Abstract: A collapsible medical device is used for occluding an opening used for fetoscopic surgery. The device includes tubular woven metal fabric composed of braided metal strands, said woven metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration comprising an hourglass-shaped element and a waist element at a midpoint, wherein each end of the hourglass-shaped element has a diameter of about 5 mm, wherein the waist element has a diameter that is less than a diameter of each end of the hourglass-shaped element, said woven metal fabric further includes a bulbous element coupled to one end of the hourglass-shaped element via a shaft, wherein the woven metal fabric is deformable to a lesser cross-sectional dimension for delivery through a channel in a patient's body to said opening, and the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained.

Abstract: A trocar assembly and method for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the amniotic cavity or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the amniotic cavity using the Seldinger technique.

Abstract: A trocar assembly for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the uterine cavity (amniotic cavity) or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the uterine cavity using the Seldinger technique.

Abstract: A trocar assembly and method for uterine and fetal surgeries includes a cannula defining a hollow tubular sleeve that extends from a first open end to a second open end, a hollow obturator defining a shaft that extends from a first open end that is tapered to a second open end, wherein the hollow obturator is located within the cannula, and wherein the trocar assembly is configured to be inserted into a patient's body to give access to a bodily cavity, such as the amniotic cavity or the fetus. The trocar assembly is configured for insertion into the amniotic cavity using the Seldinger technique.

Abstract: A method for fetoscopic surgery using a collapsible medical device for occluding an opening includes a tubular woven metal fabric composed of braided metal strands, said woven metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration comprising an hourglass-shaped element and a waist element at a midpoint, wherein each end of the hourglass-shaped element has a diameter of about 5 mm, wherein the waist element has a diameter that is less than a diameter of each end of the hourglass-shaped element, said woven metal fabric further includes a bulbous element coupled to one end of the hourglass-shaped element via a shaft, wherein the woven metal fabric is deformable to a lesser cross-sectional dimension for delivery through a channel in a patient's body to said opening, and the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device returns to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained.

Abstract: The disclosed collapsible medical device is used for occluding an opening used for fetoscopic surgery. The device comprises a tubular woven metal fabric comprised of a plurality of braided metal strands and having a proximal end and a distal end, and said fabric having an expanded preset configuration comprising two disk-shaped elements and a waist element; wherein said two disk-shaped elements have diameters of about 5 mm; wherein the waist element has a length of about one centimeter; wherein the fabric is deformable to a lesser cross-sectional dimension for delivery through a channel in a patient's body to said opening used for fetoscopic surgery, and the fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained.

Abstract: The method in an ultrasound system for marking an ultrasound medical image so as to indicate its orientation is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a signal from a compass on an ultrasonic probe during use on a patient, wherein the signal is produced in relation to a fixed reference point, receiving a signal from an accelerometer on the ultrasonic probe during use on the patient, wherein the signal is produced in relation to the fixed reference point, processing the two signals to determine the orientation of the patient, or portion of the patient, during use of the system on the patient, generating an ultrasound medical image based on imaging data received from the ultrasonic probe during use on the patient, and placing a marker on the ultrasound medical image, wherein said marker corresponds to the orientation of the patient, or portion of the patient.

Abstract: A medical device, system, and method are described for treating in utero a fetus with a lower urinary tract obstruction. An implantable medical device may have a flexible catheter and an anchor. The catheter may define a proximal port, a distal port, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen providing fluid communication between the ports. The anchor may be affixed to the catheter at a position between the ports, and may have a resilient proximal member and a resilient distal member spaced a longitudinal distance apart, the proximal member and distal member each extending radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis. An elongate delivery member may be releasably affixed to the medical device, and the medical device may be delivered through a tubular sheath defining a sheath lumen.

Abstract: A medical device, system, and method are described for treating in utero a fetus with a lower urinary tract obstruction. An implantable medical device may have a flexible catheter and an anchor. The catheter may define a proximal port, a distal port, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen providing fluid communication between the ports. The anchor may be affixed to the catheter at a position between the ports, and may have a resilient proximal member and a resilient distal member spaced a longitudinal distance apart, the proximal member and distal member each extending radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis. An elongate delivery member may be releasably affixed to the medical device, and the medical device may be delivered through a tubular sheath defining a sheath lumen.