Abstract: An endoscope assembly includes a shaft assembly, an endoscopic camera assembly, and an anatomy elevation assembly. The shaft assembly includes a flexible outer shaft defining a lumen, a first electrical communication line, and a first fluid communication line. The endoscopic camera assembly is in communication with the first electrical communication line. The anatomy elevation assembly includes an inflatable member coupled to the flexible outer shaft. The inflatable member includes an interior surface. The first fluid communication line is in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The inflatable member is configured to transition between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration. The interior surface is configured to define a viewing path distal to the endoscopic camera assembly while the inflatable member is in the inflated configuration.

Abstract: A pump for use with a tube, having a rotor having an axis of rotation and a plurality of rollers configured to define an orbital path about the axis of rotation, the orbital path defined by a radius, and a roller bed having a surface adapted to support the tube for peristaltic compression by one or more rollers, wherein the surface has a predetermined profile comprising a circular arc segment and at least one side segment, the arc segment having a first curvature defined by the radius, and the at least one side segment having a second curvature lesser than the first curvature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for cutting a tissue and related methods includes a shaft, a cutting member, and an axial adjustment coupling. The shaft and the cutting member are configured to articulate from a first configuration toward a second configuration and respectively have distal and proximal shaft ends distal and proximal member ends. The cutting member is disposed within the shaft and configured to cyclically move relative to the shaft. The axial adjustment coupling is configured to longitudinally move the proximal member end relative to the proximal shaft end while articulating the shaft and the cutting member from the first configuration toward the second configuration. Thereby, the axial adjustment coupling inhibits movement of the distal member end relative to the distal shaft end for maintaining alignment between a shaft window opening in the shaft and a cutting window opening in the cutting member.

Abstract: Tools used within a surgical area may be equipped with sensors that allow them to be tracked within the magnetic field of an image guided surgery (IGS) system. The IGS system may be configured to detect various movement patterns of the tools, which may be mapped to and associated with corresponding actions or inputs to the IGS system. In one example, a registration probe may be moved along the x-axis and y-axis, with detected movements identified and received by the IGS system as movements of a mouse cursor on a display of the IGS system. In another example, the registration probe may be moved in a circular pattern, or quickly moved along any of the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis, with each being configured to cause the IGS system to zoom a display, change a view, record video, or other actions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mounting portion and a sensor portion. The mounting portion is configured to fit over a nose of a preselected patient. The mounting portion includes a base and a pair of rigid nose pads fixedly coupled to the base. Each nose pad of the pair of nose pads includes a respective nose-gripping surface. The nose-gripping surfaces of the nose pads are configured to engage the nose of the preselected patient at respective predetermined locations along the nose. Each nose-gripping surface is sized and shaped to complement a corresponding unique structural feature of the nose of the preselected patient at the predetermined location. A sensor portion is fixedly attached to the mounting portion. The sensor portion includes a first sensor configured to generate a first signal corresponding to a position of the first sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindraceous sleeve body, a navigation sensor, and an interface feature. The cylindraceous sleeve body includes an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending from the open proximal end to the open distal end. The lumen is sized and configured to receive a shaft of a medical instrument. The navigation sensor is positioned at the open distal end of the cylindraceous sleeve body. The interface feature is configured to couple the navigation sensor with an image guidance system. The navigation sensor is configured to cooperate with an image guidance system to provide feedback indicating a position of the navigation sensor in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a vascular lesion (106A) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) within a body (107) of a patient (109). The catheter system (100) includes a light source (124), a receptacle assembly (274), a first light guide (122A) and a second light guide (122A), a multiplexer (128), and an alignment assembly (256). The light source (124) generates a source beam (124A) of light energy. The first light guide (122A) and the second light guide (122A) are coupled to the receptacle assembly (274), each light guide (122A) having a guide proximal end (122P). The multiplexer (128) receives the source beam (124A) from the light source (124), the multiplexer (128) directing individual guide beams (124B) from the source beam (124A) to each of the guide proximal end (122P) of the first light guide (122A) and the guide proximal end (122P) of the second light guide (122A).

Abstract: An implant delivery system includes a catheter, an implant, and a push body. The catheter extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end. The catheter defines an inner lumen extending through the first distal end. The implant includes a second proximal, a second distal end, and a plurality of resilient barbs. The implant is slidably housed within the inner lumen. The implant is compressed in the inner lumen such that the implant bears against an inner diameter of the inner lumen and the implant is retained within the inner lumen by friction. The push body is slidably housed within the inner lumen of the catheter. The push body is adjacent to the second proximal end of the implant.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an occlusion device operable to fit securely in an anatomical passageway within a head of a human. The occlusion device is configured to move unitarily with the head when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. The occlusion device is further configured to prevent passage of fluid through the anatomical passageway when the occlusion device is installed in the anatomical passageway. A position sensor is fixedly integrated into the occlusion device. The position sensor generates signals indicating a position of the occlusion device in three-dimensional space, thereby indicating the position of the head in three-dimensional space. A connector communicatively coupled to the position sensor is operable to receive and transmit the signals generated by the position sensor.

