A stiffening assembly comprises an outer tube including a longitudinal axis, an inner tube extending along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of laminar elements between the outer tube and the inner tube and separate from the outer tube and the inner tube. The stiffening assembly is adjustable between a flexible state in which each laminar element of the plurality of laminar elements is movable and a stiffened state in which an applied vacuum clamps the plurality of laminar elements between the outer and inner tubes such that a transfer of forces between the plurality of laminar elements stiffens the stiffening assembly. At least one laminar element of the plurality of laminar elements has a different thickness than at least another laminar element of the plurality of laminar elements.

The disclosure presents methods and systems for applying a suction force to a surface of a left atrial appendage (LAA) with a tube attached to an exterior surface of an inflatable balloon. The disclosure also presents methods and systems for inflating a first inflatable balloon within a cavity of a left atrial appendage (LAA). A method may include applying a suction force with at least one tube coupled to the first inflatable balloon to attract the first inflatable balloon to an interior surface of the LAA or to a second inflatable balloon. A method may include puncturing, using a tissue-penetrating tip, a target surface of the LAA.

A tissue clip application fitting set or retrofitting set includes a cap attachment for placement on the distal head of a medical endoscope, which has a placement section and a tissue clip holding section. The cap attachment is notched at least at two angular positions forming at least two notches/slots/grooves. A working channel leads into the hollow chamber and exits the hollow chamber radially in a region distal to the placement section and proximal to the radially supported tissue clip. A first guiding or leading element is arranged after the working channel belonging to the retrofitting set, as seen in the distal direction. A corresponding second guiding or leading element is arranged within the hollow chamber at an angular distance from the first guiding or leading element so as to be oriented in extension to a working channel belonging to the endoscope.

An illuminated medical device, comprising a blade portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the blade portion comprising an operative portion at the distal end, a handle portion connected to the proximal end of the blade portion, the handle portion having a hollow cross-section and an open bottom end, an illumination assembly comprising at least one light source, an activation device for energizing the light source, and at least one battery for powering the light source, and an end cap assembly coupled to the open bottom end of the handle portion and accommodating the activation device and the at least one battery therein. In the illuminated medical device, a portion of the activation device 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 activation device and the opening in the end cap assembly.

A method is provided comprising harvesting epidermal tissue at a resection site and forming a first substance including the epidermal tissue. The method includes harvesting dermal tissue at the resection site and forming a second substance including the dermal tissue. A skin graft is formed comprising the first substance and/or the second substance.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for fabricating, providing, and using an orogastric tube. The orogastric tube may have, among other things: a proximal end section; a distal end section opposite the proximal end section and having a flexible, resilient curved portion; at least one sump channel extending from the proximal end section along a pre-determined length of the orogastric tube into the distal end section; at least one suction channel extending from the proximal end section along a pre-determined length of the orogastric tube into the distal end section; and optionally at least one balloon channel extending from the proximal end section along a pre-determined length of the orogastric tube to the distal end section. The optional balloon channel is in communication with an expandable balloon in the distal end section; and a main channel encloses a pre-determined length of the sump channel, the suction channel, and, if present, the balloon channel.

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.

A system for determining the position and orientation of a medical device relative to an image space during image-guided medical procedures. The system comprises a flexible pad mounted on the subject such that a part covers the region of interest. The pad incorporates detectable registration members. Prior to the procedure, the device is coupled to the pad, which is then rigidized, so that there is no movement of the registration members relative to each other and relative to the device. The fixed relationship between the device and the registration members is determined from initial images, for example using detectable markers attached to the device, enabling the pose of the device relative to the image space of images of the region of interest to be determined later, even if the device is remote from the region of interest. This minimizes exposure of the subject and medical staff to radiation.

A sponge-based variable-stiffness support structure for natural orifice surgical instrument is to support the surgical instrument and includes: a variable-stiffness sponge pipeline connected with the natural orifice surgical instrument and configured to support the natural orifice surgical instrument in a natural orifice; a hydrophobic breathable film attached to an outer wall of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to isolate the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline from body fluid in the natural orifice; and a gas delivery assembly connected with the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to inject high-pressure air or water vapor into a variable-stiffness sponge pipe of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline; wherein the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline has a stiffness inversely proportional to content of the water vapor.

A closed loop granular jamming apparatus is disclosed including a three-dimensional membrane structure filled with granular material. Fluid is evacuated from the structure which induces a jamming effect, whereas the viscosity of the granular media increases with increasing particle density. The thin membrane conforms to the shape of the granular material. Decreasing enclosed volume and increasing packing density prevents particles from distributing within the confined space, inducing the aggregate to behave as a solid. In the jammed state, the apparatus is resistive to force and change of shape. The apparatus is returned to the unjammed state by releasing the vacuum. The size and shape of the apparatus may be repeatedly adjusted by alternating between the jammed and unjammed states. The closed loop granular jamming apparatus may include toroidal and cylindrical shapes with articulating inserts and compliant spines.