Abstract: An adjustable anchor system provides for securing tissue to bone and includes an anchor with a collapsible suture loop affixed thereto and a tissue suture connected to the collapsible suture loop. After the tissue suture is loaded into the tissue and the anchor implanted into the bone the collapsible loop is collapsed to tension the tissue suture.

Abstract: A stent comprises a plurality of circumferential bands. Circumferential bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The circumferential bands include peaks and troughs interconnected by bent struts. The bands may overlap or may be connected by connectors.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes a carrier tube and a sealing plug. The carrier tube includes a distal end configured for insertion into the tissue puncture. The sealing plug is positioned in the carrier tube and arranged for ejection from the distal end of the carrier tube into the tissue puncture. The sealing plug includes a first collagen portion having a first cross-linked chemical structure, and a second collagen portion positioned proximal of the first collagen portion in the carrier tube. The second collagen portion has a second cross-linked chemical structure that is different from the first cross-linked chemical structure.

Abstract: Tissue expansion system includes a pump, a controller, and inflatable bladder, and a pressure sensor. The pump is adapted for substantially continuous operation in response to a pressure within a subcutaneously implanted inflatable bladder. The pump is thus able to deliver inflation medium to the bladder when the pressure within the bladder is below a predetermined lower threshold while stopping delivery of the fluid when the pressure rises above a higher threshold or reaches a predetermined maximum volume.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system is an unlinked structure which facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

Abstract: A suture passer and method for passing suture in tissue repair and other surgical procedures. The suture passer has an outer stiff tube component and a flexible tube component which is both cannulated and retractable. The inner tube (i.e., the cannulated, flexible, retractable tube) is preferably made of NiTi and has a predefined curve. The inner tube is deployed and retracted from the outer stiff tube. The configuration of the inner tube allows the instrument to be introduced into a space through a small portal and then deployed to provide leverage and improved reach (without creating large portals).

Abstract: A surgical clamp may have two elongated members with a bight portion that joins the two elongated members at a proximal end of the clamp and that may bias the two elongated members in an open position at a distal end. The bight portion may have one or more engagement features, such as a slotted aperture or other engagement or coupling feature. A clasp mechanism at the distal end of the clamp may have a male or first component disposed on or adjacent one of the two elongated members and a female or second component disposed on or adjacent the other of the two elongated members at the distal end of the clamp.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in inserting a medical device into a body vessel of a patient includes a body which extends from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis. The body includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an expandable reinforcement member which is disposed between said inner and outer layers. The expandable reinforcement member is configured to radially expand as the medical device is axially advanced or retracted through said introducer sheath. Once the medical device has exited the introducer sheath, the expandable reinforcement member facilitates a return of the introducer sheath to its original or unexpanded condition.

Abstract: A nasal airway passage device that keeps a nasal airway passage open when inserted into both nostrils. The device includes a hollow body having two hollow legs and a transverse segment that has a central opening. A malleable wire is embedded within a wall of the body, that is, embedded in a wall of each of the legs and embedded a wall of the transverse segment. The wire helps to retain the legs in either a straight orientation or a curved orientation. A band may be provided that encircles the legs initially and moves to encircle the transverse segment upon insertion of the legs into the nostrils.

Abstract: An intervertebral disc repair system comprises an implant and a delivery tool configured to deploy the implant at least partially in a vertebral body of a patient. The implant includes an anchor member and an adjustable suture assembly coupled thereto. The delivery tool includes a proximal handle, an outer tubular member extending distally from the handle, a needle cannula slidably received within the outer tubular member having a sharpened tip for penetrating tissue (e.g., the vertebral body), an inner pusher member slidably received within the needle cannula, and an actuating mechanism coupled to the handle for selectively retracting the needle cannula relative to the outer tubular member and the inner pusher member. At least the anchor member of the implant is releasably received within the needle cannula.

Abstract: An illustrative example inserter assembly for securing soft tissue in a position adjacent bone includes an inserter having a proximal end and distal end. The inserter includes a handle near the proximal end and a shaft between the handle and the distal end. An anchor body is situated near the distal end of the inserter. A suture includes a portion establishing a suture loop near the distal end where the suture loop is distal of the anchor body. The suture includes a portion within the shaft. The suture has two ends that protrude from the inserter near the proximal end.

Abstract: An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin.

Abstract: A dual expansion anchor configured for use in anchoring an implanting portion to an anchor point. A dual expansion anchor can be of particular use in anchoring soft tissue to a bone. A dual expansion anchor can have an expander and an anchor body. The expander can be sized and shaped so that it causes radial expansion of a first end and a second end of the anchor body when the expander is moved to a deployment or expansion position within the anchor body. The anchor body can include features to positively retain the position of the expander when the anchor body is deployed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical device includes a tissue suction housing and a moveable member disposed in the tissue suction housing. The tissue suction housing has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has an opening and the tissue suction housing has at least two suturing device openings. The tissue suction housing is configured to pull up bodily tissue through the opening in the distal end when placed under a vacuum and to receive a suturing device through one of the suturing device openings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suture-less placement of an occluding patch in which release of the device can be accelerated. In one embodiment, an inactive form of an adhesive is applied on the area of the patch that will come into contact with cardiac tissue; this allows for the introduction and necessary manipulation of the catheter system until activation of the adhesive occurs. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adhesive properties of certain polymeric materials are relied upon rather than their ability to cure or harden into a specific shape. In another embodiment, the patch is immediately released utilizing a detaching mechanism on the balloon or the balloon catheter which supports the patch; the patch along with the inflated balloon remain on the cardiac structure occluding the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for making an occluding device for occlusion of fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel is provided. The method comprises attaching a coating to an embolization coil that is substantially straight. The coating is nominally strained on the substantially straight embolization coil. The embolization coil has a pre-curled tension to facilitate the embolization coil being curled within the lumen of the body vessel when deployed. The embolization coil is restrained from curling until deploying to reduce pre-deployment straining of the coating.

Abstract: A surgical endoscopic cutting device includes cutting elements fitted in a protective tube. The device has an inlet for fluid, a discharge outlet for tissue and fluid, and a further outlet that discharges most of the fluid.

Abstract: A medical implant (20) includes first and second ring members (22, 24), each including a resilient framework (26) having a generally cylindrical form. A tubular sleeve (28) is fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen (32) passing through the ring members. A constricting element (30) is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle module, which comprises a piercing means on a mounting, which can be releasably coupled to the drive unit so that, as a result of a driving force exerted by the drive unit on the mounting, a repeated pushing movement moving the piercing means in and out is transmitted, wherein, according to the invention, the mounting has a safety device which mechanically irreversibly blocks the piercing means after the needle module has been released from the drive unit so that it can no longer be moved out of the needle module. The invention also relates to a device, in particular a hand device, for piercing the skin, comprising a drive unit and the needle module according to the invention.