Abstract: A color-coded bioprosthetic valve system having a valve with an annular sewing ring, and a valve holder system with a holder sutured to the ring of the valve, a post operatively connected to the holder, and an adapter sutured to the post and having a color associated with the valve model and/or size. For example, the adapter may be blue to indicate that the valve of the system is a mitral valve of a particular type and/or size. The system may also include a flex handle that is configured to engage with the adapter. The handle has a color associated with the adapter such that a user is able to visually determine that the handle color matches the valve model. For example, the handle may have a grip that is colored blue to match the blue color of the adapter. Accordingly, the color-coded system enables users to confirm easily that the correct accessories such as the sizer or flex handle are being used with the correct valve.

Abstract: A method of suturing an abdominal cavity includes inserting a spool of suture in the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a first portion of the suture and removing the first portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes capturing a second portion of the suture and removing the second portion from the abdominal cavity. The method also includes tying the first portion to the second portion outside of the abdominal cavity.

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: A medical manipulator according to one or more embodiments may include: a first manipulator arm with multi-degree of freedom that holds a medical tool at a distal end portion thereof; a second manipulator arm with multi-degree of freedom that holds a medical tool at a distal end portion thereof; an arm base that holds base end portions of the first and second manipulator arms; a movement mechanism configured to move the base end portion of the first manipulator arm with respect to the arm base to change a distance between the base end portion of the first manipulator arm and the base end portion of the second manipulator arm; and a positioner configured to move the arm base and position the arm base in place.

Abstract: A sterility-preserving robotic frontend-system, including a flexible trajectory-guide including at least one force- and/or torque-transmitting coupling-member, a baffle-member separating a sterile section from a non-sterile section, and a sterility-sleeve attached to the baffle-member; an actuator unit having a sensor unit that senses at least one of a) whether a trajectory-guide is placed with respect to the actuator unit in a manner that allows engaging-members to accurately engage an actuator interface, and b) whether the engaging-members have accurately engaged the actuator-interface; and a retainer-receptacle adapted to temporarily accommodate the trajectory guide, and to restrain flexibility of the trajectory-guide while it is accommodated. A packaging-container having an inner sterile volume containing the retainer-receptacle and the trajectory-guide and a method of setting up such a sterility-preserving robotic frontend-system.

Abstract: Generally, abnormal pressures in the sinus cavity can have physiological effects due to stimulation or injury of various nerves that are in proximity to the sinus, including increased or decreased pressure on the nerves as well as extrusion of the nerves into the sinus cavities due to bony dehiscence. Methods and devices for alleviating disorders associated with the sinus cavities are described. Embodiments herein include diagnosing these disorders by occluding or restricting the sinus ostium and assessing the physiological effects caused by the occlusion/restriction and treating these disorders by navigating/directing a dilating device to the sinus ostium and dilating the sinus ostium. Other embodiments are directed to devices for maintaining the ostial opening.

Abstract: A system for treating an aneurysm includes a first double-walled filling structure having an outer wall and an inner wall. The filling structure is adapted to be filled with a hardenable fluid filling medium so that the outer wall conforms to an inside surface of the aneurysm and the inner wall forms a generally tubular lumen to permit blood flow therethrough. The inner wall comprises a blood contacting layer and a reinforcing layer. The reinforcing layer prevents circumferential creep or elastic expansion of the lumen.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a method of configuring blood vessels at an anastomosis, the method comprising: ensheathing a segment of a transected first blood vessel in a lumen of a sleeve so that an open end of the segment protrudes from a sleeve end; suturing edges of an incision made in a second blood vessel to the open end of the first blood vessel to create an anastomosis; and sliding the sleeve along the first blood vessel to position the sleeve at the anastomosis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for occluding hollow body structures, such as blood vessels, and for attaching tissue layers together by providing implantable elements on opposite sides of the structure or tissue layers and drawing the implants together to occlude the body structure and/or bring the tissue layers together. The implants are deliverable in a low-profile configuration and self-expand to an enlarged configuration. The implantable elements are delivered by transfixing the body structure, then releasing the implants on opposite sides of the body structure and drawing the implants together to effect an occlusion or attachment. The implants are configured to apply oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers at alternate, circumferentially spaced locations and may constrain the tissue in a serpentine pattern or in a direct clamping pattern. The implants grip the tissue in a manner that defines a pressure zone about the transfixion aperture that prevents leakage from the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a passageway through tissue includes a dilator mounted to a shaft, wherein the dilator includes a first portion, which has an increasing taper from a first outer diameter to a larger second outer diameter, and a second portion, which has a decreasing taper from the first portion to a distal end of the dilator, and which includes an external non-cutting thread formed along the decreasing taper. Lumens of the dilator and shaft provide a conduit for means to pierce through the tissue, for example, an elongate wire that includes a piercing tip. In some cases, the dilator first portion is expandable to, and contractible from, the larger second outer diameter, wherein the apparatus may include a spreading member configured to slide between the shaft and the first portion. The apparatus may be included in a system with an introducer sheath.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a suture attachment catheter configured to repair a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient includes a handle control, a flexible catheter body, and a suture attachment assembly at a distal end of the catheter body. The suture attachment assembly can include a rail between a distal clamping jaw hingedly attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw. One of the proximal clamping jaw or distal clamping jaw can be selectively slideable with respect to the other on the rail using a jaw actuator of the control handle to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw. A needle can be selectively slideable within the catheter body by using a needle actuator of the proximal handle control to penetrate a valve leaflet and insert a suture through the valve leaflet when the valve leaflet is captured between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.

