Abstract: A surgical device is provided, the surgical device including a first driver for performing a first movement function; a second driver for performing a second movement function; a first rotatable drive shaft configured, upon actuation, to cause selective engagement of one of the first and second drivers with a second rotatable drive shaft, wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive the selectively engaged one of the first and second drivers. Third and fourth drivers may also be included. The drivers may function to rotate a shaft portion of the surgical device relative to, and about the longitudinal axis of, a handle; move a jaw portion relative to the shaft portion; move a first jaw relative to a second jaw; and/or move a surgical member within the second jaw.

Abstract: A medical signal processing device is communicably connected to a medical control device through a plurality of signal transmission paths and processes an image signal corresponding to a result obtained by examining an inside of a subject. The medical signal processing device includes a transmission signal processing unit configured to generate a plurality of image signals for transmission by distributing the image signal based on transmission failure information that indicates a transmission failure on a signal in the signal transmission paths.

Abstract: A bi-directional steerable catheter that, for a given tip deflection angle, generates a first articulation radius in a first lateral direction and a second articulation radius in a second lateral direction, the second articulation radius being different than the first articulation radius. The catheter includes two pull wire portions that can be individually and selectively put under tension to cause deflection of the tip in a corresponding lateral direction. Actuation of a first of the pull wire portions causes a shift in the neutral axis of the catheter over a portion of the steering section, resulting in articulation over a shorter length of the steering section and thus a smaller bend radius. Actuation of a second of the pull wire portions does not result in a neutral axis shift, so that articulation is over substantially the entire length of the steering section, resulting in a larger bend radius.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for approximating tissue includes an elongated body having a plurality of articulatable segments and a steerable distal portion. The device includes a first tissue approximation component positioned at a first axial position of the body. The first component is configured to move in a radial direction relative to the elongated body between a first position and a second position and be placed in an actuated state in which it is configured to grip tissue. The device includes a second tissue approximation component positioned at a second axial position of the body. The second component is configured to move in a radial direction relative to the elongated body between a first position and a second position and be placed in an actuated state in which it is configured to grip tissue. The components are configured to translate toward one another along a longitudinal direction of the elongated body.

Abstract: Medical devices are described and illustrated herein. In particular, steerable guide members and catheters useful in the identification and treatment of bodily passages are provided. Methods of identifying and treating bodily passages are also provided.

Abstract: A stiffenable structure is made of longitudinal beams that are positioned around a longitudinal axis. In one state, the longitudinal beams are bendable so that the structure is bendable. As the structure bends, the longitudinal beams slide longitudinally with reference to one another. In a second state, the beams are clamped in a fixed position relative to one another so that the structure is stiffened. In some aspects the longitudinal beams are made of two or more longitudinal laminar elements. As each beam bends, the laminar elements slide longitudinally with reference to one another. Each beam, and accordingly the structure, is stiffened by preventing the laminar elements from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.

Abstract: A medical observation apparatus includes: an image sensor that outputs an image signal; a transmission signal processing unit configured to convert an electrical signal into serial electrical signals and change number and a destination thereof; an optical signal conversion unit configured to convert the serial electrical signals into optical signals; optical transmission paths configured to transmit the converted optical signals; an electrical signal conversion unit configured to convert the transmitted optical signals into serial electrical signals; a received-signal processing unit configured to performs a predetermined image processing on the received serial electrical signals to generate and output a display image signal to a display device, and detect transmission failure of the optical signals in the optical transmission paths; and a control unit configured to control changing of the number and the destination of the serial electrical signals in accordance with a result of detection of the transmission

Abstract: To enable a moving object to be movable even when electromotive driving of the moving object is not possible and prevent inconvenience from occurring during medical procedures.

Abstract: An inserting instrument includes a first flexible tube section having a flexibility lower than a spiral tube, a second flexible tube section having a flexibility lower than the spiral tube and equal to or higher than the first flexible tube section in a state where the second flexible tube section is not covered with the spiral tube. The flexibility of the second flexible tube section is lower than that of the first flexible tube section when the second flexible tube section is covered with the spiral tube. The inserting instrument includes a third flexible tube section provided on the proximal direction side with respect to the second flexible tube section and having a flexibility lower than the first flexible tube section.

