Abstract: A forceps includes a drive assembly and an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The drive assembly includes a drive housing and a drive bar. The proximal end of the drive bar is coupled to the drive housing, while the distal end of the drive bar is coupled to at least one of the jaw members. The drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in conjunction with one another between a first position and a second position to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. The drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar independent of the drive housing from the second position to a third position to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position.

Abstract: Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. One of the first and second members has a configuration alterable by a deployment wire to permit release of the fastener from the deployment wire after deployment and without causing excessive tissue trauma.

Abstract: Anchor delivery systems include anchors having a generally cylindrical body with a rail on top for positioning within a delivery device slot. The rail incorporates a side-bulge as a retaining feature which axially extends along a majority of the length of the rail. The bulge interferes with a corresponding hourglass cutout in the delivery device slot to prevent the anchor from stripping out of the delivery device when the delivery device is retracted through tissue. The anchors are symmetrical along a length and width to facilitate loading within the delivery device. The distal portion of the delivery device includes a series of distally-extending barbs that intentionally change the penetration force required to push the device tip through tissue.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for repairing or augmenting anatomical defects, including an inguinal hernia. The prosthesis may include a repair fabric having a body portion and a pocket on one side of the body portion to facilitate deployment and/or placement of the prosthesis at the defect site. For some applications, such as a reversible prosthesis, a second pocket may be provided on the opposite side of the body portion. Each pocket may be configured to receive a sufficient length of one or more fingers of an individual for deploying and/or positioning the prosthesis. A support member may be provided to help deploy the repair fabric at the surgical site and/or help inhibit folding or buckling of the repair fabric.

Abstract: A medical device includes a first link, a second link, and a band. A proximal end portion of the first link is coupled to a shaft. A proximal end portion of the second link is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of first link about a first axis. The distal end portion of the second link includes a connector coupled to a tool member that is rotatable relative to the second link about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. The first link defines a first guide channel and the second link defines a second guide channel. A distal end of the band is disposed within the first guide channel and the second guide channel, and is coupled to the tool member. The second link is rotatable relative to the first link about the first axis when the distal end of the band is moved.

Abstract: A surgical clip for simultaneously cutting a blood vessel and controlling bleeding, includes two legs, each including a flat surface and a cutting surface, and a curved section configured to join the two legs. An applicator for installing a surgical clip that simultaneously divides a blood vessel and controls bleeding, includes two jaws that simultaneously hold two surgical clips, and two handles that cause the two jaws to exert a deforming force on the two surgical clips.

Abstract: A mount assembly for use with a robotic system is provided and includes a housing for coupling to a robot arm; a coupling assembly supported by the housing and including first and second arms, the coupling assembly transitionable between open and closed configurations, wherein in the closed configuration the first and second arms are configured to secure a surgical accessory; a release assembly supported by the housing and engagable with the coupling assembly, the release assembly transitionable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration; and a communication assembly supported by the housing and configured for communication with the robotic system with respect to a status of the coupling assembly corresponding to the open and closed configuration thereof; and a status of the release assembly corresponding to the locked and unlocked configuration thereof.

Abstract: The gauge enhancer body jewelry system allows individuals to increase their earlobes to the size they desire. It eliminates the need to constantly purchase new gauges as earlobes expand. It reduces pain associated with the enlargement process and forcing uncomfortably large gauges into earlobe holes. As designed it decreases the risk of infection from removing and replacing gauges. The present invention saves a considerable amount of time and frustration, and allows individuals to enlarge their earlobes at their own pace.

