Abstract: A non-setting agent for positioning a surgical mesh prosthesis against a tissue defect during surgical hernia repair enables a surgeon to position the surgical mesh prosthesis at an optimal location against the tissue defect without pre-measuring suture location and pre-suturing. The surgical mesh prosthesis can be repositioned by removing and replacing, or by sliding, the mesh along the tissue defect without traumatizing the tissue. The positioning agent is provided with adhesion and lubricity characteristics providing an adhesion strength required to temporarily maintain the surgical mesh in place, otherwise unsupported, against tissue of a targeted tissue location, and providing a viscosity that permits removal and replacement, or slidable movement, of the surgical mesh along the tissue upon receipt of a non-gravitational external force applied to the surgical mesh so movement of the surgical mesh that is atraumatic to the tissue.

Abstract: A balloon includes a plurality of radial projections formed in a working surface for use in providing a focused force during the angioplasty procedure. The plurality of radial projections may be formed in a wall of the balloon and spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. The projections for use in connection with such a balloon may comprise wires or wire segments, and may also comprise radiopaque materials to facilitate viewing under fluoroscopy during the procedure. Related methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An occlusion assembly comprising: (a) a tissue occlusion device comprising a first linear clamping portion and a second linear clamping portion, the first and second linear clamping portions oriented to overlap and be parallel to one another in a clamped position, the tissue occlusion device further including a spring concurrently coupled to and interposed by the first and second linear clamping portions to bias the first and second linear clamping portions toward the clamped position; and, (b) an endoscopic rein coupled to the tissue occlusion device and configured to facilitate repositioning of the tissue occlusion device toward an occlusion position where the first and second linear clamping portions are interposed by tissue, where the endoscopic rein includes a flexible wire coupled to the clamping device and configured to facilitate repositioning of the tissue occlusion device toward the occlusion position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices and methods for forming a seal covering an incision in tissue. In some embodiments, a deformable member can be loaded into a catheter and inserted into the tissue incision. The deformable member can unfold into a cup-shape which can form a seal around the incision during a procedure. Once the procedure is finished, the deformable member can be drawn back into the tube.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, a gripping and pushing device for a medical instrument comprises an elongated main body defining a lumen. The elongated main body comprises one or more deflectable portions that can be pressed radially inwardly toward a shaft of the medical instrument extending through the lumen. One or more elastomeric gripping layers can be secured to the inner surface of a respective deflectable portion at axially spaced apart attachment locations. The one or more gripping layers are axially deformable relative to the one or more deflectable portions between the attachment locations when manual pressure is applied to the one or more deflectable portions to press the one or more gripping layers against the shaft and move the shaft longitudinally into a patient's body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.

Abstract: An acupuncture device and a needle wakening method are disclosed. The acupuncture device includes a plurality of acupuncture needles, and each acupuncture needle includes a needle body and a needle handle; an end of the needle body is a needle tip, and the other end of the needle body is fixedly connected with the needle handle. The acupuncture device further includes a driving device, and the driving device includes a driving component and a first timing component; the first timing component is configured for setting an interval of time to start the driving component, and the driving component is configured for driving the acupuncture needle to rotate alternately in forward and reverse directions when the interval of time is arrived.

Abstract: A guidewire is coupled to a control module and extends through a lumen of the control module. The control module operates to transition between a first control state wherein the control module allows movement of the guidewire relative to a catheter and a second control state wherein relative axial movement between the catheter and guidewire is prevented.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of introducer devices provide hemostatic sealing and allow a delivery catheter to be inserted through the introducer seals without the use of a separate loader device that covers a medical device that is mounted on the catheter. Some disclosed introducers comprise a housing, a distal sheath extending distally from the housing and adapted to be inserted into a patient's vasculature, a distal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing and a proximal hemostatic seal mounted within the housing, and a slidable tube positioned within the housing that is movable longitudinally relative to the distal hemostatic seal between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein in the proximal position a distal end of the tube is positioned proximal to the distal hemostatic seal with the distal hemostatic seal closed, and wherein in the distal position the distal end of the tube extends through the distal hemostatic seal.

Abstract: Distal tips for use with delivery catheters are disclosed that are configured to facilitate deflection of the catheters as they are advanced through the vasculature to a desired treatment site. Distal tips so configured realize one or more of the objectives of safer, more accurate steering of the catheter through the vasculature.

