Abstract: Tube delivery. One example is a tube delivery system comprising: a hand piece body; a shaft assembly extending from the hand piece body; and a drive assembly. The shaft assembly may comprise: an elongate outer tube; an introducer (310) defining a distal end, a first leaf on the distal end, a second leaf on the distal end, and an inside diameter; a tympanostomy tube disposed within and abutting the inside diameter of the introducer; and a pusher concentrically disposed within the introducer. The drive assembly may be disposed within the hand piece body, the drive assembly configured to longitudinally translate the introducer and the pusher relative to the elongate outer tube, wherein the drive assembly is configured to dilate the first leaf (508) and second leaf (510) by the pusher distally translating the tympanostomy tube relative to the introducer.

Abstract: A medical device includes a tube comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a wall extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the tube and surrounding a hollow interior of the tube, and one or more engagement features on the lateral wall. An inflatable member is located at a distal end portion of the tube. The medical device also includes a repositionable anchor located on the tube proximal to the inflatable anchor and configured to engage the one or more features on the lateral wall. In a first configuration of the medical device, the repositionable anchor is translatable along the tube, and in a second configuration of the medical device the repositionable anchor is fixed in translation relative to the tube.

Abstract: Exemplary occlusion and molding devices and methods involve the use of an expandable balloon. Methods of sealing an aortic side branch in a patient can include advancing an occlusion device within the aorta, positioning a toroidal balloon of the occlusion device adjacent to the aortic side branch, and inflating the balloon to prevent peripheral blood flow from the aorta into the aortic side branch while a central aperture of the balloon allows descending aortic blood flow therethrough. Methods of molding a stent against an interior surface of a vessel of a patient can include advancing a molding device within the vessel, positioning a toroidal balloon of the molding device at least partially withing the stent, and inflating the balloon to exert force to the stent thus dilating the stent and molding it to the interior of the vessel while a central aperture of the balloon allows blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A distal entry point (DEP) to brain aspiration (D2BA) catheter for use in an endovascular procedure for gaining access to cervical and cerebral arteries in a brain of a patient and aspirating one or more intracranial clots from the cerebral arteries, comprising a soft distal tip region having a distal length sufficient to extend from a level 1 or level 2 arterial segment of a cerebral artery or equivalent to an upper neck arterial vessel, a stiffness enabling movement through the level 1 or level 2 arterial segment of the cerebral artery, and an outside diameter (OD) of 6F-10F, a proximal region having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the soft distal tip region, the proximal region having a length sufficient to extend to outside the patient through the DEP.

Abstract: An ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece with a sensor and a surge control system and a method. The central aspiration lumen of the ultrasonic phacoemulsification handpiece consists of two components of plug-in loose fit: a fixed lumen and an extension lumen; a small pressure sensor is mounted on the extension lumen, but still able to keep the easy-to-use size and maintain the ultrasonic performance of the handpiece. The extension lumen minimizes the effect of ultrasonic vibration on the sensor while maintaining sufficient stiffness for installing and removing the phacoemulsification tip. The design of the handpiece transducer reduces the effect of this sensor installation on the ultrasonic performance. For ultrasonic phacoemulsification cataract removal surgery, the short distance from the pressure sensor to the surgical site provides a technical solution for reliably controlling the risk of the post occlusion surge.

Abstract: An apparatus for neurovascular endoluminal intervention, in particular for the treatment of ischemic stroke, is provided. The apparatus comprises a catheter (2) for insertion into the circulatory system (CS) of a patient, in order to aspirate one or several clots (C) present in the circulatory system (CS). A distal outer section (22) of the catheter (2) comprises an unexpanded state, in which the diameter (D2) of the distal outer section (22) is smaller than the diameter (D1) of a proximal outer section (21) of the catheter (2), in order to facilitate navigation of the catheter through the circulatory system, and a radially expanded state, in order to facilitate aspiration of the one or several clots (C) through the catheter (2). Furthermore, a method for applying such an apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A system includes an adapter mounted over a distal end of an insertion device, a clip and a first extending member. The clip includes jaws movable between an insertion configuration, with the jaws separated and an initial deployed configuration with the jaws drawn together. The clip is biased toward the initial configuration. The first jaw includes a connection element and a first member releasably coupled to the first jaw connection element permits movement of the adapter relative to the clip while the first member remains coupled to the clip to enhance visual observation of the clip. The first member retracts the clip proximally over the adapter so that the clip is forced open as the clip is retracted over the adapter freeing the clip from tissue on which it had been clipped.

Abstract: A catheter for centrally crossing an occluded blood vessel includes a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central passage. A rotatable drive shaft extending through the central passage and has a distal end, a proximal end, and a central lumen. A cutting tip is mounted on the distal end of the rotatable drive shaft and configured to cut through occlusive material when rotated. A plurality of spiral or other flat springs is disposed circumferentially about a distal portion of the catheter body to maintain centering of the catheter and form a passage as the catheter is advanced through a chronic total occlusion.

