Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a surgical instrument, the actuator includes an upper portion configured to be actuated by one or more fingers, wherein the upper portion has an upper distal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a first mode of operation, and an upper proximal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a second mode of operation, and wherein the upper distal portion and the upper proximal portion have different respective tactile configurations for informing the user of the first and second modes of operation, respectively.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a jaw assembly having a first jaw that includes a support structure with an opening, an electrically insulative material disposed on the support structure, and an operative element for applying energy to tissue, wherein the electrically insulative material extends through the opening of the support structure to thereby secure the electrically insulative material to the support structure.

Abstract: A training system that allows a user to practice performing movements commonly performed during an endoscopic vessel harvesting surgical procedure includes a manipulation device representative of components of a vessel harvesting device. The manipulation device includes a first tool having a main handle configured to be grasped by a user and a second tool having an auxiliary handle including a shaft inserted through an opening in the main handle. The training system also includes a video display and a controller in electronic communication with sensors of the manipulation device and the video display. The controller is configured to: receive and process signals from the sensors of the manipulation device to determine movement information for the manipulation device and cause at least one visual indication to be provided on the video display at a position on the video display based, at least in part, on the determined movement information.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscopic vessel harvesting system comprising a direct current (DC) power control system connected to a therapeutic tool comprising a heating element. The DC power control system may include an input connection to receive power from a power supply. A first power control circuit may supply constant output power during a first time interval to heat the heating element to a target temperature. A second power control circuit may supply pulsed output power during a second time interval to maintain a temperature of the heating element within a target temperature range. An output connection may receive the output power and may supply controlled power to the heating element by supplying the constant output power during the first time interval, the pulsed output power during the second time interval, followed by a third time interval during which no power is supplied. Methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for harvesting an organ includes a surgical tool and a handle. The handle includes an actuator rotatable about an actuator pivot pin and a cam connected to the actuator and rotatable in tandem with the actuator. The surgical instrument further includes an actuator rod having a distal end connected to the surgical tool and a proximal end connected to the cam. The cam defines a slot which captures a portion of the actuator rod. The portion of the actuator rod captured in the slot is slidable within the slot as the cam rotates. Sliding of the portion of the actuator rod in the slot actuates the surgical tool.

Abstract: A vessel harvesting device includes a handle and a cannula assembly extending distally from the handle. The cannula assembly includes an outer tube having a flange, and at least one insert extending within the outer tube. The at least one insert defines a tool path configured to receive a surgical tool therethrough, a scope path configured to receive a surgical scope therethrough, and an insufflation channel. The device further includes a cannula gasket disposed within the flange of the outer tube and defining a plurality of apertures each in alignment with one of the tool path, the scope path, and the insufflation channel. The device further includes an insufflation tube extending from the handle through cannula gasket and the insufflation channel.

Abstract: A biological tissue monitoring system has control circuitry programmed or configured to monitor an impedance of biological tissue. The control circuitry is programmed or configured to receive or determine an impedance measurement of the biological tissue in response to power delivered to the biological tissue at a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of time points, and adjust or cause to be adjusted the power delivered to the biological tissue at a subsequent time point based on the impedance measurement at the plurality of frequencies and the plurality of time points.

Abstract: A surgical implant comprising a receiver member and deployment member for clamping and sealing tissue of variable thickness, a corresponding applicator tool and surgical system for connecting, sealing, fastening and/or attaching tissue to itself, to other tissue and/or to non-tissue structures, and/or sealing the flow of fluid at and/or between structures such as tissue and vessel structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting a vessel from a body, includes: a cannula having a dissector for advancing along the vessel to create a tunnel, the dissector having a transparent portion; and an energy tool moveably coupled to the cannula, wherein the energy tool is configured to separate a pediculated vessel having at least a segment of the vessel and a pedicle around the segment of the vessel from surrounding tissue, and wherein at least a part of the energy tool is visible through the transparent portion of the dissector during use of the energy tool.

Abstract: A biological tissue monitoring system has control circuitry programmed or configured to monitor an impedance of biological tissue. The control circuitry is programmed or configured to receive or determine an impedance measurement of the biological tissue in response to power delivered to the biological tissue at a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of time points, and adjust or cause to be adjusted the power delivered to the biological tissue at a subsequent time point based on the impedance measurement at the plurality of frequencies and the plurality of time points.

Abstract: A woven prosthesis, such as a woven vascular graft, woven from warp and weft yarns. Velour warp yarns forming the prosthesis are selectively incorporated into a base layer of the prosthesis so as to provide a bulbous section without compromising the porosity of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An epicardial clip for reshaping the annulus of the mitral valve of a heart includes a curved member having an anterior segment configured to be positioned in the transverse sinus of the heart, a posterior segment configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the heart, such as on or inferior to the atrioventricular groove, and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The lateral segment includes a curve such that the first end of the member is positioned at or above the plane of the mitral valve and the second end of the member is positioned at or below the plane of the mitral valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting a vessel from a body, includes: a cannula having a dissector for advancing along the vessel to create a tunnel, the dissector having a transparent portion; and an energy tool moveably coupled to the cannula, wherein the energy tool is configured to separate a pediculated vessel having at least a segment of the vessel and a pedicle around the segment of the vessel from surrounding tissue, and wherein at least a part of the energy tool is visible through the transparent portion of the dissector during use of the energy tool.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tubular structure having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the body includes a lumen for housing at least a part of an imaging device, and a fluid delivery channel that is fixed in position relative to the body, and an opening that is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery channel, wherein the fluid delivery channel has a first portion, and a second portion that forms an angle with an axis of the first portion.

Abstract: Components for an endoscopic vessel harvesting system suitable for harvesting target vessels such as the saphenous vein or radial artery for cardiac artery bypass graft surgery. The main components of such systems include a vessel dissector and a vessel harvester, both of which work in conjunction with a separately provided endoscope. The vessel dissector is an elongated cannula having a blunt tip for separating layers of facial around vessels. The tip may be movable, and is typically transparent to permit viewing forward of the tip using the endoscope. Internal features of the tip may reduce glare back to the endoscope. Several devices improve visibility through the tip by reducing interference from tissue or fluid on the tip. The vessel harvester also has an elongated cannula for receiving the endoscope. Several tools within the harvester permit manipulation, severing, and sealing of vessels forward of the distal end.

Abstract: A biological tissue monitoring system has control circuitry programmed or configured to monitor an impedance of biological tissue. The control circuitry is programmed or configured to receive or determine an impedance measurement of the biological tissue in response to power delivered to the biological tissue at a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of time points, and adjust or cause to be adjusted the power delivered to the biological tissue at a subsequent time point based on the impedance measurement at the plurality of frequencies and the plurality of time points.

Abstract: An epicardial clip for reshaping the annulus of the mitral valve of a heart includes a curved member having an anterior segment configured to be positioned in the transverse sinus of the heart, a posterior segment configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the heart, such as on or inferior to the atrioventricular groove, and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The lateral segment includes a curve such that the first end of the member is positioned at or above the plane of the mitral valve and the second end of the member is positioned at or below the plane of the mitral valve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.