Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example surgical device may include an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a head, the head comprising an articulating mechanism, the articulating mechanism being operable to move a first jaw between an open position in which the first jaw and a second jaw are separated and substantially non-parallel and a closed position in which the first jaw and the second jaw are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel, where each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises a first substantially straight portion proximate the head, a second substantially straight portion, a third substantially straight portion distant from the head, a first curved portion between the first substantially straight portion and the second substantially straight portion, and a second curved portion between the second substantially straight portion and the third substantially straight portion.

Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example end effector for a surgical device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and an articulating mechanism operable to move the first jaw between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. An example articulating mechanism may include a first jaw mount coupled to the first jaw so that movement of the first jaw mount along a path causes rotation and translation of the first jaw mount and the first jaw. A pivotably mounted crank may operably couple an actuator linkage to the first jaw mount so that moving the actuator linkage rotates the crank, and rotation of the crank may move the first jaw mount along the path.

Abstract: Various methods of treating a heart of a patient having a cardiac arrhythmia are disclosed. The method can comprise dissecting tissue at an inferior aspect of a right inferior pulmonary vein of the patient to create an oblique sinus defect, dissecting tissue to open a space between a superior vena cava and a left atrium, and dissecting tissue to open a space across a transverse sinus between a pulmonary artery and a roof of the left atrium. The method can further comprise passing a catheter through an oblique sinus defect underneath the heart and beyond a left ventricle and passing a first flexible guiding device across the transverse sinus and under the superior vena cava and the pulmonary artery.

Abstract: Surgical devices and related methods are disclosed. An example end effector for a surgical device may include a first jaw, a second jaw, and an articulating mechanism operable to move the first jaw between an open position, an intermediate position, and a closed position. An example articulating mechanism may include a first jaw mount coupled to the first jaw so that movement of the first jaw mount along a path causes rotation and translation of the first jaw mount and the first jaw. A pivotably mounted crank may operably couple an actuator linkage to the first jaw mount so that moving the actuator linkage rotates the crank, and rotation of the crank may move the first jaw mount along the path.