Abstract: The present disclosure relates to heart valve prostheses, delivery devices, actuation handles, and other improved devices and methods that facilitate delivery of a heart valve prosthesis to a defective native valve structure in a patient, such as the aortic valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to polymer foams are generally described. Some embodiments relate to compositions and methods for the preparation of polymer foams, and methods for using the polymer foams. The polymer foams can be applied to a body cavity and placed in contact with, for example, tissue, injured tissue, internal organs, etc. In some embodiments, the polymer foams can be formed within a body cavity (i.e., in situ foam formation). In addition, the foamed polymers may be capable of exerting a pressure on an internal surface of a body cavity and preventing or limiting movement of a bodily fluid (e.g., blood, etc.).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for creating an internal reconstruction tissue graft. Templates may be used to create a multitude of patterns in a variety of tissue reconstruction grafts. An apparatus may be used to create an internal tissue graft for reconstruction through either compression and/or removal of segments. An apparatus may be used, through either compression and or removal of segments of a preformed template made of synthetics and or metal that mirrors a template that can be used as an internal tissue graft for reconstruction. In a method, such as using software analysis and an apparatus, the physical properties of the tissue graft and its pre- and post-operative properties and appearance may be measured.

Abstract: The invention provides improved devices, systems, and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that may more successfully approximate and repair tissue by improving the capture of tissue into the devices. The invention may be a one-way mechanism that allows tissue to enter the mechanism but not easily exit, such as a leaf-spring, a protrusion, a pivoting arm and one or more frictional elements.

Abstract: A method for use in a lung access procedure to aid in preventing pneumothorax includes providing a cannula having a pair of balloons, the pair of balloons including a first balloon longitudinally spaced from a second balloon along the cannula; inserting the cannula along an access opening and through pleural layers, with the first balloon and the second balloon of the pair of balloons respectively positioned on opposite sides of the pleural layers; inflating the pair of balloons with a first amount of a two-component sealant to compress the pleural layers together; and inflating the pair of balloons with a second amount of the two-component sealant that is sufficient to rupture the pair of balloons so as to comingle a first sealant component and a second sealant component of the two-component sealant at the site of the pleural layers so as to adhere the pleural layers together.

Abstract: This disclosure covers various concepts to use for obtaining measurement of tension in catheter pullwires to improve controllability of a robotic surgical system.

Abstract: A tissue closure device includes a needle and a suture extending therefrom, a proximal head including a proximal slot and a proximal locking mechanism for releasably engaging a first end of the needle in the proximal slot in a first configuration, and a distal head movably coupled to the proximal head so that the proximal and distal heads are movable relative to one another between an open configuration, in which a target tissue is received therebetween, and a closed configuration, in which the target tissue gripped therebetween. The distal head includes a distal slot and a distal locking mechanism for releasably engaging a second end of the needle in the distal slot in a second configuration, the needle movable between the first and second configurations by rotating the needle, the needle alternatingly passed between the proximal and distal heads to thread the suture through the target tissue.

Abstract: Medical guidance device capable of improving precision and accuracy of medical surgery by ensuring accurate and consistent placement of the medical guidance device, as well as communication with surgery planning software and/or three-dimensional spatial software to determine insertion of the needle into the patient.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions relating to delivering synthetic polymer formulations to the body are described, which can be used by a range of medical personnel including those with minimal experience and training. Under some embodiments, the present invention relates to systems and devices for delivering polymer formulations to a body cavity (e.g. peritoneal cavity) to reduce or stop bleeding. Under some embodiments, an initial percutaneous access pathway is first formed using a delivery device with a probe and needle mechanism that automatically stops the advance of the device upon insertion into a body cavity or space, thus minimizing user error and improving patient safety. The hollow probe then allows transmission of polymer, mixed with gas and/or additional substances, from a holding chamber or canister to flow through the device and hollow probe into the patient's anatomic cavity or space of interest, stopping expansion when the device senses the appropriate pressure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument drive system is disclosed including a shaft assembly configured to be inserted into and attached to an attachment interface, a pulley drive system, an actuation member comprising a linear rack portion, and a bracket attaching the actuation member to the pulley drive system. The pulley drive system comprises a first cable driver, a second cable driver, a pulley, and a cable supported by the pulley and actuatable by the first cable driver and the second cable driver. The pulley drive system is configured to move the actuation member through an actuation stroke. The bracket comprises a mounting portion and a pawl configured to ratchet relative to the linear rack portion while the actuation member is held in position to allow the bracket to move relative to the actuation member to eliminate previously induced cable slack in the pulley drive system.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Deployment systems and methods for using the deployment systems described herein facilitate accurately and conveniently controllable percutaneous, transcatheter techniques by which the prosthetic heart valves can be delivered and deployed within a patient.