Abstract: A flexible tube includes a first outer layer covering an outer side of a closely-wound region; a second outer layer forming a second flexible portion which is more difficult to bend than the first flexible portion; a third outer layer covering an outer side of the sparsely-wound region, and forming a third flexible portion which is as difficult to bend as the second flexible portion, or more difficult to bend than the second flexible portion; and a fourth outer layer arranged consecutively between the second and third outer layers to cover the outer side of a boundary position of the closely-wound region and the sparsely-wound region, and reducing a difference in bending difficulty/bending easiness at the boundary position.

Abstract: A cover for an articulation joint that is supported in an elongate shaft assembly of a surgical instrument that is operably coupled to a surgical end effector that includes at least one end effector conductor therein. The cover includes at least one electrically conductive pathway that extends from the distal end of the cover to form an electrically conductive pathway from the end effector conductor to a shaft conductor on the elongate shaft assembly while facilitating operation of the articulation joint. Various conductor arrangements facilitating the passage of electrical current between an end effector to a control system across the articulation joint are also disclosed.

Abstract: A manipulator and a manipulator system adjust the initial tension easily yet unerringly during assembling. The manipulator includes a main unit, an elongated portion that extends from the main unit, a distal end that is connected to the elongated portion, a wire for transmission of power for putting the distal end into actuation, a drive unit for generation of power to the wire, a rotary unit which is located in the main unit, around which the wire is wound and which is rotated by the drive unit, and an elastic unit for connecting the wire to the rotary unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steerable sheath tube (100) including a tube body (110), a traction mechanism (120) and a fixing and connecting mechanism (130). The traction mechanism (120) includes an anchor ring (121) and a traction wire (122). The anchor ring (121) is coaxially embedded in a distal elastic segment (111) of the tube body (110). The traction wire (122) is arranged in a side wall of the tube body (110), and extends along the axial direction of the tube body (110). The traction wire (122) includes a first segment and a second segment connected to each other, wherein the first segment is connected to the fixing and connecting mechanism (130) near a proximal end of the tube body (110), and the second segment hooks the anchor ring (121).

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system including: an operation portion; an insertion portion including on a distal end side thereof a bending portion, and connected to the operation portion so as to be rotatable with respect to the operation portion, a bending direction of the bending portion changing depending on the rotation; an image pickup device disposed in the insertion portion, for generating an image of a subject; a physical quantity generation portion that generates a physical quantity which changes depending on the rotation of the insertion portion; a detection portion that detects and outputs the physical quantity generated by the physical quantity generation portion; a rotation angle calculation portion that receives the physical quantity outputted from the detection portion and calculates a rotation angle of the insertion portion; and a display portion that displays the image of the subject and information corresponding to the rotation angle of the insertion portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a bending portion; an operation portion; a frame body; a first long member; a second long member; a chain separator; a second chain cover; and a restriction surface formed on the chain separator and configured to restrict movement of the second chain cover in a direction away from the chain separator, wherein the restriction surface forms an engagement portion configured to engage the second chain cover with the chain separator.

Abstract: A flexible tube includes an envelope, a spiral tube and a built-in component. The spiral tube includes a first area portion and a second area portion. The spiral tube is under an initial tension throughout the overall length, and the built-in component includes a supplement area portion which supplements the elasticity of the spiral tube.

Abstract: A bending operation device, includes: a bending lever that is inclinably supported with respect to an operation section of an endoscope; an arm part that is provided in the bending lever and includes a distal end displaceable in conjunction with inclination operation of the bending lever; and an intermediate lever that is swingably supported with respect to the operation section, includes a force point at a middle of the intermediate lever, and includes a point of application at a position farther from a fulcrum (a shaft portion) than the force point, the force point being connected to the distal end of the arm part through an intermediate wire, and the point of application being connected to a bending wire.

