Abstract: A catheter comprises a heater control supplying power, a handle, a base catheter with lumen and comprising a proximal section and a distal segment, and a variable stiffness element. The element comprises a heater connected to the heater control, coiled at least at the distal segment, and comprising a shaft portion of a first metallic conductive material and a heater portion of a second metallic conductive material. A jacket is disposed about the heater portion. A variable flex sub-assembly between the catheter and jacket comprises a non-conducting braid and a binding material. Without power, the binding material is stiffened. Responsive to heating of the binding material, the binding material softens to increase flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment. Responsive to removing power, the binding material cools and stiffens to decrease flexibility of the variable flex sub-assembly at least at the distal segment.

Abstract: A clot removal system includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends and defining a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion, a vacuum pump supplying vacuum, a vent container holding vent liquid, a vent valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vent liquid and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, a vacuum valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vacuum and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, and a controller configured to carry out a pre-determined pattern of opening and closing the vent and vacuum valves to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and, while changing the level of vacuum at the distal end, to substantially prevent forward flow of the liquid at a distal end of the liquid column.

Abstract: An LAA exclusion clip includes first and second clip struts and a bias device. The clip struts together define a heart-proximate side, a heart-distal side, bias and open clip ends, each strut having a tissue-contacting surface disposed opposite one another. The bias device includes a first biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-proximate side of the clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-proximate side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end. The bias device includes a second biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end.

Abstract: A surgical device that comprises a tissue compression device that applies a compression force to tissue, a tissue-compression-measurement device having a mechanically-biased switching element disposed in line with the tissue compression device, wherein the tissue-compression-measurement device indicates when an amount of the compression force applied to the tissue reaches a pre-determined optimal compression force, and a feedback controller electrically connected to the tissue-compression-measurement device and receiving the indication from the tissue-compression-measurement device. A staple firing procedure is permitted to be carried out on the compressed tissue only when the feedback controller receives the indication that the pre-determined optimal compression force has been reached.

Abstract: A compression-self-adjusting staple that comprises a substantially U-shaped staple having a bridge, two legs extending from the bridge at an angle thereto, and a compression device. The compression device is at least partly disposed between the legs and has a bias portion with a compression surface that is movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor. The compression resistor is connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed into a plurality of bends that resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a pre-set compressive force.

Abstract: A multiple-fire securing device includes a hollow outer shaft, a reloader, a reloader movement assembly, a rail, and securing structures each defining an inner securing orifice. The reloader longitudinally moves within the outer shaft and has a distal end shaped to temporarily contact one of the securing structures. The rail is disposed within the reloader and has an installing location. The securing structures are disposed on the rail. The reloader movement assembly moves the reloader longitudinally in a distal direction to deliver a first securing structure to the installing location from a first proximal position and moves the reloader proximally away from the installing location without the first securing structure to a position in which the distal end of the reloader temporarily contacts a second one of the securing structures. The second and successive securing structures are moved one at a time to the installing location.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating joint conditions and diseases and preventing bone hypertrophy, including facilitating cartilage regrowth and preventing bone overgrowth to a damaged bone at a treatment site within a body joint to promote healing. The method comprises 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 comprises an opposing leading end and a lateral wall extending between the joint-ward end and the leading end. The leading end is penetrated into the bone to a depth to substantially position: 1) the joint-ward end in a cartilage zone; wherein the outer surface of the joint-ward end is configured to facilitate cartilage regrowth; and 2) the second section in the bone; wherein the inner surface of the joint-ward end is configured to prevent bone overgrowth into the cartilage zone within the body joint when the device is positioned at the treatment site.

Abstract: A clot removal system includes a catheter having proximal and distal ends and defining a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion, a vacuum pump supplying vacuum, a vent container holding vent liquid, a vent valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vent liquid and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, a vacuum valve configured to fluidically communicate with the vacuum and with the proximal portion of the liquid column at the proximal end of the catheter, and a controller configured to carry out a pre-determined pattern of opening and closing the vent and vacuum valves to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and, while changing the level of vacuum at the distal end, to substantially prevent forward flow of the liquid at a distal end of the liquid column.

Abstract: A substantially U-shaped staple has a bridge, legs, and an internally disposed compression device with a bias portion having a compression surface movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force.

Abstract: A system for hanging lights includes a multiple-light string comprising a plug, a power cord having a first power cord end electrically connected to the plug, a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, and a second power cord end opposite the first power cord end, 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 an electrical mains, the lights strung successively along a length of between approximately 5 and 20 meters, a plug hurler comprising a throwing weight and a hurler cord having a first hurler end connected to the throwing weight and a second hurler end opposite the first hurler end, and a plug-to-hurler connector comprising a connector body connected adjacent the second hurler end and defining a plug capture orifice shaped to removably receive the plug.

Abstract: A thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

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 thrombectomy removal system includes a catheter having a distal end and defining a lumen filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a vacuum source, a vent liquid source, and a vacuum and vent control system configured to cyclically connect or disconnect the vacuum source and the vent liquid source to change a level of vacuum at the distal end and substantially prevent forward flow. The vacuum source and the vent source are respectively fluidically connected to the vacuum and vent valves. A manifold connects the proximal portion to the vacuum and vent sources through the valves. Control of the valves prevents forward flow of the distal portion out from the distal end during each cycle. Each cycle can have states including vacuum-only, first double-closed, vent-only, and second double-closed. A time of the double-closed states can be no greater than 30 ms.

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 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 delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion can have an actuation mechanism with a motor. The rotatable drive shaft can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism can be configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve and to control and monitor torque of the motor.

Abstract: A controllable stiffness catheter comprising a shaft comprising an inner sheath defining an access lumen, an outer sheath surrounding the inner sheath and defining an annulus therebetween, the annulus having a vacuum connection at which a vacuum is applied to the annulus, and a mechanical stiffener disposed at least at a portion of the annulus.

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: 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.