A minimally invasive tissue incision system for creating joint capsulotomies and releasing/incising various tendon and fibrous band structures. The system contains a penetrating needle which is retractable so as to expose a cutting element, and which may be used as a penetrating needle to pierce the skin and other soft tissue structures. The cutting element provided within the penetrating needle may be used to incise subsequent tissue structures after the initial penetration. The system facilitates such procedures by providing the cutting element with the confines of the needle which provides safe introduction of the cutting element directly to the site via the needle.

A method of accessing a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) of a patient includes puncturing the patient's skin with a needle, upon which is disposed a cannula. A tip portion of the needle is inserted into the HAS. A distal portion of the cannula is advanced distally along the needle, until the distal portion of the cannula is in the HAS. The needle is removed from the HAS while the distal portion of the cannula remains in the HAS. A guide wire is inserted into the HAS via the cannula. The cannula is removed from the HAS while at least a portion of the guide wire remains in the HAS.

A laparoscopic port closure device is described. The device allows for the deployment of a suture internally into an abdominal wall and the subsequent use of that deployed suture to effect a closing of the wound that was used for the port. The deployed suture may be used during the surgical procedure to effect a securing or anchoring of the device.

A protective assembly for use during laparoscopic surgery, the assembly comprising: a thin membrane formed from non-toxic material, the membrane being sufficiently thin and maneuverable to be passed through a cannula of a trocar; a flexible connector extending from the thin membrane; and an insertable shaft dimensioned to be passed through the cannula wherein a distal portion of the shaft is anchored to the flexible connector.

An access port or retractor tube provides access through tissue to a surgical site or field, such as at the brain or spine, in a minimally invasive manner. The access port permits a user to clearly view and access the surgical field, including areas medial thereto, in a minimally invasive manner by dilating or separating tissue rather than cutting tissue. Neuro monitoring and neuro navigation are tools essential to neuro surgery to protect vital and eloquent tissues. Combining navigation and monitoring into the access ports/retractor tubes would enable the surgeon to be more precise and efficient during minimally invasive procedures while still being maximally effective in protecting non operative tissues.

An imaging needle apparatus includes a body, a needle coupled to the body, a probe, and an imager. The needle includes a needle body and a sharp tip. The probe can be exposed from the needle or housed within the needle body according to an operation being performed with the image needle apparatus. The imager is disposed inside of the probe, and includes a plurality of photocells.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a stylet needle assembly, a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, a retractable obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

Various implementations of a drainage catheter device include an outer drainage catheter and a distal portion. The outer drainage catheter has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal portion is adjacent the distal end of the outer drainage catheter and extends straight in a first configuration and forms a plurality of loops in a second configuration. A surface of the distal portion that faces radially inward in the second configuration defines a plurality of openings.

Identifying target anatomic locations in a subject's body, and delivering medicinal substances thereto, following transtissual progression (penetrating, cutting through body tissue) and reaching body tissue with medical device distal tip. Involves acquiring mechanical properties of body tissue. Exemplary medicinal substance is, or includes, a drug (anesthetic agent), and exemplary target anatomic location is epidural space in subject's body. Exemplary system includes: cannular member enclosing cannula lumen; pusher-probe having distal end in cannula lumen and positionable from retracted to protruding positions, wherein pusher-probe distal end protrudes out of cannula distal end; and extending mechanism including cam member, a follower shiftable from first to second stations on cam member, and plunger selectively traveling in cannula lumen while forcing relative motion between cam member and follower, wherein pusher-probe distal end repositions between retracted and protruding positions. Optionally, includes data-information analyzing device having triggering mechanism via a winged hub member and associated components.