The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating obesity in a patient by implanting a volume filling device that, when implanted in a patient, reduces the food cavity in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a volume filling device to be invaginated in the stomach wall of a human patient to treat obesity.

An apparatus for treating obesity comprises a volume filling device formed by at least two segments and is provided and following implantation, the device is placed resting against the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patients appetite.

Techniques for blockage removal are provided, which may provide immediate and effective aid to a choking victim. A blockage removal device may comprise a mouthpiece disposed on an inlet. The inlet may be coupled to a chamber configured to hold a vacuum generated by a vacuum pump. A vacuum gauge may display information to a user, who may open or close a valve to provide or remove a vacuum to attempt to remove a blockage.

An insertable device is designed to control uterine hemorrhaging after birth by facilitating contractile movement of the uterus. An insertable device comprises a tube having a connecting portion and a suction portion and a seal positioned along the length of the connecting portion proximal to the suction portion. Upon insertion of the suction portion and seal into the uterus, the seal abuts a vaginal canal and forms a seal between a vaginal opening and the uterus. The suction portion comprises a first loop having an opening that is oriented away from an interior wall of the uterus when inserted into the uterus. The connecting portion of the tube couples to a pump that when actuated generates a negative pressure within the uterus, resulting in a uniform mechanical stimulus to the uterine wall in order to facilitate tamponade and contractile movement of the tissue.

A device includes a housing having a first opening for receiving tissue therein and a distal head disposed at least partly within the housing. The distal head is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the distal head. The device also includes a first holding member coupled to the housing and a second holding member coupled to the distal head. The first and second holding members are configured so that rotating the distal head stretches a first ligation band coupled to the first and second holding members, permitting tissue drawn into the first opening to pass through an opening of the first ligation band.

A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may include wound closure devices built from smaller units that are modular, assemble-able and/or customizable.

A tissue collection and processing system for collecting bone fragments and tissue aspirated from a bone. The tissue collection and processing system includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel cap, a processing cover, a first tubing and a fluid withdrawal mechanism. The collection vessel has an opening formed therein to receive bone fragments and tissue aspirated from the bone. The collection vessel cap is capable of engaging the collection vessel to substantially seal the opening. The collection vessel cap or the collection vessel has a first port. The processing cover has an upper surface and a lower surface. The processing cover has a connection port and a bore. The connection port is proximate the upper surface. The bore is fluidly connected to the connection port and extends toward the lower surface. The processing cover has a density that is less than a density of fluid in the aspirated bone fragments and tissue. The fluid withdrawal mechanism is fluidly connected to the connection port with the first tubing to withdraw the fluid from the collection vessel. As fluid is withdrawn from the collection vessel, the processing cover is slidable in the collection vessel.

The present invention provides a percutaneous vascular surgical system for performing endovascular/neurovascular interventions, the system incorporating a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a main lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, an auxiliary lumen also defined by the sheath, a reversibly inflatable balloon located about the sheath adjacent the distal end and in fluid communication with the auxiliary lumen, a syringe selectively connectable to the main lumen to create suction through the main lumen, and a vessel closure device for the closure of the arteriotomy, the surgical system and method of the invention having utility in a large number of percutaneous vascular procedures such as carotid artery stenosis or neurovascular interventions and enabling four procedures to be performed with one system, being percutaneous access, emboli removal, flow reversal and arteriotomy closure.

The present specification is directed towards catheter devices having expandable and collapsible lumens. Air or fluid is pumped into the catheter wall to cause it to expand. Alternatively, wires are embedded within the wall and a direction of flow of electrical current through the wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state. For example, a first wire is embedded within the wall and is helically wound along a length of the catheter device. A second wire is provided that can be removably positioned within the lumen. The direction of flow of electric current through the first and second wires is modulated to enable the catheter device to be in the collapsed or expanded state.

Systems and methods are disclosed including apparatuses and methods for endoscopy such as an endoscope device operable to produce suction. An endoscope can include or use a cylinder for use at a distal end of an endoscope, and the cylinder can include a cylinder channel extending from a first end of the cylinder to a second end of the cylinder, and a rotor arranged within a working channel of the endoscope at the distal end of the endoscope. The rotor can be movable within the cylinder or the channel such as to help fragment or clear foreign bodies during a procedure.