Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, and methods for using the devices, to create and secure a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus wall or esophageal tissue in the region of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to reduce the diameter of the esophagus opening in that region. One aspect of the invention includes forming the tissue fold by closing a grasping arm that is pivotably connected to an overtube that has been positioned at the juncture of the fundus wall and esophagus wall. A further aspect of the invention includes tissue clips configured to be inserted and positioned through an endoluminal device.

Abstract: There is provided a lancet comprising a lancet body, a lancet cap and a pricking component. In the lancet, the lancet body and the lancet cap are made of resin and the pricking component is made of metal. The pricking component is situated in both of the lancet body and the lancet cap, and the tip of the pricking component is covered with the lancet cap. The lancet body of the lancet is thin except for a rim portion of the body, and the rim portion of the lancet body has such a form that the rim portion extends symmetrically from the thinned portion of the lancet body.

Abstract: A tissue repair device includes a closed knotless loop of multifilament flexible material, and a fixation member having a structure that defines a cavity that receives at least a part of the closed loop. The tissue repair device may include a flexible member traversing the loop. The loop may include a portion in which ends of the multifilament flexible material are thermally fused together. The multifilament flexible material may be braided or twisted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in a tissue. The apparatus including an anchor, a sealing plug, a filament connected between the sealing plug and the anchor, a compaction member assembly, a spool and a driving plate. The compaction member assembly being disposed adjacent the sealing plug and structured and arranged to apply an axially directed compressive force to automatically compact the sealing plug toward the anchor. The spool has a portion of the filament wound thereon. The driving plate being connected to the spool and having a cam surface portion. The cam surface portion is arranged to contact a proximal end of the compaction member assembly upon rotation of the spool to advance a distal end of the compaction member assembly.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for delivering fistula plugs into fistulae having at least a primary fistula opening, a secondary fistula opening, and a fistula tract extending therebetween. Illustratively, some inventive methods involve delivering a fistula plug into a fistula tract through a primary fistula opening and toward a secondary fistula opening, while others involve delivering a fistula plug into a fistula tract through a secondary fistula opening and toward a primary fistula opening. In certain aspects, a fistula plug is pushed and/or pulled through a fistula tract along a guidewire or other plug-guiding device, potentially protected by a protective delivery device such as a sheath, capsule or other suitable delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A treatment tool for endo scope includes a pair of forceps members (first forceps members and second forceps member) supported by a forceps rotation axis such that they can rotate relatively, an operation part for performing an open-close operation of the pair of forceps members, an operation wire that connects the pair of forceps members and the operation part, an insertion part which the operation wire is inserted into, a cover member that secures the forceps rotation axis to the insertion part, a connection member including a link rotation axis, provided at a distal-end part of the operation wire, and a pair of link members (first link member and second link member), first end parts of each being rotatably connected via respective rotation axis members to a proximal-end part of each of the pair of forceps members, and second end parts of each being rotatably connected to the link rotation member.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying surgical clips to tissue includes a handle assembly having a trigger and a shaft extending therefrom. The shaft includes at least one surgical clip therein. Each clip includes a pair of legs connected by a crossbar. Each of the pair of legs has an inwardly and an outwardly facing surface, the outwardly facing surface having a raised profile protruding therefrom and extending longitudinally therealong. A jaw assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft and includes first and second opposed jaws moveable between a spaced apart and an approximated position. Each jaw defines a recess extending longitudinally along opposing inner surfaces thereof. Each recess defines a longitudinally extending groove having a profile substantially complementary to the raised profile of the legs of the clips. The legs of each clip are positionable at least partially within respective grooves of the recesses of the jaws.

