Abstract: Catheter-supported therapeutic and diagnostic tools can be introduced into a patient body with a sheath slidably disposed over the tool. Once the tool is aligned with a target tissue, a first fluid-driven actuator can move the sheath axially from over the tool, for example, to allow a stent, stent-graft, prosthetic valve, or other self-expanding tool, to expand radially within the cardiovascular system, without having to transmit large deployment forces along the catheter shaft and sheath from outside the patient. A second fluid-driven actuator can be arranged in opposition to the first actuator to control release of the expanding tool or to recapture the tool within the sheath. The first and/or second actuators may comprise a balloon having a diameter larger than the sheath to provide the desired deployment and recapture forces with moderate fluid pressure.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a core member and a coupling assembly rotatably coupled to the core member distal segment. The coupling assembly includes first and second plates and first and second spacers. The first plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The first spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and a proximal restraint. The second plate is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes an outer surface having three or more projections separated by recesses. The second spacer is coupled to the core member and disposed between the first plate and the second plate. A stent extends along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by one or more projections of the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure describe a pacifier device having a base portion, a nipple portion, and an attachment portion. The nipple portion is coupled to and protruding from the base portion in a first direction. The attachment portion is coupled to and protruding from the base portion in a second direction that is generally opposite to the first direction. The attachment portion is configured to rotate with the pacifier device to aid in connecting the pacifier device to a hub. The attachment portion may be inserted into a slot on an outer surface of a body to form a pacifier system.

Abstract: A dissection device may include an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal end of a catheter, the catheter having an inflation lumen extending through the catheter to an interior space defined within the inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon may include a top wall, a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall, an outer perimeter wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, and a plurality of inner walls each extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and in sealing contact with the outer perimeter wall at a first end of the inner wall. The inflatable balloon may include a series of interconnected chambers including a central chamber in direct fluid communication with the inflation lumen, and laterally disposed chambers each having an opening fluidly connecting to each adjacent chamber.

Abstract: An energy control device for an ultrasonic treatment tool which includes an ultrasonic transducer and an end effector that performs a treatment using the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer comprises a first power supply configured to supply an electric power to the ultrasonic transducer, and a circuit. The circuit is configured to measure an output duration, monitor a characteristic parameter representing a situation of the treatment, set a time threshold value based on the characteristic parameter, and perform, when the output duration exceeds the time threshold value, at least one of: stopping or reducing the output of electric power from the first power supply to the ultrasonic transducer and notifying that the output duration has exceeded the time threshold value.

Abstract: Stomach tissue is manipulated to form, for example, a restored flap of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The manipulation includes gripping stomach tissue from within the stomach while the stomach is inflated to promote visualization and stabilization of the gripped stomach tissue. Once the stomach tissue is gripped, the stomach is deflated and pulled into a mold. The molded tissue is then fastened with at least one fastener. The stomach is inflated to a first pressure during visualization and then to a second higher pressure during the stomach tissue gripping.

Abstract: An aneurysm embolization device can include a body having a single, continuous piece of material that is shape set into a plurality of distinct structural components. For example, the device can have an expandable component and an atraumatic tip portion extending therefrom. Further, the tip portion can be configured to enable the device to be implanted within the aneurysm while tending to mitigate risk of puncturing the aneurysm dome or otherwise assist in framing the aneurysm in advance of placement of additional embolic material.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device for deployment within a lumen of a vessel may include a self-expanding frame configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the self-expanding frame defining a perimeter of an interior space disposed within the self-expanding frame, and an occlusive membrane secured to the self-expanding frame. The occlusive membrane may include a suspended portion disposed within the self-expanding frame and spaced apart from the perimeter of the interior space.

Abstract: A device comprising: (a) a first working arm; (b) a shuttle located on the first working arm, and (c) a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm when the shuttle is in a first position, and wherein the bias device is free of biasing the first working arm when the shuttle is in a second position.

Abstract: A sealing ring protection sheet for a trocar of the present invention includes a positioning skirt, a support piece and a curved protection sheet. An upper end of the support piece is connected to an inner side of the positioning skirt, and a lower end of the support piece is connected to an upper end of the curved protection sheet. The curved protection sheet is of a curved and asymmetrical sheet-like structure, forming an easily deformable region and a protection region along two sides of a center line and its extension line of the positioning skirt separately. A left side and a right side of the curved protection sheet have different curvatures. The design of different curvatures of the left and right sides reduces resistance forces when various special-shaped instruments are inserted and removed.

