Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. The steerable delivery system can contain a steerable rail configured for multi-plane bending to direct a distal end of the delivery system.

Abstract: A device includes an access cannula, a puncturing element, a handle. The access cannula includes a lumen extending therethrough. The access cannula is sized and shaped to extend through an endoscopic shaft to a target tissue within a living body. The puncturing element is sized and shaped to extend through the lumen of the access cannula and distally out a distal end of the access cannula. The handle includes a handle body and a mechanism for advancing the access cannula from a proximal position relative to the puncturing element, where a puncturing tip of the puncturing element is exposed distal to a distal end of the access cannula, to a distal position relative to the puncturing element, where the distal end of the access cannula covers the puncturing tip of the puncturing element.

Abstract: An occlusion device includes an elongate shaft; a lower jaw extending from a distal end of the elongate shaft; an upper jaw pivotably mounted relative to the lower jaw; and a control member at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, the control member being operatively associated with the upper jaw to cause pivot of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Proposed is a banana clip for removing hemorrhoids, and a surgical tool set including the banana clip. The banana clip includes a clip main-body having a first clip arm and a second clip arm, connected to each other by a flexible bending portion in a manner that maintains a predetermined bend angle with respect with each other, which are closed with an outside force in a state where the hemorrhoids to be removed are interposed therebetween and thus are tied tightly around the hemorrhoids; and a holding guide, guiding relative motions of the first clip arm and the second clip arm when the clip main-body is bent inward.

Abstract: A surgical forceps can include a first shaft, a cam feature, a first jaw, a second jaw, an actuator arm, and a second shaft. The cam feature can be connected to the first shaft. The first jaw can define a cam interface and an actuator track. The cam interface can be engaged with the cam feature, and the first jaw can be movable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw can be movable relative to the second jaw. The actuator arm can include a distal portion configured to apply a closing force on the first jaw when the first jaw is moved out of the open position. The second shaft can move the cam interface along the cam feature to move the first jaw between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: Extra-urethral implants and methods of use are disclosed. Implants can treat disorders or diseases of the prostate by, for example, enlarging the lumen of the prostatic urethra.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a cannula and a seal housing. The cannula has a cannula housing and a tubular member that extends from the cannula housing. The seal housing is coupled to the cannula housing. The seal housing has a base and a cover with an instrument seal located between the base and the cover. The cover has an upper cover portion and a lower cover portion with a port extending from the upper cover portion. The port is connectable to a source of vacuum. A chamber with projections and windows is defined in the upper cover portion and is configured to direct fluid towards the port.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hemostatic clip, including an inner sleeve, a transitional inner sleeve, steel micro balls, a clip holder, a ball head pull rod, and clamps. The ball head pull rod is accommodated in the transitional inner sleeve, the transitional inner sleeve is accommodated in the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve is limited between the transitional inner sleeve and the clip holder, the steel micro balls are clamped between the clip holder and the transitional inner sleeve, and the steel micro balls are fixed to the clip holder. By pulling the ball head pull rod, the transitional inner sleeve is driven to move backward, so that a front end of the transitional inner sleeve is elastically deformed, to separate the transitional inner sleeve from the steel micro balls and the clip holder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs employing tensionable knotless anchors, without knot tying. The tensionable knotless anchors may be used by themselves or in combination with additional constructs (which may have a similar or different configuration, i.e., modified according to the specific repair) to achieve novel remplissage and soft tissue repairs.

Abstract: A three-prong grasper for laparoscopic procedures includes an elongate body having a sleeve with a distal portion, and an end effector supported on the distal portion. The end effector includes a first prong assembly with a first base member and a first prong member pivotally secured to the first base member, a second prong assembly with a second base member and a second prong member pivotally secured to the second base member, and a third prong assembly with a third base member and a third prong member pivotally secured to the third base member. The first, second, and third prong members move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A method of grasping tissue also includes pivoting first, second, and/or third prong members relative to respective first, second, and third base members to cause the grasping of tissue.

