Abstract: A filter device insertable into a biological lumen includes a shaft portion and an elastically deformable portion interlocked with the shaft portion, the deformable portion having a plurality of wires braided in a mesh shape. The wires include wires of a first type, each having a diameter d. A sum of d3 of all of the wires is 0.08 to 0.25 mm3.

Abstract: This disclosure enables various threading devices (e.g., suturing devices) that can sequentially send a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) to an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue) or sequentially receive a plurality of carriers (e.g., needle caps, sleeves) from an object (e.g., animate, inanimate, human tissue, organ tissue, heart tissue). For example, some threading devices can sequentially send some carriers in a relatively rapid succession or some threading devices can sequentially receive some carriers in a relatively rapid succession.

Abstract: A delivery system for percutaneously deploying a prosthetic heart valve. The system includes an inner shaft assembly, a delivery sheath capsule and a handle maintaining a first actuator and a second actuator. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the prosthetic heart valve over the inner shaft assembly. The first actuator is operated to proximally retract the delivery sheath capsule and expose the prosthetic heart valve relative to the capsule. The second actuator is operated to proximally retract the prosthetic heart valve by transmitting forces to the inner shaft assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a probe having a distal end insertable into a nasal sinus of a human patient, and a location sensor positioned within the distal end. A sinuplasty balloon is positioned on the distal end at a selected opening of the nasal sinus. A processor receives first signals from the location sensor while the distal end is inserted into the nasal sinus and prior to positioning of the balloon at the selected opening, and generates a first map of the sinus. The processor inflates the balloon when it is at the selected opening, so as to enlarge the selected opening, and subsequently deflates the balloon. The processor then receives second signals from the location sensor and generates therefrom a second map of the sinus. The processor registers the first map with the second map and generates from the registered maps a numerical increase in size of the selected opening.

Abstract: A medical instrument with excellent operability is provided. The medical instrument includes stick-shaped extra-narrow metal members. The extra-narrow member has a hardened layer formed on the surface thereof without losing flexibility.

Abstract: A patient's stomach may be secured to the patient's diaphragm. A method to accomplish this includes visualizing a wall of a patient's stomach adjacent the patient's diaphragm from within the patient's stomach, inserting a fastener deployment apparatus down the patient's esophagus and into the mammalian's stomach, and fastening the patient's stomach to the patient's diaphragm with the fastener deployment apparatus and from within the stomach. The procedure may be employed to advantage to treat a hiatal hernia, for example, either alone or in conjunction with the restoration of the patient's gastroesophageal flap valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implant intended to be introduced into a human or animal body cavity, and includes two walls intended to grip between them a biological protuberance present in the cavity in order to attach the implant to the biological protuberance. Each wall includes a structural element having corrugations such that the structural element is folded up on itself several times, enabling the wall to be folded up before the introduction of the implant, then deployed inside the cavity.

Abstract: An all-suture anchor for generating bone compression and increasing interference fixation. The all-suture anchor includes a fibrous construct which is movable between a pre-deployment configuration and a deployed configuration. The fibrous construct has a first density. The all-suture anchor also includes a monofilament woven through the fibrous construct. The monofilament has a second density, which is different than the first density. The contrasting densities (i.e., irregularities) aids in the “locking” ability of the all-suture anchor by greater purchase in hard and soft bone. The all-suture anchor can have a variety of textures, barbs, and rigidities that aid in creating irregularities within the bone surface for more secure fixation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to cut tissue includes an outer member and an inner member at least partially received within the outer member. The outer member includes a cutting window near a distal end thereof. A driving assembly is coupled to the inner member and configured to cause the inner member to rotate around and move along a longitudinal axis of the outer member. A controller is configured to control the driving assembly to control at least one of an angular position, an angular velocity, or an angular acceleration of the inner member according a plurality of piecewise continuous profiles. The initial and final angular velocities of the inner member are zero, and the inner member cuts tissue extending into the cutting window.