Abstract: A number of improvements to laparoscopic devices are described herein, primarily to improve the ergonomic functionality of the devices. For example, an articulating rod system is described, a gripping mechanism is described, and an end effector is described.

Abstract: A balloon dissector assembly includes a balloon dissector having an elongate shaft, a handle disposed on a proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and a dissection balloon supported on a distal portion of the elongate shaft. The dissection balloon includes a substantially cylindrical shape having a deflated condition in which the dissection balloon includes a first diameter between the proximal and distal ends, an inflated condition in which the dissection balloon includes a second diameter between the proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of intermediate conditions in which the balloon transitions from the deflated condition to the inflated condition progressively from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: Devices are used to modify a metabolic pathway of a digestive system by creating a pathway within the intestinal tract through an anastomosis between a proximal location within the intestinal tract and a distal location within the intestinal tract. A magnetic anastomosis compression device includes a first arm, a second arm, a resilient member, and a pair of magnets. The magnetic anastomosis compression device further includes a degradable retaining element. The retaining element temporarily holds the first arm and second arm in a wide configuration in opposition to the bias exerted by the resilient member. Upon the degradation of the retaining element, the resilient member causes the first arm and second arm to transition to a narrow configuration. The magnetic anastomosis compression device is configured to magnetically couple with another magnetic anastomosis compression device positioned within a different location within the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A surgical system includes: a plurality of surgical instruments each of which includes a flexible shaft provided with a surgical tool on a leading end-side portion thereof, a supporting platform that supports the plurality of surgical instruments; a medical instrument that includes a plurality of flexible inner tubes into which the flexible shafts of the surgical instruments can be inserted, and an outer tube into which the plurality of flexible inner tubes can be inserted and that is to be inserted into a body cavity; and a gripping mechanism that includes a gripping portion that grips the outer tube, and a supporting portion that includes at least one joint portion and that fixes and supports the gripping portion, the at least one joint portion making the medical instrument adjustable regarding the position and orientation thereof.

Abstract: An arteriovenous graft and methods of reducing the risk of graft thrombosis and extending patency of the arteriovenous graft are provided herein. The arteriovenous graft is operable for attaching to a vein at a venous anastomosis. In some aspects, the arteriovenous graft includes a plurality of grooves at a venous anastomosis end of the arteriovenous graft and the venous anastomoses may be arranged such that the arteriovenous graft and the vein meet at an angle of 30° or less.

Abstract: Biomaterials and methods and uses for repair or augmentation of tissues are provided. In particular, the invention provides a multi-layered, naturally occurring multi-axial oriented biomaterial comprising predominately type I collagen fibers. The invention further provides methods and uses for repair or augmentation of tissues using biomaterials of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical instrument. The medical instrument may include a delivery device and a retraction mechanism including a target tissue anchor and a first stabilizing anchor, wherein the target tissue anchor attaches to target tissue and connects to the delivery device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reattaching soft tissue to a boney structure using an expanding suture anchor. The method can include providing a suture anchor and forming a cavity in the boney structure for receipt of the suture anchor. The method can also include coupling the soft tissue to a suture and coupling the suture to the suture anchor. The method can further include deploying the suture anchor to fix the suture to the suture anchor and the suture anchor to the cavity.

Abstract: This invention is an intrasacular aneurysm occlusion device with a proximal stent which is expanded to a globular shape within an aneurysm sac and then compressed into a bowl shape which covers the aneurysm neck. The device further comprises embolic members and/or embolic material which is inserted into a distal portion of the aneurysm sac. The proximal stent component covers the aneurysm neck so as to reduce blood flow into the aneurysm sac and the accumulated embolic members and/or embolic material in the distal portion of the aneurysm sac keeps the proximal stent in place.

Abstract: A system for delivering an implant within a patient is disclosed. The activation of the heater coil causes the degradation, melting or reduction of a component that brings the heater coil into or out of electrical contact with another component, or causes the individual loops of the coil to contact each other, thereby resulting a notable change in resistance in the circuit supplying the heater coil with electricity. A core wire terminates prior to the distal end of the device, allowing for greater flexibility.