Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical device for tunneling through hard tissue including an arcuate tunneling needle driver and a bone engagement element, the arcuate needle driver and the bone engagement element being joined together to provide a joined needle driver and bone engagement element having at least two different operative orientations including an arthroscopic operative orientation wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a trans-incision insertion cross-sectional footprint and a tunneling operative orientation suitable for tunneling, wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a tunneling cross-sectional footprint which is substantially greater than the insertion cross-sectional footprint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical tracking system for assisting an operator to perform a laparoscopic surgery of a human body, said surgical tracking system comprising: a. at least one endoscope adapted to acquire real-time images of a surgical environment within said human body; b. a maneuvering subsystem adapted to control the spatial position of said endoscope during said laparoscopic surgery; and, c. a tracking subsystem in communication with said maneuvering subsystem, adapted to control the maneuvering system so as to direct and modify the spatial position of said endoscope to a region of interest.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool; at least one movement detection means in communication with a movement database and with the location estimating means; and a controller, which controls the position of at least one surgical tool, in communication with a movement database, a control database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores the 3D spatial position of each surgical tool at the present time and at at least one previous time; a tool has moved if its present position is different from its previous position. The control database stores rules to identify a movement of a tool as either an ALLOWED movement or a RESTRICTED movement.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool, at least one movement detection means in communication with a movement database and with the location estimating means and a controller, which controls the position of at least one surgical tool, in communication with a movement database, a control database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores the 3D spatial position of each surgical tool at the present time and at at least one previous time; a tool has moved if its present position is different from its previous position. The control database stores rules to identify a movement of a tool as either an allowed movement or a restricted movement. Examples of rules include a maximum speed rule, a virtual zoom rule, a virtual rotation of scene rule, and position of tool rule.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one surgical tool insertable into a surgical environment of a body; a means to real-time locate 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at any time t, in communication with a movement detection means and a movement database; a controller having a processing means in communication with a controller database and the movement detection means; and an endoscope, either one of the tools or in addition to them, to provide a real-time image of the surgical environment. The movement database stores the 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at times tf and t0. A surgical tool has moved if its 3D spatial position at time tf differs from its position at time t0. The controller database stores rules used by the controller to control the spatial positions of the surgical tools; the rules determine ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movements of the surgical tools.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool insertable into a surgical environment of a body, in communication with a movement detection means and a movement database; and a controller in communication with a controller database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores 3D spatial positions of surgical tools at times tf and t0; it has moved if its 3D spatial position at time tf differs from that at time t0. Rules stored in the controller database determine ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movements of surgical tools and are used to control the surgical tools' spatial positions. Rules include: most used tool, right tool, left tool, field of view, no fly zone, route, environmental, operator input, proximity, collision prevention, history-based, tool-dependent ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movement, preferred volume zone, preferred tool, movement detection, tagged tool, and change of speed rules.

Abstract: An adaptor for coupling a surgical tool to a handle having a drive mechanism for operating the surgical tool is provided. The adaptor includes two telescopically connected segments, a first segment being for engaging the surgical tool and a second segment for engaging the handle. When the first and the second segments are telescopically collapsed they operatively link the surgical tool with the handle drive mechanism while preventing user contact with potentially non-sterile regions of the handle and/or tool.

Abstract: A hernia repair device, comprising: an inflatable balloon having an inflation tube, the inflation tube having a proximal end attached to said balloon and a distal end adapted to be extracted from the body, separately from the balloon, via an opening which is smaller than a laparoscopic opening; and a mesh removably attached to said balloon, wherein the inflation tube passes through the mesh.

Abstract: An elongate open-bored applicator (EOBP) adapted to deploy a mesh comprising (a) at least one inflatable contour-balloon, (b) at least one inflatable dissection balloon. The inflatable contour-balloon and the inflatable dissection balloon are adjustable and located at the distal portion; and, (c) at least one actuating means located at the proximal portion. The actuating means is in communication with the inflatable contour-balloon and the inflatable dissection balloon. The actuating means is adapted to provide the inflatable contour-balloon and the inflatable dissection balloon with independent activation and/or de-activation.

Abstract: A device for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. The device includes a wearable interface and an automated assistant for maneuvering an endoscope to a desired location, and at least one wearable operator. The wearable operator includes a transmitter that is in communication with at least one instrument. The system also includes a wireless receiver to receive signals from the transmitter and a computerized laparoscopy system that is in communication with the wireless receiver and that provides a visual depiction of a selected instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circular bone tunneling device, comprising: a hollow elongate body comprising a hollow elongate body head, said hollow elongate body head defining a rigid circular arc, comprising a surgical needle; an extendable and retractable support element, reconfigurable from an extended configuration to a retracted configuration; said support element, in said extended configuration, adapted to be located along said path formed by said rigid circular arc; said support element and said hollow elongate body head are adapted to grasp said bone from at least two points along the circumference of said bone; a stabilizing element.

