Abstract: A soft anchor having a sleeve, being a circular braided suture defining a lumen, and defining a first terminus, having a first terminus opening and a second terminus having a second terminus opening. Also, a deployment suture is engaged to the sleeve by extending into the lumen through a first broach point, then out of the sleeve through the first terminus opening, then into the sleeve through a second broach point, on the bottom-side, and then out of the lumen though a third broach point, then into the lumen through the second terminus opening and out of the suture though a fourth broach point, thereby creating a first lateral trap, between the first broach point and the first terminus opening, a second lateral trap, between the second terminal opening and the fourth broach point, and a central trap, between the second and third broach points.

Abstract: This system includes a conductor microcable and an insulating microcatheter, including a hollow tube housing the microcable with the possibility of relative axial translation therebetween. The microcatheter is suitable for permanent implantation. The microcatheter, in its distal portion, includes at least one lateral window formed by a through orifice formed on the wall of the hollow tube. The window forms a stimulation site defined on the wall of the target vein facing the window of the microcatheter, and provides for a region of the microcable surface located at the window to form a stimulation electrode. In its distal portion, the microcable is not isolated at least in the region of the window of the microcatheter. The microcatheter is telescopically moveable on the microcable, so as to modify the position of the stimulation site of the target vein.

Abstract: A delivery cylinder for a prosthetic implant can include a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion. The second tubular portion has a plurality of strut members coupled to the first tubular portion that define a volume for containing the prosthetic implant in a radially compressed state. The strut members can include respective flex regions configured such that application of force to the strut members causes deformation of the flex regions and corresponding radially inward or outward movement of the strut members relative to a longitudinal axis of the delivery cylinder between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides fastener anchoring devices with protruding fasteners releasably attached to graspers for insertion into a target site such as soft tissue. The devices include a retaining mechanism that can be actuated to release the fasteners from the grasper. The devices can include support material preloaded onto the fasteners.

Abstract: Surgical clips and surgical applicators used in performing rapid tissue closure in either minimally invasive surgeries or traditional open procedures are provided. In one example approach, a surgical clip comprises opposing sides extending from a top portion and terminating at tips positioned below the top portion. The resting position of the clip is its closed position. Edges of the top portion and the opposing sides form opposing faces perpendicular to the opposing sides. The opposing faces are angled inwardly towards each other at a region of the faces adjacent to the top portion. Grooves are formed in each of the opposing sides. The grooves are configured to engage inwardly turned tracks of a clip applicator such that, when a force is applied to the clip, the opposing sides bend outwardly away from each other to place the clip in an intermediate open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods can be employed for trans-tympanic membrane access to the middle ear for delivery of a therapeutic agent, for example, to the round window niche adjacent to the cochlea under direct visualization. The systems and methods can also be used to improve accessibility and visualization for various otological surgical procedures, such as, but not limited to, cholesteatoma removal, tympanic membrane repair and ossicular chain repair.

Abstract: A heart valve delivery system may include a handle, a shaft having a proximal end fixedly connected to the handle and extending distally along an axis away from the handle to a free end, and a tube surrounding the shaft. The tube may have a proximal end connected to the handle and extend distally along the axis away from the handle to a distal end. The tube may be axially movable relative to the shaft and the handle between a fully extended position at which the tube extends distally farther than the shaft, and a fully retracted position at which the shaft extends distally farther than the tube. The system may include an inserter for guiding insertion of the tube. In addition or in alternative to the inserter, the system may include a funnel for loading the prosthetic valve into the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a manually actuated aspiration device, aspiration system and a method of use to enable and facilitate en bloc removal of undesirable intravascular material, including, but not limited to, thrombus, embolus, or vegetation through a working lumen of a suction cannula during minimally invasive percutaneous procedures. The aspiration device includes valves oriented in opposite direction to control the fluid flow through the aspiration system and into a waste collection component. Alternatively, the aspiration system further comprises a filter that removes undesirable intravascular material prior to reinfusing blood into a patient's vasculature.

Abstract: Side bite surgical suturing instruments or portions thereof for endoscopic, laparoscopic, endoluminal, and/or transluminal suturing facilitate the use of larger needles to get a bigger bite while suturing.

Abstract: A method for resetting a stapling apparatus includes providing an apparatus with a cam member in a fired position. A circuit of the apparatus is then changed from a first polarity state to a second polarity state. A motor of the apparatus is then activated to rotate the cam member from a fired position back to a home position while the circuit is in the second polarity state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prosthesis (1) comprising a textile (2) of elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis A, and a resilient frame (3) connected to said textile along substantially the peripheral edge of the textile, said frame forming, in the area of each short side of the textile, at least one U-shaped bend (4) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, said frame being able to adopt an unstressed configuration, in which said textile is deployed, and a stressed configuration, in which said frame is subjected to a radial force directed towards said longitudinal axis and said textile forms at least one longitudinal fold.

