| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20110306832 | FOLDING ENDOSCOPE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - Disclosed is a folding endoscope with incorporated optical sensors and light sources. The foldable endoscope includes a housing having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis and at least one channel extending between the first and second ends and associated ports at the first and second ends for inserting surgical instruments through the housing into a surgical site. The endoscope includes three elongate arms having first and second ends and being pivotally connected at the first ends thereof to the first end of the housing. A camera and light source are mounted on each of the elongate arms such that when the elongate arms are deployed the cameras have a field of view in a generally forward direction away from the housing. A linkage mechanism is connected to the elongate arms, and an actuator is connected to the linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism, upon activation by the actuator, is configured to pivotally deploy the three elongate arms from a closed position in which the elongate arms are aligned along the longitudinal axis to an open position with the second ends of the elongate arms radially spaced from the longitudinal axis. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306991 | ANASTOMOSIS DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - The present invention provides an anastomosis device which includes an elongate center pin having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is configured to be graspable using a grasping tool. A grip mechanism is located at the distal end for crimping a suture. The device includes an outer sleeve having a passageway therethrough to receive therein the elongate center pin. A suture having a suture needle is attached to a first end of the center pin and a second end of the suture is formed into a pre-formed knot mounted on the sleeve. The device includes a suture release mechanism having a passageway extending therethrough to receive the outer sleeve therein. The suture release mechanism slides along the sleeve between a first position in which the suture release mechanism is spaced from the distal end and a second position such that movement of the suture release mechanism from the first position to the second position dislodges the pre-formed knot off the sleeve. A free end of the suture, which was attached to a suture needle but cut lose after the suture has been passed through the tissue being sutured, is crimped by the crimp mechanism. The pre-formed knot is dislodged such that the crimped end of the suture is located within the pre-formed knot and pulling the suture through the knot tightens the pre-formed knot on the suture. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306994 | DEVICE FOR PERFORMING END-TO-END ANASTOMOSIS - Herein is provided an anastomosis device which includes a cylindrical support housing having a tapered section being formed of a plurality of compliant fingers integrally formed around the circumference of an end of the cylindrical section which can flex at their connection point to the cylindrical section. Each compliant finger holds a suture needle. The device includes a push rod having a cam head at one end of the rod section. The cam head is located adjacent to the tapered portion. In operation the anastomosis device is aligned with the anatomical tubular structure undergoing an anastomosis process. When a back end of the push rod is pushed towards the tapered section of the support housing, the cam head section bears against an inner surface causing each compliant finger to flex radially outwards forcing the suture needles to simultaneously pierce the wall of the anatomical tubular structure. | 12-15-2011 |