Abstract: A thrombus treatment device includes a support wire, a body frame portion that is disposed about an axis defined by the support wire, one or more tethers that each have a first end and a second end, and a filter element extending from the body frame portion. Each of the one or more tethers is attached at its first end to the body frame portion, and at its second end to a collar that couples the second end of each of the multiple tethers to the support wire. When the collar is positioned substantially within a region interior of the body frame portion, a rotational actuation of the support wire causes a swiveling motion of the one or more tethers.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a medical implant within a patient includes disposing an anchor element around the implant, the anchor element including a pair of tabs each including an eyelet, and a flexible intermediate portion between the tabs, by positioning the implant within the intermediate portion and folding the anchor element such that the tabs contact one another. The anchor element is positioned at a desired implantation position with the tabs proximate soft tissue of the patient. The method further includes inserting a distal tip of a fixation element delivery tool through the eyelets and into the soft tissue, the fixation element including at least one tissue anchor and an adjustable suture arrangement coupled to the tissue anchor. The tissue anchor is deployed from the delivery tool and into the soft tissue of the patient. The delivery tool is withdrawn and the adjustable suture arrangement is tightened.

Abstract: An embolic material blocking catheter includes a handle assembly, an elongated element having a lumen, and a deployable embolic material blocking element. The embolic material blocking catheter is configured to accommodate insertion of a treatment catheter into the lumen to position a treatment device distal to the embolic material blocking element for administering a treatment at a treatment site and/or convey embolic material blocked by the embolic material blocking element for extraction from the patient.

Abstract: An imaging probe comprises a camera or endoscope with an external detector array, in which the probe is sized and shaped for surgical placement in an eye to image the eye from an interior of the eye during treatment. The imaging probe and a treatment probe can be coupled together with a fastener or contained within a housing. The imaging probe and the treatment probe can be sized and shaped to enter the eye through an incision in the cornea and image one or more of the ciliary body band or the scleral spur. The treatment probe may comprise a treatment optical fiber or a surgical placement device to deliver an implant. A processor coupled to the detector can be configured with instructions to identify a location of one or more of the ciliary body band, the scleral spur, Schwalbe's line, or Schlemm's canal from the image.

Abstract: In some implementations, a radially self-expanding endograft prosthesis is provided that includes (i) distal flange that is self-expanding and configured to flip generally perpendicularly with respect to a body of the prosthesis to help seat the prosthesis against a tissue wall, (ii) a distal segment extending proximally from the distal flange that has sufficient stiffness to maintain a puncture open that is formed through a vessel wall (iii) a compliant middle segment extending proximally from the distal segment, the middle segment being more compliant than the distal segment, and having independently movable undulating strut rings attached to a tubular fabric, the combined structure providing flexibility and compliance to allow for full patency while flexed, the segment being configured to accommodate up to a 90 degree bend, (iv) a proximal segment having a plurality of adjacent undulating strut rings that are connected to each other.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening, leaflet valve devices and systems for transcatheter delivery having a two-piece valve body as well as methods of making and delivering the two-piece valve devices. A transcatheter valve includes a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The transcatheter valve can further include an everted configuration and a non-everted configuration.

Abstract: A delivery device according to principles described herein includes a catheter having three concentric shafts including an inner core, an outer sheath over the inner core and an outer support shaft at least partially extending over the inner core and the outer sheath. A timing belt having a plurality of belt teeth on a surface of the timing belt is coupled to an outer sheath over a medical device or stent on the inner core such that movement of the timing belt link causes movement of the outer sheath from its position over the medical device or stent. The delivery device is actuated by rotation of a thumbwheel a thumbwheel coupled to a barrel having a plurality of teeth such that rotation of the thumbwheel causes movement of the barrel such that the barrel teeth engage the belt teeth to cause movement of the timing belt causing movement of the outer sheath.

Abstract: A medical device system may include an elongate shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a release wire disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft configured to releasably attach a medical device to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a securement member fixedly attached to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and to a proximal end of the release wire. A proximal portion of the securement member may be configured to translate proximally away from the proximal end of the elongate shaft upon application of a proximally-directed force to the proximal portion of the securement member while the elongate shaft is maintained in a fixed position, wherein the proximal portion remains connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft after proximal translation away from the proximal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A sterile drape according to an embodiment may include: a flexible film member including a first opening and a second opening and configured to cover the robot arm received through the second opening; and a resin molded member configured to close the first opening of the flexible film member. The resin molded member includes: an upper surface portion having a shape and a size fitted to an attachment surface of an attachment portion of the robot arm; a side surface portion extending downward from the upper surface portion; and a projection which projects outward from a lower edge of the side surface portion and to which the flexible film member is welded.