Abstract: A surgical tool arrangement for performing endoscopic surgical procedures which includes a powered handpiece and a surgical cutting accessory which detachably connects to the handpiece. The cutting accessory incorporates a cutting head for resecting tissue and a suction arrangement at the distal end of the cutting accessory closely adjacent the cutting head which suction arrangement serves to evacuate tissue from the surgical site and additionally serves as a cleaning mechanism for the surgical cutting accessory. The accessory additionally incorporates a bearing arrangement for supporting the cutting element as same rotates within the housing element.

Abstract: Delivery devices for delivering encircling implants can include two separate limbs that are held together at a distal articulation by the implant being delivered. The implant can comprise a suture and/or a braided tube. The implant can extend through or over the limbs. The implant and at least a distal portion of the limbs can be compressible into a delivery shape that allows for advancement through the lumen of a delivery catheter. When the distal portion of the limbs move out of the delivery catheter, the limbs and implant can resiliently assume a loop shape that is complementary to a shape of a target around which the encircling implant is to be placed. The limbs are then retracted from along the implant to leave the implant in the desired delivery position. The delivery device can be used to place encircling implants around the heart or other targets, and the implant can be tightened to exert compressive force on the target.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with a collection chamber located between a seal and a cap. The seal is located distal from the collection chamber, and the cap is located proximal from the collection chamber. The seal may be opened and closed to alternately allow the passage of material into the collection chamber and prevent fluid from escaping from the shaft lumen. The cap may be opened and closed to allow the removal of a mass from the collection chamber and to prevent fluid from escaping during collection of the mass.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal device for treating obesity includes a three-dimensional porous structure configurable between a compressed pre-deployment configuration to facilitate delivery and an expanded post-deployment configuration. The porous structure includes a first opening at its proximal end and a larger second opening at its distal end. The porous structure also includes a sleeve coupled to its distal end. Optionally, the device further includes a suture at the proximal end of the wire mesh structure to facilitate retrieval and an anti-migration component positioned at the junction of the porous structure with the sleeve. The porous structure is deployed in a patient's stomach such that the anti-migration component sits proximal to the patient's pylorus and prevents migration of the entirety of the device into and through the pylorus. The sleeve extends through the pylorus, into the duodenum and ends in the duodenum or jejunum.

Abstract: A guide wire, for use, for example, in guiding an elongated catheter through an artery or vein of a mammalian body having a stenosis and/or an occlusion therein, includes an elongated conductor having a longitudinal dimension, a proximal end and a distal end. The guide wire further includes an insulator overlying the elongated conductor. The insulator exposes a portion of the longitudinal dimension of the elongated conductor to form an electrode. The elongated conductor is arranged to be connected to a source of high voltage pulses to cause electrical arcs at the electrode that in turn form steam bubbles and shock waves to break the stenosis and/or open the occlusion and permit the guide wire to pass there through. Other embodiments are directed to a system including the guide wire and a method of using the guide wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides for implant device delivery apparatuses and related methods of use. The delivery systems of the present invention incorporate a stretch resistant tube that advantageously makes the implant device, such as an embolic coil, stretch resistant while a delivery system is being used to position the implant device at a desired target site.

Abstract: An aortic graft assembly includes a tubular component that defines a wall aperture having a proximal end that extends perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component, and a tunnel graft connected to the wall of the tubular aortic component and extending from the wall aperture toward a proximal end of the tubular aortic component. The method for delivery of the aortic graft assembly includes delivering the aortic graft assembly through the wall aperture and into interfering relation with the tunnel graft.

Abstract: A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.

Abstract: Disclosed are nozzles and nozzle assemblies of liquid jet-forming surgical instruments, surgical instruments employing such nozzles and/or nozzle assemblies, and methods of fabricating the nozzle assemblies in forming surgical instruments. Also, disclosed are liquid jet-forming surgical instruments including both liquid jet-forming nozzles and optional evacuation lumens, which when provided can be configured to receive the liquid jet and evacuate the liquid forming the liquid jet. Certain embodiments of such surgical instruments include inventive nozzle alignment component(s) to facilitate alignment of the nozzles and evacuation lumen upon assembly. In certain embodiments, surgical instruments are provided that include a nozzle that is shaped to form a liquid jet, which has surfaces that are optically smooth.

Abstract: Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.

Abstract: Embodiments of a cannula seal are disclosed. In some embodiments, a cannula seal can include a base portion that engages with a cannula; and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion that slidebly engages with an instrument shaft such that an insertion frictional force between the seal portion and the instrument shaft for insertion of the instrument shaft is symmetrical and substantially equal with a retraction frictional force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transcatheter heart valve replacement (A61F2/2412), and in particular an orthogonally delivered transcatheter prosthetic valve having a tubular frame with a flow control component mounted within the tubular frame and configured to permit blood flow in a first direction through an inflow end of the valve and block blood flow in a second direction, opposite the first direction, through an outflow end of the valve, wherein the valve is compressible to a compressed configuration for introduction into the body using a delivery catheter for implanting at a desired location in the body, said compressed configuration having a long-axis oriented at an intersecting angle of between 45-135 degrees to the first direction, and expandable to an expanded configuration having a long-axis oriented at an intersecting angle of between 45-135 degrees to the first direction, wherein the long-axis of the compressed configuration of the valve is substantially parallel to a length-wise cylindrical axis of

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing protection from embolisms and microembolisms in a subject undergoing catheter-based intravascular procedures. The embolic protection devices have an expandable support frame comprising u-shaped members and leg members which facilitate proper placements in a defective valve annulus. The filtering devices expand in the vessels and allow blood flow to continue through the vessels, thereby catching and removing debris of the flowing blood. Also disclosed are embolic protection devices for use with a sutureless valve prosthesis which is implanted via catheter-based methods.

Abstract: A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein from either a femoral or jugular access. The preferred system includes an introducer and a push-rod with a spline member disposed along the push-rod and a pusher member disposed on a distal end. The spline member has a main body, first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor members of the filter during delivery via the introducer. In an alternative embodiment, a preferred filter includes first and second filter structures diverging in opposite directions. A link is connected to portions of each of the first and second filter structures so that each filter structure can be independently collapsed into a generally cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly detaching an implant and for locating the detachment zone of a detachable implant. A sensor determines a sudden change in the local environment as the sensor passes from within a microcatheter to being exposed to the vasculature. The sensor may be a temperature sensor, ultrasonic sensor, pressure sensor or the like. If the detachable implant assembly uses a heater coil to detach the implant, the heater coil may be used as a sensor. Additionally, the implant itself may be used as a sensor if a change in electrical resistance is detectable as the implant exits the microcatheter and changes shape.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention include a method of securing tissue using a filamentary construct, the method including the steps of passing a length of filament through or around tissue; implanting a filamentary sleeve, formed of filament, into tissue; and passing at least a portion of the length of filament at least partially through the filamentary sleeve to form a one-way cleat. The present invention also provides for various devices, systems, assemblies, kits and methods of use, assembly and manufacture thereof.

Abstract: A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters. The first catheter has a first shaft, a first expandable member adjacent the distal end of the first shaft, an auxiliary expandable member disposed under the first expandable member, and a first radially expandable stent disposed over both the first expandable member and the auxiliary expandable member. The second delivery catheter has a second shaft, and a second expandable member adjacent the distal end of the second shaft. A portion of the second catheter is disposed under a portion of the first stent, and a portion of the second delivery catheter passes through a side hole in the first stent. The first stent is crimped over the first and second catheters such that the first stent remains attached to the first and the second catheters during advancement of the catheters through a blood vessel.