Improvements for use with tissue expanders are provided. A tissue expander includes: a selectively inflatable and deflatable shell that is configured to be implanted; and an access port for selectively inflating and deflating the shell, the access port comprising a sidewall, a base at a first end, and a membrane at a second end opposite the first end wherein the sidewall and the base of the access port are constructed of a material that is non-reactive with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine; and a structure of the access port is composed of a material that has a rate of temperature change lower than that of human tissue.

Provided are a suture, a suturing apparatus and applications thereof. The suture includes an elongated body, a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly both sleeved on the elongated body. The elongated body includes a first free end and a second free end. The first cam assembly and the second cam assembly each include at least one cam. The small end of the cam of the first cam assembly faces the first free end of the elongated body and the small end of the cam of the second cam assembly faces the second free end of the elongated body. A cross-sectional area of the small end of the cam is less than a cross-sectional area of the large end of the cam. A wall thickness of the cam tapers along a direction from the small end to the large end.

Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland).

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device and a plurality of anchor assemblies. The delivery system is configured to deliver a first anchor using loaded energy and reload the energy required to deliver an addition anchor.

A suturing system including apparatus and methods for disposing stitches in a substrate comprising a thread carrier which inserts a thread in the substrate at a first location and withdraws the thread from the substrate at a second location.

Systems and methods for treating cellulite including an apparatus that applies or a method involving separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite. In one approach, an interventional tool is placed between tissue layers to engage and treat septa connecting tissue layers between which fat deposits are contained.

A cannula having multiple curves, devices for creating the cannula, and methods for using the cannula having multiple curves. One of the devices comprises two dies configured to mate together to transform a straight cannula into a double-curved cannula having two curves, and a base that is configured to slideably guide the two dies from respective initial positions to a mating position.

Embodiments include cryogenic systems and methods for treating pain or spasm associated with a nerve of a patient. A target nerve may be located and a distal end of a cryogenic system needle may be inserted into a tissue at a desired location in proximity to the target nerve. The needle includes an outer lumen and an inner lumen extending distally within the outer lumen, the inner lumen including a distal opening that is open to the outer lumen. A cooling fluid may be delivered from a cooling fluid source to the needle via a fluidic pathway, the fluidic pathway including the cooling fluid source, the inner lumen, and the outer lumen, wherein a flow of the cooling fluid cools the needle so that the needle cools the target nerve at the desired location sufficiently such that the pain or spasm is inhibited.

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for damaging and/or removing portions of subcutaneous fatty tissue while leaving the overlying dermal layer of the skin substantially undamaged. One or more hollow needles can be provided that include an arrangement within the lumen configured to retain or damage portions of fatty tissue that enter the lumen. Properties of the needle can be selected such that the needle can be inserted into skin and pass through the dermal layer, allowing fatty tissue to enter the distal portion of the lumen as it is advanced further, and then leaving the dermis undamaged when withdrawn. Such exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such needles, a reciprocating arrangement to mechanically advance and withdraw the one or more needles, and/or a vibrating arrangement.

Device for liposuction comprising: a cannula means; a movement means configured to cause a translational oscillation movement of the cannula means in a movement direction of the cannula means with a frequency smaller than 100 Hz, wherein the movement means is an electro-magnetic actuator configured to cause the translational oscillation movement of the cannula means electro-magnetically, wherein the device comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion, wherein the cannula means is part of the movable portion, wherein the movable portion is supported by the fixed portion movably in the movement direction of the cannula means, wherein the movement means comprises a first magnetic means in the fixed portion and a second magnetic means in the movable portion or connected to the movable portion, wherein one of the first and second magnetic means is an electro-magnetic means powered by electrical power and causing a magnetic field which interacts with the other of the first and second magnetic means to cause the translational oscillation movement of the movable portion and/or the cannula means.