A system can include an elongated instrument that is positioned within a cannula portion of a cannula assembly. The system can include a shield that is coupled with both the elongated instrument and the cannula assembly when in an unlocked state. The shield can permit proximal movement of the elongated instrument relative thereto when in the unlocked state. The shield can automatically transition to a locked state to attach to a distal end of the elongated instrument to restrict access to a distal tip of the elongated instrument.

A surgical needle comprising: (a) a sensor; (b) a distal tip with the sensor being located at the distal tip; (c) a needle advancing mechanism that is adjustable to change an insertion depth; and (d) a control unit in communication with the needle advancing mechanism; wherein the sensor provides a signal to the control unit regarding a thickness of a feature of interest and the control unit controls the insertion depth based upon the signal from the sensor so that the insertion depth into the feature of interest is varied or the control unit prevents the needle advancing mechanism from activating.

A device for destroying the blood vessels forming telangiectasias includes: a single blade; and a device body, the body having firstly a gripping part and secondly a support for the blade; and a stop situated at a distance of between 0.1 and 1 cm from a distal end of the blade limiting the penetration of the blade, in the thickness of the skin, to a depth of less than 1 cm.

A surgical system may include a conductive stylet with a distal end advanceable into bone material and a proximal end coupled to a stylet hub. A handle is non-removably attached to the stylet hub, and removably attachable to an insulative cannula hub. The cannula hub is non-removably attached to a conductive cannula that surrounds the stylet when the handle is attached to the proximal end of the insulative cannula hub. An outer insulative sheath is slideably engaged to insulative cannula hub, and has a radio-opaque distal tip. An electrical signal source may be applied to the stylet hub to conduct a pedicle integrity assessment. The handle and stylet may be removed from the cannula assembly, leaving the cannula assembly in place at the surgical site.

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.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a robot structure that includes an MM-Safe pneumatic stepper motor and optical encoding technologies. The present invention includes a needle guide and a needle depth limiter. The needle for biopsy is inserted through the needle guide and the depth of inserting is limited by the needle depth limiter. The robot is configured to control this procedure. The robot structure is adapted for biopsy, a novel way of setting the depth of needle insertion, image-to-robot registration. The system includes control for the robot.

Surgical tools and kits for performing methods include a grommet with cylindrical shaft, cutting tip, annular flange with suture retaining anchoring fixture; a grommet jig for extending between adjacent grommets and guiding a needle therebetween; a family of needles with single and double pointed ends, reinforced eyelets, stops to limit inadvertent exiting, double shaft construction with a longitudinal gap and sharpened, slicing ends, including a “J” shape embodiment; a bone anchor with ring to secure sutures about a patient's clavicle; a tissue dissector having radially extending cones to nick taut connecting tissues; a tissue rasp having a series of crisscrossing grooves along an end; a tissue mesher comprising one or more blocks having a matrix of holes for clamping a plurality of needles and a supporting framework; and a kit device and a method of surgically inserting an internal mesh brassiere under the breast skin.

Tactile sensing devices, systems, and methods to image a target tissue location are disclosed. When force is applied to the tactile sensing device, voltage data is detected and visualized on a screen, indicating the target tissue location.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a robot structure that includes an MRI-Safe pneumatic stepper motor and optical encoding technologies. The present invention includes a needle guide and a needle depth limiter. The needle for biopsy is inserted through the needle guide and the depth of inserting is limited by the needle depth limiter. The robot is configured to control this procedure. The robot structure is adapted for biopsy, a novel way of setting the depth of needle insertion, image-to-robot registration. The system includes control for the robot.

A cannula device (1) comprises a housing (11), a cannula (10) arranged on the housing (11), and a puncture device (17) which, in a use state, is arranged on the housing (11) and comprises a puncture trocar (18) received in the cannula (10). The puncture trocar (18) is displaceable with respect to the cannula (10) and comprises a trocar tip (180) which, by displacing the puncture trocar (18) with respect to the cannula (10) in a puncturing direction (P), is movable to protrude from the cannula (10) in said puncturing direction (P), wherein the puncture device (17) is removable from the housing (11) in a removal direction (A) opposite the puncturing direction (P). A protection element (15) is received in the housing (11) and comprises a connection portion (150) arranged on the puncture trocar (18) and at least one shielding leg (152, 153) pivotably connected to the connection portion (150), wherein the puncture trocar (18) is configured to carry the protection element (15) along when the puncture trocar (18) is removed from the housing (11) in said removal direction (A), the at least one shielding leg (152, 153) being configured to be pivotably moved with respect to the connection portion (150) to approach the trocar tip (180) when the protection element (15) is carried along by the puncture trocar (18).