Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a cutting blade coupled to a motor and an ultrasonic blade coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. In some embodiments, the cutting blade includes a longitudinally extending lumen and the ultrasonic blade is disposed within the longitudinally extending lumen of the cutting blade. In other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a longitudinally extending lumen and the cutting blade is disposed within the longitudinally extending lumen of the ultrasonic blade. In yet other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade is substantially parallel to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical method comprises obtaining a first instrument comprising an elongate shaft with a distal end and a proximal end connected to a first handle. The distal end of the first instrument is passed through a percutaneous incision. A surgical end effector is obtained having a distal end with operable jaws and a proximal end selectively attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the first instrument. A second instrument is obtained comprising a distal end and a proximal end connected to a second handle. The surgical end effector is loaded ex vivo on the distal end of the second instrument. The distal end of the second instrument with the loaded surgical end effector is passed through a second incision spaced from the percutaneous incision. The proximal end of the surgical end effector is attached in vivo to the distal end of the first instrument. Tissue is manipulated by actuating the handle of the first instrument to operate the jaws of the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A module for attachment to a medical instrument to scan the anatomy with a beam of radiation. The module comprising a housing suitable for insertion in the anatomy that includes a window and a fastener to attach the housing to a medical instrument, an oscillating reflector within the housing that directs a beam of radiation onto the anatomy, and a collector to receive radiation returned from the anatomy.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that has an ultrasonic blade that protrudes from an ultrasonic transducer assembly. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic blade coaxially extends through a rotatable tissue cutting blade that is rotatably supported by a housing that supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly. In other embodiments, the ultrasonic blade and the tissue cutting blade are both selectively rotatable relative to the housing. In yet other embodiments, the tissue cutting blade and the ultrasonic blade are supported relative to each other in separate sheaths attached to the housing.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for deploying and applying multiple suture anchors. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a shaft configured to be introduced into a body, e.g., through a scoping device, and to deliver a plurality of suture anchors into tissue, preferably without the need to remove the shaft from the body. The shaft can have a plurality of channels, with each of the plurality of channels configured to seat at least one of a plurality of suture anchors. Each of the anchors can be removably seated in a channel such that the anchors can be removed from the device, such as by pulling on sutures attached to the respective anchors.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The shaft is operable to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the ultrasonic transducer. The apparatus comprises electro-mechanical means for coupling and decoupling the shaft from the ultrasonic transducer, and may further comprise means for preventing movement of the shaft as it is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a transducer assembly, and a loading assembly. The end effector is coupled with a distal end of the shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is removably coupled with the proximal end of the shaft assembly. The loading assembly comprises an actuator that is operable to couple the distal end of the transducer assembly with the proximal end of the shaft assembly. The loading assembly is operable to drive the transducer assembly through at least two stages of rotation to couple the distal end of the transducer assembly with the proximal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp assembly. The shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the blade. The clamp assembly comprises a clamp arm pivotable toward and away from the blade about a pivot axis, to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the blade. A rotation feature may provide rotation of the blade relative to the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Alternatively, the rotation feature may provide rotation of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the longitudinal axis. The rotation feature may be driven based on pivotal positioning of the clamp arm relative to the blade about the pivot axis. The rotation feature may selectively lock and unlock the angular position of either the blade or the clamp arm about the longitudinal axis at any of a number of predetermined angular positions.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The end effector applies ultrasonic energy at the blade. The clamp arm pivots relative to the blade. The clamp pad is positioned on the clamp arm adjacent to the blade. The clamp arm includes a latching feature to retain the clamp pad relative to the clamp arm to prevent the clamp pad from moving laterally, longitudinally, and perpendicularly relative to the clamp arm.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a magnetic coupling force across tissue in response to a monitored coupling force is described. The device includes a magnetic field source assembly, a positioning assembly operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly, and a magnetic coupling force monitor. The magnetic field source assembly includes magnets that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. The positioning assembly adjusts the position of the magnetic field source. The magnetic field creates a magnetic coupling force between the external magnetic field source and an object positioned in use in a patient during a procedure, wherein the object has or is associated with an internal magnetic field.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.

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, a method of producing satiety comprising the steps of accessing a gastrointestinal tract of a patient and implanting an intraintestinal therapeutic substance eluting implant. The implant is capable of eluting a satiety inducing substance selected from at least one of a nutrient, a specific satiety inducing bio-active substance, pancreatic polypeptides, free fatty acids, cholecystokinin, amino acids, glutamine, lipids, linoleic acid, or a combination thereof, from the implant into the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device, and in particular for performing various surgical procedures using an instrument having an end effector that can be articulated relative to an elongate shaft of the device. A decoupling member can isolate the actuation of the end effector from the articulation of the end effector. In certain embodiments, the end effector can also optionally rotate relative to the elongate shaft of the device, and/or the shaft can rotate relative to a handle of the device.

Abstract: A method of repositioning an injection port comprises positioning the injection port at a first location in a patient's body and extending fasteners of the injection port to substantially secure the injection port at the first location. The fasteners are then retracted to substantially unsecure the injection port from the first location in the patient's body. The injection port is then moved to a second location in the patient's body. The fasteners are then re-extended to substantially secure the injection port at the second location in the patient's body. The injection port includes a port body. The fasteners are integral with the port body. The fasteners may be selectively extended and retracted relative to the port body. For instance, the fasteners may be pivoted relative to the port body to transition between extended and retracted positions. The extension and retraction of fasteners may be provided through a port applier.

Abstract: An injection port system comprises an injection port and an applier. The port comprises a body and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners are integral with the body and are movable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The applier comprises a port engagement portion and an actuator. The port engagement portion is configured to selectively engage the port body to selectively retain the port relative to the applier. The actuator is operable to move the fasteners to the deployed position. The applier is also configured to disengage the port engagement portion from the port body to release the port from the applier when the actuator moves the fasteners to the deployed position. The actuator may release the port from the applier by moving a resilient member away from the port body as the actuator also moves the fasteners from the non-deployed position to the deployed position.

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.