Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness endoscope overtube includes an overtube shaft including an inner sheath defining an access lumen and an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath from proximal to distal end of inner sheath to define an annulus therebetween having a proximal portion with a vacuum connection. The sheath distal ends are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized to receive an endoscope. The outer sheath has a constant outer diameter over at least a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends of the sheaths. A vacuum device is fluidically connected to the vacuum connection and applies vacuum to the annulus. Responsive thereto, annulus pressure is lowered, the sheaths are drawn together, and the overtube shaft is stiffened over at least the distal portion to stiffen and maintain a current shape of the overtube shaft over at least the distal portion of the annulus.

Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device comprises a shaft comprising an exterior surface, an interior receiving therein suture fixation clips, and a distal end opening shaped to eject a suture fixation clip therefrom. The shaft defines a lateral opening and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and the distal end opening. A shuttle moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body, a snare having a distal snare portion, and a snare extension slide movable from the shuttle body along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end. The shuttle extends at least the distal snare portion distally through the lateral opening from the environment into the interior, through the distal shaft portion, and through the distal end opening along a length that is at least equal to the slide distance when the snare extension slide moves to the distal end of the given extent.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating joint conditions and diseases and preventing bone hypertrophy can include facilitating cartilage regrowth and preventing bone overgrowth to a damaged bone at a treatment site within a body joint to promote healing. The method can include providing a device having a first section comprising a joint-ward end having an inner surface and an outer surface and fenestrations between the inner and outer surfaces. A second section can include an opposing leading end and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the leading end. The leading end can be penetrated into the bone to a depth to substantially position:1) the joint-ward end in a cartilage zone or at a boundary/transition area; and 2) the second section in the bone. Bone overgrowth into the cartilage zone may be prevented within the body joint when the device is positioned at the treatment site.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for operating a catheter provides a mechanical stiffener to a catheter shaft portion, the shaft comprising an inner sheath having a distal end and an outer surface and defining an access lumen extending distally to the distal end and an outer sheath having an inner surface surrounding the inner sheath distally to the distal end, defining an annulus between the outer and inner surfaces, the annulus having a connection at which vacuum applies to the annulus, and having a substantially constant outer diameter over the portion to the distal end. A tool is shaped and sized to pass through the access lumen and past the distal end. The portion is placed in an increased stiffened state by applying vacuum to create a stable base with at least a shaft segment within the anatomy that atraumatically resists reaction forces applied to the shaft by the tool.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness catheter includes a shaft comprising inner and outer sheaths, the sheaths each having proximal and distal ends. The outer surrounds the inner from the proximal to the distal end of the inner sheath, defining an annulus therebetween including a proximal portion having a vacuum connection to which vacuum is applied. The distal ends of the sheaths are longitudinally fixed to one another and sized for neurological vascular procedures. The outer has a substantially constant outer diameter over a distal portion of the annulus proximate to the distal ends. A vacuum device fluidically connects to the vacuum connection and is configured to apply vacuum thereto. Responsive to vacuum, annulus pressure lowers to draw the sheaths toward one another and stiffen the shaft over at least the distal portion to substantially and passively stiffen and maintain a current shape of the shaft over at least the distal portion.

Abstract: A method for operating a medical device, comprising: (1) providing a surgical end effector at a distal end of an instrument shaft and a rotating actuator at a proximal end of the instrument shaft, and (2) operating the rotating actuator to perform at least one of actuating the surgical end effector by sliding the rotating actuator in a proximal direction and rotating the surgical end effector with respect to the instrument shaft and about a shaft axis.

Abstract: A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A hanging multiple-light string system includes a plug for an electrical mains, an electrical power cord having a first power cord end electrically connected to the plug, a given length, and a second power cord end opposite the first power cord end, and a cord of lights electrically connected to the second power cord end to receive power and illuminate at least one of the lights when the plug is connected to the electrical mains, the lights strung successively along a length less than the given length.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating joint conditions and diseases and preventing bone hypertrophy can include facilitating cartilage regrowth and preventing bone overgrowth to a damaged bone at a treatment site within a body joint to promote healing. The method can include providing a device having a first section comprising a joint-ward end having an inner surface and an outer surface and fenestrations between the inner and outer surfaces. A second section can include an opposing leading end and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the leading end. The leading end can be penetrated into the bone to a depth to substantially position: 1) the joint-ward end in a cartilage zone or at a boundary/transition area; and 2) the second section in the bone. Bone overgrowth into the cartilage zone may be prevented within the body joint when the device is positioned at the treatment site.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises a surgical end effector, a handle that is connected to the surgical end effector and has a controller, and an interchangeable part removably connected to the surgical end effector and having an encryption device in electrical communication with the controller. The encryption device is programmed to authenticate the interchangeable part when the interchangeable part is at the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a control handle connected to the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a surgical end effector connected to the distal end of the instrument shaft at a joint, wherein the surgical end effector is configured to articulate, at the joint and with respect to the instrument shaft, about an articulation axis, and wherein the surgical end effector had a pull-to-release articulation lock configured to retain the joint in a fixed position and the control handle has an articulation lock actuator that is configured to, when actuated, release the articulation lock.

Abstract: An external LAA exclusion clip comprises a clipping assembly comprising first and second opposing clip struts each of the clip struts having a tissue-contacting surface and first and second bias surfaces, a bias assembly connecting the first clip strut to the second clip strut to align the first and second clip struts in a strut plane passing through the tissue-contacting surface. The bias assembly comprises at least one first bias spring connected to the first bias surface of the first clip strut and to the first bias surface of the second clip strut and at least one second bias spring connected to the second bias surface of the first clip strut and the second bias surface of the second clip strut. The first bias spring and the second bias spring are configured to permit movement of the first and second clip struts in the strut plane.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical instrument, which comprises providing a surgical instrument handle, electrically connecting a controller disposed within the surgical instrument handle to a communication connection of a receiving portion of the surgical instrument, removably securing an interchangeable part at the receiving portion, the interchangeable part having an encryption device electrically connected to the communication connection when the interchangeable part is at the receiving portion, authenticating the interchangeable part upon an exchange between the controller and the encryption device, and after at least a partial use of the interchangeable part, storing within the encryption device a used status of the interchangeable part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical instrument to have a manual release, which comprises mechanically coupling a manual release to a transmission of a surgical instrument having a self-contained power source disposed within a handle thereof, the transmission mechanically connecting an electrically-powered motor inside the handle to a movable part of a surgical end effector connected to the handle such that the transmission is operable to displace the movable part to a starting position, an actuated position, and at least one point between the starting position and the actuated position when the motor is operated; and wherein the manual release is operable to interrupt the transmission from operation of the motor and, during interruption, displace the movable part towards the starting position irrespective of the position of the movable part and independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: A multiple-firing clip device includes a hollow shaft defining a lateral opening communicating with an environment and a distal shaft portion between the lateral opening and a distal end opening. A shuttle longitudinally moves on the shaft and comprises a shuttle body defining a lumen surrounding the shaft, a snare, and a snare-extender slide defining a snare track to form a snare travel path in which the snare is disposed from the body and through the track and a portion of the body. The slide moves along a given extent defining a slide distance and a distal end and movement of the slide to the distal end shortens the snare travel path to extend the snare portion through the lateral opening, through the distal shaft portion, and distally out from a distal side of the body longer than the given extent to secure a suture with the snare.