Abstract: The present invention integrates a decorative design element into the functional elements of a nasal dilator. The design element includes a predetermined artistic, aesthetic, shape defined by at least a portion of a periphery of at least one layer of the dilator. The nasal dilator thus may decoratively express or represent teams, programs, sports, organizations, sponsors, institutions, clubs, schools, companies, product or service brands, legal entities, individuals, etc. In use the nasal dilator stabilizes and/or expands the nasal outer wall tissues and prevents said tissues from drawing inward during breathing.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods suitable for knotless arthroscopic repair of tissue defects include two fixation members coupled by two limbs of suture comprising a continuous loop. A unidirectional restriction element that can be a preformed locking, sliding suture knot proximate to one of the fixation members, provides tensioning of the repair.

Abstract: A guide wire may include a core shaft and an external coil body covering a distal portion of the core shaft. The external coil body includes a first coil portion and a second coil portion that is distal to the first coil portion. An outside diameter of the second coil portion is smaller than an outside diameter of the first coil portion. Similarly, the guide wire may include a core shaft, a first external coil body, and a second external coil body. An outside diameter of the second external coil body is smaller than an outside diameter of the first external coil body. The external coil body or first and second external coil bodies enable the performance of a pushing-out operation and a drawing-in operation of the stent; yet, the flexibility of the guide wire is maintained.

Abstract: A stent graft has a tubular body with a first bifurcation with first and second legs extending from the bifurcation. One of the legs has a further bifurcation to define a side arm. The stent graft can be deployed into the vasculature of a patient with the tubular body being in an aorta of the patient, a first leg extending down an iliac artery, a second leg being directed towards a contralateral iliac artery and the side arm directed to an internal artery of one of the iliac arteries. One of the legs can include a valved aperture to enable the placement of an indwelling catheter therethrough.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical delivery instrument, a valve repair device, and a paddle control mechanism. The surgical delivery instrument has at least one lumen. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the lumen of the surgical delivery instrument and to attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a first paddle, a second paddle, and a pair of gripping members. The first and second paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. The paddle control mechanism is configured to move the first and second paddles independently of each other.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous access and closure of vascular puncture sites. In an embodiment, the device for enhancing the hemostasis of a puncture site in a body lumen or tract comprises a catheter having one tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end with one inner lumen extending between at least a longitudinal portion of the catheter tubular member. The one tubular member includes external and internal tubular bodies each having proximal and distal ends. At least one of the external and the internal tubular bodies is longitudinally movable with respect to the other. An expansible member with proximal and distal ends is disposed on the distal end of the one tubular member. The distal end of the expansible member is connected to the distal end of internal tubular body and with its proximal end connected to the distal end of external tubular body.

Abstract: A suture anchor assembly includes a suture anchor and a suture anchor inserter. The anchor includes a flexible distal tip and a rigid proximal anchor body. The distal tip includes a transverse suture eyelet and a cavity formed in a proximal end of the tip. The anchor body includes a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the body. The anchor inserter includes a tubular outer shaft and an inner inserter slidably received therein. The anchor assembly is actuatable to move the anchor tip and inner shaft proximally while the outer shaft and anchor body remain in place, urging the proximal end of the anchor tip against the distal end of the anchor body. The proximal end of the tip is deformable to accommodate at least a portion of the distal end of the anchor body within the anchor tip cavity.

Abstract: It is provided a device for the transcutaneous implantation of an epicardial pacemaker electrode, which is arranged in a tubular, flexible implantation catheter insertable into the pericardial space. The distal end area of the electrode is connected to a shape-variable element for aligning the electrode, in particular for adjusting the implantation angle thereof, and for stabilizing, in particular laterally stabilizing, the electrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endoscopic clip placement tool and one or more marking clips attached to a specimen mass by the clip placement tool to mark a margin and orientation of the specimen mass.

Abstract: An embolic microcoil can be formed into a complex shape for use in treating aneurysms and other vascular disorders. The microcoil features a distal portion including several loops that together comprise a substantially spherical shape, and an elongated proximal portion that is deployable within the distal portion. The distal portion can create a stable frame with adequate loop coverage across a neck of the aneurysm. The proximal portion can include a series of substantially omega-shaped loops, which can apply a force against the interior of the substantially spherical shaped distal portion, expanding it into apposition with additional portions of the aneurysm wall. Methods of treating vascular disorders and methods of manufacturing certain microcoils are also disclosed.