Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoluminal anastomosis of an organ comprises an operative head including an endoscope receiving lumen for slidably receiving a flexible endoscope therein, the operative head including an annular tissue receiving space extending around a circumference of a distal end thereof and a stapling mechanism for firing staples around an entire circumference of the tissue receiving space and a tissue gripping mechanism for drawing into the tissue receiving space a portion of tissue extending around an entire circumference of the organ.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoluminal anastomosis of an organ comprises an operative head including an endoscope receiving lumen for slidably receiving a flexible endoscope therein, the operative head including an annular tissue receiving space extending around a circumference of a distal end thereof and a stapling mechanism for firing staples around an entire circumference of the tissue receiving space and a tissue gripping mechanism for drawing into the tissue receiving space a portion of tissue extending around an entire circumference of the organ.

Abstract: A medical device is provided with a flexible shaft having a first beam element with a first elongated cross section and a second beam element having a second elongated cross section. An end effector is located at a distal end of the flexible shaft and actuated by relative movement between the first beam element and the second beam element. In another example, a handle is located at a proximate end of the flexible shaft. A first control is mounted on the handle and is directly coupled to the first beam element for placing the first beam element in tension relative to the second beam element to thereby cause bending of at least a portion of the flexible shaft toward the first beam element.

Abstract: A medical device is provided with a flexible shaft having a first beam element with a first elongated cross section and a second beam element having a second elongated cross section. An end effector is located at a distal end of the flexible shaft and actuated by relative movement between the first beam element and the second beam element. In another example, a handle is located at a proximate end of the flexible shaft. A first control is mounted on the handle and is directly coupled to the first beam element for placing the first beam element in tension relative to the second beam element to thereby cause bending of at least a portion of the flexible shaft toward the first beam element.

Abstract: A surgical clamp includes a clamp head, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each mounted to the clamp head for movement toward and away from each other. The clamp also includes an operative mechanism coupled to the proximal end of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, and an actuating structure connected to the operative mechanism for imparting a parallel opening movement to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw from a first position to a second position where the first jaw and the second jaw are spaced apart and parallel to one another, the actuating structure selectively imparting further scissors-like opening movement to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw from the second position to a third position where the first jaw and the second jaw are spaced apart a distance greater than that of the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing endoluminal anastomosis of an organ comprises an operative head including an endoscope receiving lumen for slidably receiving a flexible endoscope therein, the operative head including an annular tissue receiving space extending around a circumference of a distal end thereof and a stapling mechanism for firing staples around an entire circumference of the tissue receiving space and a tissue gripping mechanism for drawing into the tissue receiving space a portion of tissue extending around an entire circumference of the organ.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscope, particularly a bronchoscope, incorporating one or more multifunctional component made of a material that is multifunctional. The endoscopes of this invention comprise at least one multifunctional component having more than one function wherein the functions were previously performed separately by individual components.