Abstract: The present invention provides a fixating means adapted for use in hernia repair surgeries in attaching a mesh and mesh deployment means; said fixating means are attached to said mesh deployment means; and fixating means comprising: (a) a first portion coupled to said deployment means; and, (b) a second portion comprising a coil having a predetermined retracted shape; said coil is reconfigurable from a plurality of unretracted positions to a plurality of retracted positions and from said plurality of retracted positions to said plurality of unretracted positions; wherein said attachment between said deployment means and said mesh is obtained by reconfiguration of said coil from at least one of said unretracted positions to at least one of said retracted positions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving the interface between a surgeon and an operating medical assistant or between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. A device is useful for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery and includes a wearable interface for enhancing the control of an endoscope system during laparoscopic surgery.

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 provides a surgical controlling system and method for improving the interface between the surgeon and the laparoscopic surgery system. The invention includes one or more surgical tools that are inserted into the human body, a tracking system to locate the tool and detect its movement, and a processing system capable of controlling the location of the tool.

Abstract: Surgical controlling systems and methods. A surgical controlling system includes: at least one surgical tool adapted to be inserted into a surgical environment of a human body for assisting a surgical procedure; at least one location estimating unit to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool at any given time t; and at least one movement detection unit in communication with a movement's database and with the location estimating means. The system also includes a controller having a processing unit in communication with a controller's database. The controller controls the spatial position of at least one surgical tool.

Abstract: A bone suture assembly including a flexible generally cylindrical sleeve, a plurality of lengths of suture extending through the generally cylindrical sleeve, and at least one sleeve securing thread associated with the generally cylindrical sleeve. A bone suture retaining method including engaging a suture with a bone engaging sleeve, inserting the suture and the bone engaging sleeve engaged thereby into a transosseous tunnel formed into a bone by pulling the bone engaging sleeve into the transosseous tunnel and retaining the suture and the bone engaging sleeve in the transosseous tunnel by virtue of the bone engaging sleeve being unable to fit through an aperture in the bone.

Abstract: A method and device for treating hernia by implanting at least one collapsible hernia repair patch, such as a planar mesh body at least partially enveloped by one or more elastic collars. A posterior end of an applicator carrying the repair patch may be inserted through a hernia and into the wall of the abdominal cavity, and the patch may be released into the cavity, e.g., so as to helically deploy the patch such that the patch lies in parallel to the abdominal wall. A balloon, which is removably attached to the patch, may be inflated to help move the patch to a deployed configuration, and thereafter the balloon removed from the hernia site.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument that may be held by the surgeon or be attached to the surgeon's limb via a special adapter that includes an interface between the surgeon and the surgical tool is provided. The motorized surgical instrument includes mechanism, motors, gears, interface and power source that enable the surgeon to easily control the motorized surgical tools in order perform the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixating means adapted for use in hernia repair surgeries in attaching a mesh and mesh deployment means; said fixating means are attached to said mesh deployment means; and fixating means comprising: (a) a first portion coupled to said deployment means; and, (b) a second portion comprising a coil having a predetermined retracted shape; said coil is reconfigurable from a plurality of unretracted positions to a plurality of retracted positions and from said plurality of retracted positions to said plurality of unretracted positions; wherein said attachment between said deployment means and said mesh is obtained by reconfiguration of said coil from at least one of said unretracted positions to at least one of said retracted positions.

Abstract: A device to direct an endoscope to follow a surgical instrument during laparoscopic surgery, comprising an automated assistant mechanically interconnected to the endoscope, and at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key, where the wireless transmitter is in communication with a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is in communication with the wireless receiver and with the automated assistant. The automated assistant can load surgical instrument spatial locating software and automated assistant maneuvering software and can provide a visual onscreen depiction of the field of view, including any surgical instruments therein. Depression of an operating key selects an instrument, which is then automatically followed by the endoscope. The operating key can be attached to an instrument or can be freestanding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical controlling system, comprising: a. a surgical tool; b. a location estimating means configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; c. a movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; said movement's database is configured to store said 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time tf and at time t0, where tf>t0; said movement detection means is configured to detect movement of said at least one surgical tool if the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time tf is different than said 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time t0; and, d. a controller configured to control the spatial position of said at least one surgical tool.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving the interface between a surgeon and an operating medical assistant or between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. A device is useful for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery and includes a wearable interface for enhancing the control of an endoscope system during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical controlling system, comprising: a. at least one surgical tool configured to be insertable into a surgical environment of a human body for assisting a surgical procedure; b. at least one location estimating means configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; c. at least one movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; and, d. a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database, said controller configured to control the spatial position of said at least one surgical tool; said controller's database is in communication with said movement detection means.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes an elongated device body having a steerable portion including a plurality of segments. The segments are co-axially mounted over at least one elongated elastic element which is configured for limiting rotation of the segments with respect to each other. The medical device also includes a control wire running alongside the elongated device body and being unrestrained at the steerable portion such that tensioning of the control wire angles the steerable portion from a longitudinal axis of the elongated device body and deflects the control wire away from the steerable portion.

Abstract: An articulating medical instrument comprising of: a substantially straight proximal segment; a substantially straight distal segment; an articulation mechanism having a straight configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form a substantially straight line and at least one articulated configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form an articulation angle of less than 180 degrees between the segments, the articulation mechanism being configured for increasing or decreasing the articulation angle; and one or more drive mechanisms configured for transferring force from the proximal segment to the distal segment, wherein the drive mechanism does not follow substantially straight lines between the proximal and distal segments passing through the apex of the articulation angle.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-part robotic device for positioning of a hand tool, comprising: a. a fixed base unit constantly fix to its position; b. a detachable body unit reversibly coupled to said fixed base unit, coupled to said current medical instrument; wherein said fixed base unit is adapted to provide independent movement to said hand tool, said independent movement selected from the group consisting of rotation and translation, and further wherein said detachable body unit is removable and replaceable from said fixed base unit such that upon exchange of said hand tool for a second hand tool, said second hand tool is placed in substantially the same location as the location of said hand tool prior to said exchange.

Abstract: A device to direct an endoscope to follow a surgical instrument during laparoscopic surgery, comprising an automated assistant mechanically interconnected to the endoscope, and at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key, where the wireless transmitter is in communication with a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is in communication with the wireless receiver and with the automated assistant. The automated assistant can load surgical instrument spatial locating software and automated assistant maneuvering software and can provide a visual onscreen depiction of the field of view, including any surgical instruments therein. Depression of an operating key selects an instrument, which is then automatically followed by the endoscope. The operating key can be attached to an instrument or can be freestanding.