Abstract: A suture anchor is provided including an elongate shank defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one bone-engaging thread formed thereon, and a drive head having a proximal end and a distal end mated to the elongate shank. The drive head has a substantially oval shape and includes at least one suture attachment member formed in a portion of the drive head. The configuration of the drive head is particularly advantages in that it provides a suture anchor having improved physical properties, including a high failure torque and a high stripping strength.

Abstract: A depth-control mechanism for selectively-adjusting a lancing stroke depth of a lancet carrier. The depth-control mechanism includes a positioning tab that is configured to be repositioned along an axis that is orthogonal to the lancing stroke axis of the lancet carrier. The depth-adjustment mechanism also includes a tether that is pivotally coupled between the positioning tab and the lancet carrier. The positioning tab is configured to manipulate a pivot axis of the tether to adjust the lancing stroke length of the lancet carrier.

Abstract: A magnetic anastomosis assembly includes a magnet with a passageway and a guidewire passing through the passageway. The passageway can be external or internal to the magnet body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for marking and/or sampling animal tissue, including a male portion (12) for marking and/or sampling tissue, and a female portion (13) for marking and/or receiving said tissue. According to the invention, such a unit includes an intermediate element (14) for connecting said male and female portions together, said intermediate connection element (14) having a first portion (141) for rigidly connecting to said male portion and a second portion (192) for rigidly connecting to said female portion, enabling said male and female portions to be supported along a single marking and/or sampling axis (AA1) before marking and/or sampling said animal tissue, wherein the intermediate connection element is releasable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to medical devices, methods, and systems for delivering a medical device to a target site. In one embodiment, a medical device includes a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member having an expanded configuration and a relaxed configuration. The medical device further includes a tether comprising a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the proximal end or the distal end of the tubular member. In addition, the medical device includes an engagement member coupled to the second end of the tether and disposed at least partially within the tubular member and between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member in the relaxed configuration.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a device and method for repairing biological tissue aperture. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue that includes a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a deployment scaffold connected to the shaft, in which the scaffold is configured to releasably retain a surgical implant and the scaffold includes an open configuration and a closed configuration, the open configuration being substantially X-shaped.

Abstract: An endoscopic treatment tool includes a sheath having a lumen, an elongated shaft inserted into the lumen and having an insertion passage, a stylet disposed in the insertion passage, an implant connected to the stylet, and a manipulation part main body provided on the sheath, a slider advanceable and retractable in an axial direction relative to the manipulation part main body, and a cam tube retracting while rotating in accordance with manipulation of the slider and having a spiral guide passage. A proximal end portion of the stylet has a projection engaged with the guide passage such that a force retracting the stylet is applied to the stylet by the cam tube retracting while rotating. The projection is slidable on the guide passage such that the stylet is advanceable relative to the elongated shaft against the force.

Abstract: A tubular prosthetic device for implantation into a body lumen includes a first part including a tubular lumen and a second part including an attachment member. The second part is secured to the first part via various configurations, where the device is capable of being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of traditional devices, for ease of use during implantation. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A suture device is provided with a longitudinal member; a pair of grasping members; a suture needle; a power transmitting member; an opening-closing operating portion; a pair of needle locking portions having a first needle locking member and a second needle locking member and locking or releasing the suture needle to or from the pair of grasping members; a pair of wire members connected to the pair of needle locking portions; a needle locking and operating portion that operates the pair of wire members; a link member having a first end and a second end connected to the pair of wire members; and rotatable support portions that rotatably support the link member.

Abstract: A treatment catheter system for treatment of a heart valve includes a circumferential valve tissue structure and an elongate catheter member, and has an inner lumen, proximal and distal end portions. The system includes a catching component which can be positioned at the distal end portion of the catheter member to be non-separable from the catheter member. An outer member extends circumferentially around the catheter member. The circumferential valve tissue structure is correspondingly arranged between the catheter member and the outer member. A catching mechanism reduces a radial distance between the catheter member and the outer member to catch the valve tissue between the outer member and the catheter member via a catching opening to immobilize and treat the caught valve tissue on the distal end portion of the catheter member.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a door mechanism is provided. A door mechanism according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a door that includes a sealing part, an arm connected to the sealing part, and a pivot part connected to the arm, the door rotating around a pivot axis at the pivot part; and a lever, the lever engaging the door at the pivot part such that the lever opens the door when engaged but is not affected when the door is opened without the lever.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can include a valve frame having a wireform portion and a stent portion. The wireform and stent portions can be undetachably coupled together via a plurality of upright struts so as to form a one-piece prosthetic heart valve frame. Alternatively, a self-expanding wireform portion and a balloon-expandable stent portion can be coupled together via one or more leaflets and a subassembly having a flexible leaflet support stent and a sealing ring. The wireform portion can include cusps and commissures configured to support a plurality of leaflets. The prosthetic valve can be radially collapsible for minimally invasive and/or transcatheter delivery techniques. Disclosed embodiments can also provide flexion of the wireform portion (e.g., of the commissures) in response to physiologic pulsatile loading when the valve is implanted in a patient's native valve annulus. Methods of making and using prosthetic heart valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a medical procedure at a site in a patient's blood circulatory system, including a device to be implanted in the circulatory system, a sheath surrounding device and having a first diameter; a hollow tube having a second diameter and having a pressure transducer at its proximal end, and a filter that is collapsible into the sheath and is expandable out of the sheath for blocking debris and passing blood in the circulatory system.

Abstract: A closure device (200) includes a filament (204), an anchor (208), a sealing pad (210), and an automatic driving mechanism. The anchor is configured to be inserted through the tissue wall puncture and is attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device. The sealing pad is slidingly attached to the filament at the second end of the closure device. The automatic driving mechanism includes a compaction member (212), at least one slide member (230, 232) at the first end of the closure device, and a biasing member (234). The biasing member is carried by the at least one slide member and operable to distally advance the compaction member for automatically compacting the sealing pad toward the anchor upon withdrawal of the closure device from the internal tissue wall puncture.