A surgical device comprises a tube including a proximal segment and a distal segment and a plurality of force transmission elements coupled to the tube. The force transmission elements are actuatable to alter the distal segment of the tube between a flexible state and a stiffened state. The device also comprises a plurality of routing members. Each routing member is coupled to a wall of the tube. The routing members are configured to receive and route the force transmission elements along a length of the tube while permitting the length of the tube to flex and compress. The device also comprises a decoupling structure that generates a reduced force transmitted to the proximal segment when an applied force is applied to the distal segment by the force transmission elements.

In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a staple cartridge and a datum portion positioned proximal to the staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and an articulation joint configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft. In addition, the surgical instrument can further comprise a firing member configured to deploy a plurality of staples from the staple cartridge and a drive assembly including a drive member configured to move the firing member. The drive assembly may also include a stop configured to engage the datum portion to limit the movement of the drive member after the plurality of staples are fired.

A steerable guidewire. The steerable guidewire is fabricated includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a hub, and a distal articulating region. The steerable guidewire hub can be removed to permit advancement of catheters over its proximal end followed by re-attachment of the hub to permit deflection of the distal end of the steerable guidewire.

Disclosed is a flexible surgical instrument system (100), comprising a flexible surgical instrument (10) composed of a distal structural body (11), a proximal structural body (12), a driving transmission mechanism (13) and a middle connecting body (14), wherein a surgical end effector (111) is located at a distal end of the distal structural body (11), a proximal end of the distal structural body (11) is linked to the middle connecting body (14), and the driving transmission mechanism (13) is linked to the proximal structural body (12) via the middle connecting body (14); the distal structural body (11) comprises at least one distal structural segment (112, 113), wherein each distal structural segment (112, 113) comprises a distal fixing disk (115, 118) and structural backbones (116, 119); the proximal structural body (12) comprises at least one proximal structural segment (120, 121), wherein each proximal structural segment (120, 121) comprises a proximal fixing disk (122, 126), structural backbones (124, 128), and driving backbones (125, 129); and the driving transmission mechanism (13) comprises an introducing part, a driving part, and a reversing part.

A method for treating back pain in a patient in need of such treatment is provided. The method includes positioning a balloon catheter in or adjacent to a treatment zone containing a basivertebral nerve. A chemical denervation agent is administered with the balloon catheter such that the chemical denervation agent chemically ablates at least a portion of the basivertebral nerve. Kits, systems and methods are disclosed.

A medical device includes a steering element defining a passage for a guide wire. A fluid injection tube defining a proximal and a distal end is also included, wherein a portion of the fluid injection tube is contoured about a portion of the steering element. A plurality of injection ports may be disposed in the portion of the fluid injection tube contoured about the steering element.

An elongate access sheath comprises a proximal portion and a lumen. The proximal portion supports a control handle, a brake pad, a tension gear, and a locking trigger. A deflector filament extends through the lumen and is coupled to the tension gear. The tension gear includes an outside and an inner engagement portion. The brake pad comprises a slot and an outside engagement portion. The locking trigger includes a pin disposed within the brake pad slot. The control handle includes a lever and an engagement portion. Upward movement of the lever engages the engagement portion with the outside engagement portion of the tension gear to rotate the tension gear in a first direction and slides the deflector filament to bend the lumen distal portion. Translation of the locking trigger engages the brake pad and the tension gear to prevent rotation of the tension gear in an opposite second direction.

An electrosurgical device (10) operable to deliver microwave energy to cause targeted tissue ablation is provided. The electrosurgical device (10) comprises an antenna (26), a reflector (30), and a dielectric material (34) disposed therebetween. The selection of the dielectric material (30) and the relative positioning of the antenna (26) and the reflector (30) provide impedance matching between the antenna (26) and a transmission line (12) so as to minimize heating along the length of the device (10) during use.

A medical system may include an insertion device having a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle of the insertion device, and a port positioned on the handle of the insertion device. The port may be in fluid communication with a working channel of the shaft. The port may be a female luer port. The medical system may further include a medical device having a control member terminating in an end effector, a handle having a plurality of circumferential slots along the length of the handle, and a plunger moveable along a longitudinal axis of the handle of the medical device between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the end effector may be positioned within the shaft, and in the second position, the end effector may be positioned distally of the shaft.

A method for treating back pain in a patient in need of such treatment is provided. The method includes positioning a balloon catheter in or adjacent to a treatment zone containing a basivertebral nerve. A chemical denervation agent is administered with the balloon catheter such that the chemical denervation agent chemically ablates at least a portion of the basivertebral nerve, Kits, systems and methods are disclosed.