Abstract: A medical device includes a handle; flexible tubing extending from the handle and having a proximal end fixed to the handle; flexible tip attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing; a tip actuator assembly adjusting the bending plane of the tip relative to the distal end and adjusting the degree of bending of the tip in the bending plane; user operable controls on the handle and moveable in a first, rotational direction relative to the handle and to a tip actuator assembly around an axis causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust the bending plane of the tip substantially and moveable relative to the handle and the tip actuator assembly along a second, substantially linear direction towards and away from the proximal end of the flexible tubing, causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust bending of the tip in the bending plane without adjusting the bending plane.

Abstract: A variable flow stent is described for use with AV fistulas, TIPS procedures or dialysis grafts. The flow may be varied by adjusting the diameter of the stent. Embodiments include: a covered stent having a secondary chamber that functions as an air or fluid bladder; an expandable chamber within an interior stent covering; a retractable jack device with hooks that engage (snag) opposing walls of the stent; and, a stent with a hollow chamber or pocket in the interior stent covering into which an expandable balloon can be inserted. A self-healing valve is described for inflating or deflating expandable elements within the stent and may be implemented using a self-healing membrane. A radiopaque collar may be used to provide a marker surrounding the self-healing valve. If under-shunting or over-shunting occurs over time, the variable diameter stent may be adjusted using a second procedure.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a handle for controlling movements of a transseptal insertion shaft which is suitable for facilitating precise and safe transseptal puncture of a cardiac interatrial septum, and a transseptal puncture system that include a transseptal insertion shaft and a handle to control movements of the transseptal insertion shaft. The handle includes two twister thread half shells, a nut inner and nut outer placed inside the two twister thread half shells, a first pull wire connected to a first side of the transseptal insertion shaft and coupled to the nut inner, a second pull wire connected to a second side of the transseptal insertion shaft and coupled to the nut outer. The nut inner and nut outer rotate in opposite directions to each other when the two twister thread half shells are turned in a direction.

Abstract: A drug delivery device includes a magnet assembly, a coil assembly and processing circuitry. The magnet assembly has a plurality of magnets arranged in a ring. The coil assembly has one or more coils. The magnet assembly and the coil assembly are arranged to rotate relative to each other during ejection of medicament from the drug delivery device such that a voltage signal is produced in the coil assembly when a unit of dose is ejected. The processing circuitry is arranged to: receive the voltage signal; increment a counter in response to receipt of the voltage signal; and store information indicative of the number of units of dose ejected during a medicament ejection.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, a blade, a lever member operably coupled to the end effector, a trigger member operably coupled to the blade and defining an actuation path therealong. A trigger safety member is pivotably coupled to the lever member such that, when the lever member is disposed in an initial position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position blocking the trigger member. When the lever member is disposed in a compressed position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position, wherein the trigger safety member is displaced from the actuation path to permit movement of the trigger member, wherein the safety member rotates relative to the lever member as a function of movement of the lever member to block/unblock the trigger member.

Abstract: A device for extracting a fluid from an ampoule, comprising a plunger body (2) arranged for enclosing an ampoule (3), and a syringe body (4) movable relative to the plunger body (2). The syringe body (4) comprises a piston member (6) and an outer tubular casing (8) concentrically arranged around the piston member (6). The piston member (6) comprises an insertion end (10), receivable within the plunger body (2) and arranged for insertion in the ampoule (3), an ejection end (12) attached to the outer tubular casing (8), and a lumen (14) extending between the insertion end (10) and the ejection end (12). The plunger body (2) and the syringe body (4) form an actuating arrangement of the device (1) arranged to move the piston member (6) through the ampoule (3) during operation and forcing a fluid from the ampoule (3) through the lumen (14).

Abstract: User interface devices, systems, and methods can be used for selectively bending of, altering the bend characteristics of, and/or altering the lengths of catheter bodies, guidewires, steerable trocars, and other flexible structures inserted into a patient during use. Optionally, a housing is coupled to a proximal end of a catheter, and movement of the housing by a hand of a system user is sensed and used as a movement command for articulation of the catheter. Alternatively, a sensor can be coupled to an elongate flexible body flexing outside of the patient so as to alter bending of a catheter within the patient. Movements generated through a combination of manual manipulation and powered articulations are facilitated.

Abstract: A cannula hub includes a shaft mount segment and a cannula coupling segment. A set of coupling nubbins radially extend from the outer surface of the cannula coupling segment. The coupling nubbins are aligned with one another along a helical cannula coupling pathway on the outer surface and are adapted to be received within a cooperative helical groove on a transfer vessel. The coupling nubbins have a protrusion projection distance that is greater than the depth of the groove. When a sufficient rotational force is applied to the cannula hub, the coupling nubbins score the inside face of the groove which increases the groove depth and enables the coupling nubbins to advance along the groove while forming a tight compression fit of the coupling nubbins within the groove.

