Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter of the catheter during the cutting operation of the catheter when a tissue-removing element is in a tissue-removing position. A locking control circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor and a locking device. During an operational control function, the locking control circuit receives a signal from the sensor based at least in part on the parameter of the catheter detected during the cutting operation of the catheter. The locking control circuit determines whether the received signal is indicative of a tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction. The locking control circuit configures the locking device in its locked configuration to inhibit movement of the tissue-removing element from its tissue-removing position to its neutral position if the received signal is indicative of the tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction.

Abstract: A delivery and release device for stent-graft includes a guiding head and a central tube connected thereto, an outer tube sleeving on the outside of the central tube, a positioning tube sheathed between the central tube and the outer tube, a front fixator, a back fixator and a positioner successively sheathed between the positioning tube and the outer tube. The stent-graft is placed between the back fixator and the positioner. A metal bar is connected to the guiding head along its axial direction with a ring suture being connected to the front fixator. The ring suture sleeves onto the metal bar after passing through the stent-graft. During the release process, the metal bar moves forward in the axial direction to detach from the ring suture, thereby the stent-graft is released.

Abstract: This document describes rotational atherectomy devices and systems for removing or reducing stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating an abrasive element within the vessel to partially or completely remove the stenotic lesion material.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a proximal handle, a sheath, and a retrieval assembly. The sheath extends from the handle and includes a lumen and a distal end opposite the handle. The retrieval assembly is moveable relative to the sheath to achieve a collapsed position of the retrieval assembly within the lumen and an expanded position of the retrieval assembly when extended outside the lumen. The retrieval assembly includes a plurality of legs. At least one of the legs includes a wire having an inner core at least partially surrounded by an outer layer.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for re-canalization or opening a passage through an occlusion in a blood vessel is provided. The apparatus and method, which are appropriate for cardiovascular and peripheral vessels, use a pulling member and a spring member, for example a compression spring, to oscillate a drilling component. The drilling component at the distal end of the catheter tip has combined longitudinal stiffness for penetrating a total or partial occlusion and high axial (lateral) flexibility to improve deliverability and crossability of a catheter through a partially occluded vessel or a tortuous vessel, and may taper distally. The system of the invention includes the apparatus and a control unit to permit adjustment of the frequency or amplitude of oscillation of the drilling component. Also provided is a method for oscillating a drilling component using a pulling member and a spring member and a method of traversing an occlusion.

Abstract: A first embodiment can be a device comprising a means to reduce SLOSH energy absorption in a fluid containing organism by reducing the flow of one or more outflow vessels of the cranium by compressing said vessels.

Abstract: A surgical grasping instrument is provided which includes a body portion having an elongate tubular member extending from the body portion and a jaw assembly movably mounted on a distal end of the elongate tubular member. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws having arcuate grasping portions for securely grasping a circular surgical stapler anvil shaft. The jaw assembly is mounted on a movable head portion which is movable relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member to rotate and articulate the jaw assembly relative to the longitudinal axis to manipulate the anvil within the body of a patient.

Abstract: The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. The tissue structures can be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment. In one aspect, a structure is deployed in a gutter region of the valve annulus to modify the shape of the valve.

Abstract: A suture securing device includes a body connected to an arm by a hinge and is useable to secure a suture without requiring the tying of a knot. The body includes a bottom surface that contacts a patient's skin when in use, an eversion recess formed in the bottom surface, and a first gripping surface. The arm is connected to the body by the hinge and includes a second gripping surface that contacts at least a portion of the first gripping surface when the hinge is in the closed configuration. The device may also include an engagement structure configured to secure the arm to the body in the closed configuration.

Abstract: This document describes rotational atherectomy devices and systems for removing or reducing stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating an abrasive element within the vessel to partially or completely remove the stenotic lesion material.

Abstract: A stoma dilation device that includes a tubular support defining a continuous pathway through the device; an inflatable dilation balloon located on the tubular support, the inflatable dilation balloon including a dilation region forming a first portion of the device and a retention region forming a second portion of the device; and a balloon inflation lumen. The retention region of the balloon is configured to have a diameter upon full, unrestrained inflation that is greater than the diameter of the dilation region.

Abstract: An occlusion device formed of a microcoil having a three-dimensional relaxed state employing open looped portions interposed between closed loop portions. Planes defined by sequentially formed open looped and closed loop portions are neither coincident nor parallel to one another.

Abstract: Bio-adhesive textured surfaces are described which allow implants to be localized within a living body. Hierarchical levels of texture on an implantable medical device, some capable of establishing a Wenzel state and others a Cassie state, are employed to interface with living structures to provide resistance to device migration. Since a gaseous state is traditionally required to establish a Cassie or Wenzel state, and gases do not remain long in living tissue, described are tissue/device interactions analogous to the above states with the component normally represented by a gas replaced by a bodily constituent, wherein separation of tissue constituents develops and an analogous Cassie, Wenzel or Cassie-Wenzel state evolves.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a first object to a second object, said apparatus comprising: an anchor body which is longitudinally and laterally deformable; and a working suture which is connected to said anchor body; said anchor body and said working suture being configured such that, when at least one of said anchor body and said working suture receives a repair suture which is connected to the first object, and said anchor body is thereafter disposed in a hole in the second object, applying tension to said working suture secures said anchor body to the second object and secures said repair suture to said anchor body without requiring that a knot be tied after said anchor body is disposed in the hole in the second object.

Abstract: A balloon or balloon cover comprising a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer material and an elastomer is provided. The expanded fluoropolymer material can contain serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially, helically, and/or circumferentially wrapped to form a balloon or balloon cover. The balloon or balloon cover exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The balloon or balloon cover can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction.

Abstract: A laparoscopic clip applier comprising multiple clips housed in a rigid sleeve, where the arms of the clips are oriented lengthwise in the sleeve, and a deployment mechanism for deploying the clips from a distal end of the sleeve via a perforation made by a needle provided with the distal end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An occluder device for occluding a gap between a medical device and adjacent body tissue includes a conformable body having a hollow interior, a leading end and a trailing end; and a port disposed at the trailing end of the body and in fluid communication with the interior of the body.

Abstract: A medical device can include an elongate manipulation member, and a thrombectomy device connected to the elongate manipulation member. The thrombectomy device can have a first configuration and a second configuration, the thrombectomy device being expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration. The thrombectomy device can include an arcuate marker-mounting projection attached to a portion of the thrombectomy device configured to contact a thrombus. A marker can be coupled to, and extending around, the arcuate marker-mounting projection with the marker and the arcuate marker-mounting projection contacting each other at three discrete locations. A method for engaging a thrombus can include advancing a thrombectomy device to a location radially adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel.

Abstract: Various self-cinching suture anchors, self-cinching suture anchor systems, and methods of use are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a suture anchor is provided that includes an outer member and an inner member configured to be received within the outer member. The inner and outer members can define a gap that allows a suture to be movably disposed within the outer member, e.g., within the gap, when the inner member is disposed within the outer member. The inner member can be configured to be secured within the outer member by a knot of the suture having a diameter greater than a width of the gap so as to fix the inner member within the outer member, while still allowing uni-directional tensioning of the suture.

Abstract: A water jet instrument may be used for manually performing eye surgery such as, cataract, or perform micro-surgery (remove cartilage), or any emulsification technique. The water jet instrument may be manually controlled or controlled by a system with a robotic control. The water jet apparatus defines a jet cutting area that is based at least in part on a flow rate meter and a feedback loop.