Abstract: A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor can optionally be deployed and activated using a catheter device.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has a flexible body that allows the clearing tool to deflect when entering the epidural space through a window in the vertebral bone and ligaments. The clearing tool is guided into the epidural space and to a target site by a guidewire present in the epidural space. Upon removal of the guidewire and clearing tool, the medical lead is inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site. The clearing tool may include a distal tip with a shape and size that aids in the clearing of the epidural space. The distal tip may be integral to the clearing tool or may be removable so as to allow for different sizes of the distal tip to be installed as needed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination suture passer and grasper instrument having a needle which can deliver a suture to a repair site, and then use deformable wire arms to capture the suture and drag it into a hollow interior of the needle, thus eliminating the need for two separate instruments.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device useful for facilitating delivery of drugs or medicaments to the respiratory system of a user. The device comprising a mechanism for interrupting the airflow during inhalation or exhalation performed by the user through the device by generating pressure pulses within the respiratory system of the user, such that the delivery of the drugs to the user is facilitated; the pressure pulses are selected from the group consisting of: inspiratory Negative Pressure (NP) pulses, inspiratory Positive Pressure (PP) pulses, expiratory Negative Pressure (NP) pulses, expiratory Positive Pressure (PP) pulses into the respiratory system, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an electrode structure into nerve in tissue of a living body includes a nerve fixing part which fixes the nerve such that at least part of the nerve is hung thereon, and an electrode structure ejector on which the electrode structure is mounted, and which moves the electrode structure in insertion direction to insert the electrode structure into the fixed part of the nerve, wherein the nerve fixing part and the electrode structure ejector are disposed on the same axis.

Abstract: System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including an implantable fixation device including a first distal element and a second distal element, a first proximal element moveable relative to the first distal element between a first position and a second position, and a second proximal element moveable relative to the second distal element between a first position and a second position. The system further includes a delivery device including a catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the implantable fixation device releasably coupled to the distal end portion of the catheter, the catheter defining at least one lumen extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion.

Abstract: Methods are described herein for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. In one method, ventricular anchors of the replacement mitral valve are released and allowed to reverse orientation while positioned in the left atrium of a human heart. After reversing orientation, the ventricular anchors extend in a generally proximal direction. The ventricular anchors can then be advanced through the mitral annulus into the left ventricle and then moved back toward the left atrium to capture native mitral valve leaflets between the main body and the ventricular anchors of the replacement mitral valve. In one modification, the ventricular anchors are allowed to reverse orientation at a level adjacent the mitral annulus. The implantation methods described herein are preferably performed via a transseptal delivery approach or a transapical delivery approach.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.

Abstract: System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, and a fixation device releasably coupled to the delivery catheter. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween.

Abstract: The invention is an implantable magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton that directs self-assembly. The design allows the device to be delivered in a linear configuration using a minimally-invasive technique, such as endoscopy or laparoscopy, whereupon the device self-assembles into, e.g., a polygon. A coupled set of polygons define a circumscribed tissue that can be perforated, or the tissue can be allowed to naturally necrose and perforate. The device can be used to create anastomoses in a variety of tissues, such as tissues found in the gastrointestinal, renal/urinary, and reproductive tracts. New procedures for using anastomoses, e.g., surgical bypass are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for treating tissue includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the capsule releasably coupled to a proximal portion of the device and clip jaws, proximal ends of which are slidably received within the channel of the capsule so that the clip jaws are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Clip jaws are configured so that a distance between the distal ends of the clip jaws in an open configuration is between 15 and 18 millimeters. Clip jaws further include barbs extending from a distal portion thereof.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone are disclosed herein. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.

Abstract: A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.

Abstract: A delivery device for a stented heart valve comprises a handle, an elongate shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, and a conical housing having a proximal end coupled to the elongate shaft and an open distal end, the conical housing having a conical lumen therein with a first internal diameter adjacent to the proximal end of the conical housing and a larger second internal diameter adjacent to the open distal end of the conical housing.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes delivering to a native valve annulus (e.g., a native mitral valve annulus) of a heart a prosthetic heart valve having a body expandable from a collapsed, delivery configuration to an expanded, deployed configuration. The method can further include, after the delivering, causing the prosthetic heart valve to move from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration. With the prosthetic heart valve in its deployed configuration, an anchor can be delivered and secured to at least one of a fibrous trigone of the heart or an anterior native leaflet of the native valve. With the prosthetic heart valve disposed in the native valve annulus and in its deployed configuration, an anchoring tether can extending from the anchor can be secured to a wall of the heart to urge the anterior native leaflet towards the body of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for passing one or more sutures in tissue repair and/or other surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws mounted on a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a curved needle mounted on the hand assembly and through a shaft. The curved needle remains within the jaw assembly and can be actuated out of the jaw assembly without deformation of the needle and by linear advancement of a needle linkage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an anastomosis or fistula between the gallbladder and an adjacent organ are disclosed. First, a parent magnet, typically a permanent magnet, is deployed in the stomach, small intestine, or another organ adjacent to the gallbladder, and a mating daughter material is deployed in the gallbladder in order to create a magnet-compression anastomosis. The gallbladder may then be ablated or otherwise functionally inactivated through the anastomosis. Another aspect of the invention relates to an all-in-one surgical kit that contains all the necessary specialized tools for a surgeon to perform the procedure.