Abstract: Various devices and methods for guiding a biopsy surgical tool are disclosed. One type of surgical device includes a first rotational mechanism, a translational mechanism, and a second rotational mechanism. In some cases, the second rotational mechanism includes a circular frame and an end-effector. The yaw movement of the end-effector is effectuated via the first rotational mechanism. In addition, roll and pitch movements of the end-effector are effectuated via the second rotational mechanism. Furthermore, translational movement of the end-effector is effectuated via the translational mechanism.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage occluder (200) comprises a sealing part (220), a fixing part (210) disposed at one side of the sealing part (220), and a connection part (230) for connecting the sealing part (220) and the fixing part (210). The radial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is greater than the radial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210), and/or, the axial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is greater than the axial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210). In the left atrial appendage occluder (200), the radial or axial deformation capacity of the sealing part (220) is configured to be greater than the radial or axial deformation capacity of the fixing part (210), thereby avoiding the situation in which the sealing part (220) is not optimally fitted with the opening of the left atrial appendage (10) when the fixing part (210) is placed inside of the left atrial appendage (10), which in turn enhances the occlusion effect.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a tool comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion extending distally from the proximal end of the shaft, and an articulating portion extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft, and wherein the articulating portion comprises a flexible spine; wherein a plurality of articulation cables extend through the shaft from the handle to the flexible spine, such that when tension is applied to at least one of the plurality of articulation cables, the flexible spine bends; wherein a rotatable element extends through the shaft from the handle to the end effector, such that when the rotatable element is rotated, the end effector rotates; and wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the end effector, such that when the actuat

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a raster injector for micropigmentation and use thereof, and more particularly to a raster injector that precisely inserts pigment, medicine or other fluids into skin or other industrial materials. The raster injector is connected to a motion platform that enables the injector to inject pigment or other fluids into the layers of the skin or other substrates through micro, hollow point needles. The raster injector includes a disposable, interchangeable ink delivery assembly, an ink reservoir assembly and a non-disposable base assembly.

Abstract: An embolectomy device includes a tubular body having a plurality of interconnected primary struts that define a plurality of openings when the tubular body is in a radially expanded deployed configuration, and a plurality of secondary struts connected to the primary struts that move from being aligned with the primary struts to a non-aligned configuration in which the secondary struts extend at least partially into and/or across the openings, to thereby ensnare or encapsulate a vascular obstruction within the primary and secondary struts after the tubular body is deployed proximate the obstruction and allowed to expand into or through the obstruction.

Abstract: The present invention teaches the use of a disc shaped mesh intrasaccular occlusion structure with at least one coil arm, with optional supplemental hydrogel, which is designed to implement an endovascular treatment to facilitate saccular aneurysm treatment while ameliorating or eliminating aneurysm recurrence.

Abstract: An assembly includes a flexible fixation member, a suture, and a delivery device. The fixation member includes a body with two terminal ends. A suture passes through the flexible fixation member at various points along a length of the body such that portions of the fixation member are slidable relative to the suture and configurable to form a cluster within a surgical site. The delivery device includes a tubular member, an elongated inserter, and a trigger. The elongated inserter is slidably disposed within the tubular member. The inserter has a forked distal end configured to receive a portion of the flexible fixation member and the suture. The trigger is finger-engagable and fixedly coupled to the proximal end of the inserter. It is configured to advance and retract the inserter relative to the tubular member. The trigger includes a retention member for retaining a proximal end portion of the suture.

Abstract: Devices for delivering and deploying a prosthesis are disclosed and comprise a sheath, a prosthesis disposed within a distal end portion of the sheath, and a wire having a first end coupled to the prosthesis and a second end coupled to the sheath. A body portion of the wire comprises a slack in the wire, and the sheath, prosthesis, and wire are configured so that a proximal movement of the sheath relative to the prosthesis reduces the slack in the wire, and a subsequent proximal movement of the sheath relative to the prosthesis decouples the wire from the prosthesis. Additional devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of endovascular treatment. More particularly, the present invention uses a modified hydrogel intrasaccular occlusion device designed to implement an endovascular treatment to ameliorating or eliminating aneurysm recurrence, which hydrogel may optionally be impregnated with pharmaceutical compounds. The present invention also teaches the use of thin hydrogel coatings to ameliorate endovascular treatment related difficulties.

Abstract: A compressible pacifier is described having a flexible neck portion connecting a nipple to a base portion. The flexible neck portion allows for the nipple to be extended for use as needed, and compressed within the planar surface of the base portion when the pacifier is not in use or is being transported.

