Abstract: In examples, a microcatheter includes an enhanced inner liner that has a low coefficient of friction and improved toughness, which facilitates delivery of expandable vascular reconstruction devices. The microcatheter may include a stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) liner, which may be stretched longitudinally and not circumferentially or radially over at least a portion of a length of the microcatheter. The stretched PTFE inner liner may result in the reduction of a delivery friction and improved toughness and resistance to scraping.

Abstract: Implantable leadless pacing devices and medical device systems including an implantable leadless pacing device are disclosed. An example implantable leadless pacing device may include a pacing capsule. The pacing capsule may include a housing. The housing may have a proximal region and a distal region. A first electrode may be disposed along the distal region. An anchoring member may be coupled to the distal region. One or more anti-rotation members may be fixedly attached to the distal region.

Abstract: Insertion tools for medical applications. An illustrative example is an insertion tool for implanting a lead such as a subcutaneous defibrillation lead, which includes a handle at a proximal end, a catheter, and a distal end. A plurality of stylets having dottering tips are provided in the insertion tool. Reciprocating action of the dottering tips and/or stylets is imparted to dissect through subcutaneous tissue and create a tunnel for implantation of the lead.

Abstract: A balloon dissector includes a cannula, an expandable bladder, and a cord. The cannula defines a lumen between proximal and distal ends. The expandable bladder is configured to expand when fluid is injected into the lumen and includes an inner surface, a proximal base, and a retainer. The proximal base is selectively coupleable to the distal end of the cannula in a sealing relationship. The retainer is positioned on the inner surface of the expandable bladder. The cord includes a first end, a second end, and a central portion. The one end of the cord extends from the proximal end of the cannula. The cord extends through the lumen of the cannula and through the retainer of the bladder returning into the lumen. The cord configured to draw the expandable bladder into the lumen after the expandable bladder is expanded.

Abstract: Devices and methods for recanalization of occluded body vessels using novel guidewires. A novel double-sided guidewire comprises a cross-section tapering from a more rigid middle section towards more flexible head sections. A first head of the guidewire is inserted into the occluded body vessel in a retrograde direction to traverse an occlusion. The guidewire is further advanced in the retrograde direction such that the first head and a portion of the middle section are retrieved from the body, thereby positioning the remainder of the guidewire traversing the occlusion in an antegrade direction and allowing for over the wire recanalization techniques in the antegrade direction.

Abstract: A hemostatic device can inflate an inflatable portion without using a separate dedicated instrument, can reduce an unpleasant feeling of a wearer, and can prevent a site where bleeding is to be stopped from being unintentionally and unnecessarily compressed. The hemostatic device has a band for being wrapped around a limb, an inflatable portion that is inflated by injecting gas, an injection part that is configured to inject gas into the inflatable portion, and a flow route that permits communication between the inflatable portion and the injection part. The flow route includes a backflow preventer which prevents gas from flowing out to the injection part from the inflatable portion. The injection part is located on the band, and includes holes which penetrate the injection part in a direction intersecting a perpendicular line to a region of the band where the injection part is located.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for implementing kissing balloons simulating a bifurcated vessel, comprising a first catheter (4) having a first inflatable balloon (6) at or near its distal portion, a second catheter (7) having a second inflatable balloon (7a) at or near its distal portion, wherein the first catheter comprises a holding element (4) provided on the said first balloon (6), the said holding element (4) being adapted for: allowing the distal portion of the second catheter (7) to pass there through; affixing the second catheter (7) in a proximal vicinity to the first catheter (4) so that, in use, respective facing surfaces of the inflated first balloon (6) and the inflated second balloon (7a) touch each other.

Abstract: A reservoir of a system for deploying an implantable lead to an extravascular location delivers a flow of fluid through a lumen of one or both of a tunneling tool and an introducer of the system. In some cases, the tunneling tool includes a pressure sensor assembly for monitoring a change in a pressure of the flow through the lumen thereof. Alternately, or in addition, a flow-controlled passageway, through which the flow of fluid from the reservoir is delivered to the lumen of the introducer, includes a compliant chamber to hold a reserve of the fluid. Fluid from the reserve may be drawn into the lumen of the introducer as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom. Alternately, the introducer may include a chamber located between two seals, wherein fluid that fills the chamber is drawn distally into the lumen of the introducer, as the tunneling tool is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A suture device including: an elongated shaft member; a pair of gripping members; and a passing mechanism that transfers a suture needle between the gripping members, wherein the passing mechanism is provided with fitting holes provided in the individual gripping members and to which the suture needle is fitted, holding members that are inserted into recessed portions in outer circumferential surface of the suture needle by being pulled toward the proximal end sides thereof in directions that intersect axes of the individual fitting holes, a swing member that is provided so as to be swingable about an axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, a pair of tensile-force transmitting members that transmit tensile forces that cause the swing member to be swung, axial-force transmitting members that transmit axial forces associated with swinging of the swing member, and hold-state maintaining mechanism that maintains the holding members in the recessed portions.

