Abstract: A robotic catheter system including a housing and a drive mechanism configured to engage and to impart motion to a catheter device is provided. The drive mechanism is supported by the housing. The robotic catheter system includes a guide catheter support coupled to the housing. The guide catheter support is located in front of the drive mechanism, and the guide catheter support has a longitudinal axis. The guide catheter support includes a first surface configured to engage a guide catheter and a rotation joint allowing the first surface to be rotated about the longitudinal axis such that the surface is able to engage the guide catheter at a plurality of angular positions relative to a patient.

Abstract: Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Abstract: A device for dilating an ostium of a paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject may include: a handle; an elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled with the handle and extending to a distal end; a guidewire disposed through at least a portion of the shaft lumen; a dilator having a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration; and a slide member coupled with at least one of the guidewire or the dilator through the longitudinal opening of the shaft for advancing the guidewire and/or the dilator relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A vascular intervention device delivery system, such as for implanting a self expanding stent, includes a thumbwheel rotatably mounted in a handle. The thumbwheel includes a radially outward thumb surface. A catheter has a proximal end attached to the handle, and a distal carrier segment for mounting a vascular intervention device thereon. A retractable sheath is movable from a first position covering the distal carrier segment to a second position retracted proximally uncovering the distal carrier segment. A pull extends between the thumbwheel and the retractable sheath. A holding mechanism is operably positioned between the handle and the thumbwheel, and includes a wedge pin trapped to move in a wedge shaped cavity between a wedged position that prevents the thumb wheel from rotating, and an unwedged position that permits the thumbwheel to rotate to facilitate deployment of a self-expanding stent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removal of calculus (including for example, kidney stones) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device for removal of kidney stones includes a substantially sealable pouch that can be inserted into the kidney for capturing a kidney stone. The pouch is also designed to permit fragmentation of the kidney stone inside the pouch, while preventing kidney stone fragments from escaping from the pouch. As a result, the likelihood of dispersing stone fragments during fragmentation of a large stone is greatly lessened.

Abstract: A vascular intervention device delivery system, such as for implanting a self expanding stent, includes a thumbwheel rotatably mounted in a handle. The thumbwheel includes a radially outward thumb surface and a radially outward toothed surface that may be moved into and out of contact with a catch by mounting the thumbwheel on a pivot plate within the handle. The pivot plate may be pivoted with respect to the handle between a locked position to prevent rotation of the thumbwheel, and an unlocked position that permits rotation of the thumbwheel. A catheter has a proximal end attached to the handle, and a distal carrier segment for mounting a vascular intervention device thereon. A retractable sheath is movable from a first position covering the distal carrier segment to a second position retracted proximally uncovering the distal carrier segment. A pull extends between the thumbwheel and the retractable sheath.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: A device for performing surgery on a patient includes: a mesh patch comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; and a removable cover positioned adjacent to and in facing engagement with the bottom surface of the mesh patch. The bottom surface has a plurality of hooks positioned thereon. The cover is removed from the mesh patch as the mesh patch is positioned at a surgical site such that the hooks on the bottom of the mesh patch grip surrounding tissue of a patient and secure the mesh patch to surrounding tissue of the surgical site. A method for performing a surgery using such a device is also provided.

Abstract: A compressible pacifier having a nipple, a conical protective sleeve and a handle. The protective sleeve has a first end connected to the nipple and a second end which covers the nursing end of the nipple when in an extended position. The handle is connected to the first end of the protective sleeve. While the protective sleeve is in a retracted position, a second end of the sleeve is concentrically disposed over the first end of the sleeve thereby exposing the nursing end of the nipple for use by an infant.

Abstract: Various features are described that are adapted to improve performance of interference-relief type delivery systems. A delivery system provided herein comprises an implant comprising a socket at a proximal end of the implant; an elongate sleeve having (i) a proximal section, (ii) a distal section slidably disposed within the socket, and (iii) a window between the proximal section and the distal section, the window extending through a wall of the sleeve; and a core member having a proximal portion slidably received within the proximal section of the sleeve and a distal portion extending through the window to a space outside the sleeve and within the socket. The distal portion of the core member provides an interference fit with the distal section of the sleeve within the socket until the core member is withdrawn.

