Abstract: A left atrial appendage occluder comprises an elastic closure disc, and a supporting structure connecting with the closure disc and being located on one side of the closure disc, with the supporting structure comprising a central end connecting with the closure disc and a plurality of interconnected and bent struts, wherein at least one anchoring thorn is set near the end of at least one strut with the anchoring thorn toward the closure disc. The left atrial appendage occluder has a stable structure, a good positioning and sealing effect on the cavity wall in the left atrial appendage, and it is easy to position repeatedly; it can also be recycled before separating from a conveyor. When in surgical operation, the left atrial appendage occluder can select the position area based on the actual shape and size of the patient's left atrial appendage, so the surgical risk is lowered.

Abstract: A surgical knife safety device having a handle, a blade connected to the handle, and a guard carried by the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which the blade is exposed for use, and an extended position for covering the sharp cutting edge of the blade. In the retracted position, an enlarged guard radius is provided at the distal end of the handle to allow improved handle control and blade orientation. The enlarged guard radius is positioned to allow the user to firmly grip a large distal handle portion which is preferably molded as a single piece with the blade holder, preventing unwanted blade or handle movement due to guard mechanism tolerances.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading suture needles into a surgical instrument comprises a body, a first movable member, an engagement feature, and a needle. The body has a channel configured to receive a surgical instrument. The engagement feature is configured to open a cover of a surgical instrument upon insertion of a surgical instrument into the channel of the body. The first movable member is configured to deliver the suture needle to a surgical instrument after a surgical instrument has been inserted into the channel and the cover has been opened. The apparatus may further comprise a second movable member configured to facilitate delivery of the needle to a surgical instrument in conjunction with the first movable member.

Abstract: A device for removing earwax from an ear canal includes a shaft; and an earwax collector head at an end of the shaft. The collector head is in the form of a helical strip surrounding a substantially elongated space. The helical strip has a cross section such that an outward facing surface of the helical strip is substantially flat and an interior surface of the helical strip radially tapers to an inward facing edge. A distal end of the helical strip tapers to present a wedge.

Abstract: Provided herein are laparoscopic tissue removal systems, components, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A medical thread insertion surgery kit includes an insertion path forming unit which includes a pipe member comprising a pipe that is hollow and forms a path through which a medical thread is to be inserted and a support member comprising a support rod that is inserted into the pipe of the pipe member and has stiffness greater than stiffness of the pipe member; a medical thread supply unit which supplies a medical thread through the pipe member after the support member is removed from the insertion path forming unit; and a push unit that is slidable in the pipe of the pipe member and pushes the medical thread through the pipe of the pipe member.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for modifying an intraocular pressure of a patient's one or both eyes are disclosed. The assemblies and methods can be used to treat, inhibit, or prevent ocular conditions such as glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, optic disc edema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, zero-gravity induced papilledema, and other optic pressure related conditions. An assembly can include a goggle including at least one cavity, a pump in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, and a control mechanism. The control mechanism can be operatively coupled to the pump and can maintain a target pressure or target pressure range in the at least one cavity, which, when the assembly is worn by a patient, is the area between a patient's eye(s) and wall surfaces of the goggle. Controlling the pressure over the outer surfaces of the patient's eye(s) can drive a desired change in the intraocular pressure of the eye(s).

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. For instance, a surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongated shaft having first and second jaws. The device includes a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A motor is included to drive the cutting assembly, and a processor is coupled to the motor. An actuator on the device is configured to receive an input from a user that causes power to be supplied to the motor. The device has a normal mode in which the processor controls the motor, and the device has a bailout mode in which the processor is bypassed and power is delivered directly to the motor.

Abstract: Ultrasound catheter devices and methods of the present invention generally provide for ablation and/or disruption of vascular occlusions. An ultrasound transmission member, such as a wire, transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasound transducer to a distal head of the catheter to disrupt vascular occlusions. An absorber member is disposed on or around the ultrasound transmission wire at a location adjacent the sonic connector of the catheter. The absorber member absorbs heat, vibrations, and/or the like from the ultrasound transmission wire at or near the area where the transmission wire is coupled with the sonic connector. The absorptive function typically slows the process of wear and tear on the transmission wire, thus extending the useful life of the ultrasound catheter.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for aspirating a biological tissue from a subject. The device can comprise a flexible, hollow shaft and an ultrasound assembly. The shaft can have a central portion that extends between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. The shaft can include a first lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends. The ultrasound assembly can be connected to the distal end of the shaft. The ultrasound assembly can include a casing, at least one ultrasound transducer disposed within the casing, and a second lumen that extends through the ultrasound assembly and is in fluid communication with the first lumen. The at least one ultrasound transducer can be configured to generate acoustical waves having an intensity and frequency sufficient to disrupt, but not substantially damage, the biological tissue so that the biological tissue can be aspirated through the device.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal direction, an end effector with first and second end effector parts, a bearing element at the distal end, on which bearing element the first and second end effector parts are arranged, and first, second and third thrust elements, wherein the thrust elements each extend along the longitudinal direction and are displaceable relative to one another, wherein the first thrust element is articulately coupled to the first end effector part, the second thrust element is articulately coupled to the second end effector part, the third thrust element is articulately coupled to the first end effector part and the second end effector part, and wherein the first and second end effector parts have bearing surfaces, and the bearing surfaces are each held slidably on the bearing element.

