Abstract: Valvular implants and blood vessel closure devices herein are configured to be positioned in the heart and to block regurgitant blood flow from the heart into blood vessels supplying blood to the heart. The valvular implants can have a cover, a membrane, a valve, a resilient frame, and/or other features. Some valvular implants can have anchors to be positioned in the blood vessels, such as in pulmonary veins, and can anchor the implant to the heart wall. Various embodiments of covers and/or membranes act as valves contracting and expanding, to alternately permit and block blood flow. The valvular implants can cover one or more blood vessels, such as one, two, three, or four pulmonary veins, and can also be configured and implanted to block an appendage to the heart, such as the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A tissue specimen bag includes a bag body and a support ring. The bag body has a closed end and an open end defining a mouth, and defines a channel circumferentially surrounding the mouth. The bag body further includes a plurality of cut-outs defined within the bag body and spaced-apart circumferentially about the mouth such that the channel is discontinuous. The support ring extends through the channel, is resiliently flexible, and is configured to bias the mouth towards an open condition. Portions of the support ring are exposed within the plurality of cut-outs to enable direct interfacing with the support ring without contacting the bag body. A tissue specimen retrieval system includes the tissue specimen bag and a grasper configured to grasp one of the exposed portions of the support ring without contacting the bag body to facilitate manipulation of the tissue specimen bag.

Abstract: A medical device includes: an elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein at least a first portion of the elongated member comprises a first segment made from a shape-memory material, and a second segment made from a non-shape-memory material, the first portion being a distal portion of the elongated member; wherein the first segment and the second segment of the distal portion of the elongated member are secured to each other along their respective longitudinal sides; and wherein the first segment is configured to undergo length change to cause the distal portion of the elongated member to bend.

Abstract: A wound retractor includes a sleeve with proximal and distal ends, an inner ring inside the sleeve between the proximal and distal ends, and an outer ring outside the sleeve between the proximal and distal ends. The inner ring includes a tapered outer surface that increases in diameter from a proximal end of the inner ring toward a distal end of the inner ring. The outer ring includes a tapered inner surface that increases in diameter from a proximal end of the outer ring toward a distal end of the outer ring. A portion of the sleeve is captured between the tapered outer surface and the tapered inner surface.

Abstract: A wound retractor damp includes an annular damp body including a periphery configured to surround a proximal end of a wound retractor, and one or more resilient members connected to the periphery of the clamp body. The one or more resilient members deflect radially outward upon engagement of the clamp body with the wound retractor. The one or more resilient members snap onto the wound retractor and secure the clamp body to the wound protector subsequent to the engagement of the clamp body with the wound protector.

Abstract: Assemblies, devices and methods are provided for suture management associated with surgical procedures for anchoring suture to bone. Suture elements mounted to suture anchors are terminated in suture loops or tags, and associated stop members that in combination with visual coding provide suture identification, prevent accidental unmounting of suture from suture anchors, and reduce the number of suture legs requiring active management during complex arthroscopic repairs. The present invention also provides exemplary drivers that can be used with the various methods and devices disclosed herein, or with other methods and devices known in the art.

Abstract: A surgical filament snare assembly including an anchor capable of being fixated in bone and having a filament engagement feature. A first filament has a noose on a first portion of at least a first limb and has a second portion connected to the filament engagement feature of the anchor. Preferably, at least one free filament limb, which in some embodiments is a length of the first filament and in other embodiments is a second filament, is capable of being passed through tissue to be repaired and has at least one end passable through the noose to enable incremental tensioning of the tissue after the anchor is fixated in bone. The noose strangulates the free filament limb when tension is applied to at least one of the free filament limb and the noose.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are minimally invasive systems and methods for intravascularly accessing the heart and performing a transcatheter repair of a heart valve by inserting a suture as an artificial chordae into a heart valve leaflet. In various embodiments, such systems and methods can be employed in other heart valve repair procedures such an edge to edge repair to coapt leaflets by inserting one or more sutures that retain the leaflets in a coapted positioned or inserting a suture to repair a tear in a leaflet, for example.

Abstract: Generally, a suturing system including apparatus and methods for reinforcing a substrate through which a thread passes. Specifically, embodiments of a thread carrier which passes through a substrate reinforcement element adjoining a substrate to reinforce the substrate at a first location and at a second location through which the thread passes.

