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: Apparatus for providing compression within a body, the apparatus comprising: a compression plate comprising first and second opposing regions connected together by at least one elastic bridge member, wherein the at least one elastic bridge member has a non-linear configuration when it is in its unbiased condition but is capable of being elastically deformed to a more linear configuration upon the application of force to the at least one elastic bridge member, and at least one opening formed in each of the first and second opposing regions, wherein the at least one opening in each of the first and second opposing regions is configured to receive a fastener; such that the openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a first distance when the at least one elastic bridge member is in its non-linear configuration, and openings in the first and second opposing regions are separated by a second distance when the at least one elastic bridge member is in its more linear configuration, and further

Abstract: A delivery device delivers a compression plate to a fracture line in a bone. The delivery device includes a body that retains the compression plate in a strained condition, the body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a first beam. The delivery device also includes a cover plate attached to and moveable relative to the body, the cover plate including a second beam. A space is defined between the first beam and the second beam that receives the compression plate. The delivery device also includes a compression clip that retains the compression plate in the space.

Abstract: An intramedullary device includes a central bridge region having a first end and a second end. The intramedullary device also includes a bone engaging feature at both the first end and the second end. At least one of the bone engaging features includes a first barb and a second barb which, in an unbiased condition, flare outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the central bridge region and which are capable of being elastically constrained to a constrained condition such that the first end of the central bridge region may be advanced into a hole in a first bone fragment when the first barb and second barb are elastically constrained. The first barb and second barb are prevented from being withdrawn from the hole in the first bone fragment when the first barb and the second barb are not constrained. The intramedullary device i) is cannulated, ii) generates a compressive load, and iii) comprises nitinol.

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 delivery device delivers a compression plate to a fracture line in a bone. The delivery device includes a body that retains the compression plate in a strained condition, the body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a first beam. The delivery device also includes a cover plate attached to and moveable relative to the body, the cover plate including a second beam. A space is defined between the first beam and the second beam that receives the compression plate. The delivery device also includes a compression clip that retains the compression plate in the space.

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: An intramedullary device includes a central bridge region having a first end and a second end. The intramedullary device also includes a bone engaging feature at both the first end and the second end. At least one of the bone engaging features includes a first barb and a second barb which, in an unbiased condition, flare outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the central bridge region and which are capable of being elastically constrained to a constrained condition such that the first end of the central bridge region may be advanced into a hole in a first bone fragment when the first barb and second barb are elastically constrained. The first barb and second barb are prevented from being withdrawn from the hole in the first bone fragment when the first barb and the second barb are not constrained. The intramedullary device i) is cannulated, ii) generates a compressive load, and iii) comprises nitinol.

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: Drill guides are disclosed herein that allow an implant to be partially inserted after the holes are drilled and before the drill guide has been removed from the surgical location.

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 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 method of increasing a pullout force of a threaded fastener in osteoporotic bone includes drilling a hole in the bone. The spacer fabric is impregnated with a bone growth agent. A tube of the spacer fabric is sized to the hole in the bone. The tube of the spacer fabric is inserted in the hole of the bone. The spacer fabric is made from Nitinol wire. A threaded fastener is inserted into a central lumen of the tube of the spacer fabric to provide a rigid structure. The bone is grown into the spacer fabric.

Abstract: A seal assembly configured to be mounted between a rotatable shaft and a housing has a first side and a second side axially spaced from the first side and includes an annular seal support having a first end at the first side of the seal assembly and a second end spaced axially from the first end, at least one seal body configured to form a seal between the shaft and the seal support, the at least one seal body contacting the seal support at a joint, and a resilient annular body mounted between the seal support and the housing. All portions of the resilient annular body are located radially outward of the joint.