Abstract: A dilation apparatus includes a handle assembly, a dilator, a guidewire, and a steering assembly. The dilator is connected to the handle assembly and is configured to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The guidewire is longitudinally fixed relative to the dilator. The steering assembly is configured to laterally deflect at least a portion of the guidewire relative to the handle assembly. The steering assembly includes an actuator coupled with the handle assembly and a pull wire extending between the actuator and guidewire. A portion of the pull wire is attached to the guidewire. The actuator is configured to move the pull wire relative to the handle assembly in order to laterally deflect the at least a portion of the guidewire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld device (1) which is used for performing a treatment action while being moved along a treatment surface (4). The result of the treatment action is dependent on the angular position (?) in which the device (1) is being held relative to the treatment surface. An example of such a device is an epilator for removing hairs from a surface of the user's skin. The device comprises at least two light sources (5) arranged and adapted to each provide a delimited light spot (6) on the treatment surface or on an outer surface of the device when the device is in operation. The two or more light sources (5) are arranged so that the light spots (6) they provide are at least partially coincident when the device is held at an angular position relative to the treatment surface which is within a predetermined optimal range of angular positions for which the treatment action is optimal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating a patient includes a shaft assembly and a body assembly. The shaft assembly includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an articulation joint operable to selectively articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion. The body assembly includes a joint drive assembly, an actuator, and a joint stabilizer. The joint drive assembly is operatively connected to the articulation joint and configured to actuate the articulation to thereby articulate the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion. The actuator is configured to actuate the joint drive assembly for articulating the articulation joint. The joint stabilizer includes a detent abutment and a detent notch configured to releasably capture the joint drive assembly and thereby inhibit articulation of the distal end portion of the shaft assembly relative to the proximal end portion of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An exemplary implantable prosthetic device has a coaption element and a pair of paddles. The coaption element has a first end portion and a second end portion. The pair of paddles is connected to the second end portion of the coaption element. The coaption element narrows as the copation element extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A user-operable controlled furling balloon assembly including a furlable balloon sheath, an elongate furling driving element which is retractable and rotatable about an elongate axis thereof relative to a base element for furling the furlable balloon sheath about the elongate axis, the furlable balloon sheath surrounding the elongate furling driving element and coupled at a first end thereof to the elongate furling driving element and at a second end thereof to the base element and a furling/retraction controlling assembly coupled to the elongate furling driving element and to the base element for limiting an extent of retraction of the elongate furling driving element to be a function of an extent of furling of the balloon sheath, thereby limiting a maximum outer diameter of the balloon sheath when furled and preventing stacking of the balloon sheath.

Abstract: Systems and methods for de-airing a cardiac chamber during cardiac surgery are provided. A catheter-based inflatable device is inserted adjacent a target area of the heart, and the frequency of inflation and deflation of the inflatable device is controlled via a remote controller to change the shape of the cardiac chamber to dislodge air bubbles from their deposition site in the cardiac chamber.

Abstract: A nerve repair conduit configured to be secured on first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit includes a polymeric body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior lumen. In addition, the nerve conduit includes at least one drug reservoir to hold agent(s) that may facilitate nerve regeneration. The drugs diffuse from the drug reservoir(s) into the nerve repair conduit through an outlet (such as a hole or a semipermeable membrane) in proximity to the first and second portions of a selected nerve. The nerve repair conduit may be configured to deliver the agent(s) at a rate having substantially zero-order kinetics and/or at a constant rate over a selected period of time.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a prosthesis includes a sheath, a slide shaft having a threaded outer surface, and a handle. The handle includes an internal spring assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging the handle with the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. The internal spring assembly includes at least one spring arm, a head coupled to the spring arm and having a circumferentially rounded threaded inner surface, and a ring slidably disposed over the spring arm. When the ring is in a first longitudinal position, the threaded inner surface of the head is spaced apart from the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. When the ring is in a second longitudinal position, the threaded inner surface of the head is threadedly engaged with the threaded outer surface of the slide shaft. The handle may include a resilient cover to provide the internal spring assembly with a biased or nominal operational position.

