Abstract: An anchor for a medical implant, methods of manufacturing the anchor, and procedures for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. The anchor is adapted to have a deployed configuration in which the arms and legs radially project away from the base portion, the arms axially project toward the second longitudinal end of the base portion, and the legs axially project toward the first longitudinal end of the base portion. Convex surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall.

Abstract: A drainage stent delivery system including an elongate shaft of a medial device, a drainage catheter or stent, and a retention mechanism for selectively retaining the drainage stent on the elongate shaft. The tubular stent is positioned on and surrounding the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft includes a distal tip portion which is deflectable from a first position to a second position, the distal tip portion of the elongate shaft being biased toward the first position. Deflecting the distal tip portion of the elongate shaft from the first position to the second position moves the distal tip portion toward the central longitudinal axis of the tubular stent to allow the stent to be decoupled from the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A medical device, system and method for modifying a left atrial appendage (“LAA”). The medical device system includes a tether anchored within the LAA and one or more tissue growth members or occluders configured to be slid over the tether and lodged within the LAA. With this arrangement, a physician may close-off the LAA with a selective number of tissue growth members to meet the varying LAA sizes as determined from imaging information while conducting the procedure.

Abstract: A method of improving the mechanical properties of a tissue patch is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a tissue patch and placing at least one barbed suture along at least a portion of the tissue patch. The method may further include the step of placing one or more additional barbed sutures in a laterally spaced relation to the barbed suture. The barbed suture may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes first and second members configured to receive tissue therebetween. The first member is adapted to receive suture, the second member is coupled to the first member, and a grasper coupled to the second member engages the suture received by the first member. A method of passing suture includes loading suture into a first member of a suture passing surgical instrument, stabilizing tissue between the first member and a second member of the surgical instrument, passing suture through tissue via the first member of the surgical instrument, holding the passed suture via a suture grasper of the surgical instrument, and removing the first member from the tissue.

Abstract: A method for surgical treatment of inguinal hernias includes the steps of providing a surgical prosthesis in the form of a laminar component having an approximately intermediate cut line forming two asymmetrical halves each having at a distal end thereof an end tab, and overlaying the asymmetrical halves of the laminar component by superimposing the end tabs of the asymmetrical halves so as to form two reinforced triangular areas aligned with anatomically weak areas of the patient and to create a central through cavity so that a spermatic cord of the patient extends through the central through cavity. The surgical prosthesis is intended to protect weak points in an abdominal wall of the patient.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for enlarging an anastomosis fistula. In general, a surgical clip is applied to tissue surrounding a strictured anastomosis. The clip will exert a pressure on the engaged tissue that causes ischemic necrosis, and as a result the necrotic tissue and the clip will slough off, leaving an anastomosis with a larger diameter fistula.

Abstract: An expandable stent and delivery system are provided for treating body vessel defects, such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes a core member having a threaded core member portion configured to interlock with a threaded strut member portion of the expandable stent. The expandable stent is mounted thusly onto the core member for movement within a delivery catheter and deployment to a body vessel defect. The deployment catheter is used to compress the interlocked threaded strut member portion into engagement with the threaded core member portion.

Abstract: A method for applying and maintaining optimal tissue compression with a staple includes piercing tissue with deformable distal ends of staple legs, each distal end defining a stapling point shaped to pierce material, the two staple legs coupled to each other at base ends thereof by a bridge and together forming a substantially U-shaped staple body. The two staple legs enter the tissue until the tissue applies a compressive force to a compression device disposed at least partly between the two staple legs. The compression device has a compression surface movably disposed between the two staple legs and a compression resistor that is connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and operable to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force. The two staple legs are deformed to maintain the compressive force between the tissue and the compression device.

Abstract: A suture anchor is disclosed which has an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end and an exterior surface. An axially oriented bore extends into the body from the proximal end and a proximal portion of the bore has a plurality of abutment surfaces for engaging a tool. The bore includes one or more axially oriented suture passages leading to a suture attachment within the bore. A length of suture extends into the at least one suture passage from the body proximal end and extends to the suture attachment. A screw thread spirals about a portion of the exterior surface of the body adjacent the at least one suture passage. Between the bore and the exterior surface of the body the body has a wall thickness and wherein the suture passage comprises the area where the wall thickness goes to zero.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical suturing device structured with a retrieval puncturing needle formed with through-hole; a retrieval member able to be inserted through through-hole; an insertion puncture needle formed with through-hole; a hollow tube that can be inserted through insertion through-hole, and the distal tip of which is formed into a deformable bent portion; and a suture that can be inserted through the inside of hollow tube. The retrieval member is structured with an annular engagement member that can be deformed into a straight shape, a rod member that is connected to annular engagement member, and a grip that is provided with a mark. The mark is furnished on hollow tube, such that when retrieval puncturing needle and insertion puncture needle are in a condition where mark and mark are facing each other, the upper supporter and lower supporter can be detachably attached.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating obesity are provided, and more particularly, methods and devices for performing gastric bypasses are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment a gastric bypass procedure is provided that includes forming a gastro-entero anastomosis between a stomach and an intestine and forming an entero-entero anastomosis between a portion of the intestine distal to the gastro-entero anastomosis and a portion of the intestine proximal to the gastro-entero anastomosis. A surrogate path is formed between the esophagus and the gastro-entero anastomosis to at least partially direct fluid from the esophagus to the intestine by way of the gastro-entero anastomosis, thereby bypassing the stomach. Still further, methods for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm and leaking heart valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture construction and method for forming a suture construction is disclosed. The construction utilizes a suture having an enlarged central body portion defining a longitudinal passage. First and second ends of the suture are passed through first and second apertures associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes constriction of the longitudinal passage, thus preventing relative motions of the captured portions of the suture.

