Abstract: A knotless tissue repair assembly for attachment of tissue to bone includes an anchoring implant with a length of suture threaded therethrough. The implant is preferably a soft flexible three-dimensional structure. The implant may be actuated from a first elongate low profile shape into a second short radially expanded shape having a larger diameter than the hole through which it was placed. The suture extends through the anchor, through a tissue to be secured, and back through a designated suture-binding region or passageway within the anchor enabling the suture to be secured therein and without the need for a physician to tie a knot. Further tension applied to a suture leg approximates the tissue to the anchor until a desired tension or distance between the tissue and anchor is achieved.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly includes a suture anchor and a suture anchor inserter. The anchor includes a flexible distal tip and a rigid proximal anchor body. The distal tip includes a transverse suture eyelet and a cavity formed in a proximal end of the tip. The anchor body includes a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the body. The anchor inserter includes a tubular outer shaft and an inner inserter slidably received therein. The anchor assembly is actuatable to move the anchor tip and inner shaft proximally while the outer shaft and anchor body remain in place, urging the proximal end of the anchor tip against the distal end of the anchor body. The proximal end of the tip is deformable to accommodate at least a portion of the distal end of the anchor body within the anchor tip cavity.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein a prosthesis for implantation within a lumen or body cavity and delivery devices for delivering the prosthesis to a location for implantation. A delivery system can include a plurality of components which are moveable relative to each other. The delivery system can include a nose cone which can cover at least a first end of the prosthesis, an outer elongate member which can cover at least a second end of the prosthesis, and a tether which can at least partially restrain the prosthesis from deployment.

Abstract: Devices, systems, implants and methods for achieving ligament fixation are disclosed. An implant includes a head member and an anchor member coupled to the head member. The implant includes tension member that couples the head member to the anchor member. The head member and the anchor member include a cannulation that receives the tension member therein. The implant may include a coupling member positioned between and coupling the head member and the anchor member, the coupling member including a cannulation that receives the tension member therethrough. Insertion instruments for inserting an implant for ligament fixation are also disclosed. Methods of using an implant for achieving ligament fixation are also disclosed.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for robotically assisted implantation of an implant in a patient. A system includes an implant-positioning unit configured to engage an elongate member of the implant, and a control console communicatively coupled to the external positioning unit. The control console can have a user interface that enables a user to input motion control instructions. The control console can generate a motion control signal, according to a specific motion control instruction, to control the external positioning unit to propel the implant into a target implant site. The system can be used to robotically control the delivery and positing of a cochlear implant during a hearing-preservation cochlear implant surgery.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device has an elongate shaft has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A circular needle applier is on the distal end of the elongate shaft. The circular needle applier has an arced needle and a needle driver operatively connected to the actuator to rotate the arced needle in a circular path. A joint is positioned between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate shaft. The joint is operatively connected to the actuator to selectively articulate the shaft. A bearing is on the shaft positioned distally of the joint. The bearing is operatively connected to the actuator to selectively rotate the circular needle applier about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in implanting intraocular lenses, the apparatus including an axial elongate hollow conduit having first and second ends and defining an intraocular lens injection pathway extending along a longitudinal axis, the axial elongate hollow conduit being formed at the first end with a syringe connector defining a removable syringe mounting location and a pusher element located within the axial elongate hollow conduit between the syringe connector and the second end, at least one of the axial elongate hollow conduit and the pusher element being formed with mutually communicating conduits for enabling viscoelastic material to pass through the syringe connector and the pusher element to a location between the pusher element and the second end of the axial elongate hollow conduit.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating vascular defects are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an occlusive device having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The occlusive device may comprise an elongated member wound about the longitudinal axis to form a series of loops, wherein along at least some of the loops, the elongated member includes a first peak and a second peak axially offset from the first peak, the first peak being axially between the second peak and the proximal end. The first peak may be convex towards the distal end, and the second peak may be convex towards the proximal end.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating vascular defects are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward an occlusive device having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The occlusive device may comprise an elongated member wound about the longitudinal axis to form a series of loops, wherein along at least some of the loops, the elongated member includes a first peak and a second peak axially offset from the first peak, the first peak being axially between the second peak and the proximal end. The first peak may be convex towards the distal end, and the second peak may be convex towards the proximal end.

Abstract: A surgical suture having enhanced visual characteristics is provided. The suture has a suture filament operatively coupled to a suture needle. The suture filament includes a useful segment and a terminal segment. The terminal segment is located at a first end of the filament. The useful segment extends substantially from the terminal segment to a second end of the filament. The terminal segment is of a length of the filament that is left-over after a substantially last formable suture knot is formed using the useful segment. After the last formable suture knot is formed, the terminal segment is removed from the useful segment along with the suture needle for disposal. In order to enable visual location of the terminal segment after the same has been separated from the useful segment, the filament is treated such that that the terminal segment has distinctive contrasting light frequency characteristics.

