A retractor system with a closed loop control includes a retractor having one or more sensors, which measure parameters associated with a retracted tissue. The system further includes a positioning mechanism connected to the retractor and a controller which receives feedback signals from the sensors. Based on the feedback signals from the sensors, the retractor is actuated by the positioning mechanism so that the tissue can be retracted while maintaining the parameters associated with the retracted tissue above a threshold level or within a desired range. Another retractor system includes a retractor with a force sensor and at least one additional sensor, which can be used without a closed loop control arrangement.

Unintended current flow or plasma discharge has been observed in known illuminated electrosurgical devices having a metallic tubular heat sink surrounding a conductive electrode and an illumination element, and having a distal outer edge that abuts against the light emitting element. An insulating, shielding or other isolating element that prevents or discourages unintended plasma formation between the distal outer edge and nearby patient tissue can reduce the potential for tissue damage to a patient or injury to a surgeon.

In various aspects, a microsurgical apparatus disclosed herein includes a shaft having a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end with a handle mounted to shaft proximal end. The microsurgical apparatus includes a tool package having an actuator at a tool package proximal end of the tool package and a tool at a tool package distal end of the tool package. The actuator cooperates mechanically with the tool. A sleeve lumen disposed within the tool package slidably receives the shaft for releasable lockable engagement of the tool package proximal end with the handle and with the shaft distal end being generally coextensive with the tool package distal end. Light source(s) and image sensor(s) located proximate the shaft distal end allow viewing of the tool when the tool package is mounted to the shaft. Exemplary methods of use of the microsurgical apparatus are also disclosed herein.

An arthroscopic inflow and outflow sheath providing an improved inflow and outflow system reducing the diameter of a continuous flow system while providing fluid management during arthroscopy. The improved arthroscopic inflow and outflow sheath comprises an elongated atraumatic sheath having an inner surface, outer surface, proximal end, and distal end. The atraumatic sheath further comprises plurality of pleated ribs, tubes, or v-shaped ribs extending from the inner surface of the sheath and designed to contact an outer surface of the arthroscope thereby creating outer lumens facilitating the inflow and outflow of fluid to a surgical site.

An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A surgical system includes a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end including a grip, a sensor attached to the distal end of the shaft, at least one visual indicator disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the at least one visual indicator, the controller actuating the at least one visual indicator according to a signal received from the sensor.

Described here are systems and methods for using a laser-induced demagnetization of magnetic particles disbursed in a tracking marker to generate variable susceptibility effects that can be imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). As one example, laser power is delivered to nickel particles using fiber optics. This demagnetization effect can be used in rapid tracking of interventional devices by subtracting the two images acquired when the laser is off and on.

An ophthalmic light instrument includes a plug (1) and a light guide (7) for guiding light (10) to a surgical site in the eye. The plug (1) is configured to be magnetically attractable or attractive and can be positioned and connected releasably with respect to a light source in such a way, that coupling of the light (10) into the light instrument takes place at the focal point (14) of the light source (12). An ophthalmic illumination system includes such a light instrument and a socket of the light source. The socket of the light source (4) is configured to be magnetically attractable or attractive and can be positioned and connected releasably with respect to the light source in such a way, that coupling of the light (10) into the light instrument takes place at the focal point (14) of the light source (12).

A device for surgery that accommodates multiple different implements. The implements may be exchanged or changed out for one another over the course of a surgery in a manner that does not require disengagement of the device from a surgical site. As a result, the need to re-insert the device into the patient and other hazards associated with multiple trips into the surgical site may be minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes cannula architecture to avoid use of a separate cannula at the surgical site.

A retractor having an elongated body that provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The elongate body includes a plurality of segments that are connected to one another through a plurality of ratcheting mechanisms. The ratcheting mechanisms permit relative movement of the segments with respect to one another when expander dilators are inserted within the retractor. The segments are surrounded and retained by a resilient elastomeric sleeve or bands. The distal end surfaces of the segments include thin edges that are configured to mobilize, dissect, split and retract the terminal tissues in the surgical area. The retractor may be used in conjunction with a shim.