Abstract: Methods of lifting and elevating various areas on a body including skin and tissue of a subject, such as an umbilicus region, using one or more threads including a plurality of features are provided herein. In a desired area of the body to be lifted, a method includes passing a first end of a first thread through a first path defined under the skin of the subject and passing a second end of the first thread through a second path defined under the skin of the subject and pulling one or more ends of the one or more threads in a direction to effect lifting of the desired area followed by fastening of the one or more ends of the one or more threads. The subject may have undergone liposuction prior to performance of the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides double-lumen closure balloon catheter, including an inner tube and an outer tube. A distal end of the inner tube extends from a distal end of the outer tube, the inner tube is provided at its distal end with a tubular hydrophobic tip through which air passes, a cavity of the hydrophobic tip is in communication with a cavity of the inner tube, the outer tube is provided at its distal end with an expandable or shrinkable balloon, a proximal end of the balloon is hermetically coupled to the distal end of the outer tube, a distal end of the balloon is hermetically coupled to the hydrophobic tip, and a channel in communication with an inner cavity of the balloon is arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube. The present disclosure further provides a using method thereof.

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle including a main body and a movable body, a sheath element coupled to the handle, an actuation element disposed within the sheath element, an end cap configured to be coupled to a distal end of another medical device, and a patch positioned on the end cap and coupled to the actuation element. The patch includes a mesh and an expandable structure coupled to the mesh. The expandable structure is configured to be coupled to the actuation element, and the expandable structure is further configured to cause the mesh to retract and expand.

Abstract: A splittable sheath for an implantable medical device can include a jacket having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. A lumen can be defined by the inner diameter and extended from a proximal end to a distal end of the jacket. An electrode can be located at the distal end of the jacket. A signal wire can be disposed within the jacket and can be electrically coupled to the electrode. A rail can be configured to shield the signal wire from a cut path of a sheath splitter. In some examples, the sheath can further include a second rail. For instance, the signal wire can be located between a first rail and a second rail along the length of the sheath. The cut path can be located between the first rail and the second rail on a radially opposing side of the sheath from the signal wire.

Abstract: Balloon catheters for delivery of prosthetic hear valves are provided. The balloon catheters are configured to deploy a prosthetic heart valve through inflation. The balloon catheters are further configured with one or more retention bumpers to reduce or prevent migration of the prosthetic heart valve during delivery. Balloon catheters described herein are configured with substantially incompressible retention bumpers that promote longitudinal inflation fluid flow.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a vessel clamping pressure device that is configured to receive suture threads extending from the closure of a vascular vessel of a patient, and maintaining tension on suture threads between the patient and the vessel clamping pressure device to apply pressure to the patient so as to apply a clamping pressure to the vascular vessel to facilitate clotting. In some embodiments, a pressure applying surface may include a pressure sensitive film configured to change color in response to pressure applied to the patient by the pressure applying surface the patient.

Abstract: A treatment device and an endoscopic treatment method are disclosed. The treatment device includes a first pipeline that is made of material having electrical insulation, and includes an internal space; an electrode that is energizable with high frequency current; a distal-end tip that is attached to a distal end of the first pipeline, and includes a distal-end opening in communication with the internal space of the first pipeline; and a second pipeline that is inserted through the first pipeline and through which liquid can pass. The endoscopic treatment method includes puncturing a treatment target and performing a local injection using the treatment device.

Abstract: A suture clip applier for applying a suture around a tubular tissue adjacent to an open lumen. The suture clip applier includes an elongated body having a tissue clinching mechanism at one end of the body. The tissue clinching mechanism comprises two arms that are movable between open and clinched positions. The suture clip applier includes a plurality of deformable suture clips mounted along a longitudinal length of the elongated body, wherein each suture clip is configured to be detachably positioned within an interior of the two arms and to be deformed between open and clinched positions in response to the two arms being moved between the open and clinched positions. The suture clip applier further includes a length of suture comprising a pre-formed adjustable fastening and a loop extending from the pre-formed adjustable fastening, the loop extending between the two arms.

Abstract: Disclosed is an occluder for occluding a defect in a vasculature. The occluder includes: two occluding disks and a tightening element. The two occluding disks is configured for covering different openings of the defect; wherein the tightening element includes a tightening thread, the tightening thread passing through the defect and being connected to the two occluding disks, the tightening thread has a length between the two occluding disks and the length is adjustable by means of a free end of the tightening thread. Further provided are an occluding system provided with the occluder, a knotting method for the tightening element of the occluder and a method for occluding an oval foramen with the occluder.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a vessel clamping pressure device that is configured to receive suture threads extending from the closure of a vascular vessel of a patient, and maintaining tension on suture threads between the patient and the vessel clamping pressure device to apply pressure to the patient so as to apply a clamping pressure to the vascular vessel to facilitate clotting.

