Abstract: The invention relates to an aneurysm coil that is made up of a single wire of a noncircular cross-sectional shape. The wire is coiled in a helical configuration to have an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the wire does not have a round outer surface. The aneurysm coil of the present invention is designed to encourage cellular adhesion and tissue growth along the coil surface by employing a wire having a substantially non-circular cross sectional area, such as a T shape, a triangle, square, rectangle, oval, pentagon, hexagon, septagon, octagon, star, rhombus, as well as a variety of non-geometric shapes. The use of a wire having such a cross sectional shape promotes endothelial cells to adhere and grow within the gaps created by the juxtaposition of the wire forming a coil, thus anchoring the coil to its intended location, promoting thrombosis, endothelial growth across the opening of the aneurysm, and eventual healing of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A clamshell stapling end effector includes first and second jaws and defines an end effector axis. The first jaw has proximal, central, and distal portions. The central portion includes a first tissue contacting surface and defines a cavity. The second jaw includes a second tissue contacting surface and is rotatably secured to the first jaw about a rotation axis. The rotation axis is parallel to the end effector axis. The second jaw has a folded position such that the second jaw is positioned within the cavity of the first jaw with the first and second tissue contacting surfaces parallel to one another and facing in the same direction and a clamped position such that the first and second tissue contacting surfaces oppose one another.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier includes a jaw assembly having first and second jaws. Each jaw defines an opposed surface configured to receive a portion of a surgical clip. The jaws are moveable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for forming the surgical clip about tissue. Each jaw includes a relief element disposed on a surface adjacent to and substantially transverse relative to the opposed surface thereof. The relief elements are cooperable to define a relief recess upon movement of the jaws to the approximated position. The relief recess is configured to receive at least a portion of a previously formed surgical clip during formation of a subsequent surgical clip about tissue adjacent to the previously formed surgical clip.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides filaments and/or surgical sutures which include an inner core, an outer sheath and a plurality of barbs on a surface thereof. The filaments and/or surgical sutures further include at least one adhesive precursor material which transitions from a non-adherent material to an adhesive material to attach a portion of the filament and/or suture to the surrounding area, such as tissue and/or other portions of the filament.

Abstract: A lead delivery apparatus and a method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site. An elongated lead advancement member is coupled to a delivery shaft. The delivery shaft is inserted to the target site. The delivery shaft is temporarily attached to the target site using a fixator. A medical lead is inserted over the lead advancement member and pushed over the lead advancement member toward the target site.

Abstract: An annular mesh expandable radially from a compact diameter to a radially-expanded deployed disposition in which the mesh is capable of sustaining a radially outwardly directed resistive force even when flexing its longitudinal axis out of a straight line, the mesh being composed of stenting struts, the stenting struts being arranged in a plurality of zig-zag strings around the circumference of the lumen, with occasional connector struts joining adjacent strings to create a closed circumference unit cell between two such connector struts and two adjacent connected strings there being a plurality of such unit cells arranged in sequence around the circumference between said two adjacent strings; and characterized in that there is a non-constant increment of strut length, serving to displace along the longitudinal axis each unit cell relative to the circumferentially next adjacent unit cell.

Abstract: A medical device and a method for manipulating a tissue. The medical device includes two or more bars, a snare loop and a constricting element. Each bar includes a proximal end, and one or more distal ends, such that the bars are in close proximity at the proximal end. The snare loop maybe coupled to the distal ends of the bars. The constricting element maybe movably coupled to the bars, such that the constricting element expands the snare loop when positioned at the proximal end of the plurality of bars while the constricting element collapses the snare loop when positioned at the distal end of the plurality of bars, thus, keeping the distal end of the snare loop stationary with respect to the tissue.

Abstract: A suture trimmer including an elongate shaft including an elongate lumen extending proximally from a distal end of the elongate shaft, a transverse through-opening disposed proximal the distal end of the shaft, and a groove extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to a distal end of the opening. A fitting is disposed within the elongate lumen at the distal end of the shaft and extends distally therefrom. A cutting member is slidably received within the lumen of the shaft and configured to move between a proximal end of the opening and the distal end of the opening and cut a suture disposed within and extending from the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for packaging a flexible hydrophilic intraocular lens (1) placed flat on an injection support (4) which is adapted to carry out folding of the lens (1) during its implantation. The lens is immersed in a bath of liquid conserving solution contained in a sealed flask (30) which is itself enclosed in a packaging envelope (48), the assembly being steam-sterilized.