Abstract: Delivery devices, systems, and methods for delivering an implantable leadless pacing device having an outer peripheral surface are disclosed. An example delivery device may include a proximal section including a distal end, and a distal holding section extending distally of a distal end of the proximal section. The distal holding section defines a cavity therein for receiving the implantable leadless pacing device, and may be configured to apply a holding force to the implantable leadless pacing device. In some cases, the distal holding section may be configured to apply a compressive force to the outer peripheral surface of the leadless pacing device when the leadless pacing device is disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing a dosage of an anticoagulant when performing a catheterization procedure at an access site of an artery. The method comprises administering the anticoagulant at a dose less than a conventional dose, reducing a contact time of blood at the access site of the artery, and maintaining the contact time of blood at a reduced level for a period of time during the catheterization procedure.

Abstract: A filter configured to be disposed within the vasculature to capture or trap material within a body lumen is disclosed. The filter may be configured to be removable and may be configured to slice through ingrown or encapsulated tissue during removal. A filter deployment device or system which may be configured to deliver a filter or filters to a position within a body lumen, such as within the vasculature, is also disclosed. The filter deployment device may be configured to limit inadvertent decoupling of a filter. Also, the filter deployment device may be configured to retrieve a deployed filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for obtaining patent hemostasis of the radial artery by compressing the uninstrumented ulnar artery to increase radial artery flow. The device comprises a band having an inflatable bladder for applying blunt pressure to the ulnar artery. The method comprises applying a pressure to the homolateral ulnar artery and applying a pressure to the radial artery at the access site to obtain hemostasis at the access site. The method further comprises administering an anticoagulant to a patient at a dose ranging from about 20 units per kg of body weight to about 30 units per kg of body weight.

Abstract: Methods for applying one or more adjuncts to tissue are provided. In one embodiment, the method can include positioning an adjunct, e.g., using an adhesive, on one of first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler. In one embodiment, an attachment mechanism on the adjunct can prevent stretching of at least a portion of the adjunct. In other aspects, the adjunct can be maintained on the at least one jaw in a first state in which the adjunct is at least partially stretched over the at least one jaw, and actuation of the surgical stapler can cause the adjunct to transition from the first state to a second state such that the adjunct in the second state at least partially separates from the at least one jaw.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for obtaining patent hemostasis of the radial artery by compressing the uninstrumented ulnar artery to increase radial artery flow. The device comprises a band having an inflatable bladder for applying blunt pressure to the ulnar artery. The method comprises applying a pressure to the homolateral ulnar artery and applying a pressure to the radial artery at the access site to obtain hemostasis at the access site.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. A surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongate shaft has first and second jaws at a distal end, and the jaws are configured to engage tissue. The surgical device also has a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A drive shaft extends from the handle of the surgical device through the elongate shaft and is coupled to the cutting assembly for moving the cutting assembly. The surgical device has a motorized gear assembly with at least one motor driven gear that is configured to move the drive shaft. The surgical device also has a bailout assembly that is configured to manually move the drive shaft.

Abstract: A reposable surgical instrument includes a handle assembly (100) and an endoscopic assembly (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) releasably engagable with the handle assembly (100). The handle assembly (100) includes a housing (110), a drive bar (132) supporting a ratchet pawl (142), and a trigger (122) coupled to the housing (110) and the drive bar (132). The endoscopic assembly (200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700) includes a proximal hub (210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) including a ratchet rack (215, 415, 515, 615), an elongated shaft (220, 340, 420) extending from the proximal hub (210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) and supporting an end effector assembly(350) at a distal end (344) thereof, and a drive assembly (230, 320, 430) operably coupled to the end effector assembly (350).

Abstract: A deployment device for positioning a soft tissue repair prosthesis includes a self-expanding support body releasably attachable to the prosthesis. The support body may be removably insertable into a pocket of the prosthesis. A handle coupled to the support body facilitates positioning the patch and/or removal of the support body from the pocket. The support body may substantially occupy the pocket in an expanded configuration. The handle may be arranged to direct a pulling force to the outer peripheral edge of the support body and/or cause a portion thereof to be pulled downward and below the body during withdrawal of the deployment device from the prosthesis. The support body may include support segments pivotally coupled together and foldable to collapse the support body for insertion into and removal from the pocket. One or more resilient support members may be provided for collapsing and expanding the support body and the prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for obtaining patent hemostasis of the radial artery by compressing the uninstrumented ulnar artery to increase radial artery flow. The device comprises a band having an inflatable bladder for applying blunt pressure to the ulnar artery. The method comprises applying a pressure to the homolateral ulnar artery and applying a pressure to the radial artery at the access site to obtain hemostasis at the access site. The method further comprises administering an anticoagulant to a patient at a dose ranging from about 20 units per kg of body weight to about 30 units per kg of body weight.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided that includes an outer tube. The outer tube includes an inner surface defining a passageway. An inner tube is movably disposed in the passageway such that a distal end of the inner tube extends beyond a distal end of the outer tube. The distal end of the inner tube includes a first cutting element. An inner surface of the inner tube defines a lumen. A shaft is slidably disposed in the lumen. The shaft has a distal end including a second cutting element. A deployment mechanism is coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The deployment mechanism includes a body, a push button disposed within the body and a collar disposed about the body. The shaft is fixed relative to the collar and the inner tube is fixed relative to the push button. Systems and methods are disclosed.