Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a proximal end and a distal end and an anvil at the distal end for providing resistance to staples during the stapling operation of the surgical stapler. The anvil may include a number of segments arranged end-to-end. The anvil is elongated in the collapsed state, the anvil being elongated generally in a first direction D1. The anvil is configured such that the segments rotate about a rotation axis along a perpendicular second direction D2 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and the collapsed states. The anvil is configured such that adjacent segments pivot relative to each other about a pivot axis along a third direction D3 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and collapsed states. The stapler also includes an actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is configured to be controlled from a location on the surgical stapler towards the proximal end.

Abstract: A surgical retractor tool for removing an object from the stomach or from the oesophagus. The tool includes a flexible steerable tube for insertion into the body via the oral cavity and a gripper at the distal end of the tube for gripping an object in the stomach or the oesophagus in order to allow for removal of the object from the stomach or the oesophagus. The gripper includes first and second rotatable gripper surfaces and a clamping mechanism for moving the gripper surfaces to clamp the object. The rotatable gripper surfaces are arranged to rotate relative to the tube in order to allow a longitudinal axis of a gripped object to move into alignment with a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a proximal end and a distal end and an anvil at the distal end for providing resistance to staples during the stapling operation of the surgical stapler. The anvil may include a number of segments arranged end-to-end. The anvil is elongated in the collapsed state, the anvil being elongated generally in a first direction D1. The anvil is configured such that the segments rotate about a rotation axis along a perpendicular second direction D2 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and the collapsed states. The anvil is configured such that adjacent segments pivot relative to each other about a pivot axis along a third direction D3 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and collapsed states. The stapler also includes an actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is configured to be controlled from a location on the surgical stapler towards the proximal end.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a proximal end and a distal end and an anvil at the distal end for providing resistance to staples during the stapling operation of the surgical stapler. The anvil may include a number of segments arranged end-to-end. The anvil is elongated in the collapsed state, the anvil being elongated generally in a first direction D1. The anvil is configured such that the segments rotate about a rotation axis along a perpendicular second direction D2 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and the collapsed states. The anvil is configured such that adjacent segments pivot relative to each other about a pivot axis along a third direction D3 when the anvil is actuated between the deployed and collapsed states. The stapler also includes an actuator mechanism, wherein the actuator mechanism is configured to be controlled from a location on the surgical stapler towards the proximal end.

Abstract: A surgical stapler 101 comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is proximate to the user in use and the distal end is distal from the user in use and an anvil 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 at the distal end for providing resistance to staples during the stapling operation of the surgical stapler. The anvil 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 is configured to be actuated between a deployed state and a collapsed state. The anvil 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 comprises a plurality of segments 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930 arranged end-to-end. The anvil 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 is elongated in the collapsed state, the anvil 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320 being elongated generally in a first direction D1.