Described herein are devices and methods for performing merged optical tissue evaluation and laser ablation with a catheter system that includes a processing device and a catheter with proximal and distal sections with a plurality of optical ports that are configured to transmit beams of exposure radiation to a sample, receive one or beams of scattered radiation, and transmit laser ablation energy such that a portion of the sample is ablated. The processing device includes a first optical source configured to generate a source beam of exposure radiation and a second optical source configured to generate the laser ablation energy. The catheter system further includes one or more multiplexers that direct the beams of exposure radiation to the plurality of optical ports, combine the one or more beams of scattered radiation, and direct the laser ablation energy to at least one optical port of the plurality of optical ports.

A registration device, including a wand, a light guide passing through the wand, and a position sensor fixed to the wand. A light source outputs a modulated beam of light into a light guide proximal end, so that the light is emitted from a light guide distal end toward a surface in proximity to a wand distal tip. A detector receives, from the light guide proximal end, light reflected from the surface into the light guide distal end, and outputs a signal indicative of the reflected light intensity. A processor computes a distance from the distal tip of the wand to the surface by extracting a phase difference between the output beam and the reflected light from the signal, and computes a position of the surface in a sensor frame of reference responsively to the computed distance and the location of the distal tip found from the position sensor.

A clamp for a medical procedure includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member, a hinge, a biasing member, a shaft, and an actuator. The hinge couples the first ends of the first and second clamp members such that the first clamp member is pivotable relative to the second clamp member. The biasing member couples the second ends of the first and second clamp members and is configured to apply a clamping force. The distal end of the shaft and the biasing member are fixedly coupled with at least one of the first clamp member or the second clamp member for a duration of the medical procedure. The actuator is operatively coupled with the biasing member such that the actuator selectively tensions the biasing member to provide the clamping force.

A system for working biological tissue, the system comprising: a tool comprising a laser operable to perform at least one action of work; positioning means for positioning the tool relative to the biological tissue to perform the at least one action of work; a controller; storage storing electronic program instructions for controlling the controller; and an input means; wherein the controller is operable, under control of the electronic program instructions, to: receive input via the input means; process the input and, on the basis of the processing, control the positioning means and the tool to work the biological tissue.

A method for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve, includes the steps of (i) generating light energy with a light source; (ii) positioning a balloon substantially adjacent to the treatment site, the balloon having a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid; (iii) receiving the light energy from the light source with a light guide at a guide proximal end; (iv) guiding the light energy with the light guide in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end that is positioned within the balloon interior; and (v) optically analyzing with an optical analyzer assembly light energy from the light guide, wherein the light energy that is analyzed moves in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

A system, device, and method for controlling operation of a surgical tool (214) during a surgical procedure are described. For example, the system includes a tool assembly (210) and a surgical system (100). The tool assembly includes a rotating tool (214) and a sleeve (212) for holding the rotating tool. The surgical system includes a navigation system (200) configured to track at least a portion of the rotating tool and determine position information for the rotating tool, an alignment module (222) configured to receive the position information and determine whether the rotating tool is in a proper position for drilling a hole into a target bone (240), a robotic control component (220) configured to actuate and advance the rotating tool if the rotating tool is in the proper position, and a monitor (226) configured to determine if the rotating tool is advancing into the target bone along a predetermined path.

A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly, an end effector, a firing rod disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, a drive motor coupled to the firing rod, a sensor, and a controller. The end effector includes a first and second jaw member moveable relative to one another. The first jaw member includes a surgical fastener and the second jaw member includes an anvil. The drive motor is configured to advance the firing rod to cause the first and second jaw members to clamp tissue and to eject a surgical fastener. The surgical stapler includes a sensor that is configured measure a clamping force exerted on tissue by the first and second jaw members. The controller control a speed of the drive motor based on the measured clamping force.

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a closure member mechanically coupled to the anvil, an electric motor mechanically coupled to the closure member, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the motor controller. The control circuit is configured to monitor a first predefined event, monitor a second predefined event, provide a stop signal to the motor controller to stop a closing motion of at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of the first predefined event, and provide a start signal to the motor controller to start the closing motion of the at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of a second predefined event.

Systems, devices, and methods for determining a distance between a distal end of an endoscope and a target during an endoscopic procedure are disclosed. A surgical laser feedback control system comprises a feedback analyzer and a controller. The feedback analyzer can receive at least two reflected signals from a target in response to electromagnetic radiation directed at the target. The at least two reflected signals correspond to respective different distances between a distal end of a device of a surgical laser system and the target. The feedback analyzer can determine a distance between the distal end of the device of the surgical laser system and the target based on the at least two reflected signals. The controller can generate a control signal to the surgical laser system to perform a predetermined operation based on the determined distance.

A medical instrument has an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The medical instrument also has an anvil mechanically coupled to the elongated channel, wherein the anvil comprises an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end. In addition, the medical instrument has at least one electrical circuit at least partially positioned on the exterior surface of the anvil, an indicator system comprising at least one indicator, and a logic circuit electrically in electrical communication with the at least one electrical circuit and the indicator system, wherein the logic circuit is configured to activate the at least one indicator when an electrical continuity of the at least one electrical circuit is interrupted.