Abstract: Disclosed herein is ureteral stent. The ureteral stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle portion. The proximal end includes a retention feature having a coiled shape. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The middle portion is between the proximal end and the distal end.

Abstract: A method of treating a calculi mass can include using an ultrasonic probe to produce acoustic energy and fragment the mass. The method can include varying the frequency at which fragmentation occurs to treat the mass with a resonant frequency. The ultrasonic probe can have a distal tip for contact with the mass, where the tip has a morphology for concentrating stress on the mass. The ultrasonic probe can have two or more ultrasonic horns to allow for higher voltage and power levels.

Abstract: Medical devices include a ground link, a first actuator pivotably coupled to the ground link and a first movable element operatively coupled to the first actuator by a linkage. The linkage including: the ground link; a second link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; a fourth link that is pivotable with respect to the ground link; and a third link having a main body extending from a first portion to a second portion and a blocking tab extending away from the main body. The medical device further including a second actuator operatively coupled to the ground link, the second actuator having a blocking surface including a blocking tab that is positioned to engage with at least a portion of the blocking surface of the second actuator to limit movement of the second actuator until the first actuator is at least partially actuated.

Abstract: An endoscope can include a substantially rigid elongate body. A visualization channel can extend through the elongate body. An elongate viewing instrument that can advance distally and retract proximally through a visualization channel of the elongate body. The elongate viewing instrument can include a distal portion that is pre-biased to assume a curved shape when the distal portion is unconfined. The distal portion can curve when the distal portion is advanced distally to exit the visualization channel and can straighten when the distal portion is retracted proximally to enter the visualization channel. A distal end of the elongate viewing instrument can further include a light port that is configured to illuminate a target and provide an image of the illuminated target.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining a distance between a distal end of an endoscope and a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. A surgical laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer and a controller. The feedback analyzer can receive at least two reflected signals from a target in response to electromagnetic radiation directed at the target. The at least two reflected signals correspond to respective different distances between a distal end of a device of a surgical laser system and the target. The feedback analyzer can determine a distance between the distal end of the device of the surgical laser system and the target based on the at least two reflected signals. The controller can generate a control signal to the surgical laser system to perform a predetermined operation based on the determined distance.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising a first arm carrying at least a first and optionally a second and third electrode, and a second arm opposing the first arm, the second arm carrying one of a nonconductor element or one or more conductive elements.

Abstract: A medical device for performing a hysterectomy is provided. The medical device has a tissue incision assembly that includes a first cup nested within a second cup. The tissue incision assembly also includes a spacer assembly between the first cup and the second cup in order to maintain a spacing between the first and second cups. The tissue incision assembly also has a cutting implement that has a portion extending between, and movable with respect to, the first and second cups. The cutting implement can provide a circular cut guided via the spacing between the first and second cups.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a rigid medial section and flexible lateral sections.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an introducer and a sensor. The introducer is configured to be inserted into a body cavity through a constricted channel. The introducer includes a predetermined section. The sensor is configured to generate a signal while the predetermined section of the introducer is located inside of the body cavity.

Abstract: A knob locking assembly for a laparoscopic medical device is provided. The knob locking assembly includes a lock configured to engage the knob locking assembly with a drive tube housing of the laparoscopic medical device in extended and retracted positions where the knob locking assembly rotates but does not translate with respect to the drive tube housing when engaged. The knob locking assembly also has a biasing member that provides a biasing force for biasing the lock in each of the extended and retracted positions to lock out longitudinal translation of the rotatable drive assembly when the knob locking assembly is engaged with the drive tube. In addition, the knob locking assembly includes an actuator to counter the biasing force for disengaging the lock to permit longitudinal translation of the rotatable drive assembly via the knob locking assembly when disengaged.

