Abstract: A surgical instrument is described that includes a surgical effector moving with N degrees of freedom for manipulation of objects at a surgical site during surgical procedures. The N degrees of freedom are manipulated by N+1 input controllers and a plurality of cables, the controllers and cables coupled to the surgical effector and configured to change the orientation of the surgical effector about the N degrees of freedom when actuated. In some embodiments, the N+1 input controllers and plurality of cables are further coupled to a pantograph, the pantograph configured to move in a reciprocal manner to the surgical effector when the input controllers and cables are actuated.

Abstract: A device for occluding a vasculature of a patient including a micrograft having an absorbent polymeric structure with a lumen of transporting blood. The micrograft has a series of peaks and valleys formed by crimping. The occluding device is sufficiently small and flexible to be tracked on a guidewire and/or pushed through a microcatheter to a site within the vasculature of the patient. Delivery systems for delivering the micrografts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gastric space filler device for treating obesity in a patient by reducing the stomach volume comprising an inflatable space filler and a safety element secured to the space filler, wherein the safety element yields a noticeable signal for causing removal of the space filler.

Abstract: A robotic device for performing intracranial procedures, comprising a baseplate for mounting on the subject's skull and a rotatable base element rotating on the baseplate. The rotatable base element has a central opening through which a cannulated needle can protrude such that it can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the baseplate. This cannulated needle is robotically controlled to provide motion into and out of the subject's skull. A flexible needle is disposed coaxially within the cannulated needle, and it is controlled to move into and out of a non-axial aperture in the distal part of the cannulated needle. Coordinated control of the insertion motion of the cannulated and flexible needles, and rotation of the combined cannulated/flexible needle assembly enables access to be obtained to a volume of a region of the brain having lateral dimensions substantially larger than the width of the cannulated needle.

Abstract: A device (1) for treatments of endoscopic resection/removal of tissues, includes: a handpiece apt to be held by an user; an external tubular element (3) having a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting aperture disposed at the distal end; an internal tubular element (4) apt to be pivotally housed in the external tubular element (3) and having a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting tip at its distal end; guide element (5) for rotating and/or oscillating the internal tubular element (4) with respect to the external tubular element (3); the guide element including an electric motor. At least one between the handpiece (2) and the guide element (5) is disposable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using a robotic system to perform procedures within a cavity using a virtual fixture. The robotic system includes a rigid central stem including an access channel positioned longitudinally along the rigid central stem and a dexterous arm at least partially positioned within the access channel of the central stem. The dexterous arm includes a plurality of individually adjustable segments. A control system receives a positioning command from a manipulator control indicative of a desired movement of a distal end of the dexterous arm. A virtual fixture is defined that is representative of the access channel of the rigid central stem. The position of the dexterous arm is adjusted such that the distal end of the dexterous arm performs the desired movement while the portion of the dexterous arm that is positioned within the first access channel is not moved beyond the defined virtual fixture.

Abstract: A surgical implant (10) has an areal basic structure (12) provided with pores (14). At least one projection (16, 17), which emerges at an angle of at most 40° from the plane defined by the areal basic structure (12) in the local environment of the projection (16, 17), protrudes into at least one of the pores (14). Preferably, the at least one projection (16, 17) is produced from material of the basic structure (12), starts from the edge of the pore (14) and lies in the area defined by the basic structure (12).

Abstract: A system for performing single port laparoscopic procedures includes a transcutaneous seal and a plurality of tools. The tools comprise a substantially rigid tubular seal having a core which is translatably and rotatably disposed in the sleeve. The handle at the proximal end of the tool controls an end effector at the distal end of the tool. The sleeves of the tools are locked in the transcutaneous seals so that they remain in a fixed geometric relationship which prevents the tools from interfering with each other during laparoscopic procedures.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible medical device may include a handle and a delivery assembly having a compartment for receiving the medical device. A catheter member may extend from the handle to the delivery assembly. The catheter member may have a first portion with a first compliance value and a second portion with a second compliance value different from the first compliance value. An internally threaded member may be fixedly connected to the delivery assembly. An externally threaded member may have a first portion operatively connected to the actuation member and a second portion threadedly coupled to the internally threaded member so that manipulation of the actuation member causes axial movement of the compartment relative to the catheter member.

