Abstract: Described herein is a catheter (10) including a needle (12) arranged for creating a puncture suitable for a TIPS shunt. The catheter can include a flexible catheter body (14) having a proximal and a distal end, the needle (12) being provided at the distal end of the catheter body (14), and an actuator (16) arranged for vibrating the needle, the needle being provided with serrations (18) on its outside.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ablating tissue are disclosed. A method for ablating tissue includes applying a first radio frequency ablation current to a target tissue and applying a second radio frequency ablation current to the target tissue. Additionally, the ratio of the frequency of the first radio frequency ablation current to the second radio frequency ablation current is in the range of 1:2 to 1:400.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a fluid-driven vitrector for vitreo-retinal procedures. The vitrector includes a first fluid pathway containing a first fluid and a second fluid pathway containing a second fluid that are completely sealed from an external environment. Because the fluid pathways are completely sealed from an external environment, an alternative fluid that can transmit pressure waves faster than air may be utilized as the first and second fluids to drive the vitrector.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating ultrasound at the tip of an intravascular catheter. This may be used for the treatment of vascular occlusions, including chronic total occlusions (CTOs) and thrombotic occlusions (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction). For instance, the systems and methods may be used to induce cavitation to enhance the enzymatic degradation of a vascular occlusion. In some configurations, the approach employs a hollow cylindrical transducer, electrically stimulated in the radial direction at a frequency corresponding to the length mode excitation, thereby projecting ultrasound forwards past the catheter tip. This design overcomes electrical impedance issues for the generation of low frequencies with a smaller diameter transducer capable of negotiating a coronary artery. The hole within the transducer may accommodate a guidewire to facilitate its placement adjacent to the proximal portion of the occlusion.

Abstract: A wound debridement system includes a wound dressing having an active layer and a wound interface layer. The active layer is formed from one or more drive elements arranged about a film layer, by which the drive elements are attached to the wound interface layer. Activation of the drive elements is configured to cause the movement of the wound interface layer relative to a tissue site to which the wound dressing is applied. The drive elements may include one or more drive members formed of a material having a shape memory effect configured to transition the drive members between expanded and collapsed configurations and/or one or more motors configured to translate or oscillate the active layer. The wound interface layer may be formed having an abrasive wound-facing surface, such that the movement of the wound interface layer causes a mechanical disruption and debridement of debris at the tissue site.

Abstract: A fluid flow metal sleeve includes a sleeve main body and an elongation portion, which are of a hollow structure as a whole. The sleeve main body is connected to the elongation portion in a threaded manner, and a terminal end of the sleeve main body is connected to an ultrasound scalpel handle and enables an ultrasound scalpel to pass therethrough. The fluid flow metal sleeve can control the direction of fluid flow during incision with the ultrasound scalpel so as to achieve the lubricating and cooling effects on a scalpel head. In addition, due to the use of a metal structure, a user can extend an original holding part from an outer portion of the ultrasound scalpel handle to an outer wall of the metal sleeve as required. The fluid flow metal sleeve also has an adjustable telescopic function so as to be adapted to different application scenarios, and limits the length of extension of the scalpel head so as to limit the depth during incision to improve the safety of surgery.

Abstract: A thrombosis macerating device for macerating blood clots and blockages in a blood vessel is disclosed. The macerating device comprises an expandable basket that is rotated to macerate the clot or blockage. The expandable basket is disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft. The expandable basket comprises a plurality of struts that form a braiding pattern. The braiding pattern of the expandable basket comprises a pick per inch that ranges from 2 to 5.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide hydrodissection and/or PCO prevention or reduction in a patient undergoing eye surgery. In one embodiment, the invention is a surgical device for cutting and excising a portion of tissue, for example in performing a lens capsulotomy. A capsulotomy tip is inserted into an eye through an incision in the surface of the eye. The capsulotomy tip includes a suction cup to provide suction to the lens capsule. Then suction is applied via the suction cup to secure the capsulotomy tip to the eye. In some embodiments, after the capsulotomy tip is secured to the lens capsule, a cutting element of the capsulotomy tip is used to cut a tissue of the eye. Fluid is pushed through the capsulotomy tip and the capsulotomy tip is removed from the eye. Moreover, disclosed is an intraocular lens (IOL) to be used in conjunction with the surgical device.

