A device comprises a tubular member with a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one partial cut located at, along or near the distal end of the tubular member, the at least one partial cut comprising an orientation that is angled relative to both the longitudinal axis and an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, a pusher member positioned within an interior of the tubular member and configured to selectively advance the distal end of the tubular member longitudinally, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is configured to at least partially rotate when the pusher member is advanced relative to the tubular member so at to facilitate placement of the distal end in a particular branch of a subject's intraluminal network, wherein the distal end of the tubular member is configured to longitudinally elongate along or near an area of the at least one partial cut.

The invention relates to a tube (100) with a hollow cylindrical elastic base structure (102) for insertion into a blood vessel (200) of a vascular system (202). The tube (100) comprises an outer anisotropic surface structure (104) comprising a geometrical anisotropy between a direction circumferential to the tube and a direction longitudinal to the tube (100). The anisotropic surface structure (104) is configured for establishing an anisotropic friction between the anisotropic surface structure (104) and an inner surface of the blood vessel (200). The anisotropic friction results in a surface propulsion of the tube (100), when the tube (100) is rotated around a central longitudinal body axis (106) of the tube (100). The tube (100) further comprises a magnetic material (108) distributed circumferentially around the tube (100) and configured for establishing within an external magnetic field a rotation of the tube (100) around the central longitudinal body axis (106) of the tube (100).

A coupler is provided that includes a member such as a tube having a passageway and at least one end of the tube is inserted into a vessel. Upon insertion, the tube engages with inner walls of the vessel to inhibit movement of the coupler and/or adjoin tissue or a vessel.

An embodiment of the invention includes an expandable implant to endovascularly embolize an anatomical void or malformation, such as an aneurysm. An embodiment is comprised of a chain or linked sequence of expandable polymer foam elements. Another embodiment includes an elongated length of expandable polymer foam coupled to a backbone. Another embodiment includes a system for endovascular delivery of an expandable implant (e.g., shape memory polymer) to embolize an aneurysm. The system may include a microcatheter, a lumen-reducing collar coupled to the distal tip of the microcatheter, a flexible pushing element detachably coupled to an expandable implant, and a flexible tubular sheath inside of which the compressed implant and pushing element are pre-loaded. Other embodiments are described herein.

Disclosed are cable fixation devices. The fixation devices are configured to keep tension in a polymer cable to secure a fracture or for other medical uses. In an embodiment, a fixation device for securing a fracture comprises a body and a piercing element, wherein the fixation device is configured to pierce a polymer cable arranged in the body by engaging the piercing element. In an embodiment, the fixation device further comprises a retensioning member, which may be operated to increase tension in the polymer cable after the polymer has been pierced by the piecing element. In an embodiment, the polymer cable comprises a braid or a yarn.

A novel shape memory polymer (SMP)-based device for surgical treatment of an intracorporeal defect (e.g., a void or anomaly) such as an intracranial aneurysm or fistula. In at least one non-limiting embodiment, the SMP device is a 3D-printed SMP material sized to specifically fit and thus occlude an intracranial aneurysm (ICA). The SMP device may be delivered to the intracorporeal defect via a catheter having a heating mechanism wherein the SMP device is raised above its glass transition temperature as it is deployed, causing the SMP device to return to its permanent shape after it is deployed into the intracorporeal defect. SMP device delivery systems that include the SMP devices, as well as methods of making and using the devices and systems, are also disclosed.

Embodiments include, for example, mechanical release systems for implantable medical devices.

Described herein is a medical device for treating a target site. The medical device includes a proximal end including a disc and a distal end including a lobe. The disc and lobe are connected by a connecting member. The disc includes a proximal surface, a distal surface, and a central surface extending between and connecting the proximal surface and distal surface, wherein the central surface separates the proximal surface from the distal surface by a predetermined depth distance.

A parachute-designed biodegradable occluder is provided. The parachute-designed biodegradable occluder is with a proximal end adjacent to a human body and a distal end far away from the human body. The parachute-designed biodegradable occluder includes an occluder stent internally provided with a baffle film, and a shapeable ring with changeable states. The occluder stent, the baffle film and the shapeable ring are respectively made of polymer materials being degradable in biological tissues. The occluder is made of a biodegradable polymer material, which is degradable or absorbable by human tissues after being implanted for a period of time to make a defect site composed of human tissues, realizing occlusion without foreign matter. The occlusion effect is particularly significant for children.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.