Abstract: A steerable overtube assembly for a robotic surgical system can include a steerable shaft having one or more instrument channel and a control hub configured to mount to the steerable shaft. The assembly can also include a manual actuator extending from the control hub and configured to allow the steerable shaft to be manually steered by a user's hand, and a robotic actuator housed by and/or extending from the control hub configured to connect to a robotic driver to allow robotic steering of the steerable shaft.

Abstract: A method of replacing a native heart valve utilizing a support structure comprising a first fastener, a second faster, a first leaflet brace, and a second leaflet brace. The first leaflet brace is configured to be advanced over a first guide wire to be adjacent to a portion of a first native leaflet. The second leaflet brace is configured to be advanced over a second guide wire to be adjacent to a portion of a second native leaflet. The first fastener and the second fastener are configured to be advanced over the first and second guide wires to respectively engage with first and second ends of the first leaflet brace and the second leaflet brace. A replacement heart valve is deployed within the native heart valve, thereby capturing the first and second leaflets between the support structure and the replacement heart valve.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removal of an occlusion from a lumen in a patient's body is provided. The clot removal device has a lumen, an elongated member positioned within the lumen and extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end of the lumen, a handle attached to the proximal end of the lumen, a first expandable member positioned along a length of the elongated member, a second expandable member positioned along the length of the elongated member, wherein the second expandable member is distal to the first expandable member relative to the handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved vascular occlusion device having improved flexibility and retention of the type fabricated from braided tubular metal fabric having an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a catheter to a treatment site and shaped to create an occlusion of an abnormal opening in a body organ or vessel, the woven metal fabric having a memory property whereby the medical device tends to return to said expanded preset configuration when unconstrained. The device further including at least one disk portion adjacent a body cylindrical portion formed from the fabric and having a transition diameter between the disk and cylindrical portion, significantly smaller than the diameter of the disk and the diameter of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a medical device includes an occluder portion and an anchor portion. The occluder portion includes a hub that defines an axis, the occluder portion extending between a proximal end coupled to the hub and a distal end defining an occluder eyelet adjacent thereto. The anchor portion extends between a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to an anchor hub and the second end defining an anchor eyelet adjacent thereto and hingeably coupled to the occluder eyelet. With this arrangement, the anchor hub is moveable along the axis to move the anchor portion between a retracted position and a deployed position upon the occluder portion being in an expanded position.

Abstract: A blood filter extraction system for extracting a blood filter from within a blood vessel. The system includes an extraction wire, or plurality of such wires, positioned within an elongated tubular member. A plurality of extraction wires coupled to the distal end of the extraction member each include a hook for engaging filter members. Alternatively, the extraction wires may be one or more wires configured in a helical shape which engage filter members when the extraction member is rotated. The system may also include an elongated tubular member with the distal end having a conical shape. To extract a filter, the extraction wires are then pushed out of the tubular member and into the filter members. The extraction member is then withdrawn or rotated so the wires engage and draw in the filter members, after which the catheter is pushed over the conical portion of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cart having a vertical adjustment element configured to adjust a distance between the platform and a ground supporting the cart, the cart defining a surface for supporting an arm of the patient. The apparatus includes a manipulation device including a plurality of motors each configured to operably couple to a different one of a needle, a catheter, and a guidewire to selectively advance one or more of the needle, the catheter, and the guidewire, and a robotic arm having a first end mounted to the cart and a second end coupled to the manipulation device, the robotic arm having a plurality of segments joined together via a plurality of joints such that the robotic arm can be moved to position the needle, the catheter, and the guidewire for insertion into a target vessel in the arm.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to robotic medical instrument systems. Such a system can include first and second medical instruments. The first medical instrument can include an instrument base and an elongate shaft extending from the instrument base, and a robotic drive input. The first medical instrument may include an instrument inlet. The second medical instrument may include an instrument base and an elongate shaft that extends through the instrument inlet. The second medical instrument can include a robotic drive input that is coupled to a rotating element in the second medical instrument. The robotic medical instrument system can include a robotic arm that has first and second robotic drive outputs. The first robotic drive output can drive the robotic drive input of the first medical instrument, and the second robotic drive output can drive the robotic drive input of the second medical instrument.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members, each including a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each proximal flange defines an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members and includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position.

Abstract: System for inserting a self-expandable occluder into a patient and for releasing the occluder in the left atrial appendage of the patient, the system including an insertion unit which has a drive unit and an insertion catheter having an outer tube and an inner tube extending through the outer tube, wherein a proximal end region of the occluder is movement-coupled to the outer tube, and wherein a distal end region of the occluder is movement-coupled to the inner tube.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for detecting a position of an object with a robot surgical system having an articulable, separable camera stand. The surgical robot system may include a robot having a robot base with a robot arm and an end-effector coupled to the robot arm. The end-effector, surgical instruments, the patient, other objects, or any combination thereof, may be tracked via active and/or passive tracking markers. A camera, such as an infrared camera, a bifocal camera or a stereophotogrammetric infrared camera, is mounted on a separable camera stand and is able to detect the tracking markers when in use. Using the camera, the robot determines a position of the object from the tracking markers, which may be a three-dimensional position of the object or the markers. When convenient, the camera base may be assembled into the robot base, e.g., by sliding the camera base into the robot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex surgical device for carrying out an anastomosis in the intestine including: a—a protective device (5) comprising an anchor element consisting of a stent (1) and a flexible outer sheath (2), and b—an introducer (10) comprising at least a first deformable guide tube (12), characterized in that the downstream end of said outer sheath is connected to said first guide tube (12) or to a first connecting piece (11), said outer sheath (2) being folded inside said first deformable guide tube (12), said stent being held in radial compression inside said first deformable guide tube.