Abstract: A surgical stitching device includes a fixed jaw, a rotating jaw, and a transfer mechanism. The rotating jaw is movable in relation to the fixed jaw between a start position and a transfer position. The transfer mechanism includes a first electromagnetic coil supported on the fixed jaw and a second electromagnetic coil supported on the rotating jaw. The first and second electromagnetic coils can be independently energized to transfer the needle between the fixed jaw and the rotating jaw.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for joining members together using a self-drilling screw apparatus or stapling apparatus are disclosed. The screw apparatus includes a shell and first and second first screw members having tapered ends and threaded bodies that are disposed within the shell. A drive mechanism rotatably drives the first and second screw members from the shell in opposite directions and causes the screw members to embed themselves in the members to be joined. The screw apparatus can be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. The stapling apparatus includes first and second lever arms rotatably joined together at a fulcrum, and the lever arms rotate in opposite directions. First and second cartridges are disposed at the ends of the lever arms. Each cartridge is capable of holding a staple including a bracket, a nail member and an alignment slot.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compensator body and at least one vessel contained in the compensator body. The vessel can define an inner cavity which can comprise an inner atmosphere having a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tissue thickness compensator. In at least one embodiment, the vessel and the compensator body can be maintained in a collapsed state until staples are fired through the vessel. At such point, the vessel can re-expand and apply a biasing force to tissue captured within the staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided which includes a first jaw supporting an anvil assembly and a second jaw supporting a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly supports a firing lockout assembly which includes a latch member having a blocking portion. The latch member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the blocking portion of the latch member is aligned with the stop surface of the drive member to prevent advancement of the drive assembly beyond an initial advanced position within the tool assembly and in the second position, the blocking member is misaligned with the stop surface of the drive member to permit subsequent advancement of the drive assembly within the tool assembly. In the retracted position of the drive assembly subsequent to firing of the surgical stapling device, the latch member is in the first position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member that includes structure for releasably engaging the anvil assembly to allow for separation of the entire cartridge assembly from the anvil assembly after each use of the stapling device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for soft tissue repair are generally provided and they generally involve the use of surgical filaments that are configured in a variety of manners to minimize and/or eliminate the tying of knots during a surgical procedure. Moreover, systems and devices described herein can provide for a reversible locking knot, which allows for additional tension to be applied to the repair if adjustments are required after the construct has been locked. The reversible locking knot can be “flipped” or actuated without requiring the knot to be untied and then retied. Further, systems and devices described herein can additionally be used to associate implantable bodies and suture constructs within a bone to secure soft tissue while not restricting the relative movements of operative sutures once the implantable body has been deployed.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly and an end effector connected by an elongate body. The end effector includes a cartridge assembly having staples, an anvil to assist forming staples, and a sensor indicating force being applied to the tissue to the stapled. The end effector also possesses a display including visual outputs that indicate to the end-user when a sufficient amount of force is being applied to the tissue and the surgical stapler should be fired.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a distal end and a staple cartridge assembly comprising staples removably stored therein. The instrument system further comprises a firing drive including an electric motor and a firing member operably couplable with the electric motor. The electric motor is operable to advance the firing member toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The electric motor is operable to retract the firing member away from the distal end during a retraction stroke. The surgical instrument system further comprises a manually-operated bailout mechanism operable to perform the retraction stroke in lieu of the electric motor, a controller, and a display in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to display the progress of the retraction stroke when the firing member is being manually retracted by the bailout mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided that includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The second jaw includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the first jaw is pivotally mounted to the proximal end portion of the second jaw. A flexible guide is secured to the distal end portion of the first jaw.

Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The drive system includes a movable drive member. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes an accelerometer. The control system is configured to control a force applied to the drive system based on an acceleration of the movable drive member.

