Abstract: Embodiments may include systems and methods for treating an occluded area in a body, accessing cavities or passages of the body, or reducing pathologic material in the body. Embodiments may be configured to apply vibratory energy to pathologic material in a treatment area of a body. A handle connected to an energy source may be configured to provide an energy signal. A transducer may be configured to receive the energy signal. An effector may be operatively coupled to the transducer. The effector may have a proximal end connected to the handle and a distal portion configured to apply vibratory energy to pathologic material. A cannula may have a longitudinal passage to receive at least a portion of the effector and/or be configured to expose at least the distal portion of the effector to the pathologic material or the treatment area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element. In some embodiments, the heater element is elongated along the heater axis.

Abstract: Embodiments may include systems and methods for treating an occluded area in a body, accessing cavities or passages of the body, or reducing pathologic material in the body. Embodiments may be configured to apply vibratory energy to pathologic material in a treatment area of a body. A handle connected to an energy source may be configured to provide an energy signal. A transducer may be configured to receive the energy signal. An effector may be operatively coupled to the transducer. The effector may have a proximal end connected to the handle and a distal portion configured to apply vibratory energy to pathologic material. A cannula may have a longitudinal passage to receive at least a portion of the effector and/or be configured to expose at least the distal portion of the effector to the pathologic material or the treatment area.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for delivering adhesive material to a patient site. A delivery device includes a housing and a nozzle. Adhesive material exits the end of the nozzle such as to adhesively attach tissue to tissue or a material or device to tissue.

Abstract: A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop are described. Portions of one or more segments of elongated material may he fused in an ultrasonic welding process to form a welded joint. Multiple materials each with a different melting point may be used for one or more fibers within the elongated material The elongated material may include a sheath, which may be used to protect a core within the elongated material. A fused region of the fused loop may be formed when a material with a lower melting temperature, compared to one or more other materials in the elongated material, is caused to melt. A related ultrasonic welding apparatus may include a temperature sensor for control of the welding process.

Abstract: A system and method for treating cellulite tissue and related conditions comprising apparatus configured to transmit shear and other vibration modes beneath a patient's skin sufficient to break down connective tissue so that pocketing and dimpling of adjacent skin is ameliorated.

Abstract: A knotless suture device including at least one fusible suture for securing or ligating living tissue structures. The device also includes a generally U-shape fusible coupling member for receiving end portions of the fusible suture. Energy applied to fusible portions of the coupling member cause localized heating and plastic flow so as to fuse the coupling member and the end portion of the suture together. The coupling member can include one or more energy directors on a contact surface to direct and focus energy to particular regions so as to efficiently effect coupling member-to-suture welding.

Abstract: A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop are described. Portions of one or more segments of elongated material may be fused in an ultrasonic welding process to form a welded joint. Multiple materials each with different a different melting point may be used for one or more fibers within the elongated material. The elongated material may include a sheath, which may be used to protect a core within the elongated material. A fused region of the fused loop may be formed when a material with a lower melting temperature, compared to one or more other materials in the elongated material, is caused to melt. A related ultrasonic welding apparatus may include a temperature sensor for control of the welding process.

Abstract: A method of suture welding is disclosed which includes: receiving suture segments between first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members being in an open state. closing the first and second jaw members to captively hold and position the suture segments between the first and second jaw members; selectively applying an elongated joiner element to the suture segments where the joiner element has a selectively operative heating element facing the suture segments; and applying energy to the heating element to weld the suture segments-to-be-welded, whereby the heating element has a temperature above a predetermined threshold adapted to at least partially melt the suture segments.

Abstract: A soft tissue fixation assembly comprises an anchor element which is installed in a bone or other tissue and a suture joiner element which mates with the anchor element. The suture joiner element includes a suture retaining element that securely retains suture and which is connected to the anchor element. Energy is transmitted through the suture joiner element to cause relative vibratory motion between the respective components and localized collapsing and compressing of the suture joiner element to secure the suture within the suture joiner element and to secure the suture joiner element within the anchor element. The soft tissue segment is thus fixed to the bone via the sutures secured in the bone anchor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater device for thermally welding suture strands, including: a substrate extending from a first end to a second end along a substrate axis, and having a substantially planar heater support surface; a joinder layer disposed on the heater support surface; a heater element extending from a first end to a second end along a heater axis thereof and disposed on the joinder layer, the heater element being a layer and being coupled to the support surface by the joinder layer; an electrical interface including a first electrically conductive element coupled to the first end of the heater element, and a second electrically conductive element coupled to the second end of the heater element.

