| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080200762 | Flexible endoscope shapelock - A medical apparatus includes a flexible sheath adapted to receive an endoscope. A first flexible rail is formed on the flexible sheath. The first flexible rail extends longitudinally along the length of the flexible sheath. A first rigidizable guide member includes a first track channel adapted to receive the first flexible rail. The first rigidizable guide member is adapted to slideably move along the first flexible rail and the first track channel. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080221619 | Surgical suture anchors and deployment device - A suture anchor is provided which includes a hollow member having an outer surface defining an enclosure therein, the member having a longitudinal axis and a slot through a portion of the outer surface in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the slot providing an opening into the enclosure. The suture anchor further includes a one-way valve positioned within the enclosure at the slot to allow entry of a suture through the slot into the enclosure and to prevent the exit of the suture from the enclosure. A device is provided for deploying the suture anchor. The deployment device includes an elongate hollow member having a suture anchor release zone positioned at the distal end thereof, a launch bar having at least a portion thereof positioned in the release zone, wherein the launch bar is movable within the release zone between a resting position and a launching position and is operatively connected to an actuation member positioned proximally to the elongate member. The hollow elongate member defines a housing for receiving a plurality of suture anchors in tandem along the longitudinal axis of the hollow member, wherein each of the suture anchors is configured for release from the release zone when such suture anchor is positioned within the release zone upon movement of the launch bar from the resting position to the launching position. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080234693 | Endoscopic Tissue Resection Device - Devices and methods useful for manipulating tools at a surgical site are disclosed. The disclosed devices and methods can be useful, for example, for orbiting the distal end of one tool around the distal end of another tool, such as in an endoscopic resection procedure, and/or for rotating a tool or an end effector. In one exemplary embodiment, an endoscopic device is provided and can include an elongate shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen formed therein, each of the first and the second lumens adapted to receive a tool therethrough. A rotatable element can be disposed at a distal end of the elongate shaft, the rotatable element having a lumen formed therein that is associated with the first lumen of the elongate shaft and also having a tool guide that is adapted to receive a tool and that is associated with the second lumen of the elongate shaft. The rotatable element can be configured to rotate on a longitudinal axis thereof such that the tool guide orbits the longitudinal axis of the rotatable element. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080242940 | METHOD OF MANIPULATING TISSUE - Devices and methods for moving tissue and/or moving the devices relative to the tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, or in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the method can be used to provide an enlarged opening in the stomach wall for transgastric access. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080243164 | Tissue Moving Surgical Device - Devices and methods for moving tissue and/or moving the devices relative to the tissue during a surgical procedure are disclosed. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the movement or tissue and/or the device is effected by moving a fabric associated with the device and in contact with tissue. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080269782 | Surgical suturing apparatus - A surgical suturing apparatus is described. The suturing apparatus has a needle having at least one pointed end, a channel for releasably receiving the needle, a needle positioning assembly having members for moving the needle and an actuation assembly for actuating the needle positioning assembly. The needle includes a first puncturing point at a proximal end thereof and an engagement section adjacent thereto, a distal end, which may have a second puncturing point, and another engagement section adjacent the distal end. A structure, such as an eye or a slot, is provided to secure a length of suture material to the needle. The members for moving the needle include an engagement member for releasably engaging one of the engagement sections of the needle to effect axial movement of the needle within the channel, a ramp member for effecting movement of the needle in the distal direction along the longitudinal axis of the channel and for urging the proximal end of the needle out of the channel, and a snare axially movable within the channel and having a portion releasably housed within the channel. The snare portion is configured for capturing the proximal engagement section of the needle to guide the needle in a proximal direction when the needle is out of the channel and to guide the return of the needle to the channel. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080275297 | ENDOSCOPIC GUIDE DEVICE - Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for manipulating and/or anchoring devices and body parts during surgical procedures. In one embodiment, an anchor member is provided for anchoring a device or body part to tissue, such as an internal wall of a body cavity. The device can be, for example, an endoscopic device, an accessory channel coupled to an endoscopic device, or a support member adapted to support or manipulate an organ. The anchor member can include or form an opening through which the device can be inserted. The anchor member or device can thus be manipulated relative to the tissue to control movement of and/or provide support to the device, tools inserted through the device, and/or organs grasped by the device or tools. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090023983 | SURGICAL METHODS AND DEVICES WITH MOVEMENT ASSISTANCE - Methods and devices are provided for facilitating movement of a surgical tool through a tortuous pathway in the body. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, and they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the movement of the device relative to tissue is effected by applying suction to draw tissue to the device thus straightening the passageway. The suction can be removed or reduced and then the device can be further advanced along the passageway. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090112063 | Endoscopic overtubes - An overtube for use with an endoscopic surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the overtube may comprise a substantially flexible helically wound continuous member forming a series of helical coils that define a hollow passage sized to receive a portion of the endoscopic surgical instrument therethrough. The coils may be configured to selectively interlock with each other to stiffen the overtube. An actuation system may be employed to steer the overtube and selectively stiffen it. Some embodiments include a second substantially flexible helically wound member that may be selectively wound between the first substantially flexible helically wound member or segments thereof. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090149710 | SELECTIVE STIFFENING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods and devices are provided for selectively stiffening a surgical device. In one exemplary embodiment a surgical device is provided that includes a flexible elongate insertion element and a stiffening element that extends along at least a portion of the insertion element. The insertion element can be, for example, an endoscope or a sheath configured to be disposed over an endoscope. The stiffening element can be configured to selectively stiffen when an outside force, such as a vacuum force, is applied thereto. In one embodiment the stiffening element includes a plurality of elongate members disposed in a flexible sheath. When the vacuum force is applied, the sheath can be configured to engage the elongate members to maintain the elongate members in a fixed, stiffened position, thereby stiffening at least a portion of the flexible elongate insertion element coupled thereto. Various methods for stiffening an insertion instrument, such as an endoscope, are also provided herein. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090177041 | ARTICULATING SURGICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - Various embodiments of an elongate surgical device configured to travel along a tortuous body lumen to a surgical site are provided herein. In one embodiment, the device can include a tensioning element extending through a channel formed along a length of the device and the tensioning element can translate an articulation force to the working end of the device. During such articulation of the device, a portion of the channel can be configured to allow the tensioning element to exit the channel and move away from a longitudinal axis of the device thereby optimizing a mechanical advantage relative to the distal end of the device and thus maximizing the force capable of being delivered thereto. Additionally, various embodiments of a method for articulating a working end of an elongate surgical device are provided herein. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090192344 | SURGICAL DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING TISSUE - A surgical kit can be used to manipulate tissue within the body of a patient to create a working space within the body to allow a surgeon to easily access and work within the body using various surgical instruments. A surgical kit can include an implant comprised of a magnetic material which can be engaged with tissue within the body. The kit can further include a surgical instrument having a magnet which can be used to manipulate the implant and tissue engaged therewith. A surgical kit can include an anchor and a hanger configured to engage tissue at different locations within the body and a connection member engaged with the anchor and the hanger such that the connection member can be pulled to move the anchor toward the hanger. A surgical instrument which utilizes a vacuum provided to one or more movable members can also be used to manipulate tissue. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090248055 | TISSUE PENETRATING SURGICAL DEVICE - Devices and methods are provided for penetrating tissue and/or effecting movement of devices relative to tissue. In general, a surgical instrument is provided having an at least partially fabric-covered distal tip that be used to at least partially penetrate tissue by contacting the tissue with the fabric and rotating the fabric to “drill” into the tissue. The surgical instrument can be configured for delivery proximate to tissue through a working channel of a delivery device and can include an elongate shaft having in its distal portion an end effector at least partially covered in fabric. The fabric, the end effector, and/or the shaft can rotate, thereby allowing at least the fabric to penetrate the tissue and, if sufficiently rotated, causing an opening to form in the tissue. The surgical instrument and/or the delivery device can be advanced through the opening. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090299385 | SURGICAL FASTENING DEVICE - Various embodiments are directed to a surgical device comprising an end effector. The end effector may comprise a first jaw member defining a first groove and a second jaw member defining a second groove. The first jaw member and the second jaw member may be selectively pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Also, the first groove and the second groove align to form a combined helical groove when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position. In addition, the first jaw member may define a wire opening aligned with the first groove. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100010510 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PLACING OCCLUSION FASTNERS - Methods and devices are provided for placing occlusion fasteners. In general, a surgical instrument is provided having a shaft configured to be introduced into a body through a scoping device and to deliver a ligating clip to occlude tissue in the body. The scoping device and the shaft can each be flexible, with the shaft configured to be advanced through a working channel of the scoping device. The shaft can have a size configured to allow a plurality of surgical instruments to be concurrently disposed in the scoping device's working channel and for one or more of the surgical instruments to extend beyond a distal end of the scoping device. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100076451 | RIGIDIZABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A rigidizable surgical instrument comprises a rigidizable member, a first collapsible arm, a second collapsible arm, and a specimen retrieval bag for retrieving biological materials. The collapsible arms may be located at the distal end of the rigidizable member. The specimen retrieval bag may have an open end and a closed end, and may be configured to be retained upon the collapsible arms. The rigidizable member may include a rigidizing component to rigidize the rigidizable member when the state-change material or a stiffening element is in a rigid state. The rigidizable member may be rendered substantially rigid when the rigidizing component is actuated and the rigidizable member may be rendered substantially flexible when the rigidizing component is deactuated. A rigidizing mechanism for actuating the rigidizing component may include a vacuum. Various end-effectors may be provided in addition to the specimen retrieval bag. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100125168 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ENDOSCOPE CONTROL IN A BODY CAVITY - Methods and devices are provided for controlling an endoscope in a body cavity. In one exemplary embodiment an endoscopic surgical system is provided that includes an endoscope and a steering tether coupled to at least a portion of the endoscope. The steering tether is configured to be manipulatable to effect directional movement of a distal end of the endoscope. The steering tether can include a loop formed on a distal end thereof such that a proximal portion of the steering tether can control the loop, which in turn controls the movement of the distal end of the endoscope. An overtube can optionally be included in the system. The overtube can be coupled to endoscope and adapted to receive at least a portion of the endoscope and the steering tether. In one embodiment, the endoscope includes an accessory mount extending over at least a portion of a length of the endoscope and the steering tether can be disposed on the accessory mount. Various methods for controlling movement of an endoscope in a body cavity are also provided. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100217083 | SHAPE CONTROL ENDOSCOPE - Methods and devices are provided for controlling an endoscope in a body cavity. In one exemplary embodiment, a stiffening element for an endoscopic surgical system includes an elongate member having a diameter configured for insertion and use in a channel of an endoscope. The elongate member can be movable between an unlocked position in which the elongate member is freely movable to assume a desired configuration, and a locked position in which the elongate member is maintained in a desired configuration. In one embodiment, the elongate member is formed from a plurality of links that are pivotally coupled to one another. Methods for controlling a surgical device in a body cavity, as well as systems for use in endoscopic surgeries, are also provided herein. | 08-26-2010 |
