Abstract: In one example, a system has an insertion handle that can be coupled to an intramedullary nail and includes a first coupler that defines one of a recess and a projection, and one of a latch and an abutment surface. The system has an aiming guide that includes a guide body that defines at least one alignment aperture therethrough. The aiming guide includes a second coupler that can couple the guide body to the first coupler such that the at least one alignment aperture is positioned to guide an instrument towards at least one bone-anchor fixation hole of the intramedullary nail. The second coupler defines another of the recess and the projection, and another of the latch and the abutment surface. The first and second couplers can couple to one another by receiving the projection in the recess and by engaging the latch with the abutment surface.

Abstract: A device includes an outer sleeve of flexible material forming an outer conduit extending longitudinally therethrough for the insertion of a bone treatment device (“BTD”) to target sites within a living body. A distal opening of the outer conduit is open so that, when the outer sleeve is in a desired position within the body, BTD is inserted through the outer conduit exits the outer sleeve adjacent to a target portion of a bone. The device also includes an inner sleeve received within the outer sleeve and defining an inner conduit within the outer conduit to form a protective covering. The inner sleeve is split longitudinally. Portions of the inner sleeve on opposite sides of the split are coupled to one another so that a diameter of the inner conduit is adjustable in response to forces exerted thereon by one of BTD and tissues surrounding the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed including a pencil-grip handle, a shaft coupled to the pencil-grip handle, and an end effector coupled to the shaft. The end effector includes a body, a source electrode, and one or more return electrodes. The source electrode and the one or more return electrodes are configured to provide a multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal to tissue. The one or more return electrodes each comprise a first return electrode and a second return electrode. The electrosurgical instrument further includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the end effector. The electrosurgical generator is configured to produce the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. The electrosurgical generator is coupled to the source electrode, the first return electrode, and the second return electrode. The first phase, the second phase, and the third phase are combined to generate the multi-phase bipolar electrosurgical signal.

Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a cannula assembly, an obturator assembly, and a catch arm. The cannula assembly has a housing, a cannula, and a working channel defining a longitudinal axis from a proximal opening to a distal opening. The obturator assembly includes a proximal head, a distal tip, and a shaft extending therebetween. The catch arm is selectively moveable from a retracted position to a first and second deployed positions and is configured to releasably capture a suture thread. In the retracted position, the catch arm is positioned radially inward from the first deployed position. In the first deployed position, the catch arm is positioned radially outward from the retracted position. In addition, the catch arm is configured to be moved a predetermined distance from the first deployed position to the second deployed position and release the captured suture thread therefrom.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis includes a first device portion having a first mating surface, a first base wall recessed from the first mating surface so as to define a first inner recess, and a first set of suture bores extending through the first base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the first device portion. A second device portion of the device has a second mating surface, a second base wall recessed from the second mating surface so as to define a second inner recess, and a second set of suture bores extending through the second base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the second device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to compress tissue positioned between the first and second mating surfaces.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures includes a first device portion having a first mating surface, and a second device portion having a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface to compress tissue positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second mating surfaces includes a contoured portion, and the contoured portions are configured to mate with one another to facilitate alignment of the first and second device portions. A first one of the contoured portions may be formed with a concave contour and a second one of the contoured portions may be formed with a complementary convex contour. The device portions may further include first and second magnetic members configured to draw the device portions together to engage the first mating surface with the second mating surface.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures includes a first device portion and a second device portion configured to mate with the first device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to magnetically draw together to compress tissue positioned therebetween. The device further includes a circuit assembly including an electrical element and a battery configured to energize the electrical element. The electrical element may be in the form of an electromagnet or an illumination device, for example. In exemplary versions, the first device portion may include a first circuit assembly having a first electrical element and a first battery, and the second device portion may include a second circuit assembly having a second electrical element and a second battery.

Abstract: A method is used to reduce a volume of a stomach of a patient. The method includes inverting a portion of a stomach wall to thereby create an inverted portion. An expandable member is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the inverted portion. The expandable member is expanded to thereby expand the inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. A base region of the inverted portion is cinched to thereby capture the expanded expandable member in the expanded inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. Expanding and cinching provide a cinch diameter to first outer diameter ratio from approximately 0.5:1 to approximately 0.9:1.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

Abstract: Methods and devices create an intestinal braking effect, are non-invasive or minimally invasive, and may be reversible. These methods and devices are accomplished via stabilized implantable systems, and ingestible pills. In one embodiment, the implantable system comprises a device delivering a therapeutic substance to a target location within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to initiate an intestinal braking effect which would promote sensations of satiety and stimulate excess weight loss for the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an anvil, a closure assembly, a firing assembly, and a casing assembly. The firing assembly includes a staple driver and an annular array of staples. The casing assembly includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first handle portion, a first shaft portion, and a tubular casing. The tubular casing slidably houses the staple driver. The first section defines a homogenous continuum of material along the length of the first handle portion, the first shaft portion, and the tubular casing. The second section includes a second handle portion and a second shaft portion. The second handle portion is laterally coupled with the first handle portion. The second shaft portion is laterally coupled with the first shaft portion. The second section defines a homogenous continuum of material along the length of the second handle portion and the second shaft portion.