Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a photon counting detector, and processing circuitry. The X-ray tube radiates X-rays. The photon counting detector detects the X-rays radiated from the X-ray tube and transmitted through a subject. The processing circuitry adjusts a temperature adjustment amount used for regulating a temperature of the photon counting detector according to an imaging mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system having a detector array. In one example, the detector array may include a plurality of adjustable imaging detectors, each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors including a first detector unit or a second detector unit, each first detector unit having a plurality of rows of detector modules and each second detector unit having at least one row of detector modules, wherein each second detector unit may have fewer rows of detector modules than each first detector unit, the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be arranged on an annular gantry, the annular gantry configured for rotation about an axis of a cylindrical aperture of the annular gantry, the axis extending a length of the cylindrical aperture, and each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be disposed within the cylindrical aperture and may extend orthogonally toward the axis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system having a detector array. In one example, the detector array may include a plurality of adjustable imaging detectors, each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors including a detector unit, each detector unit having a plurality of rows of detector modules, wherein the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be arranged on an annular gantry, the annular gantry configured for rotation about an axis of a cylindrical aperture of the annular gantry, the axis extending a length of the cylindrical aperture, and wherein each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be disposed within the cylindrical aperture and may extend orthogonally toward the axis.

Abstract: A multimodal system for breast imaging includes an x-ray source, and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source after passing through a breast. The system includes an x-ray detector translation system operatively connected to the x-ray detector so as to be able to translate the x-ray detector from a first displacement from the breast to a second displacement at least one of immediately adjacent to or in contact with the breast. The system includes an x-ray image processor configured to: receive a CT data set from the x-ray detector, the CT data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the first displacement; compute a CT image of the breast; receive a mammography data set from the x-ray detector, the mammography data set being detected by the x-ray detector at the second displacement; and compute a mammography image of the breast.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for analyzing an image sequence of a periodic physiological activity, a system, and a medium. The method includes receiving the image sequence from an imaging device, and the image sequence has a plurality of images. The method further includes identifying at least one feature portion in a selected image, which moves responsive to the periodic physiological activity. The method also includes detecting, by a processor, the corresponding feature portions in other images of the image sequence and determining, by the processor, a phase of a the selected image in the image sequence based on the motion of the feature portion.

Abstract: In hemodynamic determination in medical imaging, the classifier is trained from synthetic data rather than relying on training data from other patients. A computer model (in silico) may be perturbed in many different ways to generate many different examples. The flow is calculated for each resulting example. A bench model (in vitro) may similarly be altered in many different ways. The flow is measured for each resulting example. The machine-learnt classifier uses features from medical scan data for a particular patient to estimate the blood flow based on mapping of features to flow learned from the synthetic data. Perturbations or alterations may account for therapy so that the machine-trained classifier may estimate the results of therapeutically altering a patient-specific input feature. Uncertainty may be handled by training the classifier to predict a distribution of possibilities given uncertain input distribution.

Abstract: A device and a method for post-processing of computed tomography (CT), which are adapted to improve an identification image of a focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of a liver, are provided. The method includes: obtaining the identification image including a liver contour and a non-liver contour and a Hounsfield unit (HU) value of each pixel corresponding the identification image, wherein the liver contour includes an FNH candidate contour; calculating an average HU of the liver contour; adjusting an HU value of the non-liver contour to the average HU value of the liver contour in respect with the identification image to generate a processed identification image; and updating the FNH candidate contour according to a morphological algorithm based on the processed identification image to generate an updated FNH candidate contour.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system having a detector array. In one example, the detector array may include a plurality of adjustable imaging detectors arranged in subsets thereof, each of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors including a detector unit, each detector unit having a plurality of rows of detector modules, wherein the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be arranged on an annular gantry, where an inner surface of the annular gantry may circumscribe a substantially rectangular aperture therethrough, and wherein each subset of the plurality of adjustable imaging detectors may be respectively disposed on a side of the inner surface and may extend within the substantially rectangular aperture.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating a nuclear medicine imaging system having more than 5 detector heads. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining residual center of gravity determinations corresponding to each of a plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit rotational steps, obtaining center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units based on point source projections acquired over a series of detector unit sweep angles, obtaining a fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units, and determining a sweep offset for each of the plurality of detector units based on the residual center of gravity determinations and the fit of the center of gravity determinations for each of the plurality of detector units. In this way, a sweep axis zero degree position for each of the plurality of detector units is determined.

