A medical device has an artificial contractile structure including at least one contractile element adapted to contract a hollow body organ in such a way that said contractile element is adapted to be in a resting position or in an activated position, the activated position being defined with the contractile element constricting the hollow body organ and the resting position being defined with the contractile element not constricting the hollow body organ. The medical device further includes a tensioning device adapted to apply a force so as to tighten the contractile element around the hollow body organ. The contractile element further includes a closure for forming the contractile element into a closed loop around said hollow body organ, the closure having a plurality of lips arranged to engage the contractile element.

Novel compositions and systems for closure of wounds are disclosed. The compositions provide devices of improved flexibility and elasticity and are readily applied to wound sites or over wound closure devices. The present invention is also directed to a novel platinum catalyst for use in such compositions. The catalyst provides for rapid curing on topical surfaces such as skin and bonds to such surfaces in about 2-5 minutes.

A dispensing device configured to operate with an adhesive backed mesh and backing film for tissue bonding is disclosed. The dispensing device provides for low-friction, low force pay-out of a desired length of an adhesive backed mesh to a wound site. The device prevents or eliminates distortion of the mesh prior to application to the wound site, and includes means for reducing or eliminating binding during use. The dispensing device is configured to operate in a “forward” mode (substrate to which mesh is applied passes beneath applicator after mesh is applied) to provide essentially an unobstructed view of the wound site during use.

Exemplary methods and systems can be provided for resurfacing of skin that include formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths greater than about 0.2 mm and less than about 0.7 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus. Compressive and/or tensile forces can then be applied to the treated region of skin as the damage heals to facilitate hole closure, and provide enhanced and/or directional shrinkage of the treated skin area.

A reposable surgical clip applier (10) is provided and includes a handle assembly (100), an endoscopic assembly (200) selectively connectable to a housing (102) of the handle assembly (100), and a cartridge assembly (300) selectively loadable in and connectable to the endoscopic assembly (200).

An apparatus for the treatment of acid reflux disease comprising two or more movement restriction device segments adapted to be assembled movement restriction device of a controlled size. The assembled movement restriction device can at least partly be invaginated by a patient's stomach fundus wall. A substantial part of the outer surface of the movement restriction device is adapted to rest against the stomach wall without injuring the latter in a position between the patient's diaphragm and at least a portion of the lower part of the invaginated stomach fundus wall, such that movement of the cardiac notch of the patient's stomach towards the patient's diaphragm is restricted, to thereby prevent the cardia from sliding through the patient's diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, so as to maintain the supporting pressure against the patient's cardia sphincter muscle exerted from the patient's abdomen.

An endoscopic reposable surgical clip applier is provided and includes a handle assembly and an endoscopic assembly. The endoscopic assembly is selectively connectable to and in mechanical communication with the handle assembly and includes a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a pair of jaws pivotably and fixedly supported in, and extending from a distal portion of the shaft assembly, a spindle assembly supported within the endoscopic assembly, and a lockout mechanism fixedly supported on the pair of jaws. A distal end of the spindle is operatively engaged with the pair of jaws to effectuate an opening and a closing of the pair of jaws upon an axial translation of the spindle. The lockout mechanism is in selective engagement with the spindle and includes a first position that enables distal advancement of the spindle and a second position that inhibits distal advancement of the spindle.

Embodiments of a leaflet clip device and method of reducing regurgitation through a native heart valve are disclosed. A leaflet clip device can include an elongated clipping member having a first end portion and a second end portion and a tensioning mechanism coupled to the clipping member. The leaflet clip device can further include one or more tensioning members disposed within a lumen of the clipping member, wherein the one or more tensioning members are operatively connected to the tensioning mechanism to transform the clipping member from a delivery configuration to an implantation configuration.

A negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system are described. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Some embodiments may include wound closure devices built from smaller units that are modular, assemble-able and/or customizable.

A use of an umbilical splint for shaping an umbilicus after an abdominal operation is described. The umbilical splint may comprise an insertion portion extending in a longitudinal direction and terminating at an insertion end for insertion into the umbilicus. Furthermore, the insertion portion may comprise a bulbous section near the insertion end. The bulbous section may be operable to apply pressure to a tissue of the umbilicus after the abdominal operation. The insertion portion may have different cross-sectional shapes including circular and oval. Finally, the insertion portion may be configured to engage the umbilicus such that the umbilical splint is retained within the umbilicus.