Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial blood vessel comprising a shape-memory polymer, and a vascular anastomotic member formed of a shape-memory polymer. An artificial blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a shape-memory polymer including photo-crosslinkable functional groups, the artificial blood vessel thus provided having a fusion point suitable for in vivo transplantation. Also, provided is a vascular anastomotic member which comprises a shape-memory polymer including photo-crosslinkable functional groups, and thus has a fusion point suitable for in vivo transplantation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for delivery of a ferrofluid to a targeted treatment site, such as delivery of a ferroadhesive to a pathological fistula to occlude the fistula. A device includes a catheter having a lumen and a distal opening. A hollow solenoid is coupled to a distal section of the catheter, and a hollow core of the solenoid allows passage of a ferrofluid through the catheter and through the hollow core so that it may exit past the distal end of the hollow solenoid. The solenoid may be selectively actuated to maintain or control the position of the delivered ferrofluid.

Abstract: Embolic protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter with an integrated embolic protection element comprises a catheter shaft, an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of the shaft, a proximal stop for limiting the proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limiting the distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter comprises a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may comprise a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.

Abstract: A clip applier may be configured to apply a surgical clip to tissue. The clip applier may include a first jaw member configured to engage a distal portion of a first leg member of the surgical clip, and a second jaw member configured to engage a distal portion of a second leg member of the surgical clip. The clip applier may further include a stabilizing member on the first jaw member. The stabilizing member may have a cavity configured to receive a proximal portion of the surgical clip and to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip. The clip applier may not proximally abut the surgical clip when the first and second jaw members are in an open configuration. The second jaw member may also have a longitudinal channel configured to receive the stabilizing member when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration.

Abstract: An implantable device is disclosed. The device includes a two or three-piece frame assembly that is configured to be delivered in a series configuration and subsequently nested or telescoped in-situ.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a device for occluding an aperture in a body, for example, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), including a first side adapted to be disposed on one side of the septum and a second side adapted to be disposed on the opposite side of the septum. The device has an elongated, low-profile delivery configuration and a shortened, radially expanded deployment configuration. The first and second sides are adapted to occlude the aperture upon deployment of the device at its intended delivery location. The device also includes a radially expandable center portion. In some embodiments, the center portion includes a plurality of ribs provided by slits in device. The ribs expand radially when the device is deployed. The expandable center portion facilitates the positioning of the device in the aperture. The device can be secured in the deployed configuration using a catch system.

Abstract: Various embodiments incorporate an “end effector” in a magnetic anastomosis device system. The end effector is located between the handle of an endoscope or laparoscope and the distal end of the catheter. The end effector engages with and secures the magnetic anastomosis device assembly within a body lumen. The end effector is able to hold a magnetic device or devices with a tensile strength of 0-10 lbs. The end effector is small enough that two instruments of 1.8 mm diameter or smaller may be placed in a 3.7 mm working channel of an endoscope.

Abstract: Neurovascular flow diverter and delivery systems, and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The systems can include an introducer sheath, a catheter, a deployable flow diverter that can be contained in the introducer sheath or in the catheter, a core wire, and one or several deployment features coupled to the core wire and engaging the flow diverter. The deployment features can include one or more of a pusher, one or several friction bumps, one or several deployment coils, a claw mechanism, a self-expanding element, a supporting coil, a tip coil, and/or an atraumatic tip. One or more of the deployment features can be radiopaque.

Abstract: A loading tool for loading a biostimulator onto a biostimulator delivery system is described. The loading tool includes a first body portion and a second body portion connected by a hinge. A latch is mounted on the first body portion, and the latch can be locked to fasten the first body portion to the second body portion. A biostimulator can be mounted in the loading tool, and a tether of a biostimulator delivery system can be inserted through a funnel in the loading tool to engage the biostimulator. An operator can use only one hand to unlock the latch, open the loading tool, and remove the loading tool from the biostimulator prior to delivering the biostimulator into a patient. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A medical device includes a filament having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the filament is coupled to a needle. The medical device also includes an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device has a first arm and a second arm. The energy delivery device is configured to delivery energy to a portion of the filament when the portion of the filament is disposed between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: A surgical anchor device for being anchored on the mucous membrane of the inner wall of the intestine, the device having a temporary anchor element presenting anchoring that can be modified in a controlled manner and having a first substantially cylindrical multiply-perforated wall presenting properties of radial elasticity whereby the first wall presents an outer diameter that can be varied in controlled manner, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the first wall is lined with an independent leakproof inner sheath having only its longitudinal ends fastened to the anchor element to define a suction chamber between the inner sheath and the first wall, the temporary anchor element being coupled to a flexible or semi-rigid tube extending outside the anchor element, an open end of the injection-suction tube opening out into the suction chamber enabling air to be injected into or sucked out from the suction chamber.

