Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide devices and methods for treating various target sites, such as vascular abnormalities. For example, a medical device according to one embodiment includes at least one layer of a fabric of braided strands having proximal and distal ends and a central axis extending therebetween. The medical device has an expanded configuration a generally frustroconical shaped portion at each end. The medical device is configured to be constrained to a reduced configuration for delivery through a diagnostic catheter and to at least partially return, when unconstrained, towards the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A medical device enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device includes an elongate member, a mechanism, and an actuator. The mechanism is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and coupled to the mechanism for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices for treating bodily disorders local and distally to a region of implantation are disclosed. The devices include a body structure including an active agent, erodable particles acting as a carrier of the active agent, and an erodable binder. The binder releasably binds the particles together such that after implantation the binder erodes to release the particles.

Abstract: A tunneler device is provided. The tunneler device includes a handle formed on a proximal end thereof configured for operable engagement by a user, a shaft extending distally from the handle, a collet supported on the distal end of the shaft, the collet including a plurality of distally extending fingers defining a longitudinal opening, the opening being configured to receive an end of a catheter tube and a connector configured for operable engagement with the collet, wherein the connector is configured to bias the fingers of the collet radially inward upon engagement of the connector with the collet.

Abstract: A tool for minimally invasive surgery includes a main shaft, a first control shaft and a second control shaft, a first actuating shaft and a second actuating shaft, an adjustment handle, an end effector, a pitch control part, a first yaw control part and a second yaw control part, a pitch actuating part, a first yaw actuating part and a second yaw actuating part, and a pitch cable, a first yaw cable and a second yaw cable.

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: A vascular closure system includes a body portion, an anchor, a suture carrying portion, and a plurality of needles. The body portion has a distal end surface. The anchor is positionable through a vessel puncture in a vessel wall of a vessel. The anchor defines a vessel contact surface, wherein withdrawal of the anchor captures a portion of the vessel wall between the vessel contact surface and the distal end surface. The suture carrying portion is positionable through the vessel puncture and carries at least one suture member. The plurality of needles extend through the portion of the vessel wall adjacent to the vessel puncture and are configured to connect to the at least one suture member. Withdrawal of the plurality of needles through the portion of the vessel wall positions the at least one suture member through the portion of the vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure clip. The clips of the present invention include two closure members joined by at least two spaced central connecting members. Each of the at least two spaced central connecting members is attached to each closure member at a location on the periphery of the closure member. The clips are designed such that the at least two central connecting members extend through the inclined PFO tunnel and the two closure members compress the overlapping layers of septal tissue, i.e. septum primum and septum secundum, together to close the PFO tunnel. The clips of the present invention take various forms depending, in part, upon the distribution of force required to close a given PFO. Thus, in some embodiments, the closure members include arcuate peaks. In other embodiments, the closure members include loops. In still other embodiments, the closure members include prongs.

Abstract: An introducer assembly (100) including at its distal end a dilator tip (20) and an inner catheter for supporting an implantable medical device (1) for deployment, is provided with a plurality of strut elements (102, 202) extending from the dilator tip (20) to the proximal end of the medical device (1). The strut elements (102, 202) act to apply both a pulling and a pushing force against the proximal end of the medical device (1), having the effect of assisting in the correct positioning of the proximal end of the medical device in a patient's lumen, particularly where this is curved such as with the aortic arch. The strut elements (102, 202) form part of the introducer assembly and are removed from the patient following the deployment procedure. The device avoids the need for bare stents at the end of a stent graft.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a stent is provided for use in blood vessels with blockage near or in a bifurcation. The stent includes a side aperture. The stent is inserted into one of the daughter branches of the bifurcation and positioned with the use of markers. The stent is then expanded so as to support the wall of the blood vessel while allowing the blood to continue to flow to both daughter branches.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vaginal manipulator configured to be inserted through a vaginal opening. The vaginal manipulator includes an elongated portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongated portion has an actuating mechanism. The vaginal manipulator further includes a head portion extending from the distal end portion of the elongated portion. The head portion includes a linear piercing member. The piercing member is configured to temporarily help retain a bodily implant proximate an outer surface of a vaginal wall. The piercing member is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the head portion. Further, the actuating mechanism is operatively coupled to the piercing member and is configured to move the piercing member from its retracted position to its extended position.

Abstract: A stylet for inserting an electrode array into a cochlea includes a first sensor insertable within a lumen of the electrode array and sensitive to force applied by a lumen wall to the first sensor and a first actuator adapted to move the electrode array in response to the force sensed by the first sensor.