Abstract: A tissue-engaging element has a distal portion configured to engage a portion of tissue of the heart. A guide member is reversibly coupled to the tissue-engaging element. An elongate implant has a distal end and a proximal end, at least the distal end being slidably coupled to the guide member. A tool is slidable along the guide member distally toward the tissue-engaging element while (i) the tool is coupled to at least the distal end of the elongate implant, and (ii) the guide member is coupled to the tissue-engaging element, such that sliding of the tool along the guide member distally toward the tissue-engaging element while (i) the tool is coupled to at least the distal end of the elongate implant, and (ii) the guide member is coupled to the tissue-engaging element, slides at least the distal end of the elongate implant toward the tissue-engaging element.

Abstract: Surgical methods involving cutting and sealing tissue include affixing a first adjunct material to tissue at a treatment site, such as by stapling the adjunct to tissue. A second adjunct material is applied to at least a portion of the first adjunct material such that the second adjunct material interacts with the first adjunct material to form a seal in an area of the tissue covered by at least one of the first and the second adjunct material. The resulting tissue sealing structure, which includes a combination of the two adjuncts, is believed to be superior to the sealing properties of either adjunct alone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an explantation assembly for retrieving an intracorporeal capsule implanted in a tissue of a patient comprising a first tube and a second tube. The first tube comprises a snare and a tissue. The second tube is configured to interact with the snare of the first tube and configured to be attached to the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising containers and silk elements. Disclosed herein are methods of regenerating an at least partially severed nerve cell. Disclosed herein are compositions for regenerating an at least partially severed nerve cell.

Abstract: A tubular braided implant is provided including a braid that can be delivered as a single layer braid, invert into itself during deployment to form at least two nested sacks and include additional braid material that can fill the innermost sack. The additional braid material can loop or coil like a ribbon and/or invert to form smaller and smaller nested sacks. The braid can have a variable braid angle along its length such that when positioned for delivery, the can have a high braid angle near its distal end and a low braid angle near the proximal end. In addition, or as a replacement for the braid material that fills the innermost sack, the implant can include an embolic coil that can loop within the innermost sack.

Abstract: A drill guide fixture may be configured to prepare a skull for attachment of a cranial insertion fixture. The drill guide fixture may include a central drill guide and a bone anchor guide at a base of the drill guide fixture. The central drill guide may define a central drill guide hole therethrough, wherein the central drill guide hole has a first opening at a base of the drill guide fixture and a second opening spaced apart from the base of the drill guide fixture. The bone anchor drill guide may define a bone anchor drill guide hole therethrough, and the bone anchor drill guide hole may be offset from the central drill guide hole in a direction that is perpendicular with respect to a direction of the central drill guide hole. Related cranial insertion fixtures, robotic systems, and methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Surgical methods involving cutting and sealing tissue include affixing a first adjunct material to tissue at a treatment site, such as by stapling the adjunct to tissue. A second adjunct material is applied to at least a portion of the first adjunct material such that the second adjunct material interacts with the first adjunct material to form a seal in an area of the tissue covered by at least one of the first and the second adjunct material. The resulting tissue sealing structure, which includes a combination of the two adjuncts, is believed to be superior to the sealing properties of either adjunct alone.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a pulmonary or mitral valve prosthesis using a transcatheter approach are provided. The implantation devices can utilize movable claspers for both positioning and anchoring the valve prostheses within the native cardiac valve, minimizing the extent of imaging necessary.

Abstract: This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Abstract: A sheath is transluminally introduced a sheath into an atrium of a heart of a subject. A guide member is advanced out of the sheath and to a chorda tendinea of the heart, the guide member having a proximal portion that includes a longitudinal element, and a distal portion that includes a helical chord-engaging element. The chord-engaging element is wrapped around the chorda tendinea. While the chord-engaging element remains wrapped around the chorda tendinea, (i) the chord-engaging element is slid over the chorda tendinea toward a papillary muscle that is coupled to the chorda tendinea; and (ii) subsequently, a tool is moved out of the sheath and toward the papillary muscle by sliding the tool along the longitudinal element. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A patient interface device for use with a laser surgery apparatus, the device including an upper assembly and a lower assembly attached to the upper assembly. The device including a spherical-like object that engages the lower assembly so that an enclosed volume is defined between the spherical-like object, the lower assembly and the upper assembly, wherein a first liquid substantially fills the enclosed volume. The device further including a channel that contains a second fluid that is exposed to ambient atmosphere.