Abstract: An end effector for use to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has an anvil face and a first staple pocket defined by the anvil face, where the first staple pocket comprises a first cup and a second cup for staple formation. The cartridge has a first staple and a first driver. The first staple, once deployed by the first driver and deformed by the first staple pocket, has a formed configuration in which a first portion of a first staple leg and a second portion of a second staple leg are bent relative to a crown and cross the midpoint of the crown and one of the first portion and the second portion overlaps the other of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A vascular anastomosis device includes a vascular fastener having a first ring and a second ring, and a vascular fastening mechanism. The first ring is provided a first groove and the second ring is provided with a first projection. In addition, the vascular fastener is disposed in the vascular fastening mechanism. The vascular fastening mechanism includes a first tube, a vascular supporting unit, an advancing ring, a third tube, and a spreading unit. The first tube is connected with a second tube. The vascular supporting unit is disposed in the second tube. Furthermore, the vascular supporting unit includes a vascular supporting body and a vascular spreader assembled on the vascular supporting body. The first ring, the second ring, and the advancing ring are assembled on the second tube. The third tube is disposed in the first tube. The spreading unit is disposed in the third tube.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil assembly, a shell assembly, and an adapter assembly. The anvil assembly includes an anvil head and an anvil center rod. The shell assembly includes an annular staple cartridge including a plurality of staples. The adapter assembly includes a tubular shaft supporting the shell assembly at a distal portion of the tubular shaft, a trocar assembly, a cable assembly, and a switch. The trocar assembly includes a trocar detachably supporting the anvil center rod thereon, a lead screw adapted to be coupled to an actuator for rotational input, and a first member rotatably supporting the lead screw. The cable assembly includes a cable operatively coupled to the actuator and a coupling member secured with the cable for concomitant rotation therewith. The coupling member detachably engages the lead screw. The switch is transitionable to a closed state when the first member engages the switch.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting data within a facility is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a computer system, perioperative data from a plurality of surgical devices located within the facility, the perioperative data associated with a plurality of surgical procedures performed in the facility; determining, by the computer system, procedural context data associated with the plurality of surgical procedures based at least in part on the perioperative data; aggregating, by the computer system, the perioperative data according to the procedural context data; and determining, by the computer system, trends associated with the surgical procedures performed in the facility according to the perioperative data and the procedural context data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting data within a facility is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a computer system, perioperative data from a plurality of surgical devices located within the facility, the perioperative data associated with a plurality of surgical procedures performed in the facility; determining, by the computer system, procedural context data associated with the plurality of surgical procedures based at least in part on the perioperative data; aggregating, by the computer system, the perioperative data according to the procedural context data; and determining, by the computer system, trends associated with the surgical procedures performed in the facility according to the perioperative data and the procedural context data.

Abstract: A device for occlusion of blood vessels and hemorrhage control, whose design it allows to control the force of application of the blood vessel that is intended to be occluded and during its placement, applies always the same force, regardless of the diameter of the blood vessel to be occluded and/or the dimensions of the tissue that surrounds it.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices, ligators, and methods for deploying ligation bands around a portion of tissue. In some embodiments, a medical device may include a plunger biasable within a first tube, the first tube including a band along a first tube distal end. The medical device may further include a second tube surrounding the first tube, the second tube comprising a second tube proximal end opposite a second tube distal end, wherein the second tube distal end includes an engagement member operable to dispense the band from the first tube in response to axial movement of the first and second tubes relative to one another.

Abstract: An occlusive device comprising a braided component which can be inserted into a blood vessel and a delivery system for delivering said occlusive device is described.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature are described. Embodiments may include a device that includes a plurality of permeable shells connected by a plurality of coils, each coil connecting at least one pair of permeable shells. The plurality of coils may include an inert hydrogel core that absorbs water.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aneurysm includes an occlusion element configured to be releasably coupled to an elongate delivery shaft and having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the occlusion element configured to be delivered in a collapsed configuration and further configured to expand to an expanded configuration, the occlusion element comprising an inverted mesh tube having an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer transitioning to the inner layer at an inversion fold located at or adjacent the distal end of the occlusion element, the inversion fold defining an inner diameter, the occlusion element further comprising a maximum outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is between about 35% to about 85% of the maximum outer diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the occlusion element increases along the longitudinal axis to the maximum outer diameter.

Abstract: Concepts related to embolic delivery, including embolic detachment systems and an embolic pusher retention mechanism/system are discussed.

