Abstract: A surgical tool with an electric motor. The motor rotor includes a bore in which a number of magnets are disposed. Each magnet has an outer surface and two inner surfaces that extend inwardly towards a corner. One pole of each magnet is along the outer surface; the opposed pole is at the corner. The magnets are disposed in the rotor bore so that the corners of arcuately adjacent magnets have opposed magnetic polarities.

Abstract: A tissue removal device is disclosed. In one arrangement, the tissue removal device includes a cutting member operatively connected to an actuator assembly and a fixed member. The cutting member is configured to slide with respect to the fixed member in a reciprocating manner. The fixed member includes an upwardly extending foot plate that defines a contact surface that is configured with an uneven texture that serves as a grip to operatively retain material to be cut when the cutting member is moved toward the foot plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed in various methods, devices and systems relating to providing a balloon on a sheath in combination with orbital atherectomy in order reduce the number of steps in the procedure. In certain embodiments, the balloon comprises adjunctive low pressure balloon for prevention of vessel trauma during dilatation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a housing. An outer shaft extends from the housing. The outer shaft includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of first spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of first spaced-apart members configured to receive tissue therebetween. An inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and includes a bifurcated distal end having a pair of second spaced-apart members with an elongated slot extending therebetween. The pair of second spaced-apart members is configured to receive tissue therebetween. Each of the pairs of the first and second spaced apart members includes one or more electrodes thereon. The inner shaft is rotatable from an initial configuration for positioning tissue between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members to a subsequent configuration for compressing the tissue disposed between the pairs of first and second spaced-apart members.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices are used in procedures to removal spinal tissue and in other embodiments, similar devices are used to remove thrombus from blood vessel.

Abstract: A method for detaching an object from a patient includes providing a tool having a sheath, and a separating assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the sheath. The separating assembly includes a separator moveably coupled to a tip via a threadable connection. The separating assembly is placed near patient tissue that is attached to the object, the sheath is rotated to move the separator distal to the tip, and the separator is applied to the patient tissue that is attached to the object, so as to separate the tissue. A separating system includes a sheath, and a separator threadably coupled with a distal end of the sheath. The separator is adapted to switch between a first configuration where a separating means is deployed, and a second configuration where the separating means is undeployed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing tissue from a site in a hollow organ, where the device has a low crossing profile and is capable of removing tissue at a high rate of speed. The device includes an elongate outer tube with a side opening and an inner tube moveably coaxially positioned within the outer tube. Tissue drawn into the side opening can be severed by moving the inner tube across the opening. Tissue may be removed through the device at a rate of at least about 1.4 cc per minute, through a lumen having a cross-sectional area of no greater than about 12.02 mm. Cutting may be accomplished by rotating the inner tube at a speed of at least about 4000 rpm, and axially reciprocating the inner tube at a rate of at least about 1.5 cycles per second. The window may have a rho value of no more than about 1, and the outside diameter of the device may be no more than about 3 mm.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a rocker assembly configured to cause rotation of a surgical blade to form an incision. The rocker assembly includes a gear. The surgical tool also includes a ratchet configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The surgical tool further includes a linkage arm connecting the rocker assembly and the ratchet so that rotation of the ratchet causes rotation of the rocker assembly. In addition, the surgical tool includes a spring configured to be extended by the ratchet when the ratchet is rotated in the first direction. The spring is also configured to retract and cause the ratchet to rotate in the second direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drive shaft for a surgical handpiece including a first prong and a second prong, wherein the first prong and the second prong are asymmetric. A surgical handpiece and a method of coupling a surgical handpiece and a cutting tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical bur includes a body and a drill point. The body includes flutes and lands. Each of the flutes includes a cutting edge, a rake face, and a clearance surface. Each of the lands is convex-shaped and disposed between a pair of the flutes. The drill point includes axial relief surfaces. Each of the axial relief surfaces has a planar area, is distinct from the lands and borders (i) a distal portion of one of the cutting edges, (ii) one of the lands, and (iii) one of the clearance surfaces.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter having an inner drive shaft which rotates a distal rotary tissue borer with a helical cutting surface which enables the catheter to cut through and cross a CTO. Additionally, the atherectomy catheter has a distal cutting element rotated by an outer drive shaft configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The atherectomy catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting element and rotary tissue borer. The atherectomy catheter may include means to direct material cut from the treatment site into the collection chamber, means to break down larger portions of material that may block or clog the collection chamber and means of transporting the material collected from the treatment site to a proximal opening in the atherectomy catheter.

