A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system includes a control circuit communicatively coupled to a straight line laser source, a structured light emitter, and an image sensor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the control circuit. The memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the control circuit to control the straight line laser source to project a straight laser line reference; control the structured light source to emit a structured light pattern onto a surface of an element of a surgical device; control the image sensor to detect the projected straight laser line and structured light reflected from the surface of the element of the surgical device; and determine a position of the element of the surgical device relative to the projected straight laser line reference.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a handle, an elongate shaft selectively attachable to the handle, a battery pack replaceably attachable to the handle, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. In various instances, the battery pack comprises a power source couplable to the motor and a display. The elongate shaft comprises a processor and a memory couplable to the processor. In various instances, the memory comprises a control program which, when executed, causes the processor to initiate a desired function. In various instances, the end effector comprises a sensing circuit configured to detect a condition of the end effector. The sensing circuit is in signal communication with the processor.

Apparatus and methods to reduce ventricular volume are disclosed. The device takes the form of a transventricular anchor assembly, which presses a portion of the ventricular wall inward, thereby reducing the available volume of the ventricle. The anchor assembly is deployed using a curved introducer that may be inserted into one ventricle, through the septum and into the opposite ventricle. Barbs or protrusions along a tension member of the anchor assembly combined with a mechanical stop and a sealing member hold the device in place once deployed.

A bone or tissue repair device can deploy first and second anchors from a distal end of a bore of a needle. A cylindrical first anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to a distal end of the bore. A cylindrical second anchor can be disposed in the bore proximal to the first anchor. A pusher wire can include teeth positioned at a distal end of the pusher wire. The pusher wire and teeth can be configured to engage an interior of the first anchor; advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the first anchor distally out of the bore; retract proximally, with respect to the needle and the second anchor, to position the teeth inside an interior of the second anchor; engage the interior of the second anchor; and advance distally, with respect to the needle, to force the second anchor distally out of the bore.

Suture clips configured to be placed in a predetermined path of a suturing needle that advances through a device inserted to a body cavity, and remotely operated from that position to secure and clamp suturing. In some embodiments, a suture tightening device is placed in the predetermined path and configured to capture the suture and shorten a length of tissue-engaged suture by pulling on the suture. In some embodiments, sensors are placed along the needle path and used to provide an indication of needle position and/or status.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a shaft, a firing drive comprising a motor, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a needle driver configured to be actuated by the motor, wherein the needle driver is configured to drive a needle installed within the end effector. The end effector further comprises a needle track configured to guide the needle installed within the end effector through a needle firing stroke, wherein the end effector is configured to accommodate suturing needles having different sizes. The surgical suturing system further comprises a control circuit configured to sense the size of the suturing needle installed within the end effector and adjust the actuation stroke of the motor to accommodate the size of the needle installed within the end effector.

A composite suture needle configured for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes a curved elongated body made of stainless steel. The curved elongated body has a proximal end and a distal end with a pointed tip. The composite suture needle includes a sheath overlying the curved elongated body. The sheath is curved for conforming to the shape of the curved elongated body. The sheath is made of a material that is more elastic than the curved elongated body. The pointed tip of the curved elongated body extends distally beyond the distal end of the sheath. The curved elongated body is made of stainless steel and the sheath is made of a material, such as nitinol, that is more elastic than the elongated body.

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for guiding a needle to facilitate suturing, such as in surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one guide member configured to extend from a suturing mechanism that is configured to revolve a helically-shaped needle around an axis while the needle is advanced around an object to be sutured. A guide track is configured to be positioned around the object and to guide the suturing mechanism in an articulated path around the object. The guide track defines at least one guide channel configured to receive the guide member, where the at least one guide channel is configured to direct movement of the guide member to cause the suturing mechanism to pivot to realign the axis to be tangential to the curved guide track.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a firing drive, an end effector, and a needle configured to be driven by said firing drive. The end effector comprises a track defined therein configured to guide the needle through a needle firing stroke. The surgical suturing system further comprises a needle driver configured to be driven by the firing drive and configured to drive the needle through the needle firing stroke.