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.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The elongated member has a compressible ventral surface and a substantially rigid dorsal periphery, wherein the elongated member includes a fluid bladder positioned along the ventral surface. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engages the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An injection port applier is configured to engage an injection port that has integral fasteners that are movable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position. The applier comprises a shaft, a port engagement portion, and a handle. The port engagement portion is includes a fastener deployment member that is operable to move the fasteners to the deployed position. The handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion. The second handle portion is movable distally relative to the first handle portion in order to actuate the fastener deployment member, to thereby move the fasteners to the deployed position. An elongate actuating member couples the second handle portion with the fastener deployment member. One part of the elongate actuating member translates longitudinally in response to the second handle being moved distally; while another part of the elongate actuating member rotates in response to the first portion translating.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. A release mechanism is provided for the tension element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that include an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is articulated at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can include two articulation joints to facilitate formation of the compound angle.

Abstract: Methods and devices reroute chyme to induce intestinal brake in order to improve the effectiveness of bariatric surgical procedures and to improve comorbidity resolution. A bowel is manipulated to provide a shortened path for chyme to travel to the ileum. These methods and devices of rerouting chyme to induce intestinal brake may include one or more of a surgical procedure, an implanted device, or a combination of an implant with an improved surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for fastening tissue with a staple. The instrument includes a cartridge adapted for containing the staple. The cartridge includes a mechanism adapted to selectively advance the staple toward a forward end of the cartridge so the ends of the staple protrude from the cartridge and to selectively close the staple. The cartridge includes a mount connected to the cartridge and adapted for mounting the cartridge to an end of an endoscope. The cartridge includes a linkage connected to the cartridge for actuating the mechanism to advance and close the staple and a remote actuator connected to the linkage a predetermined distance from the cartridge for actuating the mechanism from a position remote from the cartridge.

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 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.

Abstract: A method for implanting an injection port within a patient. The method involves providing a port having a housing with a closed distal end, a open proximal end, a fluid reservoir therebetween, a needle penetrable septum attached to the housing about the opening, and at least one attachment mechanism mounted to the housing at a pivot point along an outer periphery of the housing. The attachment mechanism is an arcuate hook pivotable with respect to the housing, the arcuate hook having a length extending substantially at least 180° about the pivot point. The method further involves placing the distal end of the port adjacent tissue, and rotating the arcuate hook at least 180 degrees so that a free end of the hook extends into tissue and back out again.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a seal for an endoscopic internal magnetic camera tether. The seal may include stacked compliant membranes with an aperture in each membrane through which a camera tether may pass. The apertures may overlap. The at least one aperture may be arranged as a slit. Each of the apertures may comprise a wedge-shaped gap. The membranes may include engagement members that couple to engagement members on the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly may provide separate ports for the camera tethers and for a trocar or other endoscopic instrument passing through the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly also may include a rotating housing with two openings and a seal arranged in each opening. The cannula assembly may include a sleeve that encases a cannula tube. The sleeve may include a seal on its end and a channel on its periphery through which a camera tether may pass.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that include an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is articulated at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can include two articulation joints to facilitate formation of the compound angle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of spacer apparatuses, and transport and/or storage apparatuses, for use with magnetic platforms configured to be magnetically coupled to a medical device within a body cavity of a patient.

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 that includes at least one fixed magnet and a rotatable magnet positioned within a cavity defined by the fixed magnet that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. An actuation assembly is operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly. A sensor is provided that senses a magnetic coupling force and communicates changes therein to a controller which directs the accuation assembly to adjust the speed of rotation of the rotatable magnet in response to the sensed changes in magnetic coupling force to effect a change of magnetic flux generated by the rotatable magnet.

Abstract: A dicing device dices tissue harvested from a patient. The dicing device comprises a grid cutting element and a tray to receive diced tissue. The dicing device may be integrated into an otherwise conventional biopsy device. The diced tissue specimens may be further processed, such as by being introduced into a self-expanding fistula plug creation and delivery system. The self-expanding fistula plug creation and delivery system comprises a sheet and a reinforcement tube. A scaffold material may be placed in the sheet, which may then be folded and reinforced, with the scaffold material being compressed in the sheet. The scaffold material may then be pushed into a catheter end. The catheter end may be inserted in a fistula. The scaffold material may then be flushed with a cell matrix that is based on the diced tissue to create a fistula plug, which may be left in the fistula.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by various motor configurations. Various slip ring arrangements are disclosed for supplying ultrasonic electrical signals and motor drive signals from a control system. Various forms of blade and cutting implements are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that such implements may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through an opening in the sheath and into contact with the cutting implement.

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.