Abstract: A fastener delivery tool includes a belt including pairs of features for releasably engaging tines of respective fasteners in a relaxed state defining a loop. The tool includes a loading chamber for receiving a fastener from the belt, a retaining member for limiting movement of the fastener within the loading chamber, an ejection track communicating with the loading chamber, a handle including an actuator, and a tongue and pusher member coupled to the actuator. Activation of the actuator advances the tongue to transform the fastener from the relaxed state to a U-shaped constrained state, and advances the pusher member to direct the fastener from the loading chamber down the ejection track.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ablation efficacy are described herein where a hood having a deployable elongated feature can extend beyond a distal face of the hood. The elongated feature can channel the energy to the deeper regions within the tissue (such as trabeculated regions or other tissue structures) such that the energy can be delivered to the target tissue despite small or large irregularities in the target tissue surface (or region) and/or changes in the relative distances between the hood and the target tissue.

Abstract: A method of using a prosthetic heart valve assembly can include implanting a first prosthesis directly into a native annulus. The first prosthesis can have a central longitudinal axis and a first engagement element. The method can also include engaging the first engagement element of the first prosthesis with a second engagement element of a second prosthesis to securely couple the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. The second prosthesis can have a prosthetic valve. The first engagement element engages the second engagement element by moving the second prosthesis towards the first prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis until the first engagement element engages the second engagement element.

Abstract: Direct optical imaging of anatomical features and structures from within a biological organ in a dynamic environment (where the tissue being imaged is in motion due to cardiac rhythms, respiration, etc) presents certain image stability issues due (and/or related) to the motion of the target structure and may limit the ability of the user to visually interpret the image for the purposes of diagnostics and therapeutics. Systems and mechanisms for the purpose of actively stabilizing the image or for compiling and re-displaying the image information in a manner that is more suitable to interpretation by the user are disclosed.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly including an annular prosthesis implantable within a biological annulus, a prosthetic valve including a multiple lobular shape for implantation above the biological annulus, and one or more connectors for securing the prosthetic valve to the annular prosthesis. A flexible sewing cuff extends radially from the annular prosthesis that is resiliently flexible for conforming to the multiple lobular shape of the prosthetic valve to enhance a seal between the prosthetic valve and the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may include a core resiliently conformable with anatomy surrounding the biological annulus and fabric covering at least a portion of the core.

Abstract: A method, system and device to use a dilute alkaline solution held at sub-critical temperature and pressure conditions to remove rapidly chloride ions from corroded iron artifacts.

Abstract: Devices for fixturing a prosthesis to a first mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Complementary fixturing devices and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve gasket body to a biological annulus.

Abstract: A valve introducer is provided for delivering a valve prosthesis into a biological annulus. During use, a gasket member is introduced into the biological annulus, and secured relative to the biological annulus. A distal end of a valve introducer is introduced into a passage communicating with the biological annulus, and disposed adjacent the gasket member. A valve prosthesis is advanced through the valve introducer towards the gasket member, and secured to the gasket member. In one embodiment, the valve introducer and valve prosthesis have corresponding shapes, requiring the valve prosthesis to be oriented to properly align the valve prosthesis before advancing the valve prosthesis into the valve introducer. Optionally, the valve introducer is manipulated (e.g., by pivoting at a pivot point) to reduce a profile of the distal end before introduction into the passage, which may facilitate introducing the valve introducer through the passage, e.g., past the sino-tubular junction.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

Abstract: A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biologically implantable prosthesis is disclosed. The prosthesis can have a circumferentially expandable wall and elements that prevent the wall from collapsing once the wall is expanded. Methods of making and using the prosthesis are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

