Abstract: A braid for treating an aneurysm can include a first radially expandable segment operable to move from a collapsed state within a microcatheter to a deployed state distal of the microcatheter. The first radially expandable segment can be capable of radially expanding to form an outer occlusive sack in the aneurysm in the deployed state. The braid can also include a second radially expandable segment operable to move from the collapsed state within the microcatheter to the deployed state distal of the microcatheter, wherein the second radially expandable segment is capable of radially expanding inside the outer occlusive sack to form an inner occlusive sack in the outer occlusive sack in the deployed state. An expansion mechanism can be included and be disposed at a proximal end of the first and second radially expandable segments.

Abstract: A deployment device for deploying an expandable endoluminal prosthesis within a body vessel may include an elongate member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the deployment device. The deployment device may include at least one engagement member coupled to the elongate member and extending outwardly from the elongate member. The deployment device may include a circumferential trigger wire extending at least partially circumferentially around the elongate member and removably received between the engagement member and the elongate member. The circumferential trigger wire may be manipulatable from a distal end of the deployment device, whereby the circumferential trigger wire is removable from between the engagement member and the elongate member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating vascular defects, such as, for example, balloon-type aneurysms, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an insertion portion and an expandable implant. The expandable implant is configured to be deployed in an aneurysm and is coupled to the insertion portion. The expandable implant has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The expandable implant is movable between a first configuration in which the first portion and the second portion are substantially linearly aligned and a second configuration in which the second portion at least partially overlaps the first portion.

Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering implantable leadless pacing devices are disclosed. An example delivery device may include an intermediate tubular member and an inner tubular member slidably disposed within a lumen of the intermediate tubular member. A distal holding section may extend distally of a distal end of the intermediate tubular member and define a cavity therein for receiving an implantable leadless pacing device. At least a portion of the lumen of the inner tubular member may be bifurcated to form a first lumen and a second lumen.

Abstract: A method of performing a tendon replacement, of a tendon connecting a first bone and a second bone, in an animal body utilizing a suture assembly that includes the following construction. A button has two apertures and a suture, engaged to the button, defines a lumen and forms a double loop, formed by a double trap that is opposed to the button. The suture assembly further defines a first single trap, and a third trap. In the method, a drill hole is drilled sequentially through the two bones. Also, a length of tendon tissue is draped over the loop and the button is passed through the drill hole through the first bone and the second bone and the button is oriented to sit on a surface of the second bone and the suture ends extend outwardly through the drill hole.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device may include a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with a system of eccentric abrading heads attached thereto. At least part of the eccentric enlarged abrading heads have a tissue removing surface—typically an abrasive surface. The abrading heads may be at least partially hollow. Preferably the eccentric enlarged abrading heads have centers of mass spaced radially from the rotational axis of the drive shaft, enabling the eccentric abrading heads to work together to open a stenotic lesion to a diameter substantially larger than the outer resting diameter of the enlarged abrading heads when operated at high speeds. The system of eccentric abrading heads may have unbalanced centers of mass to stimulate greater rotational diameters and may be arranged in a manner providing a debris-removing augering effect. Alternatively, a rotational atherectomy device may include a system of eccentric abrading heads with balanced centers of mass.

Abstract: A device for treatment of a vascular defect within a patient's vasculature includes a self-expanding permeable shell having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, the shell comprising a plurality of elongate resilient filaments having a braided structure, wherein the filaments are secured at at least one of the proximal end or the distal end of the permeable shell, wherein the permeable shell has a radially constrained elongated state configured for delivery within a microcatheter and has an expanded state with an axially shortened configuration relative to the radially constrained state, the permeable shell having a plurality of openings formed between the braided filaments, wherein the permeable shell in its expanded state comprises a plurality of circumferentially-arrayed lobes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an object such as a pacing lead from a patient tissue involve a flexible and torqueable shaft having an internal lumen sized to receive the object, and a hard separating mechanism for separating the object from the tissue. Typically the shaft and separating mechanism are advanced along or toward the object, and the separating mechanism is contacted with the tissue. The shaft is rotated to effect separation between the object and the tissue. The systems and methods are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Abstract: An ocular surgical apparatus is provided, including a surgical control device such as a foot pedal configured to be employed to control at least one ocular surgical parameter, and a controller configured to receive a series of values from the surgical control device and evaluate the series of values provided from the surgical control device, the series of values provided using a buffer comprising a detection area and an exclusion area. Presence of a desired value in the detection area and an absence of a contrary indication in the exclusion area is determined by the controller to indicate a switch associated with the surgical control device is requested by a user of the surgical control device.