Abstract: A jaw member for use with a surgical instrument includes a support base, a jaw liner, and a jaw overmold. The support base has a proximal portion configured to be pivotably coupled to a surgical instrument, and a distal portion. The support base defines a channel that extends longitudinally between the proximal and distal portions and an aperture disposed in communication with the channel. The jaw liner includes an elongate body configured for receipt in the channel of the support base, and a projection extending from the elongate body and configured for receipt in the aperture of the support base. The jaw overmold overlaps at least a portion of the support base and the jaw liner to fix the jaw liner to the support base.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, a portion of the bowel of an obese patient is distended for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the bowel of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the bowel of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the bowel by an amount sufficient to trigger an intestinal-gastric brake in the patient.

Abstract: A tongue advancer implant (101) or removal (1601) tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a loading mechanism configured to enable the loading of an implant or removal assembly; a propulsion element configured to be charged; a release mechanism configured to permit the propulsion element to propel the implant or removal assembly from the implant or removal tool.

Abstract: A rotational medical device comprising an airfoil on a rotational drive shaft to generate lift forces generally directed radially away from a rotational axis of the drive shaft, thereby enabling the drive shaft and/or a working element thereon to achieve a working diameter during rotation that is greater than the resting diameter of the drive shaft and/or a working element thereon.

Abstract: Coronary access and delivery systems are provided. A coronary access system can include a coronary sinus guide and a first core. A lateral vein delivery system can include a lateral vein introducer and a second core. The coronary sinus guide, the lateral vein introducer, and the first and second cores may be designed or shaped to access a predetermined position within a heart of a subject. For example, the coronary sinus guide, the lateral vein introducer, and/or the first and second cores can be used in combination to access the predetermined position within the heart of the subject.

Abstract: A method of surgically positioning an electrode array at a desired implantation location relative to a nerve. A temporary probe electrode is temporarily positioned adjacent to the nerve and at a location which is caudorostrally separate to the desired implantation location of the electrode array. The implanted position of the probe electrode is temporarily fixed relative to the nerve. During implantation of the electrode array, electrical stimuli are applied from one of the temporarily fixed probe electrode and the electrode array, to evoke compound action potentials on the nerve. Compound action potentials evoked by the stimuli are sensed from at least one electrode of the other of the temporarily fixed probe electrode and the electrode array. From the sensed compound action potentials a position of the electrode array relative to the nerve is determined.

Abstract: A swallow exerciser device that exercises and thereby strengthens the muscles involved in swallowing includes a rigid shell, an adjustable fastener, and an inflatable pad. The rigid shell has a longitudinal dimension such that the shell extends above and below the larynx of the subject when the swallow exerciser device is positioned over the larynx of the subject. The adjustable fastener is dimensioned to secure the shell around a neck of the subject with the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject. The inflatable pad is connected to a proximal surface of the shell. The inflatable pad is dimensioned to apply resistance to force of at least one swallowing muscle of the subject when the shell positioned over the larynx of the subject and when the inflatable pad is in an inflated position. The swallow exerciser device can be used in a method for improving swallowing function in a subject.

Abstract: A method is provided for puncturing a fossa ovalis of a heart, the method including inserting a catheter into a right atrium of the heart, and advancing a distal portion of the catheter toward an interatrial septum of the heart. A flexible longitudinal member is slid through openings disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, such that the flexible longitudinal member is made to loop around a portion of an inside perimeter of the fossa ovalis. While the flexible longitudinal member is looped around the portion of the inside perimeter of the fossa ovalis, a hole is punctured in the fossa ovalis at a puncturing point.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic catheter includes a catheter body with a catheter lumen and an infusion tube extending within the catheter body, the infusion tube configured for coupling with a fluid source near the catheter proximal portion. An inflow orifice and an outflow orifice are positioned at locations along a catheter body perimeter. A fluid jet emanator is in fluid communication with the infusion tube, where the fluid jet emanator includes one or more jet orifices configured to direct one or more fluid jets through the catheter lumen from near the inflow orifice toward the outflow orifice. A pivot cylinder located along the catheter body perimeter is positioned distal relative to one or more of the fluid jet emanator, the inflow orifice, or the outflow orifice.

Abstract: Delivery system embodiments for treatment of a vascular defect of a patient's vasculature that may include an endoluminal prosthesis loaded on a delivery catheter. In some cases, an inflatable balloon used to facilitate deployment of the endoluminal prosthesis may be disposed within an inner lumen of a tubular graft portion of the endoluminal prosthesis.