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

Abstract: A hemostasis pressure device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hemostasis pressure device includes a reusable component and a disposable cuff. The disposable cuff includes a pre-inflated pad configured to be placed at an access site on a patient. A knob secured to the reusable component is configured to control the pressure applied to the pre-inflated pad, providing incremental, fine-tuned control of pressure applied to the access site to achieve patent hemostasis.

Abstract: Systems and method for controlling the bending of a robotic catheter. A control backbone of the robotic catheter is coupled to a linear movement stage by a spring and linear movement of the control backbone causes a controllable bending of the robotic catheter. A sensor monitors a deflection of the spring and the bending of the catheter is controlled based on the spring deflection signal from the sensor. The spring allows passive bending of the robotic catheter without movement of the active linear movement stage and, conversely, allows external forces applied to the robotic catheter to limit a bending movement of the robotic catheter caused by—movement of the active linear movement stage. In some implementations, the robotic catheter includes a selectively deployable tip mechanism for deploying a steerable tip or for selectively exposing side windows on the catheter for increasing traction for clot removal.

Abstract: A transcatheter temporary valve prosthesis for blood vessel comprising an expandable support structure (5?), a valve (7), a filter (12) and a conveyor (6); said support structure (5?) forming a tubular shape when expanded, with a distal and a proximal end, said valve (7) being located at said distal end and said conveyor (6) extending within said support structure (5), from said proximal to said distal end and including a central passage that is adapted to act as an introducer for other devices.

Abstract: Medical devices for applying a cinch to a suture and methods for making and using such devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongated shaft including a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region may define a lumen having a lumen dimeter, and a distally facing end surface. The medical device may also include an outer cinch member defining a bore and having an outer surface defining a shoulder. An elongated inner shaft may extend through and be longitudinally movable within the lumen and the bore and including a distal end section. An inner cinch member may be engaged with the distal end section of the elongated inner shaft.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device for removing clot from a blood vessel including a plurality of ring elements comprising a plurality of struts forming one or more closed cells having one or more crown elements and attached together by connecting tethers at connection points, a plurality of openings through which clot may pass and enter the device, each opening being disposed between respective ring elements. Each ring element can be self-expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration wherein a radial force biases the ring elements toward the expanded configuration. At least one of the crown element terminates in an apex away from a center axis of the device.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus including a basket device including a basket section; and a sheath on the basket device. The basket device and the sheath are configured to longitudinally slide relative to each other. The basket section includes at least two groups of loop petals including a first group having at least two first loop petals and a second group having at least two second loop petals, where the first loop petals have a different size than the second loop petals.

Abstract: An anchoring system is a combination of a nanofiber scaffold material and an arthroscopically deployable suture anchor. The anchor is deployed into a bone tunnel using common techniques. The nanofiber material extends out of the proximal end of the implant, once deployed. The implant also includes pre-loaded sutures or has the ability to accept and lock sutures to the implant. For an implant pre-loaded with suture, the implant is placed into the bone, the material is deployed above the anchor onto the surface of the bone, suture is passed through the soft tissue, and knots are tied to secure the tissue against the bone, sandwiching the material between the bone and tissue, to provide a pathway for cells from the bone marrow to the soft tissue-bone interface, promote the healing response, provide a biomimetic structure that cells readily adhere to, and create a larger healing footprint.