Abstract: Sold-state intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to flexible and efficient systems for focusing IVUS echo data received from transducers including polymer piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs). In one embodiment, an ultrasound processing system includes first and second aperture engines coupled to an engine controller, which provides aperture assignments to the first and second aperture engines. The aperture engines receive the assignment and a portion of A-line data, perform one or more focusing process on the received A-line data, and produce focused data in accordance with the aperture assignment. In some embodiments, once an aperture engine has produced focused data, the engine controller clears the aperture engine and assigns another aperture.

Abstract: A flexible tube includes a helical tube including a closely-wound region and a sparsely-wound region, and an outer tube covering an outer side of the helical tube. The closely-wound region includes a closely-wound portion to which a tight contact force is applied, the tight contact force allowing adjacent parts of a wire member adjacent along the longitudinal axis to become a tight contact state, a sparsely-wound portion which is arranged at a proximal side of the closely-wound portion, and a change portion which is arranged at a proximal side of the sparsely-wound portion and, has the tight contact force between the adjacent parts on the proximal side rather than the distal side along the longitudinal axis reduced more than the tight contact force of the closely-wound portion.

Abstract: Provided is a manipulator including a distal-end joint group and a proximal-end joint group that are arranged adjacent to each other in a distal-end section of an insertion part in a longitudinal axis direction and that are configured to bend the distal-end section. The proximal-end joint group includes a plurality of proximal-end bending joints bendable about axes that are lined-up side-by-side to bend the distal-end section through 180° or more. The distal-end joint group includes first distal-end bending joints disposed on a distal side of the proximal-end joint group and bendable about axes crossing a plane including the axes of the proximal-end bending joints and the longitudinal axis; and a second distal-end bending joint disposed in the longitudinal axis direction relative to the axes of the first distal-end bending joints and bendable about an axis that is lined-up side-by-side with the axes of the proximal-end bending joints.

Abstract: An articulating optical surgical probe includes a handle sized to fit in a single hand and a single rigid cannula extending from the handle having a diameter of 20 Ga or less. The probe further includes a slotted tip at a distal end of the cannula and at least one optical fiber extending through the handle, the single rigid cannula and the slotted tip, and a pull-wire secured to the slotted tip. When the pull-wire exerts tension on the slotted tip, the slotted tip will deviate from straight to a bend angle controlled by the tension in the pull-wire. The slotted tip is formed from a resilient material that will restore to the straight position when the tension exerted by the pull-wire is released.

Abstract: The invention has for its object to provide a manipulator and manipulator system in which a dynamic surplus is rapidly removed and a moving assembly actuates rapidly in association with the operation of an operating assembly. The manipulator 1 includes an operating assembly 2 operated by an operator, a moving assembly 3 operated by the operating assembly 2, a transmitting assembly 4 for coupling the operating assembly 2 to the moving assembly 3 to transmit driving force of the operating assembly 2 to the moving assembly 3, and a transmission compensating assembly 6 for making up for a dynamic surplus occurring in the transmitting assembly 4 in association with the operation of the operating assembly 2.

Abstract: A device for soft tissue biopsy or excision for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise a work element configured to selectively open and close at least one articulable beak configured to penetrate tissue, or follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated. A single tube or an inner sheath and an outer sheath which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks and provisions for simultaneous beak closing under rotation may be incorporated.

Abstract: A hand-holdable steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a housing, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a first plane when the first actuator is moved between first and second positions. The second actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a second plane different than the first plane when the second actuator is moved between first and second positions.

Abstract: A catheter configured for intraluminal delivery to a location in the body of a patient, the catheter comprising a steerable assembly comprising a first segment connected to a second segment; the first segment comprises first and second cylindrical elements connected to each other by a first revolute joint in a first single plane; the second segment comprises third and fourth cylindrical elements connected to each other by a second revolute joint in a second single plane, wherein the first single plane and the second single plane are offset by an angle from each other.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter shaft section is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of lumens extending along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, wherein at least one of the lumens is abutting at least another one of the lumens. A catheter comprising the deflectable catheter shaft section and a method of manufacturing the deflectable catheter shaft section are also disclosed. A catheter incorporating a deflectable catheter shaft section can further comprise first and second compression coils disposed over pull wires located within the catheter, wherein the compression coils are unattached to the catheter or components thereof, but can be constrained by a shaft coupler at a distal end of each of the compression coils and by at least a portion of a handle assembly at a proximal end of each of the compression coils.

