A trocar adapted for insertion through a fascia layer of an abdominal wall, comprising a proximal end configured for handling by a user; a distal end configured for insertion into tissue; and a shaft extending in between the proximal end and distal end, wherein the shaft comprises a narrow portion proximal to the distal end, the narrow portion defining at least one recess shaped and sized to receive fascia tissue, the recess ending, at a distal end, with a generally proximally facing surface of the shaft configured directly below the narrow portion, the proximally facing surface and the narrow portion shaped and sized to stabilize the trocar in the abdominal wall by the fascia. In some embodiments, a trocar and external cannula assembly are provided. In some embodiments, the trocar and/or trocar and external cannula assembly are configured for deployment of one or more anchors and/or sutures in the tissue.

A memory metal optical fiber puncture needle tubing includes an optical fiber, a body tube, a metal casing and a split-shaped needle. The optical fiber has a body portion and a head portion. The head portion has a cylindrical head portion and a tapered head portion. The body tube surrounds the body portion. The metal casing is wrapped around the cylindrical head portion. The split-shaped needle is made of memory metal surrounding a periphery of the tapered head portion. The split-shaped needle has a plurality of tapered petals. When a temperature of the split-shaped needle is T0, the tapered petals are in a closed state such that the split-shaped needle is conical. When the temperature of the split-shaped needle is T1, the tapered petals are in an opened state such that the tapered head portion of the optical fiber is exposed.

A trocar sleeve for minimally invasive surgery, having a first sleeve part, which has essentially the shape of a straight tubular piece with a longitudinal axis, and having a second sleeve part, which at least partly surrounds the first sleeve part in close contiguity and is movable during use with respect to the first sleeve part. The mobility of the second sleeve part in relation to the first sleeve part consists essentially only in rotatability of the second sleeve part around the first sleeve part, and in addition the first sleeve part and the second sleeve part each comprise on their distal axial ends a flange part that extends radially outward at an angle of less than 180 degrees from the respective sleeve part.

A dilator that facilitates implantation of an interspinous spacer is provided. The dilator includes a proximal portion and a tapered distal portion interconnected by an elongated body portion. The tapered distal portion is ideally suited for splitting ligamentous tissue for creating a posterior midline pathway through the supraspinous ligament as well as for distracting the adjacent spinous processes. Two oppositely located and longitudinally extending channels or grooves are formed in the outer surface of the dilator for stabilizing the dilator with respect to the spinous processes. An accompanying cannula together with the dilator form a system for the distraction of the adjacent spinous processes, stabilization of the spinous processes with respect to the system and creation of a working channel for the implantation of an interspinous spacer.

A seal assembly including a septum seal, a lower seal support, an upper seal support and a return spring is disclosed. The septum seal includes an orifice and a plurality of apertures. The lower seal support includes an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of the septum seal. The upper seal support includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture of the septum seal. The return spring includes a collar portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the collar portion. At least a portion of the return spring may be sandwiched between the lower seal support and the upper seal support. The plurality of spokes is configured to bias the seal assembly toward a radial center of a housing.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle assembly, a stylet assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly or stylet assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly or stylet assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

Example embodiments relate to robotic arm assemblies. The robotic arm assembly includes forearm and upper arm segments. Upper arm segment includes distal motor. Robotic arm assembly includes elbow coupling joint assembly connecting distal end of upper arm segment to proximal end of forearm segment via a serial arrangement of proximal and distal elbow joints. Proximal elbow joint is located between upper arm segment and distal elbow joint. Distal elbow joint is located between proximal elbow joint and forearm segment. Proximal elbow joint forms proximal main elbow axis. Distal elbow joint forms distal main elbow axis. Elbow coupling joint assembly includes distal elbow joint subassembly connected to forearm segment. Elbow coupling joint assembly includes proximal elbow joint subassembly connecting upper arm segment to distal elbow joint subassembly. Proximal elbow joint subassembly is configured to be driven to rotate forearm segment relative to proximal main elbow axis.

The invention is directed to a bladeless trocar obturator to separate or divaricate body tissue during insertion through a body wall. In one aspect, the obturator of the invention comprises a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end; and a bladeless tip disposed at the distal end of the shaft and having a generally tapered configuration with an outer surface, the outer surface extending distally to a blunt point with a pair of side sections having a common shape and being separated by at least one intermediate section, wherein each of the side sections extends from the blunt point radially outwardly with progressive positions proximally along the axis, and the shaft is sized and configured to receive an optical instrument having a distal end to receive an image of the body tissue. With this aspect, the tapered configuration facilitates separation of different layers of the body tissue and provides proper alignment of the tip between the layers. The side sections include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the side sections being twisted radially with respect to the proximal portion of the side sections. The intermediate section includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a first radial direction and the proximal portion of the intermediate section being twisted in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

A guide catheter for use in treating sinuses, the catheter including a catheter shaft configured to provide suction about a balloon catheter and a distal portion shaped for navigating body anatomy. In one embodiment, the guide catheter includes a valve for sealing the balloon catheter and a vent for controlling suction.

Example embodiments relate to robotic arm assemblies. The robotic arm assembly may include upper arm segment and shoulder coupling joint assembly. Upper arm segment includes a motor. Shoulder coupling joint assembly connects upper arm segment to shoulder segment. Shoulder coupling joint assembly includes distal and proximal shoulder joint subassemblies. Distal shoulder joint subassembly is connected to the upper arm segment. Distal shoulder joint subassembly includes gear train system having gear stages including first distal elbow gear stage and second distal elbow gear stage. First distal elbow gear stage includes bevel gears. Second distal elbow gear stage includes a planetary gear assembly. Proximal shoulder joint subassembly connects the shoulder segment to the distal shoulder joint subassembly.