Abstract: A vaso-occlusive device includes an inner coil made from inner coil wire having a first diameter and formed from a first material, and an outer coil disposed at least partially around the inner coil and made from outer coil wire having a second diameter and formed from a second material. The inner coil has a first pitch and the outer coil has a second pitch. The first diameter, material, and pitch are different from the second diameter, material, and pitch, respectively. The outer coil defines a lumen and the inner coil is disposed at least partially in the lumen. The vaso-occlusive device also includes an intermediate layer disposed between the inner coil and the outer coil, where the intermediate layer includes a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible, swellable polymer.

Abstract: A system for tissue dissection and retraction is disclosed herein. A tissue dissection assembly generally comprises an elongate body shaft, an actuation member movable relative to the elongate body shaft, and at least one dissector arm member having at least a first end attached to the elongate body shaft, wherein the at least one dissector arm member is adapted to reconfigure within a plane from a low profile to an expanded profile when urged via the actuation member, and wherein the at least one dissector arm is further adapted to dissect tissue within the plane. In use, the assembly dissects tissue within the plane typically by advancing the elongate body shaft into the tissue region where the dissector arm member or members are then reconfigured within the plane from its low profile to its expanded profile to thereby dissect the tissue region along the plane.

Abstract: A device to release from an implant bed in the device a self-expanding implant by pulling back proximally, the length of the implant, a rolling membrane with an inner sleeve that extends distally to the distal end of the implant and an outer sleeve that extends proximally, from the distal end of the inner sleeve, the outer sleeve, during said release, pulling the distal end of the inner sleeve back proximally over the abluminal surface of the remainder of the inner sleeve, proximal of its distal end, the device having a slitter, that is caused to move proximally contemporaneously with the outer sleeve, to slit the inner sleeve progressively, starting at a distal point in the inner sleeve, and progressing proximally along the length of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the present invention in a broad aspect provide novel visualization platforms for performing enhanced visually directed procedures on target objects or tissues under low ambient light conditions. The visualization platforms can be included with or retro-fit to existing optical systems such as stereomicroscopes and include at least one high resolution photosensor capable of acquiring a plurality of optical views of the target object or tissue in at least one wavelength outside of the wavelengths of normal visible light. A resultant real-time high resolution video signal is transmitted from the photosensor to at least one high resolution video display that can be viewed by the apparatus or process operator.

Abstract: There is described a suture anchor with anchor members moveable as between a suture-unlocked configuration and suture-locked configuration. In one embodiment, the anchor members include an outer anchor member with features, e.g., flexible barbs, configured to secure the suture anchor in the suture-locked configuration to material proximate a pre-formed hole in bone material. The outer anchor member is also configured with a bore to receive suture material, and which is sized and shaped to receive an inner anchor member therein. The inner anchor member includes securing features such as projections that compress the suture material against the surface of the bore when the suture anchor is actuated from the suture-unlocked configuration to the suture-locked configuration.

Abstract: Bone anchors for attaching soft tissue to bone include an anchor body having a bore that opens at a proximal end and a suture attachment site in communication with the bore for slidably receiving a suture thereon. In one embodiment, three suture attachment sites are provided by two transverse pins placed within the bore. The bone anchors can be fully threaded and, in one embodiment, can have fine and coarse threads for engaging cortical and cancellous bone tissue, respectively.

Abstract: A treatment instrument has a longitudinal-axis member having a longitudinal axis, a curved portion formed on a distal end side of the longitudinal-axis member, a lumen formed along the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal-axis member, and a through hole that communicates with the lumen, and opens toward the inner side of a curve of the curved portion when the curved portion is curved.

Abstract: A stent graft adaptor has an outer graft tube and an inner graft tube with the inner graft tube substantially concentric with and within the outer graft tube. A joining member extends between the inner tube and the outer tube. The joining member can be a continuous fold of graft material extending from a proximal end of the outer tube to a proximal end of the inner tube. The inner tube has at least one self expanding stent on an outer surface thereof and the outer graft tube has at least one self expanding stent on an inner surface. The outer surface of the outer tube provides a sealing surface to engage against the wall of a vessel and the inner tube provides a sealing surface to engage with a corresponding sealing surface of a stent graft deployed through it. The outer sealing surface can include barbs.

Abstract: Reducing the volume or drag on skin or sharpness of the penetrating member entering the wound during the cutting process will reduce the pain associated with lancing, and result in less power desired for retraction of the penetrating member from the skin. A variety of other penetrating member configuration as shown in the application.