Abstract: A method of removing thrombus accumulation from a space between a body valve and a wall of a body vessel is described herein. The method can include an occlusion catheter with a first occlusion member positioned on the second side of the vessel. An aspiration catheter is introduced through the vessel and the valve. The aspiration catheter can have a nozzle with a bent configuration to position the end opening proximate to the thrombus accumulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resorbable polymeric mesh implant, that is intended to be used in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The mesh implant comprises at least a first and a second material, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material following the time of implantation. The mesh implant is adapted to have a predetermined modulus of elasticity that gradually is decreased until the mesh implant is completely degraded and subsequently resorbed. Due to the gradual decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the inventive mesh implant, the regenerating tissue may gradually take over the load applied to the tissue defect area.

Abstract: A connection system for creating a vascular cannula for connection to a blood vessel includes a flexible hose element in the form of a graft, a conduit element and, disposed therebetween, a connecting element establishing fluid-tight connections, wherein a retaining element is equipped with a radially outwardly elastically beadable snap ring, which, in the connected state, can be snapped in behind a detent surface of one of the parts of the connection system.

Abstract: A method of forming an access opening through a psoas muscle to a patient's spine includes laterally inserting a stimulating dilator into the psoas muscle. The stimulating dilator has a stimulation channel formed in an outer surface thereof. An electrical pulse is transmitted via an EMG into the stimulating dilator to locate a position of a nerve in the patient's psoas muscle. The stimulating dilator is laterally inserted through the psoas muscle and toward the patient's spine in a way that avoids the nerve. A stimulating probe is inserted into the stimulation channel along the outer surface of the stimulating dilator while transmitting an electrical pulse via the EMG into the stimulating probe to verify the position of the nerve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure to the abdomen of a patient to facilitate the insertion of a colonoscope is characterized by the use of a tensile compression device in the form of an elastic band which is wrapped around the patient's abdomen and secured in place. The tension of the band is adjusted to apply a desired degree of pressure to the patient's abdomen to reduce loops in the patient's colon so that the colonoscope can be fully inserted into the colon with minimal discomfort to the patient. The ends of the device are connected together when the desired degree of tension is obtained so that constant pressure and support are provided to the patient's colon. Addition pressure can be manually applied simultaneously with the pressure from the tensile device to reduce or eliminate more distal loops in the colon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resorbable polymeric mesh implant, that is intended to be used in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The mesh implant has at least a first and a second material, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material following the time of implantation. The mesh implant is adapted to have a predetermined modulus of elasticity that gradually is decreased until the mesh implant is completely degraded and subsequently resorbed. Due to the gradual decrease in the modulus of elasticity of the inventive mesh implant, the regenerating tissue may gradually take over the load applied to the tissue defect area. Interstices between individual filaments of multifilaments create a capillary effect for cells within the body.

Abstract: An improved holder and storage system for prosthetic heart valves that pre-shields or pre-constricts the commissure posts of the valve to prevent suture looping. Pre-shielding and pre-constriction mean at the time of manufacture, so that the valves are stored with the commissure posts shielded and/or constricted. The holders may have solid legs that directly contact and constrict and hold the commissure posts without the use of sutures in tension that might creep over the time in storage. The holder may have a base in contact with the inflow end and a shaft portion that projects through the valve leaflets and cooperates with movable legs on the outflow end of the valve in contact with the commissure posts. The holders may, alternatively, have flexible leg members that extend through the valve and have distal end portions configured to extend over and shield the tips of commissure posts.

Abstract: In a meniscus reattachment device, with at least one needle and at least one implant, the implant is intended to have at least one extensible subsidiary surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).

Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary component for stability. Such attachment may include actuatable interlocking members.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating insertion of a speech valve with a flexible retention flange into a fistula between the trachea and the esophagus of a human patient. The tool has a wall curved to define a passage having opposed open first and second passage ends and an axis extending therebetween. The wall has an external surface insertable into a fistula between the trachea and esophagus and defining a slot which extends from the passage to the external surface of the wall. The slot has an opening at the first passage end extending from the first passage end to at least a part of the way to the second passage end and at least a portion of the slot progresses angularly around the axis.