Abstract: Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device includes three balloons that are each sized and shaped to fit within a concave portion of a valve cusp when inflated with a liquid and a shock wave source within each of the three balloons. Each balloon is separately and/or independently inflatable, and each shock wave source is separately and/or independently controllable. Methods of treating calcified heart valves using a shock wave device can include advancing a shock wave device having one or more balloons and a shock wave source in each of the balloons to contact a heart valve, inflating the one or more balloons with a liquid such that the balloon is seated within a concave portion of a valve cusp, and activating the shock wave source.

Abstract: Among other things, there are shown embodiments of internal members for closure of vascular wall or other bodily openings, particularly useful in closing larger holes (e.g. larger than 10 French). Embodiments create a better seal or meeting with a vascular or other tissue wall by distributing force outward from the center, and/or by including rib, groove or hinge features that allow the internal member, as it is pulled toward tissue, to close the hole and engage tissue more closely or firmly.

Abstract: An implantable sealing device is disclosed herein and includes an elongated elastic member having distal and a proximal ends, at least one sealing element including braiding having outside and inside faces. The braiding can include of a plurality of fine threads of a memory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane. The braiding can also include a fixing member positioned at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positioned opposite to the braiding.

Abstract: A gynecological suction module (1) comprising a hollow rod (20) and a suction chamber (10) connected to the hollow rod by a hole (H) for fluid connection, the aforesaid suction chamber being configured to engage the surface of the vaginal portion of the cervix, the aforesaid suction chamber (10) being delimited by a concave wall W defined by an edge (P) having a C shape and comprising an external portion (P1), an internal portion (P2) and two end portions (P3, P3?), wherein said internal edge P2 is out of the plane defined by said external portion P1.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to wound closure devices comprising one or more microstructures. The devices are designed such that the microstructures are able to grip the skin or tissue surrounding a wound, optionally closing the wound, or securing the tissue or skin in place. Also provided are wound closure systems that comprise one or more microstructure wound closure devices along with other components, such as protective covers and wound healing therapeutics. A variety of packaging specifications are disclosed, as is a dispenser apparatus configured to enable simple one-handed application of the wound closure devices. Methods described herein provide for the closure of various wounds with the wound closure devices and systems.

Abstract: A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge, which may contain multiple cut-out spaces or finger-like projections and may be severable. A male locking pin near the free end of one arm is configured to penetrate tissue when the male locking pin is urged towards a mating female aperture near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. Rectangular cross-section alignment guides are provided to maintain clip alignment in the applicator.

Abstract: A method for sealing a tissue opening includes inserting a trocar tube including a folded sealing device disposed within the trocar, and guiding the trocar tube through an opening in a myocardium into a patient's ventricle, the sealing device can include an elongated elastic member having a distal and a proximal end, a proximal umbrella shaped braiding extending radially from the elongated elastic member, the proximal braiding being positioned at the proximal end of the elastic member, wherein the proximal braiding includes a proximal disc disposed therein having a proximal disc thread disposed therethrough such that a user can pull the proximal braiding, and a distal umbrella shaped braiding extending radially from the elongated elastic member and being positioned at the distal end of the elastic member opposite to the proximal braiding.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to methods, devices and systems for rotational atherectomy procedures. More specifically, embodiments comprise a rotational driver with rotational drive shaft and abrasive element attached thereto, the rotational driver being controlled by the rotational controller to rotate at unsustained low rotational speeds and/or rotational direction.

Abstract: A guide catheter is described for introduction into a patient's vasculature, to provide a substantially continuous guide lumen within the vasculature to the ascending aorta, through which one or more other functional catheters may be introduced and removed during the procedure. The guide catheter includes an aligner at its distal region for aligning the position and/or inclination of the distal region of the guide catheter with respect to the ascending aorta. The aligner includes an embolic protection filter. The guide catheter is made of material collapsible/distensible in cross section to adopt a small shape when no catheter is present inside, and to distend to a large shape to accommodate passage of functional catheter therethrough. The cross-section shape collapses/distends by folding/unfolding of material without elastic stretching of the material.

Abstract: There is provided an injector having an improvement in a linear launching profile. The injector of the present invention is used for launching a lancet to provide a pricking. The injector of the present invention comprises a plunger capable of launching the lancet in a pricking direction, an injector housing which surrounds the plunger, and an injector cap capable of being attached and detached with respect to the injector housing. In particular, an inner face of the injector cap is provided with a rib, and the rib and the plunger moving for the pricking are capable of contacting with each other.

Abstract: A thrombus filter has a sheath, a thrombus intercepting net having an intercepting port, and an overfill prevention umbrella being a meshed structure that always surrounds the entire thrombus intercepting net. The overfill prevention umbrella has an umbrella stand and an umbrella surface, and is self-biased such that, at body temperature, the umbrella surface is configured to always converge towards the center of the intercepting port. The thrombus filter assumes a first position when the thrombus intercepting net is released from the sheath, where the distal opening of the overfill prevention umbrella is pushed open by the intercepting port. The thrombus filter assumes a second position when the thrombus intercepting net is retrieved into the sheath, where the umbrella surface converges towards the center of the intercepting port, and the open end of the umbrella surface is constricted to prevent the thrombus from escaping.

