Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. The systems may comprise a first catheter including a housing and an electrode having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is fixed relative to the housing and the distal end is longitudinally slidable within the housing.

Abstract: An automatic insertion device and method of using the same is provided. A vibrator and an extender are connected to a penetrating member and are both in electrical communication with a controller. A detector identifies a subcutaneous target for insertion and the insertion angle, distance and trajectory for the penetrating member are calculated. The vibrator provides vibrations to the penetrating member and the extender advances the penetrating member for insertion. The vibrator and extender are in electrical communication with one another during the insertion process and adjustments to the insertion speed are made based on feedback of vibrational load encountered by the vibrator during insertion, and adjustments to the vibrations are made based on feedback of insertion load encountered by the extender during insertion. Iterative samples are taken to constantly adjust the operation of one motor based on the operations and feedback from the other motor.

Abstract: A device for modifying blood flow through a target artery of a patient is described. A method for treating obesity in a patient includes positioning the device in a first artery to decrease blood flow through a second artery causing hypoperfusion to a gastrointestinal organ serviced by the second artery, and interfering with gastrointestinal function to induce weight loss. A system for placement of a blood flow modification device within a first artery to gradually reduce blood flow to a second target artery while maintaining blood flow to the first artery is also provided. The device may be modifiable after treatment to restore or increase blood flow to the artery.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configured to display a representation of the surgical instrument relative to a trajectory (e.g., a desired trajectory for drilling into an implant) based image data from an image sensor (e.g., a camera). For example, the surgical instrument assembly may be configured to determine a desired trajectory (e.g., a central axis of a distal hole of an intramedullary nail) based on X-ray image data representing at least one fiducial marker (e.g., an array of ArUco markers) and representing an anatomical structure and/or an implant. The surgical instrument assembly may in real time display a representation of the orientation and/or position of the surgical instrument (e.g., the orientation and position of a drill bit of the surgical instrument) in relation to the desired trajectory based on image sensor data that is generated based on an orientation of the at least one fiducial marker detected by an image sensor.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. The systems may comprise a first catheter including a housing and an electrode having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is fixed relative to the housing and the distal end is longitudinally slidable within the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a wire for advancement through a vessel wall, and advancing it through one or more vessel walls, generally include a delivery catheter and an alignment catheter or a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. In some variations, the systems and methods may be used to bypass an occlusion or other barrier that may prevent advancement of a wire or tools through an endoluminal space. In these variations, the systems and methods include a delivery catheter, a bypass catheter, a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. The delivery and receiving catheters each generally include a side aperture, a deflection surface, and an alignment element, and the bypass catheter generally includes two side apertures, two deflectors, and two alignment elements. In some variations, the systems and methods may assist in treatment of a patient suffering from critical limb ischemia.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning a wire for advancement through a vessel wall, and advancing it through one or more vessel walls, generally include a delivery catheter and an alignment catheter or a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. In some variations, the systems and methods may be used to bypass an occlusion or other barrier that may prevent advancement of a wire or tools through an endoluminal space. In these variations, the systems and methods include a delivery catheter, a bypass catheter, a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. The delivery and receiving catheters each generally include a side aperture, a deflection surface, and an alignment element, and the bypass catheter generally includes two side apertures, two deflectors, and two alignment elements. In some variations, the systems and methods may assist in treatment of a patient suffering from critical limb ischemia.

Abstract: A cardiac device for implantation proximate an exterior of a heart, the cardiac device including an inflatable bladder including an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall itself is more expandable than the outer wall itself such that the inflatable bladder itself is configured to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart when the inflatable bladder is positioned adjacent the region of the heart and inflated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: A device is configured for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The device includes a tube having a tube proximal end and a tube distal end and A coil having a plurality of windings extending from a coil proximal end to a coil distal end. The coil distal end is coupled to the tube proximal end in a manner that enables application of a negative pressure from within the coil through the coil to tissue surrounding the coil. The coil comprises a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of windings, the space having a predetermined dimension.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for cannulating a vessel. Generally, the method may comprise advancing a stent into a first vessel and deploying the stent in the first vessel to hold open one or more valves. This may permit retrograde blood flow through the blood vessel in peripheral vasculature and aid in cannulation of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Described here are methods of treating a patient having hypertension comprising advancing a catheter into a deep ulnar vein or an artery, wherein the catheter comprises an electrode. The methods further comprise forming a fistula between the deep ulnar vein and the artery with the electrode to reduce a blood pressure of the patient.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for cannulating a vessel. Generally, the method may comprise advancing a stent into a first vessel and deploying the stent in the first vessel to hold open one or more valves. This may permit retrograde blood flow through the blood vessel in peripheral vasculature and aid in cannulation of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning. The devices include a cardiac jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material and at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket. Inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to expand to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart. In some cases, a phase-change material is filled into the bladder as a liquid and the material solidifies at body temperature. In some cases, a positioning tool is used prior to the implantation of the jacket in order to determine effective positions for the inflatable bladder(s) to be located on the heart to improve heart functioning.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for treating hypertension by forming a fistula between two blood vessels to reduce blood pressure of a patient. The fistula may be formed using a catheter having an electrode that is placed in a first blood vessel. In some instances, a desired amount of blood pressure is determined. In other instances, the hypertension is drug resistant hypertension.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.