Abstract: A method of forming and deploying an improved absorbable fastener for hernia mesh fixation is disclosed. The absorbable fastener of the present invention functions to securely fasten tough, non macro-porous, and relative inelastic mesh to soft tissue. The fastener is formed from co-polymers of lactide and glycolide.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon with respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one extension section, at least one set of serpentine rings and at least one set of elongation links that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stent is made of a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle assembly (100) for an implant delivery device for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant by means of at least one tension thread, wherein the handle assembly (100) comprises a drum (14) for winding the tension thread thereon by rotating the drum (14); a knob (9) to be rotated by a user of the handle assembly (100) in order to fold or unfold the medical implant, the knob (9) being interconnected with the drum (14) such that the drum (14) is rotated when the knob (9) is rotated; and a force limiter for limiting the maximum force or tension that may be applied or is applicable to the tension thread (11) or to the drum (14) by rotating the knob (9).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for performing a surgical procedure at a surgical site utilizing a surgical robot. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer has a shaft with a central lumen, a control handle with a deflection assembly, and a tensile member with a distal portion extending along opposing sides of within the shaft and a proximal portion extending within the control handle. The deflection assembly has a deflection arm, and a rotatable member rotationally coupled to the deflection arm, wherein the rocker member has at least one pulley engaged with the proximal tensile member portion. Rotation of the deflection arm in one direction draws the proximal tensile member portion for deflecting the shaft.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A clip applying apparatus is provided which includes a jaw mechanism having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw. The movable jaw is supported on or formed integrally with the distal end of a crimping member which is movably supported within a body portion of the apparatus. The stationary jaw defines a longitudinal axis which forms an angle ? of between about 15 degrees and about 15 degrees and about 75 degrees in relation to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. In another embodiment, the stationary jaw includes a clip receiving channel which is configured to at least partially receive a surgical clip.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a mechanically releasable delivery system. More specifically, this embodiment includes an implantable device secured by tether at a distal end of the delivery system. The tether is fixed to the implantable device and looped around a selectively slidable mandrel. When the mandrel is retracted to expose its distal end, the looped tether slides off the mandrel, freeing the implantable device. Alternately, the tether can be fixed to the delivery system, wrapped around a portion of the implantable device and looped on to the slidable mandrel. Preferably, movement of the mandrel is controlled by an actuation control on the handle of the delivery system, allowing the user to selectively release the implantable device during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A treatment device to treat a living tissue, includes: first and second holding portions; a rotary member including a working portion including an edge portion which is rotated around a central axis equal to or substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis, the rotary member capable of moving the edge portion from the first holding portion to the second holding portion; a first guide portion provided in the first holding portion and capable of guiding the edge portion toward the second holding portion through the holding surface of the first holding portion; and a second guide portion provided in the second holding portion, and capable of guiding the edge portion to the second holding portion through the holding surface of the first holding portion.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a pair of previously implanted magnets from a patient's body includes maneuvering a guide catheter, which includes a guide magnet affixed to its distal end, toward the implantation site of the implanted magnets. The guide magnet is magnetically coupled to one of the implanted magnets in an orientation in which a through hole of the guide magnet is in register with through holes of the first and second implant magnets. An elongate capture member is slid through the lumen of the guide catheter until one of a proximal segment and a distal segment extends through the through holes of the guide magnet and the implanted magnets. An abutment segment of the elongate capture member, which separates the proximal segment and the distal segment is maneuvered into contact with the magnets. Then, the abutment segment, the guide magnet and the implanted magnets are moved as a group away from the implantation site.

Abstract: A distal tip for use with a medical catheter. The tip includes a member having a wall which defines a lumen therewithin. The wall has a portion at a distal end thereof, the portion curving inwardly toward an axis of the lumen. The lumen is provided with a diameter adaptable to accommodate a device to be recovered therewithin.

