Abstract: Tissue compression devices with a combination of fixation and tension straps and methods of using the same are described herein. The tissue compression devices include a combination of fixation and tension straps that are used together to fix or attach the tissue compression device over selected tissue at a selected location on a patient and to apply pressure to the selected tissue. In one or more embodiments, the fixation straps are used to fix or attach the tissue compression device and the tension straps are used to provide tension that is converted to pressure on the selected tissue.

Abstract: A dilating cannula includes a radially expandable flange and an expandable shaft. The radially expandable flange is disposed at a proximal end portion of the dilating cannula and includes two or more sectors that are each independently movable. The expandable shaft extends from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the dilating cannula and defines an inner passageway of the dilating cannula and includes two or more arms. A first branch of the two or more arms extends from one end of the base section and a second branch of the two or more arms extends from another end of the base section. The first branch is connected to a first sector of the two or more sectors of the radially expandable flange and the second branch is connected to a second, different sector of the two or more sectors of the radially expandable flange.

Abstract: A surgical suture apparatus for open and/or endoscopic surgery is configured to pass a double-ended surgical needle backwards and forwards between a first jaw element and a second jaw element, the jaw elements each including a holding device to hold a respective needle end of the surgical needle, wherein the first and/or second jaw element are biased to an open position with a first biasing force. The apparatus further includes an operating device to operate the first and second holding devices, wherein the operating device includes a first operating organ biased in the normal position by one or more second spring elements with a second biasing force, wherein the first biasing force is smaller than the second biasing force such that exerting an actuation force on the first operating organ first results in movement of the first and second jaw element towards each other, and subsequently in actuation of the operating device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trephine guide having an upper guide member having a first substantially circular guide aperture and a first circumferential portion and a lower guide member having a second substantially circular guide aperture and a second circumferential portion. The upper and lower guide members are connected in a spaced apart configuration by at least one arm extending from the first circumferential portion to the second circumferential portion, such that the first and second guide apertures are substantially concentric, thereby to allow a trephine to pass through the upper and lower guide members. The at least one arm has a width that extends over less than three quarters of the circumference of the first or second circumferential portions to allow good visibility to a trephine blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthesis (1) for the repair of an inguinal hernia, which prosthesis (1) is intended to be implanted by a posterior or open laparoscopic route and comprises: an openworked textile (2) made of biocompatible material, comprising a first face (2a) intended to be placed facing the biological tissues of the inguinal region, and a second face (2b) arranged opposite said first face and intended to be placed facing the peritoneum, said first face being provided with fastening means that are able to fix said textile in said biological tissues of the inguinal region, characterized in that at least a part of said second face (2b) is covered with a non-porous coating (7) composed of a material that is hydrosoluble at 37° C. and non-hydrosoluble at 25° C. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a prosthesis.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for surgical suturing are provided. In general, a loading element can be configured to facilitate loading of a plate into a surgical instrument configured to facilitate passage of a suture through tissue. The surgical instrument can be configured to advance the suture through a tissue of a patient, to capture a free end or looped end of the suture after the suture's advancement through the tissue, and to pull the captured suture out of the patient's body with a portion of the suture remaining passed through the tissue within the patient's body.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end and a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body between the inflow end and the outflow end. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward of the tubular body. A valve is disposed within and is attached to the tubular body, and an elongate outer member is configured to form a loop encircling the preformed groove so as to guide portions of native valve leaflets and/or chords into the preformed groove. The outflow end of the tubular body includes a frustoconical shape that slopes radially outward from the preformed groove toward the outflow end when the outflow end but not the inflow end has been released from a delivery catheter.

Abstract: Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions.

Abstract: A stent and a stent delivery system are configured to exhibit good slip strength, flexibility, and expandability. The stent includes a plurality of wave-shaped struts positioned at intervals in the circumferential direction of the stent, and a plurality of connecting struts positioned between the wave-shaped struts. Each of the wave-shaped struts extends from one end to the other end in the axial direction, and has proximate portions that form portions in the vicinity of an adjacent wave-shaped strut, distant portions that form portions away from the adjacent wave-shaped strut, and straight portions that connect the proximate portions and the distant portions. The straight portions extend in the circumferential direction of the stent in a state in which the stent is mounted on the balloon. The connecting struts connect to each other the distant portions of adjacent wave-shaped struts.

Abstract: An implant delivery system, comprising: an implantable device comprising a plurality of supports extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the supports being moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, a proximal guide tube at the proximal end of the supports extending toward the distal end, and a distal guide tube at the distal end of the supports extending toward the proximal end, wherein the proximal and distal guide tubes are telescoping and become further engaged as the supports move from the collapsed to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A collagen-coated tissue-based membrane that is smooth on both sides so as to inhibit cell and tissue adhesion. The tissue-based membrane is a serous membrane having a fibrous surface and a smooth surface and the collagen is coated on the fibrous surface. Also provided are methods for making the collagen-coated tissue-based membrane.

