Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of tracking the surgical instrument includes a shaft, a cutting member, and navigation system. The shaft has a shaft lumen, a shaft window, and a shaft edge. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft lumen and is configured to cyclically move from a first position to a second position relative to the shaft. The cutting member includes a cutting window opening, a cutting edge, and a suction lumen to cut the tissue portion with the cutting member in the first position. The navigation system includes a navigation sensor positioned on at least one of the shaft or the cutting member that is configured to be tracked within a patient for identifying a positional movement of the shaft or the cutting member within the patient.

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: Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures.

Abstract: Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes a shaft extending from a proximal end of the system into a delivery tip at a distal end. The shaft includes a coil and a stent bed. A stent is loaded onto the stent bed and has a first portion at its distal end having a greater flexibility than a second portion at its proximal end. Sheathing is moveable over the stent bed between pre-deployed and deployed positions. The sheathing includes a flexible section at the sheathing distal end, a semi-flexible section adjacent the flexible section, and a stiff section adjacent the semi-flexible section. The delivery tip is more flexible than the combination of the stent bed, the first portion of the stent, and the flexible section of the sheathing, which is more flexible than the combination of the stent bed, the second portion the stent, and the flexible section of the sheathing.

Abstract: An anchor arrangement is provided for surgical tissue repair, such as in particular for repair of a meniscus tear, having at least one first anchor and one second anchor, which are movable along a hollow needle for placement on a tissue to be repaired and connected to each other via a seam element. The first anchor and the second anchor each extend between a distal end and a proximal end and form a guide surface on the outside thereof for contacting an inside of a hollow needle at least in part. In addition, there are deflectors on the anchors, via which a torque can be applied at least in part to the anchors during or after setting. At least one of the anchors has at least two anchor sections, which are movable relative to each other and which can be pivoted relative to each other between a folded position, in which the guide surface spans a cross-section deviating from a circular profile, and an unfolded position.

Abstract: An LAA exclusion clip includes first and second clip struts and a bias device. The clip struts together define a heart-proximate side, a heart-distal side, bias and open clip ends, each strut having a tissue-contacting surface disposed opposite one another. The bias device includes a first biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-proximate side of the clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-proximate side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end. The bias device includes a second biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end.

Abstract: A medical device (1300) for holding an annuloplasty ring (101) is disclosed comprising a support (102) defining first and second peripheral edges (103, 126) each with a curvature about which said cardiac valve implant can be fitted, wherein the support comprises a grip section (128, 129) positioned between and connected with the first and second peripheral edges at opposite sides of the grip section, the grip section defining an opening for engagement with a gripper tool in use of the support, wherein said grip section is recessed inwards from either of said first and second peripheral edges thereby defining said opening between said support and said cardiac valve implant when held in place by said support. A method of manufacturing a medical device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treatment of nasal conditions comprising: delivering an expandable structure in a crimped configuration to a nasal lumen; expanding the expandable structure within the nasal lumen to a stable expanded configuration; removing the structure from the nasal lumen, after a time period, where removing comprises causing the structure to self-crimp. The expandable structure optionally comprises: a first shape memory (SM) portion which is in a strain-induced state; and a second portion which resists expansion of said structure due to said first portion, over a plurality of different expansion states of said first portion. Optionally, the properties of the second portion vary over its cross section. For example an outer surface and/or peripheral layer may have desirable environmental resistance properties and/or a frame may have desirable mechanical properties, for example a high creep resistance.

Abstract: A tissue repair assembly for attachment of tissue to bone or tissue to tissue having a soft anchoring implant 100 with a length of suture 120 there through for tensioning the implant and facilitating attachment of other tissue. The implant 100 is a soft, flexible, three-dimensional structure that has a resident volume 200. An inserter tube 310 facilitates the placement of the implant 100 into bone or adjacent soft tissue where it may be deployed. Upon deployment, the soft anchoring implant 100 shortens axially and expands radially, achieving a larger diameter than the hole through which it was placed, thus resisting pull out.

