A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector, a controller, a first actuator, a second actuator, and a display is disclosed. The controller comprises a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first actuator interfaces with the surgical end effector and the controller. The first actuator is configured to apply a first control motion to the surgical end effector during the first operating mode. The second actuator interfaces with the surgical end effector and the controller. The second actuator is configured to apply a second control motion to the surgical end effector during the second operating mode. The controller prevents activation of the second operating mode until the first operating mode is completed. The display interfaces with the controller to display a position of the second actuator during the second operating mode.

A first catheter has a first lumen therealong, a first-catheter proximal portion, and a steerable first-catheter distal portion that is transluminally advanceable to the heart. A second catheter has second lumen therealong, a second-catheter proximal portion, and a steerable second-catheter distal portion. The second catheter extends through the first lumen, such that the second-catheter proximal portion extends proximally out from the first-catheter proximal portion, the second-catheter distal portion extends distally out from the first-catheter distal portion, and within at least the first-catheter proximal portion, the first lumen and the second lumen are coaxial on a longitudinal axis. A first handle is coupled to the first-catheter proximal portion, and extends obliquely away from the first-catheter proximal portion at a nonzero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A second handle is coupled to the second-catheter proximal portion, and is disposed proximally from the first handle. Other embodiments are also described.

A device and method for delivering a synthetic mesh or graft for anatomical repair at a defect site. A plurality of flexible arms is connected to the synthetic mesh or graft. Grasping jaws are individually controlled at or near a proximal end of the device for connection of the graft and release of the graft at the surgical site. The flexible arms, with graft attached are positioned through a surgical incision to the defect site. An actuator positions the flexible arms to assume a radial array at the surgical site, unfolding and spreading the graft for attachment. The length of each flexible arm is individually adjustable to adapt to the size and shape of the graft selected for installation at the defect site to repair the defect.

A tool apparatus and a method for actuating a tool apparatus are disclosed. The tool apparatus includes an actuator housing, and an elongate tool manipulator extending outwardly from the actuator housing and having a plurality of control links extending along a length of the tool manipulator. The control links are operable to cause movement of a distal end of the tool manipulator in response to movement of the control links in an actuating direction generally aligned with the length of the tool manipulator. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being associated with at least one of the control links and being mounted in the actuator housing to facilitate a range of travel in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to the actuating direction, and a plurality of linkages.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a distal end and a staple cartridge assembly comprising staples removably stored therein. The instrument system further comprises a firing drive including an electric motor and a firing member operably couplable with the electric motor. The electric motor is operable to advance the firing member toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The electric motor is operable to retract the firing member away from the distal end during a retraction stroke. The surgical instrument system further comprises a manually-operated bailout mechanism operable to perform the retraction stroke in lieu of the electric motor, a controller, and a display in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to display the progress of the retraction stroke when the firing member is being manually retracted by the bailout mechanism.

Disclosed is a less or minimally invasive fixation device for fixating a feltable textile (108) at a target site that includes an elongate tubular member, a needle and a drive assembly. The elongate tubular member has a proximal end and a distal end and an interior lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The needle assembly comprises at least one felting needle, which is arranged or arrangeable at the distal end of the elongate tubular member and is movable relatively to the elongate tubular member with a reciprocal motion. The drive assembly is arranged in the interior lumen of the tubular member and operably connected to the needle assembly for moving the at least one felting needle with the reciprocal motion when the at least one needle is located at the distal end such that the feltable textile can be fixated at the target site.

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.

Described herein is an apparatus for guiding an elongated flexible instrument, the apparatus comprising a telescoping support assembly including a plurality of support members extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. Each of the support members comprises a ring having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one flange. Each flange extends from the inner surface of the ring to define a central passageway extending along the longitudinal axis and having a substantially constant width, which is configured to receive the elongated flexible instrument. The assembly is configured to selectively transition from a compressed to an expanded configuration along the longitudinal axis while each support member is interlocked with at least one other support member, and is adapted to support the elongated flexible instrument as the instrument is advanced along the longitudinal axis.

The invention relates to a multi-purpose flexible surgical instrument system including a flexible surgical instrument, which includes a flexible continuum structure and a transmission driving unit. The flexible continuum structure includes a distal structure, a proximal structure, and a connecting body; the proximal structure includes a first distal segment and a second distal segment; the transmission drive unit is coupled to the first distal segment to drive the first distal segment to perform a bending motion; the second distal segment is coupled to the proximal structure via the connecting body, and the transmission driving unit is further coupled to the proximal structure to drive the proximal structure perform a bending motion, thereby indirectly drive the second distal segment to perform a bending motion.

An apparatus, method, and system for a steerable medical device, configured to be used in conjunction with guide tools and devices in medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, cutting tools and catheters.