A drilling system includes a guide-hub that includes contact feet configured to be placed against a drilling surface to maintain a fixed angle with the drilling surface. A drilling insert includes a drill bit and a harness. The drilling insert is configured to be inserted into the guide-hub and the harness is configured to detect when the drill bit punctures the drilling surface and automatically prevent further drilling.

The present invention relates to systems for use for radio frequency ablation. The systems can include one or more of an ablation tool, power source for use with the ablation tool and a backstop for use in conjunction with the ablation tool during surgical procedures. Preferred ablation tools comprise a series of three or more blade-shaped electrodes disposed in a linear, curved, curvilinear or circular array. The backstops are useful for reducing direct physical and thermal heat transfer injuries to the patient or surgeon during procedures using radiofrequency (RF) ablation devices.

Described herein are methods and devices useful for reaming and shaping the surfaces of a joint in a mammalian body. The reaming and shaping devices and methods are particularly useful in preparation of a joint for a minimally invasive joint replacement or resurfacing, though they may be used as part of any appropriate arthroplasty procedure.

A surgical device includes an elongate body, a tool assembly, a drive assembly, and an articulation mechanism for moving the tool assembly between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. The articulation mechanism includes an articulation link, a first pivot link that is positioned on a first side of a flexible beam, and a second pivot link positioned on a second side of the flexible beam. The first and second pivot links are configured to control the path of movement of the flexible beam of the drive assembly as the flexible beam is moved between its retracted and advanced positions in non-articulated and articulated positions of the tool assembly to maintain a predetermined distance of movement of the clamp member within the tool assembly constant.

An elongate medical device comprising a first lumen, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first lumen comprises a peanut shape, and a plurality of second lumens, wherein the plurality of second lumens are proximate the first lumen, wherein the first lumen comprises a lumen liner that conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the first lumen, wherein the lumen liner comprises a first material and the elongate medical device comprises a second material, where the first material is different from the second material.

An orthopaedic joint replacement system is shown and described. The system includes a number of prosthetic components configured to be implanted into a patient's knee. The system also includes a number of surgical instruments configured for use in preparing the bones of the patient's knee to receive the implants. A method or technique for using the surgical instruments to prepare the bones is also disclosed.

A method to adjust or tune mechanical settings of a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, wherein before executing an x-ray measurement a patient's breast is placed and compressed between the detector cover and the paddle, wherein prior to the x-ray measurement reaction forces between the mammography apparatus and the patient's breast are minimized. The invention relates further to a mammography apparatus comprising an x-ray source, a paddle and a detector with a detector cover, which apparatus is provided with at least one weighing means to measure the downwards forces exerted by (the part of) the apparatus above the weighing means towards the ground.

Methods and devices for transvascular prosthetic chordae tendineae implantation are disclosed. A catheter is advanced into the left atrium. From an atrium side, a leaflet anchor having a leaflet suture is secured to the mitral valve leaflet. A ventricular anchor is anchored to the wall of the ventricle to secure the ventricular wall to a ventricle suture. The leaflet suture and the ventricle suture may be tensioned and connected by a suture lock to form an artificial chordae. The suture lock has a body with a suture path extending therethrough. A wall in the housing is movable to reduce the cross section of the suture path. A drive mechanism advances the movable wall to clamp sutures extending through the suture path, in response to rotation of a coupling on the housing.

An apparatus is disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition and a hub coupled with a side arm coupled to the dilator shaft.

For producing a skin opening for minimally invasive surgery an instrument is employed, comprising a grip (10) and a puncture awl (16). The puncture awl (16) is provided on the distal end of a grip (10), which distal end forms a stop surface (12), which limits the penetration depth of the puncture awl (16).