Abstract: Some target anatomies within the ear, nose and/or throat of a patient may be difficult to access and treat. To provide a means of treating such target anatomies over time, drug delivery devices that are sized to be positioned within a naturally occurring or man-made anatomical cavity or passageway are preloaded with active agent(s). The drug delivery devices are affixed directly to, or in the vicinity of, a target anatomy. Once affixed, the drug delivery devices are configured to deliver active agent(s) at desired dosage(s) to the target anatomy through controlled elution of the active agent(s) as various structural features of the drug delivery devices are bio-eliminated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly includes a surgical instrument having an instrument body, an elongate member with a distal end configured to be inserted into an anatomical passageway of a patient, a sensor operable to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the elongate member, and a first electrical connector electrically coupled with the sensor. The assembly further includes a cable assembly having a cable that communicates with a processor, and a coupling that releasably couples with the instrument body. The coupling includes a coupling body having first and second lateral sides that extend parallel to one another and are configured to extend parallel to a side of the instrument body when the coupling is coupled with the instrument body. The coupling includes a second electrical connector that electrically couples with the first electrical connector to transmit the signal from the sensor proximally through the cable and toward the processor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an outer tube configured to be gripped by a user, and a needle slidably disposed within the outer tube. The needle includes a needle lumen, a distal needle tip configured to pierce tissue, and an electrode disposed at the distal needle tip. The needle lumen opens to the distal needle tip such that the distal needle tip is configured to deliver fluid from the needle lumen to tissue. The electrode is operable to deliver RF energy to tissue for ablating the tissue. The needle is translatable relative to the outer tube between a proximal retracted position in which the distal needle tip is housed coaxially within the outer tube, and a distal extended position in which the distal needle tip is exposed from the outer tube and configured to pierce tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a sheath and an energy catheter. The sheath is configured to be inserted into a nasal cavity of a patient's head. The energy catheter includes a shaft and an end effector. The end effector is configured to selectively expand radially outwardly. The end effector includes an energy member that includes a flexible wire and electrodes disposed along the wire. The energy catheter is selectively translatable relative to the sheath. In a proximal position, the end effector is housed coaxially within the sheath to thereby prevent the end effector from radially expanding. In a distal position, the end effector is exposed from the sheath to thereby permit the end effector to expand for contacting tissue in the nasal cavity of the patient's head. When the end effector is in the expanded state, the end effector has a width and a length greater than the width.

Abstract: An array of sensors may be used to perform touchless registration of landmarks of a patient's face before an ENT procedure in order to associate those landmarks with pre-operative images in three-dimensional space, which is required for image guided surgery features such as navigation. Touchless or light-touch registration may improve accuracy by avoiding the need for substantial pressing against a patient's skin, which may deform and thereby introduce erroneous registration data. A sensor may also be implemented in forms other than an array such as handheld probe having a single sensor as opposed to an array.

Abstract: A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or a heart valve includes an inflatable balloon (104), an optical fiber (122), and an energy source (124). The optical fiber (122) has a fiber proximal end (122P), and a fiber distal end (122D) positioned within the inflatable balloon (104). The optical fiber (122) is configured to receive an energy pulse so that the optical fiber (122) emits light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber (122) to generate a plasma pulse within the inflatable balloon (104). The optical fiber (122) can be tapered from the fiber proximal end (122P) toward the fiber distal end (122D). The energy source (124) in optical communication with the fiber proximal end (122P) of the optical fiber (122), and can include a laser. The optical fiber (122) includes a first fiber member (250) and a second fiber member (258) that is coupled to the first fiber member (250).

Abstract: A method for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108) or heart valve includes tapering an optical fiber (122) from a fiber proximal end (122P) to a fiber distal end (122D); positioning the optical fiber (122) such that the fiber distal end (122D) is positioned within an inflatable balloon (104); coupling an energy source (124) in optical communication with the fiber proximal end (122P); and receiving an energy pulse from the energy source (124) into the fiber proximal end (122P) so that the optical fiber (122) emits light energy in a direction away from the optical fiber (122) to generate a plasma pulse within the inflatable balloon (104). The method can further include coupling a first fiber member (250) to a second fiber member (258), which can include fusing the first fiber member (250) to the second fiber member (258) at a fused region (256); and encircling the fused region (256) with a ferrule (248).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cannula assembly and a sensor assembly. The cannula assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The cannula is formed of a rigid material. The sensor assembly includes a sensor and a communication wire. The sensor is fixed to the cannula assembly. The communication wire is in electrical communication with the sensor. The communication wire extends along a length of the cannula assembly exterior to the first lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first shaft, an actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The first shaft includes a malleable distal portion. The actuation assembly includes a second shaft and an actuator. The second shaft is coaxially positioned about the first shaft. The actuator is operable to selectively bend the malleable distal portion of the first shaft. The dilation catheter is coaxially interposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator. The dilation catheter is operable to translate along the malleable distal portion of the first shaft.

Abstract: A suction instrument includes a grip portion and a cannula. The grip portion includes a suction port and defines a first lumen. The cannula extends distally from the grip portion. The cannula defines a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen of the grip portion. The cannula includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cannula defines a first portion of the second lumen. The first portion of the second lumen has a first cross-sectional area. The distal portion terminates into an open distal end. The distal portion of the cannula defines a second portion of the second lumen. The second portion of the second lumen has a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is smaller than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a first shaft, an actuation assembly, and a dilation catheter. The first shaft includes a malleable distal portion. The actuation assembly includes a second shaft and an actuator. The second shaft is coaxially positioned about the first shaft. The actuator is operable to selectively bend the malleable distal portion of the first shaft. The dilation catheter is coaxially interposed between the first shaft and the second shaft. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator. The dilation catheter is operable to translate along the malleable distal portion of the first shaft.