Abstract: A system for occluding a hollow structure, the system comprising: a plurality of occluders; and an applicator for storing the plurality of occluders and serially delivering the occluders so as to occlude the hollow structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical device for recanalizing a vessel having a blockage and restoring blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes an expandable member coupled to a core wire and a hypotube that are movable relative to each other to manipulate the expandable member between various configurations. The expandable member having a capture structure in an expanded configuration. The expandable member can include multiple interstices formed by woven mesh filaments or braided strands through which the material blocking the vessel can pass. The capture structure can include a shape on its external surface that facilitates dislodgement and capture of the material within capture spaces created by the expandable member. Some embodiments include a capture sack or cap for capturing material and preventing material from migrating down stream of the blockage. Superoxygenated blood can be infused distal to the blockage to minimize loss of function during an ischemic event.

Abstract: A device or system useful for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite and increasing local circulation, including a base with an array of protrusions having a size, shape, durometer and spacing selected to indent a user's skin under pressure. A user may position the device such that the protrusions are in contact with skin or separated from the skin by thin fabric, and then apply pressure to cause the protrusions to indent but not penetrate the skin.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly that includes a stent, a tissue sleeve and an anchoring mechanism. By loading the three components of the valve assembly into a delivery catheter in a series formation, such that no two components are located within each other, the size of the delivery catheter can be reduced.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly including a suture anchor that incorporates a harder distal tip with a softer proximal body. The tip and body of the suture anchor are connected via a threaded plug, which also serves to connect the suture anchor to an inserter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery system for delivering a stent (S) into a body vessel of a patient, comprising a flexible catheter tube (3) having a proximal and a distal end for delivering the stent (S) to a predetermined location in the body vessel and a catheter tip (1) having a longitudinal direction, which is disposed at the distal end of the catheter tube (3). The catheter tip (1) has a stent chamber (150) to receive the stent (1). The catheter tip has a first pressure chamber (20, 22). In the catheter tube (3) a first fluid channel (31) extends from the proximal end to the first pressure chamber (20, 22) of the catheter tip (1). The volume of the first pressure chamber (20, 22) can be enlarged by delivering a first fluid from the first fluid channel (31) to the first pressure chamber (20, 22), such that the stent (S) is released from the stent chamber (150) at the predetermined location in the body vessel.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site within a blood vessel includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient distal to the treatment site, the outer catheter defining an inside diameter and advancing an inner sheath, having greater flexibility than the outer catheter and an outside diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the outer catheter, and a guidewire lumen of the delivery system from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient, whereby advancing the inner sheath delivers the prosthesis to the treatment site. The inner sheath is retracted to deploy the prosthesis from within the inner sheath and at the treatment site after which the delivery system from the patient.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient distal to the treatment site. An inner sheath and a curved guidewire lumen of the delivery system are advanced from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient. Advancing the inner sheath causes rotation of the prosthesis to thereby rotationally align the prosthesis at the treatment site. The inner sheath is retracted to deploy a prosthesis from within the inner sheath and at the treatment site. The delivery system is then retracted from the patient.

Abstract: A motion-compensated cutting system includes a hand-held tool body, and an actuator connected to the tool body. A shaft of the actuator is movable relative to the tool body so that a distal end of a cutting implement attached to the shaft is axially movable relative to the tool body. An optical coherence tomography system includes an optical fiber with a distal end fixed relative to the distal end of the cutting implement. The system includes a control unit that can determine a position of the distal end of the cutting implement relative to a reference surface based on input from the optical coherence tomography system. The control unit can control the cutting implement to compensate for relative motion between the tool body and the reference surface, and can maintain a predetermined depth of the distal end of the cutting implement with respect to the reference surface.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.