Abstract: A control unit attachable to a flexible endoscope having a shaft deflectable via two rotatable knobs is provided. The control unit includes a user interface including a first interface being mounted on a pivotal support attached to a housing of the control unit, the first interface being engageable by a palm of a hand. The control unit further includes a drive unit operable via the user interface, the drive unit including a first drive mechanism for engaging the two rotatable knobs thereby allowing a user to control deflection of the shaft of the endoscope via the first interface.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: a location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of surgical tools, a movement detection means and movement database in communication with the location estimating means and with a control database and controller to control the position of surgical tools. The movement database stores 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at the present time and at at least one previous time; movement has occurred if a present position is different from a previous position. In the control database are rules identifying tool movement as allowed or restricted, selected from: most used tool rule, right or left tool rule, field of view rule, no fly zone rule, route rule, environmental rule, operator input rule, proximity rule, collision prevention rule, history-based rule, tool-dependent allowed and restricted movement rule, preferred volume zone, preferred tool, movement detection rule, tagged tool rule, and change of speed rule.

Abstract: A medical device and method of using same are provided. The medical device includes a handle detachably connected to a shaft having a proximal portion attached to a distal portion through an articulation region. The device further includes an articulation mechanism controllable from the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a first gear disposed in the proximal portion and a second gear disposed in the distal portion. A drive mechanism for deploying an implant from a distal end of the distal portion includes an elongated member having a flexible region traversing the articulation region with the first gear disposed around the elongated member.

Abstract: An adjustable suture passer for use in arthroscopic surgery is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable suture passer comprises a head that describes a semicircular arc, an elongate body, a support element, and driving and control mechanisms. The head is adapted to accommodate a surgical needle and a guide wire, When the adjustable suture passer is activated, the needle is driven with sufficient force to penetrate bone. Use of the adjustable suture passer thus enables surgical attachment of soft tissue to bone without any necessity for a separate anchor.

Abstract: An arthroscopic surgical device for tunneling through hard tissue including an arcuate tunneling needle driver and a bone engagement element, the arcuate needle driver and the bone engagement element being joined together to provide a joined needle driver and bone engagement element having at least two different operative orientations including an arthroscopic operative orientation wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a trans-incision insertion cross-sectional footprint and a tunneling operative orientation suitable for tunneling, wherein the joined arcuate needle driver and bone engagement element has a tunneling cross-sectional footprint which is substantially greater than the insertion cross-sectional footprint.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inflatable contour-balloon useful in minimal invasive and/or open surgery. The inflatable contour-balloon positioned in the contour of a mesh and/or a patch and/or a net. The inflatable contour-balloon is adapted to spread and/or deploy the mesh and/or the patch and/or the net in the abdominal cavity and/or pre-peritoneal and/or space and/or hollow body organs and/or natural and/or artificial orifices and/or spaces and/or post operative spaces. The present invention also discloses an elongate open-bored applicator (EOBP) adapted to spread and/or deploy a mesh and/or a patch and/or a net. The EOBP is useful in minimal invasive surgery. The EOBP has a distal portion that is insertable into the abdominal cavity and/or pre-peritoneal and/or space arid/or hollow body organs and/or natural and/or artificial orifices and/or spaces and/or post operative spaces; and a proximal portion that remains outside the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circular bone tunneling device, comprising: a hollow elongate body comprising a hollow elongate body head, said hollow elongate body head defining a rigid circular arc, comprising a surgical needle; an extendable and retractable support element, reconfigurable from an extended configuration to a retracted configuration; said support element, in said extended configuration, adapted to be located along said path formed by said rigid circular arc; said support element and said hollow elongate body head are adapted to grasp said bone from at least two points along the circumference of said bone; a stabilizing element.

Abstract: A fastening device, comprising an inner tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end and at least one fastener positioned within the inner tube and adapted to advance linearly towards the distal end of the inner tube, and an advancing element which converts rotational motion to linear pushing force on the fastener. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one fastener is adapted to not rotate at all or to rotate at a rate not necessarily the same as any other fasteners or any other elements during linear advancement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maneuvering an endoscope are disclosed. The system includes: at least one first pivoting support that is pivotally attached to the endoscope and that permits the endoscope to pivot around at least one first axis of rotation; at least one second pivoting support that is in communication with the at least one first pivoting support and that is adapted to rotate around at least one axis that is substantially orthogonal to said first axis so as to permit the endoscope to rotate around an insertion point into a body in at least two orthogonal axes; and at least one controller attached to either the first or the second pivoting. The controller is adapted to provide a constant dynamic equilibrium between said endoscope and at least one of the pivoting supports.