Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated systems, devices, and methods of sewing a target device such as a prosthetic implant device. The systems and methods include forming a stitch on the target device, adjusting a thread coupled to a needle used to form the stitch so that the thread is clear of (e.g., does not interfere with) a path of the needle, and applying a targeted tension to the thread to tension the stitch on the target device. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions during formation of the stitch. The suturing process can also include providing different targeted tensions at different stages of the formation of the stitch to aid in forming the stitch, to clear the needle path of the thread, and/or to hold the stitch in place in preparation for the next stitch.

Abstract: The present teachings provide systems, devices, and methods for reshaping the heart and reducing valve regurgitation. A device can be positioned proximate the heart and have a delivery profile and an inflated profile. The device can have a primary cavity and a secondary cavity, and an adhesive inside the secondary cavity. An injectable medium can be injected to the primary cavity of the device. As the primary cavity is filled, the adhesive is forced out of the secondary cavity to adhere the device. The inflated device can exert pressure on the heart, change the shape of a valve annulus, and allow a better coaptation of the valve leaflets.

Abstract: A treatment of obstructive lung disease includes aiming a condensable vapor towards the airway wall, causing a band-shaped lesion to grow to a depth into the airway wall. Ablation parameters are set to control the depth of the band-shaped lesion to encompass the epithelial layer and exclude the smooth muscle layer of the airway. A wide variety of configurations of the vapor delivery are described to create ablation patterns in the airways of the patient with particular emphasis on treating chronic bronchitis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for affixing reinforcing material to a fascial incision in an abdominal wall to reinforce and augment closures thereof. The device includes first and second arms, each having a proximal end and a distal end extending away from a housing with a length therebetween. The distal end of the first arm is spaced from the distal end of the second arm such that the first and second arms are engageable with reinforcing material on opposing sides of a fascial incision. One or more fixation elements are deployable from the distal end of at least one of the first and second arms to affix the reinforcing material on opposing sides of the fascial incision.

Abstract: A balloon comprising: a center portion having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a length between the proximal end and the distal end. The center portion comprises: a first nominal diameter and a first radial modulus at the proximal end; a second nominal diameter and a second radial modulus at the distal end; further wherein, the first nominal diameter is equal to the second nominal diameter, such that, when the balloon is inflated to a nominal pressure, the center portion has a constant diameter over the length; and further wherein, the first radial modulus is smaller than the second radial modulus, such that, when the balloon is inflated above a nominal pressure, the center portion adopts a tapered shape in which the proximal end has a first stretched diameter and the distal end has a second stretched diameter, the first stretched diameter being larger than the second stretched diameter.

Abstract: Inflatable compression devices are disclosed. In some embodiments the devices provide compression to the torso of a patient, including at a pocket configured to receive a pacing device. In some embodiments at least one securing strap is displaceable with respect to a compression member. In some embodiments a compression member is displaceable relative to at least one securing strap.

Abstract: A tissue clipping device and system, and method for clipping tissue are disclosed. The tissue clipping device includes a clip with clip arms that is slidably disposed within a channel of a lock tube. The clip is designed to move between an open configuration in which distal ends of the clip arms are separated from each other for receiving tissue therebetween, and a closed configuration in which the distal ends of the clip arms are closer to each other than in the open configuration for clipping the tissue received therebetween. The tissue clipping system further includes a delivery device for delivering and deploying the tissue clipping device. The delivery device is releasably coupled to the tissue clipping device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to numerous delivery devices and methods for transcatheter prosthetic heart valve loading, deployment and delivery utilizing at least one suture. Disclosed delivery devices utilize improved suture routing methods and configurations that reduce suture tangling and also provide the ability to adjust the prosthetic heart valve expansion and contraction prior to the final release of the prosthetic heart valve from the delivery device.

