Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a proximal region a distal region and a rotational seal therebetween. The rotational seal comprises a first component fixedly engaged to the proximal region and a second component fixedly engaged to the distal region. The components engaged in an overlapping arrangement. The rotational seal is actuatable between a non-activated and activated states. In the non-activated state the first component and the second component are separated by a gap which provides for the distal region of the catheter shaft to be rotatable relative to the proximal region. In the activated state at least a portion of the first component and the second component being sealingly engaged together such that distal region is made static relative to the proximal region.

Abstract: A tourniquet assembly includes a strap and a windlass crank attached to a windlass cord that forms a loop that is slidably engaged with anchors that are attached to the main strap. During use, the crank is rotated, causing the windlass cord to twist. This effectively shortens the length of the windlass cord which also pulls the anchors inwardly, thereby causing a similar shortening of the main strap between the anchors and enabling the strap to be used for use as a tourniquet.

Abstract: Prosthesis delivery devices and methods are provided that enable precise control of prosthesis position during deployment. The catheter for delivering a prosthesis to a treatment site in a body lumen typically carries one or more self-expanding tubular prostheses within a sheath. A radially expandable control member is positionable within the prostheses and has an expanded shape which engages an inner surface of the prostheses to urge the prostheses outwardly against the sheath. The radially expandable control member therefore controls axial position of the prostheses during deployment. Thus one or more prostheses may be deployed at a treatment site precisely. When multiple prostheses are deployed, excessive spacing or overlap between adjacent prostheses is minimized. The prostheses of the present invention are often deployed in stenotic lesions in peripheral arteries as well as coronary arteries and other body lumens.

Abstract: A delivery system for endovascularly delivering a prosthesis along a guidewire to a curved implantation site includes a delivery device having control handle and an inner lumen slidably disposed in the handle between a retracted position and an extended position. The inner lumen has a distal end and a tip at the distal end of the inner lumen. An intermediate lumen is slidably disposed about the inner lumen and has a distal end. A relatively flexible prosthesis sheath is connected to the distal end of the intermediate lumen and a relatively stiff outer lumen is axially fixedly connected to the handle about the intermediate lumen. The outer lumen has a length only long enough to be inserted in a patient's aorta no further than the patient's celiac axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a closure device (1) for sealing an incision channel leading through a vessel wall and into the vessel. The closure device (1) comprises a haemostatic material (3), which is contained in the distal end of an elongated insertion assembly (2). The insertion assembly (2), which comprises a stationary part (4) and a retractable part (5) being slidably movable with regard to each other, is adapted to be attached to an introducer (7) being in position in the incision channel, so that the insertion assembly (2) can be slid along the introducer (7) until the distal end of the insertion assembly (2) is in contact with the vessel wall, where the haemostatic material (3) is delivered in the incision channel by a retracting movement of the retractable part (5).

Abstract: A vessel bifurcation wire assist device and related methods of advancing guidewires into main and branch vessels of a vessel bifurcation. The wire assist device includes a first guidewire housing member defining a first guidewire lumen sized to advance over a first guidewire, and a second guidewire housing member defining a second guidewire lumen sized to advance over a second guidewire. The second guidewire housing member has a first directional arrangement and a second directional arrangement. The first directional arrangement provides a parallel arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member, and the second directional arrangement provides an angled arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the first guidewire housing member.

Abstract: The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes a first elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween and a second elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The proximal end of the second elongated member may be disposed adjacent to the distal end of the first elongated member forming an actuatable junction. In some cases, the actuatable junction may be actuatable between a first state and a second state. When in the first state, the first elongated member may be rotatable relative to the second elongated member and, when in the second state, the first elongated member may be fluidly sealed to the second elongated member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a swallowable self-expanding gastric space occupying device and related methods of making and using the device to control obesity. The device has a membrane through which gastric liquid can pass, wherein the membrane provides an enclosure volume separated from the gastric environment by the membrane. A plurality of self-expanding components is contained in the enclosure volume, so that the components expand in volume upon contact with the gastric fluid, thereby expanding the device from an unexpanded volume to an expanded volume. Composite membranes provide the ability to precisely control how and when the membrane degrades in the stomach, to release the self-expanding components from the enclosure and to ensure that the released pieces are sufficiently small to not obstruct any portion of the gastro-intestinal system.