Abstract: Phase end point determination is provided to automatically halt the application of energy to tissue. Prior to the application of energy, the phase end point determination is identified by measuring the product of permittivity and conductivity of the tissue to be treated. An electrosurgical system can include an electrosurgical generator, a feedback circuit or controller, and an electrosurgical tool. The feedback circuit can provide an electrosurgery endpoint by determining the phase end point of a tissue to be treated. The electrosurgical system can include more than one electrosurgical tool for different electrosurgical operations and can include a variety of user interface features and audio/visual performance indicators. The electrosurgical system can also power conventional bipolar electrosurgical tools and direct current surgical appliances.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices for detection of pathogens or other microbes in an analyzed sample (e.g., food, industrial, pharmaceutical, botanical, environmental etc., sample). The inventive methods and devices provide for increasing the power of detection for pathogens on food surfaces, comprising increasing the number of independent, discrete samples taken during the sampling procedure. The inventive sampling device reduces sampling costs by minimizing time, material and product loss relative to prior art sampling techniques. In particular aspects, a novel surface sampling device for bulk solid foods is provided that operates to remove (e.g., shave) small pieces from contacted product (e.g., product pieces). The device comprises a sampling mechanism having utility to remove samples (e.g., cut slivers from) larger pieces of food or other sample materials. In particular embodiments, the device comprises a primary shaft member (e.g.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to device, systems, kits and methods that enable selective dissection of lung tissue to remove diseased tissue from healthy tissue without damaging blood vessels or airways. The invention and methods enable minimally invasive lung surgery procedures by providing a device and method to perform automated dissection that discriminates against traumatizing critical lung tissue.

Abstract: A fingernail drill has a drill bit and a tip which is capable of drilling through a thickness of a fingernail. The tip extends longitudinally outwards from an abutment integrally formed with the drill bit, and the drill cannot drill past the abutment. The distance from the abutment to a distal end of the tip is such that the drill can drill through the thickness of the fingernail but cannot damage tissue under the fingernail. A kit is provided that includes the fingernail drill and a dispenser for dispensing a substance through a hole drilled by the fingernail drill.

Abstract: A hand piece includes a main body, an impeller, an air supplier, an exhauster and an exhaust controller. The impeller is received by the main body and is rotated in the main body. The air supplier is disposed at the main body and supplies an air to the impeller. The exhauster is disposed at the main body and exhausts the air supplied to the impeller. The exhaust controller is inserted into the exhauster and controls the exhaust of the air based on an air pressure exhausted from the exhauster.

Abstract: Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

Abstract: A needle and receiver assembly for use with a syringe cartridge filled with medicine includes a cartridge receiver having a hollow interior, an open end sized for receiving at least part of the syringe cartridge, and a closed end opposite the open end. The assembly includes a needle mounted on the receiver having a fluid passage extending between a sharp delivery tip at a distal end of the needle and a sharp access tip at a proximal end of the needle opposite the delivery tip positioned inside the hollow interior of the receiver. The assembly includes a cutter movably mounted in the hollow interior of the receiver for movement relative to the receiver and the needle to cut the diaphragm of the cartridge when received in the hollow interior of the receiver.

Abstract: A surgical bur including a shaft with a bur head. A number of flutes are formed on the bur head. Each flute has a cutting edge. Chamfer surfaces form the front, distally directed faces of some of the burs. The flutes without chamfer surfaces having cutting edges emerge from the bur head at locations relatively close to the distal end tip of the head. The flutes over which the chamfer surfaces extend have cutting edges that start, extend proximally rearward, from locations that are, spaced proximal from the distal end tip.

Abstract: A rooter includes a rotatable element, an actuator for causing the rotatable element to rotate, and a coupling feature for rotatably coupling an elongate medical instrument to the rotatable element. The rotatable element may be at least partially contained within the interior of a housing or another element that remains substantially stationary as the actuator causes the rotatable element to rotate. The rooter may be used with a variety of elongate medical instruments, such as needles, drill bits, trocars, wires, catheters, tubes, and other elongate instruments that are used to enable or effect medical procedures within the body of a subject. The rooter may be used for a variety of purposes, including, without limitation, the introduction of an elongate medical instrument into the body of a subject or its removal from the subject's body; removing, breaking up, or eliminating obstructions (e.g., blood clots, plaques, etc.) from the body of a subject; and obtaining samples from a subject's body.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are presented by which certain surgical procedures normally done by powered surgical handpieces may be accomplished by powered arthroscopic handpieces, thus obviating the need to use powered surgical handpieces.

