Abstract: The foreign object extractor has an elongated hollow tube with a central lumen through its entire length providing fluid connection between an engaging end and a vacuum source. The engaging end has a nominally round transverse cross-section and is shaped to engage a foreign object to be removed from the human body. The engaging end flares so as to expose the internal surface of the elongated hollow tube for engagement with the foreign object. An adhesive is disposed on the exposed internal flared surface of the distal end. Pneumatic suction is applied through the lumen of the extractor and the suction serves to bring the foreign object into contact with the adhesive coated surface of the extractor to form a bond between the extractor and the object to be extracted.

Abstract: An access assembly is provided including a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end in mechanical cooperation with a foldable cap member having a first set of lumens extending the length of the tubular member. The access assembly also includes a first ring secured at the proximal end of the tubular member and a second ring secured at the distal end of the tubular member. The foldable cap member is configured to fold in at least one direction to expose a second set of lumens extending the length of the tubular member.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes: a fluid chamber whose capacity is variable; an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path communicating with the fluid chamber; a capacity changing unit which changes the capacity of the fluid chamber; a fluid supplying unit which supplies fluid to the inlet flow path; a fluid ejection opening disposed at an end of the outlet flow path opposite to an end communicating with the fluid chamber; a vibrating unit which vibrates a component in the vicinity of the fluid ejection opening; a vibration detecting unit which detects the level of vibration of the component in the vicinity of the fluid ejection opening; and an operation control unit which controls operation of the capacity changing unit based on the level of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming and securing a tissue plication are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a tissue manipulation device is described that includes a first jaw member pivotally coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft and having an articulating portion located distal to the proximal end of the first jaw member. The device also includes a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first jaw member such that the jaws move in a first plane, and a fastener delivery member attached to the second jaw member. The articulating portion of the first jaw member is configured to move the first and second jaw members between a straight configuration in which a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft is contained within the first plane and an articulated configuration in which the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft is transverse to the first plane.

Abstract: A method for detaching an object from a patient includes providing a tool having a sheath, and a separating assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the sheath. The separating assembly includes a separator moveably coupled to a tip via a threadable connection. The separating assembly is placed near patient tissue that is attached to the object, the sheath is rotated to move the separator distal to the tip, and the separator is applied to the patient tissue that is attached to the object, so as to separate the tissue. A separating system includes a sheath, and a separator threadably coupled with a distal end of the sheath. The separator is adapted to switch between a first configuration where a separating means is deployed, and a second configuration where the separating means is undeployed.

Abstract: A composite stent and a method for making the same are provided.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a unitary jaw structure having: a connector portion, a first jaw portion flexibly integral with the connector portion, a first arm portion integral with the first jaw portion, and an actuator portion flexibly integral with the first arm portion for causing rotating motion of the first jaw portion upon linear motion of the actuator portion.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying and resheathing an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device includes a fixed outer sheath and a pusher member that is configured for retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing the prosthesis. The device includes two plates engaging the pusher member, with a first plate configured engage the pusher member to prevent proximal movement and the other plate configured to engage the pusher member for distal movement.

Abstract: Disclosed are neuromuscular release (including myofascial trigger point) therapy devices, systems, kits and methods. The therapy tool comprises a body, wherein the body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a tip defined at the upper-most portion of the body, a base, a stop surface defined in the body outer surface, a pocket defined by the inner surface and extending from the base upwards in the direction of the tip, and a recessed groove defined in the inner surface and extending upwards from the base and having a groove diameter and depth. The body can be generally bell-shaped with the base having a larger diameter than the tip. The system can further include a riser, either disk or wedge shaped, and a rocker base. The system components are configured to stack and nest into a compact assembly for easy carrying as a kit.

Abstract: Methods of providing suction may include providing suction patterns having varying intensity levels, such as a “crescendo suction” pattern. Cycles of crescendo suction patterns may comprise variable intensities of negative suction in a crescendo pattern (such as a small intensity negative suction pressure, a medium intensity negative suction pressure, and a large intensity negative suction pressure). The suction patterns may include pauses or temporary stops to the negative suction pressure.

