Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for cleaning an infant's navel and umbilical cord stump. In particular, the present invention provides a device that eliminates the need for a user to physically hold the umbilical cord stump and allows trapped dirt and moisture to be accessed and removed easily, avoiding premature detachment of the umbilical cord stump and minimizing the risk of infection. The device of the present invention also protects the skin surrounding an infant's navel from cleaning solutions while the infant' navel and umbilical cord stump is being cleaned.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.

Abstract: A trajectory guide for introducing an instrument into a human or animal subject is described. A guide stem can be removed in sections without disturbing the aligned instrument. An access port portion of the trajectory guide can be left in place, without disturbing trajectory alignment, and can allow overlying skin to be sutured closed. The access port can provide infusate delivery, such as using an injection port, catheter or the like. A fiducial marker arrangement can provide easy and accurate trajectory alignment, for use with the present trajectory guide, another trajectory guide, or without any trajectory guide.

Abstract: Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.

Abstract: A positioning member may be released to move an anchor member to a holding position. The positioning member being operable to be held in a selected orientation until the anchor member is in a selected position.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a self-expanding stent, an inner tube body which has a guide wire lumen, and a sheath which has the stent contained within the tip section thereof. The stent can be discharged by moving the sheath to the base end side relative to the inner tube body. The inner tube body is provided at a position within the base end section of the stent and is provided with an elastic member for pressing the stent in the direction to the sheath. The stent is gripped by the elastic member and the sheath and is adapted to be slidable relative to the sheath.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes an elongate shaft and a tip hub. The elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is configured to be inserted into a vagina. The tip hub is disposed at the distal end and is configured to releasably receive and support a tip mount for engaging a uterus. The elongate shaft includes one or more channels extending between the distal and proximal ends. The channels are configured to releasably receive catheter tubing.

Abstract: A composite anoscope for ano-rectal diagnostic and surgery, wherein the anoscope (2) also comprises an internal component (1), to be inserted therein, and a suitably shorter external component (3), ending with a conic frustum mantle (18), wherein the anoscope (2) is to be inserted. The three components (1, 2, 3) are all conic frustum shaped hollow bodies having circular cross-section. The internal component (1), when inserted in the anoscope (2), forms therewith a single body having a compact and smooth external surface and an ogival tip. The external component (3) is provided close to its mouth with slotted wings (19, 20), to be fixed to the perianal skin for securing the whole composite anoscope during the diagnostic and surgical operations.

Abstract: A device dispenses surgical fasteners inside a body and generates marks outside the body indicating where the surgical fasteners have been dispensed inside the body. The device includes a first member having a surgical fastener dispenser opening, and a second member coupled with the first member, the second member having a distal end that opposes the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device includes a marking assembly secured to the distal end of the second member. The marking assembly is moveable away from and toward the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The marking assembly is adapted for generating marks on an external surface that mirror the location of each surgical fastener dispensed from the surgical fastener dispenser opening. The device may include a clamp for compressing tissue between the marking assembly and the surgical fastener dispenser.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obesity are provided. More particularly, intragastric devices and methods of fabricating, deploying, inflating, monitoring, and retrieving the same are provided.

Abstract: A system (1) for piercing and positioning a piece of body jewelry or ear jewelry (100) in a skin portion is provided. The system includes a pinching and sighting device having first and second gripping members (10a, 10b) which are adapted to grip a skin portion between them. The gripping members (10a, 10b) include an aiming member (11) to allow alignment of the pinching and sighting device relative to at least the position of the desired entry hole for piercing. Furthermore the pinching and sighting device includes a portion (12a) for arranging and aligning a cartridge (3). The cartridge has a pressing member (31) which is adapted to press at least one piercing member (101) arranged in the cartridge out of an opening (26) formed in the cartridge. A system and a method of preparation before piercing and positioning a piece of body jewelry or ear jewelry are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon.

Abstract: An intraocular lens insertion tool is presented. An introductory part in an insertion cylinder is provided, at a widthwise central portion of a bottom surface, with a central protrusion which extends in an axial direction of a tool body and protrudes toward an upper surface to get in contact with a center portion of a rear surface of an optical zone of an intraocular lens. The upper surface is provided, at its both widthwise ends, with a pair of lateral protrusions, which extend in the axial direction of the tool body and protrude toward the bottom surface to get in contact with both ends of a front surface of the optical zone of the intraocular lens. A lens pressing face of a plunging member is formed with a dimension spanning from the bottom surface to the upper surface at a tip end section of the insertion cylinder.

Abstract: A system for delivering an expandable implant into the vasculature of a patient, including an elongated core element having a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient and a distal end including at least one feature for engaging a proximal portion of the implant in a collapsed state. The system further includes an expansion limiter having an inner diameter and a length sufficient to cover the proximal portion of the implant and to retain the proximal portion in the collapsed state, and at least one elongated member having a distal end connected to the expansion limiter and a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient to enable proximal movement of the expansion limiter to release the implant.

Abstract: Tissue manipulation devices are disclosed. In various forms, the devices include tissue manipulation arms that are arranged in a position suitable to enable the device to be inserted into the colon then, upon application of at least one actuation motion thereto, at least some of the tissue manipulation arms are moved to deployed positions wherein they contact corresponding portions of the colon to thereby expand the colon. Various devices are actuatable by various forms of actuation forces. In various embodiments, the tissue manipulation arms may be movable along corresponding axes that are transverse to an insertion axis and may also be rotated about the insertion axis as well as be moved in directions that are substantially parallel to the insertion axis.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and including an elongated sleeve extending distally therefrom. The housing and the elongated sleeve cooperate to define a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A shaft having an end effector disposed at a distal end thereof is selectively translatable between a first position, wherein the end effector is disposed within the elongated sleeve, and a second position, wherein the shaft is translated through the lumen such that the end effector extends distally from the elongated sleeve. An articulation mechanism operably coupled to the end effector is configured for articulating the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. A specimen retrieval bag is coupled to the end effector and is deployed therefrom upon movement of the end effector from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A system for a controlled insertion and withdrawal of at least one electrode in the anatomy. The system can include a guide device and at least one electrode located within the guide device to at least one of record or stimulate an anatomy. The system can also include an indicator coupled to the electrode to indicate a position of a distal end of an electrode relative to the guide device.

Abstract: A method of removing cerumen or a foreign body from an ear canal utilizes an articulating ear curette.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for extracting vessel occluding material are provided. An embodiment of a vessel occluding material extractor includes a host structure, a plurality of expandable members, a slide mechanism, and a circumferential member. The host structure has an elongate axis. The expandable members are connected to the host structure arrayed radially around the elongate axis. The slide mechanism is connected to the expandable members and adjacent the host structure, and is slidable in the direction of the elongate axis. The circumferential member is connected to the expandable members between the connection of the slide mechanism and the host structure to the expandable members.

Abstract: Interventional catheters are disclosed for use in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in vessels that are accessed retrograde to blood flow. The catheters include an elongated shaft slidably disposed within a sheath, a distal region having an end effector and a filter disposed proximal to the end effector to capture emboli liberated during the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. The filter includes a plurality of struts that cooperate with an exterior surface of the catheter to define a reservoir to retain captured emboli, the reservoir configured so that advancement of the sheath contracts the filter without squeezing or dislodging captured emboli beyond a distal end of the filter.