Abstract: Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and the tissue is tightened via tension applied to the anchors by cinching the tether. In general, the devices and methods can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and can be applied through small incisions or intravascularly. A method for tightening tissue by fixedly coupling a first anchor to a tether and slidably coupling a second anchor to the tether, securing both anchors to the tissue, applying tension to the tether intravascularly, fixedly coupling the tether to the second anchor, and cutting the tether is described. The tissue to be tightened can comprise heart tissue, in particular heart valve annulus tissue.

Abstract: A distal protection device that may include a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, a filter disposed on the guidewire, the filter including filtering material and an expandable hollow coil, and a wire at least partially disposed within the coil, wherein the filter is actuatable from a closed position to an open position by reducing tension on the wire and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument including a first elongated member, a second tubular member, a handpiece, a first hub, a second hub, and an actuator assembly. The first tubular member has cutting tip and is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member such that the cutting tip is exposed at a cutting window. The first hub is mounted to the first tubular member and is moveably coupled to the handpiece. The second hub is mounted to the second tubular member and defines a hub axis. The actuator assembly rotatably couples the second hub to the handpiece and includes an actuator. Movement of the actuator is translated to rotational movement of the second hub so as to effectuate spatial rotation of the cutting window. In this regard, the actuator movement is not co-axial with the hub axis.

Abstract: Compliant inserts for surgical instruments having improved traction are provided. The clamping surface of the inserts includes a plurality of short and densely arranged traction elements. The tractive force supplied by the traction elements approaches that of steel jawed clamps.

Abstract: A barbed monofilament and a method for making the same is provided. The barbed monofilament has a substantially triangular primary cross-section defined by a periphery including first, second and third points of said triangle, and further has a plurality of barbs formed therein. Successive barbs are staggered around the periphery of the monofilament, and extend inwardly into the monofilament to a predetermined depth from the first, second and third points respectively.

Abstract: A device to seal an incision in a blood vessel includes an inner member and an outer member. A suture connects the inner member and the outer member. A first portion of the suture is embedded within a second portion of the suture such that as tension in the suture increases the first and second portions are held together.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof; and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: An integral display for a child's pacifier indicates whether it is clean and safe for the child's use. The pacifier has a selectable dial on its exterior rear face that allows the care-giver to select between “CLEAN” or “DIRTY”, depending on the status of the pacifier. Once the pacifier is properly cleaned, the care-giver would slide the indicator to display “CLEAN”. In such a manner, the care-giver would always be aware of the cleanliness of the pacifier and whether it would be safe to give to the child.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument is constructed to an extremely small scale with serrations formed on opposed operative microsurgical surfaces of the instrument by electric discharge machining.

Abstract: A device and method for treating pathological narrowing of fluid-carrying conduits of the human body (such as blood vessels) in an area of a bifurcation is disclosed. In particular, a stent system carries a self expandable noncylindrical stent, which is particularly suited for treating a widened portion of a blood vessel immediately proximal to a bifurcation. A stent delivery system is also disclosed, for delivering the stent such that a larger expanded diameter end of the stent faces the bifurcation, and a smaller expanded diameter end of the stent faces proximally in the main vessel.

Abstract: A surgical thread for plastic surgery operations includes a clear section and multiple sharp projections on either side of the clear section. The clear section is devoid of projections while the projections on both sides of the clear section are inclined toward the clear section. There is also a method of performing plastic surgery operations using this surgical thread which includes threading the thread subcutaneously through tissue and/or muscle and in a manner such that the thread is folded back on itself as a loop or sling. The thread tension is then adjusted from both ends of the thread which extend out of two separate exit points to achieve a desired lift. The projections resist thread pull in the direction of the entry point and the clear section is located at the fold.

Abstract: Inflatable multi-chambered devices are provided for repairing or replacing spinal discs and distracting neighboring vertebral elements. Also included are cushioning devices that may be used in a joint replacement device cushioning system. Further included are kits and systems for making such devices, and methods of treating patients in need of such devices. Examples further include cosmetic augmentation and restoration devices.