Abstract: A therapy device comprises a shaft extending between proximal and distal portions, a surgical instrument located at the distal portion, a handpiece located at the proximal portion, a treatment end located at the distal end of the surgical instrument that can apply photodynamic therapy (PDT). The treatment end includes an applicator to apply a photosensitizer to a surface of a target tissue and a light emitter that can emit generated phototherapeutic light to activate the photosensitizer to ablate target tissue. A method for providing PDT to the target tissue includes inserting the therapy device into the patent, applying the photosensitizer and phototherapeutic light to a surface of the target tissue, and removing the device from the patient.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a movement unit configured to be connected to a movable member, the movement unit including: (i) one or more bars; (ii) one or more bar biasing members in communication with the movement unit and moving the one or more bars; (b) a latch unit configured to be connected to a ground member, the latch unit including: (i) one or more hook latches that selectively receive the one or more bars, and (ii) one or more latch biasing members in communication with the one or more hook latches to selectively move the one or more hook latches; wherein all or a portion of the latch unit is movable relative to the ground member and all or a portion of the movement unit is movable relative to the movable member, and the latch unit and the movement unit are movable relative to each other when the latch unit and the movement unit are in contact.

Abstract: A tissue removal device, and methods of using the same, are described. An exemplary detachable, handheld tissue removal device comprises a hand piece and a blade assembly removably attachable to the hand piece. The blade assembly includes a rotatable resection member driven to rotate and surgically remove tissue from a target tissue site, and a coupling assembly including a locking member to detachably couple the blade assembly to the hand piece and operatively enable or disable the rotation of the blade assembly relative to the hand piece. The rotation of the blade assembly causes a change in rotating angle of the blade assembly. The coupling assembly can secure the rotating angle of the blade assembly during the tissue resection procedure.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first support member extending along a longitudinal axis; a bladder located on the first support member; a first sealing member located on the bladder; and a second sealing member located on the bladder. The sealing member is located on one side of the longitudinal axis; and the second sealing member is located on another side of the longitudinal axis. The bladder is inflatable, and inflating the bladder changes a position of the first sealing member, the second sealing member, or both relative to the first support member.

Abstract: A device having a hub assembly and a lever coupled with the hub assembly is provided. The device includes a sheath coupled with the lever and extending from the hub assembly. The sheath has a surgical elevator with a surgical elevator edge along with a hypotube having an access hole. The device has a shaver blade assembly with an outer shaft having an outer blade and an inner blade within the outer blade. The outer shaft has a stop and an access hole near the outer and inner blades. The sheath partially surrounds the outer shaft and the lever moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surgical elevator edge abuts the outer shaft stop and the outer shaft access hole aligns with the hypotube access hole. In the second position, the surgical elevator edge is spaced apart from the outer shaft stop.

Abstract: A surgical needle comprising: (a) a sensor; (b) a distal tip with the sensor being located at the distal tip; (c) a needle advancing mechanism that is adjustable to change an insertion depth; and (d) a control unit in communication with the needle advancing mechanism; wherein the sensor provides a signal to the control unit regarding a thickness of a feature of interest and the control unit controls the insertion depth based upon the signal from the sensor so that the insertion depth into the feature of interest is varied or the control unit prevents the needle advancing mechanism from activating.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sheath configured to be at least partially inserted into a body of a patient, the sheath having a distal end and a proximal end; a housing coupled to the proximal end of the sheath; and a control mechanism operably coupled to the housing and slidable to move the sheath relative to the housing. The control mechanism includes a locking mechanism for locking the control mechanism in place relative to the housing; a deflection mechanism for articulating a distal end of the sheath; and a saddle slidable relative to the locking mechanism and the deflection mechanism. A device is coupled to the saddle and is extendable from and retractable within the sheath.

Abstract: A surgical device, such as a debrider, can include an elongated inner shaft that is movable within an elongated, hollow outer shaft. An actuator can controllably impart movement to a proximal portion of the inner shaft. A cutting element, located at a distal portion of the inner shaft, can move with the inner shaft. The outer shaft can expose the cutting element as the inner shaft moves. The inner shaft can include a flexible inner shaft portion. A plurality of bearings, located between the inner shaft and the outer shaft along the flexible inner shaft portion, can space the flexible inner shaft portion with respect to the outer shaft as the inner shaft moves. The plurality of bearings can help reduce friction between the inner shaft and the outer shaft and help maintain concentricity of the inner shaft and the outer shaft.

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: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.