User interface devices, systems, and methods can be used for selectively bending of, altering the bend characteristics of, and/or altering the lengths of catheter bodies, guidewires, steerable trocars, and other flexible structures inserted into a patient during use. Optionally, a housing is coupled to a proximal end of a catheter, and movement of the housing by a hand of a system user is sensed and used as a movement command for articulation of the catheter. Alternatively, a sensor can be coupled to an elongate flexible body flexing outside of the patient so as to alter bending of a catheter within the patient. Movements generated through a combination of manual manipulation and powered articulations are facilitated.

Disclosed are a flexible surgical instrument and a driving unit thereof. The flexible surgical instrument may comprise a flexible continuous body structure composed of a distal structural body, a middle connecting body and a proximal structural body linked in sequence. The driving unit is linked to the flexible continuous body structure. When a structural backbone driving mechanism in the driving unit drives the proximal structural body to turn in any direction, the distal structural body correspondingly turns in the opposite direction. A surgical end effector driving mechanism in the driving unit can drive a surgical end effector linked to the distal end of the distal structural body to implement the action control of the surgical end effector.

Apparatus and methods for internal surgical procedures are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may involve supporting internal body locations, creating submucosal separations (blebs), and/or for resecting mucosal tissue separated from underlying tissue by a bleb.

A surgical system and method for manipulating tissue. A steerable assembly comprises a steerable instrument and a deformable conduit. The steerable instrument comprises a control element and a deflectable portion operatively connected to the control element. The steerable assembly is directed through an access cannula such that at least a portion of the steerable assembly protrudes from the distal end of the access cannula. The steerable instrument is actuated to move a deflectable portion of the steerable instrument and a distal portion of the deformable conduit away from the longitudinal axis of the access cannula so that the deformable conduit assumes a deformed position. The steerable instrument is retracted from the deformable conduit.

An apparatus comprises a body assembly and a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The apparatus further comprises an acoustic waveguide and an articulation section coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses a flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section further comprises first member and a second member that is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The apparatus further comprises an end effector including an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. A distal portion the ultrasonic blade is disposed in a first direction away from the longitudinal axis at a bend angle. The end effector also includes a clamp arm that is coupled with the first member and the second member, and an articulation drive assembly operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis in the first direction.

A device for repair of a heart valve leaflet includes an elongated catheter assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tip at the distal end of the catheter assembly. A capture mechanism having a first free end and a second free end is rotatably coupled to a distal end of the tip. A plication mechanism has an open configuration and a closed configuration, and extends between the first free end and the second free end of the capture mechanism when in the open configuration. The device may also include a clip housing at a proximal end of the tip configured to hold a clip therein.

A medical device includes a handle; flexible tubing extending from the handle and having a proximal end fixed to the handle; flexible tip attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing; a tip actuator assembly adjusting the bending plane of the tip relative to the distal end and adjusting the degree of bending of the tip in the bending plane; user operable controls on the handle and moveable in a first, rotational direction relative to the handle and to a tip actuator assembly around an axis causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust the bending plane of the tip substantially and moveable relative to the handle and the tip actuator assembly along a second, substantially linear direction towards and away from the proximal end of the flexible tubing, causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust bending of the tip in the bending plane without adjusting the bending plane.

This document relates to devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions. For example, this document provides devices and methods for treating heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including diastolic heart failure, by performing a pericardial modification procedure.

The present invention relates to a catheter for treating ectopic pregnancy, of which one end is inserted into the fallopian tube through the vaginal cavity, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the body, wherein the catheter comprises: at least one passage portion forming a liquid passage entering through the one end or the other end; a penetrative portion connected to the one end, and including a foremost end for penetrating the gestational sac; and a connecting portion connected to the other end, and capable of being coupled to at least one syringe tool for injecting or suctioning the liquid. Accordingly, side effects from open surgery can be prevented, and excellent treatment effects can be obtained by more safely and quickly treating ectopic pregnancy.

A wire driver for driving a wire or pin into living tissue. A plural bar linkage that includes a lever is actuated to drive the components that selectively grasp the wire from a release state to a grasping state.