Abstract: An end effector for a suturing and grasping device includes a stationary jaw member, a suturing jaw member, and a grasping jaw member. The suturing jaw member is selectively movable relative to the stationary jaw member to drive a suturing needle between the suturing jaw member and the stationary jaw member. The grasping jaw member is selectively movable relative to the stationary jaw member to grasp tissue between the stationary jaw member and the grasping jaw member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical device. The surgical device includes a housing. The surgical device also includes a linear actuator disposed in the housing. The linear actuator includes a central rod. The linear actuator also includes one or more bending modules connected to the central rod. Each of the one or more bending modules includes one or more bending actuators. Each of the one or more bending actuators includes one or more layers of piezoelectric bending elements configured to provide a reciprocating movement to the central rod upon application of a voltage. The surgical device further includes a cutting mechanism coupled to the central rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter comprising a balloon, wherein said catheter comprises the following: a dilatation body and a catheter shaft which comprises a proximal and a distal end; the catheter shaft additionally comprising a fluid lumen by means of which a fluid can be fed to said dilatation body. The dilatation body is made up of at least three balloon segments which are arranged immediately adjacently to one another and one being the other on said catheter shaft, and can be dilated independently of one another.

Abstract: A surgical clamp for laparoscopic or endoscopic surgeries provides autonomous adjustable pressure and placement with a releasable or integrated remote manipulator. Two jaws move simultaneously with respect to the main body of the clamp to open and close to secure or release tissue and/or organs. In a first embodiment, the instrument is made up of two separable components; a remote manipulator component, and a releasable adjustable pressure clamp component that is linked or separated at an interlocking connection point. The main body of the clamp includes a central tubular port through which a pressure bar passes. An assembly of cam arms connects the push rod to jaws, allowing for symmetrical and simultaneous actuation. A compression spring is positioned around the pressure bar and is secured by an adjustable nut on the threaded end of the pressure bar. Adjustment varies the compressive force of the spring and thereby the gripping force.

Abstract: A robot main body driving mechanism including wrist joint driving portion; and robot main body including base detachably fixed to robot main body driving mechanism, arm including hollow shaft and wrist joint, shaft including proximal end continuous with base, wrist joint being continuous with distal end of shaft, wrist joint rotating around axis of distal end of arm, end effector attached to wrist joint, and wrist joint driving force transmission portion including hollow torque transmission tube, torque transmission tube being inserted through shaft and including distal end attached to wrist joint, wherein: by attaching base to robot main body driving mechanism, wrist joint driving portion is connected to proximal end of torque transmission tube to rotate torque transmission tube around axis of torque transmission tube; and by detaching base from robot main body driving mechanism, wrist joint driving portion is separated from torque transmission tube.

Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus is provided, including a disposable cutter that incorporates a linear voice coil motor to generate consistent and rapid guillotine action without the use of a rotary motor or traditional linear motor. The apparatus includes voice coil actuator to provide for a forward and backward reciprocating motion cutting blade.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a minimally invasive cutting instrument includes a surgical cutting instrument. The surgical cutting instrument includes a drive unit, an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, and a garage for housing the cutting blade when the cutting blade is not in use. The end effector includes gripping jaws and a cutting blade. To perform a cutting operation, the instrument extends the cutting blade from a first position to a second position, retracts the cutting blade from the second position to a third position between the first and second positions, and further retracts the cutting blade to the first position. While the cutting blade is not in use, the cutting blade is maintained in the first position using a restraining mechanism in the drive unit, force or torque applied by a motor or other active actuator to the drive unit, or both.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example system for delivering an implantable medical device includes an outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal portion and a lumen extending therein. The system includes an inner catheter, wherein the inner catheter extends within at least a portion of the lumen of the outer shaft. The system also includes an actuation shaft extending within a portion of the lumen of the inner shaft, wherein a distal end of the actuation shaft is coupled to a coupling member. The system also includes a plurality of translation members coupled to the implantable medical device and the coupling member. The system also includes a grouping coil wound around at least a portion of each of the plurality of translation members.

Abstract: A catheter includes a detachable tip assembly that when detached from the catheter may be used to occlude a body lumen or vessel. The detachable distal tip assembly may include an inflatable balloon disposed over and secured to a tubular member. The inflatable balloon may be in fluid communication within an inflation lumen extending within the catheter body. Upon reaching a target site within a body lumen or vessel, the detachable distal tip assembly may be released from the distal end of the catheter upon inflation of the balloon to a predetermined size.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation at a native semilunar valve includes a prosthetic distal valve, which includes a pliant material configured to collapse inwardly towards a longitudinal axis of the prosthesis during diastole, and to open outwardly during systole, and a distal fixation member configured to be positioned in a downstream artery of the subject. The apparatus also includes a proximal fixation member coupled to the distal fixation member, and configured to be positioned at least partially on a ventricular side of the native semilunar valve. The proximal fixation member is shaped so as to define a lattice that is shaped so as to define an intermediary portion that is coupled to the pliant material of the valve and diverges outwardly from the longitudinal axis, and a distal portion that is distal to the intermediary portion and diverges outwardly from the intermediary portion of the lattice. Other embodiments are also described.