Abstract: Various medical devices and methods for cutting and/or evacuating tissue are provided. The devices and methods may utilize a reciprocating mechanism or motor powered by suction from a vacuum source. The medical devices and methods may be used on tissue in various regions of a patient's body and for treating various conditions, e.g., for performing a polypectomy or discectomy.

Abstract: Device and method are provided for diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries to the spine by injecting drugs into the diseased or injured area. The device and method of the subject invention provide improvements to patient and operator safety, along with ease-of-use and convenience improvements over conventional techniques.

Abstract: Various medical devices and methods for cutting and/or evacuating tissue are provided. The devices and methods may utilize a reciprocating mechanism or motor powered by suction from a vacuum source. The medical devices and methods may be used on tissue in various regions of a patient's body and for treating various conditions, e.g., for performing a polypectomy or discectomy.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder, and at least one structure slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact deploys at least one staple from the staple holder. Another exemplary surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, staples positioned within the staple holder; and a sled slidable within the staple holder to contact directly at least one staple, where that direct contact urges at least one staple out of the staple holder and against the anvil.

Abstract: An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel includes spaced-apart arms, and an anvil connected to those arms, where that anvil has a blunt distal end. The anvil is insertable into the target vessel. One or more connectors, such as staples, may be deployed from each arm to connect the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Abstract: An anastomosis tool includes a handle connected to a tissue effector that may be capable of being oriented in two or more positions relative to the handle. The tissue effector holds a graft vessel having at least one flap defined in at least one end thereof against the side of a target vessel. Actuation of a trigger or other mechanism on the handle causes the tissue effector to deploy one or more connectors into the flaps of the graft vessel and the side of the target vessel, thereby connecting the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Abstract: A surgical tool may include a staple holding strip, and surgical staples frangibly connected to an edge of that staple holding strip.

Abstract: A method for anastomosing a first vessel to a second vessel may include connecting an end of the first vessel to the side of the second vessel and creating an opening in the wall of the second vessel from within the lumen of the second vessel, where that opening allows fluid communication between the lumen of the first vessel and the lumen of the second vessel.

Abstract: An anastomosis tool may include a tissue effector having an anvil and a staple holder movable relative to one another, where that tissue effector may be movable from an open position to a closed position. A fluid-driven actuator may be utilized to move the tissue effector between those positions, and/or to deploy connectors from the staple holder when the tissue effector is in the closed position. The fluid-driven actuator may utilize pressurized gas stored in a cylinder or reservoir within the anastomosis tool. A separate clip applier may be used to close the entry hole made by the anvil in a target vessel.

Abstract: A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a circumferential wall and a lumen therethrough, may include providing an anastomosis tool including a tissue effector and a fluid-driven actuator operationally connected to that tissue effector; connecting the fluid-driven actuator to an energy source; placing an end of the graft vessel in proximity to the side of the target vessel; and actuating the fluid-driven actuator to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive coronary artery bypass graft procedure may be performed with a splittable proximal anastomosis tool. A distal anastomosis tool may be used as well, where that distal anastomosis tool may include a staple holder having two spaced-apart arms, staples detachably held by the staple holder, and an anvil connected to the staple holder.

Abstract: Device and method are provided for diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries to the spine by injecting drugs into the diseased or injured area. The device and method of the subject invention provide improvements to patient and operator safety, along with ease-of-use and convenience improvements over conventional techniques.

Abstract: An anastomosis device includes a deployable section that may be connected to a discard section. The deployable section may be configured to expand in two substantially orthogonal directions during deployment. The deployable section may include a ring that includes one or more expandable elements.

Abstract: A system for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel includes a tissue effector having an anvil and a staple holder movable relative to one another, with a graft affixer connected to the staple holder. A single incision may be made in an end of the graft vessel, such that the graft vessel includes a single flap for connection to the target vessel.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool both creates an opening in a side wall of a target blood vessel and performs an anastomosis procedure to connect a graft vessel to a side of the target blood vessel with a single integrated tool. The integrated anastomosis tool includes a cutting device, a graft vessel attachment device, an introducer, and a tool body. In each of the embodiments of the anastomosis tool, the advancement paths of a cutting device and a graft vessel attachment device cross, intersect, or align so that both the cutting device and the graft vessel attachment device can be operated by a single tool at the same intended anastomosis site in a sequential manner. The anastomosis procedure can be performed on a pressurized vessel since there is no need to interchange tools during the procedure.

Abstract: A tissue punch for creating a hole in the wall of a target blood vessel for receiving an anastomosis device includes a piercing element for penetrating the tissue and a cutting element for cutting a plug of tissue around the pierced hole. The tissue punch includes a trocar for inserting the piercing element. After punching is complete, the piercing element is removed from the trocar through a side wall of the trocar so that a medical device can be deployed through the trocar lumen. The tissue punch may also include a tissue trap for trapping the plug of tissue.

Abstract: An anastomosis tool may include a connector holder connected to an anvil. The connector holder may be bifurcated and configured to straddle the graft vessel. The connector holder may be generally U-shaped. The connector holder may be shaped to extend around more than half of the circumference of the graft vessel.

Abstract: A system for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel includes a tissue effector that may be configured to deploy a user-selectable number of connectors. The system includes an anvil that enters the wall of the target vessel through an entry hole that is spaced apart from the anastomosis site, and at least one anvil entry hole sealer may be utilized to substantially seal the anvil entry hole upon withdrawal of the anvil. The system may include a shield and a cutter, both of which are movable relative to the anvil, where the shield is configured to protect the graft vessel from the cutter. The cutter may include an incising element movable from a stowed position to an active position.

Abstract: An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel includes an elongated anvil arm for insertion into the target vessel. The anvil arm includes a contact surface that contacts the inner surface of the wall of the target vessel. The anvil arm includes a channel through which a cutting element translates, and a opening that extends between the channel and the contact surface of the anvil arm. The cutting element is translated along the channel, and is controlled to extend through the opening and make an incision in the wall of the target vessel at a selected location. The incision is made at a location spaced apart from the penetration site at which the anvil arm is inserted into the target vessel, resulting in a tissue bridge between the incision and the penetration site.

Abstract: A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel with an integrated anastomosis tool may include actuating at least one control on the integrated anastomosis tool to create an opening in the target vessel and complete an anastomosis with the target vessel. Another method for performing anastomosis may include creating an opening in intact tissue of the target vessel with an integrated anastomosis tool; and deploying an anastomosis device with the integrated anastomosis tool. The anastomosis may be performed with an anastomosis device, such as an anastomosis device having a deployable section detachable from a discard section.