Abstract: A device for delivering mechanical waves to treat a lesion present in a blood vessel, including a catheter extending between a first proximal end and a first distal end, an inflatable balloon secured to the catheter and being adjustable between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, and at least one mechanical waveguide extending between a second proximal end and a second distal end for propagating at least one mechanical wave from the second proximal end to the second distal, with the mechanical waveguide being secured to the inflatable balloon or the catheter.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an end effector of a surgical tool to a surgical site, setting a desired force vector to be assumed on the end effector during actuation of the end effector, engaging tissue at the surgical site with the end effector and calculating a force vector assumed on the end effector, and maneuvering the end effector to obtain the desired force vector.

Abstract: A blade cartridge for use with a surgical saw includes a bar and a rack. The bar includes a first holding feature for removably holding the bar static to the saw. The rack includes a base moveably disposed in the bar and has cutting teeth defining extending beyond the bar. A drive link extends from the base, providing a second holding feature for releasably engaging a reciprocating drive integral with the saw. One of the base and the bar includes a guide slot. The other of the base and the bar includes a static member extending into the guide slot. The guide slot and the static member allow the rack to reciprocally move from proximal to distal to proximal along a longitudinal axis of the bar. The bar includes two plates and a spacer between the plates. The base is located between the plates.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a device to change the pressure in a chamber of a heart and methods of making and using thereof. One aspect of the present teachings provides a device comprising a frame (for example, a metallic frame) and a scaffold. The frame of the device has a distal flange portion, a shunt portion, and a proximal flange portion. The distal and proximal flange portions can align with the shunt portion and form an elongated first profile. At least one of the distal and proximal flange portions can bend radially away from the shunt portion to form a flange like profile. The scaffold includes one or more than covering layers and encloses parts of the frame or the entire frame. The covering layer provides a barrier between the biological matter and the frame of the device.

Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member, an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, and a needle guide disposed between the elongate distal member and the elongate proximal member. A plurality of needles with a needle tip of each needle of the plurality of needles are orientated generally proximally toward a single opening in a distal end of the elongate proximal member. When the needle tip of each of the plurality of needles is at least partially disposed within the single opening, a portion of each needle of the plurality of needles, proximal a distal end of the needle guide, being radially separated by a distance less than a diameter of the elongated proximal member.

Abstract: An implant for occluding a flow through a vessel may comprise a body member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate rod portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion and a mesh having base layer and a plurality of micro-pillars extending from a first surface of the base layer. The mesh may be disposed about at least a portion of the body such that the micro-pillars extending generally radially outward from the body member. The plurality of micro-pillars may be configured to extend into an adjacent tissue.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a tool that includes a gripping portion that includes a first substantially flat surface and a second substantially flat surface arranged substantially parallel to the first surface and coupled to the first surface by at least one side surface, wherein the gripping portion is shaped and sized such that a user can hold the gripping portion between a thumb and forefinger of the user; and a prying portion that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a shaft portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion is shaped and sized for the user holding the gripping portion to pry scab tissue away from a patient's skin and the second end portion is coupled to the gripping portion at the at least one side surface.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter body (CB) having a CB proximal-portion, a CB distal-portion, and a CB lumen. The CB distal-portion has a CB distal end. The CB proximal-portion has a distally narrowing taper, wherein the CB distal-portion extends distally from the distally narrowing taper of the CB proximal-portion. The CB lumen extends through the CB proximal-portion and the CB distal-portion. An ultrasound transmission member (UTM) has a UTM distal end. The UTM extends longitudinally through the CB lumen. The UTM has a longitudinal taper that tapers toward the UTM distal end, and wherein the longitudinal taper tapers distally from the distally narrowing taper of the CB proximal-portion. A distal head (DH) is coupled with the UTM distal end and is disposed adjacent the CB distal end.

Abstract: The device includes a braided component formed from a network of wires having at least two different diameters. The outer surface of the braided component has roughness from about 30 microns to about 90 microns and the wires of different diameters provide the desired porosity to the device. The network of wires includes a biocompatible shape memory alloy and a noble metal as a coating material.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly and a handle assembly that can be removably coupled to the catheter assembly. A valve holding tube defines a lumen configured to receive a prosthetic mitral valve in a compressed configuration and can be removably coupled to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The valve holding tube can be received within a hub of the catheter assembly when coupled to the handle assembly. The actuator when actuated is configured to cause the tensioning unit to travel along a traveler strap of the catheter assembly moving the handle assembly distally such that a distal end of an elongate shaft of the handle assembly moves the prosthetic mitral valve distally out of the valve holding tube and out a distal end of the sheath such that the prosthetic mitral valve is free to move to a biased expanded configuration.