Abstract: Anchor deployment systems and tools are provided. An anchor deployment tool can include a flexible tube including a distal anchor manipulation portion. The tool can also include a deployment element, which is positionable within the flexible tube, and is configured to, while the distal anchor manipulation portion is proximate an implantable device, (i) engage the anchors in the flexible tube, (ii) advance each of the anchors in a distal direction to the distal anchor manipulation portion, and (iii) anchor the implantable device to tissue of a subject by deploying each of the tissue anchors through the implantable device and into the tissue.

Abstract: Thrombectomy catheter systems, accessory devices, and methods for making and using such devices are disclosed. An example thrombectomy system may include a catheter shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending at least partially through the catheter shaft. A high pressure tube may be disposed within the lumen. The high pressure tube may be designed for communication with a fluid source. A fluid jet emanator may be coupled to the high pressure tube. The fluid jet emanator may have at least one jet orifice. The catheter shaft may include a first orifice disposed proximally of a distal end of the catheter shaft and a second orifice disposed proximally of the first orifice. An accessory device may be disposed within the lumen. The accessory device may include a helical distal region.

Abstract: An occlusive medical device system may include an elongate shaft having a distal strain relief portion and a lumen extending longitudinally through the elongate shaft, the elongate shaft including a plurality of retaining arms extending distally from the distal strain relief portion; an occlusive medical device including a proximal mounting portion fixed to an expandable occlusive element; and a release wire disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft. The plurality of retaining arms may extend into the proximal mounting portion. The release wire may be configured to engage the plurality of retaining arms in a distal engagement position, thereby urging the plurality of retaining arms radially outward into releasable engagement with the proximal mounting portion. When the release wire is in a proximal released position, the plurality of retaining arms is deflectable radially inward to disengage from the proximal mounting portion.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a hemostasis sealing device having a device enclosure with a first seal portion for a medical device and a second seal portion for guide wire sealing. The device enclosure can be generally configured for compressive communication with a housing. The second seal portion can define a split that is in compressive communication with structural elements of the hemostasis sealing device, which can simultaneously provide sealing functionality and allow passage of relatively large-bore devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an angioplasty balloon catheter having a retractable sheath and a flexible tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The flexible tip is made of an elastomeric plastic that is capable of returning to its original shape after being expanded multiple times. The tip allows for the sheath to be retractable and the balloon inflated multiple times to treat or expand different locations within the vessel. Because the tip returns to its original shape each time, the tip is less likely to damage the vessel wall when the sheath is repositioned in the vessel, and also is easier to retract through a guide-catheter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for the removal of frontal nasal recess cells includes an elongate handle, a first arm extending from a first end of the handle and a second arm extending from a second end of the handle. The first and second arms can extend in opposing directions. Each of the arms include a spherical terminal hub on their respective ends. A plurality of cylindrical fingers extend from each terminal hub at an angle, thereby providing an umbrella-like configuration. A spherical cap is attached to a free end of each cylindrical finger.

Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures will often include simple balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons interacting with elongate skeletal support structures so as to locally alter articulation of the skeleton. The skeleton may comprise a simple helical coil or interlocking helical channels, and the array can be used to locally deflect or elongate an axis of the coil under control of a processor. Liquid inflation fluid may be directed so as to pressurize the balloons from an inflation fluid canister, and may vaporize within a plenum or the channels or balloons of the articulation system, with the inflation system preferably including valves controlled by the processor. The articulation structures can be employed in minimally invasive medical catheter systems, and also for industrial robotics, for supporting imaging systems, for entertainment and consumer products, and the like.

Abstract: A stent with varying porosity is described. The stent can be comprised of multiple stents attached together. A braided stent may have selected regions of increased thickness. The stent may be comprised of wires that are welded together at their ends in order to minimize vessel trauma. The stent may comprise a helically wound radiopaque wire wound through the stent.

Abstract: Vascular remodeling devices can include a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal section. During deployment, the proximal section can expand from a compressed delivery state to an expanded state and anchor the device in an afferent vessel of a bifurcation. The distal section expands from the compressed delivery state to an expanded state that may be substantially planar, approximately semi-spherical, umbrella shaped, or reverse umbrella shaped. The distal section is positioned in a bifurcation junction across the neck of an aneurysm or within an aneurysm. The intermediate section allows perfusion to efferent vessels. Before or after the device is in position, embolic material may be used to treat the aneurysm. The distal section can act as a scaffolding to prevent herniation of the embolic material. The device can be used for clot retrieval with integral distal embolic protection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to a medical retrieval device that may include or be used with a catheter. A basket is included with an opening that is oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the catheter extends. The basket may be extended and/or retracted relative to the catheter, and/or may be expanded and/or contracted to, for example, facilitate ensnaring and extraction of a foreign body, object, or polyp, etc. from a patient's esophagus, biliary tree, GI tract, urinary tract, abdominal cavity, kidney, bile duct, urethra, etc.