Abstract: A fused loop of an elongated material, such as a surgical suture, and apparatus for making the loop are described. Portions of one or more segments of elongated material may be fused in an ultrasonic welding process to form a welded joint. Multiple materials each with different a different melting point may be used for one or more fibers within the elongated material. The elongated material may include a sheath, which may be used to protect a core within the elongated material. A fused region of the fused loop may be formed when a material with a lower melting temperature, compared to one or more other materials in the elongated material, is caused to melt. A related ultrasonic welding apparatus may include a temperature sensor for control of the welding process.

Abstract: A system and method for treating cellulite tissue and related conditions comprising apparatus configured to transmit shear and other vibration modes beneath a patient's skin sufficient to break down connective tissue so that pocketing and dimpling of adjacent skin is ameliorated.

Abstract: The present invention features an ultrasonic surgical system including an ultrasonically vibrating blade, and retractable grasper. The grasper includes a grasping jaw or clamp that is movable, in a direction perpendicular to the primary vibratory mode of the ultrasonic blade element, from an open, extended position to a closed position in which tissue is grasped between the jaw and the vibrating blade, and to a retracted position for storage. The jaw is preferably hinge-actuated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for welding sutures. The apparatus comprises a jaw assembly and a heater element. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw for receiving a first suture segment, and a second jaw for receiving a second suture segment such that the first and the second suture segments overlap. The heater element is positionable and retractable along an axis between the jaws, and is adapted to be positioned between and melt at least opposing surfaces of the overlapping first and second suture segments so that the suture segments can be pressed together and bonded. The method of welding suture segments includes positioning suture segments adjacent to and on opposite sides of a heater element, energizing the heater element such that portions of the suture segments in contact with the heater element melt, withdrawing the heater element, and clamping the suture segments together until the melted portions cool.

Abstract: An ultrasonic soft tissue cutting and coagulation system has a movable ultrasonic probe member connected to a stationary clamp jaw. The probe member is movable between an open position, spaced from a tissue engaging surface of the clamp jaw, to a clamped position in which the probe member is moved toward the tissue engaging surface so as to capture tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system is presented that is economical to produce and utilize, by including at least one disposable component. The ultrasonic surgical system includes an ultrasonic transducer for converting electric signals into ultrasonic vibrations. An ultrasonic transmission coupler is connected to the transducer, so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer. An ultrasonic vibration element is coupled to the distal end of the ultrasonic transmission coupler. At least one of the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transmission coupler, and the ultrasonic vibration element is disposable. The components of the ultrasonic surgical system are not precision-cut, and are adapted to be press-fit onto each other. The ultrasonic surgical system may be tuned to a desired resonant frequency by varying the lengths of the disposable components.

Abstract: Ultrasonic soft tissue cutting or coagulating systems are featured in which multiple modes of vibration can be used simultaneously in order to vibrate an ultrasonic member, whose vibrational motion is a harmonic superposition of a plurality of modes of vibrations. Non-longitudinal modes of vibration, i.e. vibratory modes for which the direction of the vibrational motion includes at least one component that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vibrating element are excited, are stimulated. In one embodiment, a single source may excite the multiple modes of vibration that forms the composite vibratory motion. The multiple modes may include, but are not limited to, transverse, rotational, extensional, bending, and flexural modes of vibration.

Abstract: The present invention features an ultrasonic surgical system including an ultrasonically vibrating blade, and retractable grasper. The grasper includes a grasping jaw or clamp that is movable, in a direction perpendicular to the primary vibratory mode of the ultrasonic blade element, from an open, extended position to a closed position in which tissue is grasped between the jaw and the vibrating blade, and to a retracted position for storage. The jaw is preferably hinge-actuated.

Abstract: Ultrasonic soft tissue cutting or coagulating systems are disclosed that include an ultrasonic blade member for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, and an opposed clamp member which is used together with the blade member to compress/clamp the tissue being treated. At least one of the blade member and the clamp member has a substantially curvilinear configuration.