An assisted lifting device includes an adjustable sleeve configured to be worn on an arm of a subject and an array of inflatable actuators connected to the adjustable sleeve. Each of the actuators defines an axis. The axes of the two outermost actuators in the array are each configured to be oriented perpendicular to the arm of the subject. The assisted lifting device also includes a retainer coupled to the sleeve and one of the outermost actuators to maintain the perpendicular orientation of the outermost actuator upon inflation of the plurality of actuators.

The invention relates to a fixating device composed of plastic or metal for medical care, which fixating device interacts with a Kirschner wire (9) as a fastening means, comprising an opening for accommodating the fastening means and at least two further openings for accommodating fastening material in the form of stitches (13) and wires. The Kirschner wire (9) reaches through the one opening and is retained in the one opening in a positionally stable manner by the fastening material. The fixating device can be designed as a plate (101), be domed on all sides (1), or be designed as a sphere segment (211). The invention further relates to the use of the fixating device for osteosynthesis.

Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device is delivered with a delivery device system configured to move a cartridge with the repair device disposed therein toward an anvil with soft tissue positioned thereon. The delivery device linearly moves the cartridge toward the anvil with a worm drive positioned within a housing by rotating a thumb wheel disposed around the worm drive. Such linear movement is provided with a finger element extending from the worm drive that is configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the thumb wheel. With this arrangement, upon rotating the thumb wheel, the worm drive rotates with the finger element engaged with the internal surface of the thumb wheel to linearly move the cartridge toward the anvil.

A system for fixating soft-tissue is described herein. The system includes a soft-tissue fixation device comprising a cable-retention feature. Additionally, the system includes a cable coupleable to the cable-retention feature of the soft-tissue fixation device. The cable is configured to be tensioned to a measurable and adjustable tension.

A surgical instrument assembly comprising a handle, a shaft, and an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first iaw comprising a tissue-supporting surface defining a plurality of staple cavities defined therein, a second iaw movable relative to the first jaw, a proximal pin coupling the first and second jaws, a first slot configured to receive the proximal pin, a distal pin coupling the jaw and second jaws, and a second slot configured to receive the distal pin. The proximal pin is movable vertically within the first slot. The distal pin is actuatable within the second slot between a first position where the second jaw is in an open position, a second position where the second jaw is in a clamped position, and a third position where the second jaw is in a fully closed position and the second iaw is in contact with the tissue-supporting surface.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each includes a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

An apparatus and method for joining members together using a self-drilling screw apparatus or stapling apparatus are disclosed. The screw apparatus includes a shell and first and second first screw members having tapered ends and threaded bodies that are disposed within the shell. A drive mechanism rotatably drives the first and second screw members from the shell in opposite directions and causes the screw members to embed themselves in the members to be joined. The screw apparatus can be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. The stapling apparatus includes first and second lever arms rotatably joined together at a fulcrum, and the lever arms rotate in opposite directions. First and second cartridges are disposed at the ends of the lever arms. Each cartridge is capable of holding a staple including a bracket, a nail member and an alignment slot. When the ends of the lever arms are rotated towards each other the staples from the cartridges are interlocked. The staples can be also be used to join members such as bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

Methods and apparatus are provided for fastening or clamping tissue to tissue or non-tissue layers and for occluding tubular body structures. Tissue fasteners having separate proximal and distal implants, each with self-expanding, radially extending legs are connected together on opposite sides of tissue and non-tissue layers. The legs of the proximal and distal implants are interdigitated in the absence of such layers.

A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compensator body and at least one vessel contained in the compensator body. The vessel can define an inner cavity which can comprise an inner atmosphere having a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tissue thickness compensator. In at least one embodiment, the vessel and the compensator body can be maintained in a collapsed state until staples are fired through the vessel. At such point, the vessel can re-expand and apply a biasing force to tissue captured within the staples.

A combined magnetic and bioabsorbable device for ventral hernia closure and/or tension distribution for maintenance of tissue apposition for healing, while avoiding a long-term footprint of foreign material and precluding materials spanning the interior layer of the abdominal closure where risk to visceral structures exists.