Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for supporting and holding open a tubular structure in the body of an animal or human. In one form, the device is a manually adjustable variable outside diameter stent that can be repositioned or removed. The stent includes an elastic tubular body and an adjustment mechanism for the moving two ends of the body toward or away from each other. The elastic tubular body comprises a braiding of two groups of spaced apart helically wound elastic strands. The adjustment mechanism includes a bracket, a tension adjustor, and a tensioning wire attached to the bracket and the tension adjuster. The bracket and the tension adjuster are attached to one or more of the elastic strands of the two groups. Using the adjustment mechanism, the distance between the bracket and the tension adjustor can be decreased causing the outside diameter of the body to increase, or vice versa.

Abstract: A suture fixation system that is configured to secure a suture includes a pad and a suture fixation device configured to clamp and retain at least one end of a suture. The pad includes a suture surface opposite a tissue surface and defines an opening formed through the suture and tissue surfaces that is sized to provide a margin around a tissue lesion to be sutured. The suture is employed to stitch the tissue lesion closed, the suture having at least one free end that is held in place by the suture fixation device, and the pad configured to elevate a portion of the suture away from the tissue.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.

Abstract: Device and method for anastomosis may include a circular stapler with central anvil and multiple circumferentially disposed stapling limbs. A tubular graft may be sleeved on the anvil. The anvil with sleeved graft may be inserted into an end of a dissected aorta to form an overlap. Control actuation may cause the limbs to all substantially simultaneously close and then fire staples respectively into the overlap. The staples may form two generally parallel rows around the overlap with staples of each row being staggered relative to staples of the other row, thereby making a leak-free connection between the tubular graft and the end of the aorta. Control actuation may cause the limbs to open so the anvil may be removed from the end of the aorta, leaving the tubular graft in a leak-free connection with the aorta's end. Exemplary embodiments may allow for generally faster anastomosis than prior art.

Abstract: A vascular closure assembly includes a suture placement device and a sealant delivery device. The suture placement device is operable to position at least one suture across the puncture to form a primary seal of the puncture. The sealant delivery device includes a sealant delivery tube having a first lumen sized to receive the at least one suture, and a second lumen configured to deliver a volume of sealant to the puncture after forming the primary seal to create a secondary seal of the puncture. The sealant delivery device is slidable along the at least one suture to the puncture.

Abstract: Suturing systems may comprise a cartridge and a drive unit which are detachable from each other. The cartridge often has a cartridge body, a plurality of jaws, and a cartridge interface. The drive unit has a drive unit body, a linkage, and a drive unit interface which will typically include a latch. A latch input is coupled to the latch so that a movement of the input moves the latch to the released position. The cartridge interface or the drive unit interface includes a channel while the other includes a shaft which is fittingly receivable in the channel. Opposed motions of the input and cartridge during cartridge removal avoid inadvertent detachment during use.

Abstract: An atherectomy and thrombectomy system includes a catheter body extending between proximal and distal catheter portions. The catheter body includes an aspiration lumen extending therein. An atherectomy assembly is coupled with the distal catheter portion and includes a rotatable cutter. A thrombectomy assembly is coupled with the distal catheter portion. The thrombectomy assembly includes a jet body within the aspiration lumen, and inflow and outflow orifices extending through the catheter body and in communication with the aspiration lumen. In a thrombectomy configuration a cyclical flow is generated by the jet body through the outflow and inflow orifices to hydrodynamically abrade thrombus, the cyclical flow entrains thrombus and delivers thrombus into the aspiration lumen. In the atherectomy configuration the rotatable cutter cuts plaque into plaque particulate, and the cyclical flow of the thrombectomy assembly entrains the particulate and delivers the particulate into the aspiration lumen.

Abstract: A device for the repair of tissue and methods of use and manufacturing thereof are described herein. Applications for the use of the device include, e.g., repair of atrial septal defects (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), left atrial appendage closure and stent graft fixation among other applications throughout the anatomy. The implant portion of the device is available in a variety of sizes and configurations to accommodate the vast complexity of the target anatomy.

Abstract: A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye including the following steps: inserting a distal tip of a delivery tool within an anterior chamber of the eye through trabecular meshwork of the eye into Schlemm's canal of the eye; and advancing an ocular implant through a curved portion and a distal opening of the delivery tool to place a body portion of the ocular implant in Schlemm's canal and an inlet portion of the ocular implant in the anterior chamber.