Abstract: A manipulator system including a manipulator that includes an insertion part having a main section and a bending section, a bending-section driving portion, and a linear member inserted through a sheath fixed to the main section at one end thereof, the linear member connecting the bending section and the bending-section driving portion through the main section and transmitting a driving force generated by the bending-section driving portion to the bending section; an operation input unit via which an operation instruction to the bending section is input; a sheath-tension detecting portion that detects the tension in the sheath; a compensation-value setting portion that sets a compensation value for a bending control signal on the basis of the tension in the sheath, and a control unit that generates the bending control signal and sends the bending control signal corrected with the compensation value to the bending-section driving portion.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes a control part has a computation part which computes the radius of curvature of the central axis of the instrument channel when the input signal is received and, may generate the first driving signal according to a result of the computation part computing the radius of curvature so that a treatment instrument at which a rigid part is provided to be easily inserted into a channel while a view of an observation part is limited from deviating from an object to be treated, even when a radius of curvature of a bending part is small while the bending part is bent.

Abstract: A control unit that includes a braking system for fixing the position of an endoscope tip is provided. The control system includes an up-down control knob and a right-left control knob. The brakes are engaged by rotating the control knob itself counter-clockwise from a free wheeling position. After the brakes have been engaged, a sufficient amount of force applied to the control knobs will move the endoscope tip slightly in the corresponding direction, allowing for fine tuning of tip position after braking.

Abstract: A tubular insertion system includes an insertion unit including a bendable portion, a bending operation mechanism that operates the bendable portion. The tubular insertion system further includes a bending operation amount detection/calculation device that calculates bending operation amount information, a bent shape detection/calculation device that calculates bent shape information, and a first operation support information acquisition unit that acquires first operation support information based on at least one of the bending operation amount information and the bent shape information.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a bending portion, a wire, and a coil sheath, including a single element wire, an outer peripheral face of which is formed to be a curved face on one side of the outer peripheral face and to be a flat surface on another side of the outer peripheral face, the coil sheath being passed inside by the wire and configured by being helically wound by the element wire along a longitudinal direction such that the outer peripheral face formed to be the curved face and the outer peripheral face formed to be the flat surface are in contact with each other.

Abstract: Sold-state intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to flexible and efficient systems for focusing IVUS echo data received from transducers including polymer piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs). In one embodiment, an ultrasound processing system includes first and second aperture engines coupled to an engine controller, which provides aperture assignments to the first and second aperture engines. The aperture engines receive the assignment and a portion of A-line data, perform one or more focusing process on the received A-line data, and produce focused data in accordance with the aperture assignment. In some embodiments, once an aperture engine has produced focused data, the engine controller clears the aperture engine and assigns another aperture.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes: a columnar optical member including an incident surface on which light is incident, a reflecting surface for reflecting the light incident from the incident surface in a direction different from the incident surface, and an emission surface for causing the light incident from a direction orthogonal to the incident surface and reflected from the reflecting surface to travel in a straight line and emitting the light to the outside; an imaging device including a light receiving unit, formed on a surface of the imaging device, for receiving the light emitted from the emission surface and performing photoelectric conversion on the light; and a cylindrical imaging holder, protruding from at least part of an outer edge of one end in line with a side surface shape of the optical member, for defining the position of the incident surface and holding the optical member.

Abstract: A steerable device, such as a steerable catheter, may include a control handle and an insertion shaft extending outwardly therefrom. In use, the insertion shaft is navigated to an area of interest for examination and/or treatment thereof. The steerable device may include a steering system that controls the deflection angle of the distal end of the insertion shaft in two or more non-planar directions for navigating the insertion shaft to the area of interest. The steering system may also include a locking mechanism for arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end of the insertion shaft in a first direction independent of arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end in a second non-planar direction.

