Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods for creation of autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body are disclosed. One example of a device for creating a valve flap from a vessel wall includes an elongate tubular structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first lumen having a first exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a second lumen having a second exit port located on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure; a recessed distal surface on the distal portion of the elongate tubular structure, wherein the recessed distal surface is located distally to the first exit port; and an open trough on the recessed distal surface extending longitudinally from the first exit port.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a stent having a plurality of struts, an inflow end, an outflow end, a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent. A first cuff is annularly disposed adjacent the stent, and a second cuff is annularly disposed about the stent radially outward of the first cuff and radially outward of the stent. The second cuff is at least partly radiopaque and may assist in determining the relative position between the second cuff and a patient's anatomy using fluoroscopy during an implantation procedure.

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: Devices and methods for anchoring soft tissue, tissue grafts, and the like to a bone are provided. In one example, an assembly includes a suture anchor, suture, and inserter. In another example, a method provides for reattaching soft tissue to a bone.

Abstract: A method of suturing includes: (1) wrapping a first segment of a suture through a traction loop; (2) pulling the traction loop and the first segment through an opening in a suture lock; (3) continuing to pull the traction loop such that a second segment of the suture extends through the opening, wherein the second segment has a greater denier than the first segment such that the second segment more nearly fills an entire dimension of the opening than the first segment; and (4) locking the suture in place with the second segment in the opening.

Abstract: The wax warmer with automated stirring combines the heating element and wax temperature control with a rotating wax reservoir. The rotating wax reservoir causes the associated stored wax to rotate with respect to the body of the device. To interrupt the flow of the wax within the rotating reservoir, and cause mixing and stirring, a stationary stir stick is placed in the path of rotation. As the moving wax contacts the stationary stir stick, turbulence is caused, resulting in mixing. The mixing helps to maintain a consistent temperature of wax within the reservoir. The stir stick is preferably held in position by a slot within the lid, removal of the lid causing removal of the stir stick, removing the stir stick as an obstacle to the user accessing the wax within the vessel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a stereotactic coordinate adjuster system and associated method for positional adjustment of components of a stereotactic system are disclosed herein. The system provides fine adjustment to the stereotactic system by providing form-fitting components that encapsulate components of the stereotactic system and allow for fine positional adjustment of an arc support member and a slide portion of the stereotactic system.

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.