Abstract: A treatment device has an arm member having a plurality of arms to have an open state and a closed state; a wire having a distal end connected to the arm member and the distal end is attachable and detachable to the arm member; a sheath through which the wire is inserted; an operator connected to a proximal end of the sheath; a slider connected to the wire and attached to the operator to be slidable toward a distal end or a proximal end of the operator, wherein the slider makes the plurality of arms to be in the closed state when the slider is disposed in a first range, and the slider makes the plurality of arms to be in the open state when the slider is disposed in a second range; and a slider restriction mechanism provided between the distal end of the operator and the slider.

Abstract: A device is configured for closing an aperture in a wall of a blood vessel. An embodiment of the device includes a body and at least one suture element held within the body. A suture capture rod is positioned within the body and is operatively associated with the suture element and arranged to pass the suture element through a vessel wall such that opposed portions of the suture element extend from the vessel wall. A removable guidewire segment is removably attached to a distal end of the body.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel is provided. The device includes pushing mechanism, a shaft fixedly connected to the pushing mechanism, a seal assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pushing rod also engaging the seal assembly, the pushing mechanism moving the pushing rod from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: A system of toggle type suture anchors is disclosed. The plurality of suture anchors is connected in series by a plurality of independently cinchable working suture loops with one working suture loop connecting each pair of anchors in series to form a chain. Each of the suture anchors as connected by working suture loops allows tensioning of the working suture between itself and the prior anchor implanted in the serial string. Further, each anchor includes a loop type locking mechanism to lock the cinchable working suture loop subsequent to tensioning so that the loop remains fixed in size during cyclic loading during joint use. This creates an independently tensioned suture stitch between each implanted suture anchor and the just previously implanted anchor. In total the system as implanted creates a high density, continuous array of anchor-to-anchor stitches for robust securement of soft tissue to bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflux disease treatment apparatus comprising an implantable movement restriction device that maintains cardia in the correct position and an implantable stimulation device adapted to engage with the cardia sphincter of a patient. The invention further comprises a control device for controlling the stimulation device to stimulate the cardia sphincter. The invention can be combined with various methods for treating obesity, in particular methods that creates satiety by stretching the wall of the stomach or fills out a volume of the stomach.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive treatment system includes a delivery assembly; and a vaso-occlusive device detachably coupled to the delivery assembly by a delivery assembly junction. The vaso-occlusive device includes a braided portion formed out of one or more composite wires, a coiled portion coupled to the braided portion, and an intra-device junction coupling the braided portion to the coiled portion. Each composite wire includes a core made from a core metallic material, and an external layer made from an external metallic material different from the core metallic material. One of the core and the external layer has a greater radiopacity and a lesser stiffness, respectively, than the other one of the core and the external layer.

Abstract: A pacifier 2 includes: a nipple portion 3 held in a mouth of the infant; and a back plate portion 4 that has an asymmetrical shape with respect to an axis 36 passing through a center 35 of the nipple portion 3 and extending in a vertical direction connecting a nose and the mouth of the infant in a state where the infant holds the pacifier 2 in the mouth. The back plate portion 4 includes: a main body portion 41; and an extension portion 42 that is connected to the main body portion 41 on either side of a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and connects left and right cheeks of the infant in a state where the infant holds the pacifier 2 in the mouth, the extension portion 42 extending from the main body portion 41 toward the either side.

Abstract: Delivery and detachment system for an implantable intravascular device, the system including a securement wire in a passageway of an inner support tube. Imposed on the securement wire is a controlled friction force established within an intentional friction zone created by: (i) reflow of an outer sleeve through side port opening(s) in the inner support tube and into the passageway; or (ii) the securement wire having bend(s) creating an associated point(s) of direct physical contact with the inner wall of the inner support tube. During delivery of the implantable intravascular treatment device to a target site, the imposed controlled friction force minimizing movement of the securement wire relative to the inner support tube, and upon reaching the target site, a force being applied to overcome the imparted controlled friction force and releasing the implantable intravascular device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a medical device including a needle configured for use in suturing tissue is described. The needle may include a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends of the cylindrical body. The needle may also include a lumen extending through the cylindrical body transverse to the longitudinal axis. The needle may further include a first end portion at the first end of the cylindrical body. The first end portion may include a sharp point configured to pierce tissue. An outer surface of the cylindrical body may define a first recess in communication with an opening of the lumen and configured to receive an end of a suture.

