Abstract: A distal protection device for use in a body lumen includes a functional element, which may be a filter or an occlusive element. The device includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member carried by the first elongate member, and the functional element carried by the second elongate member. Motion of the first elongate member can be independent of the motion of the functional element.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various modular medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.

Abstract: An device for occluding a body lumen such as a reproductive lumen which includes an occluding component having an impervious barrier to provide initial occlusion of the body lumen and a permeable body to facilitate tissue ingrowth which provides long term occlusion of the body lumen. The device and the method of using the device is particularly suitable for contraception.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical clip for minimally invasive surgery and to a device for clamping organic tissue, consisting of a first clamping bar corresponding with a second clamping bar, wherein the first clamping bar and the second clamping bar each have, on both sides on their base, shoulders for guiding them into a cartridge, and one clamping bar has a continuous retaining bore into which, in order to clamp the organic tissue, a retaining pin provided on the other clamping bar engages with a force fit and form fit, the first clamping bar (1) is mounted by means of clamp pressing in a cartridge (11), and the second clamping bar (2) with the continuous retaining bore (3) has, at its lower end, an arm (5) which, upon joining to the first clamping bar (1), slides with a form fit under the shorter first clamping bar (1) with the retaining pin (4), thus clamping the organic tissue, or the first clamping bar (1) with the retaining pin (4) at its lower end has the arm (5) which, upon joining to the second c

Abstract: The invention relates to stent-grafts having a continuous anchoring machine stitching and methods of attachment of a stent to the graft material. The continuous anchoring machine stitching includes a series of loop points used to attach the stent to the graft material.

Abstract: Laparoscopic surgical pliers include jaws mounted on a rotating body and first and second transmissions each including at least one tendon including several cables, and each transmission adapted to transmit movement of the jaws and the rotating body, respectively. The tendons of the first and second transmissions are each respectively formed of several cables arranged so that a cross-section of at least one tendon associated with the first transmission has a variable geometry therealong formed by a first arrangement in which the cables are arranged, in cross-section, with their longitudinal axes in a radial distribution, a second arrangement in which said axes are arranged in a first orientation, and a third arrangement in which said axes are arranged in a second orientation, perpendicular to the first orientation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive suturing are disclosed. One suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes a proximal section a distal end, and an intermediate region therebetween. The device includes a suture head assembly having a suturing needle with a pointed end and a second end. The suturing needle is capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to deployment of guides that are adapted and configured to guide the needle around a circular path when advanced by a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle.

Abstract: A suture holding system including a suture and a block having first, second and third regions for receiving the suture, having proximal and distal ends, is provided. The suture is received in the first and second regions of the block, defining a first suture portion, and is then received in the third region before passing between the block and the first suture portion, defining a second suture portion. In this configuration, pulling on the distal end of the suture selectively locks the suture to block, whereas pulling on the proximal end of the suture allows the suture to advance freely in that direction. Suture holding system may also include a second block, being rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first block. A delivery device for implanting the suture holding system in soft tissue and methods for repairing a tear in soft tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A suture locking device includes a suture locking assembly, a suture cutting member, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a first actuator operable longitudinally to lock the suture with the suture locking assembly, and a second actuator operable laterally to concurrently cut the suture with the suture cutting member and disconnect the suture locking assembly from the suture locking device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a subject, including an implant comprising a sleeve shaped so as to define a lumen therein, the sleeve having first and second portions. A contracting mechanism is coupled to a portion of an outer surface of the sleeve in a vicinity of the first portion of the sleeve. An elongated contracting member is coupled at a first end portion thereof to the contracting mechanism, and coupled at a second end portion thereof to the sleeve in a vicinity of the second portion of the sleeve. The contracting mechanism comprises a driving interface that is positioned so as to be accessible from the portion of the outer surface of the sleeve. The contracting mechanism is configured such that rotation of the driving interface contracts the implant by tightening the elongated contracting member. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An occluder for closing an opening in a circuit system can be transferred from a compact manifestation which extends along a longitudinal axis into an expanded manifestation. The occluder has a first expansion unit and a second expansion unit which bear on in each case one side of the opening in the expanded manifestation. Furthermore, the occluder has a first coupling part and a second coupling part which can be brought into engagement with one another, with the result that they fix the occluder in its expanded manifestation. The first coupling part has a region which extends between the first and second expansion units in the expanded manifestation. According to the invention, this region is configured such that it can expand along the longitudinal axis. It is preferably configured such that it can expand counter to a restoring force, that is to say resiliently or elastically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoluminal prosthesis to be deployed at a vessel bifurcation, comprising a one-piece graft sleeve with a branching portion, defining a first prosthesis lumen and having, in its deployed state, a first diameter, said branching portion being reinforced by stent elements, and a trunk portion, defining a second prosthesis lumen in fluid communication with said first prosthesis lumen and having, in its deployed state, a second diameter. The trunk portion is essentially free from reinforcing stent-material (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A stent assembly (42) adapted for endoluminal placement by endovascular deployment for the treatment of a false lumen (10) associated with a vascular dissection. The stent assembly has a number of self expanding stents (35) connected together to define an elongate substantially cylindrical lumen wall engaging surface. The stents are adapted to provided pressure on the wall of the lumen adjacent to and extending away from a rupture. A deployment device (40) for the stent assembly includes a sheath (48) and a retention and release arrangement (50) to retain the proximal end (37) of the stent graft to the deployment device. Release of the stent assembly is by withdrawal of the sheath before release of its proximal end by the use of a trigger wire (54) of the retention and release arrangement.

