Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sealing a puncture in a tubular tissue structure or the wall of a body cavity are provided. The apparatus and method include a bioabsorbable member that is partially external to and partially internal to an introducer sheath before and during placement thereof.

Abstract: Medical devices and delivery systems for delivering medical devices to a target location within a subject. In some embodiments the medical devices can be locked in a fully deployed and locked configuration. In some embodiments the delivery systems are configured with a single actuator to control the movement of multiple components of the delivery system. In some embodiments the actuator controls the independent and dependent movement of multiple components of the delivery system.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for cutting and fastening tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical device can be used to at least partially transect a stomach by not cutting and/or not fastening a portion of tissue engaged in an end effector located at the device's distal end. A portion of the stomach can be engaged by the end effector, and the end effector can be actuated to cut and/or to apply one or more fasteners to tissue engaged in a distal portion of the end effector but not to cut and/or apply fasteners to tissue engaged in a proximal portion of the end effector. In a similar way, the surgical device can be used in any surgical procedure in which it is desired to cut and/or fasten a distal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector but not a proximal portion of tissue engaged by the end effector.

Abstract: A tunneling device for creating a pathway in subcutaneous tissue of a person's body. The tunneling device includes a member having two ends, where each of the ends defines an insertion surface that facilitates the insertion of the ends into the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body. The tunneling device includes an interchangeable handle connectable to each of the ends. The handle defines a grasping surface and an opening. The opening is configured to receive either of the ends. The grasping surface enables a user to securely hold the handle with one hand to forcibly move the member through the subcutaneous tissue of the person's body to create the pathway in the subcutaneous tissue, and pull a cable of an implant device through the created pathway.

Abstract: A lancet includes a lancet body having a distal end portion of a puncturing member protruding from the front end portion thereof, and a cap that houses and protects the distal end portion of the puncturing member that protrudes before use, wherein the front end portion of the lancet body and the rear end portion of the cap are integrated in substantially adjoining state with each other via a weakened portion. One of the end face at the front end portion of the lancet body and the end face at the rear end portion of the cap that opposes the former has protrusions, and the top ends of the protrusions define an imaginary plane that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member, and the other end face defines the flat surface that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the puncturing member.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery comprises a source (28) for a pulsed femtosecond laser beam, a telescope (32) expanding the laser beam, a scanner (36) downstream of the telescope, for deflecting the laser beam in a plane perpendicular to the beam path, and also an f-theta objective (44) downstream of the scanner, for focusing the laser beam. In accordance with the invention, an entrance lens (52) of the telescope (32) takes the form of a controllable lens of variable refractive power. The entrance lens (52) is preferentially constituted by an electrically controllable liquid lens or liquid-crystal lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an eye with laser radiation exhibits the following: a laser radiation source (12) for generating laser radiation (14), means (20, 24, 40, 42, 44) for directing the laser radiation (14) onto the eye (10) for the purpose of an ophthalmological intervention on or in the eye, a controller (50) for controlling the laser radiation (14) in space and time in relation to the eye (10) in accordance with a treatment program (52) which is oriented towards a center (Z) of the eye, a camera (46) which records a feature of the eye (10), and an image-processing unit (50a) which derives information about the center (Z) of the eye (10) from the recording of the camera and enters this information into the controller (50), as a result of which the controller (50) controls the laser radiation (14, 14?) in accordance with the treatment program and in a manner depending on the center of the eye derived in step e).

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed herein for a closure device. A closure device includes a body movable from a pre-deployed configuration towards a deployed configuration, a plurality of tissue-engaging portions extending from the body. At least two of the tissue-engaging portions are separated by a first distance in the deployed configuration and a second distance in the pre-deployed configuration in which the first distance is smaller than the second distance. The closure device also includes a plurality of device capture features secured to the body. The device capture features are configured to move the tissue-engaging portions to a separation greater than the first distance.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the reduction of intraocular pressure, and in particular, to methods for treating glaucoma by insertion of an intraocular shunt in the eye such that it forms a drainage pathway between the anterior chamber and the intra-Tenon's space.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for augmenting an atrioventricular valve leaflet is disclosed. A method according to an exemplary embodiment includes piercing a leaflet of the valve to at least a portion of the leaflet's thickness to form a pierced section; and extending the leaflet using said pierced section. A device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising: a longitudinal tube having a lumen; and a cutting element extendable from the lumen. The cutting element is adapted for forming a limited cut in an atrioventricular valve. A device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a catheter comprising a longitudinal tube having a lumen; a cutting element extendable from the lumen and adapted for forming a cut in a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve; and a frame, configured to attach to the leaflet and stay attached to the leaflet when the heart beats.

