Abstract: A nipple simulating the shape, surface geometry and function of a woman's breast is provided. The nipple has a stem and a base. The base has an areola region and a bulbous region. The areola region is positioned between the stem and the bulbous region, and can simulate the areola of a woman's breast. The bulbous region can simulate the region of a woman's breast surrounding the areola. The areola region has a texture or surface geometry that is different from the texture or surface geometry of the stem or bulbous region.

Abstract: An endoluminal catheterization device for providing protection against distal embolization of atherosclerotic debris and thrombi emboli resulting from an endoluminal catheterization procedure. The device is adapted to the new TAVI/PAVI methods to prevent the severe risk of brain embolization and stroke. The embolization protection device may also be an integral part of any other intra-luminal treatment or diagnostic device that may induce embolization, such as a balloon, stent, TAVI or atherectomy.

Abstract: Provided herein are a system and method for detaching a therapeutic device, e.g. an embolic coil, from a delivery tube at a target site in a patient's body. The system includes a bead disposed against a distal end of the therapeutic device that retains the therapeutic device to the delivery tube in a first compressed configuration through a series of connectors. The series of connectors include a stretch resistant member through which the bead is attached to an anchor inside the therapeutic device. The anchor, in turn, is disposed against a thermally responsive element comprised of a polymeric material configured to melt or otherwise change configuration to release the anchor, and with it, to also release the bead and therapeutic device. Energy may be supplied to the thermally responsive element through electrical conductors and a resistive heating element disposed within the delivery tube.

Abstract: A fixation device includes a member defining at least two openings, and a suture tied to the member by passing the suture through the at least two openings in the member to form two suture loops through which ends of the suture pass. The two suture loops are interconnected. A method of securing a tissue graft includes providing the fixation member, attaching the suture to a tissue graft, and adjusting the length of the suture between the fixation member and the tissue graft by pulling the suture.

Abstract: A vascular graft incorporating a stent into a portion of its length. While various materials may be used for the vascular graft, the graft is preferably an ePTFE graft. The stent is preferably a self-expanding stent, although it may alternatively be a balloon expandable stent. The vascular graft preferably has a continuous inner tubular liner that extends between the opposing ends of the graft and provides a continuous luminal surface for blood contact that is uninterrupted by seams or joints. The length portion of the graft that does not include the stent has a greater wall thickness than does the portion including the stent.

Abstract: A breathable gas supply apparatus for a patient features a breathable gas supply system and a respiratory mask assembly in communication with the breathable gas supply system. The breathable gas supply system provides a supply of breathable gas to the respiratory mask assembly and removes a supply of exhaled gas from the respiratory mask assembly. The breathable gas supply system includes a housing having an inspiration chamber and an exhalation chamber and a movable structure in communication with the inspiration and exhalation chambers. The movable structure moves in phase with a respiratory cycle of a patient. In one preferred embodiment, the breathable gas supply system includes a second movable structure, which moves in response to a phase of the respiratory cycle of the patient. In another one preferred embodiment, the breathable gas supply system is powered to assist the patient's respiratory effort.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods related to endoscopic surgery, particularly related to robotic surgical operations, provide a tissue stabilizer for endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body. For stabilizing a beating heart during a closed-chest coronary artery bypass grafting procedure, a stabilizer is inserted through an endoscopic cannula and provides sufficient surface area to contact the heart and effectively stabilize the target tissue area. The stabilizer can straddle a blood vessel, such as a coronary artery, which is targeted for an anastomosis. Vessel occlusion fasteners may occlude the target blood vessel prior to the anastomosis procedure.

Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment device comprises a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen disposed therebetween; a dilator having a distal end slidingly disposed within the sheath lumen; a valve assembly comprising a valve housing affixed to the sheath and a valve disposed within the housing between the sheath and the dilator; and a valve lubrication mechanism disposed between the valve and the dilator.

Abstract: A fixed wire dilatation catheter for treating the vasculature of a patient. The dilatation catheter includes an elongated member that has a distal end portion which can be elongated to puncture through blockages within the blood vessels. The dilatation catheter also includes an expandable device located along the elongated member at a location proximal the distal end portion of the elongated member.

