One embodiment is directed to a system for deploying a device to a distal location across a vessel, comprising an elongate introducer sheath tubing member comprising open-cell fibrous wall material defining a lumen therethrough, wherein in a collapsed configuration the sheath has a first cross-sectional outer diameter and a first lumen inner diameter, and in an expanded configuration, the sheath has a second cross-sectional outer diameter and a second lumen inner diameter; and a substantially non-porous expandable layer coupled to a proximal portion of sheath and configured to prevent fluids present in the lumen from crossing the fibrous wall material. Also disclosed is a delivery assembly comprising an obturator which releasably captures the distal portion of an introducer sheath which obturator can be removed after the sheath is deployed to a desired location.

A variable flow stent is described for use with AV fistulas, TIPS procedures or dialysis grafts. The flow may be varied by adjusting the diameter of the stent. Embodiments include: a covered stent having a secondary chamber that functions as an air or fluid bladder; an expandable chamber within an interior stent covering; a retractable jack device with hooks that engage (snag) opposing walls of the stent; and, a stent with a hollow chamber or pocket in the interior stent covering into which an expandable balloon can be inserted. A self-healing valve is described for inflating or deflating expandable elements within the stent and may be implemented using a self-healing membrane. A radiopaque collar may be used to provide a marker surrounding the self-healing valve. If under-shunting or over-shunting occurs over time, the variable diameter stent may be adjusted using a second procedure.

The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. The devices of systems can also include a fluid remover in the form of a sorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof that is configured to remove fluid from a working channel of the device or system and/or from a surgical instrument inserted therethrough.

A valve mechanism (3) for attaching to a proximal end (4) of a trocar cannula (2) for minimising leakage of insufflating and other gases proximally from the trocar cannula (2), comprises a housing (7) adapted for securing to the trocar cannula (2) adjacent the proximal end (4) thereof. The housing (7) defines an instrument bore (22) extending from a proximal end (23) to a distal end (21). A distal valve (28) is located adjacent the distal end (21) of the instrument bore (22) and is pivotal from an open state to a closed state. A proximal valve (40) is located towards the proximal end (23) of the instrument bore (22), and comprises first and second valve members (41) and (42) which are urgeable from a withdrawn state clear of the instrument bore (22) to an engagement state sealably engaging an instrument in the instrument bore (22) for sealing the instrument bore (22). A detecting probe (34) pivotal about a primary pivot axis (35) is urgeable distally from a first state to a second state by the distal end of an instrument passing distally through the instrument bore (22). A drive transmission (74,108) transmits drive from the detecting probe (34) to the proximal and distal valves (40,28), so that as the detecting probe (34) is urged from a first state to a second state the distal valve (28) is urged into the open state and the proximal valve (40) is simultaneously urged from the withdrawn state to the engagement state to minimise leakage of gas proximally through the instrument bore (22) and to minimise contact of an instrument with the proximal and distal valves (40,28).

A medical power supply system includes: a medical device including an elongated insertion section, a power receiving unit including a power receiving member and movable relative to the insertion section in a longitudinal direction of the insertion section, and a biasing unit biasing the power receiving unit toward a distal end side of the insertion section; and a guide unit including a power transmitting unit including a power transmitting member, the insertion section being inserted into the guide unit. When the insertion section is inserted into the guide unit to a predetermined amount, the power receiving unit comes in contact with the power transmitting unit with being biased by the biasing unit, and the power transmitting member and the power receiving member face each other in an axial direction of the insertion section and have a positional relation in which wireless power transmission is possible.

A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a handle and a suction head pivotally attached to the handle. The suction head includes an open-ended suction chamber having a rim positioned to engage the patient's skin. An actuator on the handle operates a pump to draw a negative pressure in the suction chamber, causing the rim to seal against the patient's skin via the suction force. Once the suction force is initiated, the user may lift the handle away from the patient's body to lift tissue. The lifted tissue provides a site for insertion of a trocar or Veress needle for a laparoscopic procedure in some embodiments. A gimbal disposed between the handle and the suction head provides at least two degrees of freedom such that the handle can be rotated and pivoted to optimize the direction of applied lifting force.

An access apparatus includes an access housing, an access member extending from the access housing, a fluid connector mounted to the access housing and a control valve mounted to the fluid connector. The control valve is positionable relative to the fluid connector between a first position corresponding to a desufflation operative state permitting rapid desufflation of the underlying body cavity, a second position corresponding to an insufflation operative state permitting insufflation fluid flow into the access member and into the underlying body cavity, and a third position corresponding to a closed operative state.

In at least some aspects, an instrument port for introducing an instrument into a surgical site comprises: a port body having: an instrument channel extending through the port body; and a plurality of fluid flush channels each separate from one another and the instrument channel, each extending along a major portion of the port body and in fluid communication with the instrument channel; and a bulb comprising a bulb channel extending through the bulb, the bulb channel aligned with the instrument channel, wherein the bulb channel and instrument channel are configured to receive the instrument.

Access assemblies includes an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, and a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly. In embodiments, the seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments in an overlapping configuration. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments includes a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface. The ribbed surfaces include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction.

Access assemblies include an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, a seal assembly disposed adjacent to the guard assembly, and a gimbal mount assembly supporting the guard assembly and the seal assembly. The gimbal mount assembly is configured to permit angulation of the valve assembly relative to the instrument valve housing.