A neurovascular access catheter can comprise an elongate, flexible tubular body. The tubular body can comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a side wall at least partially defining a central lumen. The central lumen can extend axially through the side wall. The tubular body can include a distal microcatheter segment that extends proximally from the distal end. The tubular body can include a proximal shaft that extends distally from the proximal end. The tubular body can include a tapered dilator segment being positioned in between the distal microcatheter segment and the proximal shaft segment.

An instrument having a flexible and elongated body includes at least a lumen and a flex member disposed within the lumen. The flex member may be capable of providing steering control to a first portion of the elongate body while providing load bearing support to a second portion of the elongate body. A pull wire may be disposed within the flex member, and at least a distal portion of the pull wire may be coupled to the elongate body and a proximal portion of the pull wire may be operatively coupled to a control unit. The control unit may be coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate body. In addition, a control member may be operatively coupled to the control unit such that a distal portion of the control member may be positioned near a proximal portion of the flex member. The control member may be configured to support the flex member and control the movement or displacement of the flex member. Furthermore, the flex member may be configured to selectively decouple articulation or steering forces of a first portion of the elongate body away from a second portion of the elongate body; thereby, preventing compression of the second portion of the elongate body while maintaining elasticity or flexibility of the second portion of the elongate body.

A surgical stapling system for treating tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical stapling system comprises an end effector, a firing member, a motor, a RF transceiver configured to transmit RF signals, and a sensing array. The end effector comprises an elongate channel, an anvil rotatable relative to the elongate channel from an open position toward a closed position, and a staple cartridge removably positioned in the elongate channel. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein. The firing member is movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The staples are deployed from the staple cartridge based on the firing member being moved toward the fired position. The motor is configured to drive the firing member toward the fired position. The sensing array is configured to sense compression of the tissue, properties of the tissue, and a presence of metallic elements within the tissue.

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 steerable instrument has an actuator at a proximal side and a bendable zone at a distal side. The actuator controls bending of the flexible zone by means of one or more longitudinal elements. The instrument has a first cylindrical element, a second cylindrical element and a third cylindrical element. The second cylindrical element has a zone with a longitudinal element portion with a first height in a radial direction of the instrument. Radial spacers are located at mutual sides of the longitudinal element portion, which have, at least locally, a second height in the radial direction larger than the first height.

The present disclosure relates to the field of delivery systems for precise navigation within and through body passages. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to delivery systems for accurate positioning and release of elements within tortuous, narrow and/or fragile passages. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a delivery system that includes a distal coil with sufficient flexibility to navigate through tortuous body passages, and which allows for controlled stretch when bent.

A coil structure used in an endoscope includes a coil tube formed by densely winding a wire rod, both ends of the coil tube being fixed, a first contact surface formed on one surface of the wire rod on a distal end side, and a second contact surface formed on the other surface of the wire rod on a proximal end side, the first contact surface coming into contact with the second contact surface. The first contact surface is formed as a convex curved surface arcuate in cross section, a curvature center of which is located further on an inner side than an outer circumferential portion of the coil tube. For the convex curved surface, a curvature radius larger than a radius of the coil tube and smaller than a curvature radius during maximum bending of an insertion section is set.

A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

A medical insertion device includes an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having flexibility sufficient for insertion through a working channel of an endoscope along a tortuous path. The elongated shaft includes a coil extending from the proximal end to the distal end and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a braided portion extending around a portion of the coil, the braided portion including a plurality of lines wound together such that first and second ones of the lines intersect to enclose a predetermined angle therebetween, the angle being between 25 and 55 degrees.

A guidewire including a thin elongated structure and an outer shell around at least a portion of the thin elongated structure. The outer shell includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion of the outer shell are each coupled to the thin elongated structure. The first portion is spaced from the second portion by a gap. The guidewire is configured to move between a flexible state and a rigid state. The gap has a first distance when the guidewire is in the flexible state and the gap has a second distance greater than the first distance when the guidewire is in the rigid state.