Abstract: A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications includes an elongated tubular body and at least one actuation means at a proximal side of the steerable instrument and at least one bendable zone at a distal side of the steerable instrument, the at least one actuation means being arranged to control bending of the at least one bendable zone by means of longitudinal elements. The instrument further includes first, second and third cylindrical elements; at least one tangential spacer; and at least one lip shaped portion formed on at least one of the first cylindrical element or the third cylindrical element.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein can be used in a variety of grasping, cutting, and manipulating operations. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first joint member, a second joint member, and a flexure. The first joint member includes a first connection portion and a contact surface. The second joint member including a second connection portion. A first end portion of the flexure is coupled to the first connection portion, and a second end portion of the flexure is coupled to the second connection portion. The flexure is configured to deform elastically when the first joint member and the second joint member move from a first configuration to a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the central portion of the flexure is spaced apart from the contact portion. When in the second configuration, the central portion of the flexure contacting the contact portion.

Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a shaft extendable through a handle, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including a first and second jaws providing first and second jaw extension, a plurality of drive members extending along the shaft and actuatable by the handle, and an articulable wrist interposing the end effector and the distal end. The wrist includes a proximal clevis, a distal clevis rotatably coupled to the proximal clevis, first and second pulleys rotatably mounted to the distal clevis, the first jaw extension being pinned to the first pulley and the second jaw extension being pinned to the second pulley, and a linkage mounted to the jaws. The plurality of drive members terminate at the first and second pulleys and are antagonistically operable to open and close the jaws and articulate the end effector in pitch and yaw.

Abstract: A system for passing suture through biological tissue using a cannula, introducer or other minimally invasive means, to approximate, ligate, fixate, and/or close biological tissue. The system includes a hand actuator mechanism, an elongated tubular member housing a deformable tubular needle therein in operative communication with the hand actuator mechanism, and a jaw mechanism disposed on the tubular member distal end. The jaw mechanism having top and bottom members and a floating pivot mechanism, the top and bottom members in operative communication with the floating pivot mechanism. The floating pivot mechanism providing pivotal and axial articulation of the top member with respect to the bottom member.

Abstract: A bariatric clamp may include substrate members overmolded in polymer forming first and second elongated portions, a bight portion having a flexible hinge, a fastener portion, and an engagement portion for retaining the clamp in a closed position to partition the stomach. A method for installing may include creating an opening in a patient's abdominal cavity to access the stomach, removing tissue connected to the stomach adjacent areas the clamp is to be positioned, positioning the clamp in an open position wherein first ends of the first and second elongated portions are open relative to one another, inserting the clamp into the abdominal cavity in the open position and the first and second elongated portions of the clamp separately pass through the opening in the abdominal cavity, positioning the first and second elongated portions adjacent first and second sides of the stomach, and closing the clamp to partition the stomach.

Abstract: Surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument is capable of being operated manually or automatically for use in laparoscopic surgery or various surgeries and includes a locking device capable of locking and/or unlocking at least one operation.

Abstract: Intravascular delivery system is designed for a safe and efficient access to secondary and tertiary vascular structures, such as the branches of the coronary sinus, to enhance the delivery and deployment of various catheters, such as, for example, pacemaker electrical leads. The over-the-wire system features a straight, or alternatively shaped, micro-catheter distal tip of an inner catheter that seamlessly cooperates with a peel-away reinforced outer catheter. The inner catheter and the peel-away reinforced outer catheter are advanced in their engaged mode of operation towards (or beyond) the target site. Subsequently, the inner and outer catheters are disengaged, and the inner catheter is removed from the outer catheter. A pacemaker lead may be advanced over the wire inside the outer catheter to the target site for deployment. Subsequently, the outer catheter is easily split and may be rapidly removed from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A tool for removing non-visually, urinary tract stents placed within the urinary tract of a patient, comprising a distal end, a longitudinally-extending stem, and a handle. The distal end has a conical head with a groove for hooking a stent, stent string or similar stent configuration. The snare head may have a channel for advancing the tool through a urethra over a guide wire. The snare head has a narrow conical front end for dilating urethral strictures. The stem connects the snare head to the snare handle and is made to be flexible or bend on encountering resistance.

Abstract: A device includes: a sheath; an operating wire disposed inside the sheath; a grasping part that is provided at a distal end of the operating wire and that has one or more wires; and a bipolar electrode disposed at a distal end of the sheath. The sheath has, at intervals in the circumferential direction, escape grooves that extend from the distal end toward a proximal end of the sheath, that penetrate from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface thereof, and that have such dimensions as to allow the wires to pass therethrough. The bipolar electrode is disposed at a position shifted radially outward from the central axis and at a position between two of the escape grooves in the circumferential direction. The distal end of the bipolar electrode is positioned closer to distal ends of the escape grooves than to proximal ends of the escape grooves.

