Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device delivery assembly includes a pusher assembly having proximal and distal ends, a conductive sacrificial link disposed at the distal end of the pusher assembly, and a vaso-occlusive device secured to the pusher assembly by the sacrificial link. The pusher assembly includes first and second conductors extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof. The sacrificial link is electrically coupled between the first and second conductors, such that the first conductor, sacrificial link and second conductor form an electrical circuit, and, when a disintegration current is applied through the sacrificial link through the first and second conductors, the sacrificial link thermally disintegrates, thereby releasing the attachment member and vaso-occlusive device from the pusher assembly.

Abstract: Magnetic anastomosis devices constructed from magnetic segments coupled together with members that help the devices spontaneously transform from a linear delivery configuration to a polygonal deployment configuration. When two devices are joined together over tissue(s), the compressive force causes the tissue(s) to necrose and form an anastomosis. By altering the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the magnetic segments in the devices, the magnetic interaction between paired devices can be altered. This property gives surgeons flexibility in choosing how much attractive force the devices will experience during a procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blood flow control are described herein. In some variations, a blood flow control system may comprise a blood flow control device. The blood flow control device may be placed within a body of a patient and may comprise an expandable member and a sensor. The sensor may be configured to measure at least one of a physiologic condition of the patient and a pressure associated with the expandable member. The blood flow control system may include at least one controller communicably coupled to the sensor to: receive data indicative of at least one of the physiologic condition of the patient and the pressure associated with the expandable member from the sensor, compare the received data with target data, identify at least one error based on the comparison, and in response to identifying the error, inhibit at least one function of the blood flow control system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable medical device comprising a device body having an internal reservoir configured to expand in size. The device can comprise an anchor structure affixed to a wall of the device body and having an interior passage, a conduit having a fill end and a device end with a conduit lumen extending therethrough, and a plug-port member comprising a shaft section opposite to a plug section, with a port section located therebetween. The device end of the conduit can be coupled to the shaft section and the plug-port member can be located within the interior passage such that in a fill configuration, the port section and the plug section are located within the internal reservoir allowing the fluid to pass from the conduit lumen into a shaft lumen, through one or more port openings in the port section and into the internal reservoir.

Abstract: Devices and methods for retrieving percutaneously implanted catheter systems such as a heart valve repair system. The devices include at least one locking connector at the distal end of a flexible elongated extension for coupling to an implanted tubular member. The locking connector may be a tubular anchor having a pair of distal prongs which are biased outward and face in a proximal direction, as well as an expandable auxetic midsection. Inserting the tubular anchor into the implanted tubular member flexes the distal prongs inward such that they prevent proximal movement of the tubular anchor. A user pulls on the proximal end of the tubular anchor to expand the auxetic midsection and lock the two pieces together. The devices and methods are particularly useful to attach extensions to implanted concentric tubes to enable relative axial force application.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a handle extending between a first end and a second end, a first actuator coupled to the first end of the handle, a first shaft coupled to the second end of the handle, and a second shaft extending from the first shaft, the second shaft including a first articulation section and a second articulation section, wherein an articulation of the first actuator relative to the handle is configured to articulate the first articulation section, an articulation of the handle relative to the first shaft is configured to articulate the second articulation section, and the first articulation section and the second articulation section are restricted to articulating only in a first plane.

Abstract: A valve bypass tool, and a biostimulator transport system having such a valve bypass tool, is described. The valve bypass tool includes an annular seal to seal against a protective sheath of the biostimulator transport system. The valve bypass tool is slidably mounted on the protective sheath and includes a bypass sheath to insert into an access introducer. The valve bypass tool can lock onto the access introducer by mating a locking tab of the valve bypass tool with a locking groove of the access introducer. The locking tab can have a detent that securely fastens the components to resist decoupling when the biostimulator transport system is advanced through the access introducer into a patient anatomy. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of closing a wound includes providing a first bridging portion comprising a first insert having at least one first eyelet, and a first upper layer of material at least partially disposed over the first insert, and a first lower layer of material disposed below the first insert, the first lower layer of material having an adhesive disposed on a first lower surface, wherein the first insert, the first upper layer and the first lower layer form three zones of different elasticity and stiffness than others of the zones.