Abstract: An implantable device has a body that is substantially rigid and has an imageable shape. The body is further bioabsorbable and may contain permanent metallic elements to aid in its imaging. When the device is implanted in a resected cavity in soft tissue, it can cause the cavity to conform substantially to a known imageable shape. The implantable device is further imageable due to its attenuation properties being different from those of soft tissue such that the boundaries of the tissue corresponding to the predetermined shape can be determined.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis and a valve prosthesis. The annular prosthesis includes an annular ring for dilating tissue within a biological annulus and a conformable sewing cuff extending radially from the annular member. The valve prosthesis includes a frame and a valve component. The annular ring is introduced into the biological annulus to dilate tissue surrounding the biological annulus and the sewing cuff conforms to tissue above the biological annulus. Fasteners are directed through the sewing cuff to secure the annular prosthesis to the biological annulus. The annular prosthesis may include a baleen element for biasing fabric on the annular ring outwardly to enhance sealing against the biological annulus. A valve prosthesis is then advanced into the sinus cavity, and secured relative to the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may enhance a seal between the valve prosthesis and annular prosthesis.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis and a valve prosthesis. The annular prosthesis includes an annular ring for dilating tissue within a biological annulus and a conformable sewing cuff extending radially from the annular member. The valve prosthesis includes a frame and a valve component. The annular ring is introduced into the biological annulus to dilate tissue surrounding the biological annulus and the sewing cuff conforms to tissue above the biological annulus. Fasteners are directed through the sewing cuff to secure the annular prosthesis to the biological annulus. The annular prosthesis may include a baleen element for biasing fabric on the annular ring outwardly to enhance sealing against the biological annulus. A valve prosthesis is then advanced into the sinus cavity, and secured relative to the annular prosthesis. The sewing cuff may enhance a seal between the valve prosthesis and annular prosthesis.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools incorporate occluding members to help retain the biological unit in the removal tool and assist in severing the biological unit from the surrounding connective tissue. The occluding member may be located at a distal end of the tool and close in an iris configuration over the distal tool tip or the occluding member may constrict along the tool midsection. The occluding member may be an elastomeric sleeve or it could comprise filaments that are arranged to constrict upon being twisted or rotated. The tools are especially useful for removing follicular units from a body surface in a hair transplantation process, and especially in the context of a robotic system.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a base including a multi-lobular annular shape within a plane, a valve member or other annular body including a multi-lobular shape complementary to the shape of the base, and cooperating connectors on the base and the annular body for connecting the annular body to the base. The base includes an anchoring ring, and a flexible cuff for attaching the base to a biological annulus. The base and the annular body include guides for aligning their multi-lobular shapes, e.g., visual, tactile, or other markers, or tethers that extend from the base that are slidable through the annular body. During use, the base is attached to a biological annulus, the annular body is directed adjacent the annulus, oriented such that the multi-lobular shape of the annular body valve member is aligned with the base, and the annular body is attached to the base.

Abstract: Devices for attaching a first mass and a second mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be made from an resilient, elastic or deformable materials. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve ring to a biological annulus. The devices can also be used for wound closure or a variety of other procedures such as anchoring a prosthesis to surrounding tissue or another prosthesis, tissue repair, such as in the closure of congenital defects such as septal heart defects, tissue or vessel anastomosis, fixation of tissue with or without a reinforcing mesh for hernia repair, orthopedic anchoring such as in bone fusing or tendon or muscle repair, ophthalmic indications, laparoscopic or endoscopic tissue repair or placement of prostheses, or use by robotic devices for procedures such as those above performed remotely.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly includes a base including a multi-lobular annular shape within a plane, a valve member or other annular body including a multi-lobular shape complementary to the shape of the base, and cooperating connectors on the base and the annular body for connecting the annular body to the base. The base includes an anchoring ring, and a flexible cuff for attaching the base to a biological annulus. The base and the annular body include guides for aligning their multi-lobular shapes, e.g., visual, tactile, or other markers, or tethers that extend from the base that are slidable through the annular body. During use, the base is attached to a biological annulus, the annular body is directed adjacent the annulus, oriented such that the multi-lobular shape of the annular body valve member is aligned with the base, and the annular body is attached to the base.

Abstract: Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.