A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a deployment ring including second link comprising a first portion pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder and a third link comprising a second tool portion pivotably connected to the first portion at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second portion of the deployment ring is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the deployment ring is stowed within the tool to a second state where the deployment ring is deployed externally.

A medical insertion device includes an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having flexibility sufficient for insertion through a working channel of an endoscope along a tortuous path. The elongated shaft includes a coil extending from the proximal end to the distal end and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a braided portion extending around a portion of the coil, the braided portion including a plurality of lines wound together such that first and second ones of the lines intersect to enclose a predetermined angle therebetween, the angle being between 25 and 55 degrees.

An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a micro endoscope having steering, rotation and tool control function which can be utilized for insertion using a needle and catheter for performing arthroscopy and endoscopic procedures.

An insertion method includes: specifying a part of a mucous membrane which lies between a nasal cavity and a maxillary sinus and which is located in a space surrounded by an inferior nasal concha, a lacrimal bone, an ethmoid bone, and a palatine bone, as an opening formation position where an opening connected to the maxillary sinus is formed; forming the opening at the opening formation position; and inserting a medical device into the maxillary sinus through the formed opening.

An endoscope treatment tool includes a sheath; a support part; a pair of forceps members that are arranged in front of the sheath and are supported so as to be relatively rotatable around a rotation shaft provided at the support part; a linear member that is inserted through the sheath so as to be capable of advancing into and retracting from the sheath, brings opposed surfaces, which are respectively provided closer to distal end sides of the pair of forceps members than the rotation shaft, closer to each other as the linear member is separated from the rotation shaft, and separates the pair of opposed surfaces from each other as the linear member approaches the rotation shaft; an elastic member that is supported by the linear member or the support part; and a locking portion that is provided on the linear member or the forceps members.

An endoscope treatment tool includes a sheath; a support part; a pair of forceps members that are arranged in front of the sheath and are supported so as to be relatively rotatable around a rotation shaft provided at the support part; a linear member that is inserted through the sheath so as to be capable of advancing into and retracting from the sheath, brings opposed surfaces, which are respectively provided closer to distal end sides of the pair of forceps members than the rotation shaft, closer to each other as the linear member is separated from the rotation shaft, and separates the pair of opposed surfaces from each other as the linear member approaches the rotation shaft; an elastic member that is supported by the linear member or the support part; and a locking portion that is provided on the linear member or the forceps members.

A grasping forceps 1 includes: a pair of guide sections 7A and 7B that guide maneuvering wires 6A and 6B in a direction of an axial line C of a sheath; an extending-and-retracting member (transmission section) 8 that transmits displacement information of the maneuvering section to the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B and outputs the displacement information to the intervention instrument; a distal direction movement inhibitor section (specific directional movement-inhibitor section) 10 that allows the sheaths of the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B toward the distal end; a proximal direction movement inhibitor section (specific directional movement-inhibitor section) 11 that allows the sheaths of the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B toward the distal end; and an locked-state-releasing section 12 that releases an engaging state of the guide sections 7A and 7B with the distal direction movement inhibitor section 10 or the proximal direction movement inhibitor section 11 based on the displacement input by the maneuvering section. Accordingly, an medical intervention instrument can be provided that can maintain a certain attitude of the intervention instrument once established during intervention even if an external force is applied, and that can carry out identical operations simultaneously, i.e., manipulating of the intervention instrument and releasing of a certain attitude of the intervention instrument.

A grasping forceps 1 includes: a pair of guide sections 7A and 7B that guide maneuvering wires 6A and 6B in a direction of an axial line C of a sheath; an extending-and-retracting member (transmission section) 8 that transmits displacement information of the maneuvering section to the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B and outputs the displacement information to the intervention instrument; a distal direction movement inhibitor section (specific directional movement-inhibitor section) 10 that allows the sheaths of the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B toward the distal end; a proximal direction movement inhibitor section (specific directional movement-inhibitor section) 11 that allows the sheaths of the maneuvering wires 6A and 6B toward the distal end; and an locked-state-releasing section 12 that releases an engaging state of the guide sections 7A and 7B with the distal direction movement inhibitor section 10 or the proximal direction movement inhibitor section 11 based on the displacement input by the maneuvering section. Accordingly, an medical intervention instrument can be provided that can maintain a certain attitude of the intervention instrument once established during intervention even if an external force is applied, and that can carry out identical operations simultaneously, i.e., manipulating of the intervention instrument and releasing of a certain attitude of the intervention instrument.

A medical device for safely and effectively removing a clip or a suture from a heart valve is operable in association with a guidewire for positioning the device in proximity to the heart valve. The apparatus may include a blade for cutting a tissue bridge including the clip and an arrangement for removing the tissue bridge from the heart valve. The apparatus may include two arms that secure the clip. The blade may be deployed to core out a central portion of a tissue bridge, including the clip or the suture, from the heart valve. The blade may be activated by an actuator. A retrieval member may be configured to capture the tissue bridge and the clip or suture after excision by the blade.

A biopsy device comprises a coring and transport assembly and a distal beak assembly. The distal beak assembly may be coupled to or near a distal end of the coring and transport assembly and may comprise at least one movable cutting element. The distal beak assembly may be configured to rotate about an axis, and assume at least a first open configuration operative to enable the at least one cutting element to core through tissue and a second closed configuration operative to enable the at least one cutting element to move through the tissue and to sever a cored specimen from the tissue.