Tissue ligation systems and methods are provides to mechanically strangulate abnormal or undesirable tissue. Tissue ligation systems include a multi-lumen catheter having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of a standard endoscope channel such that the catheter can be inserted into the endoscope. Tissue ligation systems also include a ligation apparatus with an expandable hood disposed at the distal end of the catheter. A suture extends through a lumen of the catheter and has a distal loop portion that can strangulate tissue.

A vacuum storage system (40) for storing an article, comprises a sealable outer chamber (30) and a sealable inner chamber (20). The sealable outer chamber (30) has an evacuation valve (21) for connection to a suction device (48) for evacuation of said outer chamber (30). The sealable inner chamber (20) is adapted to receive said article and has a one-way valve (13) in communication with the outer chamber (30). The one-way valve (13) is adapted to open upon the application of suction to the outer chamber (30), thereby to enable evacuation of said inner chamber (20), but to close upon discontinuation of said suction.

Device and method for implantation of hair grafts into the scalp of a patient. In the device, a cross-sectional shape of a rod riding in an implantation needle is configured with respect to the needle to communicate a vacuum in a chamber anterior to the needle forward to an interior of the needle, thereby facilitating loading of the hair graft into the device by direct-to-needle aspiration of the hair graft.

Mechanical atherectomy and/or thrombectomy devices configured to remove obstructions (e.g., plaque material) of different consistencies and/or sizes from blood vessels. The devices may include a tractor comprising a flexible tube of material that inverts as it rolls over itself while being drawn into the open distal end of a catheter in a conveyor-like motion. The flexible tube can include features that facilitate engagement with the obstruction, enhance smooth tractor motion and/or promote movement control of the device within the blood vessel.

A tool for a bone implant includes a sleeve and a transmission rod including a transmission member disposed on an end of a shaft. Another end of the shaft is located outside of the sleeve. The transmission member is received in the sleeve and includes a first compartment and a plurality of first teeth surrounding the first compartment. A drilling rod includes a second compartment and a plurality of second teeth surrounding the second compartment. A coupling portion is disposed between the second compartment and a bit. The coupling portion is coupled with the sleeve. The bit is located outside of the sleeve. Two magnets are disposed in the first and second compartments, respectively. Two same poles respectively of the two magnets face each other.

An end effector assembly of a tissue-resecting device includes an outer shaft, a drive wire, the distal cutting tip, a hub housing, and a driver. The outer shaft includes a distal end portion defining a window therethrough. The drive wire extends through the outer shaft. The distal cutting tip is disposed within the outer shaft and engaged with the distal end portion of the drive wire. The distal cutting tip at least partially overlaps the window. The hub housing is engaged with the proximal end portion of the outer shaft. The driver is disposed within the hub housing and engaged with the proximal end portion of the drive wire to driver rotation of the drive wire and distal cutting tip within and relative to the outer shaft. The driver defines an internal lumen and at least one lateral opening disposed in communication with the internal lumen. An outflow path is defined from the window through the outer shaft and about the drive wire, into an interior of the hub housing, through the at least one lateral opening, and through the internal lumen.

A sealant for sealing a puncture through tissue includes a first section. e.g., formed from freeze-dried hydrogel, and a second section extending from the distal end. The second section may be formed from PEG-precursors including PEG-ester and PEG-amine, e.g., in an equivalent ratio of active group sites of PEG-ester/PEG-amine greater than one-to-one, e.g., such that excess esters may provide faster activation upon contact with physiological fluids and enhance adhesion of the sealant within a puncture. At least some of the precursors remain in an unreactive state until exposed to an aqueous physiological environment, e.g., within a puncture, whereupon the precursors undergo in-situ cross-linking to provide adhesion to tissue adjacent the puncture. For example, the PEG-amine precursors may include the free amine form and the salt form. The free amine form at least partially cross-links with the PEG-ester and the salt form remains in the unreactive state in the sealant before introduction into the puncture.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the shaft comprises a longitudinal axis and the end effector comprises a tissue gap, wherein the tissue gap faces the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its first orientation, and wherein the tissue gap extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its second orientation. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft and a dampener configured to prevent the end effector from being back-driven from its second orientation into its first orientation.

An volume filling device for treatment of obesity is placed outside the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patient's appetite. By providing the volume filling device outside the stomach wall, contact with stomach acids is avoided, thereby increasing the life of the device.

Endoprosthesis assemblies and methods for using the same. In at least one embodiment, the endoprosthesis assembly comprises an endoprosthesis comprising an impermeable inner wall defining an endoprosthesis lumen sized and shaped to permit fluid to flow therethrough, a distal balloon positioned at or near a distal end of the endoprosthesis and capable of inflation to anchor the distal end of the endoprosthesis within a luminal organ, and a proximal balloon positioned at or near a proximal end of the endoprosthesis and capable of inflation to anchor the proximal end of the endoprosthesis within the luminal organ, wherein when the endoprosthesis assembly is positioned within the luminal organ at or near an aneurysm sac, inflation of the distal balloon and the proximal balloon effectively isolates the aneurysm sac and prevents fluid within the aneurysm sac from flowing past the distal balloon and the proximal balloon.