Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle. Furthermore, the microtextured aspect may be further augmented with conventional gripping surfaces, such as a sticky surface, or a surface comprised of one or more hooks or barbs. The handle means may be distributed over the retraction device, for example, holes distributed along the arms through which anchoring means are tied. The retraction device is particularly well suited for grasping wet, oily, slimy or living surfaces by applying a small nondestructive normal force.

In various embodiments, a system for delivering an implantable device inside a body cavity includes: 1) a core cannula; 2) an access sheath; 3) an injection apparatus for filling the implantable device with one or more fluids; and 4) expanding members operatively connected to the core cannula for preventing the core cannula from advancing through a body orifice once the core cannula and expanding members exist the access sheath. According to particular embodiments, a distal end of the core cannula is pre-attached to the implantable device through a device locking member. In one or more embodiments, upon assessment, an injection apparatus is removed using an injection apparatus handle, the implantable device is detached from the core cannula via a device deployment handle (to be implanted), and the access sheath is removed.

An assembly for mixing and dispensing a multi-component fluid includes a sheath having first and second fluid chambers, a chamber coupler, and a flexible tip. The chamber coupler forms first and second fluid channels. Additionally, the flexible tip forms a mixing chamber with a variable mixing volume and an outlet. The flexible tip is coupled to the chamber coupler near a distal end of the sheath. In the presence of an activation force, the flexible tip is forced out of the sheath and positioned in a dispensing state with a maximum mixing volume. In the absence of the activation force, the flexible tip is housed within the sheath and positioned in a non-dispensing state with a minimum mixing volume such that the outlet is substantially closed.

A medical device has a treated surface that avoids the need for cleaning the medical device during use. In aspects, the medical device has an optical component, such as a lens. The lens has a laser treated hydrophobic surface that repels tissue and body fluids in use.

In various embodiments, a system for delivering an implantable device inside a body cavity includes: 1) a core cannula; 2) an access sheath; 3) an injection apparatus for filling the implantable device with one or more fluids; and 4) expanding members operatively connected to the core cannula for preventing the core cannula from advancing through a body orifice once the core cannula and expanding members exist the access sheath. According to particular embodiments, a distal end of the core cannula is pre-attached to the implantable device through a device locking member. In one or more embodiments, upon assessment, an injection apparatus is removed using an injection apparatus handle, the implantable device is detached from the core cannula via a device deployment handle (to be implanted), and the access sheath is removed.

An assembly for mixing and dispensing a multi-component fluid includes a sheath having first and second fluid chambers, a chamber coupler, and a flexible tip. The chamber coupler forms first and second fluid channels. Additionally, the flexible tip forms a mixing chamber with a variable mixing volume and an outlet. The flexible tip is coupled to the chamber coupler near a distal end of the sheath. In the presence of an activation force, the flexible tip is forced out of the sheath and positioned in a dispensing state with a maximum mixing volume. In the absence of the activation force, the flexible tip is housed within the sheath and positioned in a non-dispensing state with a minimum mixing volume such that the outlet is substantially closed.

Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle. Furthermore, the microtextured aspect may be further augmented with conventional gripping surfaces, such as a sticky surface, or a surface comprised of one or more hooks or barbs. The handle means may be distributed over the retraction device, for example, holes distributed along the arms through which anchoring means are tied. The retraction device is particularly well suited for grasping wet, oily, slimy or living surfaces by applying a small nondestructive normal force.

Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle. Furthermore, the microtextured aspect may be further augmented with conventional gripping surfaces, such as a sticky surface, or a surface comprised of one or more hooks or barbs. The handle means may be distributed over the retraction device, for example, holes distributed along the arms through which anchoring means are tied. The retraction device is particularly well suited for grasping wet, oily, slimy or living surfaces by applying a small nondestructive normal force.

Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle. Furthermore, the microtextured aspect may be further augmented with conventional gripping surfaces, such as a sticky surface, or a surface comprised of one or more hooks or barbs. The handle means may be distributed over the retraction device, for example, holes distributed along the arms through which anchoring means are tied. The retraction device is particularly well suited for grasping wet, oily, slimy or living surfaces by applying a small nondestructive normal force.

A substrate having an undulating surface forming a series of rounded peaks and valleys that produce a continuously curving surface across at least a portion of the substrate. The undulating surface defines a first set of micro features. A second set of micro features molded on the first set of micro features. The substrate is a compression molded polymeric material in which the first and second sets of micro features are formed on the substrate during a single molding step, and wherein the first and second sets of micro features cooperate to increase the surface area and affect at least one of adhesion, friction, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the substrate.