Abstract: A robotic system has a flexible portion adapted for insertion into the gastrointestinal tract and includes a suturing system with a needle holder. An actuator is coupled to the needle holder and is adapted to act on the needle holder arm and needle such that the needle can be repeatedly moved through a path. The actuator is driven by a drive mechanism from the robotic system.

Abstract: Mounting systems configured to operably couple a tool module with respect to a component of a medical instrument. In some aspects, the component to which the tool module is operably coupled is an elongate member that is suitable for passage through a natural orifice of the patient. The tool module may include a replaceable end cap having a needle holder adapted to pass a needle through tissue, and an actuator adapted to control movement of the needle holder arm. A suture needle with suture may be removably coupled to the needle holder. The instrument may be operably associated with a robotic system for robotic control of the component of the instrument with which the tool module is operably coupled, and/or the tool module.

Abstract: Flexible robotic systems are provided for guidance and to facilitate reliable suturing within the gastrointestinal tract. Such robotic systems provide assistance, assurance, and/or validation to compensate for the level of skill and experience of the operator, and to expedite completion of bariatric procedures approached from within the stomach.

Abstract: A deployment system includes a sheath, a torque able shaft having a handle positioned at its proximal end, a detachable helical first suture anchor positioned at the shafts distal end and an elongate suture fixedly coupled to the suture anchor. The deployment system can be positioned at a first tissue, and the shaft rotated to advance the helical first suture anchor into engagement with the first tissue. The shaft is detached from the first suture anchor thereby deploying it at the first tissue location. Then, the deployment system is removed from the patient, and a second suture anchor is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The deployment system is re-inserted into the patient and the distal end of the system is moved adjacent a second tissue location, and the process is repeated for a second suture anchor at the second tissue location.

Abstract: A deployment system includes a sheath, a torque able shaft having a handle positioned at its proximal end, a detachable helical first suture anchor positioned at the shafts distal end and an elongate suture fixedly coupled to the suture anchor. The deployment system can be positioned at a first tissue, and the shaft rotated to advance the helical first suture anchor into engagement with the first tissue. The shaft is detached from the first suture anchor thereby deploying it at the first tissue location. Then, the deployment system is removed from the patient, and a second suture anchor is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The deployment system is re-inserted into the patient and the distal end of the system is moved adjacent a second tissue location, and the process is repeated for a second suture anchor at the second tissue location.

Abstract: Endoscopic tissue traction includes advancing an anchor deployment system through a working channel of an endoscope positioned within a gastrointestinal tract and using the system to apply a first anchor having a length of suture fixed thereto into a distal portion of a tissue in a first wall in the body cavity. Then, the anchor deployment system is used to apply a like second anchor into a proximal portion of the tissue in the first wall, with the length of suture coupled to and displaceable relative to the second anchor. Next, the anchor deployment system is used to apply a like third anchor into a opposite second wall, with the length of suture coupled to and displaceable relative to the second anchor. The suture can then be tensioned relative to the second and third anchors to apply traction between the second wall and the relatively proximal portion of the tissue.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

Abstract: A deployment system includes a sheath, a torque able shaft having a handle positioned at its proximal end, a detachable helical first suture anchor positioned at the shafts distal end and an elongate suture fixedly coupled to the suture anchor. The deployment system can be positioned at a first tissue, and the shaft rotated to advance the helical first suture anchor into engagement with the first tissue. The shaft is detached from the first suture anchor thereby deploying it at the first tissue location. Then, the deployment system is removed from the patient, and a second suture anchor is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The deployment system is re-inserted into the patient and the distal end of the system is moved adjacent a second tissue location, and the process is repeated for a second suture anchor at the second tissue location.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system includes an endoscope, a suturing device, a needle assembly movable through tissue by the suturing device, and first and second devices used in association with the suturing device. The cap assembly includes a rotatable needle arm supporting the needle assembly and actuatable by a proximal handle via a transmission assembly. First and second separate lumen extends outside the endoscope from the cap assembly to a proximal handle to advance instruments therethrough to engage the needle assembly and target the tissue. The cap assembly is retained at an end of the endoscope by a securing arm. The securing arm may be resilient or rotatable. Ancillary clips are also provided about the first and second lumen and transmission assembly to couple them to the endoscope.

Abstract: A catheter and associated method for taking a plurality of samples from within a length of a blood vessel. The catheter includes an elongate central body arranged to be inserted into and positioned along a central region of a blood vessel. A plurality of collection areas are defined along the elongate central body for collecting samples at the central region of the blood vessel. A plurality of mixers are provided radially outwardly of the elongate central body and arranged to create a flow of blood from a boundary layer at a wall of the blood vessel to the elongate central body. This enables the collection areas to collect samples from the boundary layer.

Abstract: A milling tool 1, in particular a tubular drill, includes a shaft 2 and a working portion 3. At least one cutting edge 8 is provided at a face of the working portion 3 and at least one bore 4 extends into the face of the working portion 3. The axis of the bore 4 extends axially parallel or in an angle, preferably between 0° and 20°, with respect to an axis 5 of the tool 1.

Abstract: A body fluid sampling system is provided. In one embodiment, the system may comprise a penetrating member driver, a plurality of penetrating members sufficient for penetrating tissue; a tape coupling together at least two of the penetrating members; and a penetrating member release device removing the penetrating member from a sterile environment prior to use and moving the penetrating member into position to be operatively coupled to the penetrating member driver. The driver may comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the penetrating member and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the penetrating member during the lancing cycle. The driver may further include a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milling tool 1, in particular a tubular drill, comprising a shaft 2 and a working piece 3, wherein at least one cutting edge 8 is provided at the face of the working piece 3 and wherein at least on bore 4 is introduced into the face, the axis of which extends axially parallel or in an angle, preferably between 0° and 20°, with respect to the tool's axis 5. With this measure, a milling tool and in particular a tubular drill shall be provided, which can perform a rounding off process simpler and faster without the occurrence of the danger of clogging of the edges.