Abstract: A device for closing an opening in a body lumen, the device having a first elongate member with a first lumen, a second elongate member distal the first elongate member, and a needle assembly slidably cooperating with the first elongate member to position a plurality of sutures within the lumen of the first elongate member. The needle assembly includes a needle base and a plurality of needle portions extending from the needle base. Slidable movement of the needle assembly in relation to the first elongate member locates the plurality of sutures selectively mounted to the needle assembly within the first lumen.

Abstract: A suturing system including a sheath, a handle assembly proximal the sheath, an elongate body disposed between the sheath and the handle, a plurality of needles disposed distal the elongate body in a pre-deployed configuration and movable into the elongate body in a deployed configuration, each of the plurality of needles including a needle tip, each needle tip being orientated proximally towards the elongate body in the pre-deployed configuration, and a needle capture assembly disposed between a distal end of the elongate body and the handle, the needle capture assembly including two needle engaging edges longitudinally spaced with respect to each other, with each being configured to interlock with at least one of the plurality of needles.

Abstract: A suturing system is provided. In an embodiment, the suturing system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. A needle is disposed distal the sheath in a pre-deployed configuration with a needle tip of the needle being orientated proximally towards the sheath. A body is disposed within the sheath, the body comprising a guide reducing an outer cross-sectional dimension of the body at the guide and forming a space between the body and the sheath, the guide being configured to receive the needle and direct the needle proximally toward the proximal end of the sheath. A suture is attached to the needle.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatuses, means and methods to promote uptake of fluids into a reservoir of an implantable drug delivery system though a porous membrane. Embodiments of the invention promote fluid uptake by creating a pressure differential between the reservoir of the drug delivery device and the environment of the device after implantation, for instance a subcutaneous pocket.

Abstract: A surgical device for suturing body lumen is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device can include a body having a shaft and a foot for insertion into an opening in a body lumen. The device can include tissue ports between configured to receive tissue surrounding the opening in the body lumen. The foot can include a suture secured to needle capture devices. The device can include needles that can be advanced through tissue and into the needle capture devices. The needle capture devices can then be withdrawn, thereby harvesting the suture, which can then be used to close the opening in the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatuses, means and methods to promote uptake of fluids into a reservoir of an implantable drug delivery system though a porous membrane. Embodiments of the invention promote fluid uptake by creating a pressure differential between the reservoir of the drug delivery device and the environment of the device after implantation, for instance a subcutaneous pocket.

Abstract: A surgical device for suturing body lumen is described, as well as methods for suturing tissue employing the surgical device. The device can include a body having a shaft and a foot for insertion into an opening in a body lumen. The device can include tissue ports between configured to receive tissue surrounding the opening in the body lumen. The foot can include a suture secured to needle capture devices. The device can include needles that can be advanced through tissue and into the needle capture devices. The needle capture devices can then be withdrawn, thereby harvesting the suture, which can then be used to close the opening in the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatuses, means and methods to promote uptake of biocompatible fluids into a reservoir of an implantable drug delivery system though a porous membrane. Embodiments of the invention promote fluid uptake by creating a pressure differential between the reservoir of the drug delivery device and the biocompatible fluid outside the device.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a closure element having a foot portion and a needle guide portion. The foot portion and the needle guide portion are each movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The foot portion includes cuffs removably mounted thereon and having sutures connected therebetween. The needle guide portion includes needle guide apertures that guide the needles to the cuffs. The needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a closure element having a foot portion and a needle guide portion. The foot portion and the needle guide portion are each movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The foot portion includes cuffs removably mounted thereon and having sutures connected therebetween. The needle guide portion includes needle guide apertures that guide the needles to the cuffs. The needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: A suturing system including an elongate distal member, an elongate proximal member proximal the elongate distal member, and a needle guide disposed between the elongate distal member and the elongate proximal member. A plurality of needles with a needle tip of each needle of the plurality of needles are orientated generally proximally toward a single opening in a distal end of the elongate proximal member. When the needle tip of each of the plurality of needles is at least partially disposed within the single opening, a portion of each needle of the plurality of needles, proximal a distal end of the needle guide, being radially separated by a distance less than a diameter of the elongated proximal member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include devices, compositions and methods for the controlled release of therapeutic substances, such as drugs. Control over the rate of release of the therapeutic substances from the devices is achieved by the use of nanoporous membranes in which the pore size is matched to the molecular diameter of the therapeutic substances. Some embodiments of the invention achieve zero-order release by the use of membranes with a pore diameter that is more than five times the Stokes' diameter of the therapeutic substance released.

Abstract: A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing devices and/or systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may be intended for use with a suturing device having one or more needle lumens. The needle removal device may include a first member having a first plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. The first needle receptacles may be configured and positioned to correspond to one or more of the one or more needle lumens of the suturing device. The needle removal device may also include a second member having a second plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. At least one of the first member or the second member may be moveable between a first position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles are substantially aligned, and a second position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles substantially unaligned.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device includes an elongate member through which needles may be deployed. The closure device also includes a foot portion having one or more feet slidably mounted relative thereto. The feet are movable between a deployed position and a delivery position. The feet include cuffs removably mounted therein, with sutures connected between the cuffs. When the feet are in the deployed position and the needles are advanced, the needles securely engage the cuffs and draw the cuffs and suture through the lumen wall so that the opening in the lumen wall can be closed with the sutures.

Abstract: An amorphous PDLLA stent coating for drug delivery is disclosed.

Abstract: A suturing system is provided. In an embodiment, the suturing system includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. A needle is disposed distal the sheath in a pre-deployed configuration with a needle tip of the needle being orientated proximally towards the sheath. A body is disposed within the sheath, the body comprising a guide reducing an outer cross-sectional dimension of the body at the guide and forming a space between the body and the sheath, the guide being configured to receive the needle and direct the needle proximally toward the proximal end of the sheath. A suture is attached to the needle.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches methods of controlling the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix that include designing and creating a predetermined initial morphology (IM) profile in a polymeric matrix. The teachings indicate, inter alia, that control over the release rate of agents can provide for an improved control over the administration of agents as well as have an effect upon the mechanical integrity and absorption rate of the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches methods of controlling the release rate of agents from a polymeric matrix. The methods relate to the application of pressure, and optionally, in combination with heat, to a polymeric coating.

Abstract: An implantable and removable filter that may be implanted in and/or removed from a body lumen, such as the Vena Cava. The filter including tissue anchors on expandable anchoring legs, which can be selectively moved between a non-anchoring or pre-deployed configuration into an anchoring or deployed configuration by obturators that are movable inside the anchoring legs.