Abstract: A closure system configured to facilitate hemostasis at a puncture of a vessel includes a delivery sheath that extends longitudinally from a delivery sheath proximal end to a delivery sheath distal end. The delivery sheath defines a delivery sheath lumen extending therethrough and configured to receive a first guidewire therethrough. The system also includes an introducer needle configured to selectively couple to the delivery sheath for movement relative to the delivery sheath. The introducer needle is configured to form a secondary access site in the vessel at an offset from the puncture after the delivery sheath distal end is advanced through the puncture. The system further includes a stylet configured to be received through the delivery sheath lumen adjacent to the first guidewire. The stylet includes a stylet magnet configured to magnetically couple to a guidewire magnet of a second guidewire advanced through the secondary access site.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is monolithically connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements. The dilation element has a flattened outer surface along at least proximal and distal neck portions of the balloon.

Abstract: A system for securing a length of filament in working communication with tissue. The system includes a first filamentary sleeve having a length along a longitudinal axis and a passageway therethrough. The passageway is dimensioned to allow slidable movement therein of a length of filament. Also included within the system is and a filament engagement device that includes a pathway. The pathway has a first configuration and second configuration, wherein a portion of the length of filament is slidable within the pathway when the pathway is in the first configuration and is restricted from sliding when the pathway is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A fully implantable trial neurostimulation system for implant within a patient is provided that includes one or more leads equipped to deliver neurostimulation to patient tissues under the control of a trial neurostimulation control device designed as a capsule for removable implant within the patient. The control capsule is provided with minimal components to power and control the delivery of neurostimulation during a trial evaluation period and is shaped and configured to facilitate removal from the patient following completion of the trial period. In some examples, both the lead and the trial control capsule are removed from the patient following the trial period for replacement with a chronic or long-term neurostimulation system (assuming further neurostimulation is warranted.) In other examples, the lead remains within the patient and the trial control capsule is replaced with a long-term neurostimulation controller device. Various minimally-intrusive implantation procedures are also described.

Abstract: A medical device may include a plurality of branch members having moveable distal portions. The medical device also may include a first moveable member movably connected to the distal portion of one of the branch members at a first location along the branch member. The first moveable member may have first and second proximal portions extending from the first location and disposed within one or more lumens of one or more of the other branch members. The moveable distal portions of the plurality of branch members and the first moveable member may form a first snare movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotational atherectomy device having, in various embodiments, a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with a system of eccentric abrading heads attached thereto. At least part of the eccentric enlarged abrading heads in the system have a tissue removing surface—typically an abrasive surface. In certain embodiments, the abrading heads may be at least partially hollow. Preferably the eccentric enlarged abrading heads have centers of mass spaced radially from the rotational axis of the drive shaft, facilitating the ability of the system of eccentric abrading heads to work together to open the stenotic lesion to a diameter substantially larger than the outer resting diameter of the enlarged abrading heads when operated at high speeds. Therefore, certain embodiments comprise a system having unbalanced centers of mass to not only stimulate greater rotational diameters but also arranged in a manner whereby a debris-removing augering effect occurs.

Abstract: A surgical treatment apparatus includes a treatment portion unit; at least one operation portion provided in the treatment portion unit that is movable in response to an operation of an operator; a detection subject portion provided in the operation portion; a gripping portion that is detachable and attachable relative to the treatment portion unit; a non-contact type detection portion that is provided in the gripping portion separately from the operation portion and is capable of detecting an operation of the detection subject portion in accordance with the operation of the operation portion; an energy supply portion provided within the gripping portion, that supplies energy to the treatment portion; and a driving device connected to the gripping portion, that supplies energy to the energy supply portion in accordance with a detection result of the detection portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first lever element and a second lever element interconnected by a lever element hinge. Each lever element includes a grip portion and a jaw portion. A first spring portion and a second spring portion are proximally connected to the grip portions. A proximal free end of the first spring portion is coupled to a proximal free end of the second spring portion by a hinged joint. The hinged joint includes a hinge pin and at least one bearing eye. The at least one bearing eye forms a continuous longitudinal slit for radial insertion of the hinge pin. The slit extends diagonally relative to the axis of the at least one bearing eye so that at least one spring portion has to be twisted during radial insertion of the hinge pin into the at least one bearing eye.

