Abstract: A suture suspension system including a flexible backstop extending along a longitudinal axis and having two ends positioned in a first direction in an undeployed configuration. A length of suture can be positioned through the flexible backstop and forms a bridge connecting and creating suspension between a first body to a second body. In a deployed configuration, the two ends of the flexible backstop are positioned in a second direction different from the first direction. The system may also include an anchoring body having the length of suture woven therethrough. A portion of the anchoring body is positioned on a distal surface of a second body and a portion of the flexible backstop is positioned on a proximal surface of the first body.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an access port for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity of a patient includes a proximal housing portion. The proximal housing portion includes, a central lumen providing instrument access to the surgical cavity and an engagement housing operatively associated with a proximal end of the proximal housing portion and having a circumferential engagement area formed therein that is adapted and configured to releasably accept a grasping member of a surgical robot. An elongated tubular body portion extends from the proximal housing portion in communication with the central lumen.

Abstract: A suture passer device for passing a length of suture through an object. The suture passer device includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and a curved distal tube portion extending to a distal end. The suture passer device also includes a handle attached to the proximal end of the hollow tube, an actuator on the handle movable between first, second, and third positions, and an internal arm within the curved distal tube portion and connected to the actuator. The internal arm is movable between first, second, and third configurations. When the actuator is in the first position, the internal arm extends out from the distal tube portion at an angle from the distal tube portion in the first configuration. When the actuator is in the second position, the internal arm is retracted within the distal tube portion in the second configuration.

Abstract: A scissor style vessel sealer having a first shaft interconnected to a first jaw by a pivot plate that pivotally couples the first shaft to the first jaw by the pivot and also by a spring that is secured at one end to the first shaft and an opposing end to the pivot plate at a location offset from the pivot and a second shaft connected to a second jaw and pivotally coupled to the first jaw by the pivot. The first shaft and the second shaft are then pivotable from a jaws open position to a jaw closed position. Any further application of force results in the first shaft pivoting relative to the first jaw so that the additional force is not transmitted to the jaws. The first shaft pivoting relative to the first jaw may actuate a button associated with the second shaft.

Abstract: A force limiting apparatus for a surgical instrument to prevent too much force being applied to the jaws of the instrument. The instrument has a body with a drive shaft coupled to a pair of jaws, a bearing tube secured to the drive shaft, and a pair of tracks carrying a pivot pin that is biased into one end of the track. A lever is coupled to the pivot pin and abuts the bearing tube to move the bearing tube and close the jaws when squeezed by a user. If the lever is over actuated, the pivot pin will slide along the track against the bias of the spring assembly with the lever pivoting about the bearing tube rather than the pivot pin. As a result, the additional movement of lever does not result in any addition force being transmitted to the drive shaft via the bearing tube.

Abstract: A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Abstract: A coating for an electrosurgical electrode to reduce the potential for sticking of tissue. The coating is an elastomer containing a plurality of diamond particles having an average diameter of between diameter of 0.5 and 500 nanometers and that comprise between 0.1 and 25 percent by weight of the coating. The coating may be formed by reducing a silicone dispersion with xylene, adding the plurality of diamond particles, and agglomerating the plurality of diamond particles through sonification and then applied to the device. The coasting may also be formed by reducing a silicone dispersion with xylene, adding the plurality of diamond particles, and agglomerating the plurality of diamond particles through sonification, and then applied to the device by plasma enhanced vapor deposition.

Abstract: A system for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure in a surgical cavity of a patient that includes a gas delivery device configured to deliver a flow of pressurized gas to a gas delivery lumen extending therefrom, a gaseous sealing module communicating with a distal end of the gas delivery lumen and configured to generate a gaseous seal within a gas sealed lumen extending therefrom, and an access port communicating with a distal end of the gas sealed lumen so as to provide sealed instrument access to the surgical cavity and maintain a stable pressure within the surgical cavity.

Abstract: An electrode pad with a defibrillation circuit and a separate ECG tracing circuit. The electrode pad includes a foam base layer, first and second conductive layers, and a hydrogel layer. The foam base layer has a first side and the first conductive layer is centrally located on the base layer. The first conductive layer has a first circuit configured to provide a defibrillation current. The second conductive layer extends at least partially around the first conductive layer on the first side of the base layer. The second conductive layer has a separate second circuit configured to receive an electrical signal. The hydrogel layer covers the first and second conductive layers on the first side of the base layer. The electrode pad additionally includes an electrical connector attached to the first and second conductive layers. The electrical connector is configured for providing a voltage to the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A wire driver for inserting a wire into bone. The wire driver includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, with a handpiece extending to the proximal end. The handpiece is connected to a gripping portion, which extends to the distal end. A channel extends through the gripping portion and is connected to a gripping mechanism. A drive mechanism within the handpiece is connected to the channel. The drive mechanism is configured to rotate the channel when actuated by a first actuator positioned on the handpiece (which can be on the distal end of the handpiece). A second actuator is connected to the gripping portion and the gripping mechanism. The second actuator is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position. The user can operate both first and second actuators with the same handpiece grip. The gripping portion and second actuator are rotatable relative to the housing and first actuator.

