Abstract: A surgical stapler configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue is disclosed. The surgical stapler comprises a housing, a shaft, a staple cartridge, an expandable anvil, and a distal head portion. The shaft extends from the housing and comprises three concentric actuators. The three concentric actuators are operable independently of each other. The three concentric actuators are actuatable relative to the housing and are configured to perform three separate and distinct end effector functions. The staple cartridge comprises a unitary cartridge body. The distal head portion is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. One of the separate and distinct end effector functions comprises rotating the distal head portion to expand the anvil.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchoring system includes an outer anchor having a central channel and a distal tip adapted to penetrate tissue. An inner anchor is positionable in the central channel of the outer anchor and a locking feature on one or both of the inner and outer anchors retains the inner anchor within the central channel. A continuous length of suture is coupled with the inner and outer suture anchors and has a free end. At least one of the inner and the outer anchors also has a cinching mechanism that allows the suture to be tensioned by passage of the suture through the cinching mechanism in a first direction while movement of the suture through the cinching mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction is constrained.

Abstract: A device for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ includes a tissue port and a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may be coupled to a flexible filament, such as a suture, which is tensioned to constrict the hollow body organ to achieve volume reduction.

Abstract: A knotless suture anchor assembly for engaging a bone tunnel and holding suture therein to knotlessly secure said suture to soft tissue including an elongated generally cylindrical hollow outer member having an axial lumen, an outer surface with projections for engaging the wall of the bone tunnel, a distal end and a proximal end; and an elongated, generally cylindrical inner member having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a transverse passage for receiving suture therethrough, the transverse passage having a proximal and distal end and adapted to receive a plurality of sutures in said eyelet, the inner member adapted to move coaxially relative to the outer member between a distal, suture-unlocked position and a proximal, suture-locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible fixation member having a body with a longitudinal extent and a width, the body defining a plurality of openings through the body, each of the plurality of openings formed substantially cross wise through the width of the body, and a suture having two terminal ends, the suture being interwoven through each of the plurality of openings in the body of the fixation member such that multiple portions of the fixation member are slidably coupled to the suture and configurable to form a cluster within a surgical site.

Abstract: A tissue anchor is provided that includes a head connected to a shaft, and a tissue-coupling element extending from the shaft. When the tissue anchor is unconstrained, the head is coaxial with an axis of the shaft, and the tissue-coupling element is generally orthogonal to the axis and is shaped such that if the tissue-coupling element were to be projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis, (a) at least 80% of an area of a projection of the tissue-coupling element on the plane would fall within a first angle of 180 degrees in the plane having a vertex at the axis, and (b) the area would partially overlap, at least 3 mm from the vertex, both rays of a second angle of between 45 and 180 degrees in the plane having the vertex at the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for fixing soft tissue are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, soft tissue may be fixed to an attachment surface (such as bone, other soft tissue, other implants, or allograft or xenograft materials) by providing a helical suture in the soft tissue, wherein the soft tissue has a longitudinal axis along which the soft tissue undergoes tension under normal physiological conditions, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the helical suture in the soft tissue is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft tissue; and securing the helical suture to an attachment surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a suture attachment catheter configured to repair a heart valve by inserting a suture in a valve leaflet of a beating heart of a patient includes a handle control, a flexible catheter body, and a suture attachment assembly at a distal end of the catheter body. The suture attachment assembly can include a rail between a distal clamping jaw hingedly attached to the rail, and a proximal clamping jaw. One of the proximal clamping jaw or distal clamping jaw can be selectively slideable with respect to the other on the rail using a jaw actuator of the control handle to adjust a distance between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw. A needle can be selectively slideable within the catheter body by using a needle actuator of the proximal handle control to penetrate a valve leaflet and insert a suture through the valve leaflet when the valve leaflet is captured between the proximal clamping jaw and the distal clamping jaw.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a medical needle with which, compared to a conventionally known suture thread guide needle, puncture, handling, and perforation are easy when guiding a suture thread along a hernia orifice beneath the skin, and therefore, the medical needle enables the execution of an LPEC method using simpler procedures.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, an elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section and an articulating distal shaft section extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing, an actuator that is engageable for commencing a firing cycle of the firing system, and an articulation lever provided on the housing for selectively articulating the articulating distal shaft section of the elongated shaft. The applicator instrument includes a cam plate disposed within the housing that is linked with the articulating distal shaft section and that coupled with the articulation lever for being rotated by the articulation lever between a first or horizontal position for straightening the articulating distal shaft section and a second or vertical position for articulating the articulating distal shaft section.

