An apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a drive member visualization assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, and a drive member capable of actuating along a firing stroke to fire a plurality of staples out of the staple cartridge or to sever tissue. The drive member visualization assembly provides an electronic indication linked to a physical location of the drive member within the upper jaw and the lower jaw during the firing stroke.

During a medical procedure, a transseptal fenestration is made at a septum of the heart and a shunt is implanted into the transseptal fenestration. During the same medical procedure, a transapical puncture is made into a left ventricle of the heart. A prosthetic valve is delivered via the transapical puncture and implanted at a mitral valve of the heart. Subsequently to delivering the prosthetic valve and making the transseptal fenestration, the transapical puncture is closed. Other embodiments are also described.

An actuation system for actuating concentric tubes of a concentric-tube robot. The actuation system is configured to actuate the concentric tubes from radially to one side of the concentric tubes.

An apparatus for treating obesity in a human or animal mammal patient. The apparatus comprising a first volume filling device segment and a second volume filling device segment. The first and second volume filling device segments are adapted to be assembled into an implantable volume filling device of a controlled size. Each one of the first and second volume filling device segment comprises at least one interconnecting structure. The interconnecting structure of the second volume filling device segment is adapted to be formed fitted, such that the first and second volume filling device segment can be assembled into the volume filling device. The assembled volume filling device is adapted to be at least substantially invaginated by a stomach wall portion of a patient, with the outer surface of the device resting against the stomach wall, such that the volume of the food cavity is reduced in size.

An apparatus for treating obesity in a human or animal mammal patient. The apparatus comprising a first volume filling device segment and a second volume filling device segment. The first and second volume filling device segments are adapted to be assembled into an implantable volume filling device of a controlled size. Each one of the first and second volume filling device segment comprises at least one interconnecting structure. The interconnecting structure of the second volume filling device segment is adapted to be formed fitted, such that the first and second volume filling device segment can be assembled into the volume filling device. The assembled volume filling device is adapted to be at least substantially invaginated by a stomach wall portion of a patient, with the outer surface of the device resting against the stomach wall, such that the volume of the food cavity is reduced in size.

The present disclosure relates to systems that comprise a millimeter size tetherless object powered by an external magnetic field, and an interactive hardware-software platform separate from the miniature device that generates, modulates and controls magnetic fields in a defined three-dimensional operational volume to propel, navigate the miniature device to a specific anatomical target to complete a (microsurgical) mission or task, as well as using such systems to perform microsurgery in the central nervous system (CNS).

The present disclosure relates to systems that comprise a millimeter size tetherless object powered by an external magnetic field, and an interactive hardware-software platform separate from the miniature device that generates, modulates and controls magnetic fields in a defined three-dimensional operational volume to propel, navigate the miniature device to a specific anatomical target to complete a (microsurgical) mission or task, as well as using such systems to perform microsurgery in the central nervous system (CNS).

Nipple areolar grafting methods and apparatus are described herein where one variation of a tissue transfer apparatus may generally comprise a first support structure having an elliptical or circular configuration sized to encircle a region of tissue and defining a first opening through the first support structure, a first plurality of piercing features projecting from a first side of the first support structure, a second support structure having an elliptical or circular configuration sized to encircle the region of tissue and defining a second opening which is further configured to encircle the first support structure, and a second plurality of piercing features projecting from a first side of the second support structure such that the first and second piercing features are adjacent to one another.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing assembly and an adapter assembly. The adapter assembly defines a longitudinal axis and is selectively attachable to the housing assembly. The adapter assembly includes an end effector and an articulation assembly. The articulation assembly includes an articulation drive screw, an articulation nut threadedly mounted to the articulation drive screw, an articulation yolk coupled to the articulation nut, and an articulation tube that is positioned to move in response to movement of the articulation nut. Movement of the articulation tube causes the end effector to articulate relative to the longitudinal axis.

A catheter for debulking of an undesired deposit from an inner surface of at least one of a blood vessel wall and a stent located in a blood vessel, the catheter having a tip section comprising: circumferentially-directed laser optics; and a circular-action cutter, wherein said circumferentially-directed laser optics is configured to transmit laser radiation for modifying an area of the undesired deposit thereby preparing said area for penetration of said cutter, wherein said cutter is configured to cut through said modified area and thereby debulk at least a part of the undesired deposit. In addition, a catheter for pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) lead extraction is disclosed.