Abstract: Variable aspiration control in surgical procedures. At least one example is a method of performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising: driving, by a surgical controller, a motor within a handpiece coupled to a resection instrument, the driving causes mechanical resection of tissue by the resection instrument; aspirating, by a peristaltic pump associated with the surgical controller, fluid and tissue fragments through a suction lumen of the resection instrument during the resection of tissue; and modulating, by the surgical controller, speed of the peristaltic pump during the driving and aspirating, the modulating responsive to an interface device defined on an exterior surface of the handpiece.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An illustrative annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. The disclosure also provides improved techniques for cardiac pacing.

Abstract: An interface joint with one or both of a needle actuation mechanism or an integrated shaft rotation mechanism. The interface joint comprises a flexible shaft between a housing and an electrosurgical instrument, e.g. for conveying power and/or fluid therebetween. The needle actuation mechanism comprises an actuation rod extending out of the housing and an actuator movably mounted on the housing. The shaft rotation mechanism comprises a rotation actuator rotatably mounted on the housing and operably coupled to the flexible shaft. Providing an integrated shaft rotation mechanism may obviate the need for a separate torque transmission unit. The improved needle actuation mechanism may use a pivoting connection to enable longer needle extension distances to be achieved for a given actuation distance.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel including a proximal delivery tube, a distal delivery tube, and a braid segment disposed between. The distal tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portion of the tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressed to an elongated condition. The proximal tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The braid segment is formed from a plurality of wires. An engagement system engages and deploys the implantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube.

Abstract: A registration device, including a wand, a light guide passing through the wand, and a position sensor fixed to the wand. A light source outputs a modulated beam of light into a light guide proximal end, so that the light is emitted from a light guide distal end toward a surface in proximity to a wand distal tip. A detector receives, from the light guide proximal end, light reflected from the surface into the light guide distal end, and outputs a signal indicative of the reflected light intensity. A processor computes a distance from the distal tip of the wand to the surface by extracting a phase difference between the output beam and the reflected light from the signal, and computes a position of the surface in a sensor frame of reference responsively to the computed distance and the location of the distal tip found from the position sensor.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus via a transaortic approach. The system includes a balloon catheter for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve through an introducer from an approach from outside the patient, through a minimally-invasive opening in the chest cavity through an incision in the aorta, and into the aorta and aortic annulus. The balloon catheter includes a flexible, tapered tip just distal of the balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the aortic annulus. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.

Abstract: Provided is a medical device capable of easily changing a position of the device inside a biological lumen and effectively removing a cut object. The medical device for removing the object in the biological lumen has a drive shaft, a cutting portion, a first housing that accommodates the drive shaft to be rotatable, a second housing that is rotatable with respect to the first housing, and a support portion that supports the first housing and the second housing. The second housing and the support portion relatively move along an axis to restrict relative rotation of the first housing and the second housing. The support portion supports the second housing to be rotatable around the axis, and restricts a relative movement and a relative inclination of the second housing and the support portion in a direction intersecting with the axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods discussed herein relate to surgical systems including tissue resecting devices where the handset has a disposable portion detachably coupled to a reusable portion. The reusable portion may be a housing where a motor and electronics are stored that may be used to drive a shaft inserted into the disposable portion. The shaft may be coupled to a fluid pathway through the disposable portion that is fluidly isolated from the reusable section. After use, the disposable section is detached from the reusable section and disposed, and the reusable section may be cleaned and sterilized, or may be cleaned only.

Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The drive system includes an actuation member. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system includes an H-bridge circuit electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is configured to control the electric motor based on a sensed parameter associated with the electric motor, a position of the actuation member and a velocity of the actuation member.

Abstract: A device for use with a debridement system is disclosed. The device includes an outer tubular shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen along an axis, the inner surface having an inner surface diameter. An inner tubular shaft is disposed within the lumen and rotatable within the outer tubular shaft. The inner tubular shaft includes an outer surface having an outer surface diameter less than the inner surface diameter. The inner surface of the outer tubular shaft with the outer surface of the inner tubular shaft forms a channel along the axis to receive fluid from the fluid source. The rotor is disposed in the channel and includes an axially extending helicoid blade coupled to the inner tubular shaft. The blade rotates within and with respect to the outer tubular shaft and exerts an axial thrust on the fluid in the channel with respect to the outer tubular shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the time and trauma associated with tissue removal procedures such as Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction, which emulsifies and then extracts unwanted adipose from a patient's target zone. Emulsification and suction are optimized and performed in a synchronous manner by a single apparatus to improve the outcome and minimize, if not eliminate, the limitations, risks and complications caused by current state of the art techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of implanting a blood clot removal device in a patient's body, by cutting the skin of the patient's body, dissecting an area of the patient's vascular system, placing the blot clot removal device at the dissected area, and connecting a blood flow passageway of the blood clot removal device to the patient's vascular system to allow circulation of the patient's blood through the blood flow passageway.

