A robotic device is provided. The robotic device comprises: an articulatable elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end is steerable via a first driving mechanism; an articulatable imaging instrument removably coupled to the articulatable elongate member via a first lumen of the articulatable elongate member, and the articulatable imaging instrument comprises a camera located at a distal portion of the articulatable imaging instrument; an articulatable instrument removably coupled to the articulatable elongate member via a second lumen, and an operation of the articulatable instrument is captured by the camera of the articulatable imaging instrument.

A method cinches a suture. The method provides a cinch having a suture capturing portion configured to capture a suture, a cinch lock coupled with the suture capturing portion, and a cinch anchor having a lumen. The suture capturing portion is extended out of the lumen to capture the suture. The suture is captured by the suture capturing portion. The suture capturing portion is retracted into the lumen of the cinch anchor. The suture is cinched between the cinch lock and the cinch anchor.

A method cinches a suture. The method provides a cinch having a suture capturing portion configured to capture a suture, a cinch lock coupled with the suture capturing portion, and a cinch anchor having a lumen. The suture capturing portion is extended out of the lumen to capture the suture. The suture is captured by the suture capturing portion. The suture capturing portion is retracted into the lumen of the cinch anchor. The suture is cinched between the cinch lock and the cinch anchor.

Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, the cecum of an obese patient is distended to a pathophysiological size for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the cecum of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the cecum of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the cecum by an amount sufficient to trigger a colo-gastric brake in the patient.

An articulating, steerable surgical probe includes an elongated, flexible transfer tube adapted for insertion into a surgical region for endoscopic laryngeal laser surgery. A lumen is defined by an interior of the transfer tube, and a laser fiber extends through the lumen for delivering a therapeutic laser signal to a distal end of the laser fiber. An articulating tip at the distal end of the transfer tube is responsive to articulating forces from a retractable tether for directing the treatment probe in a direction of the articulation, and a linkage to the tether from a control module effects controlled retraction of the tether for articulating the tip towards a surgical target, such that the articulating tip imposing a bend radius based on a signal loss through the laser fiber.

An endoscopic clip device for closure of a mucosal defect or transmural perforation in a gastrointestinal wall may include a sleeve and a clip disposed at least partially within and coupled to the sleeve. The clip may be configured for reversibly moving between an open configuration for positioning relative to the wall and a closed configuration for closing the defect or perforation. The clip may include a first clip arm configured for engaging the mucosal and submucosal layers of the wall and including a first needle extending to a distal end of the first clip arm and configured for advancing through the mucosal layer and into at least the submucosal layer, and a second clip arm disposed opposite the first clip arm and configured for engaging the mucosal layer. The device may be configured for advancing through an operative channel of an endoscope or overtube having a tortuous shape.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for sampling a targeted region of tissue in a body using a flexible needle including a plurality of interrupted cuts and an uninterrupted cut extending continuously from the uninterrupted cuts to reduce localized strain on the flexible needle. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a flexible needle, where the flexible needle includes: a proximal end; a distal end including a needle tip; and a shaft extending between the proximal end and the distal end and including a flexible portion, where the flexible portion includes; an interrupted cut section including a plurality of interrupted cuts in the shaft following a first helical pattern; and an uninterrupted cut section including an uninterrupted cut in the shaft following a second helical pattern where the uninterrupted cut extends continuously from an end of a first terminal cut at a first end of the interrupted cut section.

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for treating a tissue defect, for example, by suturing. In some embodiments, a suturing device may include an elongate member having a working channel, a suture channel, and a suture arm extending from the elongate member. The suturing device may further include a needle passer located within the working channel, the needle passer operable to deliver a needle between the elongate member and a distal end of the suture arm for suturing a target tissue, and a suture extending through the suture channel, wherein the suture is coupled to the needle. The suturing device may further include a plurality of imaging devices, wherein a first imaging device is positioned along a distal face of the elongate member, and wherein a second imaging device is positioned along the suture arm.

A medical device includes a handle that includes a first member and a second member. Outer and inner elongate members of the medical device project from a distal end of the first member. The first and second members move, such as rotationally or pivotably move, relative to each other to control relative longitudinal movement of the outer and inner elongate members.

Systems and methods for performing surgical procedures. Such a system includes a cannula having proximal and distal portions. At least one carriage unit is slidably mounted within the proximal portion of the cannula for translation in axial directions of the cannula, and a tool has a shaft that is coupled to the carriage unit and protrudes through a port at the distal portion of the cannula. The tool has a working element mounted on a portion of the shaft that protrudes from the cannula to perform tasks within the cavity. A translation mechanism is provided for translating the carriage unit and its tool in the axial directions of the cannula, and a rotation mechanism is provided for rotating the tool about an axis of its shaft and relative to the first carriage unit. Rotation and translation mechanisms of each carriage unit are preferably individually and independently controlled.