Abstract: An Example tool for implanting a pacemaker lead includes a body that includes a recess, a first electrical contact positioned within the recess, and a projection coupled to the body. In addition, the tool includes a second electrical contact positioned on the projection. The recess is configured to receive the pacemaker lead therein such that a first electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the first electrical contact and a second electrode of the pacemaker lead is to engage with the second electrical contact. A rotation of the tool about a central axis of the pacemaker lead is configured to rotate the first electrical contact and the first electrode together about the central axis and to slidingly engage the second electrical contact along the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel includes an occlusion element including a first tubular mesh having a first end and a second end coupled together at a proximal end of the occlusion element such that an intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh between the first end and the second end includes a substantially 180 degree turn, the intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh extending distally from the proximal end of the occlusion element, wherein the intermediate portion of the first tubular mesh has a collapsed configuration and is configured to expand to an expanded. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a second tubular mesh having a first end and a second end coupled to the proximal end of the occlusion element such that an intermediate portion of the second tubular mesh between the first end and the second end includes a substantially 180 degree turn.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for treating epistaxis. In some embodiments, a device for occluding epistaxis includes a first curvilinear wall, a second curvilinear wall, and a third curvilinear wall each disposed at a top portion of the device. The device has an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and the top portion is relative to the y-axis. The device includes a fourth wall and a fifth wall each disposed at a bottom portion relative to the y-axis of the device. The fourth wall and the fifth wall independently are substantially straight or curvilinear. The device includes a first end including a front first end portion and a back first end portion. The first end is curvilinear corresponding to the first curvilinear wall, and the first end is disposed at an angle relative to the x-axis.

Abstract: Described herein is a shock wave device for the treatment of vascular occlusions. The shock wave device includes an outer covering and an inner member inner connected at a distal end of the device. First and second conductive wires extend along the length of the device within the volume between the outer covering and the inner member. A conductive emitter band circumscribes the ends of the first and second wires to form a first spark gap between the end of the first wire and the emitter band and a second spark gap between the end of the second wire and the emitter band. When the volume is filled with conductive fluid and a high voltage pulse is applied across the first and second wires, first and second shock waves can be initiated from the first and second spark gaps.

Abstract: Paddle lead including a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central axis extending therebetween. The lead body includes opposite first and second sides that extend between the distal and proximal ends. The paddle lead also includes electrodes disposed along the first side of the lead body that are configured to apply neurostimulation therapy within an epidural space of a patient. The electrodes are electrically coupled to conductive pathways that extend through the proximal end of the lead body. The lead body includes a flexible material a flexible material that is configured to flex when a fluid pressure is imposed on the lead body in the epidural space. The lead body is configured to have a non-planar contour that folds or curves about the central axis when experiencing the fluid pressure.

Abstract: Rotational atherectomy devices and systems can remove or reduce stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating one or more abrasive elements within the vessel. The abrasive elements are attached to a distal portion of an elongate flexible drive shaft that extends from a handle assembly that includes a driver for rotating the drive shaft. In particular implementations, individual abrasive elements are attached to the drive shaft at differing radial angles in comparison to each other (e.g., configured in a helical array). The centers of mass of the abrasive elements can define a path that spirals around the drive shaft in a direction that is opposite to the wind direction of filars of the drive shaft, and opposite to the direction of rotation. In some embodiments, a concentric abrasive tip member is affixed to and extends distally from a distal-most end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

Abstract: A medical device may include an outer assembly having a first shaft, a first lumen extending through the first shaft, and an atraumatic first tip removably coupled to a distal end of the first shaft; an inner assembly configured to extend through the first lumen of the outer assembly, the inner assembly including a second shaft, a second lumen extending through the second shaft, and a second tip removably coupled to a distal end of the second shaft, the second tip being configured to pierce tissue; and a plug assembly configured to extend through the second lumen of the inner assembly, the plug assembly including a third shaft and a plug removably coupled to a distal end of the third shaft.

Abstract: A bi-flow nasal stent comprising: first and second tube-like elements; and a bridge connecting the first and second tube-like elements; wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and further wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises top side, a medial side, a bottom side, and a lateral side collectively forming the tube-like element; wherein the bridge connects the proximal end of the medial side of the first tube-like element to the proximal end of the medial side of the second tube-like element; and wherein each of the first and second tube-like elements comprises first and second V-shaped cutouts at the distal end of the tube-like element, with the first V-shaped cutout extending proximally in the top side of the tube-like element and the second V-shaped cutout extending proximally in the bottom side of the tube-like element, with the first and second V-shaped cutouts being diametrically opposed

Abstract: A biosensor inserter includes a push member with a push element, a contact member including a latch, a transmitter carrier supporting a transmitter and sensor assembly, and a pivot member having a latch end, the pivot member supporting an insertion device during biosensor insertion. In operation, the push member is telescoped axially by the user relative to the contact member, which is provided in contact with a user's skin. This pushes the push element against the pivot member and translates the transmitter carrier during insertion of the biosensor. During a first portion of a stroke of the insertion device, insertion of the biosensor is accomplished, and the pivot member is prevented from pivoting. In a second portion of the stroke, after latch end moves past the latch, the pivot member is allowed to pivot and the insertion device is retracted. Other system and method embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A method of superficial fat pad repositioning is disclosed in which three lifting vectors are established which synergistically cooperate to produce an enhanced lifting effect. A first lifting vector is substantially vertical and originates in the superficial orbital fat pad. A second lifting vector is oblique and originates below the nasolabial fold. A third lifting vector is also oblique and originates below the mandible. In a preferred embodiment, monofilament threads are utilized to establish each lifting vector.