Abstract: A device and method for treating an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with a stent delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract. A device and method to remove an obstruction from an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with an obstruction removal device delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract.

Abstract: By moving a control member 3 in a predetermined direction from a wait position, a lancing device A can perform a lancet retreat operation for retreating a lancet holder 2 to locate a lancet 9 at a predetermined retreated position and a lancet detachment operation for pushing out the lancet 9 forward of the lancet holder 2 after a lancing operation. The control member 3 returns to the wait position by action of a return member 7 both after the lancet retreat operation and after the lancet detachment operation. Thus, the lancing device A is convenient.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes anchor members with a sharp edge configured so that when the filter is removed the sharp edge aids in passing the anchor members through endothelial tissue. The filter may also include a sharp edge on locator members configured to aid pulling the locator members away from the endothelial tissue.

Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.

Abstract: A stent for delivery of a therapeutic agent is disclosed. The stent includes a polymer coating for reducing the rate of release of the therapeutic agent. The polymer has a crystalline structure wherein the polymer is capable of significantly maintaining the crystalline lattice structure while the therapeutic agent is released from the stent such that the aqueous environment to which the stent is exposed subsequent to the implantation of the stent does not significantly convert the crystalline lattice structure of the polymer to an amorphous structure.

Abstract: A lancing device comprises a main housing, a movable housing and a pushbutton. The main housing encloses a portion of a lancing mechanism. The lancing mechanism includes a lancet holder attached to a shaft. The lancet holder receives a lancet and has a slot formed therein. The lancing mechanism moves between a rest position, a cocked position, and a puncture position. The movable housing is adjacent to the main housing. The movable housing moves from a rest position to a cocking position and a lancet-release position. The pushbutton allows the lancing mechanism to move from the cocked position to the puncture position upon depression of the pushbutton. The pushbutton includes a lancet-release tab that extends into the slot formed in the lancet holder and engages the lancet. The lancet is released from the lancet holder in response to the continued depression of the pushbutton and the movable housing is moved from the rest position to the lancet-release position.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical device to a body location. The system includes a sheath (6) having a distal end (10) configured to receive the medical device (18). An actuating mechanism (16) causes the sheath to slide proximally upon which it becomes slit at its proximal (8) end longitudinally by blades (41) to expose the medical device.

Abstract: The invention provides a process by which tubular tissue supports (stents) can be removed from hollow organs of humans or of animals after heating to a temperature below the transition temperature Ttrans until softening occurs.

Abstract: A vessel filter comprising a mounting section having first and second ends and a first and second filtering section. The filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. In the expanded position a first end of the first filtering section converges to form a first converging region and a second end of the second filtering section converges to form a second converging region. The first converging region is positioned radially and axially inwardly of the first end of the mounting section and the second converging region is positioned radially and axially inwardly of the second end of the mounting section.

Abstract: Improved pacifiers are provided. Certain embodiments better accommodate the anatomy of the human oral cavity and throat, and can provide for improved airway patency, healthy jaw development, correct swallowing, and/or satisfy a user's inclination to suck and nibble. Certain embodiments include an upper ridge groove configured to receive a user's upper anterior ridge, and a lower ridge groove configured to receive the user's lower anterior ridge. The ridge grooves can be substantially vertically aligned, can span a user's anterior ridges, and can maintain vertical spacing between the user's anterior ridges. Certain embodiments include an anterior flange and a posterior flange, the upper ridge groove configured to receive the upper anterior ridge between the posterior flange and anterior flange, and the lower ridge groove configured to receive the lower anterior ridge between the posterior flange and anterior flange.

Abstract: Methods and systems for re-entering the true lumen of a vessel after subintimally bypassing an occlusion in a blood vessel. A guidewire is positionable within a subintimal tract in a wall of the blood vessel with a distal end located beyond the occlusion. A hollow lumen of the guidewire includes a retractable blade slidably exposable adjacent a distal end thereof for rotary cutting or scoring the intima layer of the vessel wall to create a transverse cut or line of weakness in the intima. A balloon catheter is subsequently trackable over the guidewire and once inflated tears or otherwise ruptures the transverse cut, thereby creating or enlarging a passageway into the true lumen of the blood vessel beyond the occlusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and structure of deformable alloys on the basis of magnesium with an optimum combination of mechanical properties (strength, plasticity) and a resistance to corrosion, including in vivo. Alloys of the new group possess an excellent formability at room temperature, high corrosion stability in sodium chloride solution, excellent heat resistance and can be used in various technical applications, particularly in vivo as a structural material for stents.