Abstract: A medical balloon is made radiographic, such as by incorporating a radiopaque foil or film layer. The radiopaque foil or film layer may be placed between an inner layer and an outer layer of a non-compliant balloon wall. The foil or film may provide the balloon with a radiographic quality from a first end to a second end in the absence of an inflation fluid. The balloon may be provided with the foil or film in a manner that provides a first section, such as the barrel, with a first radiographic quality, and a second section, such as the cone, with a second radiographic quality. The film may also be applied as a decal or appliqué to the external surface of a balloon-shaped body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel jaw and cam ensemble for use in a medical clip applying instrument having a compressible grip assembly at one end and a pair of squeezable jaws at the opposite end. Included is an elongated operating means connecting the cam and jaw ensemble to the compressible grips for the purpose of translating motion one to the other and for sequential advancement and closure of a plurality of clips between the jaws.

Abstract: A filter device is provided having a biodegradable features. The filter device comprises an elongate stent portion and a conical filter portion attached thereto that is preferably balloon expandable. The conical filter portion includes a plurality of struts extending between a holding ring and the stent portion to define the conical shape of the filter portion. The struts can be biodegradable so that they degrade over time. The struts and/or holding ring can be configured so that at least one of the struts remains attached to the holding ring after a predetermined period of time. The struts are biased toward the wall of the body vessel in which the filter device is installed, so that after the predetermined period of time, the struts, and the strut attached to the holding ring, will expand toward the body vessel wall for bioabsorption.

Abstract: An episiotomy scissors (2) for use in conducting an episiotomy on a subject is provided, the scissors comprising a pair of pivotably connected scissor members; (4a, 4b) each scissor member comprising a handle (6a, 6b) extending in a proximal direction from the pivot connection and a blade (8a, 8b) extending in a distal direction from the pivot connection; and a guide member (20) mounted to a scissor member and having a guide surface (22a, 22b) extending in a distal direction from the scissor member at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the blade of the scissor member.

Abstract: A delivery device assembly for delivering a medical device to a target site within a patient includes a first polarizable tine and a second reactive tine that is not polarized. The first tine is connected to a first wire that has an electric coil surrounding a portion of the first wire. A current is passed through the electric wire to cause the polarizable tine to become polarized, thereby causing the reactive tine that is not coupled to the electric coil to move toward the polarized tine. The relative movement of the tines releases the medical device from its attachment to the tines.

Abstract: A method of improving elasticity of a tissue of a living body, the method including: forming a through-hole in the living body; inserting an insertion path forming unit, which includes a pipe member including a pipe and a support member including a support rod, into the through-hole in a state where the pipe member and the support member are assembled; removing the support member from the insertion path forming unit; coupling a medical thread supply unit to the pipe member; pushing the medical thread from behind by using a push unit; and removing the push unit, the medical thread supply unit, and the pipe member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for repositioning a tether attached to a prosthetic heart valve. In some embodiments, a method includes inserting a distal end portion of a snare device through an incision at a first location in a ventricular wall of a heart and within the left ventricle of the heart. A tether extending from a prosthetic mitral valve, through the left ventricle and out an incision at a second location on the ventricular wall of the heart is snared with the snare device. The tether is pulled with the snare device such that a proximal end of the tether is moved back through the incision at the second location on the ventricular wall and into the left ventricle. The snare device is pulled proximally such that the tether is pulled proximally through the incision at the first location in the ventricular wall of the heart.

Abstract: An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode array can be disposed in an access cannula that has a diameter less than the width of the unfolded array.

Abstract: A lancing device comprising a lancet holder for holding an exchangeable lancet and comprising a drive element for driving the lancet holder. The drive element has two spring elements comprising a lancing spring element for accelerating the lancet holder in the lancing direction and a restoring spring element for accelerating the lancet holder counter to the lancing direction. The drive element has a carriage unit with a spring-tensioning carriage part and a lancing carriage part, and the spring-tensioning carriage part and the lancing carriage part are arranged to be displaceable in translation relative to one another and form a lancing spring element receiving region and a restoring spring element receiving region. The lancing spring element receiving region can be reduced by translational displacement of the spring-tensioning carriage part relative to the lancing carriage part, in order to pre-tension the lancing spring element within the lancing spring element receiving region.