Abstract: An introducer for an endotracheal tube (50) has a bendable rod (10) with a video camera (15) and light source (16) mounted at its patient end (12) and connected by a cable (17) to an electrical connector (2) fixed at the machine end of the rod. The connector (2) has a narrow profile to allow the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid over it. In use, the camera (15) is connected to a video display (4) via a cable (5) and a mating connector (6), the rod (10) is bent to the desired shape and inserted into the trachea. The mating connector (6) is then disconnected to enable the endotracheal tube (50) to be slid to the correct position in the trachea along the rod (10) and over the connector (2) mounted at the machine end of the rod. The rod (10) is then removed to leave the tube (50) in position.

Abstract: An articulating optical surgical probe includes a handle sized to fit in a single hand and a single rigid cannula extending from the handle having a diameter of 20 Ga or less. The probe further includes a slotted tip at a distal end of the cannula and at least one optical fiber extending through the handle, the single rigid cannula and the slotted tip, and a pull-wire secured to the slotted tip. When the pull-wire exerts tension on the slotted tip, the slotted tip will deviate from straight to a bend angle controlled by the tension in the pull-wire. The slotted tip is formed from a resilient material that will restore to the straight position when the tension exerted by the pull-wire is released.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument, in particular an endoscope, with a jointed portion of a shaft for connecting a distal part of the shaft with a proximal part of the shaft in a way to be angulated. For this purpose, the distal shaft part is connected with the proximal shaft part by two rigid jointed bars of different lengths, wherein each of the rigid jointed bars attaches with a joint on the distal shaft part and a joint on the proximal shaft part.

Abstract: A detachable stylet assembly for endotracheal intubation of a patient is disclosed. The stylet comprises an elongated tube defining: a longitudinal axis, a proximal end for detachably mounting the stylet to a hand grip, and a distal end for entering the trachea of the patient. The tube comprises an articulation section adjacent the distal end adapted to curve into the trachea upon actuation. An actuator housing is mounted on and adjacent to the proximal end of the tube. An actuating assembly is constructed inside the actuator housing having connection means for engaging the hand grip. A control wire is mounted within the actuator housing and connected to the actuating assembly. The control wire extends through the tube to the distal end of the tube and is adapted to curve the articulation section upon actuation. The hand grip comprises a base handle and a trigger for manual actuation of the actuator assembly. The trigger comprises finger grooves for convenient gripping.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: operation wires insertedly arranged inside an insertion portion and an operation portion, the operation wires causing a bending portion to bend by being pulled/slackened; an operation member provided on the operation portion, the operation member performing a bending operation of the bending portion; a rotation member provided in the operation portion, the rotation member pulling/slackening the operation wires by rotating in conjunction with an operation of the operation member; and an amount-of-operation-force reducing portion giving rotation torque in a direction in which the rotation member inclines to reduce an amount of operation force of the operation member, in response to inclination of the operation member, wherein the rotation torque of the amount-of-operation-force reducing portion changes in conjunction with displacement of the operation member operated, and the amount-of-operation-force reducing portion offsets and reduces the amount of operation force required for the oper

Abstract: The Invention provides a method of determining a position of an object in a virtual environment and for assessing a performance in the movement of said object. Preferred embodiments provide an improved endoscope simulator and means for assessing performance in the use of an endoscope.

