Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods used to seal a treatment area to prevent embolic agents from migrating are described. The concept has particular benefit in allowing liquid embolic to be used with a variety of intravascular therapeutic applications, including for occluding aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the neurovasculature.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a clot retrieval element at the distal end of the elongate shaft. A proximal end of the elongate shaft of the clot retrieval device is adapted for retraction of a first catheter over the clot retrieval device elongate shaft. A second catheter is advanced to or adjacent to the distal end of the clot retrieval device shaft to enable enhanced aspiration adjacent to the clot retrieval element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices comprising a single-lobed, thin-walled, expandable body and a flexible, elongated delivery device for treating saccular vascular aneurysms and occluding segments of blood vessels and other biological conduits. The expandable bodies may include gold and other metals that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, or other biological conduit and expanded. The external surface of the expandable bodies can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the surface in order to reduce migration of the expandable body and to occlude and seal the aneurysm or biological conduit. For the treatment of saccular aneurysms, the expandable body may be deployed in combination with one or more coiled wires that contact both the wall of the aneurysm and the expandable body and exert force on the expandable body to aid in sealing the aneurysm neck.

Abstract: A method of acupuncture needle packaging includes inserting an acupuncture needle body of an acupuncture needle including an acupuncture needle handle at an upper portion thereof into an acupuncture needle tube starting from the acupuncture needle handle; disposing the acupuncture needle in the acupuncture needle tube in a state in which the upper portion of the acupuncture needle handle is exposed to an exterior of the acupuncture needle tube; ascending the upper portion of the acupuncture needle handle exposed to the exterior using a pressing jig; irradiating a laser to an area where the acupuncture needle tube and the acupuncture needle handle abut each other; and coupling the acupuncture needle handle and the acupuncture needle tube by thermally deforming the area where the acupuncture needle tube and the acupuncture needle handle abut each other with a heat generated by the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed having an implant retainer configured to releasably hold an implant unit and maintain the implant unit in a fixation location relative to target tissue in a subject's body during an implantation procedure. A first suture guide portion may be disposed on a first side of the implant retainer and configured to guide a suture needle during the implantation procedure. A second suture guide portion may be disposed on a second side of the implant retainer, opposite the first side, and configured to guide the suture needle after the suture needle exits the first suture guide portion.

Abstract: This disclosure is concerned with a personal care device with a treatment head being pivot-mounted around a pivot axis, the personal care device having a pin having a pin head, a cam element having a cam surface, a spring element biasing the pin head and the cam surface against each other, wherein the cam surface is shaped such that it defines a rest position at which the biasing spring force provided by the spring element with which the pin head and the cam surface are pushed against each other has a non-zero minimum value, and wherein a pivoting of the head around the pivot axis causes the pin head to move along the cam surface and the cam surface is further shaped such that the spring force pushing the pin head and the cam surface against each other increases with increasing pivoting angle.

Abstract: An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical apparatus, in particular a navigation probe for localizing and treating lesions in a brain, comprising a telescopically expandable body member having an anterior end, a posterior end, and comprising a top part and a bottom part, the bottom part having at least one groove extending for a particular length in a longitudinal direction of the bottom part between said anterior end and said posterior end, the top part being placed on said bottom part and having at least one engaging element that extends into said at least one groove so as to mount the top part on the bottom part moveable in said longitudinal direction, wherein the body member has a substantially circular or polygonal cross-section in the assembled state of the bottom part and the upper part.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis, implantation device, and methods for use are provided. The devices described herein may be used for transcatheter delivery of an aortic valve prosthesis or transapical delivery of a mitral valve prosthesis. The implantation device can utilize movable claspers for both positioning and anchoring the valve prosthesis, reducing the extent of imaging needed during the implantation procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a surgical incision comprises left and right base panels, a plurality of closure components, and a plurality of left and right axial supports coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components couple the left and right base panels to each other laterally and have left and right ends coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components are positioned laterally across the left and right panels, the left axial supports are disposed between pairs of left closure component ends, the right axial supports are disposed between pairs of right closure component ends, and the left and right axial supports are offset from one another such that a serpentine arrangement of consecutive closure components and axial supports is formed. The apparatus can be made of antimicrobial materials or materials impregnated with antimicrobial agents. A flexible adhesive cover can be provided over the apparatus when in use.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for sealing and repairing defects in a body tissue or for creating an anastomosis includes a frame and a covering material. In some embodiments, the frame includes a single continuously wound wire that defines an apposition portion, a defect-occupying portion, and a sealing portion. In some embodiments, the tissue-sealing and anastomosis devices provided herein are well-suited for use in the GI tract including the small bowel and colon. In some embodiments, a two-part frame construct facilitates independent tailoring of apposition forces and radial forces exerted on tissues by the two-part frame.

Abstract: A surgical robot arm extending between a base and a terminal link, the terminal link connected to an adjacent link in the surgical robot arm by a joint which permits the terminal link to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the terminal link, the terminal link comprising: a drive assembly having a first drive assembly interface element for driving a first instrument interface element of a robotic surgical instrument when the surgical robot arm engages the robotic surgical instrument, the first drive assembly interface element engageable with the first instrument interface element on the longitudinal axis of the terminal link, and the first drive assembly interface element being linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the terminal link so as to drive the first instrument interface element along the longitudinal axis of the terminal link.

Abstract: An occlusive implant system may include a catheter having a lumen extending from a proximal opening to a distal opening, a core wire slidably disposed within the lumen, and an occlusive implant having an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and an occlusive element disposed on the expandable framework. The expandable framework may include a plurality of anchor members extending radially outward from the expandable framework, at least some of the plurality of anchor members each have a barb projecting circumferentially therefrom. The occlusive implant may be releasably connected to a distal portion of the core wire.

Abstract: A gastrectomy device includes an elongated member defining a centerline that extends through proximal and distal ends thereof. A shape modification member coupled to the elongated member is movable relative to the centerline of the elongated member. The shape modification member is movable between a first state, adjacent to the elongated member, and a second state, spaced from the elongated member. The shape modification member conforms to a portion of a patient's stomach in the second state.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body. The device may have a thromboresistant cover at a proximal end. The frame may have recapture struts inclining radially outwardly from a central hub. The frame may have axially extending side wall struts, with adjacent pairs of side wall struts joined at one or more apexes. Anchors extend from the frame and into the foam to engage tissue.

Abstract: This device will be a nipple that will soothe a child while providing soft noise for the child as well as providing perhaps educational material at the request of the parent. The sound itself can be emitted through a speaker and can be done wirelessly through a variety of wireless means. Alternatively, a chip may also be used to store various sounds that can be changed at the request of the user either remotely or locally. Because the parent will want to know when the child falls asleep, the noise from the device will automatically shut off once the child has stopped sucking on the pacifier.

Abstract: An implant having two layers of tubular braid is provided that can secure within an aneurysm sac, occlude a majority of the aneurysm's neck, and at least partially fill the aneurysm sac. The implant can include two layers of tubular braid that can be set into a predetermined shape, compressed for delivery through a microcatheter, and implanted in at least one implanted position. In some examples, the two layers can be implanted in two distinct implanted shapes, allowing for treatment of a wide range of aneurysm sizes. In some examples, the implanted can include a double layer braided compaction resistant column spanning the height of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible fixation member having a body with a longitudinal extent and a width, the body defining a plurality of openings through the body, each of the plurality of openings formed substantially cross wise through the width of the body, and a suture having two terminal ends, the suture being interwoven through each of the plurality of openings in the body of the fixation member such that multiple portions of the fixation member are slidably coupled to the suture and configurable to form a cluster within a surgical site.