Abstract: There is a viscoelastic strain sensor that includes a sensing layer including a viscoelastic material, the viscoelastic material including a viscoelastic hydrogel and a conductive nanofiller. The viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that increases with an increase of an applied tensile strain, and the viscoelastic material has a fractional resistance change that decreases with an applied compressional strain.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire a function index value of each heart chamber for two heart chambers, including the left ventricle, included in a moving image of a heart. The processing circuitry is further configured to generate an image by superimposing a range suggestion image on a two-dimensional coordinate space. In the two-dimensional coordinate space, the processing circuitry allocates the function index value of the each heart chamber to each display dimension corresponding to the each heart chamber and defines the functional index value of the left ventricle as an output coordinate. In the range suggestion image, the processing circuitry colors the range suggestion image according to predetermined normal range and abnormal range for the functional index value of the left ventricle.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an image acquisition unit 17 that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject a bladder extraction unit 18 that extracts a bladder from the ultrasound image; a prostate extraction unit 19 that extracts a prostate or cervix from the ultrasound image from which the bladder is extracted; a region-of-interest setting unit 20 that sets a region of interest at a depth position in the ultrasound image based on a position of the extracted prostate or cervix in a case where the prostate or cervix is extracted and that sets a region of interest at a depth position in the ultrasound image based on a position of the extracted bladder in a case where the prostate or cervix is not extracted; and an image quality adjustment unit 21 that adjusts the transmission/reception condition according to the depth position of the region of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that allows a user to intuitively understand the activity of peristaltic movement of a gastrointestinal tract. Provided is a method for automatic measurement of peristaltic movement using a computer. The method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring measurement information about biological activity of one or more parts of a gastrointestinal tract; an extraction step of extracting information about activity of the peristaltic movement from the measurement information about the biological activity acquired in the acquisition step; and a calculation step of obtaining an activity score representing the degree of the activity of the peristaltic movement based on the information about the activity of the peristaltic movement.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a display; a memory storing one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to: generate a plurality of ultrasound images of an object including a plurality of entities, based on echo signals received from the object; detect first and second entities among the plurality of entities in each of the plurality of ultrasound images; acquire size information regarding the detected first entity and size information regarding the detected second entity from each of the plurality of ultrasound images; and control the display to display, based on the size information regarding the first entity and the size information regarding the second entity, a first ultrasound image showing a largest size of the first entity and a second ultrasound image showing a largest size of the second entity, from among the plurality of ultrasound images.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for automatically localizing and diagnosing thyroid nodules are provided. In some embodiments, a system for automatically diagnosing thyroid nodules comprises: an ultrasound machine; and a processor programmed to: receive a B-mode ultrasound of a thyroid from the ultrasound machine; provide the B-mode ultrasound to a classification model trained to automatically segment B-mode ultrasound; receive an output indicating which portions of the B-mode ultrasound correspond to a nodule; provide at least a portion of the B-mode ultrasound corresponding to the nodule to a second classification model trained to automatically classify thyroid nodules based B-mode, color Doppler, and shear wave elastography ultrasound; and receive, from the second trained classification model, an output indicative of the likelihood that the nodule is malignant.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an ultrasound device. In one example, a system comprises a membrane configured to extend across a frame for an ultrasound device, wherein the membrane comprises a first layer and a second layer.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a display displaying a body marker including a first type of first probe marker related to a first ultrasound image of an object; an image processor configured to obtain a second ultrasound image of the object; and a controller configured to identify a position of a probe used to obtain the second ultrasound image in the body marker and mark a second type of second probe marker on the body marker according to a result of comparing a position of the first type of first probe marker with the identified position, wherein the second type is different from the first type.

Abstract: An intraoperative ultrasound imaging system and method capable of using ultrasound imaging to safely place a surgical access instrument (e.g. guide wire, dilator, cannula, etc.) through a tissue (e.g., muscle, fat, brain, liver, lung, etc.) without damaging nearby neurovascular structure is described herein. The intraoperative ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe assembly configured for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves and a computer system including a processor and a display unit. Once the probe is in position, ultrasound imaging is performed wherein the computer receives RF data from the probe and causes a B-mode image of the visible anatomical structures (e.g. muscle, bone, etc.) to be displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to generate an anatomy image and a number of needle frames at different transmit beam angles. The system analyzes the data in the needle frames and selects segments therein that are identified as likely representing an interventional instrument. Data from one or more needle frames are blended with the data for the anatomy image of the tissue to create a composite image of the tissue and the interventional instrument.

