An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A shape-formable apparatus comprising locking sheets. The apparatus can have a first state in which the apparatus is formable, and a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state. The apparatus can further include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet comprises a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface.

Method of using a shape-formable apparatus. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet can include a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

A sealant delivery device includes a housing, a matrix container connected with a distal end of the housing and being moveable between closed and opened positions, and a matrix, such as a hemostatic substrate, disposed within the matrix container. The sealant delivery device includes a sealant dispensing system in fluid communication with the matrix container that is configured for dispensing a sealant onto the matrix disposed within the matrix container. An actuator is coupled with the sealant dispensing system and the matrix container. The actuator is engageable for opening the matrix container for exposing the matrix and expressing the sealant onto the matrix. A component of the matrix container may be used to press the matrix and sealant expressed onto the matrix against target tissue to control bleeding of the target tissue.

A method of manufacturing a bead assembly for a sphincter augmentation device includes initiating 3D printing of a unibody housing such that the unibody housing defines a first opening, a chamber, and a magnet chamber. The method further includes pausing the 3D printing process, inserting a magnet within the magnetic chamber, and then resuming 3D printing of the unibody housing to form a hermetic seal between the magnet chamber and an external surface of the unibody housing.

An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads include a first bead having a first external contact surface, and a second bead having a second external contact surface. A magnet is contained within the housing. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. The first external contact surface and the second external contact surface engage each other as the loop transitions into the contracted configuration to drive the first bead and the second bead into a predetermined orientation relative to each other about the linking assembly in the contracted configuration.

An apparatus includes a plurality of beads and a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads include a housing defining a first opening, a second opening, and a chamber extending between the first opening and the second opening. A magnet is contained within the housing. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. The linking assembly includes a first link element having an elongate body extending in the chamber of the first bead and a sealing element attached to the elongate body housed within the first opening of the first bead to thereby form a hermetic seal.

An apparatus includes a first shaft extending distally from a proximal end to a distal end. The first shaft is sized to fit within an esophagus of a patient. The first shaft includes a first shaft lumen extending distally to the distal end. The apparatus further includes a second shaft slidably positioned within the first shaft lumen. The second shaft is sized to fit within the shaft lumen and extend through the transverse bore. The second shaft is configured to receive a guide element and a sphincter augmentation device so that the sphincter augmentation device may be deployed through an interior of the esophagus to an exterior of the esophagus.

Shaped liver biopsy sheaths and methods for transfemoral transcaval liver access are disclosed.

A surgical saw and complementary blade. The blade has lock teeth that are more ductal than the cutting teeth. The saw coupling assembly has an anvil and a press. The saw coupling assembly holds the blade to the saw by compressing the saw lock teeth between the anvil and the press so as to result the coining of the lock teeth.