An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads include a first bead having a first external contact surface, and a second bead having a second external contact surface. A magnet is contained within the housing. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. The first external contact surface and the second external contact surface engage each other as the loop transitions into the contracted configuration to drive the first bead and the second bead into a predetermined orientation relative to each other about the linking assembly in the contracted configuration.

An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads include a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and a chamber extending between the first opening and the second opening. A magnet is contained within the housing. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. The linking assembly includes a first link element having an elongate body extending in the chamber of the first bead and a sealing element attached to the elongate body housed within the first opening of the first bead to thereby form a hermetic seal.

Hemostasis systems and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, a hemostasis system may include an inflatable intrauterine balloon. The balloon may be configured to apply pressure to a patient's uterus to reduce the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. In some embodiments, the balloon may be inserted at least partially into the uterus and inflated. A support, which may be located inside the balloon, may expand from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration to help maintain the balloon's position relative to the cervix when the balloon is inflated. In some embodiments, the support may contract with and/or due to deflation of the balloon, allowing the balloon to move out of the uterus. The balloon may be covered with a hemostatic covering (e.g., gauze preloaded with a hemostatic agent such as hexatomic acid) to enhance the balloon's hemostasis properties.

An assembly includes an obstruction device including a proximal obstruction balloon and a distal obstruction balloon mounted on a shaft, the balloons being inflatable via one or more inflation lumens, and a space-occupying device mounted on a positioning member that extends from a portion of the obstruction device, the space-occupying device being proximal to the proximal obstruction balloon and inflatable via a space-occupying-device inflation lumen.

An occlusion device having a support structure and an expandable occlusion element associated with the support structure. The expandable occlusion element is formed of a self-expanding material, such as a hydrogel. A retainer may be provided to hold the expandable occlusion element with respect to the support structure of the occlusion device, within or outside the support structure, and positioned such that expansion of the expandable occlusion element occludes a lumen through the support structure and the occlusion device. Expansion of the expandable occlusion element may be reversible, or the expandable occlusion element may be releasable from the support structure.

An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment. A gap portion of an outer tube of the introducer is defined along a longitudinal axis between a tube tip of the introducer and the distal end of the second segment of the esophageal positioning device when the esophageal positioning device is disposed within the introducer. The gap portion defines one or more radial vacuum holes.

Devices and methods are provided for trans-esophageal aortic flow control. The device comprises a controller, an esophageal tube extending from the controller, an anchor device at a distal end of the esophageal tube and configured to anchor the distal end of the device inside a patient's stomach, and an actuator positioned proximally to the anchoring device by a sufficient distance so that the actuator will be proximal to the intersection of the patient's esophagus with their diaphragm when the anchoring device is positioned inside of the patient's stomach. In this position, the anchoring device is aligned with the location at which the patient's esophagus and aorta cross that is above (or proximal to) the intersection with the patient's diaphragm, with the patient's aorta then positioned between the spine and the esophagus. Thus, when the actuator is engaged, a compressive force is applied by the actuator against the interior of the patient's esophagus and, in turn, upon their underlying aorta so as to significantly occlude blood flow through their aorta and reduce the risk of lethal hemorrhaging from an abdominal wound.

A device and system are described that are capable of isolating at least one targeted tissue and forming an anastomosis between two internal body structures though a completely endoscopic procedure. Further, the device and system described generally comprise two tubular members that are capable of moving in a telescopic fashion relative to one another. Additionally, a method is described for using the device and/or system to bypass the duodenum from digestion.

Disclosed is an umbilical orthesis plug for an infant, child or toddler. The plug comprises a flange and a body, wherein the body is connected to the flange and wherein the body tapers in width from the flange to the end of the plug. Methods for using the plug and kits comprising the plug are also disclosed.

An arthroscopic bleeding control device shows a static absorptive and hemostatic effect against hemorrhage in an articular cavity that can be exposed by an arthroscopy part, and includes a hemostatic block configured to be inserted in the articular cavity through the arthroscopy part, and a hemostatic unit including a lead line extending from the hemostatic block to protrude outside through the arthroscopy part, in which the hemostatic block is formed by winding or folding a hemostatic band elongated in a longitudinal direction and then compressed in a thickness direction at least into a reference thickness for insertion into the articular cavity, so the hemostatic block can be expanded at least in the thickness direction by hemorrhage in the articular cavity, and when the lead line is pulled, the hemostatic band is unwound or unfolded from the expanding hemostatic block, so the hemostatic block is taken out of the articular cavity.