Abstract: Devices for removing implanted objects from body vessels are provided. A device includes a sheath assembly having a cutting tip. The cutting tip includes a cutting surface that is adapted to cut tissue coupled to an implanted object as the cutting tip rotates. The sheath assembly further includes an outer shield carried outside of the cutting tip. The outer shield includes a distal opening, and the outer shield is translatable relative to the cutting tip from a first position to a second position and vice versa. In the first position the cutting surface of the cutting tip is disposed within the outer shield, and in the second position the cutting tip extends through the distal opening and the cutting surface is at least partially disposed outside of the outer shield.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue comprises a flexible endoscope and an operative head including a pair of opposed, curved tissue clamping jaws sized to pass through an esophagus, the jaws being moveable with respect to one another between an open tissue receiving configuration and a closed tissue clamping configuration, a first one of the curved jaws including a stapling mechanism and a second one of the jaws including a staple forming anvil surface, the stapling mechanism including staple slots through which staples are fired arranged in a row extending from a proximal end of the first jaw to a distal end thereof in combination with a control handle which, when the operative head is in an operative position within one of a patient's stomach and esophagus, remains outside the patient, the control handle including a first actuator for moving the jaws relative to one another and a second actuator for operating the stapling mechanism.

Abstract: The medical instrument includes: a first rod; a second rod which extends along the first rod; a longitudinal center line defined by the rods; and a manipulator. The manipulator includes a plurality of fingers, each with a first finger end and a second finger end. The second finger ends are free ends. The first finger ends are supported on the second rod in such a way that the fingers are operable, by moving the second rod in relation to the first rod, in order to be displaced from a first position to a second position. The distance from the free ends of the fingers to the longitudinal center line in the first position is different compared with the second position. A stent, a ring prosthesis and a prosthesis device are also described.

Abstract: Suture anchors and associated methods are disclosed having suture locking features able to lock multiple suture ends extending from a body tissue, such as from a bone tunnel, with a single device.

Abstract: A sheath comprises an elastomeric tube having a self-expanding scaffold coupled to a wall. The scaffold can expand to a diameter larger than the tube diameter to provide an enlarged distal opening. An aspiration catheter has a balloon and an aspiration port so that occlusive material can be removed from a blood vessel by drawing the balloon through the vessel while simultaneously aspirating through the port.

Abstract: An assembly for tethering a medical device to a delivery catheter includes a tether, a collet, and a spring-biased holding element that is coupled to a distal end of the tether and that extends around the collet, being moveable between first and second positions. At the first position, corresponding to the spring bias thereof, the holding element prevents fingers of the collet, which are configured to grip a proximal end of the device, from opening; at the second position, the collet fingers are allowed and/or caused to open. The assembly is coupled to a tubular member of the catheter, and, when the tethering assembly abuts a distal end of the catheter tubular member, a pull force applied to a proximal end the tether, which extends out from a proximal opening of the catheter, moves the holding element from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A device for use in preventing stroke is provided. The device may include an expandable member that expands from a non-expanded configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member is located at a neck of a patient. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical system for short time replacement and repair of a native valve, which comprises an artificial valve (502); and a device for collecting and arranging chordae and/or leaflets to hold and/or stabilize the artificial valve in a desired position, the device comprising: a unit for grasping a plurality of chordae and/or leaflets. The system and/or device allows for fast and easy replacement of a native valve, fast and easy positioning of a temporary artificial valve, and more time for medical personnel to make decisions, prepare and/or perform surgery/medical intervention.

Abstract: An implant capsule (10) and an implant delivery system are disclosed. The implant capsule (10) includes, sequentially from a proximal end to a distal end, a flexural section (102, 102a-102e), a reinforcement section (101, 101a-101e) and a radiopaque reinforcement ring (104a-104e). The reinforcement section (101, 101a-101e) has higher strength than the flexural section (102, 102a-102e). The implant delivery system includes the implant capsule (10). The implant capsule (10) can ensure the implant to be deployed in a coaxial condition and prevent over-expansion due to large expansion forces exerted by a stent of the implant.