Abstract: A deployment system is configured to deploy a prosthesis into an internal lumen of a patient. The system can include an introducer with the loaded prosthesis. A spacing mechanism can be disposed axially along the introducer. When the prosthesis is mounted onto the introducer in a radially compressed configuration, an end of a first stent and a second stent can engage a contact point of the spacing mechanism to maintain the axial distance between the first and second stents and prevent axial compression of the prosthesis during loading and deployment. The spacing mechanism can reside within the prosthesis and be disposed outwardly away from the introducer to contact the interior surface of the prosthesis. The spacing mechanism can include a flexible longitudinal member, such as a wire or strip, or a tubular body.

Abstract: A hemostatic device is provided to stop bleeding at a puncture site on the wrist of a patient, the device comprising a transparent flexible band to be wrapped at the site where the bleeding is to be stopped, a curved frame having an inner peripheral side and possessing a first curved portion in its first half and a second curved portion in its second half, a first balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the first half of the curved frame and a second balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the second half of the curved frame. The bleeding from a first artery is stopped by compressing the first artery at the puncture site using inflation of the first balloon and the blood flow in the first artery is increased by compression of a second artery using inflation of the second balloon.

Abstract: A hemostatic device is provided to stop bleeding at a puncture site on the wrist of a patient, the device comprising a transparent flexible band to be wrapped at the site where the bleeding is to be stopped, a curved frame having an inner peripheral side and possessing a first curved portion in its first half and a second curved portion in its second half, a first balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the first half of the curved frame and a second balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the second half of the curved frame. The bleeding from a first artery is stopped by compressing the first artery at the puncture site using inflation of the first balloon and the blood flow in the first artery is increased by compression of a second artery using inflation of the second balloon.

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: 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 segmented endograft includes at least one positioning segment and at least one main body segment which are separately deployable. The at least one positioning segment and at least one main body segment may be connected one to another. For example, the at least one positioning segment and at least one main body segment may be connected along a portion of a circumference thereof, but unconnected along a remainder of the circumference thereof. The at least one positioning segment overlaps a portion of the at least one main body segment. Deployment systems may include the segmented endograft and the segmented endograft may be deployed according to various methods.

Abstract: A hemostatic device is provided to stop bleeding at a puncture site on the wrist of a patient, the device comprising a transparent flexible band to be wrapped at the site where the bleeding is to be stopped, a curved frame having an inner peripheral side and possessing a first curved portion in its first half and a second curved portion in its second half, a first balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the first half of the curved frame and a second balloon provided on the inner peripheral side in the second half of the curved frame. The bleeding from a first artery is stopped by compressing the first artery at the puncture site using inflation of the first balloon and the blood flow in the first artery is increased by compression of a second artery using inflation of the second balloon.

Abstract: An extending portion of a vibration transmitting unit. is capable of transmitting ultrasonic vibration from a proximal side to a distal side, and in the extending portion, a second component provided on the distal side with respect to a first component. A third component provided between the first component and the second component in the extending portion has a third cross-sectional area that is larger than a first cross-sectional area of the first component and is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of the second component, and one of vibration anti-nodes is positioned at third component by the extending portion vibrating at a frequency in a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A haptic glove configured to transmit haptic feedback to an operator of a surgical robot system may include: a plurality of vibrators on a first surface of the haptic glove, the plurality of vibrators configured to apply vibrations; at least one pressure sensor at a finger part of a second surface of the haptic glove opposite to the first surface, the at least one pressure sensor configured to sense grip force in the finger part; at least one sensation applier on the second surface, the at least one sensation applier configured to apply sensations including vibration or force to the finger part; and/or a controller configured to output the grip force sensed by the at least one pressure sensor, and configured to control the vibrations applied by the plurality of vibrators and the sensations applied by the at least one sensation applier.

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: This invention relates to the removal of hair including the root, from the nostrils and the ear canals, as well as for some various facial hairs. It is a mechanical device using a tension coil spring attached to a plunger and housing assembly to extend the spring, thereby creating multiple openings between the individual coils of the spring so as to allow multiple hairs to enter the openings, after which the plunger is released and the coils of the spring retract, grabbing the hairs with adequate friction to pull them out. This device is operated by the thumb and two fingers and can remove any unwanted hair, particularly nose and ear hair, within a couple of minutes with almost no pain.