Abstract: A transcatheter heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes an expandable frame having a plurality of commissure posts extending therefrom, a radially expandable tubular component attached to the plurality of commissure posts, and a locking mechanism operably coupled to a wire. The wire is at least partially slideably disposed within a channel formed in a wall of the tubular component and the locking mechanism is configured to permit the wire to be advanced within the channel to thereby transition the tubular component into a deployed configuration that at least partially engages tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for deployment of an endoluminal prosthesis in a body lumen of a patient while maintaining control of a position of the endoluminal prosthesis during the deployment process. Some of the systems and methods are configured to minimize frictional forces of components of the catheter systems during deployment procedures.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube is provided for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal. The tympanostomy tube has a body including a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions. Additionally, an axially extending passageway is provided having a first open end and a second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter radially extending flange disposed adjacent a first end of the first end portion, and a relatively reduced diameter portion. The second end portion includes at least first and second moveable legs having first ends coupled to the first end portion and second ends. The second ends include sharpened surfaces that are sufficiently sharpened to incise through the tympanic membrane during insertion of the tympanostomy tube in the tympanic membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument and method for passing a medical implement through tissue with magnetic forces. The implement can be an implant, either permanent or temporary, and is provided with a magnetic component. A magnetic field is established and the magnetic component and/or magnetic field is manipulated to drive the implant through tissue. Alternatively, the instrument itself is the implement and includes at least one magnetic element so that a magnetic field established by an external magnetic generator drives the instrument through tissue. In another embodiment, the instrument includes two magnetic elements that are moveable with respect to one another and interaction between the magnetic elements drives the instrument through the tissue. Examples of applications of the present invention include a suture passer and a tissue anchor.

Abstract: A method may include accessing a terminal branch of an ophthalmic artery through a face of a subject. Additionally, the method may include positioning a device within the ophthalmic artery of the subject and treating at least one of a blockage, a stenosis, a lesion, plaque or other physiology in at least one of the ophthalmic artery or a junction between an internal carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery.

Abstract: A surgical implant is provided for implantation into a body of a patient to treat a vaginal prolapse in the patient. The surgical implant is made of non-absorbable material and includes a knitted mesh having a mass density of less than 25 g/m2. The knitted mesh includes polypropylene strands having a diameter of less than about 600 ?m, major spaces located between adjacent ones of the strands, the major spaces having a width of from about 1 mm to 10 mm, and pores located within the strands, the pores having a diameter of from about 50 ?m to 200 ?m. The knitted mesh is secured in place to treat the prolapse.

Abstract: The invention relates to an abrasive body (6) for a grinding tool with an abrasive layer (8), which has at least one binding agent (12) and abrasive grains (13), characterised in that thermochromic colouring agents are provided in the abrasive layer (8). The invention relates further to a grinding tool (1) with an abrasive body (6) according to the invention and elements (5) for connecting the grinding tool (1) to a driving device for rotatingly driving the abrasive body (6). The invention relates further to a use of the abrasive body (6) according to the invention or of the grinding tool (1) according to the invention for treating human body parts.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a clip cartridge coupled to the body and containing one or more surgical clips, and a head rotatably coupled to the distal end. First and second jaw members are mounted to the head such that rotation of the head correspondingly moves the first and second jaw members. The head is rotatable between a loading position, where the first and second jaw members are aligned to receive a distal-most surgical clip of the one or more surgical clips, and a clamping position, where the first and second jaw members are positioned to crimp a surgical clip interposing the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a pair of movable members and a pair of jaw members. The movable members include drive and guide pins that are received within holes and slots defined by the jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another in response to movement of the movable members.

Abstract: A delivery catheter includes an inner shaft having an atraumatic distal catheter tip. The inner shaft is configured to carry the implant thereon. The catheter tip includes a region that is fixed to the inner shaft and a region that is deformable and not fixed to the inner shaft. An outer shaft surrounds the inner shaft and is displaceable relative thereto. An implant capsule at a distal end of the outer shaft is configured to encase the implant and to release the implant at the target site via relative displacement of the inner and outer shafts. A plunger is axially displaceable with respect to the catheter tip in response to movement of the outer shaft to apply axial compressive force to the catheter tip and deform the region that is deformable and expand that region radially.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a transmission assembly, a transducer, and a handle assembly is configured for coupling the transmission assembly to the handle assembly using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to restrict the rotational movement of an actuator coupling member and the transducer relative to the handle assembly. The locking mechanism may also be operable to lock a trigger of the handle assembly in a first position. An inner tubular actuating member of the transmission assembly may be threadably attachable to the actuator coupling member or the actuator coupling member may include a latching mechanism to couple to a flared portion of the inner tubular actuating member. A waveguide of the transmission assembly may also be threadably attachable to the transducer. In one alternative, the trigger may be configured to operate the locking mechanism, either in the first position or when pivoted distally to a third position.

