Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat, Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

A guide is disclosed that operates to guide in the creation of a bone spur to facilitate harvesting a quadriceps tendon and includes an end having a width equal to a desired graft width with a terminal slope equal to a cutting angle desired. In use, the guide may be initially positioned parallel to the femur to form guide cuts in the patella. The guide is then rotated ninety degrees to allow an angled cut at the guide cut. The guide is again rotated, this time one hundred eighty degrees and a second angled cut made on the other guide cut. A final lateral cut is made and the bone spur may be lifted from the patella.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for treating heart failure by normalizing elevated blood pressure in the left and right atria of a heart of a mammal. The present disclosure includes methods for creating and maintaining an opening in the atrial septum. Tools for making an opening and enlarging the opening are also disclosed. Use of the techniques and tools described herein prolongs the patency of an intra-atrial pressure relief opening.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for stent access and device delivery. In certain instances, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of struts arranged about the one or more cutting blades on a tip portion.

A tissue specimen removal device comprises a specimen bag; a flexible ring, the flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the specimen bag; a cannula assembly comprising: an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion. The device may further comprise a connector carrier, the connector carrier configured to retain at least one connector housing, the at least one connector housing comprising one or more connector portions and reside within an interior of the connector carrier, and wherein the connector carrier can be moved from a position within the cannula assembly to outside the cannula assembly.

Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion, a first articulating portion and a second articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle, the first articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion, and the second articulating portion extends distally from the first articulating portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the first articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the first articulating portion deflects; wherein a plurality of articulation cables extend from the handle to the second articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to at least one of the plurality of articulation cables, the second articulating portion deflects.

A surgical device includes a jaw assembly defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; an elongated body defining a second longitudinal axis and coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly is configured to articulate about an articulation axis transverse to the second longitudinal axis relative to the elongated body; and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongated body and including at least one motor mechanically coupled to the jaw assembly and a control assembly including a first control button and a second control button, wherein actuation of the first control button moves the second jaw in approximation relative to the first jaw and actuating the second control button moves the second jaw away from the first jaw, and actuating the first and second control buttons moves the jaw assembly to a centered position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially aligned, the handle assembly further includes an illumination member configured to output a light pattern indicative of a status of the surgical instrument.

Provided is an endoscope system including an elongated tube with one or more channels extending in a longitudinal direction along the elongated tube. The channels allow inserting of a viewing device for obtaining images from the distal end, inserting of surgical instruments to operate at the distal end, or passing of materials such as air or water. The channel for inserting the viewing device is enclosed or has a cover at the distal end of the elongated tube, such that the viewing device has no direct contact of body tissues, thereby eliminating the need for sterilization. Also provided is a safe and economical method for conducting endoscopy involving one-time use of a tube to keep the viewing device from directly contacting the body tissues.

The invention relates to a surgical instrument for separating and removing a biopsy. A suction channel for suctioning the biopsy out of a distal region in the direction of a proximal region is formed in a shaft, and/or a cutting tool is formed in one distal region or the distal region of the shaft, said cutting tool having a stationary cutting part and a counter cutting part which can be adjusted relative to the stationary cutting part about a rotational axis formed by a rotary joint wherein the cross-section of the suction channel expands in the suction direction from the distal region to the proximal region and/or the rotary joint is formed by two securing elements, each securing element being introduced from the interior to the exterior.

According to one aspect, a method for removing material from a body lumen is disclosed. The method may include positioning a first medical device within the body lumen; and expanding an expandable member at a distal portion of the first medical device from a retracted state to an expanded state. The expandable member may abut the body lumen in the expanded state. The method may further include providing fluid to a fluid lumen of the first medical device, wherein the fluid is deployed into the body lumen; applying an ultrasound signal to the first medical device from a second medical device; and moving the first medical device distally through the body lumen while the expandable member is in an expanded state, to remove material from the body lumen.