Abstract: Described is a surgical instrument and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence. The instrument includes a curved needle-like element defining in part a curved shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. A tape attaches to the needle for implanting into the lower abdomen of a female to provide support to the urethra. The needle defines an inner lumen for passage of optical devices and/or fluids. A surgical optical system may interface directly with the needle, or alternatively, the needle hand piece or handle may be modified to accept the optical system. The tip of the needle is also modified to contain a window or viewing port that allows for the transmission of light from the ambient target tissue into the imaging lens of the optical system. The optical system allows the surgeon to maintain continuous anatomic visualization during introduction and navigation of the needle within the lower abdomen.

Abstract: A laryngoscope, especially for introducing a tube into the trachea, comprises a laryngoscope spatula of substantially straight shape and a handle. The laryngoscope spatula is configured, at least in part, as a tubular hollow body, with a longitudinal opening, extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the laryngoscope spatula, formed laterally in the laryngoscope spatula.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body that allows it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

Abstract: A port device is insertable between the ribs of a patient and functions as an entryway for surgical instruments. The port device includes a tubular body having proximal and distal portions. The distal portion of the tubular body is coupled to a swivel adapted to be moved between a first orientation in which the swivel extends in substantially a same direction as the body, and a second orientation at an angle relative to, and preferably substantially perpendicular to, the first orientation. In the second orientation, the swivel engages the inside of the chest wall. The proximal portion of the tubular body has a clamping assembly which clamps the chest wall against the swivels to secure the port in its location. The port body can be anchored in a various angular positions.

Abstract: A heart stabilizer includes a shaft and two articulating arms coupled to a distal end of the shaft. At the end of each arm is a rotatable foot adapted to be angled relative to the heart wall contour and apply pressure against the wall of the heart to effectively eliminate motion of the heart wall between the feet. The stabilizer is adapted to provide a stabilized area sufficiently large to allow an accurate anastomosis to be performed. According to preferred aspects of the invention, the stabilizer is particularly adapted to be collapsible (foldable) to be inserted through the port device and locked longitudinally relative thereto. The stabilizer is also preferably adapted to be automatically deployed into its final configuration by release of a lock actuated at a proximal portion of stabilizer extending outside the port. In addition, the stabilizer is adapted to automatically fold when being pulled back through the port.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism therein to be easily cleaned after use. A self-propelled colonoscope (1) is an endoscope insertable in the colon by driving endless belts (10) mounted along the almost entire length of a flexible section (4) of an insertion tube (5), and having guide pipes, which guide returning endless belts, being mounted in the insertion tube thereof, each of said guide pipes being provided with an opening for a cleaning brush (35) and a casing (31), which surrounds the endless belt driving unit, being formed with a cleaning window (33), said window being provided with a lid (37).

Abstract: An endoscopic flexible tube that allows for easy fabrication of a jacket of a multi-layered structure that is adequately protected against separation of overlying layers. Two adjacent layers in the multi-layered structure portion of the jacket are integrally combined via an area that comprises a mixture of the constituent materials of the two layers.

Abstract: A multi-lumen medical device such as an endoscope or a catheter includes a shaft and a distal tip which are formed as multi-lumen extrusions having a large central working channel and a plurality of surrounding auxiliary lumens. The auxiliary lumens are arranged around the central working channel in a uniform manner so that the flexibility of the extruded member is uniform in a plurality of different directions. Use of the multi-lumen extrusion for the medical device provides a balanced device with a flexibility which is substantially the same in all directions. The medical device may be provided with four way tip deflection by providing four pull wires within four of the auxiliary lumens.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a portion having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the instrument by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross sectional area between the interior of the working channel and the endoscopic instrument. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the working channel. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the working channel of the endoscope has an interior surface having a non-circular cross sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped.

Abstract: A lifting cap for a laryngoscope which facilitates oral endotracheal intubation. The lifting cap includes an abutment member, such as a plate, and fastener, such as a threaded shaft, which is adapted to attach the plate to the distal end of the handle of a laryngoscope. The plate extends radially outwardly from the handle a substantial distance to an outer peripheral edge. The lifting cap enables a user of the laryngoscope to abut their hand against the plate to provide a lifting force to the handle of the laryngoscope and to reduce the gripping pressure that would otherwise be required to be applied to the handle of the laryngoscope, while promoting proper lifting direction of the laryngoscope.

Abstract: A positional control system, comprising a robotically controlled arm, for varying the position of a robotic surgical tool, is provided. The robotic surgical tool can be in the form of an image capture device, such as an endoscope, for example. The positional control system comprises a base and a mounting formation arranged to support the robotic surgical tool. The positional control system further comprises an articulated arm extending between the base and the mounting formation. The articulated arm has an upper arm portion, a forearm portion, a forearm link member and an upper arm link member. The portions and the link members are pivotally secured relative to one another to effect displacement of the mounting formation relative to the base. The forearm link member is positioned at least partially within the forearm portion and the upper arm link member is positioned at least partially within the upper arm portion.

