Abstract: The present application provides a connecting and releasing structure for a balloon system, a balloon system comprising the connecting and releasing structure, and a method for fabricating the same. The connecting and releasing structure is used for connection and release of a catheter and a balloon. The connecting and releasing structure comprises a self-sealing valve positioned on the balloon. The self-sealing valve comprises a catheter connecting port. The catheter passes through the catheter connecting port and is sealedly connected to the self-sealing valve. The self-sealing valve is completely or partially bonded to the inner wall of the balloon. When the catheter is removed after delivery of a filler, the self-sealing valve is not pulled out of the balloon, and thus leakage of the filler can be prevented.

Abstract: A catheter for actively scoring or slicing a lesion. A catheter body includes first and second lateral openings. A selectively deployable cutter is connected to the catheter body. The cutter has a retracted configuration in which it does not perform a slicing or scoring function, such as while tracking through the vasculature, and a deployed configuration for slicing or scoring an obstruction. The cutter may include a plurality of retractable blades, such that when deployed, each blade projects in a different direction, such as from one of the lateral openings. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention describes catheter systems and methods for accessing the brain during endovascular/neurointervention procedures in the treatment of ischemic stroke. More specifically, a multi-axial catheter system and kit is described that improves the process of accessing a carotid artery particularly in patients having a tortuous aortic arch and thereafter improves the process of gaining access to the brain to enable the insertion of aspiration and/or the deployment clot retrieval devices. In addition, methods of utilizing these systems are described.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for applying a bioadhesive substance to an internal surface of the eye, such as the retina, can include an outer sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, a passageway extending along a length of the elongate body and an opening at the distal end of the elongate body, an applicator tip including an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an applicator portion coupled with the distal end of the elongate body, and a substance supply lumen extending along a length of the device through which a bioadhesive substance can pass so that the bioadhesive substance can be applied to at least the applicator portion of the applicator tip. Some embodiments of the device can also have a source of the bioadhesive substance in fluid communication with at least the substance supply lumen.

Abstract: A method and system of enhancing facial or other body sites that are sagging, including incisionlessly inserting a lumen into a head or other areas of the body of a patient, the lumen having a first end configured to penetrate skin and a superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the patient, and having a first end with a suture attached thereto, a main control unit configured to translate, rotate, and flex the lumen, such that the lumen is steerable around an ear of the patient, and such that the suture remains under the skin of the face and passes through the SMAS, directing the lumen to exit the skin, detaching the lumen from the suture, and pulling taut the suture to elevate the SMAS.

Abstract: Inflation devices and methods for using them are provided for selectively inflating and deflating multiple balloons on a catheter. For example, the inflation device may include a first valve including a plurality of first valve ports and a first valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the first valve ports, a second valve including a plurality of second valve ports and a second valve member movable between multiple positions for opening and closing fluid paths between the second valve ports, and an actuator coupled to the first and second valve members for directing the first and second valve members between multiple positions, e.g., to selectively pull vacuum and sequentially inflate the balloons.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

Abstract: A stent graft delivery device includes a handle body, a distal handle, a proximal handle, a guidewire lumen, a nose cone, a rigid outer catheter, a graft push lumen, a sheath lumen, an inner sheath and a locking ring. The locking ring is switchable between an advancement position and a delivery position. The stent graft delivery device is employed in methods for endovascular delivery of stent grafts.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a handle, an elongate shaft selectively attachable to the handle, a battery pack replaceably attachable to the handle, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. In various instances, the battery pack comprises a power source couplable to the motor and a display. The elongate shaft comprises a processor and a memory couplable to the processor. In various instances, the memory comprises a control program which, when executed, causes the processor to initiate a desired function. In various instances, the end effector comprises a sensing circuit configured to detect a condition of the end effector. The sensing circuit is in signal communication with the processor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.

Abstract: This document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for securing epicardial devices by passing a sheath into a pericardial space of a patient through a first percutaneous access site, passing a guidewire through the sheath into the pericardial space of the patient, passing the guidewire through a transverse sinus of the patient, passing a snare device into the pericardial space through a second percutaneous access site, and capturing a free end portion of the guidewire using the snare device.

