Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into the body lumen and a tissue-removing element. A side opening in the distal portion of the catheter body is defined by opposite first and second side edges, a proximal edge extending between the first and second side edges, and a distal edge opposite the proximal edge and extending between the first and second side edges. The side opening window has a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal edges. The tissue-removing element is configured to move between a tissue-removing position, in which the tissue-removing element is exposed through the side opening window, and a neutral position, in which the tissue-removing element is positioned inside the distal portion of the catheter. The distal edge is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis of the side opening window.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variably flexible pipe including at least one flap member having variable flexibility and a tube formed of an elastically deformable material and accommodating the at least one flap member, and a manipulator having the same. The at least one flap member may include a plurality flap parts and a connection part to which one side of each of the plurality of flap parts is connected, and the tube changes pressure applied to the plurality of flap parts according to a controlled change of the inner pressure of the tube, thereby causing the variably flexible pipe to be effectively selectively maintained in a deformed state.

Abstract: Luminal prostheses comprise scaffolds having coatings adhered to at least a portion of their outer surfaces. The surfaces are modified to enhance binding of the coatings. For example, the surfaces may be microblasted, laser treated, chemically etched, exposed to plasma, or exposed to a corona discharge, allowing a polymeric coating to adhere to the scaffold more tightly than in the absence of the surface modification. The coatings can be used to deliver therapeutic or other agents dispersed therein.

Abstract: A method may include coupling a proximal end of a first cannula to a first manipulator of a surgical system, the first manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the first cannula, wherein the first cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the first cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis, and coupling a proximal end of a second cannula to a second manipulator of a surgical system, the second manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the second cannula, wherein the second cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the second cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel endoscopic device which is capable of stabilizing, straightening, expanding and/or flattening the side wall of a body lumen and/or body cavity so as to better present the side wall tissue for examination and/or treatment during an endoscopic procedure. The present invention also comprises the provision and use of a novel endoscopic device capable of steadying and/or stabilizing the distal tips and/or working ends of instruments inserted into a body lumen and/or body cavity, whereby to facilitate the use of those instruments.

Abstract: Snaring systems and methods involve engaging objects such as pacemaker pacing leads within a patient. Physicians can use snaring systems having loops, tags, and roller mechanisms to remove a pacing leads from a patient. For example, snaring systems can be inserted through a jugular access site, engaged with a pacemaker pacing lead, and withdrawn through the jugular access site so as to remove a portion of the pacing lead. Lead extraction techniques can be employed to further dislodge the pacing lead from the patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disrupting material at a tissue site is described. A contact layer may be selected for use on the tissue site and positioned adjacent to the tissue site. The contact layer may include walls defining a plurality of through-holes. A sealing member may be positioned over the contact layer and sealed to tissue surrounding the tissue site to form a sealed space enclosing the contact layer. A negative-pressure source may be fluidly coupled to the sealed space. The negative-pressure source may supply negative pressure to the sealed space and the contact layer to draw tissue into the through-holes to form nodules. The negative pressure may be vented from the sealed space to release the nodules.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for a self-expanding medical device. The delivery system has a handle assembly with a housing. The housing has a slot with a deployment knob extending therethrough. The self-expanding medical device is deployed by restraining the housing of the handle assembly and pulling on the deployment knob. This causes an outer sheath to withdraw proximally from an inner catheter to release the self-expanding medical device from a space between the outer sheath and inner catheter.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises an end effector for operating on tissue and a screen positioned around the end effector. The screen is fluidly coupled with a suction source by a conduit such as a tube. The screen is configured to communicate suction through the screen while preventing tissue from contacting the end effector. The screen is further configured to retract proximally relative to the end effector to thereby expose the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tissue expander (10) comprising a self-inflating core (12) having a non-inflated state and an inflated state and a coating (14) surrounding said core (12), in which said core (12) comprises a compacted material having a central portion (16) of a first, higher, (average) density D and a peripheral portion (18) of a second, lower, (average) density d, a border (19) between said central portion (16) and said peripheral portion (18) and wherein said coating (14) includes a plurality of first and/or second apertures (20, 22) through said coating (14). It also provides a method of manufacturing the tissue expander (10). The arrangement is such as to allow for the controlled ingress of water into the expandable core (12) which allows for the control of the delay before expansion and the rate of expansion once initiated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intelligent surgery system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an intelligent surgery system that comprises: a data-matching unit that receives, from an information-collecting apparatus, data on a part of the body of a patient that is to undergo surgery, and searches for control data matching the data on the part of the body to undergo surgery on the basis of a data-matching matrix; and a surgery control unit, which enables surgery tools or suturing devices to operate in accordance with the control data from the data-matching unit.

