A surgical system includes a surgical arm including at least a distal segment. The surgical system further includes a drape disposed over the surgical arm such that the surgical arm is at least partially covered by the drape. An instrument connector is coupled to the distal segment of the surgical arm through the drape and includes a stem and a shaft. The shaft is configured to receive a surgical instrument. When the instrument connector is coupled to the surgical arm, the instrument connector secures a portion of the drape against the distal segment of the surgical arm. Other example surgical systems and surgical arms are also disclosed.

A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing that defines a working chamber, and a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the cannula is coupled to the trocar housing at the proximal end to facilitate communication between the cannula and the working chamber. A plurality of radial support members are arranged at or near the distal end and comprise a plurality of keystones arranged side by side to form a ring within the cannula. Each radial support member extends radially inward toward a centerline of the cannula to center a surgical tool within the cannula and thereby minimize unintended oscillation and vibration of the surgical tool.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method for evacuation. An exemplary apparatus includes a trocar comprising an inlet at a distal end and an exit port at a proximal end, the inlet and the exit port are fluidly connected by a tubular hollow body circumscribing a cavity extending through a longitudinal axis of the trocar, the trocar includes a filter maintained within the cavity operable to filter at least one of fluid and particulates from a flow passing through the cavity. The apparatus further includes a vacuum source fluidly connected to the exit port, the vacuum source operable to pull at least one of fluid and particulates through the inlet, the cavity and the exit port.

A multi-stage dilator and cannula assembly for use in surgical procedures, including minimally invasive surgical procedures, to provide tissue dilation and opening of a portal to enable the surgeon to access and provide treatment to anatomical feature of interest.

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.

Surgical device deployment apparatuses that include a cannula having a shaft with an exterior surface, and an interior surface forming a lumen within said cannula, the shaft having a distal portion with a plurality of apertures. An obturator configured to be used in conjunction with the aforementioned cannula has an obturator shaft with a distal portion having a reduced diameter, wherein said obturator shaft is insertable into said lumen of said cannula. In other embodiments, a surgical device deployment tool comprises a handle member with a shaft attached to a distal end of said handle member, said shaft extending distally and terminating at a shaft head. A hollow hood is attached to said shaft head, said hood having an inner surface formed such that a gap exists between said inner surface and an adjacent outside surface of said shaft head.

There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

A containment bag assembly for extracting a tissue specimen comprises a bag having one or more segmenting wires, an outer tube comprising a proximal and distal end, a flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the containment bag, wherein the flexible ring comprises two ring subassemblies, each having a proximal and distal end, a flexible member positioned between and coupled to the distal ends of the two ring subassemblies, wherein, when the flexible member is in a collapsed position, the two ring subassemblies are in a collapsed position and the containment bag is configured to be stored within the outer tube, and wherein, when the flexible member is in an expanded position, the two ring subassemblies and the flexible member bias the top opening of the containment bag to an open position to enable placement of the tissue specimen within the containment bag.

Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.

Methods for accessing a disc space of a patient as a part of an interbody fusion, as well as the tools employed therewith. An exemplary method may include inserting a leading end of a tool into the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from a patient's spinous process and disc. The tool's initial entry into the patient may be from a posterior approach. As the tool is advanced along its designated path, it begins to deviate from the posterior approach towards a lateral approach. When the leading end reaches the disc, it may access the disc from a lateral or substantially lateral location. The tool may be used to access the disc location, to remove disc material, to deliver a cutting tool for removing the disc material, and other steps associated with the spinal interbody fusion procedure.