Patent classifications
A61B2017/00836
MATERIAL COMBINATIONS AND PROCESSING METHODS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
Surface preparation for sliding surfaces can enhance wear performance for surgical instruments such as surgical staplers which include reusable mechanisms that are used multiple times with single use reload cartridges. To reduce the potential for galling wear in a metal-to-metal sliding engagement, a combination of surface hardening, surface finish, and surface coatings can be applied to metallic components of a surgical instrument. Surface hardening techniques can allow further manufacturing operations such as welding without compromising the strength of the underlying metal substrate. With stainless steel metal substrates, as surface or case hardening techniques can reduce corrosion resistance, a surface coating can be applied to inhibit surface oxidation as well as provide a barrier to metal-to-metal contact. A further lubricious coating layer such as a bone wax coating layer can enhance galling resistance.
Robotic surgical assemblies
A surgical instrument for coupling to a robotic surgical assembly configured to transfer rotational forces to the surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft, and a drive assembly operatively coupled to the end effector. The drive assembly includes one or more cables connected to the end effector. Movement of the one or more cables actuates a movement of the end effector. The one or more cables may be coated with parylene.
Surgical instrument including a lockout key
A surgical instrument comprising an elongate channel, an anvil, a staple cartridge, a firing member, and a lockout key is disclosed. The elongate channel comprises a blocking member. The staple cartridge comprises staples and a sled movable from a proximal end position to an intermediate position and then to a distal position during a staple firing stroke. The firing member is movable distally to advance the sled through the staple cartridge during the staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The firing member comprises a cutting edge. The lockout key is movably mounted to the sled. The lockout key is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position during the staple firing stroke. The lockout key lifts the firing member over the blocking member when the lockout key is moved from the unactuated position toward the actuated position.
SURGICAL ARTICLE FORMED FROM FINE GRAINED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE IN NICKEL MATRIX
A biocompatible surgical article is provided for cutting biological tissue or implantation in contact therewith. The surgical article has a composition of tungsten carbide—nickel with a percentage of additional metal carbides present. A typical composition in total weight percentages is WC 85 to 95%, Cr.sub.3C.sub.2, Mo.sub.2C, VC each alone or in combination being present from 0 to 2%, and Ni constituting the remainder. The composition is formed to have a mean grain size of between 200 and 800 nm with a particle dispersion index (Pdl) corresponding to (the square of the standard deviation)/(mean grain size) of between 0 and 0.6, and in some embodiments between 0.02 and 0.2.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF STENTS AND STENT-LIKE DEVICES
Systems for completely or partially excluding an aneurysm from circulation of blood are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a microcatheter, a fully or partially self-expandable stent, and a delivery device configured to be deliverable together with the stent through a lumen of the microcatheter. The delivery device includes an elongate support member coupled to a self-expandable portion, which includes a tubular mesh structure having a compressed state and an expanded state. A distal portion of the self-expandable portion extends proximally from a distal end of the self-expandable portion and has a length having an expanded outer diameter that is equal to or greater than the self-expanded inner diameter of the stent. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the self-expandable portion is substantially non-expanded where it is coupled to the elongate support member.
Splitable Tissue-Cutting Devices, Assemblies, and Methods
Tissue-cutting devices and methods thereof, where a tissue-cutting device is coupleable with a catheter. The tissue-cutting device includes a blade that cuts the skin during insertion of the device in a needle track to enlarge to needle tract. The tissue-cutting device is configured for lateral separation from the catheter and/or a guidewire. The tissue-cutting device includes a channel for receiving the catheter and/or a guidewire. The channel can be configured to (i) retain the catheter/guidewire within the channel in the absence of a deliberate action by the clinician and (ii) facilitate lateral removal of the catheter/guidewire from the channel in response to the deliberate action. A catheter assembly includes a catheter coupled with the tissue-cutting device. The tissue-cutting device may include a sheath extending along a distal portion of the tissue-cutting device.
BONE SCREW HAVING AN OVERMOLD OF A SHANK
The present disclosure provides for a bone screw that may include a first portion extending from a first end to a second end in a longitudinal direction, for example. The first portion may have a head that defines the first end and a shank that defines the second end. Additionally, the first portion may include a metallic material and/or be formed of a metallic material, for example Titanium. The second portion may be mechanically coupled to the first portion and surround the shank, for example the second portion is screwed to the first portion or the second portion may be directly formed to the first portion by an overmold process. The second portion may have an exposed thread pattern and an exposed leading tip. Additionally, the second portion may include a thermoplastic material and/or be formed of a thermoplastic material such as PEEK.
Robotic surgical assemblies
A sterile interface module for coupling an electromechanical robotic surgical instrument to a robotic surgical assembly is provided. The surgical instrument includes an end effector and is configured to be actuated by the robotic surgical assembly. The sterile interface module includes a body member and a drive assembly. The body member is configured to selectively couple the surgical instrument to the robotic surgical assembly. The body member is formed of a dielectric material. The drive assembly is supported within the body member and is configured to transmit rotational forces from the robotic surgical assembly to the surgical instrument to actuate the surgical instrument to enable the surgical instrument to perform a function.
INTERSPINOUS IMPLANT INSERTION INSTRUMENT WITH STAGGERED PATH IMPLANT DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM
An insertion instrument for inserting an implant includes an elongated main body having a proximal handle and a distal portion that selectively couples to the implant. A plunger is slidably engaged in a central passage of the elongated main body configured to fix the implant to the elongated main body by selectively filling the central passage within the distal portion. A hex nut driver is concentrically located about the plunger and elongated main body to deploy an actuation plunger of the implant. The proximal handle portion of the main body includes a staggered path therethrough for accepting a tab of the plunger therein. Advancement and retraction of the plunger tab within the staggered path alternates the insertion instrument between an unlocked position configured to mount the implant on the distal portion of the elongated main body, a locked position configured to lock the implant on the distal portion, and a deployed position configured to secure the implant.
Arthroscopic devices and methods
A medical device includes an elongated sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting member extends distally from the distal end of the elongated sleeve and has sharp cutting edges. The cutting head is formed from a wear-resistant ceramic material, and a motor coupled to the proximal end of elongated sleeve rotate the cutting member. The cutter is engaged against bone and rotated to cut bone tissue without leaving any foreign particles in the site.