Abstract: A medical device that includes a hand piece; a beam fiber; and a beam disperser located at a distal end of the beam fiber through which beam energy is dispersed. The beam disperser includes one face, or a plurality of substantially planar faces through which the beam energy is dispersed.

Abstract: An improved drive shaft for controlling an end effector of surgical instrument having advantages over the prior art, specifically, the drive shaft includes two separate elongate elements, each including a flange at its proximal end for restricting the lateral movement of the drive shaft when installed within an outer shaft of the instrument. The dimensions of the flanges are such that they fit within the outer shaft with minimal clearance. This allows the drive shaft to be moved longitudinally within the outer shaft to actuate an end effector whilst minimizing any lateral movement. This consequently prevents the end effector from tilting as it is actuated. The drive members are arranged so that the flanges extend in opposite directions perpendicular to the length of the drive shaft. This helps to improve ease of assembly and provides space within the outer shaft for features such as connection wires and the like.

Abstract: A colpotomy device for performing a hysterectomy is provided. The device includes a flexible drive tube having a proximal end and a distal end and bendable therebetween. The device also has a rotatable cutting implement at the distal end of the flexible drive tube at a specified offset from a bendable longitudinal axis of the flexible drive tube. Furthermore, the device includes couplings located within the flexible drive tube and rotatable about the bendable longitudinal axis of the flexible drive tube. The couplings can be in a series that includes inter-coupling joints and transmits a rotational force between the proximal and distal ends of the flexible drive tube through a variable angle between the couplings. The variable angle can correspond to bending of the drive tube in order to drive rotation of the cutting implement at the specified offset about the axis of the flexible drive tube.

Abstract: A method of treating diverticulitis while maintaining the bioactivity of the diverticulum. The devices and methods include placing an endoscopic device within a colonic lumen relative to at least one diverticulum and inserting a plurality of particles into the at least one diverticulum. The plurality of particles can include magnetic particles, non-magnetic particles, or both. The plurality of particles can partially or totally occlude the diverticulum preventing unwanted material from entering the diverticulum. Additionally, the plurality of particles can include antimicrobial and therapeutic layers that can treat diverticulitis and prevent or minimize diverticulitis from occurring.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for coupling devices. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a locking body defining an opening with a first section having a first width and a second section having a second width smaller than the first width. The locking body is slidably mountable on a first device with a first coupling to receive a second coupling having a flange with a width that is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width. A slidable mounting mechanism slidably secures the locking body on the first device. The locking body slides between an open position, in which the first section is positionable to enable the first coupling to receive the second coupling, and a closed position in which an edge of the locking body around the second section abuts the flange to prevent withdrawal of the second coupling.

Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a jaw, a blade, and a tongue. The jaw can include a grip surface defining a slot. The blade can be configured to reciprocate along the slot between an extended position and a retracted position. The tongue can be connected to the jaw where at least a portion of the tongue can be located proximal of the grip surface to guide the blade into the blade slot when the blade moves from the retracted position into the blade slot.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing scan data of a lung and presenting a lung candidacy report. The lung candidacy report includes determinations represented visually of whether lung lobes are suitable candidates for a bronchoscopy guided lung volume reduction procedure. The lung candidacy report includes emphysema values and fissure integrity determined from the scan data.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling advancement of a sheath or a catheter at a distal end of an endoscope. An exemplary apparatus includes a flexible sheath that receives a medical device within an internal lumen and is received within a working channel of an endoscope. The apparatus also includes a component that is at least one of external or internal to the sheath. The component causes a change in longitudinal motion friction of the sheath above a predefined threshold amount as the sheath moves relative to an exit ramp of the endoscope.

