Abstract: Tubular casting processes, such as dip-coating, may be used to form substrates from polymeric solutions which may be used to fabricate implantable devices such as stents. The polymeric substrates may have multiple layers which retain the inherent properties of their starting materials and which are sufficiently ductile to prevent brittle fracture. Parameters such as the number of times the mandrel is immersed, the duration of time of each immersion within the solution, as well as the delay time between each immersion or the drying or curing time between dips and withdrawal rates of the mandrel from the solution may each be controlled to result in the desired mechanical characteristics. Additional post-processing may also be utilized to further increase strength of the substrate or to alter its shape.

Abstract: The treatment of various sensitive organs with low energy acoustic shockwaves has been proposed. However, the prior art is lacking in guidance as to what constitutes an efficacious minimum dosage or a safe maximum dosage for various target organs and tissues. Through extensive experimentation with cultured cells, live animals, and animal disease models, the inventors of the present disclosure have determined safe and efficacious shockwave energetic dosage ranges for vital and sensitive organs, including the brain, pancreas, kidneys, liver, and spleen, as well as for skin and subcutaneous tissues, peripheral nerves, and skeletal muscles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for securing tissue to bone. A surgical system can include a driver having a proximal handle and a driver shaft extending therefrom, a distal awl shaft, a proximal awl shaft separate from the distal awl shaft and movable with respect to the distal awl shaft, a suture anchor, and a dilator feature distal to the suture anchor. The distal and proximal awl shafts are receivable in at least part of a lumen of the driver. In a bone forming configuration of the system, in which the distal awl shaft is driven into bone, a distal end of the proximal awl shaft abuts a proximal end of the distal awl shaft. The proximal awl shaft can be moved proximally, such as by activating an awl handle coupled thereto, with respect to the distal awl shaft to move the system in a suture anchor insertion configuration.

Abstract: The present technology relates to aneurysm devices with additional anchoring mechanisms, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, the aneurysm devices are endovascularly deliverable to a site proximate an aneurysm near a parent artery with bifurcating branches. The aneurysm devices can include a closure structure (102) comprising a distal-facing aspect configured to at least partially occlude the aneurysm and a proximal-facing aspect configured to arch over lumina of the bifurcating branches. The devices further include a supplemental stabilizer (103) connected to the closure structure. The supplemental stabilizer is configured to reside in the parent artery. The closure structure includes a hinge point (175) where the closure structure folds to form a loop element configured for anchoring within at least one of the bifurcating branches.

Abstract: The guidewire advancing device and method according to the present invention is used with a tubular catheter body configured to receive a hollow needle for receiving the guidewire. The guidewire advancing device includes the guidewire, guidewire housing, and means for advancing and retracting the guidewire. The means for advancing the guidewire includes a spool assembly or a slide tab and may also include a rack and pinion assembly for translation of forces to advance the guidewire.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe injection device using a Remote Center of Motion (RCM), the device enabling the insertion angle and the insertion depth of an injection needle of an injection unit to be easily adjusted using one hand, and the insertion angle and the insertion depth of the injection needle of the injection unit to be automatically fixed after adjustment, thereby having the merit of enhancing efficiency in operation, and even if the insertion angle of the injection needle of the injection unit changes, the insertion point reached when the injection needle of the injection unit is inserted is equally maintained, thereby having the merit of enabling a decrease in error with respect to a lesion area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mechanical thrombectomy device that includes a catheter assembly with a basket assembly formed of a proximal hub and a distal hub; a flexible tube having a first end attached to the proximal hub and a second end attached to the distal hub; and a plurality of basket wires. The flexible tube may be laser-cut to allow for bending, elongation, and compression. The basket wires each have a first end attached to the proximal hub and a second end attached to the distal hub. The basket wires are disposed around the flexible tube and configured to expand to a preset shape. The basket assembly is attached to a distal end of a rotatable shaft. A drive assembly is configured to rotate the rotatable shaft to rotate the basket assembly. The basket assembly when rotated is configured to macerate a material proximate to the basket assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing an opening in a body tissue. The apparatus includes a shaft, a plurality of arms, and an expander. The arms each extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each arm is hingedly attached to or integrally formed with the shaft. The arms are laterally spaced apart from each other. The arms are movable between a retracted configuration, in which the arms are each aligned along the shaft, and a deployed configuration, in which the proximal end of each arm pivots respectively about the distal end of the arm so as to extend laterally away from the shaft. The expander is positioned within the shaft, and movement of the expander causes the arms to move between the retracted and deployed configurations. Methods of using the apparatus are also included.