Abstract: A suture anchor driver with a tensioning mechanism. The suture anchor driver has a handle with a proximal end and a distal end. The handle has a recess with a shaft extending centrally therefrom. The suture anchor driver has a detent ring and a spool. The detent ring has a central aperture and one or more projections. The spool has a central aperture and is rotatable between first and second configurations. The spool has a plurality of protrusions extending from its side. The shaft extends through the central apertures in the detent ring and spool such that the projections of the detent ring are adjacent the protrusions extending from the spool. In the first configuration, one of the projections extends between two of the protrusions. In the second configuration, one of the projections is aligned with one of the protrusions.

Abstract: A system for a medical device that can operate multiple actuated implements with sophisticated and individual motion profiles using a single user actuator. The system has a handle having a pair of slots for each implement and an actuator positioned in the handle for movement between a first position and a second position that has a groove for each implement. Each implement is coupled to the handle a barrel that is captured in the pair of slots and driven by the groove of the actuator. The shape of the pair of slots and the corresponding groove combine to provide a motion profile for the implement that is independent from any other implement having its own pair of slots and groove. Multiple implements may thus be driven simultaneously and can have complex and coordinated movement based on user operation of the single actuator.

Abstract: A gas sealed access cap for a robotic cannula is disclosed which includes a housing defining an interior cavity that supports an annular jet assembly for receiving pressurized gas from an inlet port of the housing, wherein the annular jet assembly is adapted to generate a gaseous sealing zone within the robotic cannula to maintain a stable pressure within the surgical cavity of a patient during the performance of a robotically assisted laparoscopic surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. Also disclosed is a bone anchor that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be attached to apertures in the anchor top or else compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the spreader relative to the anchor body attach suture material. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor body or anchor base to attach to or clamp suture material there between.

Abstract: A cannula seal assembly with a compatible flexible cannula. The cannula includes a rigid cannula body having proximal and distal body ends. The cannula body is composed of material having a first thickness. A flexible thread extends along at least a portion of the cannula body from the distal body end toward the proximal body end. The thread is composed of material having a second thickness, which is less than a first thickness. The cannula is attachable to a cannula seal assembly. The assembly includes a housing having a primary seal and a secondary seal therein. The assembly has a spacer connected between the primary seal and the secondary seal and a reservoir between the primary seal and the secondary seal.

Abstract: A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Abstract: A medical positioning apparatus including a telescopic member extending between first and second ends and having an adjustable length; a support member for receiving an object; a base member securable to a base; a first joint mechanism movably securing the support member to the first end of the telescopic member; a second joint mechanism including a housing with a top portion directly rotationally connected to the second end of the telescopic member, and at least one side portion directly rotationally connected to the base member and movably securing the base member to the second end of the telescopic member, a locking device operatively connected to the first and second joint mechanisms and the telescopic member, the locking device operable between a locked position and a released position; and a lock activation device to unlock the locking device biased in the locked position.

Abstract: A microfracture device for creating small holes in a bone. The microfracture device includes a handle having a body extending along a central longitudinal axis with a proximal end and a distal end; a shaft connected to the distal end of the body, the shaft having a distal tip; wherein the distal tip extends at first angle relative to the central longitudinal axis; a sliding mechanism slidably engaged with a surface of the body and moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and wherein the sliding mechanism further comprises a striking surface extending therefrom, wherein the striking surface is positioned at a second angle to the central longitudinal axis that is at least substantially similar to the first angle.

Abstract: A gas circulation system is disclosed for performing robotically assisted surgical procedures in a surgical cavity of a patient, which includes a multi-lumen tube set including a dual lumen portion having a pressurized gas line and a return gas line, and a single lumen portion having a gas supply and sensing line, a valve sealed access cap for cooperative reception with a first robotic cannula and having an inlet path for communicating with the gas supply and sensing line of the tube set, and a gas sealed access cap for cooperative reception with a second robotic cannula and having an inlet path for communicating with the pressurized gas line of the tube set and an outlet path for communicating with the return gas line of the tube set.

Abstract: A fluid pump system having a first fluid pump for pumping fluid from a source to a surgical site and a second fluid pump for removing fluid from the surgical site at a first predetermined rate, wherein the fluid pump system intermittently operates in conjunction with a surgical tool which, when operational, removes fluid from the surgical site at a second predetermined rate greater than the first predetermined rate; a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter of the surgical tool and providing an output signal indicating that the surgical tool is operating; and an actuating means responsive to the output signal to actuate the second fluid pump to remove fluid from the surgical site at the second predetermined rate.