Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for controlling movement of an end effector, and in particular for causing mimicked motion between an input tool and an end effector during a surgical procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is provided having a master assembly with an input tool and a slave assembly with an end effector. The master assembly and the slave assembly can be coupled together by a mechanical assembly that is configured to mechanically transfer mimicked, rather than mirrored, motion from the input tool to the end effector. A floating frame is also provided and can be utilized with the surgical system. The floating frame can have a counterbalance that allows the surgical system to “float” above a patient and provide a weightless feel to movement of the surgical system. In addition, the floating frame can provide a number of additional degrees of freedom for ease of movement of the surgical system around the patient and/or the operating room.

Abstract: A uniportal surgical device having a slotted clear cannula, a blade and a housing, wherein the cannula is attached to the housing, and wherein the blade is enclosed in the housing and is slidable into the cannula is disclosed. The device further has a device for locking a viewing device in place relative to other components of the device. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using the uniportal surgical device is also described.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A sheath may be disposed about the inner member. The sheath may include a compressible coil. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the sheath. A membrane may extend between the inner member and the sheath. The membrane may be configured to be disposed on the stent. An outer member may be disposed over the sheath.

Abstract: Described is a kit for producing a crosslinked gel for surrounding urinary calculi and/or fragments thereof, more particularly kidney stones and/or fragments thereof, comprising a composition (A) comprising one or several cationically crosslinkable polymer(s), and a composition (B) comprising one or several crosslinking agent(s) for crosslinking the cationically crosslinkable polymer(s), wherein composition (A) and/or composition (B) additionally comprise(s) magnetizable particles or the kit additionally comprises a composition (C) that contains magnetizable particles. Upon contact of composition (A) with composition (B) in a region of the urinary tract, more particularly the kidney, that contains urinary calculi and/or fragments thereof, more particularly kidney stones and/or fragments thereof, a crosslinked gel is formed that partly or fully surrounds the urinary calculi and/or fragments thereof, more particularly kidney stones and/or fragments thereof, and that contains the magnetizable particles.

Abstract: A stent graft (40) for treating Type-A dissections in the ascending aorta (22) is provided with a plurality of diameter reducing suture loops (56-60) operable to constrain the stent graft during deployment thereof in a patient's aorta. The diameter reducing loops (56-60) allow the stent graft (40) to be partially deployed, in such a manner that its location can be precisely adjusted in the patient's lumen. In this manner, the stent graft can be placed just by the coronary arteries (26, 28) with confidence that these will not be blocked. The stent graft (40) is also provided with proximal and distal bare stents (44,52) for anchoring purposes.

Abstract: A suture tensioning device includes a first portion including a first inner surface having a first surface and a first beveled surface and another first portion including another first inner surface having another first surface and another first beveled surface. The first surface of the first inner surface and the another first surface of the another first inner surface contact. The first portion and the another first portion are connected to define a first handle. A first cleat is defined between the first beveled surface and the another first beveled surface.

Abstract: A rotary catheter comprising a motor-driven flexible shaft rotatably disposed in a flexible tube having a fluid channel between them, a distal portion of the flexible shaft extending out of the tube and being free to move radially relative to the tube enabling the fluid channel to ingest large particles eased by motions between the rotating flexible shaft and the flexible tube, and pump means containing a thrombolytic drug connected to the fluid channel for infusing the drug through the fluid channel to the obstruction. An asymmetrical tip that is affixed to a distal end of the shaft has a substantially narrower cross section than its effective diameter so that fluid can flow alongside the tip and reach the area that the tip impacts the obstruction with the side of the tip and the tube aspirates fluid and the resulting particles into the channel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a handle assembly or other kind of body configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer and a shaft assembly having an acoustic waveguide and an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic instrument further comprises an actuation assembly disposed within the handle assembly. The actuation assembly includes a plurality of buttons disposed about the handle assembly in an angularly spaced array. Each button may be depressed independently of the rest to thereby actuate a switch assembly such that power is provided to the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic waveguide, and the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly is operable to convert radial movement of the buttons into longitudinal, transverse, and/or pivotal movement that actuates the switch assembly.