Abstract: A catheter based balloon enabled prosthetic heart valve delivery device is provided. The balloon enabled delivery device is configured to deploy a prosthetic heart valve through inflation. The balloon enabled delivery device is further configured to reduce or prevent migration of the prosthetic heart valve during deployment. Migration is prevented through a combination of balanced inflation of the balloon, inflation fluid flow balancing structures, retention rings, retention covers, and balloon surface treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates in some aspects to a device for use in anchoring an implant, including anchors, sutures, implants, clips, tools, lassos, and methods of anchoring among other methods. Anchors as disclosed herein could be utilized to secure a coaptation assistance device, an annuloplasty ring, an artificial valve, cardiac patch, sensor, pacemaker, or other implants. The implant could be a mitral valve ring or artificial mitral valve in some embodiments.

Abstract: Medical device delivery system including a catheter, handle, lock line handle, and lock line. The catheter includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The handle is coupled to the proximal end portion of the catheter. The lock line handle is releasably coupled to the handle and actuatable between a lock position and an unlock position. The lock line includes a first end portion fixedly coupled to the lock line handle, a second end portion releasably coupled to the lock line handle, and an intermediate portion configured to be releasably coupled to the medical implant disposed proximate the distal end portion of the catheter. Actuating the lock line handle from the lock position toward the unlock position increases tension on the lock line, and actuating the lock line handle from the unlock position toward the lock position decreases tension on the lock line.

Abstract: A reentry catheter for crossing a vascular occlusion includes an elongate flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending there through. A reentry zone on the tubular body includes at least two and preferably three sets of opposing pairs of axially spaced exit apertures in communication with the lumen. The apertures are rotationally offset from each other and aligned in a spiral pattern around the tubular body. A method of crossing a chronic total occlusion includes the steps of advancing the reentry catheter across the occlusion via a channel formed in the subintimal space, and advancing a guidewire via a selected exit port into the native lumen distally of the occlusion. The catheter may be removed, leaving the guidewire across the occlusion to guide further interventional devices.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided having an actuator mechanism with an integrated extension element. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly having atraumatic pads to reduce force on grasped tissue. An actuator is movable within the elongate shaft to actuate jaws of the jaw assembly responsive to a movable handle of the handle assembly. The actuator can have an integrated extension element that allows the actuator to translate within the elongate shaft upon application of a relatively low force and translate and extend upon application of a relatively higher force to the actuator to limit the force applied by the jaw assembly. The actuator also utilizes forces stored with the integrated extension element to provide a dynamic amount of force used to grasp the tissue when the tissue volume decreases while in the jaws.

Abstract: A device that uses an anatomic landmark or fiduciary point to establish a point of origin for device orientation in space is provided. The device controls the direction and depth of delivery of a needle, wire, trocar or cannula utilized for diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. The device guides the percutaneous delivery of a needle, wire, trocar or cannula to a target spatial location on or within tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for preparing and implanting tissue scaffolds. Various embodiments of scribing tools are provided that are configured to mark one or more predetermined shapes around a defect site in tissue. The shape or shapes marked in tissue can be used to cut a tissue scaffold having a shape that matches the shape or shapes marked in tissue. In one embodiment, the scribing tool used to mark a shape in tissue can also be used to cut the tissue scaffold.

Abstract: A mechanism for holding surgical instruments includes a carrier mounted on a machine tool and multiple holding modules mounted on the carrier. At least one of the holding modules is selected to be used during surgical operation. A swing element of the selected holding module enables a guidance sleeve to be swung to allow a guidance hole on the guidance sleeve to face toward a surgical operation region. The guidance sleeve is provided to hold one surgical instrument for surgical operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an anastomosis between two adjacent walls of a digestive tract are provided. The system can include first and second magnetic implants configured to magnetically couple through two adjacent walls of the digestive tract to compress a portion of the two adjacent walls therebetween and form a necrotic area that becomes surrounded by a scarred edge following a healing time period. The magnetic implant can include a magnetic member and a non-magnetic member. The system can include a retention member extending outwardly from a corresponding one of the first and second magnetic implants, the retention member being configured to retain the magnetic implants in position and prevent passage thereof through the necrotic area during the healing time period, and to maintain an engagement between the magnetic member and the non-magnetic member during the healing time period and enable disengagement thereof following the healing time period.