Abstract: A cutting instrument comprising: an outer tube comprising a distal end and a proximal end; an inner tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube, said inner tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end and a region intermediate said distal end and said proximal end, said region comprising a plurality of slits formed in said inner tube so as to render said region of said inner tube flexible; and a bellows disposed adjacent to said plurality of slits so as to render said region of said inner tube fluid-tight.

Abstract: A suture bridge to accommodate many common types of sutures, including a first leg and a second leg, where first leg and second leg include a patient contacting surface configured to contact a patient's skin. A first support connects to the first leg and second support connects to the second leg. A traversing member connects to the first support and the second support, and the first support and the second support elevate the traversing member away from the patient contacting surfaces of the first leg and the second leg creating a wound eversion void below the traversing member. This forms a wound eversion void which is a void configured to accept an everting wound. In some examples, the suture bridge includes notches on the first leg and the second leg to accommodate more types of sutures.

Abstract: A device comprising: a flexible tube comprising a first collapsible end portion; a first actuating element segment secured to the first collapsible end portion and extending along the first collapsible end portion, wherein, when the first collapsible end portion is threaded through a first aperture and the first actuating element segment is pulled proximally, the first collapsible end portion collapses proximally and forms a bulge larger than the first aperture, thereby anchoring the flexible tube against a rim of the first aperture.

Abstract: A medical system for endovascular temperature control of blood and for recanalization of a blood vessel, the medical system having a catheter, a radially compressible treatment device, in particular a recanalization device, which, in the compressed state, is arranged to be longitudinally movable in the catheter and, by being released from the catheter, is radially expandable for the recanalization of the blood vessel, and a temperature control element for controlling the temperature of blood, wherein the treatment device, in particular the recanalization device, can be positioned distally with respect to the temperature control element in such a way that, during use, blood which is temperature-controlled by the temperature control element flows to the recanalization site in the blood vessel.

Abstract: An ocular surgical apparatus is provided, including a surgical control device such as a foot pedal configured to be employed to control at least one ocular surgical parameter, and a controller configured to receive a series of values from the surgical control device and evaluate the series of values provided from the surgical control device, the series of values provided using a buffer comprising a detection area and an exclusion area. Presence of a desired value in the detection area and an absence of a contrary indication in the exclusion area is determined by the controller to indicate a switch associated with the surgical control device is requested by a user of the surgical control device.

Abstract: A catheter extraction tool has a head that can be placed in position to significantly surround a diameter of a catheter. The head is shaped to have a low enough profile above the catheter to allow the head to be slid down the catheter and into a subdermal region in which the catheter is subdermal with respect to a patient. The head of the catheter extraction tool is expanded sufficiently to slide the head over a catheter cuff located in the subdermal region. After the head of the catheter extraction tool slides over the catheter cuff, the head is contracted to engage the catheter so that a user can pull the catheter out of the patient using the catheter extraction tool.

Abstract: A choking intervention device for clearing an object obstructing a breathing passage of a choking victim includes a bellows assembly and a removable facemask configured to enclose a person's mouth and nose. The bellows assembly includes a bellows having a base with an opening thereon. The opening is configured to provide access to an interior volume of the bellows assembly. The bellows assembly further includes a handle on the bellows at a side opposite the base. The facemask is coupled to the base of the bellows and is configured to enclose the choking victim's mouth and nose.

Abstract: A fenestrated suture anchor for fixation of tissue to bone. In a preferred embodiment, the suture includes an implant, such a swivel implant with a forked tip for capturing suture. The implant is secured in a hole in bone by advancing a fixation device, such as a cannulated interference screw, to engage and fully seat the implant. The cannulated fixation device is provided with a plurality of openings or fenestrations of various dimensions and geometries to provide multiple pathways through the anchor (i.e., though the interior of the body and through the fenestrations) to allow blood to flow to increase the healing zone, for example, for rotator cuff repair, while also promoting bone in-growth.

Abstract: Lead tip removal is accomplished by first stabilizing an area around the lead tip attachment site in the heart wall. A balloon located at the tip of the lead when inflated expands substantially perpendicular to the lead, stabilizing the area around the lead tip. Upon further inflation, the balloon expands substantially parallel with the lead, causing the lead tip to pull away from the heart wall. In another embodiment, a sheath is inserted over the lead and advanced to the heart wall. A passive or active stabilization device is attached to the sheath tip to stabilize the area around the lead tip. In another embodiment, a balloon is located at the tip of the sheath that, when inflated, expands substantially perpendicular to the lead, stabilizing the area around the lead tip. The lead tip is removed with less force due to the stabilization provided to the lead tip area.