A tissue snare comprises an elongated member having a distal end and a loop formed of a shape memory material, the loop including a tissue receiving interior opening and being connected to the distal end of the elongated member, properties of the shape memory material being selected so that, when a temperature of the loop exceeds a critical temperature thereof, the loop constricts from an expanded state to a constricted state. A method of treating tissue comprises placing a loop of a snare around a portion of tissue to be treated while the loop is in an expanded configuration, the loop being formed of a shape memory material having a critical temperature so that, when a temperature of the loop is above the critical temperature, the loop transitions from the expanded configuration to a constricted configuration in combination with transitioning, after the loop has been placed around the portion of tissue to be treated, the loop from the expanded configuration to the constricted configuration to tighten the loop around the portion of tissue to be treated.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

Devices can generally include a fan portion for occluding an aneurysm neck, a channel orifice opening in the fan portion, and an agent channel for delivering a coagulating agent through the orifice into the aneurysm. Devices can be delivered through a catheter to the aneurysm, the fan portion can expand to occlude the aneurysm neck, and coagulating agent can be injected into the aneurysm. During injection of the coagulating agent, the fan portion can inhibit the coagulating agent from exiting the aneurysm. After injection of the coagulation agent, the fan portion can collapse and the device can be extracted from the patient.

Systems and methods can remove material of interest, including blood clots, from a body region, including but not limited to the circulatory system for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cerebrovascular embolism, and other vascular occlusions.

The invention relates to a device for use in the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation, specifically a coaptation assistance element for implantation across the valve; a system including the coaptation assistance element and anchors for implantation; a system including the coaptation assistance element and delivery catheter; and a method for transcatheter implantation of a coaptation element across a heart valve.

Apparatus for generating, applying and maintaining compression to a site in a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising: a staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically bendable; a first leg connected to the bridge by a first hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to the bridge by a second hinge region configured to be elastically bendable; wherein the first hinge region comprises a first hole configured to mate with a first element of a delivery device and the second hinge region comprises a second hole configured to mate with a second element of a delivery device; and wherein the first and second legs are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; whereby, when the staple is mounted to a delivery device so that the first hole of the first hinge region mates with a first element of a delivery device and the second hole of the second hinge region mates with a second element of a delivery device, and when the delivery device applies a force to the bridge of the staple so as to reconfigure the bridge of the staple, the first and second legs are pivoted away from one another toward a parallel disposition.

Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.

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

A device for modulating biological tissue and/or bone conformation, the device including a shape memory material and being capable of modulating biological tissue and/or bone conformation simultaneously in at least two dimensions, a process for producing the device, a process for modulating biological tissue and/or bone using the device, and uses thereof.

A sealant for sealing a puncture through tissue includes a first section, e.g., formed from freeze-dried hydrogel, and a second section extending from the distal end. The second section may be formed from PEG-precursors including PEG-ester and PEG-amine, e.g., in an equivalent ratio of active group sites of PEG-ester/PEG-amine greater than one-to-one, e.g., such that excess esters may provide faster activation upon contact with physiological fluids and enhance adhesion of the sealant within a puncture. At least some of the precursors remain in an unreactive state until exposed to an aqueous physiological environment, e.g., within a puncture, whereupon the precursors undergo in-situ cross-linking to provide adhesion to tissue adjacent the puncture. For example, the PEG-amine precursors may include the free amine form and the salt form. The free amine form at least partially cross-links with the PEG-ester and the salt form remains in the unreactive state in the sealant before introduction into the puncture.