Abstract: An expandable sheath is disclosed herein, which has a first polymeric layer and a braided layer positioned radially outward of the first polymeric layer. The braided layer includes a plurality of filaments braided together. The expandable sheaths further include a resilient elastic layer positioned radially outward of the braided layer. The elastic layer is configured to apply radial force to the braided layer and the first polymeric layer. The expandable sheath further includes a second polymeric layer positioned radially outward of the elastic layer and bonded to the first polymeric layer such that the braided layer and the elastic layer are encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. Methods of making and using the devices disclosed herein are also disclosed, as are crimping devices that may be used in methods of making the devices disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a handpiece and more particular an ergonomic handpiece having two or more segments coupled together and capable of independently rotating around a longitudinal axis of the handpiece. In addition, one of the segments of the handpiece may have a tubing/cord management segment.

Abstract: An anoscope and obturator apparatus is described for the diagnosis and/or treatment of identify anorectal concerns or diseases. The anoscope apparatus includes a narrow end and a wide end that is connected via a body, and the narrow end contains an opening that is adjacent to a slot. The wide end contains a lip and at least one handle that is aligned with the slot and that projects radially outward away from the lip and also curves away radially and axially from the wide end. If there are multiple handles, then one of them can include a tab that indicates alignment with the slot. The obturator includes a tip, an arm, and a body that that have circular elements that improve plastic weld or snap together manufacturability.

Abstract: A medical arm assembly according to embodiments disclosed includes: a remote joint where a remote point spaced forward from a reference point is located; a positioning arm section configured to support the remote joint, move the remote joint that a relative position of the remote point with respect to the reference point is changed in forward-and-rearward direction and upward-and-downward direction, and fix the relative position of the remote point with respect to the reference point; an operating arm section connected to the remote joint and configured to fix a surgery tool, rotate the surgery tool about a remote-rotation axis through the remote point in left-and-right direction, and move the surgery tool in a direction perpendicular to the remote rotation axis and through the remote point; and an arm supporting section where the positioning arm section and the operating arm section are supported by connecting and the reference point is located.

Abstract: A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel having a motor housing slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position. An axially fixed sheath extends from the outer housing and a catheter is connected to the motor housing and is positioned within the sheath. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and is operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable by movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions. The rotatable shaft has an atherectomy bit extending therefrom for dislodgement of particles when rotated by the motor and dislodged particles are aspirated in the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An interventional medical device delivery system comprises a loader provided with a loading tube, a delivery sheath, a dilator, a pushing component, and a hemostasis valve. The loading tube or the delivery sheath is provided with a position-limiting locking connector. An appropriate-rotation control mechanism for controlling a tightening degree between a distal end of the loading tube and a proximal end of the delivery sheath is disposed outside the loading tube or the delivery sheath. The proximal end of the delivery sheath and the distal end of the loading tube engage with each other in a sealed manner, and are threadingly fixed to each other by means of the position-limiting locking connector. The appropriate-rotation control mechanism rotates in one direction to appropriately tighten a thread-connection, and rotates in the opposite direction to release the thread-connection. The interventional medical device conveying system of the invention automatically determines a tightening degree.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are provided for occluding an opening within the tissue of a body, such as a left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a delivery system for use in occluding an opening in the tissue of a body includes an actuation assembly operatively coupled to a medical device including an anchor portion and an occluder portion. The actuation assembly is configured to move the anchor portion between a deployed state and retracted state while the occluder portion maintains a deployed state. With this arrangement, the deployed occluder portion can be visualized via imaging at a preferred position prior to deploying the anchor portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object in a body lumen, including: a rotation structure which includes a cutting portion; a first shaft which is connected to a center shaft of the rotation structure and drives the rotation of the rotation structure; and a second shaft which is formed in a tubular shape surrounding the first shaft, wherein the second shaft is bendable at two positions including a first curved portion and a second curved portion located more distal than the first curved portion, and the second shaft is rotatable in a state in which a proximal side of the first curved portion and a distal side of the second curved portion of the second shaft are kept substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile interface device to control a robotically-assisted surgical system. The mobile interface device provides a surgeon with a direct view of the surgical robotic system and allows a surgeon to easily and intuitively select, control, or manipulate various target components of the surgical robotic system. The mobile interface device may capture a live image of the surgical robotic system to automatically identify a robotic arm that appears in the center of the captured live image as the target component selected by the surgeon. Based on the current pose or position of the target component, the mobile interface device may generate a list of target poses and control options. The surgeon may select a control option to select a target pose and to manipulate the target component to command a robotically-assisted movement of the selected robotic arm from the current pose to the target pose.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for resecting a tissue mass. The system for resecting a tissue mass includes a first sensor for measuring a signal corresponding to the position and orientation of the tissue mass. The first sensor is dimensioned to fit inside of or next to the tissue mass. The system also includes a second sensor attached to a surgical instrument configured to measure the position and orientation of the surgical instrument. A controller is in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, and the controller executes a stored program to calculate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. Accordingly, visual, auditory, haptic or other feedback is provided to the clinician to guide the surgical instrument to the surgical margin.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter for use in a vessel includes an elongate catheter body and an annular cutter. The elongate catheter body includes a fixed jog section with a pre-set curvature and a flexible section that has a greater flexibility than a remainder of the elongate catheter body. The fixed jog section and flexible section are formed of a frame including a plurality of circumferential slits therein. Also described herein is an atherectomy catheter for use in a vessel includes an elongate catheter body, an annular cutter, and an s-shaped curved portion in the elongate catheter body. The curved portion includes a frame having a longitudinal proximal spine and a longitudinal distal spine. The longitudinal proximal spine is positioned approximately 180 degrees away from the longitudinal distal spine.

