Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible surgical instrument system, comprising a distal structural body comprising at least one distal structural segment each comprising a distal spacing disk, a fixing disk and structural backbones; a proximal structural body comprises at least one proximal structural segment each comprising a proximal spacing disk, a proximal fixing disk and structural backbones; a plurality of cable transmission mechanisms each comprising a gear set and a pulley-cable part, the gear set being operable to transfer a rotational motion to the pulley-cable part; and a driving unit comprising a motion transmission part comprising a plurality of proximal segment turning transmission chains to convert a rotational output into mutually reversed rotational motions, and transfer one of the mutually reversed rotational motions to one of the gear sets.

Abstract: A system for performing angioplasty and a method of utilizing same are provided. The system includes a balloon mounted on a catheter shaft and an expandable constraining structure mounted over the balloon. The expandable constraining structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings being for constraining said balloon such that isolated balloon regions protrude through openings in said constraining structure when the balloon is inflated.

Abstract: Expandable occlusive plugs and methods of using them are disclosed. The devices generally include an expandable framework at least partially covered by a membrane. The occlusive plugs can be used for occlusion of body lumens and/or to limit migration of embolic agents to non-target sites.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an improved tether catch formed by a relatively rigid structure that has a hook surface extending between first and second ends thereof. The second end of the structure is spaced apart from another portion of the device by a gap of a size no greater than a thickness of a tether, for which the tether catch is formed to engage, when the tether is looped within a delivery catheter. The device may be loaded into the catheter by: positioning the looped portion of the tether in close proximity to the gap of the tether catch; creating tension in the positioned tether to bring the looped portion into a perimeter of the hooked surface; and then pulling the tether so that the looped portion thereof bears against the hooked surface, thereby bringing the device into engagement with a distal-most end of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes an outer shaft defining an outer shaft lumen and an inner shaft translatable within the outer shaft lumen, the inner shaft defining a lumen extending through the inner shaft. An actuation mechanism extends through the lumen and includes a coupler, a force translation rod that extends proximally from the coupler and a plurality of push pull rods that extend distally from the coupler and that releasably couple to the implantable medical device. The force translation rod includes a transition in electromagnetic permeability. The delivery system includes an inductive coil disposed relative to the force translation rod and positioned to detect a change in inductance resulting from the transition in electromagnetic permeability passing through the inductive coil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible surgical instrument system, comprising a distal structural body comprising at least one distal structural segment each comprising a distal fixing disk and structural backbones; a proximal structural body comprising at least one proximal structural segment each comprising a proximal fixing disk, structural backbones and driving backbones; a plurality of cable pulling mechanisms operable to convert a rotational motion into a linear motion to turn the at least one proximal structural segment; and a driving unit to input the rotational motion to the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms; the driving unit comprises: a plurality of driving shafts operable to transfer the rotational motion to the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms, and a first end of each of the plurality of driving shafts is connected with each of the plurality of cable pulling mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel includes an occlusion element disposed on a wire, the occlusion element including a cover for covering a neck of an aneurysm and an inner anchoring member. The cover is configured to expand from a compressed configuration in a tube to an expanded configuration when advanced out of a distal end of the tube to cover the neck of the aneurysm. The cover includes a sphere of mesh material formed into a hemisphere including two layers of mesh that is formed by folding a top portion of the sphere into a bottom portion of the sphere. The inner anchoring member is coupled to and extends from the second surface of the cover and is configured to contact an interior surface of the aneurysm. The inner anchoring member may be a cylindrical stem extending from a central portion of the cover.

Abstract: Collapsible tube embodiments may be used to promote hemostasis at surgical sites or any other suitable location. In some cases, vascular closure device embodiments may include collapsible tube embodiments in order to promote hemostasis at a surgical site during a vascular closure procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured for use with a robotic surgical system includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing and including an articulating portion, an end effector assembly extending distally from the shaft and including first and second jaw members, a knife configured for translation between the jaw members, and a gearbox assembly disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the articulating portion of the shaft, the end effector assembly, and the knife. The gearbox assembly includes four rotational input gears each adapted to receive a rotational input from a robotic arm. The gearbox assembly is configured to independently articulate the end effector assembly about a first axis, articulate the end effector assembly about a second axis, move the jaw member(s) relative to the other, and translate the knife between the jaw members based upon the rotational inputs received by the four rotational input gears.