Abstract: An epidural space is cleared of fat and scar tissue in preparation for implantation of a medical lead by utilizing a clearing tool. The clearing tool has an outer body and an inner body present within a lumen of the outer body. The outer body may be malleable and have a pre-set deflection or may be flexible and achieve deflection when being inserted into the epidural space. Once in the epidural space, the inner body is extended distally from the lumen of the outer body such that a distal tip on the inner body extends further into the epidural space to provide clearing to the target site without requiring further ingress of the outer body. The inner body is retracted and the clearing tool is removed. The medical lead is then inserted through the window and cleared epidural space until reaching the target site.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for manually and robotically driving a medical instrument. For example, a system can include a handle configured to receive an elongated shaft of a medical instrument. The handle can include a gripping mechanism for selectively engaging the elongated shaft, and an articulation input and configured for receiving user inputs of commanded articulation of the elongated shaft. The system can include an instrument drive mechanism configured to engage a base of the medical instrument. The instrument drive mechanism can include at least one robotic drive output configured to engage a robotic drive input of the base to cause articulation of the elongated shaft based on the user inputs received at the articulation input, and a first connector configured to removably couple the instrument drive mechanism to an instrument positioning device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosures made herein are directed to devices, apparatuses, systems and methods for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of imaging devices used with robotic systems. Devices, apparatuses, systems and methods in accordance with the disclosures made herein provide a lens cleaning device configured to perform one or more cleaning events to remove contaminating matter from an imaging element (e.g., lens) of an imaging device (e.g., a laparoscope). In preferred embodiments, such devices, apparatuses, systems and methods are adapted specifically for facilitating in-vivo cleaning of an imaging element of imaging devices that are used with robotic surgical systems. Advantageously, embodiments of such robotic surgical system implementations enable a surgeon to readily resolve sub-optimal visualization of the surgical field during robotic (e.g., laparoscopic) surgical procedures.

Abstract: A control device and a control method of a master-slave system and the master-slave system are provided. A control device, which controls an operation of a master-slave system, includes a control unit that applies, to a control system of the master-slave system, a restraint force corresponding to an operation in a desired translational or rotational direction by the master. The control unit applies, to the control system, the restraint force according to a difference between a current position or posture of the master and a reference value of a position or posture to be restrained. The control system controls the master-slave system, for example, by a bilateral control method or a unilateral control method.

Abstract: A tissue resecting instrument includes a drive assembly coupled to an inner cutting shaft and configured to drive translation and/or rotation of the inner cutting shaft, a trigger coupled to the drive assembly and configured for manual actuation to drive the drive assembly, a vacuum generator configured to generate vacuum to suction cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator, and a tissue collection cartridge configured to engage the housing. The tissue collection cartridge defines a port configured to communicate with the vacuum generator such that the vacuum generator urges cut tissue from the vacuum generator through the port into the tissue collection cartridge. The tissue collection cartridge may include at least one histological agent disposed therein, may include a fill indicator configured to indicate a fill level of tissue within the tissue collection cartridge, and/or may include a latch configured to seal the port closed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft, an expandable dilator, and at least one ventilation pathway. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis and comprises a distal and proximal ends with at least one shaft lumen. The expandable dilator comprises body with its own proximal and distal ends. The body is configured to transition between a contracted state and an expanded state. The body is configured to dilate a Eustachian tube of a patient in the expanded state. The at least one ventilation pathway is configured to provide ventilation from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body when the body is in the expanded state. In some examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a set of transversely oriented vent openings formed through the shaft. In some other examples, the ventilation pathway comprises a space defined between one or more radially outwardly protruding features of the expandable dilator.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus includes a sheath assembly, a tip, and a handle assembly. The sheath assembly includes an inner core tube, a push tube surrounding and receiving the inner core tube, and a sheath surrounding and receiving the push tube and capable of moving axially relative to the push tube. The tip is connected to the distal end of the inner core tube. The handle assembly is connected to the proximal end of the sheath. A tube cavity channel for the inner core tube to extend through is provided within the push tube. A guide wire channel also is provided in the push tube. A limiting mechanism is provided on the tip and is used for being detachably connected to a guide wire extending through the guide wire channel.

Abstract: A multi-basket clot capturing device that includes a distal basket connected to a wire. The distal basket may be positionable distal of the clot and operable to capture a distal portion of a clot. A proximal basket may be connected to a hypotube that is slidably axially connected to the wire. The proximal basket may be positionable proximal of the clot and operable to capture a proximal portion of the clot. A cage can form between the proximal and distal baskets around multiple portions of the clot for capturing the clot. Sliding the wire distally, or microcatheter proximally, relative to the clot causes the distal basket to move from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The cage may be around at least two portions of the clot that are opposed.