Abstract: An endoscopic stitching device includes an actuation shaft, a tool assembly, and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes a suture needle and a pair of jaws transitionable between open and closed positions. Each jaw includes a needle engaging blade slidably supported thereon. Each needle engaging blade is transitionable between an extended position in which the needle engaging blade engages the suture needle and a retracted position in which the needle engaging blade is disengaged from the suture needle. The drive assembly includes first, second, and third electrical actuators. The first actuator is operatively coupled with the actuation shaft to cause axial displacement of the actuation shaft. The axial displacement of the actuation shaft causes opening and closing of the pair of jaws. The second and third actuators are operatively coupled with the needle engaging blades to provide axial displacement of the needle engaging blades.

Abstract: An atherectomy system includes a drive mechanism adapted to rotatably actuate an atherectomy burr and a control system that is adapted to regulate operation of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may include a drive cable that is coupled with the atherectomy burr and a drive motor that is adapted to rotate the drive cable. The control system includes a drive module adapted to provide an operational signal to operate the drive mechanism, a monitoring module adapted to monitor operation of the drive mechanism and to determine if the drive mechanism is operating within a predetermined range and an excitation module that is operably coupled to the drive mechanism and is adapted to provide haptic feedback to a user of the drive mechanism if the monitoring module determines that the drive mechanism is not operating within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An endoluminal punch system including a sheath and dilator. The endoluminal punch may include energy delivery system capable of being transmitted from the proximal end to the distal end of the endoluminal punch to assist with tissue crossing and incisions. The dilator may include selectively deployable cutting mechanism to create incisions in tissue that are larger than their basic external diameter. The system may also be configured to reduce the risk of generating plastic emboli during insertion of the endoluminal punch.

Abstract: A jaw member for a surgical instrument includes a structural body including a proximal flange portion and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion. The elongated distal portion includes a base and first and second sidewalls extending from either side of the base along at least a portion of a length of the elongated distal portion. A jaw liner is engaged with the base of the elongated distal portion and defines a tissue-contacting surface. The first and second sidewalls extend beyond the tissue-contacting surface of the jaw liner and are configured to facilitate gripping tissue between the structural body and an opposed structure. A surgical instrument including such a jaw member is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic hair implanter is capable of continuously performing hair transplantation work by applying a structure of a conventional manual hair implanter. The automatic hair implanter (hair transplantation device) comprises a rotating magazine therein, and several needle modules are stored in the magazine. Two pushrods, which are positioned on a rear portion of the device and capable of translational motion, play a role of pushing a needle and a shaft, which constitute a needle module, forward. The needle and the shaft may be moved backward by a spring positioned inside the magazine.

Abstract: A hydraulic forceps system includes: robotic forceps including: a gripper, first piston coupled to the gripper, first cylinder forming first pressure chamber, filled with a hydraulic fluid, together with the first piston, second piston, second cylinder forming a second pressure chamber, filled with hydraulic fluid, together with the second piston, communication passage through which the chambers communicate, motor that drives the second piston via a linear motion mechanism; control device that controls the motor based on a command position for the first piston; and position sensor used for detecting a position of the second piston. The control device includes: an observer that derives an estimated position of the first piston based on the position of the second detected by the sensor; and a position controller that derives a target rotational speed of the motor based on a deviation between the estimated position of the first piston and the command position.

Abstract: A subcutaneous wound closure assembly having a closure apparatus, an insertion assembly and a retracting structure. The closure apparatus includes a substrate having a central axis and an outer perimeter. Radial ribs having micro needles extend therefrom. The insertion assembly includes an outer sheath and an applicator. Retracting structures in the form of sting members are coupled to the closure apparatus. A method of use is likewise set forth.

Abstract: A surgical ligation clip capable of remote deployment through a cannula to engage an anatomical structure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for reducing traumatic injury through the use of ischemic conditioning.

Abstract: A delivery system for an ocular implant includes a delivery tube having a delivery end with an opening and a control end. A delivery device fits at least partially within the delivery tube. The delivery device is configured to contact the ocular implant and control the position of the ocular implant within the delivery tube. The delivery system includes a fluid inlet nozzle that injects fluid into the delivery tube between the control end and the ocular implant. The injected fluid flows around the sides of the ocular implant and out from the delivery end of the delivery tube.