An insertion method includes: specifying a part of a mucous membrane which lies between a nasal cavity and a maxillary sinus and which is located in a space surrounded by an inferior nasal concha, a lacrimal bone, an ethmoid bone, and a palatine bone, as an opening formation position where an opening connected to the maxillary sinus is formed; forming the opening at the opening formation position; and inserting a medical device into the maxillary sinus through the formed opening.

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, devices, and methods for performing endoscopic tissue resectioning in the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, a tissue resectioning device may include first and second scaffolds each arranged in a tubular configuration. The tissue resectioning device may further include a hook tool engageable with the first scaffold and/or the second scaffold to bias the scaffolds to engage a target section of tissue between the first scaffold and the second scaffold. The hook tool may also engage the section of tissue to pull the section of tissue into the path of a cutting edge of each of the first and second scaffolds. In some embodiments, the tissue resectioning device is provided over a scope, which extends within a lumen of an overtube.

A device to assist in securing a holding a portion of a suture during an intra-abdominal suturing procedure, the device including an elongated tubular body, a handle, an inner member element, and a push button. The inner member element may include at least one grasping element that expands as the at least one grasping element is extended beyond a distal end of the elongated tubular. The device may include a proximal spring disposed within the push button and abutting against a proximal end of the inner member element to allow the at least one grasping element to retract into the elongated tubular body in a proximal direction.

Devices used to capture sutures are described. More particularly, suture capture devices described herein include an elongate cannulated tool having a first end with a sharpened point configured to pierce tissue, and an elongate hook member positioned within a hollowed center region of the elongate cannulated tool that has a hook on a first end of the elongate hook member proximate the sharpened point of the elongate cannulated tool. The elongate hook member is capable of advancing and retracting within the elongate cannulated tool. The devices further include a handle positioned on a second end of the elongate cannulated tool that TO includes a trigger that advances the hook into or out of the first end of the elongate cannulated tool when pushed in a first or second direction. Methods of capturing a suture using such a device are also described.

An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are moveable from a closed position to an open position. The clasps are also moveable from an open position to a closed position. The implantable prosthetic device can be used to repair a native valve, such as a native mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Systems and methods for facilitating the removal of a tissue specimen from a patient are disclosed. The systems include a bag or pouch, a tissue cutter device, a support and a stabilizer. The tissue cutter device includes a passer, a wire, and a handle. The support is an elongated member. The passer is an elongated member configured to be coupled to the support and introduced as a temporary unit into the mouth of the bag or pouch in the patient's body holding the tissue specimen. The wire is attached to the passer. The temporary unit is configured to pass around the tissue specimen and out of the opening in the bag or pouch to carry the wire through that path so that a distal portion of the wire and a proximal portion of the wire are outside the patient's body. Those portions of the wire can be pulled to cut into the tissue specimen. The stabilizer holds the tissue specimen as the wire cuts into it. The bag or pouch includes direction-bearing indicia to facilitate viewing of the methods from within the patient's body.

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a surgical instrument and a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit inside or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to the surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. The second sensor is configured to receive the signal from the first sensor. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and/or the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.

Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices may comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. A conical tip may be disposed at the distal end of the elongated body. In addition, the surgical instrument may include one or more surgical instruments moveable in a longitudinal direction along an axis substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula from a retracted position proximally of a distal end of the tip to an advanced position toward the distal end of the tip to seal and cut a blood vessel.

A system may include an introducer sheath including a retention member configured to anchor the introducer sheath in a natural body lumen having a wall. The system may also have an elongate member extending along a longitudinal axis through a working channel of the introducer sheath. Additionally, the system may have a manipulating portion coupled to a distal end of the elongate member. The manipulating portion may include at least one selectively actuatable member configured to transition between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the undeployed configuration, the at least one actuatable member may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and in at least one position in the deployed configuration, the at least one actuatable member may extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. In the deployed configuration, the manipulating portion and elongate member may be configured to be proximally retracted toward the working channel of the introducer sheath so as to move a distal portion of the wall towards a proximal portion of the wall.

Described are methods and apparatus for use in supporting tissue in a patient's body. In some embodiments, the patient's breast or another tissue is supported. One method involves introducing a superior soft tissue anchor into a patient, the anchor having an inferiorly facing total surface area; and introducing at least one inferior soft tissue anchor into the patient, such that the at least one inferior soft tissue anchor is suspended from the superior soft tissue anchor, the sum of all of the at least one inferior soft tissue anchors having a superiorly facing total surface area. The inferiorly facing total surface area of the superior anchor can be greater, such as at least two times greater than the superiorly facing total surface area of the at least one inferior anchor.