Abstract: A medical device includes a hollow tubular connector having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end configured to be connected to a suction port of a surgical cutting device, and the second open end configured to be connected to a source of pressurized air, the hollow tubular connector including a first seal located proximate the first open end and having a first diameter, the first seal being configured to sealingly accommodate a tubular shank, of a first diameter, of a blade of the surgical cutting device.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as forceps including a handpiece having a housing and an inner shaft that extends out of the handpiece along a longitudinal axis to transfer motion to an end effector. The inner shaft being rotatable with respect to the handpiece. An outer shaft that is rotatable with respect to the housing is boated around the inner shaft. The medical device further including an end effector coupled to the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The outer shaft rotationally constrained to the inner shaft at a first longitudinal location and at a second longitudinal location.

Abstract: A forceps includes jaws, a first shaft having a first slot, a second shaft extending along the first shaft and having a second slot, and a rod that extends along the second shaft. The rod has a third slot including a locking portion and a guide track portion. A pin extends through the first slot, the second slot, and the third slot to prevent deployment of the rod when the pin is in the locking portion and to permit deployment of the rod when the pin is in the guide track portion. A first actuator produces relative movement of the first and second shafts to move the jaws relative to each other and move the pin from the locking portion to the guide track portion of the third slot. A second actuator produces movement of the rod to deploy the rod when the pin is in the guide track portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid management assembly. The fluid management assembly includes a handpiece, a slider based fluid control mechanism, and a fluid occluding member. The slider based fluid control mechanism housed in the handpiece. The fluid occluding member is configured to be in communication with the fluid control mechanism. The fluid occluding member being separate from the handpiece.

Abstract: A ureteral stent is provided. The stent may include a first section having a first wall defining a first luminal section. The stent may further include a second section having a second wall defining a second luminal section. The second section can be enabled to substantially close at times external pressure is applied to the stent.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: A medical instrument having an aspiration needle, handle device and an actuation force limiter. The actuation force limiter provides an active or passive force release mechanism that keeps the force from overpowering operation of the needle.

Abstract: A medical device includes an outer tubular member, a middle tubular member received within the outer tubular member, an inner tubular member received within the middle tubular member, and an engagement gear, wherein the inner tubular member is configured to be rotatable in one direction while the middle tubular member is configured to be simultaneously rotatable in an opposite direction through the engagement gear while the outer tubular member is configured to be stationary relative to both the middle tubular member and the inner tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to controlling electrical power of an electrotherapeutic signal that is provided to a biological tissue engaged by an electrosurgical instrument during a medical procedure. Electrical power—a product of a voltage difference across and an electrical current conducted by the engaged biological tissue—is controlled according to a therapeutic schedule. The electrotherapeutic schedule can be reduced or terminated in response to a termination criterion being met. In some examples, the termination criterion is a current characteristic, such as, for example, a decrease in current conducted by the engaged biological tissue. In some examples, the termination criterion is a biological tissue resistance characteristic, such as, for example, an increase in the biological tissue resistance that exceeds a predetermined delta resistance value.

Abstract: System and methods for controlling a laser light source of a lithotripsy device to fragment or break a target object are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a controller that can perform one or more iterations of a first process, and one or more iterations of a second process. The first process includes steps of selecting at least one variable operating parameter of a laser light source of a lithotripsy device, determining a value of each of a plurality of base settings of the at least one variable operating parameter selected and selecting one of the plurality of base settings based on signals received from the target in response to laser irradiation according to the value of each of the plurality of base settings set. The second process includes controlling the laser light source based on the one of the plurality of base settings selected.

Abstract: A reverse retropulsion device can include a lithotripter, a collection passage, and an energy directing device. The lithotripter can be configured to deliver energy to tissue located at a tissue forming region. The collection passage can be positionable at or near the body lumen. The energy directing device can be positionable near the lithotripter and the collection passage. The energy directing device can be configured to propel the tissue toward the collection passage.

Abstract: A device for placing a lung in a variety of different inflation states using positive air pressure. An exemplary device includes a housing and an air supply component. The housing includes a platform receives at least one of a synthetic lung or a real lung. The platform is at the same air pressure as a surrounding environment. The air supply component is located within the one or more internal cavities of the housing. The air supply component inflates the synthetic lung or the real lung with positive pressure.