Abstract: A cutting implement includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion. Each tubular portion is hollow and includes a blade element at a distal end. The blade element helps define an aperture that allows access to the interior hollow portion of the tubular portion. A ligament graft element is threaded through the aperture of each tubular portion and the respective tubular portions are interoperated to cut the ligament graft.

Abstract: Intraocular lens delivery devices and methods of use.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a surgical implant includes a handle, a shaft, and a frame arm coupled to the shaft. A magnetic clip system is disposed on the frame arm for releasably retaining a surgical implant to the frame arm. The magnetic clip system includes a clip, a first ferromagnetic member, and a second ferromagnetic member. The magnetic clip system biases the clip towards a closed position.

Abstract: An endoluminal access system for accessing a body lumen, comprises a guide track which, when in an operative position, extends through a body lumen to a desired location therewithin and a modular device selectively coupleable to the guide track, the modular device including a drive mechanism for engaging the guide track to move the modular device along the guide track within the body lumen.

Abstract: A retrieval apparatus for entrapping and retaining an object located in a body for its extraction therefrom is described. The retrieval apparatus includes a snare and a snare control assembly. The snare has a proximal section and a distal section, and comprises a plurality of filaments extending from a proximal end of the proximal section towards the distal section, and then returning to the proximal end to form a plurality of loops. In the deployed state, the loops are interlaced to each other within the proximal section and are free and not interleaved within the distal section. Segments of the filaments of the distal section are bent with respect to segments of the filaments of the proximal section such that the retrieval snare in the contracted, state forms a hollow cavity extending from die distal section towards the proximal section.

Abstract: A system for closing an aperture in a biological tissue includes an implant deployment device having at least one frame arm. At least one clip is connected to the at least one frame arm and configured to releasably retain a surgical implant to the frame arm. A lock bar including at least one spring member is disposed on the at least one frame arm and is configured to bias the clips towards a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as a septal defect or patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by an intermediate joint. Each of the sides includes at least one elongate element, which is arranged to form non-overlapping loops. Each loop has at least one radially-extending segment that is adjacent to a radially-extending segment of another loop. In at least some embodiments, at least one pair of adjacent radially-extending segments is connected. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture, thereby exerting a compressive force on the septal tissue that is distributed along both the outer periphery of the occluder and the radially-extending segments.

Abstract: A device for discharging at least one band onto a tissue is provided. The device includes a housing; a suction assembly coupled to said housing; a dispensing assembly coupled in flow communication to said suction assembly; a discharge assembly coupled in flow communication to said dispensing assembly; and a first manual actuator coupled to said suction assembly and configured to move said suction assembly between a retracted position and an extended position wherein said suction assembly, in said retracted position, is configured to draw the tissue into said discharge assembly.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for closing an anatomical aperture in a tissue are disclosed. The medical devices can include distal and proximal support structures, which can include a plurality of anchor members. A connection element can connect the distal and proximal support structures, and be configured to twist to create a seal within the medical device. In certain embodiments, a sheath about the medical device can be retracted to expose the distal support structure, which can allow it to revert to an anchoring configuration from a delivery configuration, such that the anchor members can engage an interior surface of the tissue. After twisting the connection element to form a seal, the sheath can be further retracted to expose the proximal support structure, which can allow it to revert to an anchoring configuration from a delivery configuration, such that the anchor members can engage an exterior surface of the tissue.

Abstract: A delivery system having an improved handle allowing operation of the delivery system with one hand while maintaining accuracy in delivery and deployment of a prosthesis in a body lumen. The delivery system includes a sheath and a handle. The handle includes a slide shaft having a threaded outer surface, and a hub assembly coupled to the sheath. The hub assembly includes an inner slider having a thread tooth pivot support, a thread tooth pivotably mounted to the thread tooth pivot support, a distal sleeve having a thread tooth press member pressing on the thread tooth, and a proximal sleeve. Motion of the distal sleeve relative to the inner slider pivots the thread tooth on the thread tooth pivot support to engage and disengage the hub assembly with the threaded outer surface. The distal sleeve is rotatably coupled to the proximal sleeve, and the proximal sleeve is prevented from rotating to provide a stable grip to allow operation of the catheter with one hand.

Abstract: A system for retrieving a specimen includes a collapsible bag having a first mating member and a retrieval device having a second mating member. The second mating member cooperates with the first mating member for coupling the collapsible bag with the retrieval device. A rotation mechanism is disposed in the retrieval device. Actuation of the rotation device collapses an excess portion of the collapsible bag.