Abstract: A system for implanting a prosthesis includes a prosthesis delivery device having a handle, an inner lumen, a nose cone, an intermediate lumen, a prosthesis sheath at the distal end of the intermediate lumen for holding therein a prosthesis to be implanted, and an outer lumen fixedly connected to the handle. The system can include a lumen control assembly operable to move the intermediate lumen with the prosthesis sheath between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A hand-held actuator device for releasing into the body from a delivery system a medical prosthesis, like a stent, comprising a frame that acts as a housing, a reel for receiving a wire, a manually operable slider mounted to the frame and a one-way connection between the slider and the reel. Actuating the slider causes the reel to wind up the wire and release the medical prosthesis.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes an elongated tubular member having a passageway extending generally longitudinally therethrough. The passageway is defined by an inner surface of the tubular member and configured to receive a medical device movably disposed therein. The introducer sheath further includes a reinforcing member engaged with the inner surface of the tubular member and extending into the passageway such that a non-uniform surface for receiving the medical device is defined thereby. The reinforcing member also has a surface therein suitable for facilitating movement of the medical device through the passageway.

Abstract: A device includes a protection sleeve (10) and a retractable sheath (14) operatively connected to the protection sleeve (10), and a catheter (16) that passes through a main lumen (26) of the sleeve (10). The catheter (16) includes a heart valve treatment device arranged to pass into a lumen of the catheter (16).

Abstract: A heart valve delivery system includes a low-profile catheter having an outer sheath, the outer sheath having therein a stent and a replacement heart valve. In an unemployed configuration, the stent is located distally to the replacement heart valve. Upon deployment, however, the stent and replacement heart valve are expanded and the replacement heart valve is situated within the stent.

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 system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes a handle, a catheter coupled with the handle and a medical device disposed within a lumen of the catheter. The medical device includes an anchor system having a plurality of anchor segments coupled with an anchor hub. The medical device further includes an occluder system having a plurality of occluder segments coupled with an occluder hub. A first actuator is configured to displace the occluder hub independent of, and relative to, the anchor hub to deploy the occluder system from a retracted state to an expanded state while the anchor system remains in a retracted state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device developed for surgical interventions comprising (i) an inner end (1) guidable/steerable to the operation field, (ii) an outer end (3) operated by the user and (iii) a middle part (2) which connects both ends (1, 3) together. According to the main concept of the present invention, it further comprises force transmission units extending between the outer (3) and the inner (1) ends, and said force transmission units, the outer and the inner ends and the middle part (2) are designed to transfer the movements of the outer end (3) to the inner end (1) in an identical measure, as if the inner end (1) were the straight continuation of the outer end (3).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices useful for marking and making circular incisions in surgeries particularly breast surgeries. The devices generally comprise a body, a central handle and a marking or cutting implement affixed to one end. Also disclosed herein are kits comprising the marking and/or cutting implements and methods for improving breast surgeries comprising using a device for circularly marking and making the surgical incisions. The devices and methods can provide improved cosmetic results and improved healing.

Abstract: A system for expanding a device in a conduit or orifice of a human body includes a balloon member that is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. External surfaces of the balloon member can collectively have a non-cylindrical cross-section relative to a main axis of the balloon member, such that the external surfaces of the balloon member generally conform to the anatomical shape of the conduit or orifice when the balloon member is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An anchoring device for use within a vascular structure includes a head having a first surface and a second surface meeting at a common plane, and an anchor including a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first end connected at a junction to the first surface of the head, and a free end. A harbor space is bounded by the shaft of the anchor, the first surface of the head, a first theoretical plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a spaced distance from the junction and a second theoretical plane tangential to the head at a point in the common plane. The harbor space has an are sufficient to receive a portion of a stented device therein.

Abstract: A wound closure device includes a shaft and a tubular member disposed about the shaft. A plurality of arms are coupled to the shaft in a distal region of the shaft. A plunger is slidably disposed within the shaft and coupled to the plurality of arms. The plunger is selectively translatable relative to the shaft for moving the plurality of arms between a retracted position and a deployed position. A plurality of needles is disposed within needle lumens defined within the tubular member. An actuator sleeve is slidably disposed about the tubular member and coupled to the plurality of needles. The actuator sleeve is translatable between an un-actuated position, wherein the distal end of each needle is disposed within its respective needle lumen, and an actuated position, wherein the distal end of each needle extends distally from its respective needle lumen into a respective one of the plurality of arms.