Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may further include an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the end-effector may include a first arm, the first arm may have a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening configured to receive a needle therein. The medical device may also include a second arm movably connected to the first arm and configured to alternate between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm, wherein the second arm is movably connected to the first arm at a pivot point disposed at a location closer to the distal end of the second arm than the proximal end of the second arm.

Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, and tensioning devices and mechanism for actuating these devices. The tensioning mechanisms and devices may allow a user to apply one or more predetermined forces to a suture or other portion of the closure devices. The closure devices may comprise a suture loop releasably attached to a snare loop assembly, and a tensioning mechanism or device may be configured to tighten the suture loop and/or release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for sutureless vascular anastomosis are described, including a sutureless vascular anastomosis connector configured to couple a graft vessel to a main vessel, including a connector body configured to engage a main vessel when inserted into an opening in a wall of the main vessel, and a wing coupled to the connector body and formed using a memory material, the wing being configured to rotate about a transverse axis of the connector when a restraining force is removed from an exterior surface of the wing.

Abstract: A vaginal dilation device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vaginal dilation device is that it is configured to dilate vaginal tissue during labor to prevent tissue damage. Another feature of the vaginal dilation device is that it can be manually controlled to dilate vaginal tissue, or can be automatically controlled to dilate vaginal tissue. In some embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to measure a force applied by the device to tissue. In other embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to apply a constant force to tissue. In other embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to expand at a constant rate. Methods associated with use of the vaginal dilation device are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including a shaft having an outer member and an inner member slidably received within the outer member, a handle coupled to the shaft, and a means for providing movement to the inner member coupled to the inner member. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for connecting two tubular vessels together in a side-by-side or tangential manner is disclosed. The device has an annulus and at least one series of fingers connected to and extending away from the annulus. In the preferred embodiment there are two sets of fingers connected to and extending away from the annulus in opposite directions. Each finger is preferably biased into an arcuate shape. In use, a deployment apparatus is used to constrain the fingers of the device to be in a relatively planar configuration. The deployment apparatus containing the device is placed between and in contact with the two tubular vessels so that one tubular vessel is above the device and one tubular vessel is below the device and so that the fingers of the device come into contact with the tissue of the vessels. As the fingers penetrate the vessels the constraint on the fingers is removed so that the fingers can assume their biased arcuate shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

Abstract: A hand-operable surgical clip applicator (10) including a barrel (12) having a first end (14) and a second end (16), the second end formed to accommodate a surgical clip, a crimping lever (20) pivotally connected at the second end of the barrel, and a trigger (28) co-located with the barrel, the trigger being operable to pivot the crimping lever, the pivoting movement of the crimping lever causing the surgical clip to be urged from an open position to a closed position, wherein the trigger has an operating portion on either side of the barrel.

Abstract: A stent with a stent locking element and a method of securing a stent on a delivery implement, such as a catheter are disclosed. The locking element can include coupling elements capable of being releasably coupled to one another. The coupling elements may be adapted to inhibit shifting of the stent on the delivery implement. In some embodiments, the releasably coupled elements may secure the stent on the delivery implement.

Abstract: In a pusher guide wire, a protective film is suspended with respect to a core shaft with a distal end thereof being fitted in a distal-end holder and a proximal end thereof being fitted in a proximal-end holder. Hence, the frictional resistance generated between the protective film and a stent when the core shaft is rotated is reduced. Thus, the protective film is prevented from coming off the core shaft, the stent is prevented from being damaged, and the transmissibility of rotation of the pusher guide wire is improved. Consequently, the position where the stent is to be released is easily adjustable.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion, flow restriction, shunt or filter device is disclosed comprising the assembly of at least two, of a number of selectable discrete interconnectable, interchangeable components, at least one component being of the type fabricated from metal strands braided into a tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated, collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and the device shaped to create an occlusion, flow restriction or shunt when placed in an opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis, an actuation rod extending through the elongate body and a tool assembly coupled to the elongate body. The tool assembly includes a coupling member coupling the tool assembly to the elongate body and a tool portion pivotally associated with the coupling member. The tool portion includes a projection member including a blunt end portion and a cutting member extending distally outward from the projection member. The tool portion is operatively coupled to the actuation rod. Translation of the actuation rod causes pivotal movement of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A device for placing a vascular implant including a device for dilating a vessel, has an outer envelope and a tapered end piece for introduction into a vessel. The end piece includes a nose formed at the distal extremity of the outer envelope. The dilation device includes elements for opening the nose having at least two longitudinal slots which divide the nose into several segments which can be opened out in order to open the nose; and an implant which is placed in the outer envelope. The implant includes an expandable element which can be placed in the outer envelope. The implant includes an expandable element which can be placed on the internal wall of the outer envelope and is provided with elements for the translation of the implant in relation to the outer envelope such that the expandable element can press against the internal wall of the nose in order to open out the segments. A device for placing vascular implants fitted with the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for repair of cardiac and vascular defects or tissue opening such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or shunt in the heart, the vascular system, etc. and particularly provides an occluder device and trans-catheter occluder delivery system. The sealing device would have improved conformity to heart anatomy and be easily deployed, repositioned, and retrieved at the opening site.

Abstract: A surgical fastener having a top element including a crown, with prongs extending from the crown. A baseplate having two or more slots that are dimensioned to receive a tip of a prong in the undeployed configuration of the fastener. Two or more cantilevered catches extend from the crown, each cantilevered beam terminating in a head. The baseplate is provided with a bore and in the deployed configuration, the catches of the top element pass through the bore and latch the top element onto the baseplate.

Abstract: The application relates to a device for repeated puncturing of the skin, with a housing, a drive device, which is accommodated in the housing and configured to provide a driving force, a coupling mechanism, which is accommodated in the housing, and a piercing device, which via the coupling mechanism driving force for a repetitive piercing movement is coupled to the piercing device, and the piercing device includes a base having a thereto formed distal active area, over which a plurality of spaced piercing elements are distributed, and where the base with the thereto formed distal active surface is mounted relative to the housing can be tilted. Furthermore, the application relates to a piercing module for a device for repeated puncturing of the skin.

Abstract: A transcorporeal delivery system and method provide the ability to perform minimally invasive valve replacement surgery. The transcorporeal delivery system provides a device and method for transcorporeal (traversing the body surface) low profile delivery of a replacement valve, intracorporeal (inside the body) stabilization for suture placement, and minimal change to current valve replacement surgical implantation techniques.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty. One of the methods includes positioning at least two discrete, flat first anchor elements along a first side of a tissue of the mitral valve annulus in stacked relationship and at least two other discrete, flat first anchor elements along the second side of the tissue of the mitral valve annulus in stacked relationship.