Abstract: A cartridge for ligating clips includes compartments formed of partitions lying in spaced parallel planes and a stringer spanning between the partitions. The legs of a clip are joined at a hinge which is seated over the stringer. The stringer comprises a substantially cylindrical body and a depending narrow support flange. Opposed faces of adjacent partitions include areas of reduced thickness spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit limited pivotal movement of the clip about the stringer. An abutment edge of the partition face provides a stop which is engaged by bosses at the ends of the clip legs to limit pivotal movement of the clip legs and prevent ribs of the clip from engaging the stringer.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for removing deposits such as plaque from an interior of a vessel including an outer member and a rotatable shaft positioned for rotational movement within the outer member. The outer member is fixed axially. A rotatable tip is mounted to the distal region of the rotatable shaft for rotation about its longitudinal axis upon rotation of the shaft. The rotatable shaft includes a guidewire lumen for receiving a guidewire to enable over the wire insertion of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

Abstract: A tissue guard includes a body defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending through the body between the open proximal end and the open distal end. The tissue guard further includes a lip extending radially outwardly from the open proximal end of the body. The lip includes a plurality of spaced-apart cut-outs defined about the outer circumference of the lip to define a plurality of tabs of the lip. Each tab includes an outer edge segment. The body and the lip are monolithically formed as a single piece of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a suture anchor using a suture and a prepared suture anchor. A knitting member (100) cut at a predetermined width and length while having a plurality of knots (10a) is inserted into a hole 1a of a bone 1 using an anchor inserting device 200, and a second suture 20 provided between one knot 10a of the plurality of knots and another knot 10a thereof is pulled rearwards, and thus the knitting member (100) is deformed from a long rod shape to a lump shape the bone 1. Accordingly, the knitting member (100) has a volume larger than a diameter of the hole 1a, and the knitting member (100) deformed into the lump shape is configured not to be removed from the hole 1a of the bone 1 even when the second suture 20 is further pulled in a rear direction.

Abstract: Improved methods, devices, systems and surgical techniques in the field of surgery and, in particular, improved anchoring devices and related surgical techniques for a variety of surgical repair procedures.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon comprises a bag body, provided with an internal cavity shaped to contain a filling fluid, and a valve having a valve body provided with a through inner conduit for feeding the filling fluid into the cavity; the valve body is flexible and elastically deformable, being made of an elastic material; and is arranged inside the bag body and shaped so as to elastically deform until it occludes the conduit following a pressure exerted on an outer surface of the valve body by the filling fluid contained in the cavity.

Abstract: Implementations of a uterine manipulator operable to detach the uterus and cervix from the vagina are presented. The uterine manipulator can include a shaft, a handle, a tip assembly, and a cutting assembly.

Abstract: An IOL injector having a collapsible mechanism and/or a lever-driven rack and pinion is described.

Abstract: An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element is provided on at least one of the struts and has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position. An embolic protection device may be integrated with some or all of the expandable portion.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for endoscopically retracting a target tissue. The device includes a first shaft and a second shaft slidably coupled thereto. An internal member extends in a transverse direction from the first shaft and is configured for advancement through a penetration in the target tissue to atraumatically engage a distal surface of the target tissue after being advanced therethrough. A pair of external members extend from the second shaft generally parallel to the transverse direction. The external members are spaced apart and are configured to atraumatically engage a proximal surface of the target tissue when the internal member is moved longitudinally relative to the external members. The internal member applies traction to the target tissue when retracted past the pair of external members, which apply counter-traction to the target tissue on opposing lateral sides of the internal member, to re-shape the target tissue and enable subsequent suture placement.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and systems for capturing, filtering, or retrieving obstructions or other particulates from a patient's vasculature. In one aspect, a device for retrieving an obstruction from a patient is provided that includes an outer delivery shaft and an expandable basket movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The basket is configured to be in the collapsed configuration during delivery and in the expanded configuration during engagement and retrieval of the obstruction. A proximal end of the basket is configured to be centrally and pivotally coupled to the outer delivery shaft. The proximal end and/or a distal end of the basket is movable relative to each other such that a proximal portion of the expandable basket is invertible toward a distal portion of the basket to form a proximally oriented cavity in the expanded configuration to engage and retrieve the obstruction.