Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Abstract: According to an example of the present disclosure, a retrieval device having a contracted state and an expanded state may include at least three support members each having a lumen, a fixed proximal end, and a movable distal end, and at least two members movable relative to the support members. Each movable member may include a first end and a second end and extending distally through a lumen of a support member and proximally through a lumen of a different support member. The device may include a stop located at the second end of at least one movable member to restrict movement of the second end after moving a distance distally during movement of the retrieval device toward the expanded state.

Abstract: A catheter configured to carry one or more stents and having an inflatable balloon for expanding a stent surrounding the balloon. The catheter is characterized in having a positioner for moving the one or more stents relative to the balloon from a first position in which the stent does not surround the balloon to a second position in which the stent surrounds the balloon. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a stent at a desired location in the vascular system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stapling tissue, a vessel, duct, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. The surgical stapling systems generally include a circular stapling tool with a shaft extending therefrom that has an end effector at a distal end thereof. The end effector can have a staple deck and an anvil. The circular stapling tool can be configured to drive at least two circular rows of staples through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby staple the tissue, and the tool can be configured to drive a knife through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby cut the tissue. The surgical stapling system can also include a control system that is configured to communicate with the circular stapling tool.

Abstract: A suture anchor and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The suture anchor comprises an anchor body having a slot formed in the body and a passage extending through the body in a first direction. The passage is sized to permit a suture to traverse the body through the passage. The suture anchor also has a shaft with a sharp portion, and the slot and the passage intersect within the anchor body. The shaft is movable relative to the anchor body within the slot from a first position in which the sharp portion and the passage do not intersect, to a second position in which the sharp portion and the passage intersect. The shaft can penetrate a suture or multiple suture strands to fix the suture or suture strands relative to the suture anchor.

Abstract: A surgical cutting tool includes an elongated shaft and a cutting head. The shaft defines a coupling portion terminating at a proximal end of the shaft, a stem portion, and a distal portion. The stem portion defines a central axis. The coupling portion optionally defines a deflection surface positioned oblique with respect to the central axis and connected with a first driven surface and a second driven surface. Upon insertion into a drive chuck, the deflection surface promotes self-alignment of the cutting tool and the drive chuck.

Abstract: A method for dissecting a submucosal layer includes: incising at a tissue portion surrounding an area including a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract; fixing a thread first end to the area including the lesion, the suture thread including a second end having a needle, and barbs arranged along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends; piercing the needle to a tract wall that faces the area including the lesion and pulls the thread through the tract wall into the gastrointestinal tract; holding a state of lifting at least a portion of the area including the lesion by pulling the needle or the thread, lifting a tract wall at least the portion including the lesion, and engaging the barbs with the tract wall; dissecting the submucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract in the state of lifting at least the portion of the area including the lesion.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical fastening device includes a fastener and a tube defining a longitudinal axis. The tube includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a lumen that extends along the longitudinal axis. The tube defines depressions that may be arranged helically about the tube along the longitudinal axis. The end effector may include one or more ribs extending along the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of embolic coils. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for actively releasing an embolic coil from a delivery device into a body lumen of a patient. Delivery systems of the present disclosure may allow an embolic coil to be advanced external to the distal end of a delivery catheter without being automatically released, thereby allowing the embolic coil to be repositioned prior to deployment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for regulating aortic regurgitation during aortic valve replacement or repair procedures utilize a temporary aortic valve (TAV) catheter and a controller. The temporary aortic valve catheter has an expandable occlusion device which can partially occlude the aortic lumen during ventricular diastole with a lesser occlusion during ventricular systole. Exemplary balloon structures include multiple, independently inflatable balloons which are inflated in synchrony with the cardiac cycle by the controller. By controlling aortic regurgitation, the repair or replacement protocols can be conducted with less interference from blood flow.

Abstract: The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons/bladders. The device may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and/or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels that may be damaged, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be used to stabilize a wounded wearer for, e.g., transportation purposes, or to provide buoyancy. Devices of the invention may also be used as a blood pressure monitor, as a massaging device, and as a breast pump.

Abstract: A hemostatic device has a band for being wrapped around a puncture site of a wrist, securing means for securing the band in a state where the band is wrapped around the wrist, and an inflation portion that interlocks with the band, and that is inflated by injecting gas. The inflation portion includes a first region which stretches when the gas is injected into the inflation portion, and a second region which is less likely to stretch compared to the first region and which is formed of a rigid material. The second region has a micropore which discharges the gas contained in the inflation portion with the lapse of time, in a state where the inflation portion is inflated.

Abstract: Funnel-trap type delivery and/or retrieval devices for Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters or other medical implants are described in which the devices comprise two layers of braid with an axially support member. The support member may be interposed between braid layers or set inside the braid layers but interposed between heatset features. Delivery and/or retrieval devices, kits in which they are included, methods of use and methods of manufacture are all contemplated herein.

Abstract: A sheath of a delivery system is retracted by winding in cords coupled to the sheath. More particularly, a helical reel is rotated to wind the cords into a helical cord groove and retract the sheath. Rotation of the helical reel simultaneously causes a cord feed ring to slide ensuring that that the cords are correctly fed into the helical cord groove through cord feedthrough apertures of the cord feed ring. Initially, due to a minimal diameter of the helical cord groove, the cords are retracted slowly and with a high amount of torque, e.g., a high mechanical advantage. After retraction of the sheath has begun, the speed of retraction of the sheath is increased with reduced torque as the cords are wound around the increasing diameter of the helical cord groove.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to perform a plurality of end effector functions is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a drive shaft which is both rotatable and translatable to drive the end effector functions.

Abstract: Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.

Abstract: A size-adjustable seton (1) for treating fistulae (32) is provided with first and second wire ends (4, 6), which are provided with connecting means (8, 10) for, in a connected state, forming a smooth connection (12); in such a way, the seton (1) is a smooth, closed loop (3). The invention also relates to a method of forming the closed loop using the aforesaid seton (1), and a melt clamp (40) for use when placing the seton (1) in a person (30).

Abstract: A robotic catheter procedure system is provided. The robotic catheter procedure system includes a bedside system and a remote workstation. The bedside system includes a percutaneous device and a drive mechanism configured to engage and to impart an axial force to the percutaneous device and to advance and retract the percutaneous device. The bedside system includes an actuator providing torque to the drive mechanism to impart the axial force to the percutaneous device, and the torque provided by the actuator is variable. The remote workstation includes a user interface configured to receive a first user input and a control system operatively coupled to the user interface. The control system is configured to communicate a control signal to the actuator. The control signal is based upon the first user input and a second input, and the actuator provides torque to the drive mechanism in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An occluder for occluding a passage in a body, especially in a left atrial appendage (LAA), comprises elongate members having a first end and a second end, the ends being held in or attached to holders, wherein the elongate members extend independently from each other between the holders and wherein the elongate members are collectively enveloped by at least one jacket. The jacket restricts a bending motion of the elongate members when their first ends are approximated to their second ends by moving the two holders relatively to each other. The occluder uses an expanding structure which can be easily handled whereby the movement of the elongate members is restricted by at the jackets which envelop the elongate members. At least the elongate members can be made of bioresorbable material.

Abstract: A multi-movement cosmetic assembly includes a housing defining an interior; a drive system disposed within the housing; a sleeve received within the housing; and a drive shaft positioned in the sleeve. The drive system is operably coupled to the sleeve and the drive shaft such that actuation of the drive system causes (i) the sleeve to move laterally back and forth to oscillate relative to the housing, and (ii) the drive shaft to rotate relative to the housing.