A needle system for providing fluidic and/or instrument access to an internal body structure. Exemplary embodiments may include non-linear needles having anatomically appropriate lengths and curvatures. Some exemplary embodiments may include a pivotable base, which may assist in stabilizing the needle system with respect to a body structure and/or may be reconfigurable into a safety guard position. Exemplary needle systems may include expandable conduits providing fluidic and/or instrument pathways into internal body structures.

Prosthetic heart valves and methods of use of prosthetic heart valves may be provided. In one implementation, a prosthetic heart valve may include an annular spacer configured for implantation with a native heart valve opening and a central valve section configured for disposal within the annular spacer. The central valve section may include at least one anchoring protrusion configured to anchor the central valve section against axial movement relative to the annular spacer. During deployment, the central valve section may be expanded radially within the heart into an at least partially-expanded configuration while at least a portion of the central valve section is situated outside of a space opening of the annular spacer, and moved upstream while remaining in the at least partially-expanded configuration until the anchoring protrusion engages the annular spacer.

The invention is directed to an intraocular lens having an optical body, two haptic elements and first and second sets of a plurality of ropes corresponding to respective ones of the first and second haptic elements. The ropes are secured to the optical body and to the haptic element and have a severing sequence. The haptic elements each have a compressed state, a partly compressed state and an uncompressed state. In the compressed state, the first rope of the severing sequence is configured to deform the haptic element in a direction toward the optical body as a result of which the first rope is under a tensile stress and the rest of the ropes are stress-free and, by the ropes being severed successively in the severing sequence, the haptic element can be brought firstly to the partly compressed state. All the ropes are severed in the uncompressed state.

Funnel-trap type delivery and/or retrieval devices for Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters or other medical implants are described in which the devices comprise two layers of braid with an axially support member. The support member may be interposed between braid layers or set inside the braid layers but interposed between heatset features. Delivery and/or retrieval devices, kits in which they are included, methods of use and methods of manufacture are all contemplated herein.

An endoluminal prosthesis system includes a graft having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal portion of the graft includes the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft includes the distal end; and a middle portion of the graft extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A plurality of connection branches are attached to the middle portion. Each of the connection branches has an inner opening at an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer opening at an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. Each of the connection branches is pivotable in a proximal and distal direction and a circumferential direction relative to the middle portion. Further, each of the connection branches includes an expandable seal stent at the outer end.

Prosthetic heart valves and methods of use of prosthetic heart valves may be provided. In one implementation, a prosthetic heart valve may include an annular spacer configured for implantation with a native heart valve opening and a central valve section configured for disposal within the annular spacer. The central valve section may include at least one anchoring protrusion configured to anchor the central valve section against axial movement relative to the annular spacer. During deployment, the central valve section may be advanced downstream beyond the implanted annular spacer, and moved upstream until the anchoring protrusion engages the annular spacer.

Embodiments of the present specification provide surgical methods and apparatuses to deploy at least one stent through an optic nerve sheath in order to maintain an opening/fenestration for intracranial fluid egress. The surgical method creates a fenestration, an opening, a slit, or a hole, through an optic nerve sheath of a human patient. The fenestration is created in a minimally invasive manner using an applicator, such as an endoscopic visualization apparatus, that includes a stent or shunt for deploying through the fenestration. The presently disclosed specification is indicated to treat papilledema and/or intracranial hypertension and to deliver therapeutic compositions through the optic nerve sheath.

Soft tissue grafts, packaged soft tissue grafts, and methods of making and using soft tissue grafts are disclosed. One soft tissue graft includes processed tissue material having first and second opposed surfaces. The first and second opposed surfaces are bounded by first and second edges. The first edge has a concave shape that curves toward the second edge. The second edge has a convex shape that curves away from the first edge. The first surface comprises a plurality of apertures. At least one of the apertures is formed from a multi-directional separation in the first surface. One method of making a soft tissue graft includes positioning a cutting die on a surface of tissue material, pressing the cutting die into the tissue material to cut the tissue material, and processing the cut tissue material to create processed tissue material.

Embodiments of the present specification provide surgical methods and apparatuses to deploy at least one stent through an optic nerve sheath in order to maintain an opening/fenestration for intracranial fluid egress. The surgical method creates a fenestration, an opening, a slit, or a hole, through an optic nerve sheath of a human patient. The fenestration is created in a minimally invasive manner using an applicator, such as an endoscopic visualization apparatus, that includes a stent or shunt for deploying through the fenestration. The presently disclosed specification is indicated to treat papilledema and/or intracranial hypertension and to deliver therapeutic compositions through the optic nerve sheath.

A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.