Abstract: A surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, may generally comprise a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to a fastener cartridge and/or anvil by a flowable attachment portion. The flowable attachment portion may be indefinitely flowable. The flowable attachment portion may be flowable from the time that layer is installed to the fastener cartridge to the time in which the layer is implanted to patient tissue. The flowable attachment portion may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. The flowable attachment portion may comprise an adhesive laminate comprising a base layer comprising the tissue thickness compensator and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a surface of the base layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive. Articles of manufacture comprising flowable attachment portion and methods of making and using the flowable attachment portion are also described.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly can include an instrument attachment interface, a shaft, a firing member, an articulation joint, and an end effector including a first jaw, a second jaw, an anvil, and a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a slot, at least two rows of staple cavities, and a plurality of staples stored within the staple cavities. The staples can be deployed by the firing member. Each staple can include, one, a staple leg comprising planar surfaces and, two, a staple base, wherein the staple leg extends from the staple base, wherein the staple base comprises planar surfaces and a camming surface distally offset from the staple leg and configured to be directly engaged by the firing member, and wherein the staple leg is configured to be formed over the camming surface.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly such that the surgical end effector is selectively movable between an unarticulated position and a fully articulated position relative to the shaft axis. A firing beam is movably supported within a pathway in the elongate shaft assembly for selective longitudinal travel therein. The pathway is configured to position a portion of the firing beam exiting the distal end of the elongate shaft member to an off axis position relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector extending distally from the shaft, a display, and a system or sensor configured to monitor a status of the surgical instrument. The display is configured to display information pertaining to the detected status of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of operating the surgical instrument. In another embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of assembling the surgical instrument. The display is additionally configured to enter a low-power mode.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device includes a handle assembly including a drive mechanism actuatable by a trigger; and an endoscopic assembly including a proximal end portion extending from the handle assembly; a distal end portion pivotably connected to the proximal end portion of the endoscopic assembly; and a rotatable inner actuation shaft extending from the handle assembly and into the distal end portion of the endoscopic assembly, the inner actuation shaft including a flexible portion extending across the pivot connection. The surgical device includes an end effector selectively connectable to the distal end portion of the endoscopic assembly and to a distal portion of the rotatable inner actuation shaft. The end effector includes a splined inner tube rotatably supported in an outer tube; and a plurality of surgical anchors loaded in the inner tube. A timing system allows removal of the end effector at a defined trigger position.

Abstract: A bone staple insertion tool for inserting a bone staple into a patient includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal surface and a fulcrum. The body defines a longitudinal axis and the fulcrum is positioned on the distal surface. The distal surface has a first end and a second end. A bone staple mount is fixed to the body and extends from the body proximate the first end. A force applicator is movably attached to the body. The force applicator has a gripping portion and a staple pin portion. The staple pin portion is positioned proximate the second end. The force applicator is configured to receive the bone staple. Upon actuation of the gripping portion, the staple pin portion bends the inter-axis of the bone staple across the fulcrum to an expanded state, wherein the first and second legs are positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical system and method includes a surgical instrument configured to wirelessly transmit identifying data specific to the surgical instrument and a console configured to receive the identifying data. The console is configured to register the surgical instrument based on the identifying data, establish a wireless two-way communication link between the surgical instrument and the console, receive at least one of operational data and commands from the surgical instrument, and provide operational feedback data to a user of the surgical instrument during an operation of the surgical instrument based on the at least one of operational data and commands.

