Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. For example, a surgical device is provided with a handle that has an elongate shaft assembly with first and second jaws for engaging tissue. A cutting assembly is included in the surgical device that cuts tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. The surgical device also includes a drive shaft that extends from the handle through the elongate shaft and moves the cutting assembly relative to the first and second jaws, and a motorized gear assembly that causes movement of the drive shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongate shaft assembly is detachable from the handle such that, when detached, the drive shaft can be manually retracted relative to the elongate shaft to retract the cutting assembly from to the first and second jaws.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. For instance, a surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongated shaft having first and second jaws. The device includes a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A motor is included to drive the cutting assembly, and a processor is coupled to the motor. An actuator on the device is configured to receive an input from a user that causes power to be supplied to the motor. The device has a normal mode in which the processor controls the motor, and the device has a bailout mode in which the processor is bypassed and power is delivered directly to the motor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for retracting a cutting assembly in the event of a failure on a motorized electrosurgical device. A surgical device is provided that includes a handle portion with an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom. The elongate shaft has first and second jaws at a distal end, and the jaws are configured to engage tissue. The surgical device also has a cutting assembly configured to cut tissue engaged between the first and second jaws. A drive shaft extends from the handle of the surgical device through the elongate shaft and is coupled to the cutting assembly for moving the cutting assembly. The surgical device has a motorized gear assembly with at least one motor driven gear that is configured to move the drive shaft. The surgical device also has a bailout assembly that is configured to manually move the drive shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for resecting tissue from the gastrointestinal tract are disclosed. The apparatus can include an RF tissue cutting device disposed inward of a side opening in the device. A tissue stop can be used to control the depth of tissue resected, and the tissue stop can include holes for communicating vacuum for drawing tissue into the side opening. The tissue stop can be electrically grounded with respect to the RF tissue cutting device, and the tissue stop can provide one pole of an RF electrical circuit.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning one or more members within the gastro-intestinal tract is disclosed. The sheath can be provided with texture on an inside surface to facilitate installation of the endoscope in the sheath, and to permit the endoscope to be gripped through the sheath.

Abstract: An endoscopic accessory medical device is provided. The device can include a handle, a flexible shaft, and an end effector. The handle can include an actuator for operating the end effector through a wire or cable pulling member that extends through the flexible shaft. The handle and actuator can be operable with a single hand, such that the operation of the end effector can be accomplished with the same hand that is used to hold the handle and advance the end effector through an endoscope. The handle can include an actuation mechanism that is decoupled from operation of the end effector when the actuator is in a first open position, which becomes operatively coupled to the end effector when the actuator is moved to a second position, such as by squeezing the actuator, and which operates the end effector when the actuator is moved further to a third position.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivering monopolar energy to a treatment area in order to cut and/or coagulate tissue. In one embodiment, the device can include an elongated shaft having a distal end that is mated to a cutting head. The cutting head can include opposed jaws and an active monopolar cutting element coupled to at least one of the jaws and adapted to communicate with an energy source for delivering energy to tissue grasped between the jaws. In an exemplary embodiment, the cutting element is slidably retractable relative to the jaws to cut and/or coagulate tissue engaged therebetween. Exemplary methods for cutting and/or coagulating tissue are also provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic accessory medical device is provided. The device can include a handle, a flexible shaft, and an end effector. The handle can include an actuator for operating the end effector through a wire or cable pulling member that extends through the flexible shaft. The handle and actuator can be operable with a single hand, such that the operation of the end effector can be accomplished with the same hand that is used to hold the handle and advance the end effector through an endoscope. The handle can include an actuation mechanism that is decoupled from operation of the end effector when the actuator is in a first open position, which becomes operatively coupled to the end effector when the actuator is moved to a second position, such as by squeezing the actuator, and which operates the end effector when the actuator is moved further to a third position.

Abstract: An endoscopic accessory medical device is provided. The device can include a handle, a flexible shaft, and an end effector. The handle can include an actuator for operating the end effector through a wire or cable pulling member that extends through the flexible shaft. The handle and actuator can be operable with a single hand, such that the operation of the end effector can be accomplished with the same hand that is used to hold the handle and advance the end effector through an endoscope. The handle can include an actuation mechanism that is decoupled from operation of the end effector when the actuator is in a first open position, which becomes operatively coupled to the end effector when the actuator is moved to a second position, such as by squeezing the actuator, and which operates the end effector when the actuator is moved further to a third position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ligating and coagulating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, a device is provided having an end effector that is adapted to access tissue to be treated at a surgical site and has the capability to both ligate and coagulate the targeted tissue. The end effector can include at least one ligation band that is removably disposed in a delivery configuration on a portion of the end effector and is adapted to be configured in a tissue-engaging configuration upon release from the end effector. The end effector can also include a pair of spaced electrodes disposed adjacent to each other on a tissue contacting portion of the end effector.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivering monopolar energy to a treatment area in order to cut and/or coagulate tissue. In one embodiment, the device can include an elongated shaft having a distal end that is mated to a cutting head. The cutting head can include opposed jaws and an active monopolar cutting element coupled to at least one of the jaws and adapted to communicate with an energy source for delivering energy to tissue grasped between the jaws. In an exemplary embodiment, the cutting element is slidably retractable relative to the jaws to cut and/or coagulate tissue engaged therebetween. Exemplary methods for cutting and/or coagulating tissue are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ligating and coagulating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, a device is provided having an end effector that is adapted to access tissue to be treated at a surgical site and has the capability to both ligate and coagulate the targeted tissue. The end effector can include at least one ligation band that is removably disposed in a delivery configuration on a portion of the end effector and is adapted to be configured in a tissue-engaging configuration upon release from the end effector. The end effector can also include a pair of spaced electrodes disposed adjacent to each other on a tissue contacting portion of the end effector.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a flexible sheath, a pivot base, a medical needle knife base, a medical needle knife, and a handpiece. The flexible sheath has a distal sheath portion insertable within a patient and has a proximal sheath portion. The pivot base is attached to the distal sheath portion. The needle knife base is pivotally connected to the pivot base and has a passageway. The medical needle knife is extendable from the passageway and is retractable within the passageway. The handpiece is connected to the proximal sheath portion and includes a manually-operated articulation control operatively connected to the needle knife base for pivoting the needle knife base with respect to the pivot base.

Abstract: A medical instrument handle includes a medical-instrument-handle body, manually-slidable first and second slides, and medical-instrument-member first and second articulation cables. The handle body has a longitudinal axis, a proximal body portion, and a distal body portion. The first slide is slidably attached to the handle body. The first articulation cable includes a first proximal cable portion which has a first centerline and which is connected to the first slide. The second slide is slidably attached to the handle body. The second articulation cable includes a second proximal cable portion which is connected to the second slide. A medical instrument also includes a flexible shaft and a medical end effector.