Abstract: An implantable embolic device having a stretch-resistant member passing therethrough that also serves as a tether for connecting the device to a delivery system. The stretch-resistant member is attached at a proximal and distal end of the device and extends proximally to the delivery device. The proximal attachment point serves to isolate a distal, stretch resisting segment of the member from axial tension placed on a proximal, connecting section of the member. Thus, the portion of the stretch-resistant member being used to connect the embolic device to a delivery device may be placed under tension without placing tension or distorting the implant.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature are described. Embodiments may include a first permeable shell and a second permeable shell, where the second permeable shell sits within an interior cavity of the first permeable shell. The first and second permeable shells may each be made from a plurality of elongate filaments that are woven together to form a mesh. The mesh of the first permeable shell may have a larger mesh density and be softer than the mesh of the second permeable shell.

Abstract: The disclosure includes devices for assisting in performing an ankle arthroplasty on a non-resected bone surface of a tibia and/or a talus. The devices may include patient-specific mating surfaces configured to engage the non-resected bone surface in a single relative position relative to the non-resected bone surface. The patient specific nature of the mating surface portion may be generated in the devices prior to the devices being brought into contact with the bone. The devices may include various cutting guides and holes for receiving fasteners to fasten the devices to the bone. The devices may include various features to enhance the stability and/or surface area contact between the devices and the bones.

Abstract: A tibial alignment device includes an upper part for coupling with a tibial cutting guide and a lower part coupled to the upper part to be vertically slidable, wherein the upper part includes a cutting guide coupling part configured to mount the tibial cutting guide, and a connection part to connect the upper part and the lower part, and the lower part includes an ankle forceps part, wherein the cutting guide coupling part includes a fastening member for coupling to the tibial cutting guide, and a reception member to slidably receive the fastening member, wherein the fastening member includes a coupling part that protrudes to be coupled to the tibial cutting guide, the reception member includes a coupling part that protrudes to be coupled to the tibial cutting guide, and the coupling part of the fastening member is capable of adjusting a gap with respect to the coupling part of the reception member.

Abstract: A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.

Abstract: A medical device includes a lever with an applied force position, a load position, and a fulcrum position. A first cable extends from the applied force position of the lever to a first capstan, the first cable wrapping around the first capstan. A second cable extends from the applied force position of the lever to a second capstan, the second cable wrapping around the second capstan. A rod couples the load position of the lever and a surgical end effector. The first and second capstans may be fixed to an axle. The axle may receive a rotational input from a rotary actuator. A hand wheel may be coupled to the axle. There may be a spring between a support structure and the lever to bias the lever to rotate about the fulcrum position of the lever.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical arm can include a housing, a stem secured to the housing configured to releasably couple the end effector to the surgical arm, a pair of opposing jaws pivotably coupled to the housing, a driving body translatable within the housing operable to open the opposing jaws and to close the opposing jaws, a drive spring, and a lock body movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking body configured to engage the housing and the driving body in the locked position to limit distal translation of the driving body with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A medical gripping device includes a housing, a gripping mechanism at one end of the housing, an operation unit, and a reaction force actuator and a gripping actuator installed in the housing. The operation unit is operated by a gripping operation of an operator, and the reaction force actuator applies an operation reaction force to the operation unit. The gripping actuator causes the gripping mechanism to perform a gripping operation. A control unit controls a force and a position that are output by the gripping actuator in an operation of the gripping mechanism in accordance with an operation with respect to the operation unit, and controls a force and a position that are output by the reaction force actuator in an operation of applying the operation reaction force to the operation unit in accordance with a reaction from a gripped object with respect to the gripping mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a gripping mechanism including: a frame; a first jaw that is supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis; a second jaw that is supported by the frame so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis that is different from the first rotation axis and that is parallel to the first rotation axis; a slit that is formed in at least one of the jaws; a transmission pin that passes inside the slit and that transmits a force between the jaws; and a wire that is connected to the first jaw and that transmits a rotational force about the first rotation axis to the first jaw through tension. Movement of the transmission pin inside the slit through rotation of the first jaw rotates the second jaw.

