319 results about "Far lateral" patented technology

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, an elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal bendable member comprises a ball and socket assembly supported between the handle and instrument shaft and constructed and arranged for three dimensional motion.

A surgical instrument may include an end effector, an input drive shaft, a closure drive, and / or a firing drive. The end effector may comprise a jaw assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The end effector may comprise an I-beam member axially translated between a proximal position and a distal position within the end effector. In one embodiment, the input drive shaft may selectively engage the firing drive and / or the closure drive. In one configuration, the closure drive is threadedly engaged with the firing drive allowing the input drive shaft, during a firing stroke, to simultaneously move the closure drive and the firing drive until the closure drive is disengaged from the firing drive. On a reverse stroke, the closure drive may be reengaged with the firing drive.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal movable member comprises a movable ring assembly supported from the handle and adapted for three dimensional motion relative to the handle. A manually rotatable member may be arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member may be supported from the control handle. The locking member is manually operable by a user and includes a follower the position of which is responsive to the position of the movable members.

A surgical stapler is provided having a cartridge arm for holding staples, an anvil pivotally connected thereto to deform fired staples from the cartridge arm, and a support for substantially preventing anvil deflection during staple firing to help insure proper staple formation. Some supports allow pivoting between the anvil and cartridge arm when in a first position, but prevent or hinder the pivoting action when in a second position. Supports can also be adapted to contact the anvil at a distal position relative to the pivot point between the anvil and cartridge arm. Exemplary structures of supports embodied as one or more links or as a sleeve are described. Methods of use are also discussed.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member is supported from the control handle and has locked and unlocked states; in the unlocked state enabling control of the distal work member from the proximal control handle via the bendable members; and in the locked state, holding the bendable members in a pre-selected relative fixed position.

A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.

A surgical fastening device includes a handle assembly having a stationary handle and a movable handle and an elongated member extending distally from the handle portion. The elongated member includes a distal end portion. The device also includes a pair of firing rods operably coupled with the movable handle and movable between a proximal position and a distal position. A tool assembly has a plurality of helical fasteners supported therein and includes a pair of opposing jaw members. At least one of the jaw members is movable in relation to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions. The jaw members are configured to form a pair of radial channels when the jaw members are in the approximated position. The firing rods are configured to advance helical fasteners through at least one radial channel and into tissue upon movement from the proximal position to the distal position.

A stent loading and deployment device includes an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. When the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined there in between. The device further includes a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member.

An ultrasound treatment system in accordance with the present invention comprises an ultrasonic transducer, a handpiece, a probe, a sheath, a clamping member, an operation unit, an operating member, a suction base, and a perfusion base. The ultrasonic transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. The handpiece has the ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein and serves as an operation unit. The probe is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and serves as a vibration transmitting member for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations to a distal member realizing a stationary portion that is a treatment portion for treating a living tissue. The sheath serves as a protecting member for shielding the probe. The clamping member is opposed to the distal member at the distal end of the sheath, and realizes a movable portion that is another treatment portion for clamping a living tissue in cooperation with the distal member. The operation unit is manipulated for clamping a living tissue with the clamping member and distal member or freeing the living tissue therefrom.

A suturing apparatus is adapted for joining two objects which define a near side and a far side. The apparatus includes an elongate support structure having a working channel and an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The structural support is adapted to be positioned over a guidewire extending between the two objects, in an operative position wherein the proximal end is disposed on the near side and the distal end as disposed on the far side. Removal of the guidewire permits use of a stylet for positioning a suture to extend within the working channel from the proximal end to the distal end. A pair of hooks are movable from a proximal position at the proximal end of the support structure through the objects and a pair of slots in the support structure, to a distal position wherein the hooks engage the suture within the working channel at the distal end of the support structure. The actuator is then operable to move the hooks and the engaged suture from the distal position to the proximal position in order to facilitate tying of the suture and joining of the two objects. Alternatively, suture loops can be carried through the objects by unidirectional hooks and into the working channel. The hooks can then be withdrawn leaving the suture loops in the working channel where they can be engaged by a snare and withdrawn proximally between the two objects. Suturing pledgets can be added to the suturing apparatus prior to operative disposition, and a backing member can be provided to support at least the pledgets when the hook passes through the object.

A fastener applying device including a staple housing having a proximal end attached to a handle, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. There is at least one fastener within the housing. The device also includes an anvil movable within the staple housing. The anvil has a proximal position and a distal position, wherein when in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing by a distance. The device also includes an adjustment nut connecting the staple housing to the handle. Rotation of the adjustment nut changes the distance.

A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.