Abstract: An imaging stylet is provided, including a deformable outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis, and an opening provided at the distal end, an imaging device disposed at the distal end of the outer housing, a deformable support member disposed in the outer housing, and an actuator disposed in the outer housing and coupled to the imaging device. The imaging device is movable by the actuator from an inactivated position, in which the imaging device is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal end, to an activated position, in which the imaging device extends out of the opening at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal end.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an operated section having a deformable portion and an operating section configured to deform the deformable portion. The operated section and the operating section are attachable to and detachable from each other. The operated section includes a wire 1 configured to penetrate the deformable portion. The operating section includes moving parts 11 to 13 configured to move the wire 1, and a connecting part 101 configured to contain the moving parts 11 to 13 movably and to be connected to the operated section. The moving parts 11 to 13 deform the deformable portion by moving the wire 1 with a connecting surface included in the connecting part 101 being disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A deflection mechanism for an elongate medical device may comprise an actuator. The actuator may comprise a rotatable body comprising a channel, the channel comprising a plurality of recesses. The deflection mechanism may further comprises an activation wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a wire lock attached to the proximal end of the activation wire. The wire lock may be disposed within the channel and configured to ride therein when the actuator body is rotated. An adjustable stop may be placed in one or more of the recesses of the channel so as to apply a force to the wire lock as the actuator is rotated so as to increase tension on the activation wire.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe assembly, a holster assembly, a tissue sample holder, and a manually operated rotation mechanism configured to rotate the tissue sample holder. The probe assembly comprises a cutter configured to sever a tissue sample. The tissue sample holder includes a plurality of tissue chambers configured to receive discrete severed tissue samples. The holster assembly comprises the non-motorized, manually operated rotation mechanism configured to allow a user to align consecutive chambers to successively collect discrete severed tissue samples. The tissue sample holder rotation mechanism may comprise a first button, a first lever, a first pawl, a first ratchet, an indexing shaft, and a first gear, which are all configured to, ultimately, rotate a tissue sample holder. The tissue sample holder rotation mechanism may alternately include thumbwheels, a worm gear, or a ratcheting lever, among other things.

Abstract: Endoscopic instrument with a control element, an instrument shaft, an adjustment element, a pull element and an actuator, and also with an intermediate element which is operatively connected to the control element and to the adjustment element, wherein the intermediate element has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is connected to the second portion, the second portion has a greater bending resistance than the first portion, and the first portion has a measurement element for measuring a flexion of the first portion, wherein the adjustment element has a first abutment device, which defines a first movement range of the first portion relative to the adjustment element, and a second abutment device, which defines a second movement range of the second portion relative to the adjustment element, and the first movement range is smaller than the second movement range.

Abstract: A medical tube which is highly flexible and has a very small diameter and a flexibility-variable mechanism having the medical tube are provided. The medical tube includes an interior tube and a plurality of annular segments of a cylindrical shape into which the interior tube is inserted. The medical tube is configured by sequentially connecting the plurality of annular segments while the interior tube is inserted inside of the plurality of annular segments. Each annular segment includes a fitting portion that allows any other annular segment to be fitted to the annular segment, and a fitted portion which may be fitted on the fitting portion of any other annular segment, which has a diameter that increases toward an end of the annular segment and includes at least one slit extending in a direction crossing a diametric direction.

Abstract: An endoluminal surgical instrument has first and second steering controls on a handle. A flexible shaft attached to the handle has a distal steerable end including a first link and a second link separated by a plurality of intermediate links. First and second steering elements, such as pairs of steering wires, are linked to first and second steering controls and to the first and second links. One or more of the links is pivotable through an angle of at least 30 degrees relative to an adjoining link. The set back position of the second steering elements from the first steering elements, and the pivoting capability of the links allows the steerable end to be steered into a small bend radius. This makes the instrument highly maneuverable for use in endoluminal surgery, such as incision-less surgery of the stomach.

Abstract: A system for controlling a medical device includes a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arms extending radially outwards from the shaft. Each arm includes an inward end positioned near the shaft and an outward end. The system also includes a collapsible pulley formed from a plurality of pulley pieces. At least one of the pulley pieces is slidably mounted on at least one of the plurality of arms and has a surface configured to receive at least one control element. The system further includes at least one biasing member located between the shaft and the at least one slidably-mounted pulley piece.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an articulating structure for use as at least part of a medical device. In one aspect, the invention features an articulating structure comprising an inner member, a sleeve, a pull wire, and an outer member. The inner member defines at least one channel on the outer surface of the inner member, the at least one channel extending along a length of the inner member. The inner member further defines at least one lumen extending through the inner member. The sleeve is disposed in the at least one channel. The pull wire extends within a lumen of the sleeve. The outer member is disposed over the inner member and defines a lumen through which the inner member extends.

Abstract: A system for treating a tissue site of a patient includes a dressing filler adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. The dressing filler includes a base and a plurality of nodes extending from the base. The base further includes a plurality of openings disposed in the base. At least one of the plurality of nodes is comprised of a non-tactile-stimulus-activated, macroscopically-deforming (NTSAMD) material.