A hydraulically driven surgical apparatus may be a tube enclosing a first channel filled with a first fluid. Changing a fluid pressure in the first channel may trigger a deformation of the tube. The deformation of the tube may perform an action associated with a surgical procedure. Related methods for steering a hydraulically driven surgical apparatus are also provided.

Provided is a system for advancing an article along a path. The system may include a head member; a dispatching member, and an eversion sleeve configured with an inverted portion having a sleeve end configured to be fixed to the dispatching member. The system may also include an everting portion configured for articulating to the head member and an un-inverted portion configured to extend from the everting portion towards the dispatching member, at least partially within the inverted portion.

The invention relates to insertion instruments (50) for insertion into a cavity, the instrument (50) comprising a flexible tubular sheet (1) having a first annular end (12), a second annular end (13) and a middle section (14) extending between the first annular end (12) and the second annular end (13), a first holding member (24) holding the first annular end (12), wherein an outer tubular outer portion (16) of the middle section (14) extends along an extension direction (D), from the first holding member (24) to a distal tip (17) of the instrument (50), a second holding member (2) holding a tubular inner portion (18) of the middle section (14), wherein the inner portion (18) extends inside the outer tubular outer portion (16) of the sheet (1), from the second holding member (2) to the distal tip (17), the inner portion (18) transiting into the outer portion (16) at the distal tip (17), a passage (19) defined inside the inner tubular inner portion (18) of the sheet (1), which passage (19) extends from the second holding member (2) and opens out at the distal tip (17). In one aspect, the second holding member (2) is designed and arranged for controlling the length of the outer portion (16) of the sheet (1) along the extension direction (D) by moving the inner portion (18) of the sheet (1).

Biological navigation devices and methods are disclosed. The devices can be used as or to support colonoscopies or endoscopes. The devices can have longitudinally extensible cells that can be selectively inflated. The devices can have articulable links. The devices can be removably attached to elongated elements, such as colonscopes or other endoscopes.

Described embodiments include a capsule, including a cyclically everting sleeve shaped to define a sleeve interior, a fluid, configured to facilitate the everting of the sleeve, contained within the sleeve interior, and a plurality of electrically-conductive coils coupled to the sleeve. The coils are configured to, when at least two of the coils are magnetized, advance the capsule within a lumen by applying an everting force to the sleeve. Other embodiments are also described.

Biological navigation devices and methods are disclosed. The devices can be used as or to support colonoscopies or endoscopes. The devices can have longitudinally extensible cells that can be selectively inflated. The devices can have articulable links. The devices can be removably attached to elongated elements, such as colonoscopes or other endoscopes.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same with an alignment element for stability and anti-rotation of the everting balloon are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and deliver instruments, media, or other catheters into bodily lumens and cavities. The alignment element eliminates the potential for the everting membrane to become twisted or rotated which could impact access or the ability of the system to deliver materials. A compliance member facilitates internal pressurization of the everting catheter system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to variable stiffness materials and devices, and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, a variable stiffness robotic material is disclosed, which in one example, is useful for forming a robotic material based sleeve for endoscopes. In another embodiment, a single tool variable stiffness endoscope and working channel is disclosed, which is useful for performing multi-site thermoblation in a physician's office. In yet another embodiment, a micro-wave based tissue ablation or volume reduction tool and procedure are provided for treating sleep apnea.

A system for providing access across a site of obstruction is provided. The system may include a sleeve, having a distal portion that can move from an inverted position to an everted position. A balloon situated within the sleeve can be extended so as to evert sleeve. A pathway can extend across a juncture between the distal portion and the remaining portion of the sleeve so as to provide access across the site of obstruction. A method for providing access across the site of obstruction is also provided.

Endolumenal devices and methods can be used for the treatment of health conditions including obesity and diabetes. In some embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein can cause weight loss or control diabetes by reducing the caloric absorption of an individual. For example, this document provides several devices and methods for treating obesity and diabetes by using electroporation to modulate the duodenal mucosa. In addition, this document provides devices and methods for bypassing portions of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutritional uptake.