Abstract: A safety isolation bag is a pneumoperitoneum device for intra-abdominal, endoscopic procedures, power morcellation and vaginal morcellation for facilitating safe removal of body mass from within the abdominal cavity. It comprises of an expandable and collapsible enclosed internal space (5) having a neck portion (4) with mouth (3) having retractor means (2) and provided with markings, colour coded indicating how much the bag is to be pulled out for the removal of large, medium and small tissue mass, and also having one or more non-return valves (6) attached with long looped threads (8) on one of the surface in the wall of the safety isolation bag below the neck as a means for introducing the surgical instruments and accessories into the enclosed internal space at the right place and to close the puncture hole after the procedure. It is made of one or more layers of flexible biocompatible/medical grade plastic film.

Abstract: Provided are systems and techniques for providing multiple perspectives during medical procedures. In one aspect, a method includes positioning a plurality of cannulas in a plurality of anatomical quadrants of a patient, inserting first and second surgical tools coupled to corresponding robotic arms into the respective cannulas. The method may include inserting an articulatable camera coupled to another robotic arm into another of the cannulas, where the articulatable camera is capable of showing a first view including the first surgical tool in a first anatomical quadrant and articulating to show a second view including the second surgical tool in a second anatomical quadrant. The method may further involve performing a surgical procedure in at least one of the first anatomical quadrant or the second anatomical quadrant.

Abstract: A method of aspirating a vascular occlusion from a remote site is provided. The method includes the steps of advancing a first elongate tubular body through a vascular access site and into a body vessel, advancing a second tubular body distally to extend beyond the first elongate tubular body to reach the remote site, and aspirating thrombus from the site into the lumen by applying pulsatile vacuum to the first elongate tubular body. The second tubular body has a lumen and a length that is shorter than the first elongate tubular body. The pulsatile application of vacuum may cause the distal tip of the second tubular body to open and close like a jaw, which facilitates reshaping the thrombus or biting or nibbling the thrombus material into strands or pieces to facilitate proximal withdrawal under negative pressure through the lumen of the second tubular body.

Abstract: A stent delivery device including an elongate shaft having a proximal region, a distal region and at least one lumen extending therein. The stent delivery device also includes a collapsible frame attached to the distal region of the elongate shaft. The collapsible frame includes a plurality of arms configured to surround a stent such that the plurality of arms define a stent containment region. The stent delivery device also includes an inner member extending within a least a portion of the stent containment region and an actuation member configured to actuate the plurality of arms of the collapsible frame from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A deployment device for a tissue repair system includes a front delivery assembly that is detachable from a base assembly of the deployment device. The front delivery assembly includes at least one prosthesis and at least one driven assembly that actuates the at least one prosthesis. The base assembly includes a driving assembly that may engage the at least one driven assembly of the at least one prosthesis. The front delivery assembly can be rotated so that the position of a prosthesis in the front delivery assembly is moved in and out of alignment with the driving assembly. A kit of parts may be provided that includes a base assembly as well as two or more detachable front delivery assemblies.

Abstract: A fastening element includes (a) a non-load bearing core, the non-load bearing core includes a first biocompatible polymer; and (b) a load bearing sheath, the load bearing sheath including a second biocompatible polymer, wherein the load bearing sheath surrounds the non-load bearing core. The fastening element can be used as a suture, shoe lace or rope. The non-load bearing core has a Durometer Hardness Type A value ranging from 15 to 30. The load bearing sheath is formed from a plurality of yarns, each yarn comprising a plurality of filaments in form of mono or multifilament of the second biocompatible polymer. Each yarn may have a tenacity at break value ranging from 30 cN/dtex to 45 cN/dtex.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are expandable introducer sheaths and methods of making and using the same. The sheaths minimize trauma to a patient's vasculature by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the sheath to accommodate passage of a delivery system for an implant, then return to a non-expanded state after the passage of the device. The sheath includes a foldable inner member having a detached flap structure at its distal tip that facilitates expansion of the sheath lumen to increased diameters, and an elastomeric distal end that reduces push and retrieval forces therethrough. The sheath can include a hemostasis seal on its proximal end to prevent the leakage of blood out of the sheath and prevent ballooning of outer layer of the sheath.

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: Rotational atherectomy devices and systems can remove or reduce stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating an abrasive element within the vessel. The abrasive element can be attached to a distal portion of an elongate flexible drive shaft that extends from a handle assembly. In particular embodiments, the handle assembly includes a compressed gas driven turbine member that drives rotation of the drive shaft. The turbine member can be rotatably attached to a carriage that is longitudinally translatable in relation to a housing of the handle assembly. The handle assembly can include a latch mechanism that when actuated allows the carriage to translate to a proximal-most position. While the carriage is in the proximal-most position, an open pathway is created so that a guidewire can be slidably passed through the handle assembly and a lumen of the drive shaft.