Abstract: The invention is a skin puncturing apparatus for use in a non-surgical method for eradication of a tattoo from an area of skin. The apparatus comprises: (a) a handle section comprising a motor and gear assembly for causing a reciprocating motion to a shaft connected to the gear assembly; (b) a barrel section surrounding the shaft, the first end of the barrel section attached to the handle and the second end of the barrel section having a tip adapted to be placed in contact with the area of skin; (c) a bundle of needles attached by means of a needles holder to the distal end of the shaft; and (d) an inlet body comprising an inlet port through which cleaning solution is introduced into the tip located at the lower edge of the barrel section.

Abstract: A spinal cord device comprises a body formed of a biocompatible, biodegradable matrix. The body includes proximal, cranial and distal, caudal surfaces for connection to two ends of an injured spinal cord after removal of an injured section and has through channels with openings in the cranial and caudal surfaces for connection of descending motor pathways and ascending sensory pathways. The device has a transversal diameter (Dt), an anteroposterior diameter (Da) and a length (L), wherein Dt is from 9 to 13 mm and the ratio anteroposterior diameter/transverse diameter (RAPT) is from 0.5 to 1.0 and wherein the position and dimension of the channels, RAPT value, and cranial surface area and/or caudal surface area of the device are adopted to the shape, level, dimension of white and gray matter, and size of the injured spinal cord for optimal connection between spinal cord tracts. Kits and methods employ such devices.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to robotic surgical systems and devices that use force and/or torque sensors to measure forces applied at various components of the system or device. Certain implementations include robotic surgical devices having one or more force/torque sensors that detect or measure one or more forces applied at or on one or more arms. Other embodiments relate to systems having a robotic surgical device that has one or more sensors and an external controller that has one or more motors such that the sensors transmit information that is used at the controller to actuate the motors to provide haptic feedback to a user.

Abstract: An endo-urethral prosthesis characterized in that it comprises a set of guides (100) defining an internal space (201) in a urinary channel, and one or more support elements (110) for supporting the internal wall of the urinary tract, the guides comprising recessed areas and protruding areas, said protruding areas forming locking regions (21) for holding the support elements in place, in a position that allows them to support the internal wall of the urinary tract.

Abstract: A power morcellation system, apparatus, and methodology. Structurally, the device includes a sturdy, pliable (e.g., able to be inserted and retracted through a 10-15 mm morcellator port), distensible, waterproof/watertight retaining bag/pouch/carrier to be deployed into the pelvic cavity of the subject. The device further includes a plurality (e.g., three (3)) of port tube channels extending outwardly from the bag, wherein the interior of each channel is in communication with the interior of the bag. Each channel has an open end (opposite from the end that terminates in the bag) through which a laparoscopic/robotic camera and other instruments (e.g., camera, control instrument) may pass. A smaller tube channel also extends outwardly from the bag and can be suited as an insufflation port channel, among other uses. The bag also includes a large opening surrounded by an elastic drawstring for receiving the specimen to be removed within the bag.

Abstract: A morcellator shield and bag assembly including a shield having a cavity and a bag coupled to the shield. The bag is moveable between a contracted position, in which at least a portion of the bag is positioned within the cavity, and an expanded position. The bag has an opening that is in fluid communication with the cavity when the bag is in the expanded position. A method for using the assembly along with a morcellator to remove tissue from a body cavity. The method includes inserting at least a portion of the assembly into a body cavity, moving the bag to the expanded position, placing tissue in the bag, pulling the bag through an opening in a patient, inserting the morcellator into the assembly, and morcellating the tissue with the morcellator. The assembly is designed to contain the tissue being morcellated and prevent the morcellator from contacting the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating obesity in a patient by implanting a volume filling device that, when implanted in a patient, reduces the food cavity in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a volume filling device to be invaginated in the stomach wall of a human patient to treat obesity.

Abstract: A stent delivery device having a locking mechanism. The device includes a handle assembly, an elongate inner member, and an elongate outer tubular member surrounding the elongate inner member. The handle assembly includes a handle attached to one of the inner member and the outer tubular member, and an actuator attached to the other of the inner member and the outer tubular member. Actuation of the actuator relative to the handle between a first position and a second position causes axial movement of the outer tubular member relative to the inner member. The locking mechanism has a locked position in which the actuator is prevented from moving from the first position to the second position and an unlocked position in which the actuator is permitted to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Device for treatments of endoscopic resection/removal of tissues including: a handpiece; an outer tubular element extending along a longitudinal axis including a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting opening at the distal end; an inner tubular element rotatably accommodated in the outer tubular element; the inner tubular element extending along a longitudinal axis and including a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting tip at its distal end; a guide for rotating/oscillating the inner/outer tubular elements with respect to one another; the guide including an electric motor and power-supply; a first clutch keyed on the inner tubular element substantially at the proximal end of the inner tubular element; a second clutch keyed on the distal end of the motor output shaft to axially slide on the motor output shaft; and at least one elastic element to push the second clutch to couple with the first clutch.