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tissue to enter the distal portion of the lumen as it is advanced further, and then leaving the dermis undamaged when withdrawn.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.

An intravascular thrombus retraction device includes: wires that are compressible into a compact cylindrical form within a catheter and are self-expandable into a wire mesh web with at least some parallel wires forming openings in the wire mesh sufficient to allow fluid passage and small enough to filter particles of at least 0.001 mm, a base of the wire mesh web connected to radial ring-shaped structure supporting and maintaining an opening in the base of the wire mesh and forming a thrombus capture volume, and the radial ring-shaped structure being compressible into the catheter and being self-expandable or expandable by struts when free of compressive forces within the catheter to open up into an open, expanded, radial ring-shaped structure which maintains the opening in the opening in the base of the wire mesh.

A device for use with a debridement system is disclosed. The device includes an outer tubular shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen along an axis, the inner surface having an inner surface diameter. An inner tubular shaft is disposed within the lumen and rotatable within the outer tubular shaft. The inner tubular shaft includes an outer surface having an outer surface diameter less than the inner surface diameter. The inner surface of the outer tubular shaft with the outer surface of the inner tubular shaft forms a channel along the axis to receive fluid from the fluid source. The rotor is disposed in the channel and includes an axially extending helicoid blade coupled to the inner tubular shaft. The blade rotates within and with respect to the outer tubular shaft and exerts an axial thrust on the fluid in the channel with respect to the outer tubular shaft.

A tissue containment system includes a bag body, a member extending from the bag body and defining a channel, and a viewing window. The bag body at least partially defines an interior region configured to contain a loose tissue specimen and defines an opening sized to receive the loose tissue specimen. The bag body is configured such that a first portion of the bag body can be disposed in an abdominal cavity of a patient while a second portion of the bag body extends outside of the patient. The viewing window is at least partially transparent and provides a seal between the interior region of the bag body and an ambient environment. The channel of the member is configured to receive a tissue visualization device that can be used to view the interior region of the containment bag through the viewing window.

An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.

A method for navigational support of a person performing a resection on a patient following extraction of a resectate includes recording a first surface data set of the resectate using an ex vivo scan appliance, and determining a second surface data set of the extraction region using a recording instrument. The second surface data set covers at least one part of the remaining tissue surface of the extraction region of the resectate in the patient. The method also includes registering the first surface data set of the resectate with the second surface data set of the extraction region based on corresponding surface features of the resectate and the remaining tissue surface in the extraction region, and performing at least one support measure that supports the navigation in the extraction region relative to the resectate, using the registration.

A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either within the brain. Once positioned at a desired location, the obturator is removed, leaving a distal end of the outer sheath adjacent an area of interest, and creating a working corridor. Interrogation of the area of interest may be performed to evaluate a disorder and/or abnormality, as well as evaluate treatment regimes. Interventional devices may also be introduced to the area of interest, as well as a variety of treatments.

Surgical apparatus for performing a microsurgery including a cannula having an intraocular portion. The intraocular portion connects to an infusion tube. The intraocular portion includes fenestrations at its distal end. The intraocular portion receives fluid through the infusion tube and dispenses the fluid through the fenestrations lessening the flow at an infusion site in an eye. The surgical apparatus includes a vitreous cutter. The vitreous cutter includes a suction tube at one end and a shaft at another end. The cutting port cuts vitreous into smaller pieces or a laser that liquefies the vitreous. The shaft receives the cut vitreous pieces and the suction tube draws out the cut vitreous pieces from the eye. The surgical apparatus includes a vitreoretinal surgical tool having a vitreoretinal cutter. The vitreoretinal cutter has a scissor-like or forceps-like mechanism. The vitreoretinal cutter holds and/or cuts a membrane in the eye during the microsurgery.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes an outer cannula that is at least partially received within a handle housing and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and configured to receive a stylet. A snare coil is attached between the inner tube and the outer cannula and is configured to wind down when the inner tube rotates in a first direction relative to the outer cannula and uncoil when the inner tube rotates in a second direction relative to the outer cannula. The outer cannula is fixedly coupled to a needle holder that is coupled to and moves with a movable base that is axially movable within the handle housing. An inner driven structure (curvilinear part) is configured to selectively engage the movable base and travel therewith in a first stage of operation and in a second stage of operation in which the inner driven structure is disengaged from the movable base, the inner driven structure is driven along the movable base which is held in a stationary position. The coupling between the inner driven structure and the inner tube is such that the axial driving of the inner driven structure imparts rotation to the inner tube relative to the outer cannula.