Abstract: A medical robot system includes a forceps arm provided with a forceps manipulator and a camera arm provided with an endoscope. The forceps manipulator and the endoscope are inserted into a living body through a common insertion implement. The system further includes an operating unit that generates a control signal to control the forceps manipulator and the forceps arm, a forceps motion control unit that controls motions of the forceps manipulator and the forceps arm according to the control signal from the operating unit, an endoscope motion control unit that controls motions of the endoscope and the camera arm, and an interference avoiding unit that controls an interference avoiding motion of the camera arm to avoid interference between the camera arm and the forceps arm while a visual point of the endoscope is kept constant.

Abstract: A surgical mechanism control system comprising: a beam emitter unit configured to emit only a single beam and adapted to be attached to a surgeon; a first pair of discrete beam detectors each adapted to detect an incident beam emitted by the beam emitter unit and output a corresponding control signal when in incident beam is detected; and a control unit configured to receive one or more control signals output by the beam detectors and control a surgical mechanism in accordance with the one or more control signals.

Abstract: A slit valve 10 for use with an inflatable medical device having a flange surface 12 with an opening therein. The slit valve 10 has a valve body 14 connected to the flange surface 12 and a chamber formed in the valve body 14 for accepting an inflation tube 34 inserted through the opening in the flange surface 12. The slit valve 10 has a concave section at one or both ends, which are connected by a slit 24 formed in the valve body 14.

Abstract: A stent graft (10) has a tubular body of a biocompatible material and a side arm (20) fastened to the tubular body. A tubular extension piece (24) is sealingly joined to the end of the side arm and extends from it. It can be joined with adhesive or stitching. The extension piece can be formed from an elastomeric biocompatible material such as Thoralon™. The extension piece can have a resilient reinforcement 44 embedded into it and extending longitudinally. The extension piece is tucked back into the side arm during deployment of the stent graft into a body lumen.

Abstract: A device for delivering an expandable member to a luminal structure in a patient is described. In some embodiments, the device has a carrier member, with a carrier lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The device can have an elongate member that extends through the carrier lumen across a first notch in the carrier member. The device can have an expandable member that expands within and engages the luminal structure, can be carried by the carrier member, and has a first portion that fits within the first notch. When the elongate member extends through the carrier lumen and across the first notch, the elongate member secures the first portion to the carrier member. The elongate member is configured to move axially through the carrier lumen such that the elongate member permits release of the first portion from the carrier member and expansion of at least part of the expandable member.

Abstract: Surgical instrument and method for the removal of tension in a continuous portion of tissue. In order to prevent the further tear of tissue under tension when making an initial incision, it is proposed that the initial incision is made not at the edge of the tissue portion but at a point further along the tissue portion, preferably at the end point of the intended separation. From that point, the separation is made towards the edge of the tissue portion. The initial separation can be performed by way of incision, perforation and the like. To this end, a surgical instrument is proposed that, for example, can be provided with a cutting blade that is inclined at an angle in such a manner that when the blade is moved towards the opposing support member between which the tissue is held, the tissue is cut from the free end of the blade.

Abstract: A suturing device of the present invention is in the form a compact, light-weight handheld device that includes a needle and suture assembly, a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle/suture (a “needle transfer mechanism” or “needle shuttle mechanism”), safely capturing the needle/suture upon exit from the patient's tissue, and returning the needle to a position such that the process of delivering additional sutures to the patient can be repeated. A safety shield mechanism ensures the user is protected from the needle at all times. The device of the present invention accommodates the right or left-handed user, rests comfortably in the user's hand, allows sufficient visualization of the procedure site, and permits the user to either control penetration depth of the needle or default to a device-determined depth. The present device permits the user to utilize a wrist-rotation (pivoting) suture delivery technique.

Abstract: An introducer sheath has a proximal segment and distal segment. The proximal segment includes an inner portion, and a polymeric outer covering portion. The inner portion is formed from a plurality of elongated strands circularly positioned around a longitudinal axis. Each strand includes axial twist portions arranged to define a generally helical strand profile, wherein the twist portions are complementary with twist portions of adjacent strands to define the tubular segment. A tubular distal segment is dimensioned to receive an elongated stent for deployment. The length of the proximal segment is greater than the length of the distal segment, and the outer diameter of the distal segment may exceed that of the proximal segment. A stability sheath may be received over the proximal segment to enhance the stability of the sheath.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members, a blade, a lever member operably coupled to the end effector, a trigger member operably coupled to the blade and defining an actuation path therealong. A trigger safety member is pivotably coupled to the lever member such that, when the lever member is disposed in an initial position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position blocking the trigger member. When the lever member is disposed in a compressed position, the trigger safety member is disposed in a position, wherein the trigger safety member is displaced from the actuation path to permit movement of the trigger member, wherein the safety member rotates relative to the lever member as a function of movement of the lever member to block/unblock the trigger member.