Abstract: An ocular surgical apparatus is provided, including a processor configured to receive ocular surgical data and a graphical user interface configured to display the ocular surgical data to a user. The processor configured to filter the ocular surgical data and the graphical user interface configured to display filtered ocular surgical data. The processor is configured to receive a number of ocular surgical data samples, discard selected ocular surgical data samples thereby yielding a number of emphasized samples, and perform an operation on the number of emphasized samples to produce filtered ocular surgical data.

Abstract: A method of treating a soft palate in a patient may involve advancing a tissue treatment portion of a soft palate treatment device through the patient's mouth, contacting a treatment surface of the tissue treatment portion with mucosal tissue of the soft palate, and delivering energy from the tissue treatment portion through the mucosal tissue to a target tissue in the soft palate beneath to the mucosal tissue, to change at least one property of the target tissue. The method may further involve cooling the mucosal tissue with a cooling member on the treatment surface of the tissue treatment portion and removing the tissue treatment portion from the mouth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of spring cannulae, including one or more holes in the sidewall of the cannula. Some disclosed cannulae include a wire, helically wound to form coils, and at least one hole in the cannula that interrupts one or more of the coils. Some embodiments further include a fused region of the coils through which the hole passes. Some embodiments include a ring attached to ends of the interrupted coils, where the hole is surrounded by the ring. Some embodiments include a sheath that is attached to a radial surface of the interrupted coils, where the hole passes radially though the sheath.

Abstract: Some embodiments presented in this disclosure concern an Automated Tissue Dissection (ATD) System. An ATD system is a one stop, and potentially low-cost, system to perform dissections on a substrate from pathologist digital mark or pen mark on the substrate using non-contact and/or mechanical method to extract a Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue sample with: (a) only the ROI or ROIs as area to be saved; and (b) remove or decompose nucleic acid content in the region of no interest (RONI) and collect all tissue sample from a standard microscope substrate into a specific container.

Abstract: A medical device and can remove an object inside a biological lumen while allowing a positional change of the device inside the biological lumen. The medical device includes a drive shaft, an outer tube accommodating the drive shaft, a cutting portion fixed to a distal portion of the drive shaft, and a hub unit housing proximal portions of the drive shaft and the outer tube. The hub unit has an operation unit fixed to the outer surface of the outer tube to rotate the outer tube, a first support portion rotatably supporting the operation unit, a first housing having an aspiration port for discharging fluid to outside, and causing communication of an aspiration lumen of the outer tube with the aspiration port, and a first seal between the first housing and the outer tube. The first support portion and the first seal are disposed in parallel along an axial direction.

Abstract: A first tubular body having a first longitudinal axis extending centrally through the tubular body includes at least one delivery port extending through a wall of the first tubular body. A second tubular body having a second longitudinal axis extends through the second tubular body, the first and second longitudinal axes being displaced from each other such that an asymmetrical longitudinally extending gap is formed between an outer surface of the second tubular body and an interior surface of the first tubular body. A temperature sensor forming a thermocouple extending longitudinally within the gap between the first tubular body and the second tubular body. An inner core is positioned within the second tubular body. The inner core includes least one ultrasound element.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for maintaining and controlling surgical tools are disclosed. For each surgical tool, a surgeon can give verbal commands which can result in feedback provided by a synthesized voice or the execution of an action as instructed by the verbal command. The tools are monitored during use to ensure the tools remain within their operating parameters. The system alerts the surgeon should the tools approach their operational limitations.

Abstract: A microneedle assembly and a method of fabrication the assembly are provided. The microneedle assembly includes an array of microneedles attached to a base. Each of the microneedles comprise a tip, a needle shaft and a plurality of cantilevered barbs protruding outwardly from the needle shaft, where a plurality of the microneedles include two or more of the cantilevered barbs arranged in a series of concentric rings along the needle shaft of each of the plurality of microneedles. The microneedle assembly may be fabricated using a 3D printing technique, where one or more cantilevered layers are formed by exposing a photocurable liquid resin including monomer material to a light source to create initially horizontal, cantilevered barbs having a crosslinking gradient, and rinsing to remove an amount of un-crosslinked monomers from the cantilevered layers to induce curvature in the cantilevered barbs extending towards a direction of the lower crosslinking.