Abstract: A surgical tool assembly that includes a surgical end effector that has first and second jaws that are movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position relative to each other. A proximal closure member is configured to move through a first closure stroke distance upon application of a closure input motion thereto. A closure reduction linkage operably interfaces with the proximal closure member and a distal closure member such that when the proximal closure member moves through the first closure stroke distance, the closure reduction linkage causes the distal closure member to axially move through a second closure stroke distance that is less than the first closure stroke distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes first and second jaws that are movable about a fixed jaw axis between a fully open position and a fully closed position relative to each other. A closure member is configured to move the first and second jaws from the fully open position to the fully closed position when the closure member is moved in a first direction. At least one jaw opening cam is supported for movement relative to the closure member and the first and second jaws. Each of the jaw opening cams is configured to apply an opening motion to the first and second jaws when the closure member is moved in a second direction.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors are disclosed. The surgical end effectors can include a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a closure surface and an opening surface. The surgical end effectors can also include a pivot joint, wherein the second jaw is configured to pivot relative to the first jaw at the pivot joint, wherein the closure surface is positioned distal of the pivot joint, and the opening surface is positioned proximal to the pivot joint. The surgical end effectors can also include a firing member configured to move distally during a firing stroke, wherein the firing member comprises a first flange and a second flange. The second flange can be configured to engage the closure surface to pivot the second jaw toward a closed position, and the second flange can be configured to engage the opening surface to pivot the second jaw toward an open position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, comprising an articulatable end effector that is selectively articulatable about an articulation axis. The end effector comprises first and second jaws wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a jaw pivot axis. The instrument includes an axially movably firing member that includes at least one jaw engagement feature that is configured to apply a closure motion to the second end effector jaw as the axially movable firing member is moved from a starting position to an end position within the first end effector jaw. Each jaw engagement feature is configured such that a portion thereof is positioned between the jaw pivot axis and the articulation axis when the axially movable firing member is in the starting position.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.

Abstract: A device for treating tissue includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the capsule releasably coupled to a proximal portion of the device and clip jaws, proximal ends of which are slidably received within the channel of the capsule so that the clip jaws are movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Clip jaws are configured so that a distance between the distal ends of the clip jaws in an open configuration is between 15 and 18 millimeters. Clip jaws further include barbs extending from a distal portion thereof.

Abstract: An endovascular microvalve device for use in a vessel during a therapy procedure includes a catheter and a filter valve coupled to the catheters. The filter valve is dynamically reconfigurable to automatically block and permit fluid flow through a vessel based on a local fluid pressure conditions about the filter valve. In embodiments, the filter valve has a proximal end fixed to the catheter, and a distal end which may be movable over the catheter. The lumen of the inner catheter delivers a therapeutic agent beyond the valve. The device is used to provide a therapy in which a therapeutic agent is infused into an organ.

Abstract: A method of treating a vessel, such as sclerotherapy, includes moving a short balloon catheter to a position at which a compliant extra-luminal balloon is outside of the vessel at an occlusion site, and between the vessel and a non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is occluded at the occlusion site by inflating the compliant extra-luminal balloon of the balloon catheter, and bearing an outer surface of the balloon against the vessel and the non-compliant bearing surface. The vessel is medically treated upstream from the occlusion site. The short balloon catheter includes a wire guide lumen.

Abstract: A radial compression band employs a substantially rigid U-like cuff that fits over a patient's arm and then snaps onto a tightening band. A movable bubble member is positioned for movement along the band separate from the attachment to the patient and is inflatable to provide pressure to an incision or the like to accomplish hemostasis.

Abstract: Various embodiments of devices, systems, and methods for surgical procedures, including spring-fit guides for improved guidance of surgical instruments, are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device, and a ratchet for a medical device, include a torque-guiding element and a torque discharging element, between which a switchable toothed unit is arranged so that, in accordance with a switching position of the toothed unit, torque from the torque-guiding element is transferred to the torque discharging element, said toothed unit includes two torque transfer sleeves arranged in a nested manner and which are arranged and produced such that both can be brought into torque-transmitting contact with an intermediate sleeve.

Abstract: A debris clearing system is provided that includes a tool having a suctioning intake positioned on an axis of the tool. A controller actuates the suctioning intake along the length of the axis of the tool. The suctioning intake is actuated while the tool is being operated and proximal to a surgical site on a patient's anatomy. A method of use is also provided for suctioning debris from a surgical field during a procedure.

Abstract: A reusable surgical implement is provided that is formed of a core positioned within an enclosure. The core is formed of a suitable rigid, and optionally flexible material to enable the implant to conform to the desired use for the implement in a surgical procedure. The material forming the enclosure is also stretchable and flexible to accommodate the configuration and/or any flexing of the core, and is biologically inert to enable the implant to be sterilized after use for use in subsequent surgical procedures while protecting the material forming the core. The enclosure can be molded around the core in separate portions or components using multiple molding steps to form an enclosure with the desired attributes.

