Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.

Abstract: Augmented reality (AR) systems and methods involve an interactive head-mounted device (HMD), an external display, and a medical image computer, which is in communication with the HMD and the external display. The external display displays one or more planes of a medical image or a 3D model provided by the medical image computer. A user wearing the HMD may manipulate a medical image or 3D model displayed on the external display by focusing the user's gaze on a control object and/or a portion of a medical image or 3D model displayed on a display of the interactive HMD.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A folded surgical buttress configured to overlie each of the tissue contacting surfaces of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured to retain the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. The surgical buttress having a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion, and middle longitudinal portion between the first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the middle longitudinal portion is folded and configured to fit within the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate.

Abstract: A surgical buttress attachment assembly includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body and a cartridge tip, and a surgical buttress. The cartridge tip includes a distal buttress attachment assembly including a block body disposed within a cavity defined in the cartridge tip and a distal tongue extending distally from the block body. The block body is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A proximal end portion of the surgical buttress is releasably secured to the cartridge body and a distal end portion of the surgical buttress is releasably secured to the cartridge tip by engagement of the distal tongue with the distal end portion when the block body is in the extended position.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an end effector and a handle assembly operably coupled to the end effector. The end effector includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly pivotally coupled to one another. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge, a cartridge carrier, and a strain gauge. The cartridge carrier includes an elongated support channel configured to receive the staple cartridge, the elongated support channel defined by an inner first surface and a pair of inner second surfaces. The inner first surface includes a recess defined therein, and the strain gauge is disposed within the recess. The handle assembly includes a power-pack configured to receive sensor data from the strain gauge of the end effector and to control a function of the end effector in response to the sensor data.

Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.

Abstract: A method for powered surgical stapling instrument rotation adjustment includes measuring a change in position of a first motor shaft of the surgical stapling instrument relative to a stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft resulting from manual rotation of an adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument in relation to a handle assembly of the surgical stapling instrument, determining a distance traveled by a first drive assembly of the adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument resulting from the change in position of the first motor shaft, comparing the determined distance traveled to a first stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft, determining if the compared distance falls into a predetermined acceptable range of rotation positions, and adjusting the position of the drive shaft if the compared distance is not within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Illustrated and described is an anastomotic device for forming anastomoses, in particular of intestine anastomoses, with an introducer sheath for insertion into a body lumen, wherein a thrust bearing part is provided for the head section and within the head section an extendable and retractable knife and a retaining pin are arranged. According to the invention at least the actuating part and the head section of inter-connected fluid supply channel and at the head section at least one fluid outlet connected with the fluid supply channel are provided for producing a fluidic connection between the actuating part and the head section while inserting the head section into the body lumen and/or when pushing the introducer sheath into the body lumen, in which the fluidic connection is configured for discharging an inflation liquid into the body lumen.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: An airway management device is provided that may adjust the inflation level of a cuff associated with an endotracheal tube. The cuff inflation may be adjusted in response to an increase in carbon dioxide levels above the cuff, which may indicate a poor seal of the cuff against the tracheal walls, as well in response to a measured intracuff pressure. By using information about the seal quality of the cuff together with information about the cuff pressure, the inflation of the cuff can be adjusted to minimize cuff inflation pressure while maintaining a high quality tracheal seal.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus comprises a handle assembly, an actuation shaft having a connector, and a retraction mechanism positioned within the handle assembly. The retraction mechanism includes a motor coupled to a transmission shaft, a first gear rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft, the first gear configured to engage a second gear, a clutch operatively attached to the second gear, a main shaft rotatably connected to the clutch, and a pulley coupled to the main shaft, the pulley being operatively attached to the connector. The connector and the pulley may be attached via a cable. The retraction mechanism may include a spring motor for maintaining the cable in tension. The spring motor may have a spring element wrapped around and interconnecting at least two arbors.