Abstract: A filter having a first set of members and a second set of members defining a trap sized to fit into a blood vessel. Each of the first and second members are configured to resiliently extend from the trap. At least one of the first set of members includes a first surface for engaging the vessel wall such that the at least one of the first set of members resists downstream movement within the vessel. At least one of the second set of members includes a second surface for engaging the vessel wall such that the at least one second member resists upstream movement within the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame defining a frame aperture and at least one arm attached to a portion of the valve frame on a ventricular side of said frame aperture. The at least one arm is configured to extend radially from the portion of the valve frame such that a chord receiving surface of the arm is sized and shaped to deploy among a region of the chords of the native mitral valve. The arm is curved, with an interior of the arm facing a direction in which the valve frame is configured to be rotated during deployment of the prosthetic mitral valve apparatus within the native mitral valve and with the arm having a concavely rounded leading edge facing at least partially in a circumferential direction. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are devices for cleansing the internal surface of various body cavities. The devices generally include a handle and one or more cleansing tips having different sets of cleansing surfaces. In addition to removing debris, and disrupting bacterial biofilms so as to make these bacteria more susceptible to various cleansing agents, the devices may be configured to deliver an antiseptic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, or a fragrance to the body cavity surfaces, or deliver UV light to sanitize the surfaces. Methods for cleansing the surfaces of body cavities such as the nasal passages and vaginal cavity are also described herein. Systems including one or more cleansing devices and one or more cleansing formulations are further described.

Abstract: A vascular filter system comprises a vascular filter (1), a clamp device (50), and a delivery catheter (51). The filter (1) comprises filter elements (6). When used without the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) move from a closed state to an open state upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the closed state the filter elements (6) capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava (2). The delivery catheter (51) is employed to deliver the clamp device (50) to the filter (1) after the filter (1) has been deployed in the inferior vena cava (2). The clamp device (50) engages with the filter elements (6) of the filter (1) to clamp the filter (1) in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time. Because of the presence of the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) are no longer free to move from the closed state to the open state upon elapse of the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Devices and methods for affixing reinforcing material to a fascial incision in an abdominal wall to reinforce and augment closures thereof. The device includes first and second arms, each having a proximal end and a distal end extending away from a housing with a length therebetween. The distal end of the first arm is spaced from the distal end of the second arm such that the first and second arms are engageable with reinforcing material on opposing sides of a fascial incision. One or more fixation elements are deployable from the distal end of at least one of the first and second arms to affix the reinforcing material on opposing sides of the fascial incision.

Abstract: A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.

Abstract: A sutureless device and methods for closing a tissue opening that minimizes the labor, cost, and skill typically required is disclosed. The apparatus comprises two anchors that attach to either side of an open tissue wound. The two anchors are connected together by a tie strip; the tie strip has a plurality of teeth and a rack. As the wound edges and anchors are brought together the ratchet system on the tie strip prevents the anchors and tissue wound from reopening. To control the distance between the two anchors, a rack and pinion system and a key or a lever system is utilized. The rack is located on the tie strip and the pinion is located on the key.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system is described. In some embodiments, the robotic surgical system includes a physician-side shaft controlled by a physician, the movement of which is tracked by a plurality of physician-side balls and transmitted to a plurality of patient-side balls, which in turn, move a patient-side shaft and attached surgical device, such as a stent retriever.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure and, in particular, an aortic valvuloplasty, in a vessel for transmitting a flow of fluid. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an inflatable perfusion balloon supported by the shaft and including an internal passage for permitting the fluid flow in the vessel while the perfusion balloon is in an inflated condition, and a valve for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. The valve may be connected to the shaft, or may comprise an elongated tube partially connected to the balloon. The balloon may comprise a plurality of cells in a single cross-section, each cell including a neck, and the valve may be positioned in a space between the shaft and the necks for controlling the fluid flow within the passage. A connector may also be provided to control the position of the valve.