Abstract: A method for closing a wound in a mucosal layer of an organ wall of a patient includes threading a suture thread into the mucosal layer at a first position located on a first side of the wound, threading the suture thread at least once into a muscle layer of the organ wall, and threading the suture thread into the mucosal layer at a second position located on a second side of the wound that is opposite the first side of the wound. A method for resecting a lesion in a wall of an organ of a patient includes creating a wound in a mucosal layer of the wall of the organ by excising the lesion from the wall of the organ, and threading a suture thread through a series passes between the mucosal layer on a first side of the wound and the mucosal layer on a second side of the wound, the suture thread being threaded into a muscle layer of the wall of the organ in at least one pass of the series passes.

Abstract: A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: Systems for delivering prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods are disclosed herein. A delivery system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an elongated catheter body, a delivery capsule carried by the elongated catheter body, and two fluid chambers within the delivery capsule. The delivery capsule can be hydraulically driven between a containment configuration for holding the prosthetic heart valve device and a deployment configuration for at least partially deploying the prosthetic heart valve device. For example, the delivery capsule can be urged towards the deployment configuration when fluid is removed from the first chamber and fluid is delivered into the second chamber, whereas the delivery capsule can be urged towards the containment configuration to resheathe the prosthetic heart valve device when fluid is removed from the second chamber and delivered into the first chamber.

Abstract: Collapsible tube embodiments may be used to promote hemostasis at surgical sites or any other suitable location. In some cases, vascular closure device embodiments may include collapsible tube embodiments in order to promote hemostasis at a surgical site during a vascular closure procedure.

Abstract: A micro needle holder capable of cutting sutures, configured for holding needles and cutting sutures during microsurgeries, includes a needle holding unit and a suture cutting unit. The needle holding unit includes a pair of first plier bodies and a first shaft, where each of the first plier bodies has a needle holding end, a first shaft connecting part, and a first plier arm. The suture cutting unit includes a pair of second plier bodies and a second shaft, where each of the second plier bodies includes a suture cutting end, a second shaft connecting part, and a second plier arm. Moreover, the first plier arms are respectively connected with the second plier arms and are configured to elastically open and close corporately.

Abstract: An elastic band ligation device for treatment of hemorrhoids including an inner tubular member for retaining a stretched elastic band over the front end thereof, a plunger in the tubular member with a handle extending away from the front end of the inner tubular member, the handle for sliding the plunger away from the rear end of the inner tubular member to provide a suction for drawing hemorrhoidal tissue into the inner tubular member through the opening at the front end. An obturator is disposed within the inner tubular member having a rounded end, the end of the obturator and the inner surface of the inner tubular member defining an anti-pinch structure. An outer tubular pusher sleeve is configured to provide a limited friction fit over the inner tubular member, with an external end of the outer tubular pusher sleeve adjacent the stretched elastic band.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a surgical instrument. In some embodiments, The surgical instrument, comprising: a distal structural body comprising a first distal structural segment and a second distal structural segment in serial arrangement; a proximal structural body comprising a first proximal structural segment and a second proximal structural segment in nested arrangement; and the first proximal structural segment and the second proximal structural segment are operable to turn the first distal structural segment and the second distal structural segment, respectively.

Abstract: A delivery system for implanting a medical device comprises a delivery catheter having an inner lumen, a mandrel received in the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and movable with respect to the delivery catheter, and an adapter piece connected to the mandrel, wherein the adapter piece, by moving the mandrel with respect to the delivery catheter, is displaceable between a first position in which the adapter piece is received within the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and a second position in which the adapter piece is arranged outside of the inner lumen of the delivery catheter. A tethering member comprises a positive-locking member adjoining a tether portion, wherein the positive-locking member in a connection state is received on the adapter piece, but is releasable from the adapter piece by displacing the adapter piece from the first position towards the second position.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a shaft, a tool member, and a flexure. The shaft has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion includes a ground portion. The tool member has an engagement portion and an actuation portion. The engagement portion is disposed distally from the actuation portion, and can exert an engagement force on a target structure. The actuation portion receives an actuation force. The flexure has a first end portion coupled to the ground portion of the shaft, and a second end portion coupled to the tool member. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the actuation force is exerted on the actuation portion of the tool member such that the tool member rotates relative to the shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes tissue gripping devices, systems, and methods for gripping mitral valve tissue during treatment of a mitral valve and while a tissue fixation device is implanted in the mitral valve. The tissue gripping device includes a flexible member and one or more tissue gripping members coupled to one or more arms of the flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a shape-memory material, such as nitinol, and the tissue gripping member(s) are formed from a material that is more rigid than the shape-memory material. The tissue gripping member(s) are attached to the flexible member by threading or looping suture lines around and/or through the tissue gripping member(s) and the flexible member and/or by applying a cover material to the tissue gripping device to hold the tissue gripping member(s) against the flexible member.