Abstract: A medical device and methods for altering lung volume are disclosed. The medical device includes a coil formed of a biodegradable material including a first bioabsorbable material that is configured to deactivate a portion of a lung as the coil degrades. The method includes positioning a first coil adjacent a first target within a patient and permitting the first coil to degenerate such that a first bioabsorbable material deactivates a first portion of a lung. The first coil is formed of a biodegradable material and includes the first bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval device includes an elongated shaft assembly having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. An end effector is supported on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft assembly and includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm includes a first distal finger and the second arm includes a second distal finger. The first and second fingers are configured to selectively engage one another to support a collection bag on the first and second arms.

Abstract: Provided is a roll joint member for a surgical instrument. The roll joint member includes a wire guide portion, a guide member including a wire support portion, and a shaft member rotatably coupled to the guide member.

Abstract: A filter (10) includes a proximal end (1), a distal end (2) and a main filter body connected between the proximal end (1) and the distal end (2). The main filter body has a first filter unit (3) and a second filter unit (4), both being conical mesh structures, as well as multiple intermediate connection posts (5) connecting the first filter unit and the second filter unit. The intermediate connection posts (5) have provided thereon support posts (6). A support post (6) includes a transition segment (61) extending from an intermediate connection post (5) to a blood vessel wall, and a support segment bent and extending from the transition segment (61), and at least partially abutting the blood vessel wall. The support segment has a main body (62) bent and extending from the end of the transition segment (61) and a flexible segment (63) bent and extending from the main body (62).

Abstract: A surgical method of cataract fragmentation and extraction via microbubble cavitation is described. In particular, gas-filled microbubbles are injected into a lens capsule of a subject's eye, and cavitation of the microbubbles is activated by applied ultrasound energy. The ultrasound energy can be applied from an external device. The cavitation fragments cataract tissues without damaging other tissue, such as the lens capsule. Fragmented lens material is then aspirated from the lens capsule. The method can be used alone or in conjunction with other methods, such as phacoemulsification.

Abstract: An articulable wrist for an end effector includes a distal linkage provided at a distal end of the articulable wrist, a proximal linkage provided at a proximal end of the articulable wrist, and a central channel cooperatively defined by the distal and proximal linkages and extending between the distal and proximal ends. A flexible member is arranged within the central channel, and one or more stiffening members are arranged within the flexible member and extend at least partially between the first and second ends. The stiffening members operate to increase a stiffness of the flexible member and the articulable wrist against bending.

Abstract: High-consistency nonabsorbable braided suture stock of specified size is prepared from twisted multifilament strands braided together with a tightness of weave of less than 60 picks/inch. The suture stock can be cut to provide sutures, which may be combined with needles to provide surgical sutures for wound closure.

Abstract: A tweezer assembly includes a housing, an optically-transmissive shaft, and a flexible arm. A lamp is disposed within the housing and adjacent the opening in the housing. A battery provides electrical power to the lamp. The shaft has external threads that match the internal threads of the opening in the housing. The flexible arm includes an arched section and a clamp disposed at its proximal end. The clamp has opposing jaws that flex outward to snap in place around opposing sides of a recessed section in the shaft. The clamp thereby secures the flexible arm to the shaft such that the distal end of the arched section is disposed proximate to but not contacting the distal end of shaft. When a pressing force is applied to the arched section, the distal end of the flexible arm is operable to move into contact with the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: An injector for intraocular lenses has a housing and a plunger movable within the housing. An elastomeric sleeve is sized and shaped to fit around a portion of the plunger, providing damping friction opposing the movement of the plunger. The sleeve is sterile and disposable, allowing a new sleeve to be used for each procedure.

Abstract: A surgical clip includes two clip parts that are rotatably interconnected by a separate bearing sleeve, and a leg spring which pretensions the two clip parts to an initial rotary position. The coil body of said leg spring is at least partially being disposed within the bearing sleeve, wherein the bearing sleeve is disposed so as to be non-rotatable in an opening of the one first of the two clip parts and is disposed so as to be rotatable in an opening of the other, second clip part. The first of the two spring legs of the leg spring is supported on the bearing sleeve, and the other, second spring leg is supported on the second clip part. The bearing sleeve has an axially protruding protrusion on which the first spring leg is supported.

Abstract: An implant delivery system is described, having a distal tip and outer sheath that remain in a fixed position during implant delivery. A pusher mechanism within the sheath pushes an implant out of a gap between a distal end of the sheath and the distal tip.