An access device for accessing an intervertebral disc having an outer shield comprising an access shield with a larger diameter (˜16-30 mm) that reaches from the skin down to the facet line, with an inner shield having a second smaller diameter (˜5-12 mm) extending past the access shield and reaches down to the disc level. This combines the benefits of the direct visual microsurgical/mini open approaches and the percutaneous, “ultra-MIS” techniques.

A tissue guard includes a body having a first section and a second section each defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the first section includes a plurality of resilient fingers operably coupled thereto, each of the plurality of resilient fingers including a flange biased towards the distal end of the first section. The second section includes a corresponding plurality of holes defined therein in annular row-like spatial registration with the plurality of resilient fingers. The distal end of the second section is configured to be telescopically received within the proximal end of the first section such that mechanical engagement of the plurality of fingers with a corresponding row of annular holes locks the first section relative to the second section to incrementally adjust the height of the body.

Systems comprising a needle assembly configured to be inserted and steered within the brain, body tissue, or cavity, for the purpose of performing a surgical procedure. The needle assembly comprises robotically controlled and motorized concentric cannulas. For bending, there may be provided, for example, a tensioning wire configured to bend an inner cannula, or a cannula with an adjustable natural curve. A flexible inner element passing through the bend of the inner cannula is made self-straightening to minimize susceptibility to displacement from its intended path as it is advanced through the tissue. The self-straightening inner element comprises, for example, at least one of a super-elastic tube, a shape-memory alloy tube, a slotted tube, a tightly coiled memory alloy spring, circular links held together by pulling cables preloaded by springs, and a notched inner cannula with a cable connected via a loaded spring to tension the inner cannula.

The use of stepped cannulas, wherein a step structure creates a backstop to reduce backflow along the cannula body, is known for convection enhanced delivery of agents to the brain and other structures within an animal. Described herein are novel and improved stepped cannula designs wherein the length of the cannula segment between the step and the dispensing outlet is variable and can be controllably adjusted inside the patient during delivery. This advantageously allows the operator to place the cannula step at the optimal position and deliver agents at one or more positions within the target structure.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

A surgical access device includes a cannula having a variable length. The cannula may include a shaft assembly including an outer shaft, an intermediate shaft disposed within and longitudinal slidable relative to the outer shaft, and an inner shaft disposed within and longitudinal slidable relative to the intermediate shaft. The shaft assembly is movable between an unextended position, a fully extended position, and a semi-extended position between the unextended and fully extended positions. The cannula may include a shaft having annular folds formed therein. The annular folds are axially movable relative to each other such that the shaft is longitudinally movable between an unextended position and a plurality of extended positions.

A medical device to protect a body opening, the medical device including a sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end a proximal ring attached to the proximal end of the sleeve, and a guard assembly located a distal end of the sleeve.

A medical device may include a plurality of links reciprocally movable between a loose configuration having a first rigidity and a compact configuration having a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, wherein application of a force to a distalmost link of the plurality of links when the plurality of links are in the loose configuration causes the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another, and application of the force to the distalmost link when the plurality of links are in the compact configuration does not cause the plurality of links to change orientation relative to one another.

A single-port surgical device includes a housing and one or more cannulas. The housing includes a proximal port and a distal port, the one or more cannulas include an inner cannula section and an outer cannula section, the inner cannula section is located in the housing and communicates with the distal port of the housing, the outer cannula section is located outside the proximal port of the housing, and at least a portion of the outer cannula section of at least one cannula of the one or more cannulas is deformable in a radial direction, an axial direction or the radial direction and the axial direction of the outer cannula section.

Surgical access stabilization devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein can be used during a surgical procedure to selectively establish, stabilize, and maintain a desired trajectory and/or positioning of a surgical access device. An exemplary surgical access stabilization device can include a pad with an adhesive distal facing surface to adhere to an anchor surface, a surgical access device coupled to the pad, and a locking mechanism to selectively lock a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. In one embodiment, the anchor surface can be the skin of a patient. An exemplary surgical access device stabilization method can include making an incision in a patient at a surgical site, inserting a surgical access device through the incision, adhering a pad to an anchor surface, e.g., the skin of the patient, coupling the surgical access device to the pad, and selectively locking a position of the surgical access device relative to the pad. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.