Abstract: A medical device may include a handle including a fixed body and a movable body. The movable body may be movable relative to the fixed body. The medical device may include a shaft extending from the fixed body and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. Rotation of the movable body relative to the fixed body may permit rotation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and rotation of the movable body with rotation of the fixed body may permit rotation of the end effector with the shaft. Deflection of the movable body relative to the fixed body may permit deflection of the end effector relative to the fixed body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical shaver including: a shaver body (10) having a hollow portion therein; a shaft (20) having one end rotatably attached inside the shaver body and having a motor attachment part provided on the other end that is exposed outside the shaver body; a suction tube (30) rotatably attached to the hollow portion of the shaver body and having one end detachably coupled to the shaft so as to be rotated together with the shaft; a first seating groove (27) provided on an inner circumferential surface of the shaft; a second seating groove (33) provided on an outer circumferential surface of the suction tube; and a spring (s) located in the first and second seating grooves and coupling the shaft and the suction tube, in which the spring (s) has a structure in which both ends of a coil spring are connected to form a ring shape.

Abstract: A cutting assembly configured to be removably coupled to a drive assembly of a surgical instrument. An inner tube is coaxially and rotatably disposed within an outer tube and defines a lumen in communication with a cutting window. A drive hub is coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube to define a suction path through the hub member and the inner tube. A hub member of the drive hub defines a first aperture, and further defines a reduced aperture. A diameter of the lumen of the inner tube is less than the inner diameter of the reduced aperture of the drive hub such that resected tissue moves from smaller to larger cross sectional portions of the suction path at an interface between the drive hub and the inner tube. The drive hub may include a lip disposed within the suction path with the inner tube abutting the lip.

Abstract: To provide a transplant-use tendon harvesting device that can harvest a tendon more easily. The transplant-use tendon harvesting device 1 includes a mantle portion 5 and a tendon separation element 8. The mantle portion 5 is configured to be inserted into a body from an incision portion 4 and moved along a tendon 3 to be harvested. The tendon separation element 8 is formed of an elastic member and attached to the mantle portion 5 to move along the tendon 3 together with the mantle portion 5 so as to separate an end portion of the tendon 3 on the moving direction side from another tissue. The tendon separation element 8 includes a separation functional portion 6 to cause the tendon 3 to pass inside at a time of moving along the tendon 3 to separate the tendon 3 and linear portions 11 and 12 inserted into the mantle portion 5 to be fixed.

Abstract: A tissue removal tool includes a body, a conduit, a loop, and a transmitting assembly. The conduit is attached to the body and defines an inner lumen, where the inner lumen has a proximal portion having a first width and a distal portion having a second width that is greater than the first width. The loop is movable between an open position in which the loop is at least partially disposed outside of the conduit and a closed position in which the loop is disposed within the conduit. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a link. The handle is connected to the body, and the link has a first end attached to the handle and a second end attached to the loop such that movement of the handle causes the loop to move between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for coupling a first medical device component to a second medical device component comprising altering the first medical device component from a natural state to an altered state, by reducing a cross-sectional dimension of the first medical device, fitting a first portion of the first medical device component in the altered state into a first opening of the second medical device component, wherein the first medical device component includes second portions not within the first opening of the second medical device component, and allowing the second portions of the first medical device component to revert back to the natural state.

Abstract: Presented are a method and apparatus for surgical procedures. An exemplary surgical apparatus includes an elongated body comprising a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, the elongated body comprising a fluid conduit extending through the longitudinal axis, and a fluid inlet disposed adjacent to the distal end, wherein the fluid inlet is operable to allow a flow of fluid at a first flow rate. The surgical apparatus further includes a cutting element disposed adjacent to the distal end, and a fluid outlet disposed adjacent to the proximal end, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication via the fluid conduit. The surgical apparatus still further includes at least one perforation defined by the elongated body adjacent to the distal end, wherein the at least one perforation is in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A positioning fixture for use with an ultrasound transducer comprising: a housing having a planar, generally rectangular bottom surface having two parallel long edges and two parallel short edges; a pair of long sidewalls, one said long sidewall attached to each of said two parallel long edges; a guide release attached to one of said two parallel short edges; a long axis needle guide attached to another of said two parallel short edges; and a receptacle cooperatively defined by said pair of long sidewalls, said quick release and said needle insertion guide, said receptacle sized to accommodate the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.