Abstract: A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with a central shaft for removal of rectal gas. The gas releasing lumen can also or in the alternative be provided along an outer surface of the balloon. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.

Abstract: A method for performing an arthroplasty on at least one of a glenoid or a humerus of a glenohumeral joint. The method includes the following: forming an entry incision in soft tissue superior and lateral to the glenohumeral joint; forming a passage from the entry incision to the glenohumeral joint; inserting a cutting instrument through the passage and cutting a humeral head of the humerus to prepare the humerus to receive an implant including a stem; inserting the implant through the passage; and securing the implant relative to the humerus with the implant oriented such that the stem extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the humerus.

Abstract: A tissue constriction device comprises a tissue-surrounding part defining a central, tissue-receiving opening which, when in a tissue-receiving configuration, has a first diameter and which, when in a tissue-constriction configuration, has a second diameter less than the first diameter, at least a shape memory portion of the tissue-surrounding part being formed of a shape memory material with the tissue-constriction configuration corresponding to a memorized shape of the shape memory portion.

Abstract: A jaw closure mechanism for use in a surgical clip applier having first and second jaws movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to form a surgical clip about tissue. The jaw closure mechanism includes first and second eccentric wheels rotatably coupled to the respective first and second jaws. Each of the wheels includes a center and a pivot point that is offset relative to the center. A cable is disposed about each of the wheels. The cable is engaged to the first wheel at a first engagement point and to the second wheel at a second engagement point such that, upon application of a drive force to the cable, the wheels are rotated and displaced relative to the respective jaws from a first position to a second position to urge the jaws from the spaced-apart position to the approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided including a channel assembly and overlying a clip carrier having a clip counter plate slidably supported in the channel assembly, wherein the clip counter plate is configured and adapted to display a change in status of the clip applier upon actuation of the handle.

Abstract: Fixation assemblies having a button captured by a continuous (i.e., closed) loop of thread, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber are disclosed herein. Preferred assemblies are constructed such that the intact button cannot be detached from the continuous loop without breaking or opening the loop of fiber. The closed fiber advantageously contains at least one or two stitched, or otherwise secured or reinforced, sections positioned on the loop.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to surgical instruments comprising an end effector, a shaft and a jaw assembly. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade extending distally substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis. The shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along the longitudinal axis. The jaw assembly may comprise first and second jaw members. The jaw assembly may be pivotable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis from a first position where the first and second jaw members are substantially parallel to the ultrasonic blade to a second position. Additionally, the first and second jaw members may be pivotable about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein the axial lumen of the distal tip member is smaller in cross-sectional area than the axial lumen of the inner tube, and wherein the distal tip member has a length greater than a length of the resection window.

Abstract: A method and device for the extraction of follicular units from a donor area on a patient. The method includes scoring the outer skin layers with a sharp punch, and then inserting a blunt punch into the incision to separate the hair follicle from the surrounding tissue and fatty layer. The method and device will significantly decrease the amount of follicular transection and increase the rate at which follicular units can be extracted.

Abstract: Devices, delivery systems, and delivery techniques for an occlusion device for closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. Specifically, an occluder with a catch member that holds the occluder in the deployed, expanded profile configuration is provided within a delivery sheath. The proximal end of the catch member includes a flap that when positioned proximal to the proximal end of the occluder holds the occluder in the expanded profile configuration. The flap is sized and formed of a material that allows the flap to deform by bending back and forth in axial and radial directions. In certain embodiments, the flap has segments divided by notches. In certain embodiments, deforming the flap in the proximal direction requires a different amount of force than deforming the flap in the distal direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for passing a suture into a portion of the anatomy. The apparatus can include a handle and a suture advancement mechanism. The suture advancement mechanism can be disposed in the handle and adapted to advance a suture. The apparatus can also include a member coupled to the handle and in communication with the suture advancement mechanism to receive the suture. A cannula can be coupled to the member for receipt of the suture. The cannula can be operable to engage the anatomy. The suture advancement mechanism can contact the suture along a substantial distance of the suture to advance the suture into the member.

