Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and an actuation assembly. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer for selectively generating an oscillation at a first or a second predetermined power level. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes a selector collar generally surrounding the body and a plurality of activation buttons disposed radially about the body proximate to the selector collar. The selector collar is selectively movable along the body between a first position and a second position for selecting between the first and second predetermined power levels. The plurality of activation buttons are configured to direct the ultrasonic blade to oscillate with the selected first or second predetermined power levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for accessing the left heart of a subject. For example, the invention includes a percutaneous inter-ventricular transseptal technique for accessing the left ventricle. In certain embodiments, the invention includes guiding a transseptal sheath to the right ventricle and positioning the transseptal sheath within the inter-ventricular septum.

Abstract: The application provides for an elastic band application ligation device. The following medical device medical device features an embowed inner tube, having a wall and a flat tip, a pusher which is complementarily shaped to said inner tube; and a receiving port, which is configured to removably attach to a device capable of generating suction. Preferably, this device capable of generating suction will be a disposable luer lock syringe.

Abstract: Self-retaining suture systems including a suture thread bearing a plurality of laser-cut retainers are disclosed. A laser system allows the creation of retainers and self-retaining suture systems in configurations which are difficult and/or impossible to achieve using mechanical cutting technology.

Abstract: An intravascular device includes a shaft having a body defining a major lumen and a plurality of minor lumen. The minor lumens are spaced about the major lumen. The major lumen and the plurality of minor lumen extend from a proximal end of the body to a distal end of the body. One or more wires may extend through the major lumen and/or minor lumen.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus may include a handpiece body having a distal tip and a deployment chamber located at a distal end of the handpiece body. The deployment chamber is sized and shaped to hold a folded IOL. The IOL insertion apparatus further includes a deployment system disposed within the handpiece body. The deployment system may include a deployment carriage movable between a first position and a second position within the handpiece body. The deployment carriage may include a biasing element that biases the deployment carriage in a distal direction toward the distal tip. The deployment system may further include a deployment trigger that prevents distal movement of the deployment carriage unless pressed and a deployment plunger having a proximal end secured to the deployment carriage and a distal end to engage the folded IOL.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a support structure which is twistable in a longitudinal direction of the device. A sleeve of filter or occluding material is attached to the ends of the structure. The structure in practice twists on itself in the longitudinal direction, causing the sleeve to twist on itself and as a result to close the lumen through the sleeve. The device provides reliable closure and as a result occlusion of a vessel. It is also able to be delivered over a guide wire. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a wire which coils around the sleeve to constrict the sleeve and as a result to close a lumen of the sleeve.

Abstract: An anchor inserter provides for inserting an anchor into a hole in body tissue. The anchor inserter has an elongated shaft with a first axis and a distal end and an insertion tip. The insertion tip has a driving tip extending distally from the distal end of the shaft to terminate in an anchor engaging interface. A resiliency between the anchor engaging interface and the shaft allows bending away from the first axis. An abutment member extends distally from the shaft and has a distally facing abutment surface adjacent the driving tip which abuts the anchor and allows an axial force to be transmitted thereto. Preferably, the abutment member comprises a collar extending from the shaft and coaxially receiving the driving tip.

Abstract: According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a device for removal of obstructive material from a vessel comprising: an expandable structure sized for insertion into the vessel; and one or more portion protruding radially from a central longitudinal axis of the expandable structure such that a space between the protrusion and a closest portion of the expandable structure to the portion includes a radial component; wherein the space is sized and shaped to be suitable to accept obstructive material.

Abstract: Embodiments of nasal dilators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a nasal dilator has an internal portion with first and second nostril separators and an external portion forming a connection member. Each nostril separator has a generally “C” configuration and includes a first and second end separated by a linking member. The first and second ends have a gap therebetween. The connection member has a generally “U “configuration, and is fixed to the linking members of the first and second nostril separators to form the nasal dilator.