Abstract: Devices and methods establish and facilitate retrograde or reverse flow blood circulation in the region of the carotid artery bifurcation in order to limit or prevent the release of emboli into the cerebral vasculature. Devices and methods are configured for procedures performed through a transcarotid approach for performing transcarotid procedures, including carotid angioplasty, stent deployment, and post stent deployment procedures.

Abstract: A device for applying rubber bands in the human body and in other living beings includes: an axial element having a first handle; a trigger movably mounted on the axial element having one or more handles for moving the trigger along the axial element wherein the trigger serves to pull a wire; and an assembly that has a spool for winding up the wire. The spool is tightly connected with the trigger by a gear mechanism formed in such a way that, when the trigger is pulled, the spool is not rotationally driven and the wire is pulled along by way of the pulling movement of the trigger, whereby one or more rubber bands can be applied to a part of a living being to be treated, and that when the trigger moves back into a starting position, the wire is wound onto the spool.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tissue-removing catheter that includes an elongate body with proximal and distal end portions, a tissue-removing element, an inner liner, and a coupling assembly. The tissue-removing element removes tissue by rotation from the elongate body. The inner liner defines a guidewire lumen received within the elongate body and is coupled to the tissue-removing element at its distal end portion. The coupling assembly includes a bushing attached to the distal end portion of the inner liner and a bearing disposed around the bushing with an exterior surface of the bushing contacting an interior surface of the bearing along less than 50% of an internal surface area of the interior surface of the bearing. At least one of the exterior surface of the bushing and the interior surface of the bearing may define a non-uniform dimension extending along a length of one of the bushing and bearing.

Abstract: A balloon embolization apparatus, system and method include a detachable balloon device mounted to the distal end of a catheter or microcatheter. The balloon device includes an elongated cannula having first and second axial lumens defined in the cannula, one lumen which allows for travel over a wire, an inflatable balloon disposed on the cannula, and a valve sleeve disposed between the balloon and the cannula. An inflation port on the cannula allows fluid to be introduced to the balloon via a channel in the catheter. The valve sleeve includes a vent offset from the inflation port in the cannula. The valve sleeve allows the introduced fluid to inflate the balloon, but prevents the fluid from escaping, thereby forming a check valve. Once inflated, the catheter is detached from the balloon apparatus. When the catheter is withdrawn, the balloon remains in place to allow for embolization.

Abstract: A balloon embolization apparatus, system and method include a detachable balloon device mounted to the distal end of a catheter or microcatheter. The balloon device includes an elongated cannula having first and second axial lumens defined in the cannula, one lumen which allows for travel over a wire, an inflatable balloon disposed on the cannula, and a valve sleeve disposed between the balloon and the cannula. An inflation port on the cannula allows fluid to be introduced to the balloon via a channel in the catheter. The valve sleeve includes a vent offset from the inflation port in the cannula. The valve sleeve allows the introduced fluid to inflate the balloon, but prevents the fluid from escaping, thereby forming a check valve. Once inflated, the catheter is detached from the balloon apparatus. When the catheter is withdrawn, the balloon remains in place to allow for embolization.

Abstract: A tool for treating hematoma in the brain, and other tissue in the body, especially suited for use through a cannula. The tool may include a cautery probe for sealing blood vessels in the brain, and a macerating structure for disrupting a hematoma, and aspiration features for removing macerated hematoma debris from the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are minimally invasive systems and methods for performing an edge to edge repair of a heart valve on a beating heart of a patient. One or more sutures are inserted into a plurality of leaflets of the heart valve while the heart is beating through a minimally invasive access. The sutures can be threaded through a suture crimp that is advanced to the leaflets. A movable gate on the suture crimp can be actuated to secure the sutures at an appropriate tension to maintain the leaflets in a coapted position.

Abstract: Minimally invasive, multi-functional robotic surgical tool devices for use as lavaging, material aspiration or delivery surgical forceps, scissors or clamp or other device, consisting of a monolithic work element and open central lumen with various functional tips. Such devices may in use follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction upon introduction to a body. Flush and vacuum transport mechanisms, imaging mechanisms or energy source mechanisms may be incorporated. Inner and outer sheaths which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks and provisions for simultaneous beak closing under rotation may be incorporated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for resecting tissue from the interior of a patient's body with a motor-driven rotating tubular cutter and multiple cutting windows located at a working end of the resecting device.

Abstract: An anchor guide includes an elongate shaft, an atraumatic tip, a channel defined at least in part by the elongate shaft and configured to retain a suture associated with an anchor, and a spacing feature configured to provide a spacing distance between the channel and a device disposed in physical contact with the spacing feature.