Abstract: A scaled head frame positioner and tabletop adapter are provided. The positioner may be employed for any neurosurgical procedure that requires fixed positioning of the stereotactic head frame or ring onto a patient's skull. The positioner employs a generally triangular shaped member with Velcro tapes fixed at each corner. The tapes have measurement markings, such as measurement tapes. The positioner supports the head frame with the tapes engaging means on the frame and fastened back to themselves, with markings indicating distances to adjust the position of the frame about the patient's head. Furthermore, the tabletop adapter clamps the patient with a stereotactic head frame onto a CT or treatment table. The tabletop adapter includes a generally U-shaped bracket secured to a support to be placed on the tabletop. The bracket is attachable to the head frame of the patient to hold his head in a desired position.

Abstract: A medical device including a tube having a coil fitted around at least a part of an inner liner, such as PTFE, and a braid extending over at least part of the coil. A polymeric layer is positioned over the braid to adhere to the inner liner. A portion of the coil advantageously comprises a polymer, such as PEEK, while the coil may also have a metal portion. The polymer coil may extend along at least at the proximal region of the tube, and the metal coil may extend along at least at the distal region of the tube. A polymer coil, a metal coil or any combination thereof can extend along the intermediate region of the tube. The polymer coil can be configured so that the tube is longitudinally splittable with a cutting instrument.

Abstract: A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.

Abstract: Devices and methods for electrode implantation. A first embodiment includes an electrode insertion tool adapted to tunnel through tissue and attach, at its distal end, to a lead, such that the lead may be pulled into the tunneled space as the electrode insertion tool is removed. Additional embodiments include methods for inserting electrode/lead assemblies, including a method wherein an insertion tool is first used to tunnel through tissue, then to pull an electrode/lead into the tunneled space. In a further embodiment the insertion tool is next used, with a splittable sheath disposed thereon, to create an additional path into tissue, after which the insertion tool is removed, leaving the sheath in place; a lead is inserted to the sheath, and, finally, the splittable sheath is removed over the lead.

Abstract: A device for containing emboli within a left atrial appendage of a patient includes a frame that is expandable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section and a slider assembly. There is provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention methods of preventing retention anchors from projecting outside of the native diameter of the frame, thus facilitating recapture of the device.

Abstract: A medical system including an elongate member and an elongate element associated with the elongate member so that a shape of the elongate member can be altered upon applying energy to the element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a prosthetic device through the vasculature of a patient includes a radially expandable member coupled to the distal end of an elongate shaft. The expandable member has an open frame configuration and an outer mounting surface for mounting the prosthetic device in a collapsed state thereon. The expandable member expands radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration to expand a prosthetic device mounted thereon.

Abstract: An endoventricular device includes a backbone and a plurality of segments having a plurality of anchors that are delivered to the treatment site in an inverted delivery configuration within a delivery catheter and when deployed moves from the inverted delivery configuration to a tissue penetrating implantation configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sheath system for enabling access through an opening in the body of a patient is provided. The sheath system includes a dilation assembly having a radially expandable tubular sheath defining a lumen having a first cross-sectional area when in a non-expanded condition, and a handle assembly operatively coupled to a proximal end of tubular sheath, the handle assembly defining an aperture formed therein, and a first thread defined on the handle in the aperture thereof. The sheath system further includes an expansion assembly including a tubular member defining a lumen having a second cross-sectional area which is larger than the first cross-sectional area of the tubular sheath of the dilation assembly and having an outer surface defining a second thread, the second thread being arranged for engaging the first thread.

Abstract: A mechanism for removing a fluid-filled object from a patient. The apparatus includes a deflation tube with a puncture member at one end of the tube for piercing a hole in the object wall. The apparatus includes a retrieval mechanism slidable within the deflation tube lumen. The retrieval mechanism includes an expansion element that is expandable when positioned within the object from a first configuration with a dimension less than that of the deflation tube lumen to a second or deployed configuration with a dimension that is greater than an outer dimension of the puncture member. The expansion element contacts an inner surface of the inflatable object as the deflation tube and retrieval mechanism are withdrawn from the body cavity. The expansion element may be a T-bar, a foldable anchor, an inflatable member, or another expandable form.