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: An electrosurgical forceps comprising: (a.) a pair of working arms comprising; (i.) a first working arm and a second working arm, each of the first working arm and the second working arm having an inner surface; (ii.) one or more electrodes located on the inner surface of the first working arm, the second working arm, or both; and (b.) a selectively engageable activation system comprising; (i.) a control unit; (ii.) an activation switch; and (iii.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure with a surgical tool assembly includes inserting a surgical tool into a passage of a patient. The surgical tool can include a main unit and a first rigid sheath. The main unit includes an inner tube that is received within an outer tube. The first rigid sheath removably receives the main unit. The surgical tool can be removed from the passage of the patient, and the first rigid sheath can be completely removed from the main unit. A second rigid sheath having a different shape from the shape of the first rigid sheath can then be removably attached to the main unit instead of the first rigid sheath.

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 surgical device comprising: a closure assembly including: (a) a movement unit including: a bar that moves in a direction of a prescribed motion; (b) a latch unit including: (i) a latch plate including a hook latch that selectively receives the bar, the latch plate being movable in the direction of the prescribed motion between (A) a lockable state where the hook latch is engageable by the bar of the movement unit, and (B) an unlockable state where the bar does not reach the hook latch or the hook latch is moved out of alignment with the prescribed motion so that the hook latch is not engaged by the bar; and (ii) a stop that restricts movement of the movement unit relative to the hook latch.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprising: forceps including: (i) a first working arm having a contact surface and (ii) a second working arm having a contact surface; wherein the forceps has a first electrical configuration where the contact surface of the first working arm and the contact surface of the second working arm are substantially opposite each other so that the contact surfaces of the forceps can be used to grip an item between the working arms and so that the forceps is configured to deliver a first therapy current through the first working arm, the second working arm, or both; and wherein the forceps has second electrical configuration where the contact surface of the first working arm and the contact surface of the second working arm are askew relative to each other and an electrode edge is formed on at least one side of the forceps so that a second therapy current extends from the electrode edge.

Abstract: A lithotripter is provided that includes a lithotripsy apparatus for treatment of a urinary tract stone by fragmentation. The lithotripsy apparatus includes a lithotripsy wave guide shaft configured to transmit an energy form to at least one urinary tract stone. The lithotripter includes a sensing device configured to provide signal data for determining optimal application of energy during treatment with the lithotripsy apparatus. The lithotripter includes a processor configured to collect the signal data and provide feedback to a user. The processor has a control logic configured to determine at least one of: a) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a tissue; b) if the lithotripsy wave guide shaft is in contact with a stone; c) type of stone; d) if a user is applying force in excess of a predetermined threshold; and e) physical characteristics of a stone. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical tool can include a handle, an outer tube, an end effector, an inner tube, and a guide tube. The outer tube can be connected to the handle and can extend along a longitudinal axis. The end effector can be connected to the outer tube. The inner shaft can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner shaft can be connected to the end effector and the outer shaft. The handle can be operable to translate the inner shaft with respect to the outer tube to operate the end effector. The guide tube can be located within the outer tube between the handle and the end effector. The guide tube can include a conduit extending therethrough.

Abstract: A sheath includes a sheath body, an inflow port at a proximal end of the sheath body, an outflow port at the proximal end of the sheath body, and a plurality of radially expandable flexible members which extend along a length of the sheath body. The plurality of radially expandable flexible members are attached to the sheath body at a plurality of anchor points along the length of the sheath body. The plurality of radially expandable flexible members expand during active fluid inflow. The radially expandable flexible members are spaced apart along the sheath body to define one or more isolated spaces that extend between adjacent radially expandable flexible members when the radially expandable flexible members are inflated within a body passage.

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: An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for determining advancement of a surgical laser fiber in an endoscope and providing interlocking feedback for the surgical laser are disclosed. An exemplary method includes directing light from a distal end of an endoscope to a target, optically detecting an amount of the light reflected from the target, transmitting the optically detected amount of light through a laser fiber extending through a working channel of the endoscope, determining, based on the optically detected amount of light, a position of a distal end of the laser fiber relative to the distal end of the endoscope, and generating a control signal to the surgical laser system to adjust laser emission through the laser fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a needle to facilitate suturing, such as in surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame configured to counter-rotatably support two generally parallel rollers. A first roller supported by the frame has a flat surface configured to rollably engage a first face of a shaft of a helically-shaped needle. A second roller supported by the frame has a grooved surface defining a helical groove is configured to at least partially receive a second face of the shaft. The second roller further defines a correcting recess bounded by lateral surfaces at a forward end of the groove that tapers to a width of the groove at the forward end. When the leading end is received into the correcting recess, at least one of the lateral surfaces engages and guides the leading end into the forward end of the groove.

Abstract: A surgical device for cutting bone or tissue in a patient can include a cutting blade having a rigid portion, a flexible portion, and a liner to provide a seal to the flexible portion. The blade has an outer member and an inner member disposed within a lumen of the outer member. The inner member has a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The liner can be disposed within a lumen of the inner member and can engage the rigid portion such as to retain the liner adjacent to the flexible portion of the inner member.

Abstract: A medical device for capturing one or more stone fragments includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket operable with the handle. The basket includes a plurality of wires that capture the stone fragments and has a collapsed configuration when the basket is positioned within the sheath and an expanded configuration when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath. The medical device further includes an indicator that communicates to an operator of the medical device that the size of the stone fragments exceeds a predetermined limit and a release mechanism that releases the stone fragments from the plurality of wires when the size of the stone fragments exceeds the predetermined limit. The plurality of wires are able to reset into an operable position after releasing the stone fragments.

Abstract: Provided is a medical device comprising an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member having a distal end and an open window disposed at the distal end, a first electrode and/or a second electrode disposed at the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a cannulated plunger or armature or shaft configured to drive the inner tubular member to cut tissue in cooperation with the open window of the outer tubular member. The first electrode and the second electrode may be configured to provide RF energy needed for a surgical operation and may be configured to be substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical along a longitudinal axis of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

Abstract: Medical devices including a housing, an actuator, a body having a passageway extending through the body, a drive shaft extending through the passageway, and a clip coupled to the body and the drive shaft to fix the body relative to the drive shaft. The medical device further including features to couple the clip to at least one of the body and/or the drive shaft such that back out of the clip is inhibited.

Abstract: A plug comprising: a plurality of pins or a plurality of sockets; a body portion housing the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets and the body portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets; a connection section connected to the body portion and extending from the body portion at an obtuse angle; and a cord connected to an end of the connection section; wherein the body portion and the connection section are connected at a joint and the joint includes a sub-flush radius on an underside of the joint.

Abstract: An effector includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end. The effector holds a plug or closure at the distal end of the tubular body; an active electrode at the distal end of the body; an insulator on the body; and one or more return electrodes on the insulator. The body dissipates heat generated by the one or more return electrodes from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body.