Abstract: An anchoring delivery system for use in an intracranial artery is provided including a tethering device having an elongated tether and an anchor coupled to a distal end of the tether. The anchor is deployable from a low profile configuration to a higher profile configuration to fix the distal end of the tether at an anchoring site in an anchoring vessel. The tethering device is configured to be used with a guide-sheath having a lumen configured to receive the tether. Related devices, systems, and methods are also described.

Abstract: An assembly for driving linear movement and roll movement of an elongate surgical tool, comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a central lumen extending along the shaft long axis; the elongate shaft comprising a plurality of apertures extending across walls of the elongate shaft and into the central lumen; a set of wheels positioned opposing each other and aligned on two sides of the central lumen, the set of wheels at least partially extending through the apertures beyond the walls of the elongate shaft and into the central lumen to contact an elongate surgical tool received therein; the set of wheels being coupled to the elongate shaft and configured to rotate with the elongate shaft as a single unit when the elongate shaft is rotated about the shaft long axis.

Abstract: A robotic catheter procedure system includes a bedside system that has a percutaneous device, and an actuating mechanism configured to engage and to impart movement to the percutaneous device. The system also includes a workstation coupled to the bedside system. The workstation includes a user interface configured to receive a user input, ma display device configured to display an image, a control system operatively coupled to the user interface and the actuating mechanism. The control system is configured to generate a control signal and the actuating mechanism causes movement of the percutaneous device in response to the control signal. The control system is configured to slow movement of the percutaneous device via the actuating mechanism as an identified point on the percutaneous device approaches a structure requiring a change in direction of the percutaneous device.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems and methods are disclosed. In various examples, the medical device delivery system (1000) includes an elongate element (1100) including an olive (1200). The olive (1200) includes an opening that exposes a lockwire (1300) extending through a lumen of the olive (1200) such that a linking element (1500) can be coupled to the portion of the lockwire (1300) exposed by the opening, wherein the linking element (1500) provides a coupling to a medical device (1400).

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for weight-based registration of location sensors. In one aspect, a system includes an instrument and a processor configured to provide a first set of commands to drive the instrument along a first branch of the luminal network, the first branch being outside a path to a target within a model. The processor is also configured to track a set of one or more registration parameters during the driving of the instrument along the first branch and determine that the set of registration parameters satisfy a registration criterion. The processor is further configured to determine a registration between a location sensor coordinate system and a model coordinate system based on location data received from a set of location sensors during the driving of the instrument along the first branch and a second branch.

Abstract: A guide catheter for use in treating sinuses, the catheter including a catheter shaft configured to provide suction about a balloon catheter and a distal portion shaped for navigating body anatomy. In one embodiment, the guide catheter includes a valve for sealing the balloon catheter and a vent for controlling suction.

Abstract: Described herein are various implementations of systems and methods for accessing and modulating tissue (for example, systems and methods for accessing and ablating nerves or other tissue within or surrounding a vertebral body to treat chronic lower back pain). Assessment of vertebral endplate degeneration or defects (e.g., pre-Modic changes) to facilitate identification of treatment sites and protocols are also provided in several embodiments. Several embodiments comprise the use of biomarkers to confirm or otherwise assess ablation, pain relief, efficacy of treatment, etc. Some embodiments include robotic elements for, as an example, facilitating robotically controlled access, navigation, imaging, and/or treatment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided, namely surgical scissors. The surgical instrument has a removable actuating rod which, in conjunction with the clevis and a tube, provides means for securing blades of the scissors. The tube prevents a removable pivot pin of the blades from becoming displaced from the clevis of the instrument. When the actuating rod is removed from the surgical instrument the pivot pin may be removed and, thus, the blades of the scissors may be removed for cleaning and/or replacement. The tube provides the tension and further constrains the scissor blades in a manner which results in the consistent and effective cutting performance of the scissors post assembly.