Abstract: A surgical anchor device for being anchored on the mucous membrane of the inner wall of the intestine, the device having a temporary anchor element presenting anchoring that can be modified in a controlled manner and having a first substantially cylindrical multiply-perforated wall presenting properties of radial elasticity whereby the first wall presents an outer diameter that can be varied in controlled manner, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the first wall is lined with an independent leakproof inner sheath having only its longitudinal ends fastened to the anchor element to define a suction chamber between the inner sheath and the first wall, the temporary anchor element being coupled to a flexible or semi-rigid tube extending outside the anchor element, an open end of the injection-suction tube opening out into the suction chamber enabling air to be injected into or sucked out from the suction chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring safe and tolerable insertion of a needle into a subject's body according to a preplanned or continuously monitored sequence of insertion steps. The system comprises a gripping device for gripping the needle in order to perform robotic insertion steps, yet for releasing the grip between such insertion steps, until the next insertion step is initiated. Thereby, the robot has full control of the needle during insertion steps, but does not constrain the needle between insertions, such that movement of the subject can cause neither damage nor discomfort. The gripping and insertion steps may be coordinated to keep in synchronization with the subject's breathing cycles, such that the insertion steps may be performed in the same segment of each cycle of motion of the subject's chest. The gripper can either fully disconnect from the needle, or can partially disconnect but constrain motion within limits.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a multiple suture threader. Embodiments of the multiple suture threader include a handle that is coupled with a first collapsible loop and a second collapsible loop that is axially offset from the first collapsible loop. In use, one or more sutures are doubled over each of the first and the second collapsible loops such that when the axially spaced loops are passed through a narrow axial passage of a surgical implant, a surgical instrument, or a bodily passage such as a bone tunnel, a twenty-five to fifty percent reduction in suture traffic, or in the maximum number of suture thicknesses that simultaneously pass through the narrow passage, is achieved. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Delivery devices and device elements that provide steering capabilities and methods of steering such delivery devices during the delivery of a stented prosthesis to a target site. Various delivery devices include a shaft assembly having a plurality of lumens through which tension members that compressively retain the stented prosthesis to the shaft assembly are routed. By selectively tensioning one or more tension members, the shaft assembly can be pulled or steered in a desired direction. Various embodiments include one or more steering or stiffening rods that can reinforce the device or counteract any unintended bending or steering of the delivery device.

Abstract: A clip applier may be configured to apply a surgical clip and have a pair of jaw members. Each of the jaw members may have an inner surface and a stabilizing member extending from the inner surface. Each of the jaw members may be configured to engage a distal portion of a leg member of the surgical clip. The stabilizing members may be configured to be positioned on opposite lateral sides of a proximal portion of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip. An inner portion of each of the stabilizing members may be spaced apart from the opposing jaw member in an open configuration, and each of the jaw members may have a channel on the inner surface to receive the opposing stabilizing member in a closed configuration.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an iliac branch device having an external iliac body, a common iliac branch, and an internal iliac branch. A diameter of the proximal opening of the common iliac branch is greater than a diameter of a distal opening of the external iliac body. The iliac branch device is configured to be deployed without going up and over the aortic bifurcation and without using some form of supra-aortic antegrade access such as through brachial or axillary artery access. This simplifies the procedure and reduces procedure time thus maximizing the success rate of the procedure and allows the procedure to be performed on a broad patient population.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an endovascular graft within a blood vessel. The delivery system includes a tip assembly including a tip and a sleeve having a proximal end. The delivery system includes a tip capture mechanism. The tip assembly is configured to move axially relative to the tip capture mechanism and between a delivery position and a release position. The tip capture mechanism includes a landing zone. The delivery system includes a travel limiter configured to align the proximal end with the landing zone when the tip assembly is in the release position to facilitate removal of the delivery system from the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present technology is a prosthetic heart valve device, and related systems and methods, for treating a native valve of a human heart having a native annulus and native leaflets. One embodiment comprises a valve support, a prosthetic valve assembly within the valve support, and an anchoring member. The device further includes an extension member coupled to the anchoring member and having an annular first portion coupled to the anchoring member and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The extension member is folded in a delivery configuration such that the first portion overlaps the second portion. When released from the a delivery catheter, the extension member unfolds such that the first portion extends radially outwardly from the anchoring member and the second portion extends radially outwardly from the first portion.

Abstract: Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.