Abstract: A microwave antenna having a curved configuration is described herein. The antenna portion is formed into various shapes whereby the antenna substantially encloses, by a partial or complete loop or enclosure, at least a majority of the tissue to be irradiated. When microwave energy is delivered through the antenna, the curved configuration forms an ablation field or region defined by the curved antenna and any tissue enclosed within the ablation region becomes irradiated by the microwave energy. The microwave antenna is deployed through one of several methods, and multiple curved antennas can be used in conjunction with one another. Moreover, RF energy can also be used at the distal tip of the antenna to provide a cutting tip for the antenna during deployment in tissue.

Abstract: A gastric tube for use in a bariatric procedure includes an elongate tube and a cannulated plug coupled to the elongate tube. The elongate tube has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongate tube defines a lumen along a length thereof. The proximal end portion defines an opening in communication with the lumen. The elongate tube includes a blunt tip and an outer surface. The blunt tip is formed on the distal end portion. The outer surface defines a side opening in communication with the lumen. The cannulated plug includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured for connection to a vacuum source. The distal end is configured for removable receipt in the opening of the proximal end portion of the elongate tube to control a flow of one of aspiration and irrigation through the lumen.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device is provided and includes a handle assembly including a handle housing and a trigger operatively connected to the handle housing, and a drive mechanism actuatable by the trigger; and an endoscopic assembly selectively connectable to the handle assembly. The endoscopic assembly includes an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough and having a helical thread disposed within the lumen thereof; an inner tube rotatably supported in the outer tube and being operatively connectable to the drive mechanism, the inner tube defining a splined distal end, wherein the splined distal end of the inner tube is defined by a pair of opposed longitudinally extending tines and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending channels; and a plurality of surgical anchors loaded in the splined distal end of the inner tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to detect the light, and a memory chip having a built-in trimmed resistor, the trimmed resistor having a resistance value that is detectable by a monitor.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an actuating device including an elongated shaft. A tool assembly is disposed on a distal end of the shaft. The tool assembly includes a first jaw member supporting a cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical fasteners, and a second jaw member supporting an anvil. The first jaw member is movable in relation to the second jaw member between a spaced position and an approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cantilever at a proximal end thereof. A firing cam bar assembly is slidably disposed within the tool assembly and includes a cam surface configured to engage the cantilever to move the first and second jaw member towards the approximated position and a distal end configured to deploy the plurality of surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to sterile packaging kit of components to be used to clean an area of a patient's skin, and more particularly to a sterile kit for cleaning a patient's skin area in the surgical field, following a surgical procedure. The kit, in its most basic form, comprises an outer envelope containing at least one dry towel and at least one wetted towel in its own pouch, separated from the dry towel. The kit may further include a heating element which efficiently transfers heat to the wetted towel. The cleaning kit may also provide sterile bandages for use in covering closed surgical incisions, after postop cleaning of the skin the surgical field, using the wetted and dry towel of the kit.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a radio frequency waveform and a sensor circuit configured to measure a property of the radio frequency waveform during a predetermined sampling period to determine whether an arc event has occurred. The generator also includes a controller configured to determine a total charge and/or total energy deposited by the radio frequency waveform during the predetermined sampling period associated with the arc event. The controller is further configured to adjust the output of the electrosurgical generator based on at least one parameter to limit arcing.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly includes a pair of opposing jaw members configured to grasp tissue therebetween, at least one jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to seal tissue disposed between jaw members during a sealing process. At least one of the jaw members includes an activator configured to selectively impart mechanical perturbations to the at least one jaw member during the sealing process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to display features that facilitate observation of monitored physiological data. According to certain embodiments, a monitoring system may include a monitor capable of receiving data related to the physiological parameters and storing data related to the parameters. The monitor may include a microprocessor configured to determine a blood pressure baseline from the data and to establish an alarm sensitivity for blood pressure based on the blood pressure baseline. The alarm sensitivity may comprise a first tier, a second tier, a third tier, and a fourth tier, and each tier may correspond to a blood pressure range. The alarm sensitivity may relate to an acceptable percent shift of the blood pressure from the blood pressure baseline, and the acceptable percent shift for at least one of the tiers is different from the acceptable percent shift of another one of the tiers.