Abstract: A work tip for a surgical hand piece has a solid blade connected to a source of ultrasonic energy in the hand piece. The knife has grooves in its surfaces. The work tip further including an irrigation and aspiration tubes extending along opposite surfaces of the blade and being at least partially within the grooves. The blade has a collar adjacent its distal end and at least the aspiration tube extends ends at a distance from the collar. The edges of the collar are made sharp enough to emulsify cataract tissue when vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies so that occlusion of the aspiration tube is prevented.

Abstract: Methods for treating a bacterial infections, including drug-resistant bacterial infections, of a patient are described. The methods may include applying a non-thermal plasma and a liquid simultaneously to infected tissue of the patient, the liquid comprising at least one antibiotic and/or antiseptic and a penetration enhancing agent; wherein the non-thermal plasma has a frequency between 200 kHz and 600 kHz.

Abstract: A method for needle-free injection and a needle-free injector device are provided. The method includes automatically injecting an injectable into a surface in contact with the needle-free injector in response to a skin compression parameter of an end of the needle-free injector. A needle-free injector device (102) includes predefined structures formed on it to inject an injectable through a non-porous material. The predefined structures engage an airlock mechanism such that an airlock in the non-porous material and operably coupled to the airlock mechanism can only be opened and closed to enable needle-free injection through the non-porous material without disrupting an integrity of the non-porous material by the needle-free injector device. Other functions, embodiments and methods for using and programming the needle-free injector device are also provided.

Abstract: A vitrector for performing a vitrectomy comprises a tubular shaft portion which is attached to a distal end of a vitrector hand piece. The shaft portion is provided with a sharply pointed needle tip portion for piercing the pars plana and sclera of the eye, and a pneumatically driven guillotine cutter is incorporated within the shaft portion of the vitrector at a location immediately adjacent to the sharply pointed needle tip portion. A source of pneumatic air is operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is pneumatically connected to the guillotine cutter so as to drive the same. In addition, an aspiration line is also operatively connected to the proximal end of the vitrector hand piece and is also fluidically connected to the region immediately adjacent to the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter so as to remove the floater particles, severed from the vitreous cavity by means of the pneumatically driven guillotine cutter, by means of aspiration.

Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus is provided, including a disposable cutter that incorporates a linear voice coil motor to generate consistent and rapid guillotine action without the use of a rotary motor or traditional linear motor. The apparatus includes voice coil actuator to provide for a forward and backward reciprocating motion cutting blade.

Abstract: A surgical method treats infections on a lead positioned at least partially within a patient's body. The surgical method includes uncoupling the lead from a pulse generator. The lead is then coupled to an ultrasound wave generator. Ultrasound waves are propagated from the ultrasound wave generator through the lead. Systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting a tether are described herein. Devices described herein generally comprise a proximal handle, a catheter, and an inner shaft and a cutting blade disposed within the lumen of the catheter, where the cutting blade is movably disposed over the inner shaft. The proximal handle comprises an actuation mechanism to control the movement of the components of the device. Methods described herein generally comprise advancing a tether-cutting device over a tether, loading the tether through the catheter and inner shaft, applying tension to the tether, and rotating and distally translating a cutting blade in order to cut the tether.

Abstract: A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for therapeutically modulating nerves in or associated with a nasal region of a patient for the treatment of a rhinosinusitis condition.

Abstract: An arthroscopic shaver cleaning device and method of cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr are disclosed. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device includes a sleeve portion configured to interface with a proximal portion of a blade/burr of an arthroscopic shaver. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device further includes a fluid connection portion having a fluid passageway configured to direct fluid toward the proximal portion of the blade/burr in order to dislodge debris entrapped in shaver lumen of the blade/burr.

Abstract: A method for performing an endovascular procedure using ultrasonic energy includes providing a first sheath having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and having a first window in the distal end portion; positioning a wave guide in the first sheath for delivering the ultrasonic energy through the first window for performing the endovascular procedure; and selectively covering the first window with a cover.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices, methods, and systems for positioning devices. An exemplary method comprises: moving a distal end of a tube into a body, the tube including a lumen and a shaft in the lumen, the shaft having a transducer; sending a first signal to the transducer; passing, with the transducer, in response to the first signal, a wave energy into the body; receiving, with the transducer, a reflected portion of the wave energy; generating, with the transducer, a second signal in response to the reflected portion of the wave energy; determining, with a processor, an indicia of the body in response to the second signal; and identifying, with the indicia, a targeted issue in the body; positioning the distal end of the tube at the targeted tissue in response to the indicia; and removing a portion of the targeted tissue with the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical device. The medical device includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member has a distal end, an open window disposed at the distal end, and one or more dimples. The inner tubular member has a distal tip and one or more axial grooves. The inner tubular member is configured to be received within the outer tubular member. The one or more axial grooves and the one or more dimples are configured to align the distal tip of the inner tubular member with the open window of the outer tubular member. The open window of the outer tubular member and the distal tip of the inner tubular member are configured to cut tissue.

