Abstract: An apparatus for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant by way of at least one tension thread includes a shaft and a tensioning device for altering a form or shape of the foldable and/or unfoldable implant by way of the tension thread (11, 11?). In at least one shaft section thereof, the shaft includes a plurality of individual shaft fibers.

Abstract: A medical device includes (a) a capsule including a lumen extending therethrough, a proximal end of the capsule including at least one window extending therethrough; (b) a bushing including a channel extending therethrough, a distal end including at least one arm extending distally therefrom such that a corresponding one of the arms is releasably engagable with a corresponding one of the windows; and (c) a core member including a locking portion and at least one engaging element. The locking portion is sized and shaped to be received within the channel of the bushing to apply a pressure to the arm such that the arm engages the windows. The engaging element extends laterally outward from a portion of the core member such that the engaging element engages a corresponding one of the arms to deform the arms radially inward and out of engagement with the windows.

Abstract: A system precise stent deployment in synchronization with the cardiac cycle includes a cable set having a first connector for connection to a source of a signal that is indicative of the status of the cardiac cycle, and a second connector for connection to a processor. The processor converts cardiac cycle data into a control signal for controlling inflation of a balloon catheter such that the balloon catheter reaches inflation at a point within the range of from about 55% to about 85% into the R-R interval. An inflation pump is provided for inflating the balloon responsive to the control signal. A third connector is in communication with the inflation pump, for releasable connection to the balloon catheter.

Abstract: An embolic implant for treating aneurysms or other vascular disorders may include a cover component of unitary construction that is disposed about the exterior of a microcoil such that it does not extend into a lumen formed by the coil. The cover can enhance packing volume and density per unit length of coil, and can prevent blood flow and cause blood clotting while not risking rupture of the vascular disorder. The cover may also provide a platform for the application of multiple treatments and/or therapies including, for example, functionalized and/or bioactive coatings, drug coatings, gene therapy, thrombogenicity control coatings, and surface modifications, while preserving key coil performance attributes.

Abstract: A cannula insertion tool includes a body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a grip located between the first end portion and the second end portion. The body defines a channel extending through the first end portion and the grip. The insertion tool also includes a slider having a drive member and an actuator. The drive member is positioned within the channel of the body. The actuator extends outwardly from the second end portion of the body. The insertion tool further includes a needle coupled to the drive member adjacent the first end portion of the body. The needle is movable with the slider between a retracted position, in which the needle is positioned substantially within the first end portion of the body, and an extended position, in which at least a portion of the needle extends outwardly from the first end portion of the body.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus or some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter is configured to guide the dilator into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway. The inflator may include a body, a plunger assembly, and locking features that selectively secure the position of the plunger assembly relative to the body by moving along a path that is transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the plunger assembly.

Abstract: A dilation catheter system is provided to dilate the ostium of a paranasal sinus; or to dilate some other anatomical passageway (e.g., within the ear, nose, or throat, etc.). The dilation catheter system may include a dilation catheter, a dilator, a guide catheter, and an inflator. The dilation catheter may be positioned between the dilator and the inflator. The guide catheter may be inserted within the affected passageway to allow the dilator to be positioned through the guide catheter and into the affected passageway. The inflator may then be actuated to transfer fluid from the inflator, through the dilation catheter, and into the dilator. The transfer of fluid may inflate the dilator to an expanded state to open or dilate the affected passageway.

Abstract: A clip unit including: a clip main body having a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a middle portion; a pressing tube formed in a tube shape to be capable of accommodating the clip main body, the pressing tube being provided to deform the clip main body so as to make a distal end of the first arm portion and a distal end of the second arm portion to approach to each other, as the middle portion, the first arm portion, and the second arm portion are moved toward a proximal end side of the clip unit; a locking portion configured to protrude from an inner circumferential surface of the pressing tube on the proximal end side of the pressing tube; and a first locked portion configured to protrude from a lateral surface of the first arm portion.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes a clevis and one or more jaws pivotally coupled to the clevis. At least one jaw includes a slot. An axle assembly includes a bearing axle that rotatably supports a bearing, which may be a plain bearing. An actuator coupling is coupled to the bearing axle. The bearing engages the slot such that pushing and pulling on the actuator coupling causes one jaw to close against the other jaw. The bearing axle and the jaws may be made from materials that are prone to galling and the bearing may be made from a material that resists galling. The slot may include a lip that supports the bearings in a spaced apart relationship. The bearing axle may be less than 1.5 millimeters in diameter and each bearing may be less than 3.0 millimeters in diameter.

