A method for closing an opening in biological tissue of intra-abdominal structures, which includes the steps of (i) providing a tissue closure system that includes a suture guide sub-system for engaging tissue disposed proximate the tissue opening and a suture passer sub-system that slideably engages the suture guide sub-system, (ii) inserting the suture guide sub-system into and through a tissue opening, (iii) inserting the suture passer sub-system with a section of suture engaged thereto into and through a first tissue region, (iv) rotating the suture guide sub-system, (v) inserting the suture passer sub-system with another section of suture engaged thereto into and through a second tissue region, (vi) withdrawing suture guide sub-system, (vii) releasing both sections of the suture captured by the suture guide sub-system, and (viii) drawing both sections of the suture together, wherein the first and second tissue regions are drawn together and the tissue opening is closed.

A device and system for and methods of using an ultrasound probe housing containing ultrasound probes configured to produce images inside the body of a patient for procedures requiring needle or probe insertion. The ultrasound probe housing can be configured with a guide channel cut-out or aperture between the ambient side and body side of a patient. A needle guide assembly may be pivotally connect internal to the guide channel cut-out or aperture of the ultrasound probe housing at a pivot point such that during use the needle enters the patient through the needle guide assembly within the ultrasonic probe housing so that the needle can be visualized by the ultrasonic probes in real time. The ultrasound probe housing may also provide an adhesion or suction quality to the body side of the device to facilitate aspects of the invention.

A pedicle access system including a cannula, a stylet, and a removable T-handle. The pedicle access system may be used to percutaneously approach the pedicle, initiate pilot hole formation, and conduct a stimulation signal to the target site for the purposes of performing a pedicle integrity assessment during the pilot hole formation. To do this, the cannula and stylet are locked in combination and inserted through an operating corridor to the pedicle target site, using the T-handle to facilitate easy movement and positioning of the cannula/stylet combination. A stimulation signal may be applied during pilot hole formation to conduct the pedicle integrity assessment. In a significant aspect, the T-handle may be detached from the cannula/stylet combination to facilitate the use of various surgical tools as necessary.

A puncture adapter of an embodiment holds a puncture needle and is attached to an ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic probe group. The puncture adapter has a puncture bracket that can be fixed to the ultrasonic probe and a puncture needle guide that is attached to the puncture bracket. The puncture bracket is not fixed to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is not attached. The puncture bracket is fixed to the ultrasonic probe when the puncture needle guide is attached.

A depth limiter configured for use with a surgical cannula includes an annular base having a boss that extends about a longitudinal axis and has a boss lumen configured to receive the surgical cannula. A latch arm coupled with the annular base overlies the boss and includes an arm opening configured to align with the boss lumen to receive the surgical cannula. The latch arm is movable relative to the annular base between a release position and a lock position. In the release position the arm opening is positioned coaxially with the boss lumen such that the latch arm is configured to permit longitudinal movement of the depth limiter along the surgical cannula. In the lock position the arm opening is positioned non-coaxially with the boss lumen such that the latch arm is configured to inhibit longitudinal movement of the depth limiter along the surgical cannula.

A depth limiter that is configured to couple with a cannula tube of a trocar. The depth limiter includes a body having first and second body portions coupled together and pivotable between open and clamped configurations. The body includes first and second inner surfaces presented by the first and second body portions. In the clamped configuration the first and second inner surfaces form a first cross dimension sized to restrict axial movement of the depth limiter relative to the cannula tube. In the open configuration the first and second inner surfaces form a second cross dimension sized to permit axial movement of the depth limiter relative to the cannula tube. The depth limiter includes first and second locking members, one of which is resiliently biased to engage the other. The locking members are configured to engage each other to lock the body portions in the clamped configuration.

A reusable instrument handle with single-use tip may include an instrument tip and an instrument handle. The instrument tip may include an outer base, a nosecone, a pressure mechanism, a hypodermic tube, a blank, a fixation mechanism, and a tip cover. The instrument handle may include an actuation structure, a fixation mechanism receptacle, and an instrument tip housing. The fixation mechanism and the fixation mechanism receptacle may be configured to temporarily fix the instrument tip in the instrument tip housing. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to actuate the hypodermic tube relative to the blank. The instrument tip may be removed from the instrument tip housing after use by removing the fixation mechanism from the fixation mechanism receptacle.

An apparatus for inserting a continuous analyte monitoring transmitter that includes an outer member, an inner member configured to telescope relative to the outer member, a transmitter, a bias member, an insertion device, and a pivot member. Force is applied to press the outer member toward an insertion site over the duration of a stroke. During a first portion of the stroke, the pivot member cannot pivot and the motion of the outer member translates to the insertion device until the biosensor is inserted at the insertion site. Over a second portion of the stroke, the continued motion causes a first pivot window in the outer member to overlap with a second pivot window in the inner member, allowing the pivot member to pivot and retract the insertion device from the insertion site, leaving the implanted biosensor. Upon completion of the stroke, the position of the pivot member is locked into place by engaging a locking feature of the bias member with the second pivot window to prevent the insertion member from re-entering the insertion site.

A chest tube insertion device includes a semi-rigid curvilinear sheath body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen defined axially through the sheath body from the distal end to the proximal end, the lumen including a distal end opening at the distal end and a proximal end opening at the proximal end, and a tapered pneumostatic tube clamp at the distal end of the sheath body, the tube clamp including one or more clamp tabs angled radially inward toward the distal end opening. The chest tube insertion device is supported during insertion into the chest cavity by a stylet. The chest tube insertion device is also removable from a chest tube when a free end of the chest tube is positioned in the chest cavity of a patient.

A device and system for and methods of using an ultrasound probe housing containing ultrasound probes configured to produce images inside the body of a patient for procedures requiring needle or probe insertion. The ultrasound probe housing can be configured with a guide channel cut-out or aperture between the ambient side and body side of a patient. A needle guide assembly may be pivotally connect internal to the guide channel cut-out or aperture of the ultrasound probe housing at a pivot point such that during use the needle enters the patient through the needle guide assembly within the ultrasonic probe housing so that the needle can be visualized by the ultrasonic probes in real time. The ultrasound probe housing may also provide an adhesion or suction quality to the body side of the device to facilitate aspects of the invention.