Abstract: A system and method for implanting follicular units (FUs) into a body surface while suppressing expulsion of previously-implanted FUs. The system is particularly useful to facilitate hair transplant procedures. FUs are implanted in a body surface from an implant tool or needle that may be incorporated within an automated or robotic system, or may form part of a semi-automated or even manual apparatus. An anti-popping member prevents expulsion of the FUs adjacent to the location at which an FU is being implanted. The anti-popping member may be carried on the implant device, or may be a flexible membrane applied to the body surface. If on the device, the anti-popping member may be arranged near the distal tip thereof and may be shaped and mounted so as to conform to uneven body surfaces.

Abstract: Heart valve prostheses are provided having a self-expanding frame that supports a valve body comprising a plurality of coapting leaflets. The valve body may include a first leaflet, a second leaflet, and a third leaflet, wherein the second leaflet extends between the first leaflet and the third leaflet such that the first and third leaflets are separated from each other by the second leaflet. The leaflets are constructed with four commissure points to reduce the stress and strain applied to the commissure points and to efficiently distribute forces along the leaflets and to the frame. As such, the first and second leaflets may be sewn together to form a first commissure point and a second commissure point, and the second and third leaflets may be sewn together to form a third commissure point and a fourth commissure point, with the four commissure points being sewn to the frame.

Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.

Abstract: A holder for a prosthetic mitral heart valve that attaches to an inflow end of the valve and includes a simple tensioning mechanism that flexes the heart valve commissure posts inward to help prevent suture looping. The tensioning mechanism may include relatively movable rings of the holder or a generally unitary holder with a tensor, or rotatable knob. Connecting sutures thread through internal passages in the holder and travel in the outflow direction along valve commissure posts, emerging at the post tips and mutually crossing over the outflow side of the valve. A handle attaches off-center on the holder to increase visualization of and access to the heart valve through a central window. The holder is constructed of non-metallic materials so as to avoid interfering with imaging devices, and the handle is ergonomically curved and shaped to facilitate manipulation. The holder may be shaped as a ring with an open inner diameter for enhanced access to the commissure posts and leaflets.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for the dissection of bone and other tissue includes a spindle, a dissection tool and a coupler disposed between the spindle and the dissection tool. The coupler includes a tool collet and an attachment locking mechanism operable to permit tool collet operation and telescoping movement of an attachment tube with respect to the dissection tool. A method is also provided for convenient coupling of the dissection tool and adjustment of the attachment tube length.

Abstract: A device for removing a composition from the skin (e.g. a depilatory composition) has a handle (44) and a non-shaving head (46), having an under-surface from which one or more fins (48) projects transversely. The device is held by the handle (44) and moved over the skin so that the fin(s) and the head can remove the composition.

Abstract: A medical device for removing a material from a hollow anatomical structure is provided. The device may include a shaft member. The device may include an expandable centering element near the distal end of the device. The device may include a macerator element either attached to the shaft or independent and freely moveable from the shaft. Alternatively, the device may include a rotating wire attached to the macerator element. The device may include an aspiration lumen in for removal of material. The device may include a drive shaft attached to a motor and used to rotate the macerator element. The device may be used in combination with a distal occlusion element, which may be either a radially expandable filter or balloon member.

Abstract: A compact retrievable blood clot filter has a filter section, a releasable lock and an alignment section connected to the filter section. Alignment ribs of the alignment section have releasable upstream ends that are locked to the filter by the releasable lock. The releasable upstream ends of the alignment ribs are capable of being released from the releasable lock so that during retrieval of the filter, the alignment ribs can slide through the endothelial tissue that may have grown around the alignment ribs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an object such as a pacing lead from a patient tissue involve a flexible and torqueable shaft having an internal lumen sized to receive the object, and a hard separating mechanism for separating the object from the tissue. Typically the shaft and separating mechanism are advanced along or toward the object, and the separating mechanism is contacted with the tissue. The shaft is rotated to effect separation between the object and the tissue. The systems and methods are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Abstract: Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts.

Abstract: A dual valve prosthesis having a self-expanding anchoring frame with first and second prosthetic valve assemblies attached to the anchoring frame is disclosed. Each of the first and second prosthetic valve assemblies includes a balloon-expandable stent structure with a prosthetic valve secured therein. In a disclosed method, the first and second prosthetic valve assemblies include prosthetic mitral and aortic valves, respectively, and the dual heart valve prosthesis is configured to replace both the native mitral and aortic valves of the heart in a single transcatheter heart valve implantation procedure.