A method can include inserting a first device into a body lumen having a bend, sliding a first sheath having a first sheath diameter over first device, sliding a second sheath having a second sheath diameter larger than the first sheath diameter over the first device, and navigating the first device through and beyond the bend. The method can also include at least partially straightening the first device to at least partially straighten the bend, removing the first device and the first sheath from the body lumen, leaving the second sheath in place within the at least partially straightened bend, and introducing a second device into the second sheath to navigate the second device through the at least partially straightened bend to an opening of the second sheath.

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The articulation drive assembly is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing, a static member, and an indication feature. The rotatable housing is rotatably coupled to the body. The static member is fixed relative to the body. The indication feature is configured to indicate when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated configuration. The indication feature includes a ridge and a cantilever arm. The ridge extends from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing. The cantilever arm defines a slot configured to house the ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated configuration.

Disclosed is an instrument that may an interior tube and an external tube. The exterior tube may be fixed relative to an interior tube, where the interior tube may rotate or oscillate relative to the exterior tube. Further, the two tubes may be co-bent such that an angle is formed by both of the tubes.

The disclosure provides a surgical apparatus comprising: a steerable member that is bendable and comprises a plurality of bending segments with channels therein; and a plurality of bending actuation wires that are arranged to pass through the steerable member and cause the steerable member to bend, the steerable member comprising at least one outwardly opening lumen through which the bending actuation wires pass.

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 surgical system comprising a steering tool and a powered tool. The steering tool includes a shaft defining a bore with a bendable section, an inelastic cable, and an elastic cable. The elastic cable may be arcuately spaced from the inelastic cable. The powered tool comprising a tube assembly with a tube flexible section, a working head, and a motor. The tube assembly is configured to be removably disposed through the shaft such that the tube flexible section is seated within the bore of the bendable section of the steering tool. The elastic cable is configured to be placed in tension, and the inelastic cable causes the shaft bendable section and the tube flexible section to bend towards the inelastic cable while the inelastic cable and the elastic cable remaining in tension to resist radial loading on the working head. Methods for using the surgical system are also disclosed.

A guide wire of the present disclosure includes a core shaft having a distal end portion reducing in diameter, a coil body wound to cover the distal end portion, and a distal end fixing portion fixing the core shaft and the coil body to each other. The distal end portion includes a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion, and a tapered portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The core shaft and the coil body are fixed at a portion excluding the tapered portion. A first bending rigidity FR1 of the large diameter portion, a second bending rigidity FR2 of the small diameter portion, and a length L of the tapered portion satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2). In the following expressions (1) and (2), the unit of L is mm (millimeter).
FR1/FR2≥10  (1)
1≤L≤3  (2)

The subject invention pertains to percutaneous surgical device with variable stiffness for percutaneous procedures, including but not limited to pericardiocentesis, and flexible neurosurgical devices for procedures, including but not limited to intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation and third ventriculostomy and brain tumor biopsy, and methods of making and using them.

Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a tool comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion extending distally from the proximal end of the shaft, and an articulating portion extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft, and wherein the articulating portion comprises a flexible spine; wherein a plurality of articulation cables extend through the shaft from the handle to the flexible spine, such that when tension is applied to at least one of the plurality of articulation cables, the flexible spine bends; wherein a rotatable element extends through the shaft from the handle to the end effector, such that when the rotatable element is rotated, the end effector rotates; and wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the end effector, such that when the actuation element is moved, the end effector is actuated.

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.