Abstract: A tip engageable with an elongated sheath member for extracting an implanted elongated structure, such as a cardiac lead, from an obstruction in a body vessel of a patient. The tip includes a tip body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending therethrough. The tip body proximal end is engageable with the distal end of the sheath member distal end. The passageway of the tip is aligned with the passageway of the sheath such that the implanted structure is receivable therein. The tip body distal end includes a segment tapering toward a leading edge. A disrupter element, such as a plurality of helices, is disposed along the outer surface of the tip body distal end. The disruptor element is configured for non-cuttingly disrupting the obstruction as the tip is advanced over the implanted structure.

Abstract: A device, method, and use of a device for temporary management of a wound, such as a wound in a heart. The device has a shaft, a blood flow blocking membrane at the first end of the shaft for blocking blood flow through the wound, and an abutment member that is mounted to the shaft and is axially movable along the shaft towards and away from the blood flow blocking membrane for abutting the wound and holding the blood flow blocking membrane adjacent the wound. The blood flow blocking membrane is resiliently flexible and movable between at least a first collapsed state for inserting the blood flow blocking membrane through the wound, and a deployed state for blocking blood flow through the wound.

Abstract: A delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a handle, a first clasp control member, a second clasp control member, and an actuator. The handle is connected to a proximal portion of the elongate shaft. The first and second clasp control members each extend into a distal portion of the elongate shaft, through at least a portion of the elongate shaft, out of the proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and through the handle. The actuator is coupled to the handle and has a first side portion connected to the first clasp control and a second side portion connected to the second clasp control.

Abstract: An intravascular delivery system includes a threaded coil. The threaded coil includes one or more wires coiled to form a spiral coil with at least one thread extending along a length of the threaded coil. The threaded coil is elastically deformable for delivery of the threaded coil to a target location in the body and is rotatable to longitudinally position an intravascular device at the target location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a haemostatic bracelet (1) comprising: —a clamp comprising two branches (11, 12) and a first strut (13), each branch (11, 12) being connected by one of its ends to the other branch by means of the first strut (13), —a compression element (24) placed, when the bracelet is ready for use, inside the space defined by the branches (11, 12) and the first strut (13) of the clamp or inside a projection of this space, the compression element (24) protruding in the direction of the opening between the ends of the branches (11, 12) of the clamp opposite to the first strut (13), —actuation elements (30, 40) fixed to the branches (11, 12) of the clamp so that the ends of the branches (11, 12) of the clamp opposite to the first strut (13) can be spread by moving the ends of the actuation elements towards each other.

Abstract: An intravascular device delivery system includes a distal end cap to connect an elongated member of the intravascular device delivery system to an intravascular device. The distal end cap includes at least one connection member radially movable relative to the distal end cap that is configured to engage with a complimentary recess in the intravascular device.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device including an inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed about a portion of the inner shaft and forming a compartment with the inner shaft, the compartment adapted to receive the valve, the inner shaft and the distal sheath being movable relative to one another, and a handle including a frame having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the handle including a deployment actuator and a hub, the deployment actuator and the hub being independently capable of opening and closing the compartment, a resheathing lock configured to alert a user of a position of the distal sheath and to impede movement of the distal sheath, and an indicator disposed on the frame and capable of showing an extent of deployment of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for grasping, and optional repositioning and fixation of the valve leaflets to treat cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve regurgitation. Such grasping will typically be atraumatic providing a number of benefits. For example, atraumatic grasping may allow repositioning of the devices relative to the leaflets and repositioning of the leaflets themselves without damage to the leaflets. However, in some cases it may be necessary or desired to include grasping which pierces or otherwise permanently affects the leaflets. In some of these cases, the grasping step includes fixation.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including an elongated catheter main body portion and a balloon provided on the distal portion of the catheter main body portion. The balloon is inflatable to expand radially outward into an inflated state and deflatable to contract radially inward into a deflated state. The catheter main body portion includes a hollow outer tube and a hollow inner tube disposed within the outer tube. The balloon includes a contact portion that contacts the outer surface of the inner tube and a vane portion protruding from the contact portion radially outward when the balloon is in the deflated state. The contact portion of the balloon includes a connecting portion that connects the balloon to the catheter main body portion.