Abstract: A condition is detected between an inlet port of an inflatable thermal device, such as an inflatable thermal blanket, and an end of an air hose through which a flow of pressurized, thermally treated air is provided to the device by way of the inlet port. The condition may be disconnection of the end of the air hose from the inlet port or the identification of a particular style of inflatable thermal device. A response to the condition may include provision of a perceptible indication that the condition has occurred. Other responses may include cessation of the flow of air or changing an air flow characteristic.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for their use in manipulating internal body objects are provided. The subject devices have proximal and distal ends separated by an elongate member. Located at the distal end is at least one articulated member, and usually two or more articulated members. A manual means for actuating the one or more distal articulated members is located at the proximal end of the device. The elongate member may be flexible or rigid. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in applications in which it is desired to manipulate an internal body object from a location external to the body.

Abstract: A wrap is configured for positioning at different sites including the ankle, calf, knee, thigh, lower arm, elbow, upper arm, neck, shoulder and torso including the lower back. The wrap is formed from laminated closed-cell neoprene so that it is elastically deformable. The wrap has a therapy section with a pocket sized to receive a gel pack that can be heated or cooled to apply the desired thermal therapy. Long connecting ears extend outwardly near the top of the therapy section and short connecting ears extend outwardly near the bottom. One ear of the long connecting ears and one ear of the short connecting ears has the hook portion of a hook and pile type connector with the material laminated to the neoprene selected to function as the pile portion of a hook and pile type connector. A strap also formed from closed-cell neoprene has a material laminated to function as the pile portion and has a hook portion at one end.

Abstract: A laparoscopic port adapter assembly 10 for conducting bile duct and related procedures, including a laparoscopic port 11, an introducer sheath 12 and a multiple conduit instrument guide 13. The instrument guide 13 may be inserted into a bile duct 14 to facilitate concurrent introduction of multiple instruments directly into the bile duct 14 without need for forceps manipulation of instruments through additional laparoscopic ports. The procedure may be conducted and viewed in real-time video to improve procedural efficiency and safety. Inventive related useful instruments and procedures are included to complement use and flexibility of the laparoscopic port adapter assembly 10. A preferred embodiment may include use of a three-conduit instrument guide 13 and concurrent introduction of a lithotripter 32, choledochoscope 31 and irrigative catheter 34 directly in the bile duct 14.

Abstract: A catheter for intravascular corporeal cooling comprises an elongated tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough for providing cooled blood, an inflatable annular balloon positioned on the outer surface of the elongated tubular member, and a pressure reliever positioned in the external wall of the elongated tubular member and proximal to the annular inflatable balloon, wherein when the pressure of blood within a lumen reaches a predetermined value, the pressure reliever opens to permit fluid to be released from the elongated tubular member. In other embodiments of the invention the catheter may have two or more inflatable annular balloons that are separately inflatable and/or the catheter has an insulative outer annular member.

Abstract: A surgical device for expanding and viewing tissue is disclosed. The surgical device includes a handle, an insertion probe, and at least one window disposed within the insertion probe. The handle has a proximal end and a distal end, and the handle is sized and shaped to be held by a surgeon. The insertion probe has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the insertion probe is removably attached to the distal end of the handle. The window extends along a length of the longitudinal axis, and has an opening that is sufficient in size to allow tissue to prolapse through the window and into the insertion probe.

Abstract: A system for the easing of medical conditions such as episiotomy sites and hemorrhoids by applying a temperature transferring element against the site to either apply cooling or heating to the affected area. The medical condition seat cushion system provides a cushion having a cavity within which a medical compress having a temperature transferring element is suspended. In addition, the medical compress includes an absorbent cover which may be saturated with witch hazel, lidocaine, or other disinfectant or pain relieving mixture.

Abstract: Described is a grip part of an endoscopic instrument with at least a movable control element for mechanical guidance of a tool unit mounted on the distal end of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument and a main body. The invention is distinguished in that the main body has a largely symmetrical shape which is ergonomically adapted to the human hand such that the endoscopic instrument can be encircled at least partially by the palm of a hand balled into a fist and that the operating element is movable relative to the main body.

Abstract: A device for applying therapeutic thermal energy to a human or animal includes a deformable and resilient first layer sealingly connected to a deformable and resilient second layer along a common perimeter, the first layer further sealingly connected to the second layer along a plurality of curvilinear paths within the perimeter, the paths defining a plurality of channels between the first layer and the second layer, the paths being configured to allow articulation between adjacent channels, each channel having at least one end defined by the common perimeter, the at least one end of each channel being directly adjacent at least one end of another channel and, each channel being at least partially filled with a medium.