Abstract: Surgical tools that can be used in single port laparoscopic procedures can include a low-profile handle assembly to minimize tool interference adjacent the incision site. For example, a handle assembly for a surgical instrument can have a generally in-line configuration extending linearly along a central longitudinal axis of an elongate shaft of the instrument. A linkage mechanism including a trigger, an actuation link, and an actuation shaft can be positioned within the in-line handle. The linkage mechanism can be pivoted between an open position in which end effectors of the instrument are open and a toggle position in which the end effectors are locked closed. A locking mechanism such as a ratchet mechanism can also be used to lock the end effectors. A surgical dissector can include gripping jaws having a curved profile or an angled elongate shaft to minimize tool interference and maximize visibility within a procedure site.

Abstract: A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon.

Abstract: A nose clip includes an outer support member adapted to contact an outside surface of a nose. A bridge connected at a first end to the outer support member; and an inner support member connected to a second end of the bridge and adapted to be inserted into the nostril and to contact an inner surface of the nostril. When inserted, tension generated between the outer support member and the inner support member causes lateral movement of a surface within the nostril and opens a nasal airway. Additionally, the inner support can be curved to create an outward movement of the lateral wall of the nose. This in turn enables improved breathing.

Abstract: Embolic implants and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The implants may be used for occluding blood flow at endovascular sites. One use is in intracranial aneurysm emolization/occlusion and another in parent vessel occlusion (PVO) or sacrifice. Various features provide for improved use (e.g., regarding delivery, recapture, visualization and/or occlusion) and manufacturability.

Abstract: A soother comprising a teat and a shield is constructed by co-molding the teat and the shield and over-molding the teat material on the shield material. As a result a secure bond is formed and a simple and easily cleanable soother is provided.

Abstract: A prosthesis includes a tubular body of a graft material, a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body, and a coupling. The coupling has a plurality of overlapping leaflets successively coupled to the tubular body around an opening formed in the graft material. The leaflets in a non-deployed configuration lay flush with the graft material of the tubular body and partially cover the opening, and the leaflets in a deployed configuration extend radially outward from the graft material of the tubular body. Delivery and deployment of a branch vessel prosthesis through the opening causes the leaflets to transform from the non-deployed configuration to the deployed configuration, and causes a diameter or width of a passageway defined by the leaflets to increase. Leaflet material properties, as well as size, shape, and sewing patterns on adjacent leaflets may be varied in order to vary the flexibility and/or orientation of the coupling.

Abstract: A complex coil configured such that in a relaxed, minimum energy state configuration loops are formed having various orientations relative to each other. The complex coil provide improved thrombus formation and reduced rotation or tumbling once implanted. The complex coil is formed of a material that may be deformed for purposes of placing the complex coil into a catheter and returns to a complex shape that includes said loops once deployed.

Abstract: A device for sealing a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart is provided. The device includes a left atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a left atrium of the heart, a right atrial anchor adapted to be placed in a right atrium of the heart, and an elongate member adapted to extend through the passageway and connect the left and right atrial anchors. The right atrial anchor preferably includes a plurality of arms and a cover attached to the arms. The left atrial anchor also includes a plurality of arms and preferably does not include a cover. Preferably, the elongate member has a first end of fixedly connected to the left atrial anchor and a portion, proximal to the first end, releasably connected to the right atrial anchor. Preferably, the elongate member is flexible.

Abstract: Vaso-occlusive apparatuses, including implants, and methods of using them to treat aneurysms. For example, described herein are expandable vaso-occlusive implants that include one or more soft and expandable braided member coupled to a pushable member such as a coil that maybe inserted and retrieved from within an aneurism using a delivery catheter. In particular, the expandable implants described herein are configured to allow relatively soft and elongate implants to be pushed out of a cannula without binding up within the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical robot for performing surgery of the minimally invasive type, comprising an instrument manipulator having a manipulator front end which is provided with an instrument receiver for receiving therein one of a number of surgical instruments, and manipulating means for, at least in use, manipulating the manipulator front end with respect to a patient body. The manipulator front end further comprises a container having a number of container holders for receiving therein the number of surgical instruments, and switching means for switching the instrument present in the instrument receiver by an instrument present in a container holder. The invention further relates to an instrument manipulator, a combination of an operating table and a surgical robot, and a master-slave operating system.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a tube of material (1) having a seam (12) extending between a proximal end and a distal end, two edges (10a, 10b) of the material meeting and at least partially overlapping along the seam (12) and being sewn together at the seam by stitches (21, 22, 24) of relatively flexible thread (20), the thread of one or more of the stitches (22, 24) passing from a first side (12a) of the overlapped edges (10a, 10b) of material, through both layers of overlapped material, crossing a relatively rigid member (30) which is disposed on a second, opposite side (12b) of the overlapped edges of material, and passing back to the first side (12a). There is further disclosed an implant delivery catheter (40) incorporating the tube of material (1), and associated methods for its manufacture.