Abstract: A device for positioning an electrode in tissue includes: a lead body having a distal portion; an electrode array coupled to the lead distal portion; an anchoring element having an anchor tip and being operable in a first configuration in which the anchor tip is retracted within the lead and in a second configuration in which the anchor tip is extended outside the lead and configured to fixate within the tissue; and a displacement mechanism that is actuated to bias the electrode array or the anchoring element toward the tissue. A method for positioning an electrode in tissue includes: navigating, to the tissue, a lead with an electrode array, an anchoring element with a distal anchor tip, and a displacement mechanism; biasing the electrode array and anchoring element towards the tissue with the displacement mechanism; and deploying the anchoring element, and verifying fixation of the anchor tip within the tissue.

Abstract: A prewire channel stent has a structure that includes a balloon having a metallic mesh material outside the balloon, a central passage inside the balloon, and a second passage disposed between the metallic mesh material and the balloon. The second passage allows a second guidewire to be received therein, and the use of the second guidewire thereby avoids the problem of wire exchange and stent dislodgement in known devices.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. An external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon. Stabilizing struts are provided between at least some of the helical struts.

Abstract: A drug or agent coated balloon having a length which is adjustable in vivo is described herein. The balloon is configured to be coated or coatable with one or more drugs where the coating may be applied prior to advancement into a patient body or prior to balloon expansion within the patient body. The length of the expandable portion of the balloon is adjustable to approximate a length of the tissue region to be treated. Moreover, the drug-coated balloon may be used alone or it may be utilized to deploy luminal prostheses having one or more linked or otherwise coupled segments.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes an anchor, a sealing plug, a compaction member, a suture, a handle portion, a sheath attachment member, and a sheath adapter. The compaction member is configured to compress the sealing plug towards the anchor. The suture is coupled to the sealing plug and anchored. The handle portion is arranged proximal of the sealing plug and anchor. The sheath attachment member extends from the handle portion. The sheath adapter has a first end portion configured to mount to the sheath attachment member, and a second end portion configured to mount to a procedural sheath that is inserted into a tissue puncture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for approximating tissue segments, such as mitral valve leaflets, on a minimally invasive basis. The system includes first and second approximation devices each including a magnetic component and an attachment mechanism. Each device is connected to a target tissue segment by the corresponding attachment mechanism. Upon deployment at a target site, the tissue approximation devices are magnetically attracted to one another, approximating the tissue segments and maintaining the tissue segments in the approximated state.

Abstract: A lancing device includes a lancet body (14) of elongate form and having a sharp tip (16) at the forward end thereof; a drive spring (26) for imparting generally longitudinal movement to the lancet body, and a housing (10) receiving the lancet body and having an aperture (22) in the forward end thereof through which the sharp tip (16) of the lancet body projects in use when the device is fired. The device includes elements (28, 30, 32) for controlling movement of the lancet body (14) to cause the tip of the lancet to execute a lateral movement when it projects from the aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regulating aortic regurgitation during aortic valve replacement or repair procedures utilize a temporary aortic valve (TAV) catheter and a controller. The temporary aortic valve catheter has an expandable occlusion device which can partially occlude the aortic lumen during ventricular diastole with a lesser occlusion during ventricular systole. Exemplary balloon structures include multiple, independently inflatable balloons which are inflated in synchrony with the cardiac cycle by the controller. By controlling aortic regurgitation, the repair or replacement protocols can be conducted with less interference from blood flow.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for implanting prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners to at least one prosthesis end. The fasteners are usually helical fasteners which are releasably restrained on the fastener driver, and are delivered by rotation of the fastener driver. The fasteners may be applied singly, typically in circumferentially spaced-apart patterns about the interior of at least one end of the prosthesis. A lumen extension or lumens may be coupled to the prosthesis to extend the reach of the prosthesis within the implantation site. Fasteners may also be applied to the lumen extensions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for clamping tissue and/or moving two tissue structures together by moving two plates or arm together. The pressure or force applied to the tissue may be used to bring the tissue together, to seal an opening or to cut through and remove a portion of the tissue. In one procedure disclosed, a clip applier may be used to apply one or more clips to the left atrial appendage of the heart to prevent clots from the left atrial appendage from embolizing and causing harm to the patient, such as a stroke.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a method, device, and apparatus for positioning an apparatus on a location of a tissue. For example, a substantially rigid film over an area of tissue to be treated can be provided. The film can include a positioning arrangement that facilitates a particular spatial engagement with the apparatus. The exemplary method can further include applying a portion of the film to a portion of a surface of the tissue and positioning the apparatus at the location by the engagement of the film to the apparatus using the feature of the film.