A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.

Ultrasonic surgical instruments

A device and method for obliterating or occluding a body cavity or passageway, in particular, the left atrial appendage of a patient's heart. The procedure can be carried out intraoperatively, but is preferably carried out percutaneously by use of a delivery catheter to position an occluding device adjacent a patient's left atrial appendage. The occluding device may prevent the passage of embolic or other material to or from the left atrial appendage by volumetrically filling the appendage, closing the opening of the appendage with an occluding member, or pulling the tissue around the opening of the appendage together and fixing it in a closed state.

Method and device for left atrial appendage occlusion

Various embodiments are directed to surgical instruments for use in handheld applications or with robotic surgical systems. The surgical instruments may comprise an end effector to treat tissue and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. Some embodiments may be usable with an instrument mounting portion of a robotic surgical instrument. For example, the shaft may extend proximally to the instrument mounting portion.

Ultrasonic surgical instruments with control mechanisms

An embolic protection device (100) including: a tubular sleeve (104) a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on the tubular sleeve (104), the tubular sleeve (104) being mounted in a filter holder (101) to facilitate placement of the filter element (105) through a vascular system of a patient, extending the tubular sleeve (104) substantially the entire length of the filter element (105) being rotatable filter element (105) relative to the filter support (101) being movable filter element (105) between a collapsed stored position against the tubular sleeve (104) for movement through the vascular system and an expanded position for occluding a blood vessel position so that the blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filter element (105) including the filter element (105) a body collapsible filter (110) having an inlet end and an outlet end, having the inlet end of the filter body (110) one or more inlet openings (117) sized to allow entering blood and embolic material in the filter body (110) in the expanded position, tapering the proximal end input the filter body (110) distally radially outwardly; having the outlet end of the filter body (110) a plurality of outlet holes (119) sized to allow passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body (110), and retrieval device tubular filter (118) having an open distal end for reception of the filter element (105) being slidable said distal end of the retrieval device (118) on the filter body (110) from the inlet to the outlet end for folding progressively the filter body (110) against the tubular sleeve (104) and receive the filter body (110) within the recovery device (118).

Embolic protection device.

The present invention provides methods and devices for grasping, and optional repositioning and fixation of the valve leaflets to treat cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve regurgitation. Such grasping will typically be atraumatic providing a number of benefits. For example, atraumatic grasping may allow repositioning of the devices relative to the leaflets and repositioning of the leaflets themselves without damage to the leaflets. However, in some cases it may be necessary or desired to include grasping which pierces or otherwise permanently affects the leaflets. In some of these cases, the grasping step includes fixation.

Methods and devices for capturing and fixing leaflets in valve repair

The present invention provides methods and devices for treating the annulus of an intervertebral disc. The methods and devices can employ an expandable treatment device which is deployed at least partially in the subannular space. Fixation devices and methods are also disclosed, which help to secure the treatment device in place.

Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus

A catheter-deliverable filter assembly deployable in a vessel of the body in alternatively a temporary configuration enabling the filter to be removed from the vessel or a permanent configuration, and a method for its use. The filter assembly comprises an elongated support carrying spaced along its length a filter element and a anchoring element with the filter element being spaced distally from the anchoring element. Each element comprises a core mounted to the elongated support and a plurality of flexible, resilient wires extending distally from the core, the wires having proximal portions attached at one end to the core and distal portions. The wires of the anchoring element include gripping elements for gripping the walls of a vessel. The wires are so configured as to support the apices of the filter and anchoring elements substantially in the center of the vessel. The filter assembly may include a hollow flexible tether releasably attached to the proximal end of the elongated support and having a distal end portion within which are resiliently confined the wires of the anchoring element when the filter element alone is deployed.

Body vessel filter

The present invention provides methods and devices for annulus disc repair with and without the use of a patch or stent. The methods and devices are particularly suited to the repair and/or reconstruction of the spinal disc wall (annulus) after surgical invasion or pathologic rupture, with reduced failure rate as compared to conventional surgical procedures.

Methods and devices for spinal disc annulus reconstruction and repair

The present invention provides apparatus for treating an aperture in the annulus of an intervertebral disc, comprising a fixation apparatus with two anchors (916) secured together by an elongated member (914) having variable length, and a fixation delivery apparatus for sequentially delivering the anchors to a patient. Another embodiment is a patch and a patch insertion tool comprising an elongated body with two patch retaining arms.

Apparatus and methods for the treatment of the intervertebral disc

This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a defect in soft tissue of a patient. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses and fixation apparatuses positioned, at least in part, in or on the soft tissue to be repaired. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one tissue anchor by a shortenable elongate member.

Brian L. Dukart

Papers

Method and apparatus for the treatment of the intervertebral disc annulus

Body vessel filter

Methods and devices for spinal disc annulus reconstruction and repair

Apparatus and methods for the treatment of the intervertebral disc

Method and apparatus for the treatment of tissue