Abstract: A tunneling device for creating a pathway in subcutaneous tissue of a person's body. The tunneling device includes a member having two ends, where each of the ends defines an insertion surface that facilitates the insertion of the ends into the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body. The tunneling device includes an interchangeable handle connectable to each of the ends. The handle defines a grasping surface and an opening. The opening is configured to receive either of the ends. The grasping surface enables a user to securely hold the handle with one hand to forcibly move the member through the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body to create the pathway in the subcutaneous tissue, and pull a cable of an implant device through the created pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical device. The medical device includes outer, middle, and inner tubular members. The outer tubular member has a proximal end and a distal end. The middle tubular member has a proximal end and a distal end. The middle tubular member is configured to be received within the outer tubular member and capable of being rotatable relative to the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is configured to be received within the middle tubular member and capable of reciprocating and also capable of being rotatable relative to the middle tubular member. The inner tubular member is configured to reciprocate and rotate while the middle tubular member and the outer tubular member are configured to be stationary. The middle tubular member is configured to be rotatable relative to the outer tubular member while the inner tubular member is configured to be stationary.

Abstract: There is provided a repeated type organ fixing instrument having a plurality of suturing tools. The organ fixing instrument includes a rod-shaped engaging portion, a suture fixed to the engaging portion, a puncture needle for housing a plurality of the engaging portions. A plurality of the engaging portions are extruded one by one from the puncture needle by the operation of a operation unit main body. The suture fixed to at least one of the plurality of engaging portions is inserted within the inside of the puncture needle and wherein the other suture is derived from the inside to the outside of the puncture needle.

Abstract: A surgical access system that facilitates access to a surgical site through an incision in the patient's body includes a surgical retractor and a fluid delivery or fluid evacuation device. The fluid delivery or fluid evacuation device is coupled to the surgical retractor and is adapted to deliver fluid to the surgical site or evacuate fluid from the surgical site.

Abstract: Described, in certain aspects of the invention, are apparatuses and methods for deploying artificial devices within the vascular system. One apparatus includes a delivery device having a lumen and a deployment member slidably received within the lumen. This apparatus further includes an artificial device having an anchoring element releasably engaged with the deployment member. Such an apparatus can be percutaneously delivered to a site within a vascular vessel, and thereafter manipulated so that the anchoring element attaches to the vessel wall. The delivery device and deployment member can then be withdrawn from the vessel, whereby the deployment member disengages from the anchoring element, leaving the artificial device implanted in the vessel.

Abstract: A noninvasive stereotactic assembly for guiding an instrument to a target within a patient's head includes a head frame subassembly and an instrument positioning subassembly. The head frame subassembly is secured to a skull in the patient's head to determine an X-axis and a Y-axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. According to the coordinate of the target in the three-dimensional coordinate system, ring members, a movable bracket, a swivel member, and an instrument holder of the instrument positioning subassembly are displaced by predetermined angles to guide the instrument toward the target.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and associated methods for delivering stents are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a handle assembly for delivering a stent from a tubular enclosure can include a first lead screw having a first lead thread of a first pitch and first handedness, a second lead screw having a second lead thread of a second pitch and second handedness different from the first handedness, and a housing defining threads of the first and second pitches. The first lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the tubular enclosure, and the second lead screw can be in mechanical communication with the stent. Upon rotation of a portion of the housing, the housing threads can engage the lead screws so as to induce simultaneous translations of the lead screws in opposite directions. The simultaneous translations are configured to deploy the stent from the tubular enclosure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and an actuation assembly. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer for selectively generating a first or a second predetermined oscillation. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes an activator ring and an activation mechanism. The activator ring is selectively movable along the body such that the activator ring is accessible to be gripped by an operator around an entirety of an outer circumferential surface of the activator ring. The activation mechanism is connected to the activator ring such that the activation mechanism selectively moves along the body in conjunction with the activator ring. At least a portion of the activation mechanism is configured to selectively direct the ultrasonic transducer to oscillate the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with splices, loops and inserts that are pre-loaded onto knotless anchors to position the self-locking, adjustable construct at the repair site. The splice incorporates an insert in the form of a flexible strand with at least one barb, or simply in the form of a cut length of suture or braid that is inserted into the center of the cinching loop to create a thicker portion. When the cinching loop is tightened, the insert prevents loosening of the loop, locking in the cinching loop and preventing movement of the loop.