Abstract: A medical device can include an elongate manipulation member, and a thrombectomy device connected to the elongate manipulation member. The thrombectomy device can have a first configuration and a second configuration, the thrombectomy device being expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration. The thrombectomy device can include an arcuate marker-mounting projection attached to a portion of the thrombectomy device configured to contact a thrombus. A marker can be coupled to, and extending around, the arcuate marker-mounting projection with the marker and the arcuate marker-mounting projection contacting each other at three discrete locations. A method for engaging a thrombus can include advancing a thrombectomy device to a location radially adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods for occluding a left atrial appendage of a heart with an implant are provided. In one embodiment, a medical device system includes a sheath for delivering the implant. The sheath includes, at a distal portion of the sheath, first and second deflectable portions that are each independently deflectable relative to first and second pivot locations, respectively. With this arrangement, at least one of the first and second pivot locations are adjustable along a longitudinal length of the distal portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A tissue closure method comprises grasping a first portion of a tissue between a first arm and a central arm, restricting a sliding of a first slider while grasping the first portion, the first slider configured to open and close the first arm relative to the central arm, grasping a second portion of the tissue between a second arm and the central arm while restricting the sliding of the first slider, indwelling the first arm, the second arm, and the central arm in a body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft, and a transducer assembly disposed at least partially within the elongated shaft. The end effector includes a jaw and an ultrasonic blade. The jaw is configured to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The transducer assembly is distally-spaced from the housing and includes proximal and distal transducers interconnected by a connector. The ultrasonic blade is connected to the distal transducer such that ultrasonic energy produced by the proximal transducer is transmitted along the connector and the distal transducer to the ultrasonic blade and such that ultrasonic energy produced by the distal transducer is transmitted to the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye, may be provided. An apparatus includes a plunger and a plunger tip. The plunger tip includes a dimple positioned at a distal end of the plunger tip. The plunger tip further includes a pocket in fluid communication with the dimple.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the intravascular treatment of clot material within a blood vessel of a human patient are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a funnel catheter assembly includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft extending through and coaxial with the outer shaft. An expandable funnel can be coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft. The funnel catheter assembly further includes a control assembly operably coupled to the proximal portion of the outer shaft and configured to move the outer shaft between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the outer shaft is positioned at least partially over the funnel to constrain the funnel in a compressed state. In the second position, the outer shaft is retracted proximally relative to the funnel such that the funnel can expand to an expanded state.

Abstract: A device for ultrasound assisted thrombolysis includes a catheter, a first ultrasound module, a second ultrasound module and a controller. The first and second ultrasound modules are mounted in the catheter and electrically connected to the controller. The first ultrasound module is provided to transmit ultrasonic waves toward a thrombus to assist thrombolysis. The second ultrasound module is provided to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the thrombus for measuring a distance between the catheter and the thrombus. The controller is provided to control the first and second ultrasound modules according to the distance.

Abstract: Methods and devices for closing tissue apertures in a patient, such as PFO, are disclosed. A suturing device is used to place a suture through areas of tissue that are intended to be closed. Pledgets or buttons can be placed on the suture and each side of the tissue to help maintain the closure.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods for occluding a left atrial appendage of a heart. In one embodiment, a medical device system includes a pusher catheter with a medical device coupled adjacent a distal end of the pusher catheter. The medical device includes a primary hub and a secondary hub with a framework extending therebetween, the primary hub including grooves defined therein. The framework is moveable between constricted and expanded positions such that as the framework moves to the constricted position the grooves are configured to align portions of the framework as the secondary hub moves through the bore of the primary hub. In another embodiment, components of the framework may be configured to minimize resistance in the system as the medical device is delivered and moved between the constricted and expanded positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating tissue includes an articulating elongated shaft (14), a drive shaft (124) extending through the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, and an end effector assembly (100) coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector assembly includes a jaw member (110) and a blade member (112) configured to oscillate in response to a rotation of the drive shaft (124) to treat tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.

Abstract: A multilayer cornea harvesting apparatus capable of obtaining layers of cornea from one cornea enucleation object and a cornea harvesting method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base supported on a bottom surface, a mount detachably coupled to the base, allowing a cornea enucleation object to be placed thereon, having a first opening part formed at a portion corresponding to the cornea of the cornea enucleation object, and having a first medicinal fluid charging space formed between the base and the mount, a stabilizer fixing, to the mount, a sclera portion of the cornea enucleation object placed on the mount and having a second opening part formed at a portion corresponding to the cornea, and an upper cover detachably provided on the upper side of the cornea, supported by the mount or supporting the mount, and forming a second medicinal fluid charging space on the upper side of the cornea.

Abstract: An esophageal food bolus dislodger (EFBD) device and method of using same is disclosed. For example, an EFBD device is provided that may include an esophageal catheter that has a distal guidance member, and also including a cone member, an inflation member, and a boring member arranged along the esophageal catheter in advance of the distal guidance member. In EFBD device, the combination of the inflation member in a partially or fully deployed state, the cone member in a partially or fully deployed state, and the boring member may be used to dislodge food in a procedure for endoscopic removal of food bolus. Further, a method of using the presently disclosed EFBD device for dislodging food from the esophagus is provided.