An apparatus for closing a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprises a resettable triggering system which may be slideably moved within a housing to advance a carrier assembly and / or locating assembly, and which deploys the closure element. Upon deployment of a closure element, the carrier assembly may be positioned in a distal position and locked in place within a housing. The lock may be effected by a flexible snap fit interlocking feature which is selectively releasable. Release of the locking feature may be performed by externally insertable tools which engage the flexible snap fit and release the interlocking features. The triggering system may also include a catch which is released upon deployment of a closure element. The catch can be reset to allow the triggering system to be re-engaged into a pre-deployment condition and position.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal movable member comprises a movable ring assembly supported from the handle and adapted for three dimensional motion relative to the handle. A manually rotatable member may be arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member may be supported from the control handle. The locking member is manually operable by a user and includes a follower the position of which is responsive to the position of the movable members.

A fastener applying device for surgically attaching tissue together. The device includes a staple housing having a proximal end attached to a handle, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. There is at least one fastener within the housing. The device includes an anvil movable within the staple housing. The anvil has a proximal position and a distal position, wherein when in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing by a distance. The device further includes an adjustment nut connecting the staple housing to the handle, wherein rotation of the adjustment nut changes the distance.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member is supported from the control handle and has locked and unlocked states; in the unlocked state enabling control of the distal work member from the proximal control handle via the bendable members; and in the locked state, holding the bendable members in a pre-selected relative fixed position.

An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.

An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.

A fluid collection or infusion set is provided. The set includes flexible tubing with a fitting attached to a proximal end and a needle assembly attached to the distal end. The needle assembly includes a needle hub and a needle cannula secured in the hub. An actuator arm extends proximally and outwardly from the needle hub and has an actuator button at its free end. The needle assembly is disposed in a barrel and can move from a distal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a proximal position where the needle cannula is shielded. A spring is disposed in the barrel for propelling the needle assembly to the proximal position. The barrel includes an actuating aperture that receives the actuator button for locking the spring in a compressed condition. Depression of the actuator button enables the spring to propel the needle assembly into its proximal shielded position.

A catheter pump is provided that includes a rotatable impeller and an elongate cannula. The elongate cannula has a mesh that has a plurality of circumferential members disposed about the impeller. The elongate cannula has a plurality of axial connector extending between a proximal side of a distal circumferential member and a distal side of a proximal circumferential member. The circumferential members are radially self-expandable. The cannula is configured to minimize fracture within at least in the distal zone of the mesh as the elongated cannula moves into a sheathing device.

The present invention provides an expandable intervertebral implant, including: a superior member configured to engage a superior intervertebral body; an inferior member configured to engage an inferior intervertebral body; and an expansion mechanism disposed between the superior member and the inferior member configured to selectively adjust a separation of the superior member from the inferior member; wherein the expansion mechanism includes a proximal wedge structure and a distal wedge structure that are relatively translated between the superior member and the inferior member, wherein the proximal wedge structure and the distal wedge structure are each coupled to the superior member and the inferior member by a plurality of aligned and / or staggered (i.e. nested) track structures and rail structures; and wherein a load-bearing portion of a bottom surface of the superior member is configured to mate vertically with a load-bearing portion of a top surface of the inferior member when the expansion mechanism is undeployed via conformal protruding and recessed features.

A guide catheter and medical lead are provided wherein the lead may be used as a pull wire to steer the guide catheter. The guide catheter is provided with a flexible distal segment and the lead is provided with a distal engaging member, which may also serve as an electrode. The distal engaging member interacts with the distal catheter end such that traction applied to the proximal lead end causes flexion of the distal segment of the catheter to advance the flexible distal segment between a non-flexed position and a flexed position, allowing the catheter to be steered around obstacles.

The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, an elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal bendable member comprises a ball and socket assembly supported between the handle and instrument shaft and constructed and arranged for three dimensional motion.

A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.

Various methods and devices are provided for penetrating tissue. In one embodiment, a tissue-penetrating device is provided and includes a flexible hollow elongate shaft having a tissue-penetrating tip at a distal end thereof, and a plunger disposed within the tissue-penetrating tip. The plunger can be movable relative to the tissue-penetrating tip between a distal position in which the plunger is distal of the tissue-penetrating tip to prevent tissue penetration, and a proximal position in which the plunger is proximal of the tissue-penetrating tip to allow the tip to penetrate tissue. The plunger can be adapted to move from the distal position to the proximal position when the plunger is advanced into a tissue surface. The device can also include a biasing element coupled to the plunger that can be adapted to bias the plunger to the distal position. The biasing element can be coupled between a distal end of a stylet that extends through the hollow elongate shaft, and a proximal end of the plunger.

Surgical devices and methods used for invaginating tissue during, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal end configured to extend outside of the body and a distal end configured to extend proximate the tissue to be invaginated, and a distal member coupled to the distal end of the tube. The distal member is configured to hold or grasp the tissue to be invaginated. The devices may include a protective distal sleeve.