Abstract: A surgical suture is made of an elongate, hollow braid of high strength fibers. The braid defines an elongate, longitudinally-extending, central chamber that is open and without any core material extending therein so that, when a surgeon's knot is tied with the suture, the cross-sectional shape of the braid collapses upon itself and is reduced in size in response to pressures experienced when the knot is tightened thereby producing a low profile knot that resists slippage. Preferably, the braid is of a size corresponding to a USP size 5-0 to USP size 7 suture and has one or more, preferably a pair, of color contrasting monofilaments woven therein to enhance suture visibility. Methods of making a flattened suture and of utilizing the high strength suture to maintain body tissues in an engaged position to promote healing are also provided.

Abstract: An implement, particularly useful as a medical implement for applying a suture to a body tissue, includes a handle and shaft formed with a pair of channels extending from the proximal end of the handle through the distal end of the shaft and through a pair of jaws carried at the distal end of the shaft. The pair of channels converge towards each other to a cross-over point, and then diverging away from each other where existing at the distal end of the shaft. The channels are dimensioned to enable a piercing instrument to be passed first through one of the channels to pierce the body with a first bore, and then through the other of the channels to pierce the body with the second bore, such that the two bores have entry ends precisely spaced a predetermined distance from each other, and exit ends precisely spaced a larger predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: A modification to allow delivery of a two port medical flow restrictor over a guidewire, and a means to mechanically collapse the new device. A thin walled, foil-like shell, is compacted for delivery. The invention includes the device, delivery assemblies, and methods of placing, and using, the device. A device with an aneurysm lobe and an artery lobe self-aligns its waist at the neck of an aneurysm as the device shell is pressure expanded. Mechanical force collapses both the aneurysm lobe and the artery lobe, captivating the neck of the aneurysm and securing the device. The device works for aneurysms at bifurcations and aneurysms near side-branch arteries. The device, unlike endovascular coiling, excludes the weak neck of the aneurysm from circulation, while leaving the aneurysm relatively empty. Unlike stent-based exclusion, the device does not block perforator arteries. This exclusion device can also limit flow through body lumens or orifices.

Abstract: A modification to allow delivery of a two port medical flow restrictor over a guidewire, and a means to mechanically collapse the new device. A thin walled, foil-like shell, is compacted for delivery. The invention includes the device, delivery assemblies, and methods of placing, and using, the device. A device with an aneurysm lobe and an artery lobe self-aligns its waist at the neck of an aneurysm as the device shell is pressure expanded. Mechanical force collapses both the aneurysm lobe and the artery lobe, captivating the neck of the aneurysm and securing the device. The device works for aneurysms at bifurcations and aneurysms near side-branch arteries. The device, unlike endovascular coiling, excludes the weak neck of the aneurysm from circulation, while leaving the aneurysm relatively empty. Unlike stent-based exclusion, the device does not block perforator arteries. This exclusion device can also limit flow through body lumens or orifices.

Abstract: The invention essentially relates to a surgical needle (17) comprising a long hollow body (18) and two ends (19, 20). The body (18) comprises a ventral wall (21) and a dorsal wall (22) which are connected to one another. According to the invention, the dorsal wall (22) and the ventral wall (21) extend along the long axis of the needle (17). Each of the two ends (19, 20) comprises a hollow beveled tip (23, 24). The needle (17) also comprises a hole (25) which is provided in the dorsal wall (22) of the body (18) and a slit (26) which is provided in the ventral wall (21). In this way, a suture (30) can slide inside the hollow body (18) of the needle, the suture being retained in position by the knot (29) or means for stopping thereof. For said purpose, the smallest diameter (27) of the hole (25) is greater than the largest width (28) of the slit (26).

Abstract: A method of laparoscopically repairing a hernia defect comprises inserting into the patient's abdomen a surgical mesh sheet larger than the hernia defect and having a fixation fin with its proximal edge attached to a surface of the sheet. The mesh sheet is manipulated into position with the sheet surface in place at the peritoneal surface of the patient's abdominal wall and the fixation fin disposed in the hernia defect. The method reapproximates opposing edges of the defect by suturing them together with the fixation fin between them, after which the distal edge of the fixation fin is below the external surface of the patient's abdomen. The sheet is then laparoscopically positioned and anchored to the abdominal wall peritoneal surface.

Abstract: A system and method of moving and stretching plastic tissue using dynamic force. A preferably non-reactive force applying component is adjustably attachable to one or more tissue attachment structures for securing the force applying component to the plastic tissue, providing a self adjusting system that is capable of exerting relatively constant tension over a certain distance.