Abstract: A tissue disruption device (10) for deployment via a rigid conduit (100) includes a rotary tissue disruptor (12) insertable along the conduit with its axis of rotation (14) parallel to the direction of conduit elongation (16). An angular displacement mechanism allows selective displacement of the rotary tissue disruptor (12) such that the axis of rotation (14) sweeps through a range of angular motion. A rotary drive is linked to the rotary tissue disruptor so as to drive the rotary tissue disruptor in rotary motion while the rotary tissue disruptor is at a range of angular positions within the range of angular motion.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument including two coaxially arranged tubular members. The first tubular member has a cutting tip and is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member, which in turn has a cutting window to expose the cutting tip to tissue and bone through the cutting window. Movement of the tubular members with respect to each other debrides soft tissue and thin bone presented to the cutting window. The second (outer) tubular member has one or more features which contribute to reduced clogging of the cutting tip as a whole.

Abstract: An apparatus may be used to form an opening in a sinus wall. The apparatus comprises a first cutting member and a second cutting member. The first cutting member comprises a sharp tip and a helical blade. The second cutting member is slidably disposed about the first cutting member. The second cutting member comprises a sharp distal edge. An outer sheath is slidably disposed about the first and second cutting member. The sheath may be retracted to uncover the helical blade. The sharp tip may be used to pierce the sinus wall and the helical blade may be used to drive the first cutting member through the sinus wall. The second cutting member may be advanced over the first cutting member to form a circular opening in the sinus wall.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, a tool assembly, and an electrical energy source. The handle assembly includes an actuation knob. The elongate body extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. In particular, tool assembly is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and extends from a distal end of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive cutting element. The cutting elements are operatively coupled to the actuation knob. In particular, the cutting elements are movable between a first position in which the cutting elements are disposed within the respective jaw members and a second position in which the cutting elements extend out of the respective jaw members and are in general vertical registration with each other such that electrical energy can be transferred from the first jaw member to the second jaw member.

Abstract: A cochlear fenestration burr includes a shaft oriented along a longitudinal axis of rotation of the burr, a cylindrical depth stop member oriented along the axis, the depth stop member having a thickness dimension, a diameter dimension and a contact surface, an extension member extended outward from the contact surface and coaxial with the axis, a cutting member having a cutting surface supported by the extension member, and a cutting tip at the end of the cutting member in the center of the cutting surface and coaxial with the axis. A maximum cutting depth is defined by a distance along the axis between an end of the cutting tip and the contact surface. A cutting grit is disposed on the cutting tip and cutting surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for medical treating prostatic tissues are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes removing prostatic tissues adjacent the urethra and enlarging the lumen of the urethra, whereby the treatment conserves a natural wall of the urethra.

Abstract: A fingernail drill has a drill bit and a tip which is capable of drilling through a thickness of a fingernail. The tip extends longitudinally outwards from an abutment integrally formed with the drill bit, and the drill cannot drill past the abutment. The distance from the abutment to a distal end of the tip is such that the drill can drill through the thickness of the fingernail but cannot damage tissue under the fingernail.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue-removal devices and methods for treating spinal diseases using such devices. The tissue-removal devices may comprise a cable and/or extendable elements with a retracted and a deployed configuration. The cable and/or extendable elements may be distally supported and restrained by a support element such that the support element may be pushed transversely away when the extendable element is distally extended into its deployed configuration. An annular cutting element may be provided about the distal end of the extendable element or the support element. Various configurations of the extendable and support elements are described herein, as well as methods of using tissue-removal devices with extendable and support elements coupled by an annular cutting element for treating spinal diseases.

Abstract: A novel catheter is described. The catheter comprises a handle, an inner sheath providing an inner sheath lumen extending along a first length from a proximal inner sheath portion supported by the handle to a distal inner sheath portion connected to a cage gripper, and an outer sheath having a second length extending from a proximal outer sheath portion supported by the handle to a distal outer sheath portion connected to a cage housing. The inner sheath rotatably resides inside the outer sheath with the cage gripper rotatably housed inside cage housing. During a surgical procedure, a distal bridge portion of the inner sheath is connected to an opening in the lead sidewall with the lead received inside the cage housing. A gear knob is manipulated to cause the inner sheath to rotate with respect to the outer sheath so that the cage gripper is moved from an un-deployed position housed inside the cage gripper to a deployed position completely surrounding the lead connected to the distal bride.

