A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.

A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

A cautery pen tip accessory cover comprises a cylindrical member that can receive a cautery pen in a first end and the tip of the cautery pen can extend from a second opposite end when the cover is in a retracted configuration. The cylindrical member has an opened lateral exposure that allows the feel of the cautery pen therethrough. A cover exposure opening in the cylindrical member to provide access to a trigger of the cautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover is in the retracted configuration. A resilient member urges the cautery pen tip cover to the non-retracted configuration where access to the cautery pen trigger is prevented. The cylindrical member is easily retracted by a finger ring configured permanently into the cylindrical member, allowing easy retraction of the cover by the operator squeezing the cover to a resistance bar stabilization system accessory configured over the cautery pen.

Provided herein are catheter devices, systems, and methods to ablate a tissue location. The devises, systems, and methods disclosed herein include ablation systems including a catheter system with inner and outer shafts that deliver an ablation medium (e.g., a cryogenic ablation medium) to a body lumen and evacuate the ablation medium from the body lumen. In some embodiments, devices, systems, and methods disclose herein include expandable structures that facilitate in positioning of nozzles and/or evacuation of ablation medium from a body lumen.

A hemorrhoid banding device for the treatment of hemorrhoidal tissue, the hemorrhoid banding device comprising: a syringe comprising an extended tip, wherein the extended tip has a distal end; a plunger configured to be slidably received in the syringe and movable between (i) a proximal position, and (ii) a distal position; a deployment sheath comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the deployment sheath is configured to slidably fit over the extended tip of the syringe and is configured to move between (i) a proximal position wherein the distal end of the deployment sheath is disposed proximal to the distal end of the extended tip of the syringe, and (ii) a distal position wherein the distal end of the deployment sheath is disposed distal to the distal end of the extended tip of the syringe; a lever comprising a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end of the lever being hingedly mounted to the syringe; and a link comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the link is hingedly mounted to the plunger and the distal end of the link is hingedly mounted to the proximal end of the lever; wherein the distal end of the link and the proximal end of the lever are displaced further from the syringe when the plunger is in its proximal position than when the plunger is in its distal position.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for securing soft tissue to bone. One exemplary embodiment of a device includes an anchor, a repair filament, and a connecting filament that is coupled to the repair filament, is in contact with the anchor's distal end, and is effective to connect the repair filament to the anchor such that the repair filament slides with respect to the anchor. The anchor can be rigid, and can include an axial bore extending therethrough. At least one of the repair filament and the connecting filament can extend through at least a portion of the axial bore, and the bore can be sized such that a portion of the filament extending therethrough barely fits to help maintain the connection between the anchor, repair filament, and connecting filament. Embodiments of the systems and devices disclosed can be used in a number of methods for repairing soft tissue.

A catheter system includes a catheter including an elongate body having an expandable medical device coupled with a distal end thereof, and an introducer sheath assembly disposed over a proximal section of the catheter. The introducer sheath assembly includes an introducer sheath disposed over the catheter to form a gap therebetween, and a tubular plug. The introducer sheath includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen therein. The tubular plug extends through the lumen and includes an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end that protrudes from the introducer sheath distal end. The plug is disposed between the catheter and the introducer sheath to occlude the gap. The plug is releasably fixed relative to the introducer sheath such that the plug is removable from the lumen to allow the expandable medical device to pass therethrough.

Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

A method includes, in a processor, receiving signals from (i) a first position sensor disposed on a shaft of a catheter, and (ii) a second position sensor disposed on a distal end of a sheath of the catheter. Based on the signals received from the first position sensor and the second position sensor, an event is detected in which an expandable distal-end assembly of the catheter is being withdrawn into the sheath while still at least partially expanded. A responsive action is initiated in response to detecting the event.

A method for coupling tissue with a flexible member including a tail and a self-locking construct coupled to the tail. The self-locking construct includes an adjustable first loop and an adjustable second loop coupled thereto. The method includes implanting an anchor in bone, the anchor slidably mounted to the tail. The tail is positioned relative to the tissue. An end of the tail is inserted through the first loop. The tail is passed through the first loop, the second loop is pulled into the anchor, and the self-locking construct is positioned relative to the tissue. The self-locking construct is tightened against the tissue by pulling on an end of the self-locking construct. The first loop is tightened onto the second loop.