Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly having a closure trigger, a closure actuator coupled to the closure trigger at a first pivot, and a closure spring. The closure actuator moves proximally on a longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the closure trigger. The closure spring applies a force vector to the closure spring tangential to the longitudinal axis. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member is pivotally moveable with respect to the second jaw member. At least one of the first and second jaw members are operatively coupled to the closure actuator.

Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.

Abstract: Provided herein is a clamp device that can be used in minimally invasive procedures, including surgeries such as laparoscopic surgeries, for clamping a tissue or an organ or a portion of a tissue or organ. Also provided herein are methods of clamping a tissue or an organ or a portion thereof during minimally invasive surgery using the clamp device provided herein. Also provided are systems for performing a minimally invasive surgery that include the clamp device for minimally invasive surgery provided herein and an injection device configured to access an endoscopic port for the minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: An interventional catheter is adapted for treating a blood vessel. In an embodiment, the catheter includes an elongate shaft sized for insertion in a blood vessel and a stent positioned on a distal region of the elongate shaft. An expandable dilation member is coupled to a distal region of the elongate shaft. The expandable dilation member is adapted to expand outward. A stent containment member is positioned over the elongate shaft and the stent to contain the stent in a collapsed state.

Abstract: Surgical assemblies, instruments, and related methods are disclosed that control tissue gripping force. A method for controlling grip force in a robotic surgical instrument includes actuating an input link of a spring assembly. An actuation force is transferred from the input link to an output link of the spring assembly. Relative movement is inhibited between the input link and the output link when the transferred actuation force is below a predetermined level with a preloaded spring of the spring assembly. The input link is moved relative to the output link by deforming the preloaded spring when the transferred actuation force increases above the predetermined level. A grip mechanism is actuated via the output link.

Abstract: A device for feeding and setting an implant into a blood vessel includes a hollow cylindrical portion formed of an expandable wire mesh netting with a first end and a second end, with a sleeve for receiving the implant in a radially compressed state. The sleeve is arrangeable along a guide wire. The sleeve for receiving the implant in the radially compressed state is formed by an inner sleeve, around which at least one outer sleeve with a distal end and a proximal end is arranged. The implant is arranged in the inner sleeve in such a way that the second end of the hollow cylindrical portion is arranged on the end facing the proximal end of the outer sleeve, so that during setting of the implant, the inner sleeve surrounding the implant can be moved into the outer sleeve in the distal direction so that the implant expands, beginning from the second end.

Abstract: A needleless transseptal device assembly, and associated methods, for accessing the left atrium of a human heart includes a tubular body sized to navigate vasculature, and a dilator having a proximal end and a distal end. The dilator is substantially housed and axially movable within the tubular body. The assembly further includes a guidewire that is substantially housed and axially movable within the dilator. The guidewire includes a flexible proximal section and a flexible distal section, and the flexible distal section has a distal end with rotatable, septal tissue cutting elements. The distal end may be configured with a blunt shape. Further, the tubular body and the dilator may be arranged in a steerable configuration. A torquing member may also be coupled to the proximal section of the guidewire to assist in the rotational movement of the septal tissue cutting elements.

Abstract: Devices for removing clot material from a blood vessel lumen and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A clot retrieving device may include, for example, an elongated shaft, a capture structure, a cover, and a connector coupled to the distal zone of elongated shaft. The connector may include an inner band and an outer band. The inner band may at least partially surround the distal zone of the elongated shaft and a portion of the proximal region of the capture structure, and the outer band may at least partially surround the inner band. In some embodiments, the first end portion of the cover may be secured between the inner band and the outer band.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an end effector for use with a surgical device is provided. The end effector includes a drive assembly, a driver, a needle assembly, and a follower. The drive assembly includes a first helical groove. Rotation of the drive assembly in a first direction causes distal translation of the driver with respect to the drive assembly. The needle assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the driver. Distal translation of the driver causes a corresponding distal translation of the needle assembly. The follower is configured to engage the first helical groove of the drive assembly. When the follower is engaged with the first helical groove, rotation of the drive assembly in the first direction causes distal translation of the follower with respect to the drive assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for self-expanding medical devices, such as stents. The delivery system has a restraining sheath that maintains the stent in a compressed state prior to deployment. The restraining sheath terminates distally from the deployment handle, and a wire connects the restraining sheath to the deployment handle. The restraining sheath is withdrawn from the stent to deploy the stent by pulling the wires proximally at the deployment handle.

