include a tension assembly that applies the predetermined tensile force to the at least one actuation member. The predetermined tensile force can be defined by a distance of travel, a predetermined failure force of a fuse, or a combination of distance of travel and a predetermined failure force of a fuse.

Abstract: A coil fastener applier including a housing, a flexible elongated tubular member, a flexible drive member, a fastener assembly and a trigger is disclosed. The housing defines a longitudinal axis and includes a stationary handle affixed thereto. The flexible elongated tubular portion extends distally from the housing. The flexible drive member is rotatably mounted within the flexible elongated tubular portion. The fastener assembly is mounted adjacent a distal portion of the flexible drive member and is configured to releasably mount at least one coil fastener thereon. The trigger is movably mounted on the housing and movement of the trigger rotates the flexible drive member to drive a coil fastener into tissue. The flexible elongated tubular member and the flexible drive member enable off-axis delivery of a coil fastener.

Abstract: In a discharge mechanism of basket-type grasping forceps according to the present invention, a support member can advance and retract relative to a plurality of basket wires, the position of the support member can be fixed, and an object inside a basket part is discharged to the outside of the basket part from a portion of the basket part proximal to the basket wires by movement of the support member and the basket part relative to each other.

Abstract: A suture anchor driver has an elongated shaft, a handle at a proximal end of the shaft an anchor engagement at a distal end of the shaft and a clutch between the handle and the shaft. The clutch includes a slot for frictionally engaging a suture an engagement with the shaft and an engagement with the handle. The engagement with the shaft and the engagement with the handle are located with respect to one another such that driving torque applied to the handle urges open the slot to release its frictional engagement of the suture.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

Abstract: A substantially U-shaped staple has a bridge, legs, and an internally disposed compression device with a bias portion having a compression surface movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force.

Abstract: A method and device for treating hernia by implanting at least one collapsible hernia repair patch, such as a planar mesh body at least partially enveloped by one or more elastic collars. A posterior end of an applicator carrying the repair patch may be inserted through a hernia and into the wall of the abdominal cavity, and the patch may be released into the cavity, e.g., so as to helically deploy the patch such that the patch lies in parallel to the abdominal wall. A balloon, which is removably attached to the patch, may be inflated to help move the patch to a deployed configuration, and thereafter the balloon removed from the hernia site.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an occlusion device and methods of delivering the occlusion device. The occlusion device can include an expandable structure configured to move between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable structure can be configured to have an expansion ratio of at least about 5:1. Further, the occlusion device can be configured to prevent substantially all fluid from flowing past the occlusion device when the occlusion device is in the expanded configuration in the vessel.

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: Disclosed are reinforced meshes for retropubic implants for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, and methods. In certain embodiments, implants have various resilient strengthening members added to a retropubic support mesh.

Abstract: An Occluder for occluding a passage in a circulatory system comprises at least one occluding body (4), for occluding the passage, an expanding unit (1) comprising at least one fixation structure for fixing the occluding body (4, 5) within the passage, wherein at least a part of the expanding unit (1) is expanding into said fixation structure thereby expanding the occluding body and a locking unit (2, 3) for locking the expanding unit (1) in its expanded state. The expanding unit (1) comprises a first and a second end and wherein the first end is attached to a first element of the locking unit (2, 3) and the second end is attached to a second element of the locking unit (2, 3), the first and second elements of the locking unit (2, 3) being brought in locking engagement with each other when the occluding body (4, 5) is expanded, wherein the occluder further comprises a jacket (6, 7) which envelops at least a part of the expanding unit (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical apparatus including a device used in the treatment of weight loss, obesity and potentially other associated health problems, e.g., type II diabetes. The device is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., bypassing a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The medical apparatus enables implantation of the device using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. The device may be implanted via a working channel of a medical scope, e.g., an endoscope or in combination with a medical scope.

Abstract: An inguinal hernia prosthesis includes a cord locating structure that provides cord protecting functions. The cord locating structure, which may be a semi-circular or other shaped recess positioned along a longitudinal peripheral edge of the prosthesis, is designed to only surround a portion of the cord, e.g. less than 180 or preferably 120 degrees, with the remaining cord circumference being positioned by the element against appropriate muscle tissue. The cord locating structure may be referenced as a non-encircling lateral cord locating structure. The prosthetic: provides tension free repair; minimizes cord damage through tissue ingrowth/strangulation effects, inadvertent suturing through the cord structure, and abrasion with the prosthetic; and minimizes size of prosthetic used in the repair; and is configured to reconstitutes the pre-hernia muscle physiology.