Abstract: A balloon catheter device includes a multifilar tube shaft having a shaft lumen. A shaft lumen coating is provided on a surface of the multifilar tube shaft and extends from a proximal end of the multifilar tube shaft and terminates before a distal end of the multifilar tube shaft. An inflation balloon is disposed at the distal end of the multifilar tube shaft such that the shaft lumen coating and the inflation balloon form a continuously sealed length of the shaft lumen. The shaft lumen defines an inflation lumen that is in fluid communication with an interior space of the inflation balloon.

Abstract: A delivery system may include a stent-graft, a locking member, and one or more diameter reducing members. The stent-graft may include a tubular graft comprising first and second longitudinally extending sides disposed opposite each other and connected at a tangent line. When the locking member is in a locked position, the locking member restrains a surface of the graft against the cannula. The first diameter reducing member may be slidably connected to a first portion of the graft that is disposed proximate the tangent line and may be slidably connected to a second portion of the graft that is spaced circumferentially away from the tangent line. When the first diameter reducing member is in a restrained position, the second portion of the graft is drawn toward the first portion of the graft and the proximal portion of the stent-graft has a reduced diameter configuration with at least two lobes.

Abstract: Suture constructs and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. One exemplary embodiment of a construct includes a first limb, a second limb, a coaxial region, and a collapsible snare defined by the first and second limbs. The coaxial region can be formed by a portion of the second limb being disposed in a volume of the first limb, which allows for a low profile construct that is useful in various soft tissue repair procedures. The construct can be configured to be disposed in tissue to draw the tissue toward bone, and the coaxial region can be deconstructed so that the first and second limbs can be used to help secure the desired location of the tissue with respect to the bone. Various features of the construct and methods for using the same in a surgical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating deployment of a an implantable medical device includes a control member (20) having at least one tine member (35-37). A proximal region (35b-37b) of at least one of the tine members (35-37) is configured to engage an associated portion of a stent (60). In use, the control member (20) comprises a contracted delivery configuration in which the proximal region of the at least one of the tine member (35-37) is radially contracted, to radially constrain the associated portion of the stent (60). The control member (20) also comprises an expanded configuration in which the proximal region of the at least one of the tine member (35-37) expands radially outward relative to the central longitudinal axis to allow the stent to engage a body passage.

Abstract: A hand-held, power operated debridement tool (2000) includes a rotary disk knife blade (2300) with a cutting edge (2360) on an outer peripheral edge (2362) of the knife blade, the cutting edge defining a cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade. The debridement tool further includes an annular skin guide (2700) including an outer wall (2716) defining a skin contact surface (2720) disposed above the cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade and positioned radially inwardly of the disk knife blade cutting edge to receive and direct an excised layer of skin tissue (EST) cut by the disk knife blade upwardly away from the blade cutting edge. The debridement tool additionally includes an axially adjustable depth gauge (2620) including a depth gauge plate (2622) disposed above the cutting plane of the disk knife blade and positioned radially outwardly of the cutting edge of the disk knife blade.

Abstract: A music pacifier (100) includes a pacifier frame (101) and a nipple (102) which locates at the one side of the frame and a container (106) locates on the other side of the frame. Within the container (106), there is a music IC & power supply (108), an insulating house (109), and a vibrating transducer (110). The insulating house (109) made of soft material is used to insulate the vibration produced. The vibrating transducer (110) is used to convert the pre-stored music into vibration. It locates in the above-mentioned house and connects with the above-mentioned music IC. There is also a vibrating tongue (111) which is used to pass the vibration produced by the above-mentioned vibrating transducer to an infant's jaw, including a contacting part (114) of the above-mentioned vibrating transducer which locates in the above-mentioned house as well as a tongue (113) which protrudes from the above-mentioned house and extends into the above-mentioned nipple.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon system for facilitating weight loss in a human or animal patient generally includes a flexible shell suitable for placement in a digestive track of a patient and capable of being inflated with a fluid. The system further includes a valve mechanism coupled to the shell, an actuator for opening the valve mechanism to effect release of fluid from the shell, and a remote control device capable of sending a signal from outside the patient to the actuator in order to effectuate deflation of the shell in vivo and without surgical intervention.

Abstract: A diagnostic device (10) for pathologies of tubular anatomical structures comprises a tubular elongated structure (12, 28) developing between a proximal end and a distal end and is adapted to be inserted in the tubular anatomical structure, means (22) for locally dilating the walls of the tubular anatomical structure being associated with the distal end of said elongated structure, said means for locally dilating being movable between a closed position for introducing the device and at least one open position for viewing and evaluating the pathology, and control means being associated with the proximal end of the elongated structure, said control means being operatively connected to said means for locally dilating, in order to move them between the closed position and the open position, and vice versa.