Abstract: A medical device that includes a plurality of members forming a body that can transition from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration. The plurality of members form a plurality of openings each with a long axis extending substantially longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device in a delivery configuration. A plurality of end portions are associated with a distal portion of the medical device, the end portions extending towards the longitudinal axis in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends. A clip is carried on the outer surface, e.g., on a carrier assembly that is slidable along the outer surface from the proximal end towards the distal end. A skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the carrier assembly that is separable from the outer surface as the carrier assembly is advanced from the proximal end towards the distal end of the sheath. During use, the distal end of the sheath is inserted into an opening through tissue, e.g., into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel. The carrier assembly is advanced towards the distal end of the sheath, causing the skin to separate from the outer surface of the elongate member, and the clip is deployed from the carrier to seal the opening.

Abstract: A closure system and methods of use are provided for use in sealing an opening in a body tissue, such as a vascular puncture site. A method of closing the opening in the body tissue can be performed with the closure system having a closure clip. The method can include positioning the closure clip in a first closure clip position adjacent to the opening in the body tissue such that a plurality of spikes of the closure clip are inserted into the tissue at a location outward from a central axis of the opening. Subsequently, the closure clip can be positioned in a second closure clip position such that the plurality of spikes are pulled inward toward the central axis of the opening so as to pull the tissue between the opening and each of the spikes together and close the opening.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis.

Abstract: A system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, comprising a sheath comprising an expandable distal portion comprising a porous wall defining a lumen there-through, the distal portion having a collapsed configuration, wherein the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and an expanded configuration, wherein the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; wherein in the collapsed configuration, the sheath is configured to be advanced across at least a portion of the diseased vessel to a position adjacent the distal location and wherein said system comprises a removable expansion retention member configured to retain the expandable sheath in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis.

Abstract: Configurations are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing elongate instruments and assemblies thereof to stabilize and/or fixate a sacro-iliac joint. In one embodiment, a tool assembly may be advanced from a posterior approach into the SI junction and configured to create a defect defined at least in part by portions of both the sacrum and the ilium, the defect having a three dimensional shape defined in part by at least one noncircular cross sectional shape in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly. After a defect is created, the tool assembly may be retracted and a prosthesis deployed into the defect.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends. A clip is carried on the outer surface, e.g., on a carrier assembly that is slidable along the outer surface from the proximal end towards the distal end. A skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the carrier assembly that is separable from the outer surface as the carrier assembly is advanced from the proximal end towards the distal end of the sheath. During use, the distal end of the sheath is inserted into an opening through tissue, e.g., into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel. The carrier assembly is advanced towards the distal end of the sheath, causing the skin to separate from the outer surface of the elongate member, and the clip is deployed from the carrier to seal the opening.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. A plurality of tissue engaging portions are associated with the plurality of struts, with each tissue engaging portion extending towards the longitudinal axis in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A method that includes locating an opening in tissue by advancing a member through the opening in tissue and following locating the opening, deploying a medical device to aid with sealing the opening. The medical device includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. The medical device further includes a plurality of tissue engaging portions associated with the plurality of struts, each tissue engaging portion being disposed between adjacently positioned generally diamond-shaped openings.

Abstract: A closure system and methods of use are provided for use in sealing an opening in a body tissue, such as a vascular puncture site. A method of closing the opening in the body tissue can be performed with the closure system having a closure clip. The method can include positioning the closure clip in a first closure clip position adjacent to the opening in the body tissue such that a plurality of spikes of the closure clip are inserted into the tissue at a location outward from a central axis of the opening. Subsequently, the closure clip can be positioned in a second closure clip position such that the plurality of spikes are pulled inward toward the central axis of the opening so as to pull the tissue between the opening and each of the spikes together and close the opening.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. A plurality of tissue engaging portions are associated with the plurality of struts, with each tissue engaging portion extending towards the longitudinal axis in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, comprising a sheath comprising an expandable distal portion comprising a porous wall defining a lumen there-through, the distal portion having a collapsed configuration, wherein the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and an expanded configuration, wherein the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; wherein in the collapsed configuration, the sheath is configured to be advanced across at least a portion of the diseased vessel to a position adjacent the distal location and wherein said system comprises a removable expansion retention member configured to retain the expandable sheath in the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: Configurations are described for assisting execution of a percutaneous procedure while protecting the vascular pathway to the operational theater. One embodiment is directed to a system for deploying a device to a distal location across a diseased vessel, comprising a sheath comprising an expandable distal portion comprising a porous wall defining a lumen therethrough, the distal portion having a collapsed configuration, wherein the sheath has a first cross sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and an expanded configuration, wherein the sheath has a second cross sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; wherein in the collapsed configuration, the sheath is configured to be advanced across at least a portion of the diseased vessel to a position adjacent the distal location without substantial size interference between the first cross sectional outer diameter of the sheath and an inner diameter profile of a lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheet-like or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis.

Abstract: Assemblies for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which comprise a closure device deployment assembly comprising an elongate foot member having a relatively short distal portion which is bendably coupled to a relatively long proximal portion and an expandable closure device removably coupled to the distal portion of the foot member.

Abstract: A method for deploying a medical device such as a heart valve to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising first deploying a tubular filter adjacent to at least one tributary vessel location with a filter deployment member, disengaging said deployment member and removing it, inserting an expandable sheath into the blood vessel, passing a medical device through said sheath to deploy its removing said sheath and removing said filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends. A clip is carried on the outer surface, e.g., on a carrier assembly that is slidable along the outer surface from the proximal end towards the distal end. A skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the carrier assembly that is separable from the outer surface as the carrier assembly is advanced from the proximal end towards the distal end of the sheath. During use, the distal end of the sheath is inserted into an opening through tissue, e.g., into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel. The carrier assembly is advanced towards the distal end of the sheath, causing the skin to separate from the outer surface of the elongate member, and the clip is deployed from the carrier to seal the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.