An introducer cannula for use in crossing pleural layers includes an elongate tubular member and a pleural access liner. The elongate tubular member has a proximal end, a distal end, and a side wall that longitudinally extends between the proximal end and the distal end. The side wall has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface defines a lumen. The pleural access liner is made of a swellable and bioabsorbable material that swells when hydrated. The pleural access liner has a shape of an elongate tube and the pleural access liner has an elongate opening that surrounds an outer surface portion of the outer surface of the elongate tubular member.

Systems, devices, and methods for providing access to the heart. The system includes an intracardiac access device comprising an elongate member having a channel extending between a distal end and a proximal end thereof. The intracardiac access device is configured to be advanced through an extrapericardial penetration in the left atrial wall without penetrating the pericardium of the heart. An optional procedural device is configured to be advanced through the channel of the intracardiac access device into an internal chamber of the heart and configured to perform a surgical procedure in the internal chamber of the heart. A working channel of an optional suprasternal access device is configured to facilitate access of the intracardiac access device into the body of the patient by providing a path from a suprasternal opening to a position adjacent the roof of the left atrium.

The disclosed technology includes a detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel including a proximal delivery tube, a distal delivery tube, and a braid segment disposed between. The distal tube includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a compressible portion of the tube itself, between the proximal and distal ends which is axially movable from a compressed to an elongated condition. The proximal tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The braid segment is formed from a plurality of wires. An engagement system engages and deploys the implantable medical device engaged at the distal end of the distal tube.

An embolic material which prevents flow of a biological fluid by being placed in a body lumen via a catheter, the embolic material comprising a material that swells by contacting the biological fluid. The embolic material includes a long filler that is formed smaller than an inner diameter of the catheter. The filler prevents the flow of the biological fluid by bending when brought into contact with the biological fluid due to the difference in swelling characteristics between a first side portion and a second side portion that extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction.

A device for occluding a vasculature of a patient including a micrograft having an absorbent polymeric structure with a lumen of transporting blood. The micrograft has a series of peaks and valleys formed by crimping. The occluding device is sufficiently small and flexible to be tracked on a guidewire and/or pushed through a microcatheter to a site within the vasculature of the patient. Delivery systems for delivering the micrografts are also disclosed.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

A method for creating a flexible fastener line is disclosed. The fastener line comprises fasteners oriented in directions which are transverse or oblique to a tissue incision created by a cutting member. The fasteners can translate and/or rotate within the tissue when the tissue is stretched thereby creating flexibility within the tissue.

In a medical instrument that is inserted into an affected area or tissue to perform treatment, a technique of delivering various drugs to a target site is desired.

Provided is a medical instrument that is inserted into an affected area or tissue to perform treatment, wherein a drug-loaded nanostructure is covalently bound to the medical instrument via a photosensitive linker immobilized on the surface of at least a portion of the medical instrument.

A catheter is provided which includes an outer catheter and an extendable inner catheter. A sealing feature is positioned between the inner catheter and the outer catheter to seal the annular gap between the two while allowing axial translation. The seal may be a compliant protrusion surrounding the inner catheter and may have a chevron-shape for facilitating axial translation. The seal may be a one-way valve configured to allow antegrade flushing but prevent retrograde flow. The seal may be squeegee-like flange on the distal tip of the outer catheter. The seal may be an expandable bulge, which may be mechanically expandable or inflatable or which may be a photosensitive or electrosensitive hydrogel. The seal may include a spring that is radially compressed upon translation or rotation of the inner catheter to transiently break the seal. Also provided is a seal for sealing between the catheter and the vasculature.

In some examples, a capture assembly configured to remove material of interest, including blood clots, from a body region, including but not limited to the circulatory system, includes a body configured to receive the material of interest. The body can be configured to axially lengthen and shorten.