Abstract: A medical device that removes an object in a body lumen, includes a rotatable drive shaft, a cutter attached to a distal portion of the drive shaft and by which the object is cut, an outer tube surrounding the drive shaft, a guide wire tube attached to a distal portion of the outer tube and having a guide wire lumen therein, a metal member attached to the guide wire tube and including a first portion that extends along the guide wire tube and includes a first recess, and a distal tip made of a resin, disposed at a distal portion of the guide wire tube, and having a distal lumen that communicates with the guide wire lumen. The distal tip engages with the first recess of the metal member.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube placement device has a stem with a needle having a tip configured to pierce a tympanic membrane. A retainer is on the needle and includes four fingers extending axially at a distance from said axis and at 90° circumferential separations in one example. The retainer is movable from a distal position at which it presses radially inwardly against the tube distal flange tabs to retain the distal flange in a folded position, to a proximal position at which the tube distal flange is free to spring out radially to a deployed position. The retainer fingers extend through tube proximal flange passageways and press the tube distal flange inwardly, while leaving a distally-facing face of the proximal flange exposed radially outwardly of the retainer. Hence, the proximal flange has its final deployed configuration throughout, and so can act as a physical stop member against the tympanic membrane and also provides visualisation for the surgeon because it extends radially outwardly of the stem.

Abstract: An anchoring delivery system for use in an intracranial artery is provided including a tethering device having an elongated tether and an anchor coupled to a distal end of the tether. The anchor is deployable from a low profile configuration to a higher profile configuration to fix the distal end of the tether at an anchoring site in an anchoring vessel. The tethering device is configured to be used with a guide-sheath having a lumen configured to receive the tether. Related devices, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object in a body lumen. The medical device includes a rotation structure having a cutting portion and an outer surface of the cutting portion including a notch, and wherein a width of at least a proximal portion of the notch increases toward a proximal end of the notch; and a drive shaft connected to a motor and configured to be connected to the rotation structure to drive a rotation of the rotation structure.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a medical device includes an occluder portion and an anchor portion. The occluder portion includes a hub that defines an axis, the occluder portion extending between a proximal end coupled to the hub and a distal end defining an occluder eyelet adjacent thereto. The anchor portion extends between a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to an anchor hub and the second end defining an anchor eyelet adjacent thereto and hingeably coupled to the occluder eyelet. With this arrangement, the anchor hub is moveable along the axis to move the anchor portion between a retracted position and a deployed position upon the occluder portion being in an expanded position.

Abstract: A method of operating a manipulator arm comprising a manipulator interface configured to removably couple with and transmit actuation force to a medical instrument includes mounting a cannula to a cannula mount coupled to the manipulator arm; mounting a medical instrument to the manipulator interface; inserting a shaft of the medical instrument through an entry guide mounted to the cannula; rotating the manipulator interface and the medical instrument relative to the cannula mount; and rotating the entry guide relative to the cannula mount about a longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Abstract: A system for improving graft harvesting including a blade guide (320) having a handle (370) and a guide portion with an elongate slot (330). The system may also include a first blade assembly (750) that slides along the elongate slot (330), the blade assembly (750) having a cutting blade (765) rotatably coupled to a handle (780). The cutting blade (765) may include a leading cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge. The blade assembly (350, 750) and blade guide (320) may cooperate to control a depth of blade penetration into a tissue, as the blade slides along the elongate slot (330). The blade guide (320) may include means to stabilize the guide with the tissue.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising a puncture device for puncturing tissue and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device. The puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure.

Abstract: An endoscopic gastric plication device includes an assembly able to co-operate with a handle provided with a control mechanism for actuating the assembly for placing and securing a staple around a fold in a stomach wall. The device includes: a mechanism for gripping/pulling a portion of a stomach wall arranged at the end of a manipulation rod adapted to be connected to the control mechanism, which mechanism is capable of being actuated by the control mechanism so as to grip the stomach wall and pull it to form a fold; a mechanism for guiding a staple around the fold in the stomach wall; at least one staple and a mechanism for pushing the staple into the guide mechanism, the staple being designed to pass through and form a loop around the fold while being guided by the guide mechanism; and a mechanism for pulling the looped end of the staple.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present specification discloses an aspiration catheter that has a slim profile, can effectively anchor or self-center in a location, within a patient's vessel lumen, to better provide directed suction or vacuum/negative pressure, and/or can effectively funnel or direct suction or vacuum/negative pressure toward an occlusion or obstruction within the patient's vessel lumen.

Abstract: A rapid exchange microcatheter for accessing the intracranial neurovasculature. A side opening through the sidewall is located a first distance proximal to the distal-most tip. A proximal opening located proximal to the side opening is a second distance from the distal-most tip. A distal, reinforced catheter portion extends between a distal end region to a point near the side opening. A proximal, reinforced catheter portion extends a distance from a point near the side opening towards the proximal end of the catheter body. The side opening is positioned within a gap between a proximal end of the distal reinforced catheter portion and a distal end of the proximal reinforced catheter portion. A payload of a cerebral treatment device is housed within the lumen proximal to the side opening. Related devices, systems, and methods are disclosed.