Abstract: A clot encasement and removal device for removing a vascular obstruction is disclosed. The encasement device comprises proximal and distal capture members and a central stabilizer. The central stabilizer provides several points of contact for interacting with and manipulating an intravascular obstruction. The central stabilizer may be coupled to the distal capture member, allowing the central stabilizer and distal capture member to be manipulated in unison. The central stabilizer may reside on a distinct delivery wire, enabling independent control of proximal and distal capture members and the central stabilizer. The proximal capture member may comprise a furrowed delivery wire to enable retraction of at least a portion of the central stabilizer within the proximal capture member.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying stents with proximal and distal apices includes a guidewire catheter, a nose cone assembly, a proximal capture portion and a stent graft with proximal and distal stents. The nose cone assembly is at the distal end of the guidewire catheter and includes a nose cone and a distal capture portion. The proximal capture portion is proximal to the distal capture portion of the nose cone assembly. The proximal stent is releasably secured to the distal capture portion and the distal stent is releasably secured to the proximal capture portion. The stent graft can be deployed by releasing the proximal stent and the distal stent from proximal and distal capture portions of the delivery system.

Abstract: A microdebrider comprising: (a) a handpiece; (b) an interchangeable tip connected to the handpiece; (c) an outer tune rotatably connected to the interchangeable tip, the outer tube including an outer tube window; (d) an inner tube extending at least partially through the outer tube, the inner tube including an inner tube window; (e) a lock selector connected to the inner tube; and (f) a bias device; wherein the bias device is movable, and upon movement of the bias device into contact with the lock selector the inner tube is immobilized so that the inner tube window is aligned with the outer tube window, aligned with a wall of the outer tube, or in a condition therebetween.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes a handle and a central shaft that extends distally from the handle. The central shaft includes a distal end portion supporting a balloon. The central shaft also supports a cervical cup. An occluder shaft is slidably supported on the central shaft. A non-inflatable plug is secured to the occluder shaft and configured to move with the occluder shaft as the occluder shaft slides along the central shaft.

Abstract: Devices for removing clot material from a blood vessel lumen and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A clot retrieving device may include, for example, an elongated shaft, a capture structure, a cover, and a connector coupled to the elongated shaft proximal of the capture structure. The connector may include an inner band and an outer band, wherein (a) the inner band at least partially surrounds a portion of the distal zone of the elongated shaft, (b) the outer band at least partially surrounds the inner band, and (c) the first portion of the cover is secured between the inner band and the outer band.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanically-actuated tool for cutting a tissue graft having a hollow core and methods for use thereof. A portion of a biological structure, such as a nerve, is attached to the hollow core to form an implantable neural graft assembly. The tool has a cutter mechanism and a grasper mechanism. The grasper mechanism has one or more component(s) that open and close via an actuation mechanism, like a handle, and rotate via a controller component, like a rotatable wheel. The cutter mechanism may be a cutting tube component that harvests the tissue graft. The tool may also have an ejector mechanism to remove the tissue graft as part of the implantable neural graft assembly. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for treating neuromas and other neural regeneration procedures.

Abstract: Suturing techniques and sutures capable of reducing the incidence of incisional herniae, including but not limited to subcutaneous surgical sutures performed after laparotomy. Such a suture includes a circular suture having at least first portions that are within a first region of tissue of a suture area that further contains rows of puncture sites aligned approximately parallel to an incision on opposite sides of the incision. The first region of tissue is located between the rows of puncture sites and surrounds the incision, and the first portions of the circular suture extend along the rows of puncture sites. The suture further includes a continuous suture in the suture area that penetrates the puncture sites and traverses the incision. The circular suture disperses stresses induced by tension in the continuous suture to inhibit tearing of tissue at the puncture sites.

Abstract: A medical apparatus that includes a distal member, a needle disposed in the distal member and proximally advanceable from the distal member, and a needle capture portion positioned proximal to the distal member and which includes a through-hole to direct the needle from the needle capture portion towards a graspable member at a trajectory narrower than a trajectory of the needle from the distal member to the needle capture portion.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes a base having a first opening, and a first protrusion next to the first opening, a first rotary member configured for detachably coupling to a component of the medical robotic system in a manner such that the first rotary member is rotatable relative to the base and at least a part of the first rotary member is located in the first opening of the base when the first rotary member is coupled to the system component, and a cover coupled to the base, wherein the first rotary member comprises a first end, a second end, a body extending between the first and second ends, and a flange disposed circumferentially around a part of the body, the flange having a first circumferential slot for receiving the first protrusion.