Abstract: An ultrasound fetal imaging system uses an acceleration sensor (16) for generating an acceleration signal relating to movement of the ultrasound transducer (10). A user is guided in how or where to move the ultrasound transducer based on the results of image processing of the ultrasound images. The user can thus be guided to move the transducer in a certain direction so as to achieve a complete scan of a fetus in a shortest possible time. This limits exposure of the expectant mother to the ultrasound energy. The fetal image obtained may be used to determine a fetal weight, for example using regression analysis based on some of the parameters derived from the obtained image.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus for determining a Bishop score through ultrasound and displaying the Bishop score, and a method of controlling the same. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a display; a probe configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and detect an echo signal; and a controller configured to generate an ultrasound image of a cervix of the object and a fetus on the basis of the echo signal, acquire state information of the cervix and position information of the fetus by processing the ultrasound image, determine a numeric value indicating a degree of delivery progression on the basis of the state information of the cervix and the position information of the fetus, and control the display to display the numeral value.

Abstract: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) devices with robust, four-wire electrical interconnects. In some embodiments, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device is provided. The IVUS device comprises: a catheter body; an ultrasound assembly coupled to a distal portion of the catheter body; and four conductors extending along a length of the catheter body, wherein a distal section of each of the four conductors has a flattened profile and wherein the flattened distal section of each of the four conductors is electrically coupled to a respective electrical contact of the ultrasound assembly. The ultrasound assembly can be a phased-array ultrasound assembly or a rotational ultrasound assembly.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for ultrasonic imaging by sparse sampling are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system comprises an array of ultrasound transducer elements, electronic circuitry in communication with the array of ultrasound transducer elements and configured to select a first receive aperture of the array comprising a plurality of contiguous ultrasound transducer elements and at least one non-contiguous ultrasound transducer element, and a beamformer in communication with the electronic circuitry. Each ultrasound transducer element of the first receive aperture is configured to receive reflected ultrasound echoes and generate an electrical signal representative of imaging data.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a scan tray of an ultrasound device. In one example, a system comprises a scan tray comprising a snap ring arrange between a base and a compressible material, wherein the snap ring comprises at least one hook configured to retain a membrane across the compressible material and onto the base.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods relating to intraluminal imaging are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intraluminal imaging device is disclosed. One embodiment of the intraluminal imaging device comprises a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The intraluminal imaging device further comprises an ultrasound imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound imaging assembly comprises a support member, a flexible substrate positioned around the support member and including a proximal region and a distal region, the proximal region comprising a plurality of cutouts defining a plurality of substrate ribbons, a plurality of transducer elements integrated in the distal region of the flexible substrate, and a plurality of control circuits disposed on the proximal region of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheath (10) for an endoscopic ultrasound probe, comprising: a first flexible portion (10a) suited to surrounding a catheter (4) of the ultrasound probe, made of a material suited to allowing ultrasounds to pass, having a closed distal end, a second portion (10b) suited to surrounding a handle (2) and a cable (3) for electrically connecting the probe to an ultrasound station, and a fitting (11) arranged between the first and the second portion (10a, 10b), said fitting (11) being suited to being removably attached to the handle (2).

Abstract: An ultrasound-detectable marker, ultrasound system, and methods for monitoring vascular flow and patency is disclosed. The ultrasound-detectable marker comprises one or more resorbable polymers, one or more non-resorbable polymers, one or more non-polymeric materials, or any combinations thereof. The ultrasound-detectable marker is adapted for placement underneath, adjacent to, or above one or more vessels at a postoperative site, such as a vascular anastomosis site. Further, the ultrasound imaging system includes certain user guiding software and/or health analysis software for use with the ultrasound-detectable marker.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound transducer including plural piezoelectric elements; an acoustic lens layer configured to radiate the ultrasound emitted from the plural piezoelectric elements to outside; a back layer that faces the acoustic lens layer with the ultrasound transducer interposed between the back layer and the acoustic lens layer; and a wiring member having at least a part that is arranged at a first position between the acoustic lens layer and the ultrasound transducer or at a second position that faces the ultrasound transducer with the back layer interposed between the second position and the ultrasound transducer. The wiring member includes: a resin layer having electrically insulating; and an electrically conducting layer that is provided on the resin layer and includes plural signal wirings.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the disclosure includes a probe; an ultrasound transceiver configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object through the probe and receive an echo signal reflected from the object; a controller configured to obtain first data by controlling the ultrasound transceiver to transmit a first ultrasound pulse to the object and receive the echo signal reflected from the object, to obtain second data by controlling the ultrasound transceiver to repeat an operation of transmitting a second ultrasound pulse different from the first ultrasound pulse to a first position of the object and receiving the echo signal reflected from the first position of the object a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals, to obtain third data by controlling the ultrasound transceiver to repeat an operation of transmitting the second ultrasound pulse to a second position of the object and receiving the echo signal reflected from the second position of the object the plurality of times a

