A hand tool has a pivot connection pivotally attaching a first arm to a second arm, with the pivot connection fixed relative to the first arm and movable to first and second positions relative to the second arm. A spring urges the pivot connection into the first position. When jaws on the front ends of the arms clamp tissue with force greater than a pre-set threshold, the spring force is overcome and the jaws may move linearly apart, allowing for more uniform clamping of the tissue. The first arm may have an arm spring extending between a front segment pivotally attached to a rear segment of the first arm.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

A surgical tool for compact articulating during surgical procedures includes a pitch cable, at least one yaw cable, a first link, a second link, at least one end-effector link, and at least one tensioning mechanism. The first link has a pitch joint end with a pitch joint pin and at least one yaw cable guide channel. The second link has a yaw joint end with a yaw joint pin. The second link is rotatably connected to the pitch joint pin. The at least one end-effector link is rotatably connected to said yaw joint pin. The yaw cables are coupled to the end-effector links such that the yaw cables can actuate the end-effector links about the yaw joint pin. The yaw cable guide channel is configured such that the yaw cables travel through a smooth trajectory to the end-effector links. The tensioning mechanism is configured to maintain a constant length.

A surgical tool for compact articulating during surgical procedures includes a pitch cable, at least one yaw cable, a first link, a second link, at least one end-effector link, and at least one tensioning mechanism. The first link has a pitch joint end with a pitch joint pin and at least one yaw cable guide channel. The second link has a yaw joint end with a yaw joint pin. The second link is rotatably connected to the pitch joint pin. The at least one end-effector link is rotatably connected to said yaw joint pin. The yaw cables are coupled to the end-effector links such that the yaw cables can actuate the end-effector links about the yaw joint pin. The yaw cable guide channel is configured such that the yaw cables travel through a smooth trajectory to the end-effector links. The tensioning mechanism is configured to maintain a constant length.

An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.

An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.

An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

A safe surgical instrument that allows a surgeon to move a head section by simple manual operation, and having a reduced number of components, comprises a distal tool head and first and second proximal operation sections. The tool head comprises a movable section and a base section. A first connection structure includes a first conversion mechanism, a first shaft, a universal joint provided at the distal and of the first shaft, a second conversion mechanism, and a crank at the distal end of the second conversion mechanism and connected with the proximal end of the movable section. A second connection structure includes a cylindrical shaft having a pinion at its distal section, and an approximately semicircular rack that meshes with the pinion. The intersection of the axes of the pivots of the universal joint is on the axis of rotation of the rack.