Abstract: A surgical anchor comprises a plurality of plates configured into a stack with successive plates within the stack being vertically arrayed with respect to the stack. The stack has an undeployed configuration, and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration one or more of the plates is positioned outwardly more laterally with respect to the stack than in the undeployed configuration so as to retain the anchor in a bone hole. A biasing member between the plates in the stack biases the one or more plates toward the deployed configuration. The biasing member can provide a torsional force to induce the plates to rotate and fan outwardly.

Abstract: A valve retainer is connected to an elongate delivery member. The valve retainer is configured to releasably secure a prosthesis (e.g., a heart valve prosthesis) to the delivery member during delivery to a target site in a body (e.g., a native valve annulus). The valve retainer includes a rotational identifier that identifies the rotational orientation of the valve retainer when the valve retainer is positioned proximate to the target site. A heart valve prosthesis can include a commissural post that has a predetermined rotational position relative to the rotational identifier, such that the heart valve prosthesis can be rotationally aligned with the native commissures of the native valve by rotating the delivery member and the valve retainer until the commissural post is aligned with a native valve commissure and the rotational identifier is visible.

Abstract: A deployment device for a tissue repair system includes a front delivery assembly that is detachable from a base assembly of the deployment device. The front delivery assembly includes at least one prosthesis and at least one driven assembly that actuates the at least one prosthesis. The base assembly includes a driving assembly that may engage the at least one driven assembly of the at least one prosthesis. The front delivery assembly can be rotated so that the position of a prosthesis in the front delivery assembly is moved in and out of alignment with the driving assembly. A kit of parts may be provided that includes a base assembly as well as two or more detachable front delivery assemblies.

Abstract: An intravascular device (100) includes an elongated shaft (3) extending in an axial direction and an expandable braided arrangement (110) of a plurality of filaments. The braided arrangement has a proximal end, a distal end (1), and an intermediate region therebetween. The intravascular device can include an endpiece (112-1) located proximate an intersection of the elongated shaft and the braided arrangement. The endpiece can be configured to orient the filaments in a substantially single file continuum. At a junction with the endpiece, the filaments can initially extend in a substantially parallel, non-crossing manner, and as the filaments extend toward the intermediate region, the initially extending non-crossing filaments can cross each other.

Abstract: A circumcision tool having an outer jaw having front, rear, and medial blade passage channels; front and rear pluralities of skin fasteners; outer front and outer rear staple inserts releasably holding the front and rear pluralities of skin fasteners within the front and rear blade passage channels; front, rear, and medial blades, the medial blade having a cutting edge; slide tracks connecting the front, rear, and medial blades to the outer jaw; a cam connected operatively to the front, rear, and medial blades, for inwardly moving the front, rear, and medial blades toward the front, rear, and medial blade passage channels in alignments with the front and rear pluralities of skin fasteners, and in alignment of the medial blade with the medial blade passage channel; an inner jaw; and a vice grips actuator connected to the inner and outer jaws for alternatively retracting and splaying the inner and outer jaws.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for closing an apical hole in a heart of a subject, including a hole-closure device that includes a tissue-attachment portion configured to attach to cardiac tissue around the apical hole, and a collapsible portion coupled to the tissue-attachment portion and configured to close the hole by collapsing inwardly inside the apical hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling inflation pressure and pressurization rate of a balloon during deployment of a stent or scaffold are disclosed. The apparatus and method involve a pressure attenuator for controlling an inflation rate of the delivery balloon.