Abstract: Thrombus aspiration may be performed using manual negative intermittent suction (e.g., provided by a syringe) or using an automated negative suction device (e.g., provided by a vacuum pump). The suction device may be connected through suction tubing to a hub of a catheter. The automated negative suction device may include an external control panel for the operator configured to allow the operator to choose from any of a plurality of suction patterns during an aspiration procedure.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter having an inner drive shaft which rotates a distal rotary tissue borer with a helical cutting surface which enables the catheter to cut through and cross a CTO. Additionally, the atherectomy catheter has a distal cutting element rotated by an outer drive shaft configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The atherectomy catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting element and rotary tissue borer. The atherectomy catheter may include means to direct material cut from the treatment site into the collection chamber, means to break down larger portions of material that may block or clog the collection chamber and means of transporting the material collected from the treatment site to a proximal opening in the atherectomy catheter.

Abstract: Intragastric implant devices for obesity treatment are disclosed. The device is passive and does not autonomously change shape, but instead reacts to movement of the stomach to induce satiety. The device includes a series of connected, articulated clips that plicate the stomach wall nondestructively (no puncturing through the gastric wall) such that the overall volume of the stomach is reduced. Cam-shaped clamping surfaces prevent slippage of the stomach tissue from within the clips. Methods of implant are disclosed including delivering the device through a transoral delivery tube and advancing the device through the esophagus to be deployed within the stomach. Removal of the device occurs in the reverse.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for anastomosis of a lumen according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with an impermeable stent. The impermeable stent may comprise a scaffold and, if needed, a sealant, such as a membrane and/or adhesive. In one embodiment, the scaffold, membrane and/or adhesive comprise biocompatible materials suitable for bio-absorption and/or degradation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid epilator device that comprises a razor blade having a sharp edge for cutting hairs, an epilation cylinder comprising at least a pair of clamping elements that during operation are actuated by an actuation system between an open position and a closed position so that hairs can feed into the gap between the pair of clamping elements in the open position and are gripped and plucked out from the skin surface when the pair of clamping elements is in the closed position, and a manually operable adjustment mechanism that has a least a first adjustment and a second adjustment such that in the first adjustment and the second adjustment the skin surface can be simultaneously contacted by the sharp edge of the razor blade and an circumferential area of the epilation cylinder. This allows switching between two different epilation efficiencies of the epilation cylinder.

Abstract: A lancing device (e.g., pen) having an integrated thermoelectric (e.g., Peltier) cooler. The lancing device includes an elongated heat accumulator having a lumen along which a piston having a lancet thereon translates back and forth. A Peltier device and a cooling ring are thermally interconnected to one end of the heat accumulator and include central apertures through which the lancet can extend. The lancing device also includes an integrated battery and microcontroller for supplying and regulating power to the Peltier device. Upon a current being sent through the Peltier device, a cold side of the Peltier device and hence the cooling ring gives up thermal energy and reduces in temperature. The cooling ring can then be placed about a body tissue (e.g., skin) for a period of time (e.g., 3-5 seconds) to desensitize the body tissue, and then the lancet can be fired to puncture the body tissue.

Abstract: A rotatable operating head for removal of obstructive material from a target site in a body lumen or cavity is operably connected to a rotatable, translatable drive shaft, that is driven by a drive motor and received through an elongated catheter. The operating head includes a plurality of differential cutting blades, with at least one of the cutting blades being a stepped blade, the stepped blade comprising a raised cutting surface positioned adjacent, or in proximity to, a shoulder region.

Abstract: A multi-wire instrument has a distal functional section, in which a plurality of individual wires form a wire basket, wherein they are combined at a distal end and connected to one another by being joined directly to one another or to a distal terminating body while forming a respective predetermined breaking connection. A shaft section extends between the distal functional section and a proximal end region of the multi-wire instrument. The individual wires extend in one piece from their distal end to the proximal end region of the multi-wire instrument and the shaft section is formed by the individual wires, which are combined there and held together.

Abstract: Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measurable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.