Abstract: An improved method and device are provided for forming and/or maintaining a percutaneous access pathway. The device generally comprises an access pathway. The provided assembly substantially reduces the possibility of injury while accessing and/or re-accessing a body space.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A device for laparoscopically approximating edges of a tissue opening toward each other for surgical attachment, the device including a first tissue engaging component, and a second tissue engaging component, a spreader component for moving the first tissue engaging component away from the second tissue engaging component, and a control for moving the first tissue engaging component away from the second tissue engaging component. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: In various aspects, the invention relates to an embolic device for treating aneurysms or other vascular disorders that exhibits improved filling and/or neck blockage over conventional devices. As one example, the embolic device can include a structure that is wound into a spiral shape. In some cases, the spirally wound embolic device includes alternating narrow portions and link portions. As another example, the embolic device can be formed from a structure wound to form an infinity shape or, in some cases, multiple infinity shapes. In instances with multiple infinity shapes, the infinity shapes can be arranged either parallel or perpendicular to each other. In certain aspects, the embolic device can include two different embolic devices that are attached by an interconnect element, such that the two devices are attached but have independent freedom of motion when placed within a vascular disorder.

Abstract: A probe for use in an anatomical region of a patient. The probe can optionally include: a proximal portion; an insertion portion and a magnetizable element. The insertion portion can be coupled to the proximal portion and can extend distally thereof. The insertion portion can have an elongated extent and a longitudinal axis. The insertion portion can include a flexible section. The magnetizable element can be positioned at a distal end portion of the insertion portion and can be configured for use within the anatomical region to produce a magnetic force between the magnetizable element and an extracorporeal magnetizable element that can direct the distal end portion of the probe to a desired location within the anatomic region.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can include a stent and a leaflet assembly mounted to the stent. The stent is formed by a plurality of struts and includes an inflow end and an outflow end. The stent is deformable from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The plurality of struts forms a plurality of rows of cells. The plurality of rows of cells includes a row of inflow cells at the inflow end, a row of outflow cells at the outflow end, and a row of intermediate cells that follows the row of outflow cells towards the inflow end. Each inflow cell comprises an inflow free apex. Each outflow cell comprises an outflow free apex and extends along an axial direction of the stent up to an end of said row of intermediate cells that points towards the inflow end of the stent.

Abstract: Valve delivery catheter assemblies including components that limit trauma to the expanded prosthetic valve and body channels as the distal tip of the catheter is withdrawn through the expanded valve and thereafter from the body. Catheter assemblies according to the present invention can include a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. A safety button can be included on the handle assembly to allow for precise and consistent positioning of the prosthetic valve in the body. A valve retaining mechanism can be included to assist in retaining the prosthetic valve prior to deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spray applicator for spraying a tissue treatment medicant onto a tissue that has a container containing the medicant and is positioned at a proximal end of the spray applicator; a spray tip positioned at a distal end of the spray applicator; a cannula connecting the container with the spray tip; an actuatable dispensing mechanism at a proximal end of the applicator to express the medicant from the container through the cannula and through the spray tip toward the tissue; an optional pressurized gas source discharging a gas through the cannula in the vicinity of the spray tip or inside the spray tip; and a distance indicator that provides indicia of the distance between the spray tip and the tissue but does not prevent positioning the spray tip closer to the tissue than a defined distance for the distance indicator.

Abstract: A conveyor and a conveyor system are provided. The conveyor comprises a lumen assembly and a self-locking mechanism connected to the lumen assembly, wherein the lumen assembly comprises an inner core tube, a recovery sheath movably surrounding the inner core tube, and an outer sheath movably surrounding the recovery sheath; the self-locking mechanism is connected to the recovery sheath; and the outer sheath can move relative to the inner core tube in an axial direction of the conveyor. The self-locking mechanism has a self-locked state and an unlocked state, wherein when the self-locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the recovery sheath can move relative to the inner core tube in the axial direction of the conveyor; and when the self-locking mechanism is in the self-locked state, the recovery sheath maintains stationary relative to the inner core tube.

Abstract: A system includes (i) a solenoid valve, positioned between a handle of a probe, and an aspiration line coupled with the handle for aspirating fluids from the probe, the solenoid valve includes at least a solenoid coil and a plunger movable by the solenoid coil, (ii) a sensor, positioned between the handle and the aspiration line and configured to produce a signal indicative of a fluid metric in the aspiration line, and (iii) a controller, configured to identify, based on the signal, a vacuum surge in the aspiration line, and, in response to identifying the vacuum surge, to apply at least one current to the solenoid coil to selectively move the plunger between a first position and a second position, and to selectively maintain the plunger in the first position and the second position.