Abstract: A bariatric device for use in inducing weight loss, comprising a cardiac element and a fixation element wherein the fixation element attaches the cardiac element to the upper stomach to allow the cardiac element to apply at least intermittent pressure to the upper stomach which produces a satiety signal to the user, giving the recipient a feeling of fullness and reducing his or her hunger feelings. The device may also contain an esophageal element which is connected to the cardiac element by a connecting element.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying stent grafts having a proximal stent includes a first lumen and a stent capture device including a capture portion fixedly connected adjacent a first lumen distal end. An outer catheter has a catheter distal end and a catheter inner diameter. A second lumen having a second distal end is slidably disposed about the first lumen and within the outer catheter. A stent graft sheath has a sheath proximal end connected to the second distal end and disposed about the first lumen. The sheath has a sheath distal end and a sheath inner diameter greater than the catheter inner diameter for holding a compressed stent graft. A distal nose cone has a cone proximal end connected to either the capture portion or the first distal end. The nose cone and the capture portion are movably adjustable to selectively capture the sheath distal end therebetween.

Abstract: A catheter having an multilayered shaft section with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a second material. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. However, in alternative embodiments, a thermoplastic polyimide is used. The thermoset polyimide has a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 400° C. (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry), and excellent dimensional stability at the processing temperature of polyamides commonly used in catheter components. As a result, during formation and assembly of the catheter, production of a thin polyimide layer with controlled dimensions is facilitated. The polyimide has a high modulus and provides a thin walled yet highly pushable shaft section, while the second layer provides kink resistance. In one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide material and a polyurethane material.

Abstract: The invention relates to surgical gripping forceps with two gripping jaws movable relative to a main body, with each gripping jaw having a stationary pivot axis relative to the main body, and a lever arm, and with the lever arms being articulated via at least one push element. Each gripping jaw has its own pivot axis. The distance between the individual pivot axis and the midline of the main body is at least greater than 38% of the maximum width of the main body or the maximum diameter of the main body. The present invention also provides microsurgical gripping forceps that a substantial clamping force between the gripping jaws with customary force for actuating the forceps.

Abstract: A method of loading a self-expanding stent into a delivery sheath configured to retain the stent in a radially compressed pre-deployment configuration, including the steps of radially compressing the stent from a relaxed outside diameter d0 to a compressed outside diameter d1, providing a loading sheath with an inner diameter d2, where d0>d2>d1, translating the stent relative to the sheath, whereby the stent is accommodated within the lumen of the loading sheath, providing a delivery sheath with an inner diameter d3, where d0>d3>d2, advancing the loading sheath, containing the stent, into the lumen of the delivery sheath, and deploying the stent into the lumen of the delivery sheath.

Abstract: A vascular filter device comprises a support; and a filter comprising one or more filter elements configured to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel. A holder holds the filter in a closed filtering state and releases to convert the filter to an open state after a period of time. The filter is adapted to retain thrombus after said conversion. In one case the filter elements are arranged to remain in a closed state after release by the holder, because they are blocked by a retained clot from opening fully, and the filter elements are biased to the open state with a bias level which is counter balanced by force exerted by a retained clot under action of blood flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides skin grafting and devices that comprise a systematic approach to the process of skin grafting, i.e., harvesting, post-excision processing and application of donor skin and pre and post-graft treatment of the recipient site.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a system for attaching tissue to bone includes a suture, suture anchor, inserter tool, drill, and drill guide having an outer guide and an inner guide. A method for attaching tissue to bone includes attaching a suture to tissue, nesting the suture in a notch on the distal end of the outer guide, passing the suture through a lumen formed in the outer guide, and inserting an inner guide in a lumen formed in the outer guide. The drill guide protects the suture from rotational movement of the drill and allows a user to maintain alignment between the drill guide and the drilled hole. As a result, a suture anchor can be more easily positioned within the drilled hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices for approximating body vessels and method for performing the same. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the device includes an inner member having a first expandable anchor operatively coupled near a distal end thereof, an outer member having a second expandable anchor, and a sleeve disposed about at least a portion of the inner member and the outer member.