Abstract: A medical device includes a link, a first tool member, a second tool member and a third tool member, which each have a proximal end portion movably coupled to the link and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the first tool member can engage a first object and be associated with a first medical function, the distal end portion of the second tool member can engage a second object and be associated with a second medical function, and the distal end portion of the third tool member can engage the first object or the second object and be associated with the first and/or second medical function. Each of the first, second and third tool members can move relative to the link independent of movement of the each of the other tool members.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically separating hair follicles includes a follicle separating unit configured to cut a skin tissue of a scalp cut from a back of a head of an alopecic patient in units of follicles and to classify follicles by a number of hairs included in each follicle in an incisional hair transplant or to classify follicles each directly extracted from the back of the head of the alopecic patient by the number of hairs included in each follicle in a non-incisional hair transplant, and a follicle separation control unit configured to control an operation of the follicle separating unit.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate membrane for an implant, comprising: an inner layer having an inner layer thickness; a first covering layer disposed on one side of the inner layer, the first covering layer having a first covering layer thickness; and a second covering layer disposed on another side of the inner layer, the second covering layer having a second covering layer thickness.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system is disclosed including an end effector, an elongate shaft, an articulation joint, and an articulation system. The end effector is rotatable relative to the elongate shaft about the articulation joint. The articulation system includes a distal plate, a first cable, a second cable, and a gear. The distal plate is configured to articulate toward a first side of the gear based on the gear rotating in a first direction and articulate toward a second side of the gear based on the gear rotating in a second direction. The end effector is configured to articulate in a first articulation direction about the articulation joint based on the distal plate articulating toward the first side of the gear. The end effector is configured to articulate in a second articulation direction about the articulation joint based on the distal plate articulating toward the second side of the gear.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, in which the system may include an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of estimating a state of an end effector of the ultrasonic device may include applying a drive signal defined by a magnitude and a frequency to the ultrasonic transducer, sweeping the frequency of the drive signal from below a first resonance to above the first resonance of the electromagnetic ultrasonic system, measuring and recording, impedance/admittance circle variables Re, Ge, Xe, and Be, comparing, the measured impedance/admittance circle variables Re, Ge, Xe, and Be to reference impedance/admittance circle variables Rref, Gref, Xref, and Bref, and determining, a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison. An electromechanical ultrasonic system may include a control circuit to effect the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to the renal capsule. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for performing a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure accurately and efficiently while minimizing exposure of the medical professional to harmful radiation.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece for removing tissue includes a housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having a proximal hub connector disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly is operably supported by the proximal hub connector and includes an outer shaft supporting a cutting shaft configured to remove tissue upon activation thereof via translation or rotation. A fluid pump is disposed within the cavity of the housing and is configured to evacuate fluid from the cutting shaft upon activation thereof. A motor is disposed within the cavity of the housing and includes a power coupler operably coupled to both the cutting shaft and the fluid pump for suppling power thereto.

Abstract: A vein harvesting device is disclosed. The vein harvesting device includes a handle assembly, at least one elongated portion, first and second end effectors, and a tip. Each end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the at least one elongated portion. Each end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, and at least one jaw member is movable toward the other jaw member. The tip is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion. A distal end of the tip extends distally beyond a distal-most end of the first end effector. The first end effector is movable independently of the tip, and the second end effector is movable independently of the tip.

Abstract: A tissue resecting device includes a housing having an outer shaft, the outer shaft including a tool portion disposed at a distal end thereof having a window defined therein with a proximal cutting edge. An inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and includes proximal and distal ends, the inner shaft configured to rotate upon actuation thereof. A cork-screw member extends distally from the distal end of the inner shaft and into the window. The cork-screw member is configured to rotate concomitantly with the inner shaft and includes a barb at a distal end thereof configured to pierce and retain tissue thereon. Upon rotation of the inner shaft, the barb pierces and retains tissue and withdraws tissue proximally along the cork-screw member and into the outer shaft and wherein excess tissue is excised by the proximal cutting edge of the window as the tissue is withdrawn through the outer shaft.

Abstract: A device for applying a bubble of a substance to a tissue surface, the device comprising a cannula, a distal tip at the distal end portion of the cannula, the distal tip having a bubble support surface and an exit port extending through the bubble support surface, an expansion fluid passageway extending through the cannula to the exit port, a source of an expansion fluid and an actuator therefor. In some arrangements, the distal tip can be configured to support a layer of the substance thereon over the distal port and the device can be configured such that the advancement of the expansion fluid from the fluid source through the exit port causes at least one bubble of the substance to form on the distal tip, wherein the at least a portion of the bubble can be transferred to the tissue surface to treat a defect on the tissue surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laparoscopic device used in laparoscopic cyst hydatid operations, which has a shaft that enables simultaneous performance of the breaking of the cyst content in the area by the blade in the conical slot at the end of the shaft, aspiration of the cyst fluid and the broken female vesicles and if required, washing processes and an electrically connected hand unit. The mentioned laparoscopic device contains a motor inside the hand unit, motor drive unit, cycle unit, cycle control unit and trigger and the shaft part contains aspiration channel, washing channel, the shaft enabling the blade movement and blade unit in the conical slot at the end part of the same shaft, which rotates transversely to the conical slot.

Abstract: A device is described. The device includes a suture guide and a tissue retracting surface to enable accurate and safe delivery of sutures through tissue.