Abstract: A medical device deployment assembly includes a retractable sheath and a catheter positioned inside the retractable sheath. A medical device is compressed between an outer surface of the catheter and an inner surface of the retractable sheath. A spring is positioned inside the retractable sheath, and a pusher band is positioned inside the retractable sheath between the medical device and the spring. The spring biases the medical device deployment assembly toward a deployment configuration in which a distal tip of the retractable sheath is proximal to a proximal tip of the medical device.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes an anchor, a sealing plug, a filament, a compaction member assembly, a spool, a stop feature, a driving plate, and a release member. The filament attaches the sealing plug to the anchor. The compaction member assembly applies an axially directed compressive force to compact the sealing plug toward the anchor. The spool has a portion of the filament wound thereon. The stop feature is coupled to the spool. The driving plate is connected to the spool and arranged to apply a force to a proximal end of the compaction member assembly upon rotation of the driving plate to advance the compaction member assembly. The release member is operable from a first position contacting the stop feature to limit rotation of the spool, and a second position out of contact with the stop feature to permit rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is provided with an inner elongate shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion and an outer elongate shaft having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough, wherein the proximal portion of the inner elongate shaft is at least partially movably disposed within the lumen. The system also includes a stent positionable about the inner elongate shaft having collapsed and expanded configurations. The system includes a proximal restraining member removably engaged with the outer elongate shaft and attached the stent, and a distal restraining member removably engaged with the inner elongate shaft and attached to the stent. The system also has a proximal biasing member operatively engaged with a distal portion of the outer elongate shaft, a distal biasing member operatively engaged with the distal portion of the inner elongate shaft, and an outer tube with a lumen movably disposed over the inner elongate shaft.

Abstract: According to some aspects, supports are provided for producing artificial tissue scaffolds.

Abstract: A system for inserting a series of subdermal electrodes into the skin of a patient for neurological monitoring includes a magazine with an interior, a first end and an opposing second end. The first end has an opening. A row of applicators are carried in the interior of the magazine, parallel the its major axis. The first applicator presents itself at the opening in the first end and is followed in turn by a subsequent applicator. Each applicator carries an electrode that is ejected from that applicator when an applicator is pressed against the skin of a patient. The magazine has an actuator that advances each applicator in sequence toward the opening of the magazine to expel them one at a time after each ejects its electrode.

Abstract: A device for retrieval of a vena cava filter is provided. The retrieval device has, approximately, an umbrella shape and consists of a central shaft; a plurality of frame struts, attached to frame strut attachment points on the central shaft and disposed radially about the central shaft; and a plurality of snare wires. The retrieval device has a collapsed configuration for insertion and removal from a blood vessel of a patient and an expanded state for capturing an intravascular filter in the blood vessel of the patient. The plurality of snare wires provides multiple points at which a vena cava filter, particularly one that has become misaligned during deployment or treatment, can be caught. The frame struts can be substantially sinusoidal in shape and made of shape memory metal, such as Nitinol. The snare wires can be made of a biocompatible material such as silk, polyester, polypropylene, or nylon.

Abstract: The device for closing openings or cavities in blood vessels, e.g. in veins or in the heart, said device comprises a closing body comprising an outer side having a partial region arranged for blood flow therealong at least in a part of said partial region thereof when said closing body is in its state of use for closing said opening or cavity. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one layer (16) of biostable nonwoven fiber material, which at least within a partial surface of said partial region of said outer side of the closing body is at least partially in abutment on the closing body.

Abstract: The invention is a method consisting of stimulation of specific new acupuncture points to prevent, treat and heal specific types of neoplastic process in dogs and cats. The specific acupuncture points used in the method of the invention have not been previously disclosed for the treatment of neoplastic processes. The treatments can be carried out by accredited practitioners in a clinical setting or by a layperson. The stimulation can be provided by any of the known techniques used for stimulation of controlling points, including, but not limited to, traditional acupuncture needles, auto-injector needles, electric acupuncture, acupressure, lasers, acupuncture lasers, UV radiation, infra-red radiation, heat, magnets, moxibustion, and a combination of two or more of these techniques, for example, the use of both needles and laser acupuncture simultaneously in a single treatment session.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. The medical device can include a composite cover formed of a deposited metallic film. The cover may include one or more filaments, e.g., wires, which cooperate with the film to provide desirable mechanical properties. The wires may be integrated with the film by depositing the film over the wires.

Abstract: A compressible pacifier having a nipple, a conical protective sleeve and a handle. The protective sleeve has a first end connected to the nipple and a second end which covers the nursing end of the nipple when in an extended position. The handle is connected to the first end of the protective sleeve. While the protective sleeve is in a retracted position, a second end of the sleeve is concentrically disposed over the first end of the sleeve thereby exposing the nursing end of the nipple for use by an infant.

Abstract: To provide simple yet accurate stent graft fenestration, a patient-specific fenestration template is used as a guide for graft fenestration. To generate the fenestration template, a patient's medical imaging data such as CT scan data may be used to generate a 3-D digital model of an aorta lumen of the patient. The aorta lumen may encompass one or more branch vessels, which may be indicated on the 3-D digital model. Based on the 3-D digital model or a segment thereof, the fenestration template may be generated, for example, using 3-D printing technology. The fenestration template may include one or more holes or openings that correspond to the one or more branch vessels. To fenestrate a stent graft, the fenestration template is coupled to the stent graft so that the holes or openings on the fenestration template indicate the fenestration locations.