Abstract: Occluder devices for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO) comprise two sides connected by a central tube. The occluder devices are formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The occluder devices include a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When an occluder device is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder device exerts a compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a surgical clip to a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for isolating an atrial appendage of a patient includes a surgical clip that locks onto the atrial appendage of the patient, and a surgical clip applicator that releasably engages the surgical clip. The surgical clip can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The surgical clip applicator can include a first flexible flap and a second flexible flap. The first and second flexible flaps can be sufficiently rigid to prevent the surgical clip from falling off of the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is engaged to the surgical applicator and the surgical clip applicator is in a relaxed state, and sufficiently flexible to facilitate separation of the surgical clip from the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is locked onto the atrial appendage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manipulating and securing tissue are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to balloon folding configurations and methods for catheter devices having dual lumens in radial proximity to the balloon, such as, but not limited to, self-aligning stent delivery systems for treatment of bifurcated lesions. The configuration designs alters the conventional catheter profile by packing balloon materials in otherwise vacant areas located on both sides of the side branch shaft and/or the parent shaft, such that the device takes on more of a round profile instead of the classical elongated egg-shaped profile.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that can be delivered through a catheter to a remote location in a patient's body. The apparatus may include a first structure that can be positioned in all dimensions in a controlled manner and stabilized in that desired position, a second structure that can then position a lumen axis at a desired angle relative to the first structure, and a third member that can pass through the lumen and approach and engage with force (e.g., penetrate) a desired location on the anatomy without compromising maintaining the desired position. The apparatus effectively separates the forces needed for positioning and the forces needed for tissue engagement (e.g., penetration).

Abstract: Suture cutters and methods of cutting suture in a surgical procedure. The suture cutter may include an actuator, an intermediate cannula portion and a movable cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may be operatively coupled to the actuator and include a cutting element. An adjustably sized cutting window receives the suture. The adjustably sized cutting window may be bound on at least one side with the cutting element for cutting the suture received inside the cutting window. Actuation moves the cutting assembly to cut the suture.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention has an introducing tube capable of being inserted into a living body cavity, a manipulating wire movably inserted into this introducing tube, at least two or more clips, and a ligating wire causing the clip and the manipulating wire to be engaged with each other wherein, when the clip is ligated, a tensile stress of the manipulating wire is always applied only to the clip located at the most distal end.

Abstract: In a surgical instrument for applying C-shaped ligating clips having two juxtaposed legs which are joined to each other by a bridge portion and are each divided by a longitudinal slot into two juxtaposed portions joined to each other at the free end of the legs, the surgical instrument comprising two juxtaposed clamping jaws with guiding surfaces facing each other for the legs of a ligating clip that lie against the guiding surfaces when the ligating clip is inserted between the clamping jaws, in order to improve the positioning of the ligating clip between the clamping jaws, it is proposed that there be arranged on at least one of the guiding surfaces of the clamping jaws an inwardly protruding projection which, when the ligating clip is advanced along the guiding surfaces, elastically enters the longitudinal slot of the ligating clip.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member, an actuator, and a thread member. A portion of the elongate member defines a central axis. The elongate member defines a slot which extends along an axis parallel to the central axis. The actuator is coupled to the elongate member and is accessible through the slot. The actuator is moveable from a first position to a second position different than the first position. The thread member is coupled to the actuator and has a receiving portion. The thread member is moveable from a first position to a second position different than the first position when the actuator is moved from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for anulus fibrosus repair includes a shaft, a pair of curved suturing needles mounted in parallel on the shaft, and a rotational driving mechanism connected to the shaft, which is configured to rotate the shaft and the pair of needles about a rotation axis of the shaft. Each needle includes a substantially semi-annular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner periphery, and an outer periphery, and an arm extending radially inward from the proximal end, in which a concavity is formed in the body proximate to the distal end extending in a direction away from it. Also disclosed is a suturing technique associated with use of the repair apparatus.

Abstract: An applying forceps for a clip comprises two forceps legs which can be pivoted relative to each other and comprise, on their sides facing each other or facing away from each other, each a depression or a projection for receiving a clip, wherein the depression or projection extends along an arcuate curve.

Abstract: A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The closure device can include a multi-cellular body portion operatively associated with a first anchor and a second anchor. The closure device can be configured to apply lateral force to tissue of the internal tissue opening for tissue approximation. The closure device can also include an ingrowth material. The delivery device can include an actuating assembly configured to partially deploy the closure device by a first movement, and deploy a second portion of the closure device by a second movement. The delivery device can also include a release assembly to selectively release or disconnect the closure device from the delivery device.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attaching such implants are also provided.

Abstract: A delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a delivery sheath slidably disposed over an inner shaft, and a capture assembly. The capture assembly includes a spindle and a biasing member. The spindle is attached to the inner shaft and defines slot. The biasing member is disposed within the slot and self-transitions from a deflected condition to a normal condition. In a delivery state, the delivery sheath retains the prosthesis over the inner shaft and coupled to the spindle via the capture slot, including a portion of the prosthetic valve being engaged within the slot and the biasing member forced to the deflected condition. In a deployment state, the delivery sheath is proximally withdrawn and the biasing member self-transitions toward the normal condition to eject the prosthetic valve from the capture slot.

Abstract: A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The delivery device can include an actuating assembly configured to partially deploy the closure device by a first movement, and deploy a second portion of the closure device by a second movement. The delivery device can also include a release assembly to selectively release or disconnect the closure device from the delivery device. The delivery device can include a tip member coupled to the distal end of a catheter. The tip member can include a first passageway and a second passageway being in a spaced apart arrangement. A guidewire can be received into the first passageway to facilitate positioning of the delivery device. The second passageway can house and facilitate delivery of the closure device.

Abstract: A needle assembly (10) includes a needle (14) attached to mounting structure (12), and is used to insert the needle into the body of a patient. A depth stop unit (50) of the needle assembly provides a stop surface (58) to limit the distance the needle can be inserted into the body. The depth stop unit may include a depth stop (52) that is adjustable to selectively change the depth to which the needle can be inserted. The entire depth stop unit can be removed from the needle assembly to permit the full length of the needle to penetrate into the body.

Abstract: A suture passer device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tissue penetrator which may penetrate through tissue positioned between the first and second jaws to carry a suture. Further, the device may include an actuator which may manipulate at least one of the first or second jaws and the tissue penetrator Additionally, the first and second jaws may be substantially parallel to one another at any position to which the at least one jaw is manipulated. Additionally, the tissue penetrator may travel along an arcuate path from a first position, recessed within the first jaw, to a second position where the tissue penetrator extends through the tissue to be positioned in communication with the second jaw.