A loading dilator may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first outer surface extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end. The second portion may include a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second outer surface extending between the second proximal end and the second distal end. The first outer surface may include a plurality of slits extending along at least a portion of the length of the first portion. The plurality of slits may be spaced apart circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the first portion. The length of the second portion may be smaller than the length of the first portion.

Insertion devices, systems, and methods for inserting a needle into a target tissue in an individual in need thereof are disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are needle cartridges comprising a needle, a plate, and a needle holder. Also disclosed herein are methods of introducing a catheter into a target tissue in an individual in need thereof.

Disclosed is a percutaneous transabdominal port that provides access to a hollow visceral organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port is hollow and has a channel connecting the external surface of the abdomen to the inside of an organ. A catheter or other instrument may pass through this channel into the organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port has a hollow tube which spans an abdominal wall tract, an internal retainer to prevent unintended removal, and an external retainer to prevent withdrawal into the body. If the internal retainer does not rely on inflation, the hollow tube may be cut to length. An optional seal prevents fluid leakage while permitting passage of catheters or instruments. An optional closure cap is described. A method of inserting, utilizing, and removing the percutaneous transabdominal port is described.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body passageways. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods to facilitate entry of an endoscopic accessory tool into and/or through patient-specific anatomies. For example, the devices, systems and methods of the present disclosure may transmit mechanical motion to the distal end of an endoscopic accessory tool to facilitate atraumatic access to tortuous or otherwise restricted anatomies.

Electrophysiology mapping and visualization systems are described herein where such devices may be used to visualize tissue regions as well as map the electrophysiological activity of the tissue. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. A position of the catheter and/or hood may be tracked and the hood may also be used to detect the electrophysiological activity of the visualized tissue for mapping.

An alignment device includes an elongate rod, a sealing hub coupled to a proximal end of the elongate rod and configured to form a fluid-tight seal within a portion of a percutaneous-access device, and an alignment structure coupled to the sealing hub and having a form configured to engage with a component of an instrument manipulator assembly of a robotic system.

A needle assembly is configured to be movable into a cavity of a patient having a biological wall. A distal tip section extends from the needle assembly. The distal tip section is configured to form a pass-through hole extending through the biological wall of the patient (as, or while, the needle assembly is urged to move toward the biological wall). The distal tip section is also configured to prevent (at least in part) the removal of a free-floating tissue core from the biological wall as the pass-through hole is formed by the distal tip section.

A surgical system for removal of an intracranial abnormality of predetermined size and position. The system includes an elongated suction tube including an interior passage extending between an open proximal end and an open distal end. The suction tube includes an elongated main body portion disposed between the open distal end and a forward end of an enhanced diameter collection cavity. The cross-sectional area of the interior passage varies along the length of the suction tube and is greater within the collection cavity than within the main body portion. The total internal volume of the collection cavity may exceed the volume necessary to contain the abnormality.

A kyphoplasty system includes various instruments which can be selectively used in a surgical theater (e.g., during a surgical operation on a patient) or a surgical training environment. The kyphoplasty system can include one or more of a kyphoplasty apparatus, a prone table mat, a connector system, a bone introducer needle, and a biopsy device. The kyphoplasty system may also include a training system for use in the training environment.