Abstract: A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

Abstract: A tissue approximation device comprising two elongate arms, an attachment means to secure the elongate arms to each other, adhesive pads on at least a portion of the elongate arms to anchor the tissue approximation device to the skin, and a locking means to lock the elongate arms in place relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for ligating an internal body tissue using an outer cylinder member and an inner cylinder member including the processes of projecting the inner cylinder from a front end of the outer cylinder member; attaching a ligation band member to an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member; contacting a front end of the inner cylinder member with an internal body tissue; suctioning an inside of the inner cylinder member via a channel communicated with the inside of the inner cylinder member such that the internal body tissue is drawn into the inner cylinder member; and ligating the internal body tissue with the ligation band member by disconnecting the ligation band member from the front end of the inner cylinder member when the inner cylinder member is drawn into the inside the outer cylinder member at a position where the ligation band member is disconnected.

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 combination of a cannulated body having a distal end and a proximal end, a plug including a top portion configured for engagement with the proximal end of the body and a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, a first portion disposed on the bottom portion of the plug, a second portion disposed on the bottom portion of the plug, and a spring located between the first and second portions for providing movement to the inner member coupled to the inner member. A method of tissue repair is also disclosed.

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 tissue closing device includes an elongate arrangement device of which a distal end portion can penetrate an opening penetrating an living tissue membrane and which has a handling portion on the proximal side, and a clip which is detachably retained at a distal end portion of the arrangement device and which closes the opening. The arrangement device includes a retaining member for detachably retaining the clip and pulling the clip in the proximal direction, a cover tube, and a fixed tube. The handling portion has a first elastic member. When a restriction for maintaining the coil spring in a deformed state is canceled, the thread is moved to the proximal direction by the restoring force of the coil spring in the condition where the clip is locked to a distal end portion of the fixed tube, and the clip is pulled in the axial direction by the thread, whereby a deformation portion is deformed.

Abstract: A closure device and system for closing openings in tissue. After placing sutures in the tissue, the sutures are clamped by the closure device to hold the sutures in place and close the opening in the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an object to bone, the apparatus comprising: a suture anchor assembly comprising a suture anchor body and a suture; the suture anchor body being configured to be lockingly disposed within a hole formed in the bone, and having an opening formed therein for slidably receiving the suture therethrough; the suture having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween; the suture extending through the opening in the suture anchor body so that the intermediate portion forms a loop on one side of the opening and the first and second ends are disposed on the other side of the opening, such that when the first end of the suture is passed through the loop and securingly engages the object, pulling on the second end of the suture draws the loop and a captured portion of the suture along a path toward the opening in the suture anchor body; the suture anchor body being configured so that when the suture anchor body is disposed in the hole in the bone, a tapered bindi

Abstract: Apparatus and method for repairing an abnormality in the wall of a body lumen, the method comprising isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen; positioning flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen; and transforming the flowable forming material into a substantially stationary state so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen, and the apparatus comprising a supply of flowable forming material; zone isolation apparatus for isolating the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen from flow in the body lumen; and positioning apparatus for positioning the flowable forming material adjacent to the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen so as to repair the abnormality in the wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: Suture cutters and methods of cutting suture in a surgical procedure. The suture cutter may include an actuator, an intermediate cannula portion and a movable cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may be operatively coupled to the actuator and include a cutting element. An adjustably sized cutting window receives the suture. The adjustably sized cutting window may be bound on at least one side with the cutting element for cutting the suture received inside the cutting window. Actuation moves the cutting assembly to cut the suture.

Abstract: The present invention has an introducing tube capable of being inserted into a living body cavity, a manipulating wire movably inserted into this introducing tube, at least two or more clips, and a ligating wire causing the clip and the manipulating wire to be engaged with each other wherein, when the clip is ligated, a tensile stress of the manipulating wire is always applied only to the clip located at the most distal end.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for holding a suturing needle comprises an operating section, an insert section having an insert-section distal end extension at a distal end of an insert section body, a clamping portion, a rotatable holder portion, a receiving member having a first contact surface, and a transmitting member having a second contact surface. The insert section body has an inner bore along a first axis in a longitudinal direction. The insert-section distal end extension has a rotation-allowing groove on an inner peripheral surface of an inner bore provided along a second axis at a predetermined angle with respect to the first axis. The rotatable holder portion is allowed to be passively rotatable about the second axis under an external force applied to the suturing needle when a gap is formed between the transmitting member and the receiving member.