A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a stylet needle assembly, a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, a retractable obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g., the skin of the patient, coupling the surgical access device to the pad, and selectively locking a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

A delicate tissue retraction system having a retractor, an introducer and a clamp mechanism. The retractor has a hollow retractor passage extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal retractor end to a distal retractor end. The introducer has an introducer channel extending from a proximal introducer end to a distal introducer end. The introducer is configured to be removably installed within the retractor such that the proximal introducer end and distal introducer end are located along the longitudinal axis and the distal introducer end extends beyond the distal retractor end. The clamp mechanism is located on the introducer and includes a clamp axially aligned with the introducer channel, and control member configured to move the clamp between an open position and a closed position. The clamp may be used to hold a navigation probe inside the introducer, and a registration indicator may confirm the proper installation of the probe.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

A portable and passive safety intraosseous device to allow for direct introduction of medications, etc., within the intermedullary space of a subject patient's bone or, if needed, the removal of certain substances from such a subject patient's bone. Such a device permits direct drilling and placement of a cannula within the subject bone with access external to the subject patient's skin, permitting, as well, connection of a tube for such introduction/removal purposes. The ability to provide a passive safety unit allows for facilitated utilization in, for instance, emergency situations with the entire device provided for utilization thereof. The device includes a drilling component with a permanently attached stylet and a removable cannula, a power supply for a single drilling operation, a mechanism to draw the stylet back into the drill component after use and disengagement from the cannula, and an automatic closure that activates with the separation of the cannula.

A body cavity irrigation and drainage system and a related method. The body cavity irrigation and drainage system may include two pigtail catheters that are coupled together so that when in a use state the tail portions of the two pigtail catheters curl in opposite directions. The two pigtail catheters may be coupled together so that they are maintained in a fixed relative orientation. The system may also include a sheath having a cavity within which both of the two pigtail catheters are positioned during an insertion process. The sheath may be a peel-away type sheath such that the sheath can be torn and removed from the body cavity while the two pigtail catheters remain in the body cavity.

A surgical tunneler assembly is used to pass a cable or other elongate member through the skin. A surgical tunneler may include a lance including a first segment, a second end segment, and a connector on each one of the first end segment and the second end segment. A cable adapter includes a lance connection portion and a cable connection portion. The lance connection portion engages and disengages the connectors. The cable connection portion engages and disengages a cable. A handle engages and disengages the lance.

A drainage device may include a catheter including a proximal end and a distal end. The drainage device may further include a hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter. The hub may include a fastener element configured to secure the distal end of the catheter. In some aspects, the fastener element may be a hinged element. In some aspects, the drainage device may further include a puncture element including a tip and an expander portion. In still other aspects, the puncture element may also include an attachment portion.