Disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method of removing tissue from a body of a human or non-human animal. The disclosed embodiments includes a tool that may have a cutting edge to drill into tissue. The tool has magnetizable segments, which may be translated or rotated by an applied magnetic field

A device and method is provided herein for esophageal impingement of a patient's aorta. The device may be inserted into a patient's esophagus and positioned at the location where the esophagus passes over the patient's aorta. In this position, an actuation device is used to apply pressure to the patient's aorta through their esophagus to impinge or occlude the aorta to stop or significantly reduce hemorrhaging. A manually operable actuator handle enables a physician to manipulate a head assembly of the device through three distinct degrees of freedom of movement so as to control placement and direction of force against the patient's esophagus and, in turn, their aorta.

A surgical cutting and stapling end effector. Various embodiments comprise a channel that is configured to operably support a removable staple cartridge. A rotary end effector drive shaft is supported within the channel and is configured to move a firing assembly longitudinally within the end effector to cause the sled to eject surgical staples from the staple cartridge. The firing assembly is prevented from moving distally through the channel unless a surgical staple cartridge that has a sled in a starting position has been seated within the channel.

A system for forming a fistula includes a first catheter, a second catheter, one or more magnetic field sensors, a user output device, and a control unit. The first catheter includes one or more first catheter magnetic elements and a fistula-forming element. The second catheter includes one or more second catheter magnetic elements. The one or more magnetic field sensors are configured to output a magnetic field signal. The control unit is configured to determine a distance of separation of the first catheter from the second catheter based the magnetic field signal from the one or more magnetic field sensors and output a ready signal with the user output device in response to determining that the distance of separation of the first catheter from the second catheter is a predetermined distance or less.

A magnetometer-based metal detection device and methods of use are described. The device includes a proximal portion, a central body and a distal portion, and at least one magnetometer positioned within or on the distal portion. The at least one magnetometer includes at least one sensor capable of sensing a magnetic field in three orthogonal axes. Also described is a method of calibrating the device to achieve rotational invariance, and a method of determining a directionality or directional line along which a target metal object lies.

Generally, a sterile adapter for use in robotic surgery may include a frame configured to be interposed between a tool driver and a surgical tool, a plate assembly coupled to the frame, and at least one rotatable coupler supported by the plate assembly and configured to communicate torque from an output drive of the tool driver to an input drive of the surgical tool.

An apparatus for mixing bone cement for use in orthopedic surgeries includes a mixing region and an agitator for mixing the cement ingredients. The apparatus can be operated or acted on by a power tool for the mixing of the bone cement. The agitator may act as a generator to charge embedded electronics of the apparatus such as with a magnet in the agitator that interacts with a wire coil outside of the agitator. A timer of the apparatus may be started by a sensor of the apparatus, in response to a mechanical torque value, or by a magnetic sensor that can sense a start state of the apparatus. When the timer is complete, a cue by the apparatus signals to the user that the mixed cement is ready and able to be applied.

An electrosurgical handheld device and also a contact body for an electrosurgical handheld device, with which both the required cleanliness and the necessary safety can be obtained. This is achieved by the fact that a contact body for an electrosurgical handheld device for receiving an optical guide and for coupling at least one electrical contact of an electrode instrument of the handheld device has an RF cable, which is fixedly connected to the contact body. By way of this RF cable, an RF voltage can be applied to the electrode instrument via the at least one electrical contact. The other end of the RF cable can be connectable to an RF generator.

A retractor/protector suitable for use in a surgical incision or a natural orifice comprises a longitudinal axis defining an instrument access channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a flexible outer ring; an inner ring; a flexible sheath extending between the outer ring and the inner ring; and at least one rigid segment adapted to attach to the flexible outer ring to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer ring. Embodiments of the retractor/protector are described that have interlocking and non-interlocking rigid segments. Embodiments are also described that have bases that insert into or under the flexible outer ring in addition to or in lieu of rigid segments to increase rigidity and/or provide support for a detachable cap.

A device is described. The device includes a suture guide and a tissue retracting surface to enable accurate and safe delivery of sutures through tissue.