Abstract: An interbody spacer includes concave lateral surfaces extending at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the interbody spacer includes upper and lower convex surfaces defined by an arc extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint. In another aspect, lateral edges of the upper and lower surfaces are also defined by convex arcs extending from a center point offset from the spacer midpoint.

Abstract: Expandable heart valves for minimally invasive valve replacement surgeries are disclosed. The valves are rolled into a first, contracted configuration for minimally invasive delivery and then unrolled or unfurled at the implantation site. One- and two-piece stents may be used in conjunction with a plurality of flexible leaflet-forming membranes. The one-piece stents may include an annulus anchoring section, a sinus section with the membranes attached over sinus apertures, and a rigid outflow section. The two-piece stent may include a primary stent to provide a tubular base at the annulus, and a secondary stent having the membranes that couples within the primary stent. Lockout tabs to secure the stents in their expanded shapes are provided. Also, alignment structure may be provided to ensure concentric unfurling. Anchoring barbs at the stent edges or in the stent body secure the valve within the annulus. Methods of implantation are also provided.

Abstract: A silicon breast implant injector for augmentation mammaplasty which includes a hollow tube and a plunger. The hollow tube has a barrel which has one end tapered to form a first arched barrel connecting to an inverse second arched barrel which in turn is connected to an ejection opening formed at the same diameter as the second arched barrel but into a short inflexible length tube. The plunger can push a silicon breast implant s held in the hollow tube through an incision into patient's submammary pocket. Coupled with a smooth connection between the first arched barrel and the second arched barrel, push resistance can be reduced, and thus can smoothly, quickly, easily and safely move the silicon breast implant into the submammary pocket.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus designed to effectuate restoration of normal aortic valvular function where there is aortic valvular regurgitation, either primary or secondary to diseases of the aorta, such as aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, rheumatic aortic disease, annuloaortic ectasia, etc. are present. The present invention also provides methods of using the apparatus to treat conditions of abnormal aortic valvular function.

Abstract: A multiple-sided valve for implantation within a body vessel comprising a frame comprising a bioabsorbable material is provided. The devices can be pushed from a delivery catheter into the lumen of a duct or vessel and may include one or more barbs for anchoring purposes. A full or partial covering of fabric or other flexible material, or a bioabsorbable material, including a collagen-based material such as small intestinal submucosa (SIS), may be attached to the frame to form an occlusion device, a graft, or an implantable, intraluminal valve such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to prosthesis, which, when implanted into a mammalian patient, serves as a functioning replacement for a body part, or tissue structure, and will undergo controlled biodegradation occurring concomitantly with bioremodeling by the patient's living cells. The prosthesis is treated so that it is rendered non-antigenic so as not to elicit a significant humoral immune response. The prosthesis of this invention, in its various embodiments, thus has dual properties. First, it functions as a substitute body part, and second, it functions as bioremodeling template for the ingrowth of host cells.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a stent graft for insertion into a body vessel of a patient, the stent graft includes a hollow substantially cylindrical radially expandable stent having a body, two open ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The body of the stent is made from a plurality of interconnected struts. The stent graft further includes a graft member attached to the body of the stent, wherein the graft member having a plurality of substantially longitudinally directed pleats disposed thereon. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the graft further includes a plurality of radially oriented pleat interruptions disposed thereon.

Abstract: A vertebral prosthesis is adapted to be implanted adjacent a spinal disc prosthesis. According to one embodiment, the vertebral prosthesis includes a shaft and an endplate coupled to one end of the shaft. The endplate is adapted to be implanted adjacent a disc prosthesis, thereby obviating the need to fuse the endplate to an adjacent vertebral body.

Abstract: An endovascular bypass graft includes a tubular member, a first expandable mesh stent attached to one end of the tubular member, and a second expandable mesh stent attached to an opposite end of the tubular member. The second stent is provided with a plurality of fenestrations. The graft is inserted into a principal blood vessel such as the aorta and positioned in the vessel so that the fenestrations are aligned with junctions with ancillary blood vessels. The graft is attached to the principal blood vessel so that the fenestrations remain aligned with the respective junctions, thereby allowing blood flow between the principal vessel and the auxiliary vessels through the respective junctions upon completion of the bypass operation.