Abstract: A medical instrument has a shaft. The shaft has an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The outer shaft encloses the inner shaft. The medical instrument further has an actuator for rotating the inner shaft about a longitudinal axis relative to the outer shaft, arranged at a proximal end region of the shaft. The medical instrument has at least two tappet elements for transferring a rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft, which are engaged interchangeably with the inner shaft for transferring the rotary movement of the actuator to the inner shaft. The tappet elements reach through peripherally limited openings in a proximal end region of the outer shaft, which openings are offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A suprapubic transurethral cystotomy apparatus and method of forming a surgical opening therewith. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion inclined relative to one another. The distal portion extends along an axis to an end configured for receipt through a urethra. An elongate arm has a first end operably attached to the proximal portion of the tubular body and a second end providing an indicator establishing an axis aligned coaxially with the axis of the distal portion. A surgical opening is formed with a cutting member being extended along the axis of the indicator.

Abstract: A bladder access apparatus and method of provided access into a bladder through a abdominal wall therewith is provided. The apparatus has an annular body extending between opposite ends with a through passage extending between the ends. A tubular sheath is attached to one end of the body in coaxial alignment with the through passage. The sheath is expandable from a first diameter to an enlarged second diameter. The apparatus has an elongate stylet with a rod sized for receipt in the sheath. The rod has a length greater than the tubular sheath and a diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the sheath. The apparatus includes a rigid, tubular body having an outer diameter corresponding substantially to the second diameter of the sheath and a rigid, cylindrical member sized for sliding receipt in the tubular body.

Abstract: A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members, and a bio-resorbable structure that causes locator members and/or anchor members to deploy to an initial configuration which changes when the bio-resorbable structure is resorbed. The bio-resorbable structure causes the filter locator members and/or anchor members to press against the vessel wall sufficient to locate and anchor the filter upo delivery. After the bio-resorbable structure is resorbed, the locator members and/or anchor members change shape to apply less pressure against the vessel wall. The bio-resorbable structure may be activated by exposure to radiation so that actuation of the locator members and/or anchor members can be enabled or initiated by a clinician.

Abstract: A flexible inner member for rotation within an angled outer tubular member of a rotary tissue cutting instrument to cut anatomical tissue includes a flexible region for conforming to the configuration of an angled region of the outer tubular member. The flexible region comprises a cut having convoluted path areas formed through a cylindrical wall of a tubular body of the inner member. The convoluted path areas are rotationally spaced on the tubular body in alternating sequence with connecting path segments of the cut. The cut follows a convoluted path in the convoluted path areas forming the wall of the tubular body into a pair of complementary, mating hook formations of opposed curvature. The connecting path segments extend rotationally along the tubular body between the convoluted path areas.

Abstract: A flexible inner member for rotation within an angled outer tubular member of a rotary tissue cutting instrument to cut anatomical tissue includes a flexible region for conforming to the configuration of an angled region of the outer tubular member and formed of a labyrinthine cut through a cylindrical wall of a tubular body of the inner member. The labyrinthine cut includes a plurality of labyrinthine areas rotationally spaced on the tubular body and in which the labyrinthine cut defines a labyrinth configuration including minor curves of opposed curvature respectively arranged within major curves of opposed curvature, with each of the minor curves being continuous with a major curve of opposed curvature thereto.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a first catheter shaft comprising a wall. The wall comprises at least one section of electroactive polymer having an actuated state and a non-actuated state and defines a first lumen. In the actuated state the first lumen haves a first diameter and in the non-actuated state the first lumen haves a second diameter, the first diameter being different than the second diameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for facilitating the repair of vasculature. The methods and devices described accomplish engagement of components employed during in situ assembly of repair devices.