An apparatus for attaching a medical device to a subject's body, either directly to the subject's body or to an intermediary element on the subject's body. The apparatus prevents substantially any relative movement between the medical device and the subject's body. Such an apparatus comprises: (i) a back base positioned between the subject's body and a surface that the subject lies thereon, (ii) at least one set of straps connected to the back base and to at least one of the medical device and the intermediary element, and (iii) at least one set of connectors providing a connection between the at least one set of straps and one or more of the medical device, the intermediary element and the back base. The apparatus may further comprise any of pivoting connectors, a respiration sensor, and straps with a stretchable section. The apparatus may be used in combination with a sterile drape.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.

Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.

Trocar retractor apparatus and methods for use are described where an apparatus for positioning an instrument may generally include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, an instrument positioning guide projecting from the first surface of the substrate, and one or more suction assemblies positioned along the second surface and in fluid communication with an interior of the substrate. The one or more suction assemblies may be attachable to a tissue region via a vacuum force applied through the one or more suction assemblies. The apparatus may also have the substrate configured to maintain a predetermined configuration when the vacuum force is applied.

The aim of the invention is to create a device for arranging medical targeting devices, markers, probes or surgical instruments for image-assisted, minimally invasive operations, which has a simple construction and is easy to use. Said device according to the invention has at least one carrier element (1) that can be positioned preferably with an adhesive layer on the surface of the body, and a fine-positioning unit (2). It is proposed that the carrier element (1) comprises at least one interlocking mount (3) for the fine-positioning unit (2) which has a matching complementary shape (3c).

A medical device including a handle portion connected to an operative portion at a proximal end thereof, the handle portion having a hollow cross-section and an open distal end, an illumination assembly comprising at least one light source, a switch assembly for energizing the light source, and at least one battery for powering the light source, an end cap assembly configured to attach to the open distal end of the handle portion, the end cap assembly accommodating the switch assembly and being configured to hold the at least one battery within the handle and to partially enclose the at least one battery, and a smoke evacuation channel in communication with the hollow cross-section of the handle, wherein a portion of the switch assembly extends through an opening in the end cap assembly and the at least one battery is held by the end cap assembly to overlap with the switch assembly and to overlap with the opening in the end cap assembly, and wherein the end cap assembly includes a vacuum port configured to couple to a vacuum source and to provide suction to the smoke evacuation channel through the handle.

The disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, devices, and methods for treating a breathing disorder. The method comprises creating an anchor hole at a location within or subjacent to a mandible bone, and positioning an elastic elongate member through the anchor hole, the elongate member having first and second ends at an entrance of the anchor hole and a loop in a region of a pharynx. The method further comprises connecting a retractor member at or near an end of the loop of the elastic elongate member in a region of the tongue, and connecting an anchor member at or near the ends of the elastic elongate member at the entrance of the anchor hole. In the method, at least one of the elastic elongate member, the retractor member, and the anchor member interact to distribute a force on the tongue and the force prevents obstruction of an airway.

A medical apparatus comprises an instrument channel arranged to be inserted into the body of a patient to enable a medical instrument to be inserted through the instrument channel into the body of the patient. It further comprises at least one support structure arranged to be located around the body of the patient, a plurality of guide ports each arranged to be inserted into the body of the patient, a plurality of control linkages each of which is at least partly supported on the at least one support structure, and a plurality of control actuators. Each of the control linkages may be arranged to extend through one of the guide ports, to be connected to the medical instrument, and to be moved by a respective one of the control actuators thereby to manipulate the medical instrument within the body of the patient.

A system and method for enhancing diagnosis and treatment including an extended working channel defining an elongated passageway and adapted to extend through the bronchoscope and into a luminal network, an opening operably associated with the extended working channel and in fluid communication with the luminal network, and a medical instrument configured for insertion through the extended working channel, wherein during operation, apposition of tissue on the extended working channel or medical instrument isolates at least a portion of a luminal network in which the extended working channel is inserted.

A device for positioning a medical appliance in an operational position with respect to a patient, includes a bearing element configured to receive the medical appliance; at least two compressible chambers containing a frictional jamming material capable of exhibiting frictional jamming when air is removed from the chambers, the chambers being coupled to the bearing element; wherein: in a non-actuated configuration, the bearing element is adapted to be positioned in the operational position, and the chambers are configured to move the bearing element according to six degrees of freedom, and in an actuated configuration, the frictional jamming material is subjected to frictional jamming, thereby allowing for the chambers to become rigid and the bearing element to be fixedly positioned, wherein the device is configured to be self-supporting in the actuated configuration. The disclosure also relates to a system and a method for positioning a medical appliance.