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a display; a memory storing one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to: acquire first elasticity data with respect to a first area of an object; generate a first elasticity image based on the first elasticity data; acquire, based on the first elasticity data, first and second elasticity values respectively corresponding to first and second regions of interest included in the first area; control the display to display the acquired first and second elasticity values; and control the display to display, when the first elasticity value is selected, the first elasticity image and the first region of interest corresponding to the first elasticity value.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasound probe 2; an image acquisition unit 17 that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject by performing transmission and reception of an ultrasound beam to and from the ultrasound probe 2 in accordance with a predetermined transmission/reception condition; a display unit 16 that displays the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17; a constipation evaluation unit 18 that performs constipation evaluation based on the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17; and a urine volume measurement availability determination unit 21 that determines whether or not urine volume measurement is available, from the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit 17 in accordance with the transmission/reception condition which is used to perform the constipation evaluation by the constipation evaluation unit 18.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to ultrasound imaging with reduced speckle. Ultrasound imaging with frequency compounding and angle compounding is disclosed. Techniques are disclosed to make ultrasound imaging with frequency and angle compounding more robust. One such technique is non-rigid image registration to align ultrasound images for angle compounding. Another disclosed technique includes selecting a subset of ultrasound images for non-rigid ultrasound image registration.

Abstract: We disclose a device and method for collecting a urine sample as a user urinates into a toilet. The device further conducts analytical measurements which may include spectral, colorimetric, and chemical assays. The user need only urinate normally into the toilet. A urine collection trap, which includes a vertical slit, may capture a urine sample which has a volume in the microliter range. Pumps may divert the urine from the vertical slit into a conduit that is connected to spectral analysis devices and other devices for analyzing the urine sample. The disclosed device is both convenient and prevents unsanitary urine spills.

Abstract: A toilet is disclosed. The toilet has a bowl adapted to receive feces, a shelf for receiving feces in the bowl, a mechanism that places a consumable material on the shelf between uses of the toilet, and a removal mechanism for removing the feces and the consumable material from the bowl. The consumable material on the shelf is to separate feces from the shelf.

Abstract: A bone graft harvester and method of use are described which produces bone grafts of superior quality to existing techniques. The bone graft harvester is driven in a reciprocating and impacting fashion when placed against bone to be fashioned at a rate of 500 to 20000 impacts per minute and with non-rotating longitudinal movements of 0.5 to 5 mm. Bone is collected in a hollow core of the hollow core coring tool of the bone graft harvester and can be retrieved therefrom for bone grafting procedures. Preferably the hollow core is tapered to allow expansion of the bone in the coring tool so as to better hold bone which is retrieved from the harvesting site.

Abstract: A coupler (2) for the sterile coupling of a percutaneous surgical instrument to a rotational-driving tool (3), extending along a coupling axis (A). The coupler (2) has a distal portion (27) configured to be connected removably to a percutaneous surgical instrument, a proximal portion (28) configured to be connected removably to a driving tool (3), a central portion (29) arranged between the distal (27) and proximal (28) portions.

Abstract: A biopsy needle has a cylindrical shell outer cannula and a stylet consisting of an inner stylet and outer stylet, both of which are inserted into the cylindrical cannula. The outer stylet has a series of strain relieved slits which provide bending over a deflection region in one direction, and the outer stylet is formed from a material such as a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a superelastic phase. The deflection is generated by an SMA wire spanning a deflection extent and attached to the outer stylet on either side of the deflection extent. The inner stylet, when positioned inside the outer stylet, has one or more actuation fibers which couple optical energy into the SMA wire or hollow SMA tube, causing a deflection of the outer stylet over the deflection extent, with the optical energy provided to the actuation fibers for control of the deflection. Additional fibers may be placed in the inner stylet to measure temperature and to measure deflection.

Abstract: A method for removing tissues may comprise disposing a tissue resection device at a target tissue site, causing the tissue resection device to resect a core of tissue from the target tissue site, removing the core of tissue from the body, wherein the removing the core of tissue from the body creates a core cavity at the target tissue site.

Abstract: A needle or stylet has a tip contour with a reverse back bevel curved toward the longitudinal axis of the needle or stylet. The needle has a flexible intermediate portion and/or a two-part construction in which a distal portion of the needle to crimped onto a proximal portion of the needle. The needle or a stylet is combined with a spring mechanism in the hub of the needle or stylet assembly. The spring mechanism positions the tip of the needle or stylet in a middle position extending from the distal end of the assembly, allows the needle or stylet to be moved into a spring loaded fully retracted configuration within the assembly as the septal wall is tented, and then releasing the spring loaded needle or stylet as the needle or stylet penetrates the septal wall. A method of using a needle or stylet with a spring mechanism is included.

