Abstract: Provided herein is a surgical instrument comprising a cap having a first and second aperture extending therethrough, a first extendable and retractable member having a distal end coupled to a first coupling, a first arm extending from the first coupling and pivotable with respect to the distal end of the first member, and a second arm connected to the first arm through a second coupling and pivotable, with respect to the first arm, a second extendable and retractable member having a distal end coupled to a third coupling, a third arm extending from the second coupling, the third arm pivotable, with respect to the distal end of the second member, and a fourth arm connected to the third arm through a fourth coupling and pivotable, with respect to the third arm, a first end effector connected to the second arm and a second end effector connected to the fourth arm.

Abstract: Provided herein as a transoral minimally invasive method and a system thereof for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and/or obesity, which at least partially encircles a part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as esophagus of the patient by advancing an elongated deformable portion of a neurostimulator assembly endoluminally to the subfascial area from the outer wall of the esophagus and introducing the elongated deformable portion sub-fascially in the subfascial area, whereby at least one part of the encircled esophagus will be modulated using a modulator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof having binding specificity for PACAP. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof comprise the sequences of the VH, VL, and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. Antibodies and antigen binding fragments described herein bind to and/or compete for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on human PACAP as an anti-PACAP antibody. The invention contemplates conjugates of anti-PACAP antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. Methods of making said anti-PACAP antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are also contemplated.

Abstract: Provided herein is a mechanism to controllably move a wire within a flexible tubular member, the wire including opposed wire ends extending outwardly of a proximal end of the flexible tubular member, comprising a drive mechanism and a coupling located between the drive mechanism and the wire end, wherein movement of the coupling in the direction of the wire end results in opposed motion of the wire end.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Abstract: An instrument cart configured to position an instrument controller at a desired location and attitude pitch with respect to an incision location of a patient includes a base, a lift member moveable with respect to the base, a first planar translation member connected to the lift member and arcuately moveable with respect thereto, a second planar translation member connected to the first planar translation member and arcuately moveable with respect thereto, a third planar translation member connected to the second planar translation member and arcuately moveable with respect thereto, an arcuate slide base connected to the third planar translation member and moveable with respect thereto and an arcuate slide coupled to the arcuate slide base, and moveable with respect thereto; and an instrument controller coupling connected to the arcuate slide member, the instrument controller connected thereto and movable with respect thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a flexible, narrow medical device (such as a micro-catheter or a guidewire) that is controllably moved and steered through lumens of a body. The medical device may include an electrically-actuatable bendable portion at a distal end, which may be provided by a polymer electrolyte layer, electrodes distributed about the polymer electrolyte layer, and electrical conduits coupled to the electrodes, such that the polymer electrolyte layer deforms asymmetrically in response to an electrical signal through one or more conduits. The disclosure further includes a controller for moving the device into and out of bodily lumens and for applying the electrical signal for steering the device. The device further includes methods of preparing the polymer electrolyte layer in tubular shape.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for detecting a RAS pathway mutation in a subject. The methods include obtaining a biological sample from the subject, isolating nucleic acids from the biological sample, and analyzing the expression level of noncoding RNAs in the nucleic acids in conjunction with a corresponding reference level in a control sample, wherein a differential expression level of the noncoding RNAs compared to the corresponding reference level in the control sample indicates that the subject has a RAS pathway mutation.

Abstract: An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal earning surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the earning surfaces of amls to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.

Abstract: An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: Provided herein as a guidewire controller cassette for positioning a guidewire within a patient body, including a housing having an interior space; a translational module received within the interior space and having an entry side, an opposed exit side and a lateral wall being disposed therebetween, the translational module comprising a first guidewire path extending between the entry side and the exit side and configured to move the guidewire translationally along the first guidewire path; and a rotational module received within the interior space and mounted at the lateral wall, the rotational module comprising an opening for receiving the proximal end of the guidewire, a rotating axis allowing the proximal end of the guidewire being rotated thereabout, and a second guidewire path which is a loop path extending out from the opening to the entry side.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

Abstract: An elongate, flexible, medical device having distal and proximal ends, including an inner member having a proximal and distal end, a support member extending around the inner member between the proximal and distal end, a plurality of electrically-conductive wires, each braided with the support member having a proximal and distal end, an outer member surrounding the inner member, the support member, and the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an actuator including a polymer electrolyte layer secured adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible inner member and defining an exterior surface, electrodes distributed about the exterior of the polymer electrolyte layer. The distal end of one of the electrically-conductive wires is electrically connected to one of the electrodes. The polymer electrolyte layer is configured to deform asymmetrically in response to the application of an electrical signal through the plurality of electrically-conductive wires to the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal earning surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the earning surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elongate, flexible, medical device comprising: an elongate, flexible inner member; a support member extending around the inner member; a plurality of electrically-conductive wires, each being braided with the support member; an outer member; and at least one ionic electroactive polymer actuator, the actuator comprising: at least one polymer electrolyte layer secured adjacent to the distal end of the inner member; and a plurality of electrodes circumferentially distributed about the exterior surface of the at least one polymer electrolyte layer, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrically-conductive wires, adjacent to the distal end thereof, is electrically connected to one of the electrodes, and the at least one polymer electrolyte layer is configured to deform asymmetrically in response to the application of an electrical signal through at least one of the plurality of electrically-conductive wires to at least one of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An implantable spacer for placement between adjacent spinous processes in a spinal motion segment is provided. The spacer includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and passageway. A first arm and a second arm are connected to the body. Each arm has a pair of extensions and a saddle defining a U-shaped configuration for seating a spinous process therein. Each arm has a proximal caming surface and is capable of rotation with respect to the body. An actuator assembly is disposed inside the passageway and connected to the body. When advanced, a threaded shaft of the actuator assembly contacts the caming surfaces of arms to rotate them from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distracted adjacent spinous processes are seated in the U-shaped portion of the arms.