The present disclosure provides a bioresorbable foam closure device for trans-nasally closing an opening in a base of a skull. The closure device comprises a phase-separated polymer having a porosity of greater than 80%. The device includes a stem portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a head portion at the distal end of the stem portion. The closure device is deformed from a free shape to a constricted shape, inserted through a nasal cavity and into the opening, and released to at least partially revert back to the free shape such that the stem portion fills the opening and the head portion abuts cranium and dura to secure the closure device in position and seal the opening.

A device for suturing an incision in an artery has a handle, a supply of suture stored on spindle housed in the handle, a tube extending from the handle having a lumen through which suture extends, and a curved needle at a distal end of the handle, the curved needle having an opening through which a free end of the suture extends. A method for suturing an incision in an artery includes creating sequential openings in first and second flaps of the incision, with loops of suture extending through openings in one flap, with a free end of suture extending through the second flap being pulled through the loops and secured to another free end of suture extending through the first flap, to close the incision.

A surgical device is provided. The surgical device includes a housing adapted for mounting on a finger of a user; and at least one guide tube attached along a length of the housing. The guide tube is configured for guiding a tissue repair implant from a proximal opening to a distal opening thereof.

A locking adapter configured to removably attach a surgical tool to a surgical handpiece unit can include a first coupling portion having a first hole and a second coupling portion having a second hole. The first and second holes can receive a portion of a surgical instrument, such as a cutting element (e.g., a burr or blade). The locking adapter can have a first position where the first hole is not aligned with the second hole and a second position where the first hole is aligned with the second hole. When the locking adapter is in the second position and the portion of the surgical instrument is received within the first and second holes, the first coupling portion can apply a first force on the portion and the second coupling portion can apply a second force on the portion, the first and second forces having different directions.

The invention includes systems and methods using certain embodiments of a medical device to facilitate child birth through cervical ripening. Certain embodiments of the invention may include an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end where the distal end terminates in a tip. The tip may be covered by a balloon disposed adjacent to the tip, and an expandable member may be positioned adjacent to the balloon such that when expanded, the expandable member may at least partially cover the balloon, and accommodate the user's finger to guide and place the device through the cervix and into the internal os, where, upon expansion of the balloon, pressure is applied to the internal os to facilitate cervical ripening and child birth.

A surgical instrument comprising a shiftable transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises a mechanism for assuring that the transmission is in one of a plurality of predefined configurations.

A device for visualizing and providing suction for a surgical procedure in an ear may include a handle, a main shaft extending from the handle, an imaging sensor at a distal end of the main shaft, a light source at the distal end of the main shaft, and a suction shaft extending from the handle. The device may also include a spring coupled with the suction shaft and/or the handle, such that when the suction shaft is advanced in a distal direction and then released, the suction shaft retracts automatically. The suction shaft may have a distal curved portion, and the device may have a thumb depress portion that allows a user to spin the suction shaft to suction in different directions. Some embodiments may include a suction shaft with a sharp distal tip that is configured for placing an ear tube in the tympanic membrane.

A drill guide for controlling the first metacarpal while maintaining the proper trajectory of the drill. The drill guide includes a guide rail having an elongated shaft and a guide body with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive the elongated shaft of the guide rail. The drill guide also includes a distal ring connected to the elongated shaft. A spike and a hook are both attached to the distal ring and extend therefrom. The hook and the spike extend from opposing positions along the distal ring. A trigger end of the guide body has a trigger that, when actuated, allows the guide body to slide along the guide rail in a proximal direction. A drilling end of the guide body has a rotatable drill bullet extending distally therefrom. The drill bullet includes a pair of arms lined with teeth for engaging the first metacarpal.

A hand grip apparatus for receiving operator input includes a body having a proximal end and a distal interface end for coupling to an input apparatus. A first control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end and terminates in a finger grip for receiving one of the operator's fingers. A second control lever is attached to the body and extends away from the proximal end terminating in a thumb grip for receiving the operator's thumb. Movement of at least one of the control levers is operable to produce a first control signal representing the movement. An input control is included on the body between the grip ends and has an actuator surface angled towards the finger grip end and configured to produce a second control signal in response to actuation by one of the operator's fingers.

A tissue splayer (76) is described which includes an index finger portion (4) and a middle finger portion (5). The tissue splayer also includes a first pivot joint (80) coupling the index finger portion (4) to the middle finger portion (5) to permit the middle finger portion (5) to rotate relative to the index finger portion (4) about a first pivot axis (81). The tissue splayer (76) also includes a first splay mechanism (88) configured to permit rotation of the middle finger portion (5) away from the index finger portion (4) about the first pivot axis, and to resist rotation of the middle finger portion (5) towards the index finger portion (4) about the first pivot axis (81).