Abstract: Devices for approximating multiple tissue edges internal to a body are disclosed.

Abstract: A system of a combined climbing harness and medical tourniquet, and a method for using the system. A looped thigh strap portion of a climbing harness is detachable from the harness belt for separate alternative use as an emergency tourniquet for the user or a patient. The looped thigh strap is provided with features and components to facilitate its use as a functional tourniquet for either an arm or a leg, while nevertheless in ordinary use allowing it to serve as a component of a climbing harness.

Abstract: Devices for approximating multiple tissue edges internal to a body are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating deep brain stimulation are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods encompass an adapter a body portion, a shank portion; and a cam system. The cam system is comprised of a camshaft and an eyebolt that secures a latch. The body portion of the adapter is coupled to a hand knob of a microdriver and the shank portion is coupled to a drill. When the drill is activated, the adapter transmits rotational energy from the drill to the hand knob of the microdriver, which automates the raising and lowering of its needle.

Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a membrane delamination device for delaminating a membrane from a retina of an eye. The membrane delamination device comprises a blade, a first lever coupled to the blade, and a second lever coupled to the blade. The first lever and the second lever are at least partially housed by a first shaft of a hand-piece. The first lever is fixedly coupled to the first shaft. The second lever is fixedly coupled to the hand-piece. The blade at least partially extends beyond a distal end of the first shaft. The membrane delamination device is configured to be actuated as a result of longitudinal movement of the second lever within and in relation to the first shaft. The second lever moves longitudinally within and in relation to the first shaft due to an application of force to the second lever through the hand-piece.

Abstract: An endoscopic device, includes a clip assembly and a driving assembly. The clip assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a pivot, a housing having an internal channel, and a release portion connecting to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the first and second jaws is disposed within the internal channel, the first and second jaws selectively move along with the internal channel. The driving assembly includes an outer sheath, an inner tube, movably disposed within the outer sheath, and a driver, movably disposed within the inner tube, and removably received within the release portion. The driver is unbrokenly released from the release portion by a predetermined pull force. The housing and the outer sheath form a releasable handshake engagement. The inner tube extending into the housing prevents the handshake engagement from disengaging.

Abstract: A method for deploying a medical device such as a heart valve to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising first deploying a tubular filter adjacent to at least one tributary vessel location with a filter deployment member, disengaging said deployment member and removing it, inserting an expandable sheath into the blood vessel, passing a medical device through said sheath to deploy its removing said sheath and removing said filter.

Abstract: A suture assembly, including a button having two apertures and a suture defining a lumen and forming a double loop, formed by a double trap formed in the suture, opposed to the button, and in which a first portion of the suture is threaded through the lumen of the double trap and a second portion of the suture is also threaded through the lumen of the double trap, so that two portions of suture are positioned together in the double trap. The first portion of the suture, after emerging from the double trap, is threaded through the lumen again, thereby forming a second trap, increasing resistance of the double loop to expansion, the double loop being threaded through the apertures of the button, the suture having two suture ends that are threaded through the button apertures and accessible on a side of the button opposed to the double loop.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for cutting a filament or suture having an extrudable inner core member are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a device includes a compression element to compress an inner core away from a knot disposed at a distal end of the suture, and a cutting element disposed within a portion of the compression element to cut the inner core after it has been compressed. As a result, an amount of extrudable inner core that extends distally beyond the knot is minimized without negatively impacting the integrity of the knot. In other embodiments, the compression and cutting elements are separately provided as two different devices. The actions of compressing and cutting can be performed using a variety of techniques, including those known to those skilled in the art. Methods for clamping the inner core and then cutting a portion of the inner core are also provided.

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 tube and a set of anchors, are transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject. Tabs are distributed axially along an anchor storage area of the tube, each of the tabs protruding medially from a circumferential wall of the tube. The anchors are disposed in the anchor storage area, a first anchor engaged and restrained by a first tab at a first axial location of the tube, and a second anchor engaged and restrained by a second tab at a second axial location of the tube proximal from the first axial location. The first anchor is engaged by the driver at the first axial location, advanced to a distal end of the tube, and anchored to tissue of the heart. Subsequently, the second anchor is engaged by the driver at the second axial location, advanced to the distal end of the tube, and anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: Provided are surgical instruments, and more particularly, surgical instruments that may be manually operated to perform laparoscopic operations or various surgical operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel medical devices for use in surgical procedures and methods for manufacturing novel medical devices. In some embodiments, the novel medical devices can include surgical needles that are capable of being repeatedly passed through tissue using minimal force. More particularly, the surgical needles can be manufactured with one or more coatings that provide the surgical needles with both durability and lubricity for ease of repeated and successive passes through tissue. Novel methods for manufacturing the surgical needles and for providing and applying coatings to the surgical needles are also provided.

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: The disclosure provides a device and method for managing urinary incontinence. The device includes a platform, a balloon, and a valve. The platform and balloon can include a silicone material, a thermoplastic material, and an adhesive and/or a cement for sealing the urethra. The thermoplastic and silicone materials can soften at the body temperature so that their shape can be adapted to fit the three-dimensional contour of surfaces of the urethra. The balloon seals the internal orifice of the urethra, and the platform can block the leakage associated with the balloon. The valve permits selective urine voiding. The method includes inserting the device into the urethra and the bladder. The method can also include inflating the balloon. The method can further include pulling the balloon so that the balloon is in sealing contact with the neck of the bladder and moving the platform to a suitable position for sealing the urethra.

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: 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: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a glaucomatous eye are provided. An amount of pulsed laser energy is delivered to the pars plana of the eye by a hand-holdable device which comprises a hand-holdable elongate member and a contact member disposed on an end of the elongate member. A contact surface of the contact member is placed in direct contact with the eye so that a reference edge of the contact member aligns with the limbus and a treatment axis defined by the elongate member is angularly offset from the optical axis of the eye. The amount of pulsed laser energy delivered is insufficient to effect therapeutic photocoagulation but is sufficient to increase uveoscleral outflow so as to maintain a reduction from pre-laser treatment intraocular pressure. Amounts of pulsed laser energy will be transmitted to a circumferential series of tissue regions of the eye.

Abstract: Provided are surgical instruments, and more particularly, surgical instruments that may be manually operated to perform laparoscopic operations or various surgical operations.