Abstract: A catheter is provided, which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (1) is provided with a rigid probe (2), and cuts off the trabecular meshwork by inserting this probe (2) into the canal of Schlemm. An inner tube portion having a cutter is equipped inside the probe, and the trabecular meshwork sucked in from a hole portion (22) is cut off by the cutter due to the movement of the inner tube portion. A protection portion (21) is formed on the tip the probe (2) and protects the outer wall of the canal of Schlemm when cutting the trabecular meshwork. According to the invention, an ophthalmic surgical instrument for glaucoma patients is provided, the surgical instrument having excellent operability and preventing cutting of parts that should not be cut off without fail.

Abstract: Apparatus for resecting a diseased heart valve, the apparatus including: a body portion; a first handle and a second handle; a cutting blade; a set of retaining arms; a pass-off tool having a first attachment device configured to selectively engage the first handle attached to the body portion so as to allow placement of the second handle of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve, and a controller tool, having a second attachment device at the distal end thereof, the second attachment device configured to selectively engage the second handle attached to the body portion so as to allow positioning of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve, a cutting blade actuator configured to cause the cutting blade to selectively rotate, and a retaining arm actuator configured to selectively position the set of retaining arms from the contracted state to the expanded state.

Abstract: A lateral incision catheter device is described which has a first shell formed as a hollow semi-spherical surface of hard, rigid material with circumference approximately that of half a true circle, and having a longitudinal axis longer or shorter than that of a true circle, and the shell edge on each side of the longitudinal axis being a cutting surface, and with a first catheter passing through and being bonded to the first shell on the longitudinal axis of the first shell near the distal end of the first catheter and a second shell essentially the same as the first but slightly larger and bonded to the distal end of a slightly larger catheter so as to surround the first and having an opening on the longitudinal axis for the distal end of first catheter to enter and thus serve as the axis for both concentric shells.

Abstract: A tissue removal device may comprise a handle portion and a tissue removal mechanism coupled to the handle portion. The tissue removal mechanism may include a tubular member having a lumen therethrough and an elongate member rotatably and slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member. A proximal end of the elongate member may be coupled to a drive source to impart rotational movement thereof. A distal end of the elongate member may include an impeller for cutting tissue. The elongate member may be configured to exit the distal end of the lumen of the first tubular member, such that the distal end of the second tubular member is distal to the distal end of the first tubular member. The impeller may include a blunt distal end to minimize undesirable tissue damage when the distal end of the elongate member is distal to the distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument including two coaxially arranged tubular members. The first tubular member has a cutting tip and is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member, which in turn has a cutting window to expose the cutting tip to tissue and bone through the cutting window. Movement of the tubular members with respect to each other debrides soft tissue and thin bone presented to the cutting window. The second (outer) tubular member has one or more features which contribute to reduced clogging of the cutting tip as a whole.

Abstract: A dynamic sensing method and apparatus employs microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) surgical sensors for gathering and reporting surgical parameters pertaining to a drive mechanism of a surgical device, such as speed, rotation, torque and other characteristics of the surgical device. The surgical device employs or affixes the surgical sensor on or about a surgical device for detecting electromechanical characteristics during the surgical procedure. The surgical procedure disposes the medical device in the surgical field responsive to the drive mechanism of a shaver or other endoscopic instrument inserted in a surgical field defined by the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A remote control actuator includes a spindle guide section (3), a distal end member (2) fitted to the tip of the spindle guide section for alteration in attitude, a tool (1) provided rotatably in the distal end member, a tool rotation drive source (41) for rotating the tool, and an attitude altering drive source (42) for altering the attitude of the distal end member. The spindle guide section has therein a rotary shaft (22) for transmitting a rotation of the tool rotation drive source to the tool, and an attitude altering member (31) capable of being selectively advanced or retracted by the attitude altering drive source for altering the attitude of the distal end member. A position detector (47) is provided for detecting the advanced or retracted position of the attitude altering member at a site distant from the attitude altering drive source.

Abstract: The inventive technology describes to a novel surgical device having a high-speed rotating hollow cutting needle capable of longitudinally cutting, sampling, removing and/or coring targeted tissue pathologies as well as the efficient collection and/or disposal of said tissue pathologies. In particular, the inventive technology may be suitable for application on lesions near the skin, and/or pathologies internal to the body, and perhaps even especially for procedures performed in conjunction with image guidance, particularly active X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or ultrasound scans, where the presence of a large electro-magnetic field may impose significant constraints on the design and operation of mechanical mechanisms.

