Abstract: A stent introducer apparatus comprises a sheath for surrounding a stent member, with the sheath having a longitudinal slit extending from one end along at least a substantial part of the length thereof, and a sheath withdrawal device comprising a reel for winding up the sheath. A second sheath may surround the slit portion of the sheath. An intermediate guide member can smooth the withdrawal procedure and flatten the sheath before it is wound on the reel. The intermediate guide member may include at least one of a second reel or a slot-defining member. The reel may be operated by means of a gear system. A method of deploying a stent member is also provided.

Abstract: A delivery device can include a number of different features including, one or more of, but not limited to, the following. Shuttle and trigger retraction of an outer sheath. Arcuate movement of a trigger. An interlock device to prevent actuation of the trigger. An interlock device that can adjust the position of the outer sheath and the inner shaft. A retraction override switch and lock.

Abstract: A surgical assembly, the assembly including a first guidewire, a second guidewire, in which each of the first guidewire and the second guidewire are configured to be received by a bone block, a first suture loop, a second suture loop, a first locking component, and a second locking component, in which the first locking component is coupled to the first suture loop and the second locking component is coupled to the second suture loop.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a sensor. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The sensor is operable to detect a physical parameter associated with engagement between the distal end of the shaft assembly and a tympanic membrane. A controller may activate a feedback device to inform an operator that the distal end of the shaft assembly has achieved suitable apposition with the tympanic membrane, based on information from the sensor.

Abstract: Vascular treatment devices and methods include a woven structure including a plurality of bulbs that may be self-expanding, a hypotube, for example including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs, and a bonding zone between the woven structure and the hypotube. The woven structure may include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures may be heat treated to include various shapes at different temperatures. The woven structure may be deployable to implant in a vessel. A catheter may include a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs and optionally a balloon. Laser cutting systems may include fluid flow systems.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for securing suture to tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, the implant can include an intermediate portion, a first radially expandable portion extending from the intermediate portion, and a second radially expandable portion extending from the intermediate portion. The implant can be configured to be inserted through a delivery device in a first configuration and deployed into a hole formed in tissue in a second configuration such that the intermediate portion is positioned within the hole. A suture can be inserted through a passageway of the intermediate portion positioned within the hole, and the suture can be tensioned to secure the tissue to bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting hair follicle from underneath an external surface of the skin are provided. The systems may include a first member and a counter pressure device. The first member may define a first bore and may have a longitudinal axis. A portion of the first member may be configured to be moved below an external surface of a skin. The first member may be configured to translate at least in a first direction along the longitudinal axis through a tissue and rotate about the longitudinal axis. The counter pressure device may be configured to interface with at least the external surface of the skin such that the tissue is disposed between the first member and the counter pressure device. The translation and rotation of the first member may result in cutting at least a portion of the tissue.

Abstract: An interventional medical device connector and a method for using same. The interventional medical device connector comprises an implant (1) and a pusher (5). One end of the implant (1) is provided with at least one lock ring (9). The top end of the pusher (5) is provided with at least one locking hole (7). The pusher (5) is provided with at least one control wire (4). The control wire (4) slides along the axial direction of the pusher (5), and the top end of the control wire (4) can reach at least one of the locking holes (7). The control wire (4), the lock ring (9) and the locking hole (7) together form a connection means having a lock-pin structure. Use of this means of connection effectively overcomes the defects of existing threaded connections, reduces risks, and provides convenience of use.

Abstract: A system and method for abdominal surgery is disclosed. The system can have one or more end effectors that can be attached to an introducer and/or tray and inserted into the abdomen through a large puncture through the patient's umbilicus. The end effector can have a surgical tool, such as a grasper. The system can have a manipulatable control arm that can be inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's body wall. The end effector can be attached to the control arm and simultaneously or concurrently detached from the introducer or tray. The control arm can then manipulate the end effector to perform the surgery.

Abstract: A surgical tool can include a main unit and a first rigid sheath. The main unit includes an inner tube that is received within an outer tube. The first rigid sheath removably receives the main unit and connects to the main unit via a coupling between a first connector portion of the main unit and a second connector portion of the rigid sheath. The first rigid sheath can be completely removed from the main unit when the first connector portion is decoupled from the second connector portion. A different rigid sheath having a different shape from the shape of the first rigid sheath can then be removably attached to the main unit instead of the first rigid sheath. A surgical tool kit includes a plurality of rigid sheaths having different shapes and having the ability to be removably attached to the main unit.

