Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: A device for loading a self-expanding stent into a receiving area of a delivery tool is provided, the device comprising a stent storage region having an internal chamber sized to retain the stent in a first state, a stent transfer region spaced from the storage region and having an internal chamber sized to receive, retain, and transfer the self-expanding stent in a second state in which the stent is at least partially compressed relative to the first state of the stent, a stent compressing region extending between the storage region and the transfer region and having an internal chamber for radially collapsing the stent from the first state to a second state, and a loading mechanism slideably positioned relative to the transfer region for slideably moving the stent in the second state from the transfer region toward the compressing region.

Abstract: A surgical retractor retracts tissue from a body cavity in which surgery is to be performed. The retractor has a plurality of fingers or blades which extend laterally from a handle. The fingers pivot about a pivot pin between a retracted position and an extended position. Extension is achieved by rotation of a centered control plate relative to the handle. The pivot pin for the fingers is displaced from the axis of the handle, and moves relative to the handle. Each of the fingers has an arcuate slot, and a guide post within the arcuate slots controls pivoting. Because of the distance separating the pivot pin and the axis of the handle, extension of the fingers occurs a distance away from the incision into which the retractor is inserted, and undue trauma to the incision is avoided. Because the pivot point moves relative to the handle, the fingers extend longitudinally during the pivoting motion.

Abstract: A device for clamping a medical instrument includes a pair of gripping arms that are movable between a closed and an open position. The gripping arms are pivotally movable with respect to each other and the device includes means for moving the gripping arms between the open and the closed position. In addition, the gripping arms are rotatably mounted to a support arm that is part of a support apparatus for holding the medical instrument.

Abstract: Arthroscopic instrumentation for use in arthroscopic surgery and similar procedures. The instrumentation includes a cannula having a curved lumen and an elongated, flexible normally straight shape memory alloy probe. The probe is insertable into the lumen of the cannula, which in turn can be directed to a hard to reach operative site. The cannula causes the probe to bend as it passes the curves of the cannula, but the shape memory character of the probe causes the probe to exit the distal end of the cannula in a substantially straight orientation.