In some embodiments, a microsurgical instrument includes a trocar having a rigid, hollow shaft formed with a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft may be shaped for tissue penetration. The instrument may further include a composite microcannula slidably engaged with the trocar in the lumen. The microcannula includes a light guide and a flexible hollow tube having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the lumen in the trocar. Other embodiments include placing the microcannula in the lumen of the trocar, illuminating the end of the trocar by illuminating the end of the microcannula, advancing the trocar from a selected entry point on an eye into a selected structure in the eye, and extending the illuminated end of the microcannula from the trocar into the selected structure.

A robotic surgical tool is disclosed. The robotic surgical tool can comprise an end effector comprising a firing member; a drive system responsive to a motor-driven input; and a proximal housing comprising a retraction mechanism. The retraction mechanism can comprise a control responsive to a manual input. The control can be rotatable in a first direction through a retraction motion and rotatable in a second direction through a reset motion. The retraction mechanism can further comprise a clutch coupled to the control. The clutch can be configured to drivingly engage the drive system as the control rotates through the retraction motion to supply a proximal retraction stroke to a firing bar and drivingly disengaged from the drive system as the control rotates through the reset motion to prevent any displacement of the firing bar by the retraction mechanism until the control is reset for a subsequent retraction motion.

A powered circular stapling device (10) includes a transfer switch assembly (90) for a transmission assembly (40) to selectively direct power between clamping and firing mechanisms of the stapling device (10). The transfer switch assembly (90) includes a carriage (92), a worm gear assembly (94), and first and second biasing mechanisms (96). The worm gear assembly (94) is supported on the carriage (92) and movable in relation to the carriage (92) to allow the worm gear assembly (94) to engage with a first or second gear (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40). The biasing mechanisms (96) allow the worm gear assembly (94) to move in relation to the carriage (92) when the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) are misaligned with the gear teeth of one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40), to allow the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) to move into alignment with the gear teeth of the other one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40).

A medical tool includes a handle, a tubular member, and a bendable shape memory element (SME). The tubular member is attached to and extends from the handle and is configured to be inserted into an orifice of a patient. The tubular member has a distal-end section that is configured to be bent so as to perform a medical procedure in the orifice. The bendable shape memory element (SME) is coupled to the distal-end section of the tubular member, wherein the SME is configured to straighten when heated into a pre-formed shape, thereby straightening the distal-end section.

Provided is an end tool including: a first jaw configured to rotate independently; a J11 pulley coupled with the first jaw and configured to rotate around a first axis formed at an end tool hub; a J16 pulley formed at one side of the J11 pulley and configured to rotate around a second axis formed at one side of the first axis; a J12 pulley and a J14 pulley formed at one side of the J16 pulley, and configured to rotate around a third axis formed at a predetermined angle with the first axis. The end tool may further include: a first jaw wire configured to at least partially contact the J12 pulley, the J11 pulley, the J16 pulley, and the J14 pulley; a J16 pulley formed between the J11 pulley and a J12 pulley/a J14 pulley; and the first jaw wire is located on an internal tangent of the J11 pulley and the J16 pulley.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A cannula assembly includes an elongate shaft assembly that is adjustable by a clinician to vary the length of the cannula assembly. In particular, the elongate shaft assembly may be transitioned to provide various lengths of the cannula assembly by selectively positioning a plurality of segments of the elongate shaft assembly. In this manner, a single cannula assembly may be tailored to each patient or a surgical procedure being performed.

A hair follicle implant device includes a needle holding assembly configured to hold a plurality of needles and a needle guide slidably coupled thereto and configured to provide a skin stop surface while guiding the plurality needles. A plurality of pistons is configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of needles. A piston base is slidably coupled to the needle holding assembly and is configured to hold the pistons to slide within the plurality of needles when actuated during implantation. A spring, carried between the needle holding assembly and the piston base, is configured to bias the piston base in a retracted position, wherein the spring is offset from a central axis of the piston base. The needle holder holds the plurality of needles in the staggered arrangement offset from the central axis of the piston base.

A resectoscope operating handle and electrode fitting structure and fitting method are provided. The fitting structure includes a slider of a resectoscope operating handle and a binding post of an electrode. The slider has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface of the slider is provided with a mounting groove for mounting the binding post. An end surface of the binding post is perpendicular to the front surface of the slider. The binding post is mounted in the mounting groove, and an axial direction of the binding post is perpendicular to a plane where the handle is located. The resectoscope operating handle and electrode fitting structure and fitting method of the present invention can ensure that an electrode is accurately and firmly fixed to an operating handle under the condition of convenience in operation.

A method of producing an arteriovenous (AV) fistula includes producing an anastomosis between a primary blood vessel (e.g., a vein) and a secondary blood vessel (e.g., an artery). A collateral (or competing) blood vessel in fluid communication with one of the primary blood vessel or the secondary blood vessel is identified. A reversible flow restrictor is then applied to the collateral blood vessel to reduce a blood flow rate through the collateral blood vessel. In some embodiments, the anastomosis can be produced percutaneously. In some embodiments, the reversible flow restriction (or a portion thereof) can be removed from the collateral blood vessel. In other embodiments, the reversible flow restriction (or a portion thereof) can be adjusted to allow increased blood flow therethrough while within the collateral blood vessel.