Abstract: A rotation adapter for a minimally invasive surgical apparatus is disclosed. The rotation adapter has a proximal journal and a distal journal. The rotation adapter also has a rotation index coupled between the proximal and distal journals. The rotation adapter further has an actuator input wherein the actuator input comprises a keyed slot and an effector output.

Abstract: A surgical instrument guide assembly includes a main guide portion that includes a shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a body portion extending along the longitudinal axis, and a proximal end of the shaft portion is disposed at a distal end of the body portion. The main guide portion further includes a first lumen and a second lumen that each extends along the longitudinal axis from a proximal end at a proximal end of the body portion to a distal end at a distal end of the shaft portion. A seal portion is coupled to the proximal end of the body portion of the main guide portion, and the seal portion includes a first port and a second port formed in a seal wall of the seal portion. The seal portion is selectively displaceable from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A modular surgical apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is a modular incision apparatus. The modular incision apparatus may be used in a minimally invasive surgery. The modular incision apparatus includes a base having a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, a proximal opening, and at least one slide guide. The modular incision apparatus includes visual and cleaning access to the blade. The modular incision apparatus is suitable for safely, efficiently, and accurately making small incisions during surgical procedures. The modular incision apparatus provides a means of making small incisions of controlled depth, while reducing the chances of inadvertent exposure of surgical staff to sharp instrument.

Abstract: A dock for a surgical equipment holder is disclosed. The dock for a surgical equipment holder includes a base having a central arm mount and a lower clamping jaw. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes an upper clamp jaw movably coupled to the base. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central docking arm coupled to the central arm mount and a central ball cup coupled to the to the central docking arm. The dock for a surgical equipment holder also includes a central attachment nut coupled to the central ball cup. The central attachment nut may include an extendable moment arm, and the dock may also include a ball coupled between the central ball cup and the central attachment nut and a surgical equipment holder attached to the ball.

Abstract: A retractor assembly includes a retractor body assembly includes first and second primary retractor blade assemblies and first and second secondary blade assemblies that each have a base portion and a blade portion. The base portions of the blade assemblies may be connected to form a ring, and the ring may be inserted into an incision formed in a patient. The blade portions of the blade assemblies may then be folded towards and secured to a ring assembly, with the blade portions retracting tissue around the incision.

Abstract: A vascular clamp assembly includes a first arm assembly that is pivotably coupled to a second arm assembly. The first arm assembly includes a first pulley disposed in a first recess, and the second arm assembly includes a second pulley disposed in a second recess. A coupling member extends from a portion of the first arm assembly, the coupling member including a cylindrical portion having a first channel and a second channel extending along a portion of the cylindrical portion, and each of the first and second channels is configured to receive a portion of an engagement rod of a delivery device to secure the coupling member within a securement portion of the delivery device in one of at least two possible orientations. A portion of suture contacts each of the first and second pulley to displace the vascular clamp assembly from an opened position to a closed position.

Abstract: A mechanical suture fastener includes a crimpable sleeve defining a channel therein. The crimpable sleeve also has a sleeve length, a channel diameter, and a sleeve length to channel diameter ratio of at least 4.0. The mechanical suture fastener also includes a flange joined to the crimpable sleeve on a distal end of the sleeve. The flange further includes a distal opening which is in communication with a proximal opening defined by the crimpable sleeve. The mechanical suture fastener also includes an inner flange radius of at least 0.007 inches.

Abstract: A suturing device for minimally invasive surgery is disclosed. The suturing device has a head defining one or more ferrule holders and a tissue bite area. The device also has a first needle comprising a flywheel portion and one or more curved arms extending from the flywheel portion, each of the one or more curved arms comprising a ferrule engaging tip, wherein the first needle is pivotably coupled to the head. The suturing device further has a first actuator coupled to the first needle and configured to rotate it from a retracted position, where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms starts away from the one or more ferrule holders, through the tissue bite area, and to an engaged position where the ferrule engaging tip of each of the one or more curved arms is operationally aligned with the one or more ferrule holders.

Abstract: A medical device assembly includes a hinge rod having a first portion and a second portion, and a pedestal is coupled to the second portion of the hinge rod, the pedestal having a top surface, and portions of the pedestal cooperate to define a trough that is configured to hold a first portion of a vessel on the top surface of the pedestal. A retainer is movably coupled to the pedestal, and the retainer has a planar member having a lower surface configured to oppose the top surface of the pedestal. A joint member is coupled to the hinge rod, and a clamp assembly is releasably coupled to the joint member such that when the clamp assembly is in a locked configuration, the hinge rod is not repositionable, and when the clamp assembly is in an unlocked configuration, the hinge rod is repositionable.

Abstract: A suture fastening assembly includes a central hub having a base portion having an aperture that extends therethrough and a base securing surface that extends along a base securing ramp extending along an axis that forms an acute angle with an axis of the central hub. The assembly also includes a locking collar configured to be coupled to the central hub, the locking collar including a collar securing ramp having a collar securing surface that extends along a collar ramp axis forming an acute angle with the hub axis. When a segment of suture is disposed through the aperture of the base portion and when the locking collar is secured to the central hub, a first portion of the suture is engaged by portions of the base securing surface and a second portion of the suture is engaged by portions of the collar securing surface.

Abstract: A cassette is disclosed for use in a prosthetic suturing device. The cassette has a base. The base has a pair of pivots, a pair of alignment tabs, and at least one retention latch. The cassette also has a cover coupled to the base. The cover has at least one retention latch. The cover also defines one or more ferrule holders. The cassette further has one or more needles guided by the base and the cover. A surgical suturing device is also disclosed for use with a cassette. The suturing device has a cassette receiver and one or more needle drivers, each needle driver having a needle receiver positioned within the cassette receiver.

Abstract: A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed. The device for cardiac surgery includes an aortic root retractor frame, an introducer, and one or more suture locking apparatuses. The device for cardiac surgery also includes an actuator for releasing the aortic root retractor frame, as well as a deployment mechanism for fully expanding the aortic root retractor frame. Multiple suture locking apparatuses used for releasable locking and unlocking of suture during a cardiac surgery procedure may be included in the device for cardiac surgery.

Abstract: A cardiac retractor is disclosed. The cardiac retractor has an outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a fixed collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed link fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has an inner tube rotatable within the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed key coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube and configured to rotate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a keyed link coupled to a distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

Abstract: A suture security device is disclosed. The suture security device also includes a latch, a plate, and an actuator coupled to the latch and operable to move the latch away from the plate. The suture security device may also include a first latch array, a second latch array, a plurality of plates, a first actuator coupled to the first latch array and operable to move the first latch array away from the plurality of plates, and a second actuator coupled to the second latch array and operable to move the second latch array away from the plurality of plates.

Abstract: A device includes a selection lever pivotably coupled to a housing, a shaft coupled to the housing, and a distal end assembly coupled to the shaft. When the selection lever is in a first position and an actuation lever is pivoted from a first position to a second position, a tip of the first needle extends from a first position across a first tissue bite area to a second position in which the tip is disposed within a first ferrule recess of a receiver portion of the distal end assembly. When the selection lever is in a second position and the actuation lever is pivoted from the first position to the second position, a tip of the second needle extends from a first position across a second tissue bite area to a second position in which the tip is disposed within a second ferrule recess of the receiver portion.

Abstract: A surgical sizer sound, comprising an actuatable shaft. The surgical sizer sound also comprises an angled shaft coupled to the actuatable shaft. The surgical sizer sound also comprises a sizer coupler comprising a guide tip and a limit, pivotably coupled to the angled shaft and a sizer, removably coupled to the sizer coupler.