Abstract: To provide simple yet accurate stent graft fenestration, a patient-specific fenestration template is used as a guide for graft fenestration. To generate the fenestration template, a patient's medical imaging data such as CT scan data may be used to generate a 3-D digital model of an aorta lumen of the patient. The aorta lumen may encompass one or more branch vessels, which may be indicated on the 3-D digital model. Based on the 3-D digital model or a segment thereof, the fenestration template may be generated, for example, using 3-D printing technology. The fenestration template may include one or more holes or openings that correspond to the one or more branch vessels. To fenestrate a stent graft, the fenestration template is coupled to the stent graft so that the holes or openings on the fenestration template indicate the fenestration locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable radiopaque stent adapted to be disposed in a body lumen. In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of elongate filaments including one or more radiopaque filaments are arranged to form a hollow tubular structure having a tubular wall that defines an inner surface and an outer surface and opposing first open end and second open end. One of the open ends of the stent is formed by an intersection of adjacent filament ends. A radiopaque compound is applied to the intersection, the radiopaque compound comprising radiopaque material and polymeric material. The radiopaque compound and radiopaque filament provide improved external imaging of the tubular structure on imaging equipment.

Abstract: A device for allowing passage of a guidewire from a primary blood vessel to an adjacent secondary blood vessel includes a main body having a primary lumen and a secondary lumen, and a piercing member disposed in the secondary lumen, and configured to be moved distally out of the secondary lumen, and to pierce through tissue while being distally moved. A third lumen located within the piercing member is configured to allow placement of a guidewire from the primary blood vessel to the adjacent secondary blood vessel. In one embodiment, the secondary lumen is configured to allow articulation of the distal end of the piercing element. The piercing member has a sharp point on one end to facilitate cutting a small communicating aperture from the primary blood vessel to the secondary blood vessel.

Abstract: A fastening device, comprising an inner tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end and at least one fastener positioned within the inner tube and adapted to advance linearly towards the distal end of the inner tube, and an advancing element which converts rotational motion to linear pushing force on the fastener. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one fastener is adapted to not rotate at all or to rotate at a rate not necessarily the same as any other fasteners or any other elements during linear advancement.

Abstract: A medical device configured to perform an endovascular therapy can include an elongate manipulation member and an intervention member. The elongate manipulation member can include a distal end portion. The intervention member can include a proximal end portion and a mesh. The proximal end portion can be coupled with the distal end portion of the elongate manipulation member. The mesh can have a plurality of cells in a tubular configuration and being compressible to a collapsed configuration for delivery to an endovascular treatment site through a catheter and being self-expandable from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The mesh can include an anodic metal and a cathodic metal. The anodic metal and the cathodic metal can each form a fraction of a total surface area of the mesh.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises an articulable waveguide. The articulable waveguide may be configured to transmit ultrasonic energy therealong. The articulable waveguide comprises a proximal drive section, an end effector and a first flexible. The proximal drive section is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector is located at a distal portion of the articulable waveguide. The first flexible section comprises a flex bias and be positioned between the proximal drive section and the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a first tine extending longitudinally relative to the articulable waveguide.

Abstract: A surgical implant comprising a receiver member and deployment member for clamping and sealing tissue of variable thickness, a corresponding applicator tool and surgical system for connecting, sealing, fastening and/or attaching tissue to itself, to other tissue and/or to non-tissue structures, and/or sealing the flow of fluid at and/or between structures such as tissue and vessel structures.

Abstract: A medical device and surgical procedure for the treatment of glaucoma in patients with primary open angle glaucoma, secondary open angle glaucoma, closed angle glaucoma, and refractory glaucoma. The device is inserted between two scleral flaps, cutting the trabecular meshwork and the sclera. When the device is removed, a proximal-facing cutting edge forms a tunnel allowing the aqueous humor to flow out of the anterior chamber into the suprachoroidal space.

Abstract: This document describes rotational atherectomy devices and systems for removing or reducing stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating an abrasive element within the vessel to partially or completely remove the stenotic lesion material.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.