Abstract: A clot removal device has an expandable treatment member having a distal tip and a proximal end, a delivery wire having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the expandable treatment member, and a flow restrictor carried along the delivery wire at a location that is separate and proximal from the expandable treatment member. The flow restrictor has a body with a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section being covered and the proximal section being uncovered. The expandable treatment member is moveable relative to the flow restrictor, and can be retracted into the distal section.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfaces and devices with antibacterial and antifungal properties. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device comprising a synthetic polymer or biocomposite with antibacterial and antifungal properties, made up of nanopillared and/or micropillared surface structure. In another embodiment, the surface allows flexibility and curvature.

Abstract: A delivery device for a self-expanding implant, including an inner shaft, a slidable member disposed over the inner shaft, an actuation member, a rolling membrane, and a slitting member. The actuation member is coupled to the slidable member, and the rolling membrane is disposed over the self-expanding implant, the rolling member including a proximal end secured to the inner shaft, and a distal end secured to the slidable member. The slitting member includes a proximal end secured to the inner shaft, and a distal end secured to the slidable member, such that translation of the slidable member over the inner shaft in a proximal direction contemporaneously translates the rolling membrane and the slitting member in the proximal direction.

Abstract: A noninvasive method for tightening loose neck skin embodying a non-expensive, indiscrete external tensioning device is provided. The tensioning device is adapted to physically tension and tighten the loose neck skin. The tensioning device may be an elongated thin sheath defining a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface provides an adhesive portion that may be adhered to the back of a user's neck is such a manner so as to pull their frontal neck skin upward and backward for effectuating a noninvasive facelift thereof. Embedded between the first and second surfaces may be an integrated memory wire adaptable to move to a pinched condition providing additional tension force between the opposing ends of the tensioning device, and in turn to the neck skin.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve delivery apparatus can comprise a handle, a gearbox, an input torque shaft and a plurality of output torque shafts. The input torque shaft can extend distally from the handle and can have a distal end portion operatively connected to the gearbox. The output torque shafts can be operatively connected to and extend distally from the gearbox. Rotation of the input torque shaft can cause rotation of the output torque shafts via the gear box.

Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advancable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advancable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.

Abstract: A surgical tool has an elongate tubular housing having an annular clamping region formed around an opening in the tubular housing. A vacuum source is operably engaged with the elongate tubular housing for providing a vacuum within the elongate tubular housing for drawing the damaged or diseased portion of a luminal body, such as an intestine, into the tubular housing. An elongate rod is provided having an annular clamping element shaped so that the intestine may be firmly clamped between the annular clamping element and the annular clamping region of the elongate tubular housing, so that the damaged or diseased portion of the intestine is entirely within the elongate tubular housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a high speed drill cutting burr are described. The high speed drill may comprise a main body having a first section and a second section, the first section comprising a first housing configured to be operably connectable to a first cutting tip and the second section comprising a second housing configured to be operably connectable to a second cutting tip, and an electrical motor disposed inside the main body, the electrical motor may be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. In some embodiments, a main body may be repositioned by rotating the main body 180° to switch between use of a first cutting tip and a second cutting tip. Mechanisms for limiting axial movement of a burr shank as well as transferring torque are described.

Abstract: A minimally invasive catheter and methods are provided for adjusting the chordae associated with an atrio-ventricular valve and for modifying the geometry of selected cardiac chambers. Clamps carried by the catheter are part of a prosthetic clamp assembly that includes the clamps and a cord attached to each of the clamps. The cord length can be adjusted after the clamps are attached to tissue. The clamps can be operated simultaneously or independently.

Abstract: A device for providing a magnetic force to a sampling needle. The device may include with a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle slidably received within the distal end of the sheath and an actuator component located at least partially within the distal end of the sheath, the actuator component configured to apply a magnetic force to the needle. The actuator component may include a coil located within the distal end of the sheath and a current source in electrical communication with the coil. The current source may include one or more capacitors, a DC power source, a first switch configured to cause the DC power source to charge the capacitors upon activation and a second switch configured to cause the capacitors to discharge to the coil upon activation.

Abstract: A suturing device is disclosed. The suturing device has a guide tip. The guide tip has first and second framing arms that define a viewing port from a first orientation. The guide tip also has proximal and distal ends of the guide tip which, with the first and second framing arms, define a tissue bite area from a second orientation. The suturing device also has a ferrule holder located in the distal end of the guide tip and centered relative to the first orientation. The suturing device further has a needle movable within the guide tip along a path through the tissue bite area and centrally viewable in the viewing port relative to the first orientation.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.