Abstract: Implantable gas delivery device and methods, systems, and devices including same. According to one embodiment, the implantable gas delivery device includes a porous core that permits facile transport of gas throughout its open volume. The porous core has sufficiently high tensile strength to withstand pressurization without significant deformation. The porous core is generally planar and is shaped to include a pair of opposing surfaces and a periphery. Diffusion membranes are fixed to the two opposing surfaces of the porous core. A gas supply tube has one end inserted into the porous core and another end connectable to a gas source. The periphery of the porous core is sealed gas-tight, either with a gasket or by sealing the porous core and/or diffusion membranes. The device may be used to deliver a gas to an implanted cell capsule or to native cells or tissues or may be used to expel waste gas.

Abstract: Implantable therapeutic devices and methods for endovascular placement of devices at a target site, such an opening at a neck of an aneurysm, are disclosed. Selected embodiments of the present technology have closures that at least partially occlude the neck of an aneurysm to stabilize embolic or coagulative treatment of the aneurysm.

Abstract: A medical clip for holding a medical device. The medical clip includes a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, the first jaw and the second jaw being rotatable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position; an elastomeric insert configured to be positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The elastomeric insert defining a cavity having a cavity depth that receives a medical device between the first jaw and the second jaw. In the closed position, a distal face of the first jaw and the second jaw define a distal opening configured to receive a portion of the medical device through the distal opening; and, a proximal face of the first jaw and the second jaw define a proximal opening configured to receive a second portion of the medical device through the proximal opening.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being applied to an outer surface of an elongated medical instrument, such as a catheter or a balloon (e.g., an angioplasty balloon, etc.). The exoskeleton device includes a sleeve or another element that is configured to be placed over a distal portion of the elongated medical instrument, one or more features on the sleeve or other element for performing a procedure within the body of a subject, and one or more elements that communicate with the sleeve or other element and/or the features carried thereby to enable performance of the procedure within the body of the subject. Methods of applying exoskeleton devices to elongated medical instruments and methods of using exoskeleton devices are also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catheter including a plurality of a segments, each segment having a stiffener extending along its length. The plurality of segments are interconnected with connectors such that each of the segments can bend in multiple planes via rotation of the connectors.

Abstract: A control handle for a surgical tool, e.g., an irrigated ablation catheter for use with a fluid side arm, has a housing defining an interior cavity and having a port through which the component can extend into the interior cavity. The housing has a detachable plug covering at least a portion of the port and being at least partially surrounded by a recessed groove to facilitate detachment of the plug from the housing. The recessed groove may be formed on an outer surface of the housing and there may be a second recessed groove on an inner surface of the housing generally tracing the first groove. The plug may also include a hinge to allow the plug to be arranged at an angled position relative to the housing without being fully detached from the housing.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an outer shaft having an outer shaft body forming an outer shaft bore that receives an inner shaft. The outer shaft has a wire transition section. The catheter assembly includes an exit path connector coupled to the outer shaft body at the wire transition section. The exit path connector has a rigid body section separate and discrete from the outer shaft body and coupled to the outer shaft body. The body section defines an exit path connector bore that receives the inner shaft. The body section has a side exit port at a side of the body section being open to the exit path connector bore. The catheter assembly includes a catheter wire passing through the side exit port from an interior to an exterior of the cable exit port.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed herein that generally provide protection for devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips. Methods and devices are also disclosed herein that generally facilitate use of commercially-available stereotactic systems with devices (e.g., microcatheters) having small tips.

Abstract: A dilator, dilating a narrowed part of a paranasal sinus, includes an end effector, and the end effector includes a pair of treatment pieces openable and closable relative to each other. Each of the treatment pieces includes a treatment surface facing a side on which the treatment piece opens, and each of the treatment surfaces includes an inclined surface inclined to be closer to a side on which the treatment piece closes as a distance to a distal end of the treatment piece decreases. The pair of inclined surfaces become parallel or substantially parallel to each other when the treatment pieces are opened to a maximum angle. The end effector opens anisotropically.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an insertion type drug injection device capable of being inserted into a body for injecting a drug into a skin, including: a main body having an open insert part and formed in a tubular shape having a hollow space therein, a needle assembly formed in the insert part, provided with a plurality of needles, and including a pneumatic port and a drug injection port, and a drug injection pipe inserted into the main body and connected to a drug injection port of the needle assembly, and an air flowing pipe connected to the pneumatic port.

Abstract: A prosthesis fastener applier includes a handle, a plurality of input controls, and a fastener delivery shaft. The handle contains a motor and a control circuit. The input controls are connected to the handle and communicatively connected to the control circuit. The fastener delivery shaft includes a fastener cartridge and a driver shaft. The fastener cartridge includes a plurality of internal threads configured to receive a plurality of helical fasteners in stacked relationship. The driver shaft is operatively connected to the motor, disposed within the fastener cartridge, and configured to pass through respective inner diameters of the helical fasteners. The control circuit is configured to control the motor in response to signals from one or more of the input controls to rotate the driver shaft to cause one or more of the helical fasteners to be advanced axially relative to the fastener cartridge.