Abstract: A drill bit has a cylindrical proximal end coupled to a driving device with a central axis of rotation about which the proximal end rotates. A distal portion of the drill bit is a cutting device attached to the proximal end in such a way that it extends outside the periphery of the proximal end for a distance less than the entirety of the circumference of the proximal end. A guide wire extends through a passageway in the bit and is provided to create a pilot hole before the distal portion enlarges that hole. With this configuration of the cutting device, it is possible to position the cutting device in the distal portion in a direction facing away from the medial femoral condyle so that the proximal end of the drill bit can slide past the medial femoral condyle, with its axis of rotation much closer to that condyle than would be the case in prior art drill bits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tissue-removal devices and methods for treating spinal diseases using such devices. The tissue-removal devices may comprise a cable and/or extendable elements with a retracted and a deployed configuration. The cable and/or extendable elements may be distally supported and restrained by a support element such that the support element may be pushed transversely away when the extendable element is distally extended into its deployed configuration. An annular cutting element may be provided about the distal end of the extendable element or the support element. Various configurations of the extendable and support elements are described herein, as well as methods of using tissue-removal devices with extendable and support elements coupled by an annular cutting element for treating spinal diseases.

Abstract: A tissue treatment device comprises a housing having a chamber that receives a treatment fluid mixture of tissue morsels and a scaffold material. A debriding shaft including a plurality of cutters is coupled with the housing. The debriding shaft extends proximally within the chamber and extends distally from the end of the housing. The debriding shaft is inserted within a treatment site such as a fistula tract and is rotated and reciprocated such that the debriding shaft removes tissue cells along the site. The site is flushed with saline or other irrigating fluid followed by application of the treatment fluid mixture. The chamber of the housing comprises agitators positioned adjacent the debriding shaft. The treatment fluid mixture passes through the chamber of the housing along and between the outer surface of the debriding shaft and the agitators for thorough mixing before exiting the device at the treatment site.

Abstract: A tool for breaking a shaft has a first and a second tubular element, both provided with inner through bores adapted to receive a shaft in the tool. A first handle is fixedly connected with the first tubular element and the second tubular element is connected to a second handle. A bottom surface of the second tubular element forms a shearing plane with a neck surface of the first tubular element. A rotation between the two tubular elements shears the shaft at the shearing plane. The second handle turns the first tubular element around an axis and has a gear engaging the second tubular element for transmitting the rotation of the second handle into a rotation of the second tubular element. The drive element is mounted offset, in a direction of the longitudinal axis, from the gear.

Abstract: A surgical tissue cutting instrument comprises a tubular outer member, an inner member rotatably disposed within the outer member and having a cutting element, a handpiece, and an irrigation system. The irrigation system includes an irrigation channel composed of a first irrigation passage within the handpiece and a second irrigation passage within the thickness of the annular wall of the outer member, and a sleeve disposed over a front end of the handpiece and over the outer member adjacent an outlet opening of the second irrigation passage. The sleeve allows communication through the outlet opening of the second irrigation passage and an inlet port of the first passage. The inlet port is connectible with a source of irrigation fluid.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for forming a fistula between two vessels. In some instances, the fistula may be formed between a proximal ulnar artery and a deep ulnar vein. The fistula may be formed using an electrode, and may be formed with a first catheter placed in a first blood vessel and a second catheter placed in a second blood vessel. In some instances, access to the proximal ulnar artery may be achieved through a brachial artery, and access to the deep ulnar vein may be achieved through a brachial vein.

Abstract: A medical device for removing or manipulating tissue of a subject is provided with a distal housing having an end effector, and an elongate member configured to introduce the distal housing to a target tissue site of the subject. The elongate member may have proximal and distal portions interconnected by a joint mechanism that is configured to allow the two portions to articulate relative to one another. In some embodiments, the joint mechanism includes one or more nested crown gear(s) configured to drive associated spur gear(s) to accomplish the articulation. In some embodiments, the end effector is a powered scissors device.

Abstract: A flexible shaft to be received in a curved shank of a medical instrument has a hollow shaft having a wall with cuttings therein such that said hollow shaft can also transmit rotary forces in a curved state. Said hollow shaft has a proximal end for coupling to a drive mechanism of a medical instrument and a distal end on which a tool is arranged. In view of tension relief a body extending through an inside of said hollow shaft from said distal end to said proximal end is provided, said body is flexible but is axially inextensible and axially incompressible. In terms of pressure relief said distal end of said hollow shaft is provided with a limit stop which interacts with a limit stop on said medical instrument in such a way that a compression of said hollow shaft beyond a certain extend is blocked.