Abstract: A system for treating a body vessel may include a delivery device and a prosthesis retained on the delivery device. The prosthesis may include a main body and first and second legs each extending from the main body. The main body may include a lumen, and the first leg may include a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the main body. The second leg may include a tubular graft body and a stent attached to the graft body. The prosthesis may have a predeployment configuration in which the graft body of the second leg is inverted into and positioned within the lumen of the first leg, and the stent is positioned outside of the inverted graft body. The prosthesis may have a deployed configuration in which the second leg extends outward from the main body, and the stent is positioned within a lumen of the graft body.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, a core assembly, and methods of operating the same are provided. The delivery system can comprise a catheter and the core assembly. The core assembly can comprise a constraining member, protruding member, a core member, and a stent extending along the core member. The tubular constraining member can be spaced apart from the core member and define a capture area. The protruding member can be disposed along the core member at least partially distal of the capture area. The stent can have a first portion disposed within the capture area and a second portion, distal to the first portion, extending across or over an outer surface of the protruding member so that the protruding member and the constraining member cooperate to inhibit expansion of the first portion of the stent.

Abstract: An anastomotic connector comprises a generally tubular main body having a distal end and a proximal end, and an anchor member integrally coupled to the distal end of the tubular main body. The anchor member includes first and second annular flanges that are movable from a first loaded position to a second expanded position. In the second expanded position, the annular flanges are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular main body portion.

Abstract: A composite anoscope for ano-rectal diagnostic and surgery, wherein the anoscope (2) also comprises an internal component (1), to be inserted therein, and a suitably shorter external component (3), ending with a conic frustum mantle (18), wherein the anoscope (2) is to be inserted. The three components (1, 2, 3) are all conic frustum shaped hollow bodies having circular cross-section. The internal component (1), when inserted in the anoscope (2), forms therewith a single body having a compact and smooth external surface and an ogival tip. The external component (3) is provided close to its mouth with slotted wings (19, 20), to be fixed to the perianal skin for securing the whole composite anoscope during the diagnostic and surgical operations.

Abstract: Devices for closing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen. The device may include an elongate body, a sheath disposed at the distal end of the device for disposition within a body lumen, a hollow needle disposed within a needle lumen of the body, the needle being selectively advancable through the needle lumen, a suture-anchor ejection mandrel disposed within the hollow needle that is also selectively advancable through the hollow needle, a suture-anchor and suture disposed within the hollow needle, a distal end of the suture attached to the suture anchor for ejection out the hollow needle by the mandrel. A needle guide disposed between the sheath and proximal end of the body may include a needle port through which the needle can exit. A hemostatic plug is disposed over the needle port so as to be penetrated by the needle upon exiting the port.

Abstract: A device 1500 for performing an anterior capsulotomy procedure, wherein the device includes a body 1504 having proximal and distal ends. A cutting element 1010 having at least one surgical blade 1014 is rotatably disposed on a distal end of the body. The cutting element is attached to a pinion 1300 comprising a plurality of gear teeth 1310. The gear teeth on the pinion intermesh with gear teeth 1204 disposed on a distal end of a shaft assembly 1202. As the shaft assembly 1202 is moved laterally within the body 1504, the pinion 1300 is caused to rotate.

Abstract: Novel absorbable monofilament sutures and fibers having unique and improved properties are disclosed including mid-term strength retention post-implantation. Also disclosed is a novel method of manufacturing absorbable monofilament sutures and fibers. The sutures and fibers are extruded from poly(p-dioxanone-co-glycolide) copolymers.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve include advancing a delivery catheter containing the prosthetic heart valve to a deployment native heart valve, advancing an inner core movably coupled to a restraining sheath of the delivery catheter to expose a first end of the prosthetic heart valve, and advancing the inner core and the restraining to expose a second end of the prosthetic heart valve. The delivery catheter can include a distal flange located at a distal end of an outer core of the catheter body, configured to restrict distal longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic heart valve, and a retaining structure located proximally from the distal flange along the outer core of the catheter body, configured to restrict proximal longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible implantable devices or stents that can, for example, navigate tortuous vessels of the neurovasculature. The devices can also conform to the shape of tortuous vessels of the vasculature. In some embodiments, the devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. Methods and structures are provided for adjusting, along a length of the device, the porosity of the device while maintaining a cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, a distal stent cover covers the distal end of the device and reduces friction between the stent and an inner surface of a delivery device, such as a catheter.

Abstract: An improved holder and storage system for a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that constricts the commissure posts of the valve and prevents suture looping. A rod axially movable relative to the holder tensions lengths of attachment sutures that extend between the commissure post tips to create a tent and flex the tips inward, thus helping to prevent looping of any of an array of pre-implanted sutures around the leading tips during delivery of the valve. The holder has a safety mechanism that prevents valve delivery before the rod is deployed. One embodiment automatically deploys the rod upon opening a storage jar. One embodiment permits a delivery handle to directly deploy the rod, while another uses a separate worm screw and coupling. A holder clip that attaches to a packaging sleeve may be formed of flexible members meshed together from which the heart valve and holder are easily pulled free to eliminate a step of decoupling the clip from the sleeve.