Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a system comprising prosthetic chordae, at least one attachment member including a channel, a female securing member, and a papillary penetration member configured to pass through the channel, the chordae, and the securing member when implanted in a patient's heart. The penetration member includes an axis.

Abstract: A method of creating a wedge-shaped recess in a bone is disclosed. The method includes creating a cylindrical recess within a bone, positioning a tool within the cylindrical recess, radially expanding an articulating cutter of the tool and rotating the tool to remove additional bone along the cylindrical recess' side walls and create a wedge-shaped recess; wherein, a diameter of the bottom surface of the wedge-shaped recess is larger than a diameter of a surface opening of the wedge-shaped recess.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a system comprising prosthetic chordae, at least one attachment member including a channel, a female securing member, and a papillary penetration member configured to pass through the channel, the chordae, and the securing member when implanted in a patient's heart. The penetration member includes an axis.

Abstract: A method of occluding an appendage of the heart with a clamp including at least first and second elongate clamping portions, the first and second elongate clamping portions including tissue engaging surfaces that promote tissue ingrowth. The method includes implanting the clamp by positioning the first and second elongate clamping portions on opposite sides of the appendage. At least one of the first or second elongate clamping portions is biased toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions to place the clamp into a clamping position on the appendage. Tissue ingrowth into the tissue engaging surfaces retains the clamp in place on the appendage.

Abstract: A training method for sclerotherapy. The method includes directing a needle tip into communication with an artificial venous structure, dispensing a fluid through the needle to force fluid from the artificial venous structure and detecting the fluid that is displaced from the artificial venous structure.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: A system includes a pre-sized prosthetic chordae, a papillary penetration member, and a female securing member. The pre-sized prosthetic chordae is directly connected to an attachment member. The papillary penetration member extends through both the chordae and the attachment member. The female securing member receives the penetration member. The penetration member is an axis about which the chordae pivot.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure includes a system comprising prosthetic chordae, at least one attachment member including a channel, a female securing member, and a papillary penetration member configured to pass through the channel, the chordae, and the securing member when implanted in a patient's heart. The penetration member includes an axis.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning endotracheal tubes comprises inserting a cleaning device within an endotracheal tube while a cleaning member is in a compressed position, radially expanding the cleaning member to an expanded position within the endotracheal tube, and withdrawing the cleaning device from the endotracheal tube with the cleaning member in the expanded position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: A method of occluding an appendage of the heart with a clamp including at least first and second elongate clamping portions, the first and second elongate clamping portions including tissue engaging surfaces that promote tissue ingrowth. The method includes implanting the clamp by positioning the first and second elongate clamping portions on opposite sides of the appendage. At least one of the first or second elongate clamping portions is biased toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions to place the clamp into a clamping position on the appendage. Tissue ingrowth into the tissue engaging surfaces retains the clamp in place on the appendage.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.

Abstract: A device for measuring a length of a cervix includes an elongate measurement member extending along a longitudinal axis and including a measurement scale thereon, a hollow member coaxial with and disposed over the elongate measurement member, a flange offset from the longitudinal axis and attached to a distal end of the hollow member, a handle attached to a proximal end of the measurement member, and a locking mechanism on the handle. The hollow member is freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the measurement member to place the flange in a first position and in a second position perpendicular to the first position without moving the measurement scale. The locking mechanism is configured, when locked, to fix the hollow member relative to the measurement member and, when unlocked, to allow the hollow member to slide axially along the measurement member in the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method of occluding an appendage of the heart with a clamp including at least first and second elongate clamping portions, the first and second elongate clamping portions including tissue engaging surfaces that promote tissue ingrowth. The method includes implanting the clamp by positioning the first and second elongate clamping portions on opposite sides of the appendage. At least one of the first or second elongate clamping portions is biased toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions to place the clamp into a clamping position on the appendage. Tissue ingrowth into the tissue engaging surfaces retains the clamp in place on the appendage.

Abstract: A training method for sclerotherapy. The method includes directing a needle tip into communication with an artificial venous structure, dispensing a fluid through the needle to force fluid from the artificial venous structure and detecting the fluid that is displaced from the artificial venous structure.

Abstract: A method of staging a tissue sample cassette, including a cassette body and a lid, from an upper position in a frame used during a tissue embedding process to a lower position in the frame. The method comprises coupling the cassette with the frame such that the cassette is in the upper position and positively stopped at the upper position by first structure on a wall of the frame. The cassette is moved relative to the frame to the lower position by selectively engaging the cassette with a staging mechanism. An external force is applied to the cassette with the staging mechanism in a direction to move the cassette from the upper position toward the lower position. The cassette is retained in the lower position using second structure on the wall of the frame, such that the cassette is exposed for embedding the cassette in an embedding medium and subsequently slicing the tissue sample embedded in the embedding medium.