Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants.

A scalpel guide configured to be coupled with a scalpel blade. The scalpel guide engages a guidewire during use to constrain lateral displacement of the scalpel blade with respect to the guidewire. The scalpel guide includes laterally extending walls between which the guidewire is placed during use. The guide may be attached to the scalpel blade or formed integral to the scalpel blade.

A stapling assembly system for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling assembly system comprises a shaft portion and a first replaceable cartridge jaw that comprises a first retainer configured to prevent first staple drivers from falling out of said first replaceable cartridge jaw. The stapling assembly system further comprises a second replaceable cartridge jaw that comprises a second retainer configured to prevent second staple drivers from falling out of said second replaceable cartridge jaw. The stapling assembly system further comprises a second jaw comprising an anvil, a firing member configured to engage said first staple drivers during a first firing stroke of said firing member and said second staple drivers during a second firing stroke of said firing member, and a lockout configured to selectively prevent said firing member from being advanced through a said firing stroke.

A stapling assembly system for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling assembly system comprises a shaft portion and a first replaceable cartridge jaw that comprises a first retainer configured to prevent first staple drivers from falling out of said first replaceable cartridge jaw. The stapling assembly system further comprises a second replaceable cartridge jaw that comprises a second retainer configured to prevent second staple drivers from falling out of said second replaceable cartridge jaw. The stapling assembly system further comprises a second jaw comprising an anvil, a firing member configured to engage said first staple drivers during a first firing stroke of said firing member and said second staple drivers during a second firing stroke of said firing member, and a lockout configured to selectively prevent said firing member from being advanced through a said firing stroke.

An intravascular device and methods for using the same are provided. The intravascular device includes an expandable portion with struts operable between a first position and a second position where the struts are moved outward from the first position. An incising element is provided at, and extends outward from, at least one of the struts. An embolic protection device covers at least a portion of the expandable portion.

An intravascular device and methods for using the same are provided. The intravascular device includes an expandable portion with struts operable between a first position and a second position where the struts are moved outward from the first position. An incising element is provided at, and extends outward from, at least one of the struts. An embolic protection device covers at least a portion of the expandable portion.

This document relates to devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including diastolic heart failure, by performing a pericardial modification procedure.

This document relates to devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including diastolic heart failure, by performing a pericardial modification procedure.

Devices and methods for treating a target site in a body lumen are provided. A medical device includes a stent-like structure including a plurality of scoring and non-scoring filaments interwoven with one another. Generally, the stent-like structure will have more non-scoring filaments than scoring filaments to provide greater structural support and to focus the scoring forces on only a few select areas. The stent-like structure is expanded within the target site to score the target site and to provide temporary structural support while the target site is infused with a therapeutic agent. Such therapeutic agent infusion occurs with the use of a drug eluting or drug coated balloon disposed within the stent-like structure or by occluding the target site and introducing a drug into the occluded target site to sit for a period of time.

A surgical end effector for use with a surgical stapler for stapling tissue is disclosed. The end effector may comprise a frame portion, a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a rotation joint. The second jaw member is pivotably movable relative to the first jaw member about the rotation joint. The second jaw member is configured to apply a closing motion against the tissue and a firing motion to deform the staples, wherein both the closing motion and the firing motion are applied to the tissue from the same side of the tissue.