Abstract: A surgical trabecular tool for manipulating or removing bone tissue includes a tool body and at least one cutting element provided on the tool body. The cutting element includes a number of cutting edges arranged thereon, and the tool body is formed at least in part by a trabecular internal structure including a plurality of material struts forming a regular or irregular lattice structure which supports and connects the cutting elements.

Abstract: A distal targeting device for a surgical instrument includes a field generator having a coupling element configured to receive a shaft that is elongate along an axis and a bridge connectable to the field generator so as to be spaced from the field generator in a proximal direction with respect to the axis. The bridge includes an attachment device that is connectable to a tool that is configured to manipulate the shaft. The bridge also includes a pair of arms configured to clasp a body of the tool in a manner substantially rigidly coupling the bridge to the tool. At least one of the arms is positionable with respect to the attachment member at a distance that is adjustable so as to enable the arms to substantially rigidly clasp tool bodies having one or more of various shapes and sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot-assisted ultrasonic osteotome powered system, comprising an ultrasonic osteotome powered system, a robot-assisted surgical system and a controller, wherein the osteotome powered system comprises an ultrasonic transducer for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and an ultrasonic osteotome for delivering the mechanical energy to a bone; the robot-assisted surgical system comprises a base and a robot arm mounted to the base, the ultrasonic osteotome powered system is detachably connected to a movable end of the robot arm, and the robot arm is used to control the position of, the spatial angle of, and a force applied by a cutting end of the ultrasonic osteotome powered system to the bone to be cut; and the controller is communicatively connected to the ultrasonic osteotome powered system, for controlling a cutting power of the ultrasonic osteotome powered system, wherein the controller controls the output power of the ultrasonic osteotome powered system based on the remaining c

Abstract: Methods of creating a curvilinear cavity within a vertebral body or other bony structure and devices that may be used to perform the steps to create the curvilinear cavity. In one embodiment, a method of forming a curvilinear void in bony structure may include the steps of accessing a bony structure with a cannula, inserting a distal end of a drill device through the cannula and into the bony structure, manipulating the distal end of the drill device to create a curvilinear void in the bony structure, enlarging the void by expansion of a balloon element mounted to the drill device, and deflating the balloon element and removing the drill device from the cannula.

Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system and a method for operating a computer assisted surgery system is described therein. The system and method includes providing a virtual representation of a medical device to provide an easier application of a medical device, such as an implant or the like. The described system and method allows for simple and fast positioning of a medical device to be applied, such as an implant, for example.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device 1 for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel, the device comprises an inner elongate body 3 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and an outer elongate body 2 at least partially overlying the inner elongate body 2. The outer elongate body 2 is expandable to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body 3 in the deployed configuration to define a clot reception space 11. The outer elongate body 2 comprises a distal end portion 24,49 and the inner elongate body 3 comprises a main body portion 10 and a distal portion which extends in the deployed configuration towards the outer elongate body 2 to a greater extent than the main body portion. The distal portion 10 of the inner elongate member 3 and the distal end portion 24,49 of the outer elongate body 2 together define a three dimensional protective structure to substantially prevent distal egress of clot or clot fragments from the device.