Abstract: Described herein are low-profile electrodes for use with an angioplasty shockwave catheter. A low-profile electrode assembly may have an inner electrode, an insulating layer disposed over the inner electrode such that an opening in the insulating layer is aligned with the inner electrode, and an outer electrode sheath disposed over the insulating layer such that an opening in the outer electrode sheath is coaxially aligned with the opening in the insulating layer. This layered configuration allows for the generation of shockwaves that propagate outward from the side of the catheter. In some variations, the electrode assembly has a second inner electrode, and the insulating layer and outer electrode may each have a second opening that are coaxially aligned with the second inner electrode. An angioplasty shockwave catheter may have a plurality of such low-profile electrode assemblies along its length to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel.

Abstract: An extensible polyp retrieval apparatus designed to be slidably disposed along the outer surface of an endoscope that is fully or partially inserted in the lumen of a patient using a “connect and push” polyp retrieval apparatus to reach the distal end of the inserted endoscope. The polyp retrieval apparatus comprises: a flexible cylindrical polymeric tube capable of being deployed from a few centimeters in mounted length on an endoscope to over 210 centimeters in total length when partially deployed or fully extended, respectively; a multiplicity of clamping fasteners permanently mounted to the flexible cylindrical polymeric tube; a movable snare like device that is designed as an cooperating component of the polyp retrieval system to enable the grasping and storage of polyps therein so as to avoid the complete removal of the endoscope from the lumen as is normal to remove a large polyp after cauterization or after a piecemeal polypectomy.

Abstract: A tool serves to facilitate one or more of dilation of a flexor tendon sheath and corresponding pulleys, attachment of a severed flexor tendon thereto, passage of the severed flexor tendon through the flexor tendon sheath and the corresponding pulleys, and reattachment of the severed flexor tendon. The tool includes a tip portion, a shaft portion, and a handle portion. During use of the tool, the tip portion and at least a part of the shaft portion can be passed through the flexor tendon sheath, and the handle portion is can be used to control such passage. The tip portion and the shaft portion can be used to dilate the flexor tendon sheath. The severed flexor tendon can be attached to the tip portion, and the tool can be withdrawn from flexor tendon sheath to pass the severed flexor tendon to a repair site.

Abstract: A needle capture device includes a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, a proximal handle for moving the shaft and tubular member relative to each other, a housing at the distal ends of the shaft and tubular member, and a capture mechanism situated within housing. The housing has an alternating arrangement of flights and spaces radially arrayed about its exterior dimensioned to be closely received within an endoscopic instrument channel so as to coaxially orient said housing with the instrument channel. The capture mechanism has a first configuration in which it is adapted to receive and retain a needle presented into the distal end of the instrument channel, and a second configuration in which it is adapted to release the needle from the instrument channel.

Abstract: Tissue management methods can include inserting a clamping device into a vessel and clamping a vessel wall via the clamping device. Tissue can be dilated about the clamping device and an anastomotic device provided to the vessel.

Abstract: A tissue clipping apparatus, comprises a flexible, elongate member, a proximal end of which remains external to the body accessible to a user while a distal end of the flexible member is inserted into the body to a location adjacent to target tissue to be clipped and a control wire extending through the flexible member in combination with a capsule releasably coupled to a distal end of the flexible member and a clip a proximal portion of which is received within the capsule. A joint releasably coupling the clip to the control wire, includes a yoke extending around a proximal end of the clip and a frangible link which fails when subject to a predetermined force to separate the clip from the control wire.

Abstract: A lancing device includes a main body having a drive spring, hammer, trigger mechanism and a lancet holder 22. A lancet 34 may be pushed to engage in snap fit with forwardly extending arms 28 of the lancet holder. Whilst free to move axially, the lancet 36 is held against rotation and, following use, is released from the lancet holder by rotating the lancet holder to disengage the lancet from the forwardly extending arms 28 thus freeing the lancet.