Abstract: The invention regards a device for reconstituting a bioactive agent and forming a paste, the device comprising: —a container (2) containing the bioactive agent, —a first syringe (4) containing a liquid, —a second syringe (5) containing a paste forming material, —a connector element (6) configured for establishing sequential fluid connections between 1) the first syringe and the container, 2) the container and the second syringe, and 3) the first and second syringes, such that the liquid can be transferred from the first syringe to the container to reconstitute the bioactive agent, whereupon the reconstituted bioactive agent can be transferred from the container into the second syringe to form a paste, and the paste can be transferred to the first syringe.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a joint distractor, including: a stationary portion configured to fix a first body portion on a first side of a body joint, and an extendable portion configured to be urged against a second body portion on a second side of the body joint, and wherein extension of the extendable portion urges the extendable portion onto the second body portion away from the first body portion thereby forming a gap between articulating surfaces of the first and second body portions within the joint.

Abstract: A flat-type sleeve anchor is shape-deformed after being inserted into a bone so as to fix, to the bone, soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles and, particularly, to a flat-type sleeve anchor which employs an anchor body made of a flat material, so that the anchor can be easily inserted into a bond and then shape-deformed.

Abstract: A knotless button includes a body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion. The body further defines an internal cavity and a first loop opening extending from the internal cavity to an outer surface of the body. A locking insert is slideably positioned within the internal cavity. The locking insert defines a second loop opening extending from a first side of the locking insert to a second side of the locking insert. The locking insert is slideably moveable from a first position to a second position within the internal cavity. A flexible strand defines a first adjustable loop extending through the first loop opening and the second loop opening. The locking insert is slideably moveable from a first position configured to allow adjustment of the first adjustable loop to a second position configured to lock the first adjustable loop.

Abstract: The invention provided with a skin wound closing apparatus which belongs to medical equipment. The skin wound closing apparatus provided in this invention includes: a pair of adhesive sheets, at least a pair of threading components, at least a pull string, at least a pull component and pull string locking component. The skin wound closing apparatus provided in this invention includes a pair of adhesive sheets which are stick to the skin of the two sides of the wound, at least a pair of threading components positioned on the adhesive sheet and pull string which is set to thread between the threading cubes therefore the operator can close the wound simply by pulling the pull string, so it has the advantages of convenient operation and quick use. The skin wound closing apparatus also includes the pull components, so it can indicate the specific part of the pull string that the user needs to pull when closing the wound, which is convenient to use, thereby obtaining the best wound closure effect.

Abstract: Suturing devices and systems used to apply sutures and/or to close openings at, within, or into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more distal arms, one or more proximal extensions, and one or more needles. A sheath may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are suture clip delivery devices that can be loaded with several flat, disk-shaped suture clips and can deploy the suture clips one after another onto respective sutures without reloading the device with additional suture clips. An exemplary device includes a handle portion with an actuation mechanism that is coupled to a shaft portion that holds and deploys the suture clips. The shaft portion includes a mandrel on which the suture clips are mounted and a retainer that restricts the suture clips from moving proximally when the actuation mechanism pulls the mandrel proximally, which causes a distal-most suture clip to slide off the mandrel and be deployed onto one or more suture. The mandrel and remaining suture clips can them move distally to prepare to deploy the next suture clip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a sled and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, an anvil, and a cartridge channel. The staple cartridge includes a proximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body, and staples supported in the cartridge body, wherein the sled is movable to deploy the staples from the cartridge body against tissue captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil. The cartridge channel is configured to removably retain the staple cartridge, wherein a load is required to remove the staple cartridge from the cartridge channel, and wherein the sled is configured to reduce the cartridge removal load.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical stapler includes a staple cartridge assembly movable relative to an anvil assembly. The staple cartridge assembly defines a plurality of retention slots and a cavity. The staple cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples, a plurality of pushers, an actuation sled, a surgical buttress material, a suture, and an anchoring button. The actuation sled is configured for movement along a length of the staple cartridge assembly to sequentially engage the plurality of pushers to eject the plurality of staples through the respective plurality of retention slots. The anchoring button is configured to be received in the cavity of the staple cartridge assembly such that a portion of the suture is supported in the cavity to be severed by a knife blade of the actuation sled when the actuation sled is advanced distally.

Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: The disclosure provides endoscopic accessory devices and methods of using same, the accessory devices having an elongated shaft with a tissue engagement member at its distal end, the tissue engagement member configured to encircle gastrointestinal tissue when applied thereagainst.