The present invention relates to a nasal plug for diverting airflow from a natural flow path in a person's nostril. In some circumstances, the airflow is channeled and directed to a specific location in a person's nasal or sinus cavity. The person may adjust and self-select a preferred airflow path by adjusting the nasal plug's location in the nostril, e.g., rotating the plugs. A kit may include two plugs, which may be used singly or in combination with each other and are independently adjustable/rotatable. A method for reducing nasal discomfort or improving nasal functions by diverting channeled airflow in a nostril is also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the minimally invasive removal of tissue biopsies and to facilitate the direct approach to anesthetizing the chest wall, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. A pull-type cutting device 1 comprises two coaxially nested tubes, each extending from a proximal end 21 to a distal end 22. The first tube 61 defines a guide wire lumen 23 for slidingly receiving a guide wire. The second tube 63 extends over the first tube 60 and coupled thereto at the distal end 22 defining an expandable portion 13 adjacent the distal end 22. The second tube 63 defines an inflation lumen 25 extending from the shaft proximal end 21 to the expandable portion 13. The inflation lumen 25 communicates inflation fluid from the proximal end 21 to the expandable portion 13 so as to inflate and deploy the expandable portion 13. Disposed adjacent the shaft distal end 22 is a cutting head 10 comprising the expandable portion 13 having a cutting portion 11 distal from the shaft distal end 22.

According to an aspect, a method of cholecystitis treatment includes: forming a communication hole that communicates a gallbladder and a duodenum; and arranging a bypass tube extending from a cystic duct to the duodenum through an inside of the gallbladder and the communication hole.

A plug is configured to maintain position within a Eustachian tube of a patient. The plug includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a first body dimensioned bear radially outwardly against the Eustachian tube of the patient. The distal portion includes an anchoring assembly that is configured to lock the plug in the Eustachian tube of the patient. The plug may be formed of a bioabsorbable material.

Devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant encapsulated with a tough thromboresistent membrane is placed via transvascular means into the LAA and anchored with adhesives and/or mechanical anchors. Tissue over- and in-growth are optimized to anchor the implant in place and provide a permanent occlusion.

Devices, systems, and methods for treating the pancreas are disclosed herein. For example, some aspects of the technology are directed to a method for treating a medical condition affecting the pancreas of a human patient, wherein the method comprises implanting an occlusive device within the pancreatic duct to induce atrophy of pancreatic tissue.

A void occlusion device that includes a scaffold defining a plurality of voids and a reinforcement member is described. The scaffold is configured to permit the infiltration of human tissue into the plurality of voids. The reinforcement member extends through at least a portion of the scaffold and is configured to resist compressive forces exerted on the scaffold. Also described are embodiments where the void occlusion device is biocompatible, bioresorbable, elastic, and suitable for radio imaging.

A device for treating a left atrial appendage, including an implant having a contact member configured to engage an inside tissue surface of the left atrial appendage and configured to rotate in at least a first direction from a first position to at least a second position so as to twist the left atrial appendage when the contact member is engaged with an inside tissue surface of the left atrial appendage. Some embodiments can also include a securing element configured to move between a first position in which the securing element is decoupled from the contact member and a second position in which the securing element is coupled with the contact member.

A medical device, comprising a tube including at least one lumen, an absorbent located at a distal portion of the tube, the absorbent being configured to transition from a compressed state to an expanded state, and a structure fixed to the absorbent, wherein the structure is configured to flex into a compressed state and an expanded state simultaneously with the compressed state and the expanded state of the absorbent, and the structure exposes at least a portion of the absorbent.

Disclosed are embodiments of a device for occluding a left atrial appendage (LAA) and other cavities or openings within a body. Some embodiments of the device can include an implant configured to be deployed within the LAA or other cavity, configured to be expanded or moved against a wall portion of the LAA or other cavity, and configured to twist at least a portion of the LAA or other cavity when the implant is rotated. Thereafter, one or more securing elements, staples, sutures, or other fasteners can be implanted in the gathered tissue to hold the tissue in the gathered state, thereby occluding the opening of the LAA or other cavity. In some embodiments, the opening of the LAA or other cavity can be occluded by elongating or otherwise reshaping the opening using an implant device, and securing the opening in the occluded state.