Abstract: A short-circuit fault-tolerant control method based on deadbeat current tracking for a five-phase permanent magnet motor with a sinusoidal back-electromotive force or a trapezoidal back-electromotive force (EMF) is provided. By fully utilizing a third harmonic space of a five-phase permanent magnet motor in a fault state, the method proposes a fault-tolerant control strategy for a five-phase permanent magnet motor with a sinusoidal back-EMF or a trapezoidal back-EMF in case of a single-phase short-circuit fault. The method enables the five-phase permanent magnet motor to make full use of the third harmonic space during fault-tolerant operation, thereby improving the torque output of the motor in a fault state and improving the fault-tolerant operation efficiency of the motor. The method achieves desirable fault-tolerant performance and dynamic response of the motor, and expands the speed range of the motor during fault-tolerant operation.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for treating heart failure by normalizing elevated blood pressure in the left and right atria of a heart of a mammal. The present disclosure includes methods for creating and maintaining an opening in the atrial septum. Tools for making an opening and enlarging the opening are also disclosed. Use of the techniques and tools described herein prolongs the patency of an intra-atrial pressure relief opening.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cylindrical hollow stylet having a proximal end, a distal end, and a uniform wall thickness. The proximal end and the distal end are disposed on the longitudinal axis. A longitudinal recess forms a sample chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the cylindrical hollow stylet. A longitudinal insert has a longitudinal length, a distal terminal end, and an elongate channel. The longitudinal insert is positioned within the cylindrical hollow stylet with the distal terminal end proximal to the longitudinal recess. The longitudinal insert is immovably connected to the cylindrical hollow stylet. The elongate channel is configured to maintain a fluid passageway through the cylindrical hollow stylet from the proximal end to the longitudinal recess.

Abstract: A surgical weight loss procedure to reduce stomach volume is provided. The procedure involves gathering together a quantity of stomach tissue and securing this tissue together in a gathered position, which can reduce the volume of the stomach. This reduced stomach volume allows a patient to feel satiated with a much smaller amount of food, leading to weight loss.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical device. The medical device includes two coaxially aligned solenoids and a cannulated armature configured to be received within the two coaxially aligned solenoids.

Abstract: A sub-centimeter structure includes a first structural component, a second structural component arranged proximate the first structural component, and a joint connecting the first and second structural components. The joint includes a material that has a first phase that is substantially rigid to hold the first and second structural components in a substantially rigid configuration while the material is in the first phase. The material of the joint has a second phase such that the joint is at least partially fluid to allow the first and second structural components to move relative to each other while the material is in the second phase. The joint interacts with the first and second structural components while the material is in the second phase to cause the first and second structural components to move relative to each other. And, the first and second structural components include a polymer.

Abstract: An adaptor for adjusting electrical signals propagated along an electrically-conductive path between a drive unit and a catheter of an intravascular ultrasound imaging system includes a catheter connector disposed along a first end of a housing and configured to receive the catheter. A drive-unit connector is disposed along a second end of the housing and is configured to couple the adaptor to the drive unit. A catheter-conductor interface electrically-couples to a transducer conductor of the catheter. A drive-unit-conductor interface electrically-couples to an electrical conductor of the drive unit. An adaptor conductor electrically-couples the catheter-conductor interface to the drive-unit-conductor interface. A tuning element is electrically-coupled to the adaptor conductor and is configured to adjust electrical signals propagating along the adaptor conductor based, at least in part, on an operational frequency of a transducer disposed in the catheter.

Abstract: An improved plaque extractor for shaving, scooping, cutting, and emulsifying accumulated plaque from blood vessels into fine particles, and removing the particles from blood vessel walls without cutting or permanently stretching the walls, and without substantially blocking the blood flow through the vessel during plaque removal operation. The plaque extractor includes an extractor guide and an internal auger, in which both are rotating and moving axially inside the vessel to engage the occlusive material. The operation of the device does not substantially disrupt blood pressure within the blood vessel.