Snoring and sleep apnea are conditions associated with a narrowing of the airway. A device (10) and a method for piercing a soft tissue channel in the pharynx and an implant for insertion into this soft tissue channel are disclosed, with which these symptoms can be treated. The device according to the invention comprises a handle (12) and a blade (11) with a tip (16), which are connected to each other via an interface (13). In this process, a channel is pierced through the device (10), the shape of which is designed in connection with the shape of the implant in such a way that the narrowing of the airways is optimally treated.

Systems and methods for separating an object such as a pacing lead from a patient tissue involve a flexible and torqueable shaft having an internal lumen sized to receive the object, and a hard separating mechanism for separating the object from the tissue. Typically the shaft and separating mechanism are advanced along or toward the object, and the separating mechanism is contacted with the tissue. The shaft is rotated to effect separation between the object and the tissue. The systems and methods are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

A system for harvesting a tendon graft is disclosed, including a retractor, a guide and a harvesting tool. The retractor is collapsible and upon release, becomes self-supporting to hold open an anatomic space developed in a patient above the tendon. A guide assembles with the retractor to orient a guide shaft along the retractor and thereby the anatomic space. The harvesting tool includes a working end with a blade edge for cutting into the tendon. The harvesting tool defines a contoured surface for engaging and translating along the guide shaft while assembled to the retractor. The guide shaft and contoured surface limit the trajectory and translation extent of the harvesting tool along and into the tendon.

A hydrodissector for hydrodissecting a vascular target, the hydrodissector comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle at an angle and including a tip at a distal end thereof; at least one port provided at the tip and configured to be coupled to a fluid supply and to eject fluid from the at least one port into the space between the vascular target and surrounding tissues to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, the at least one port being sized to provide sufficient pressure and velocity to dissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, wherein the length of the shaft is configured for insertion into an incision to atraumatically hydrodissect the vascular target from the surrounding tissues, and wherein the shaft is configured to releasably couple with one or more hook-shaped attachments configured to lift the vascular target after the vascular target is dissected from the surrounding tissues.

An instrument and method for placement of vascular grafts. Embodiments of the instrument comprise an elongated shaft, a clamp and a tip. The shaft includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and optionally a handle at the proximal end portion. The clamp and/or the shaft are configured to removably couple the clamp to the distal end portion of the shaft. The tip and/or the instrument are configured to removably couple the tip to the instrument. In embodiments the tip covers the clamp.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for stent access and device delivery. In certain instances, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of struts arranged about the one or more cutting blades on a tip portion.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward introducer apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning an implantable medical device within a patient. The introducer may include a housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening and configured to position the implantable medical device adjacent the distal opening prior to ejection and an ejection rod configured to pass through the proximal opening and eject the implantable medical device from the housing through the distal opening of the housing.

Systems and methods for treating tissue including an apparatus that applies or a method involving separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite or liposuction in combination with separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite. In one approach, an interventional tool is placed between tissue layers to engage and treat tissue layers between which fat deposits are contained.

Systems and methods for treating cellulite including an apparatus that applies or a method involving separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite. In one approach, an interventional tool is placed between tissue layers to engage and treat septa connecting tissue layers between which fat deposits are contained.