Abstract: A comprehensive multi-functional device platform that can be variably configured by clinician operators for patient-specific anatomies and clinical situations for treating complex and total occlusions is provided. This device platform enables physicians of any skill level to effectively treat the most challenging and complex lesions/occlusions more conveniently in less time. The Functionally Integratable Catheter System (“FICS System”) represents a system of “functional units” that can be configured together to operate synergistically, and comprises at least five main “functional units,” including: (a) FICS Support Catheter; (b) FICS Dilator; (c) FICS PTA Catheter; (d) FICS Lock-Grip Handle; and (e) FICS Steering Hub. Each “functional unit” can be provided in a pre-assembled form by the manufacturer, intended to be configured into variable combinations by clinician operators.

Abstract: Devices that can be delivered into a vascular system to divert flow are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, devices are provided for treating aneurysms by diverting flow. A flow-diverting device can comprise, for example, a frame and mesh immovably attached to and extending over a portion of the frame. The mesh can include a plurality of pores that are sized to inhibit the flow of blood through the frame into an aneurysm to a degree sufficient to lead to thrombosis and healing of the aneurysm when the device is positioned in a blood vessel and adjacent to the aneurysm.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.

Abstract: This application is directed to a device comprising a covering attached to the device. A process of making a device with a specific covering attached is also disclosed. The application further discloses a method for the treatment of perforations, fistulas, ruptures, dehiscence and aneurisms in luminal vessels and organs of a subject.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.

Abstract: A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.

Abstract: A memory elastic wire sleeve for peeling maxillary sinus mucous membrane is adapted for implant surgeries and/or bone grafting in the regions close to the maxillary sinus floor. The memory elastic wire sleeve includes a primary peeling structure and a secondary peeling structure, wherein the primary peeling structure comprises a hollow sleeve and a peeling edge located on the top of the hollow sleeve, and can peel the maxillary sinus mucous membrane preliminarily, and the second peeling structure is a memory elastic wire which can further peel the maxillary sinus mucous membrane. The memory elastic wire sleeve is simple and dainty, and can safely and effectively peel away the maxillary sinus mucous membrane within a large range.

Abstract: A suture tape construct having a first section formed from a fibrous filament that extends from a first end to a second end and has a pair of a one-way protrusions extending therefrom. An anchor is positioned along the suture construct and, when the construct is deployed, is captured between the protrusions. The anchor may be a second section formed from braided suture material that is woven about the first section. The braided suture material can be deployed to form an all suture anchor while protrusions extending from the suture anchor proximately to the location of the deployed suture anchor prevent movement of the second section relative to the first section, thus forming a non-sliding suture tape anchored by the deployed braided material. The anchor may be a threaded anchor having an eyelet that is captured between the protrusions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective cutting and coagulation required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The apparatus includes two body members having proximal ends and distal ends with jaw members located adjacent the body member's distal ends. The body members are joined at a pivot located adjacent to the first and second jaw members joining the first and second body members where the body members' rotation about the pivot defines a plane of rotation. The scissors are adapted for selective application of energy to at least one jaw member by a switch located in the plane of rotation.

Abstract: A method for treating reflux esophagitis includes orally inserting an endoscope into a digestive canal; an esophageal side opening forming an esophageal side opening in a mucosal layer in a part of an esophagus; a tunnel forming step of introducing the endoscope between the mucosal and a muscle layer from the esophageal side opening forming a tunnel; an abdominal cavity side opening passing from the tunnel to an abdominal cavity closer to an anus; a protrusion step of a distal end portion of the endoscope passing through the tunnel from the abdominal cavity side opening into the abdominal cavity; and a stenosis forming a wrap on a part of an outer circumference of the digestive canal near the diaphragm closer to the anus using a medical instrument inserted into a channel of the endoscope in the abdominal cavity to form a local stenosis inside the digestive canal forming a wrap.