Abstract: A clot retrieval device (9501) for removing clot from a blood vessel comprises an inner elongate body (9503) and an outer elongate body (9504) at least partially overlying the inner elongate body (9503). The device also comprises an elongate member or shaft (9502) having a proximal end which extends exterior of a patient so that a user can retrieve the stent-basket device and captured clot by retracting the shaft (9502). The outer elongate body (9504) and the inner elongate body (9503) are connected to the distal end of the shaft (9502) and are expandable relative to the shaft (9502) from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The outer elongate body (9504) is expandable relative to the inner elongate body (9503) to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body (9503) in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A medical system may include an insertion device having a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle of the insertion device, and a port positioned on the handle of the insertion device. The port may be in fluid communication with a working channel of the shaft. The port may be a female luer port. The medical system may further include a medical device having a control member terminating in an end effector, a handle having a plurality of circumferential slots along the length of the handle, and a plunger moveable along a longitudinal axis of the handle of the medical device between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the end effector may be positioned within the shaft, and in the second position, the end effector may be positioned distally of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to a housing. An inner shaft member extends at least partially through the elongated shaft and is selectively movable in a longitudinal direction. An end effector is supported by the distal portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to the distal portion of the elongated shaft about a pivot axis and including a pair of laterally spaced flanges. The pairs of flanges of the jaw members are arranged in an offset configuration such that one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: An atraumatic microsurgical forceps may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an outer hypodermic tube having an outer hypodermic tube distal end and an outer hypodermic tube proximal end, a surgical blank having a surgical blank distal end and a surgical blank proximal end, and a plurality of atraumatic forceps jaws of the surgical blank each atraumatic forceps jaw of the plurality of atraumatic forceps jaws having an atraumatic forceps jaw distal end and an atraumatic forceps jaw proximal end. A compression of the handle may be configured to gradually close the plurality of atraumatic forceps jaws wherein the plurality of atraumatic forceps jaws initially contact at the atraumatic forceps jaws distal ends.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen and for providing information relating to the body lumen. The catheter includes a tissue cutting element that rotates relative to the catheter body and is mounted to the drive shaft for imparting rotation to the tissue cutting element. As energy emitting element of the catheter rotates relative to the catheter body and is rotatable independently of the tissue cutting element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transmission component of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes forming, via additive manufacturing, a waveguide, including a body portion, a curved blade extending distally from the body portion, and a lumen extending through a portion of the body portion and a portion of the curved blade. Another method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transmission component of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes forming, via additive manufacturing, a waveguide, including a body portion and a blade extending distally from the body portion. At least one of the body portion or the blade defines a varied density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a clot in the blood vessel of a patient, and particularly the treatment of a pulmonary embolism is disclosed. The treatment includes restoring flow through the clot followed by clot removal, either partially or substantially completely. The clot treatment device is expandable into the blood vessel and may contain radial extensions that assist in restoring flow as well as in removing clot material.

Abstract: A target substance, such as a thrombus, is removed from a patient's body via minimally invasive technique. A catheter is maneuvered and positioned near the target substance. The catheter may have a soft, atraumatic tip constructed from a metallic backbone covered by a polymer. Target substances are drawn into the catheter via an aspiration source. Near the catheter's distal end, a blade and opposing surface are housed within the catheter, and the blade moves relative to the opposing surface within the catheter lumen in order to fragment the target substance. The substances are fragmented within the catheter into discreet and relatively uniform particles. The aspiration source, which helps ensnare target substances, also serves to evacuate the substance fragments from the patient's body.

Abstract: A guiding system (1, 101) for guiding the insertion of a needle (2) and a catheter (6) for medical use in a biological tissue, the guiding system (1, 101) comprising: —the needle (2) —the catheter (6) inserted into the needle (2); —an optical fiber (8) provided with at least one optical sensor (10) and inserted into the catheter (6), —a first blocking device (12, 112) for firmly blocking the catheter (6) inside the needle (2).

Abstract: A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle assembly, a stylet assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly or stylet assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly or stylet assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an intravascular memory metal puncture system and the use thereof. The puncture system comprises a hollow guide tube and a head portion, the hollow guide tube has a spiral structure made of metal and composed of a plurality of spiral coils, the head portion comprises a split-shaped structure capable of opening and closing, as well as a metal spiral hollow tube including a plurality of spiral coils, wherein the split-shaped structure and the metal spiral tube are made of memory metal, and the split-shaped structure is composed of a plurality of tapered petals; when each of tapered petals is closed, the split-shaped structure is a conical structure; when the temperature is T1, the pitch between two adjacent spiral coils in the metal spiral tube is decreased, each of tapered petals in the split-shaped structure is closed; when the temperature is T0, the pitch between two adjacent spiral coils in the metal spiral tube is increased, and each of tapered petals is opened.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a cannula and a stylet that is removably fitted in the cannula. A lock selectively holds the stylet to the cannula so the stylet rotates in unison with the cannula. The lock is configured so that the force applied to release the lock results in the subsequent rotation of the stylet relative to the cannula. Methods of disengaging a lock assembly releasably coupling a stylet handle secured to a stylet and a cannula handle secured to a cannula are also provided.

Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.