A flexible continuum structure capable of realizing a posture feedback is provided. The flexible continuum structure can comprise a flexible continuum structure body and a posture feedback mechanism. The flexible continuum structure body can comprise a distal structural body, a proximal structural body and a middle connecting body. The distal structural body can comprise distal spacing disks, a distal fixation disk and distal structural backbones. The proximal structural body can comprise proximal spacing disks, a proximal fixation disk and proximal structural backbones. The middle connecting body can comprise a proximal guide channel fixing plate, a distal guide channel fixing plate and a structural backbone guide channel. One end of the structural backbone is connected to the proximal fixation disk, and the other end passes through the proximal spacing disks, the structural backbone guide channel and the distal spacing disks and is then securely connected to the distal fixation disk.

A deflectable medical device (1) includes a shape memory alloy wire (15) integrated into a flexible elongated body (11). The shape memory alloy wire (15) is arranged to shorten upon receiving energy from an energy supply (2,4), thereby deflecting the medical device (1). A rod (18) positioned in a lumen (14) of the flexible elongated body (11) and compressed between a fixture (16) in the proximal end (12) of the elongated body (11) and the distal end (13) of the elongated body (11) is responsible for the shape memory alloy wire (15) recovering its initial length upon discontinuation of energy supply.

An end effector for use with a surgical stapler is disclosed, the end effector comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities comprise a first annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis and a second annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis. The end effector further comprises staples removably stored in the staple cavities and a ramp rotatable about the longitudinal axis to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cavities. The end effector further comprises a cutting member which is deployed after the staples are ejected from the staple cavities.

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.

The invention relates to a transcatheter heart valve replacement (A61F2/2412), and in particular Compression Capable Annular Frames for a side delivered transcatheter prosthetic heart valve having a annular support frame having compressible wire cells that facilitate rolling and folding the valve length-wise, or orthogonally to the central axis of the flow control component, allowing a very large diameter valve to be delivered and deployed to the tricuspid valve from the inferior vena cava or superior vena cava, or trans-atrially to the mitral valve, the valve having a height of about 5-60 mm and a diameter of about 25-80 mm, without requiring an oversized diameter catheter and without requiring delivery and deployment from a catheter at an acute angle of approach.

An end effector for use with a surgical stapler is disclosed, the end effector comprises a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities comprise a first annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis and a second annular row of staple cavities extending around the longitudinal axis. The end effector further comprises staples removably stored in the staple cavities and a ramp rotatable about the longitudinal axis to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cavities.

Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

A joint assembly including first and second supports, a spring cage, first and second drive shafts, and first and second cables. The spring cage having a first end fixed to the first support and a second end fixed to the second support and defining a spring channel between the first and second supports. The first drive shaft rotatably disposed along a first longitudinal axis defined by the first support and the second drive shaft rotatably disposed along a second longitudinal axis defined by the second support. The first and second cables extending through the first support and having an end secured to the second support. The first and second cables translatable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis to articulated the second support relative to the first support such that the second longitudinal axis is disposed at a total joint angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.

Methods for performing certain medical procedures wherein a steerable endoluminal punch is used to not only gain access but to create a channel or punch through tissue, thus facilitating follow-up therapeutic procedures. The distal end of the steerable endoluminal punch is controllably articulated by the operator using a control device at the proximal end.

Surgical instruments having articulating portions or joints are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument can include a distal end effector, a proximal actuating portion, and an articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can include an inner component formed of a first material and an outer component formed of a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is higher than a modulus of elasticity of the second material. Such an instrument can be less complex and less expensive than known articulation mechanisms while providing similar capabilities.