Abstract: Rapid quantitative evaluations of heart function are carried out with strain measurements from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images using a circuit at least partially onboard or in communication with an MRI Scanner and in communication with the at least one display, the circuit including at least one processor that: obtains a plurality of series of MRI images of long and short axis planes of a heart of a patient, with each series of the MRI images is taken over a different single beat of the heart of the patient during an image session that is five minutes or less of active scan time and with the patient in a bore of the MRI Scanner; measures strain of myocardial heart tissue of the heart of the patient based on the plurality of series of MRI images of the heart of the patient; and generates longitudinal and circumferential heart models with a plurality of adjacent compartments, wherein the compartments are color-coded based on the measured strain.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device includes a pair of barbed clasps. The barbed clasps are in a closed condition while the mitral valve repair device is in the extended condition in the delivery sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating thrombosis and or emboli in a peripheral vasculature of a patient are disclosed herein. The method can include providing a thrombus extraction device including a proximal self-expanding coring portion formed of a unitary fenestrated structure and a distal expandable tubular portion formed of a braided filament mesh structure; advancing a catheter constraining the thrombus extraction device through a vascular thrombus in a vessel; deploying the thrombus extraction device from the catheter from a constrained configuration to an expanded configuration; retracting the thrombus extraction device proximally so that the coring portion cores and separates a portion of the vascular thrombus from the venous vessel wall while the mesh structure captures the vascular thrombus portion; and withdrawing the thrombus extraction device from the patient to remove the vascular thrombus portion from the vessel.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device is movable out of the delivery sheath while in the extended condition. The actuator is coupled to the mitral valve repair device, such that retracting the actuator reduces a length of the mitral valve repair device from the extended condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including a positioning assembly, a sheath releasably engaged with the positioning assembly, and a support member axially advanceable through the sheath. The positioning assembly includes a positioning element positioned at a distal portion of the positioning assembly and a sealant disposed at a distal portion of the positioning assembly. The sheath guides the sealant and positioning assembly to the puncture in the vessel wall.

Abstract: A suture having a first end for penetrating tissue, an elongated suture body having a periphery; a plurality of retainers on the periphery, and a second end having a variable loop of variable circumference, wherein the variable loop includes a fixed loop slidably engaging the elongated body for slidingly varying the circumference of the variable loop, and wherein the first end may pass through the variable loop to secure tissue as an anchor, the anchor preventing movement of the suture in the direction of deployment of the first end.

Abstract: A device for removing a urinary tract stone from a ureter may include an outer shaft, an inner shaft extending coaxially within the outer shaft, a self-expanding wire basket attached to a basket shaft extending coaxially within the inner shaft, an inflatable balloon and a handle. The balloon main include a rounded distal tip. The handle may include an inversion slider coupled to the inner shaft and configured to actuate the inner shaft, thereby inverting the distal tip of the inflatable balloon to form a pocket adapted to receive a urinary tract stone. The handle may also include a basket slider coupled to the basket shaft and configured to actuate the basket shaft to move the wire basket in and out of the inner shaft.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical blade having a low-profile design, with an upper cutting surface and a lower cutting surface at its distal end and having a non-cutting radiused surface at the top end of the upper cutting surface, and the upper cutting surface and lower cutting surface meet at a crotch therebetween is disclosed. The blade is part of an endoscopic knife assembly which also contains a hollow knife tube hollow that allows the insertion of an endoscope for viewing of the surgical procedure. The endoscopic knife assembly can be used for in endoscopic surgery by insertion of the assembly through a slotted cannula. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using the endoscopic knife assembly having a low-profile blade with an upper cutting surface and a lower cutting surface is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first stent graft that is at least partially insertable into a first blood vessel. The first stent graft has a first end, a second end, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The apparatus also includes an inflatable fill structure fixed to a portion of the outside surface of the first stent graft. The inflatable fill structure includes an outer membrane that is configured to extend beyond the first end of the first stent graft when the inflatable fill structure is in a filled state.

Abstract: Dislodging an anchor sleeve from an implanted device may be accomplished with a tool that includes a support portion and a sleeve dislodging element, wherein a collar of the support portion engages a distal end of the anchor sleeve while the dislodging element, positioned at a proximal end of the sleeve, is moved toward the collar to dislodge the anchor sleeve. The tool preferably includes a handle member held in sliding engagement with a base member, for example, by a snap-fit, wherein the support portion is part of the handle member, and a distal segment of the base member is terminated by the dislodging element. A tool kit may include a plurality of base members, each one including a different type of dislodging element, from which an operator may select for snap-fitting to a handle member of the kit.