Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.

Abstract: Soft body tissue structure can be remodeled by shortening the distance between first and second portions of that tissue structure. First and second anchor structures are respectively implanted in the first and second portions of the tissue structure. These anchor structures are linked by a linking structure, the length of which between the anchor structures can be shortened to pull the tissue structure portions toward one another. Each of the anchor structures may include two screw structures that are driven into the associated tissue structure portion transverse to the linking structure and with a spacer between the two screws. The entire prosthesis can be implanted percutaneously if desired. An illustrative use of the prosthesis is to shorten the annulus of a patient's mitral valve, with at least a portion of the prosthesis implanted in the patient's coronary sinus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to iontophoretic drug delivery systems for transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents and, more particularly, to packaging such systems for long shelf life and easy assembly for use. The system package includes an iontophoretic skin worn patch component that accommodates a power source, electronics, electrodes and a drug pack component that carries a therapeutic agent which is contained as a separate sealed component. The packaged system further provides for ease of assembly at the time of use.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.

Abstract: An implant structure for use in pulling two soft body tissue areas closer together in a patient (e.g., two points along or adjacent to the patient's mitral valve annulus) includes at least two tissue anchor structures that are respectively implantable into the two tissue areas. A tether structure links the two tissue anchors and can be shortened and held in that condition by a cinch structure. Bracing structures are used between the anchors and the tether to help keep the longitudinal axes of the anchors transverse to the tether axis even when the tether is under tension. The tether may be sheathed in a cushioning sleeve to help protect adjacent tissue from erosion by the tether.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bone cavity preparation. Formed broaching members may be supported inside a bone by a rotator. The broaching members may be bowed out inside the bone to create a cavity having a shape determined by the broaching members and bone anatomy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing the interior of a bone for therapy. The therapy may include therapy for a bone fracture. The apparatus and methods may involve orienting a surgical instrument for proper deployment in the interior of the bone. An instrument guide may be positioned and retained against translation along, and rotation about one or more of three substantially orthogonal axes. Apparatus placed exterior to the bone may register the guide to a region inside the bone that is designated for preparation or treatment. One or more broaching members may be used to prepare the region for treatment. A broaching member may be expandable inside the bone. A broaching member may be flexible such that it broaches bone having a relatively lower density and it leaves bone having a relatively higher density substantially intact.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securing a bone implant are provided. The implant may be an expandable implant. The implant may be a non-expandable implant. The implant may be for repairing a bone fracture. The implant may be secured to a bone by anchors. The implant may include anchor receiving features. The anchor receiving features may be configured to direct an anchor into cortical bone. The anchor receiving features may be configured to receive an anchor driven through cortical bone. The implant may include bone engaging members configured to engage cancellous bone. An implant may include different profiles. The different profiles may be configured to secure the implant. The profiles may be configured to support the bone. The implant may have different flexing properties configured to position the implant in the bone. The implant may be positioned to receive an anchor driven through an outside of the bone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between an opening at an end of a graft conduit and an aperture in a side wall of a body tissue conduit using a hollow connector assembly are provided, wherein the cross-sectional area of the anastomotic connection is larger than that of the graft conduit. The tissue about the opening is introduced about and retained by first members of a distal portion of the connector assembly held by a loading tool. A delivery tool then collapses a proximal portion defined by second members of the connector assembly and delivers the second members into the lumen of the body tissue conduit via the aperture. Upon inserting the second members into the body tissue conduit, the delivery tool is disemployed and the second members expand such that they press against the interior wall of the body tissue conduit and such that the first members are held within the aperture against a medial wall of the body tissue conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: A system and method for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system and method utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a fractured bone for repair. Preparing the bone may include fracture reduction. Preparing the bone may include holding a fracture in reduction. Preparing the bone may include identifying locations for obtaining access to an interior region of the bone. The apparatus may include structures outside the bone that interact with fragments of the bone. The structures may participate in the reduction. The structures may participate in holding the reduction. The structures may participate in identifying the locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that gather a patient's body tissue and then secure the gathered tissue in a reduced area utilizing a securing structure. The securing structure mainly resides on one side of the tissue to minimize or eliminate both foreign material and the amount of manipulation or activity on the other side of the tissue. The securing device is matched to the desired amount of tissue manipulation to minimize the structure. The gathered and secured tissue can surround a septal defect to obstruct or close the defect itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to iontophoretic drug delivery systems for transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents and, more particularly, to packaging such systems for long shelf life and easy assembly for use. The system package includes an iontophoretic skin worn patch component that accommodates a power source, electronics, electrodes and a drug pack component that carries a therapeutic agent which is contained as a separate sealed component. The packaged system further provides for ease of assembly at the time of use.