Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Configurations are described for conducting minimally invasive medical diagnoses and interventions utilizing elongate instruments and assemblies comprising one or more imaging devices, and one or more remote retraction and distraction devices. Retraction and distraction devices, such as balloons, mechanical retraction members, and/or trocar screw geometries may be utilized to access, investigate, and intervene at the joint capsule, or inside of the joint capsule. Imaging devices, such as optical image capture devices, ultrasound transducers, and optical coherence tomography fibers, may be utilized to assist with navigation of the pertinent tools during diagnostic and interventional steps.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: A system for laterally decompressing one or more spinal nerves comprises an access sheath, a tool guide, and a bone removal tool. The access sheath is percutaneously placed adjacent a facet joint using needle dilation or a small incision. The tool guide is then placed through the access sheath adjacent an anterior surface of the superior articular process of the facet joint. The bone removal tool is advanced over the guide track to remove bone from the anterior surface. Optionally, after bone removal has been completed, the cutting tool may be advanced through the access sheath in order to partially cut the ligamentum flavum to further relieve compression of the spinal nerve(s).

Abstract: Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: advancing a helical needle into the wall of the tissue structure such that the needle pulls an intercoupled suture member across the wall to form a deployed suture pattern, the deployed suture pattern being characterized in that: the portion of the suture member encapsulated by the wall of the tissue structure is substantially helical in formation and represents a number of helical loops that is greater than about one helical loop, and is less than about three helical loops; portions of the suture member on either side of the wall are in a slack configuration such that tension in the suture member arising from the encapsulated portion pulls in additional length from the slack configuration on either side of the wall to accommodate expansion of the substantially helical encapsulated portion.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: a delivery member having proximal and distal ends; a first helical member having proximal and distal ends and a helical shape, the proximal end coupled to the delivery member distal end, the distal end extending distally of the delivery member distal end; an anchor member removably coupled to the helical member distal end; and a suture member coupled distally to a portion of the anchor member and extending proximally to a position wherein at least a portion of it may be freely manipulated by an operator; wherein the proximal end of the suture member extends proximally beyond the deployed suture pattern into a local suture length storage reservoir coupled to the delivery member, the reservoir containing an additional length of suture and being configured such that upon rotation of the delivery member in the first direction, the anchor member pulls along the distal portion of the suture member c

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising a delivery member having proximal and distal ends; a first helical member having proximal and distal ends and a helical shape, the proximal end coupled to the delivery member distal end, the distal end extending distally of the delivery member distal end; an anchor member removably coupled to the helical member distal end; and a suture member coupled distally to a portion of the anchor member and extending proximally to a position wherein at least a portion of it may be freely manipulated by an operator; wherein upon rotation of the delivery member in a first direction, the first helical member and coupled anchor member are advanced across at least a portion of the wall of the tissue structure, pulling along the distal portion of the suture member in a deployed suture pattern which remains coupled to the anchor member, the deployed suture pattern being characterized in that it is substantially

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: installing a guiding member into the wall of the tissue structure to a desired guiding depth; using the installed guiding member as a positional guide, advancing a helical member into the wall of the tissue to a desired helical member depth, the helical member comprising a helical member distal end removably coupled to an anchor member which is coupled to a distal end of a suture member, such that advancing the helical member into the wall causes the anchor member to be advanced into the wall and to pull a distal portion of the suture member along with the anchor member into the wall to substantially encapsulate a number of helical loops of suture member that is greater than about 1 loop and less than about 3 loops; withdrawing the helical member from the wall of the tissue structure, leaving the anchor member in a deployed configuration decoupled from the helical member and coupled to at leas

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: a delivery member having proximal and distal ends; a first helical member having proximal and distal ends and a helical shape, the proximal end coupled to the delivery member distal end, the distal end extending distally of the delivery member distal end; an anchor member removably coupled to the helical member distal end; a suture member coupled distally to a portion of the anchor member and extending proximally to a position wherein at least a portion of it may be freely manipulated by an operator; and a tissue interface indentor member coupled to the delivery member and operatively coupled to the first helical member, the tissue interface indentor member comprising a distally protruding shape feature configured to contact one or more portions of the tissue structure adjacent to the distal end of the helical member and change an available angle of penetration between such portions and the di

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: a delivery member having proximal and distal ends; a plurality of helical members, each having proximal and distal ends and a helical shape, each proximal end coupled to the delivery member distal end, each distal end extending distally of the delivery member distal end; a plurality of anchor members removably coupled to the helical member distal ends; and a plurality of suture members coupled distally to a portion of one of the anchor members and extending proximally to a position wherein at least a portion of each may be freely manipulated by an operator; wherein upon rotation of the delivery member in a first direction, the helical members and coupled anchor members are advanced across at least a portion of the wall of the tissue structure, pulling along the distal portions of the suture members in a deployed suture pattern which remains coupled to the anchor member.