A medical overtube device has a main body formed by articulating a plurality of nested units into a first group of nested units and a second group of nested units and is bendable in a longitudinal direction thereof; a first shape-fixation mechanism configured to fix a shape of the first group which has a first wire, both end of the first wire coupled to the first group of nested units and a first pulley configured to be wound by the first wire; and a second shape-fixation mechanism configured to fix a shape of the second group which has a second wire, both end of the second wire coupled to the second group of nested units; and a second pulley configured to be wound by the second wire, wherein the first shape-fixation mechanism is configured to release the fixed shape of the first group independently from the second shape-fixation mechanism.

A device for treating tissue may include a tissue expander configured to be inserted into a body lumen and stretch tissue surrounding the body lumen, and a tool configured to be coupled to the tissue expander and move along a path defined by the tissue expander.

Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

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.

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.

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.

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

A device includes including an elongated hollow member with a window for receiving tissue in an interior of the hollow member; a rigid member slidably coupled to the hollow member; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the rigid member longitudinally along a longitudinal axis through at least part of the window. When a ligation band is adjacent to the window and the rigid member is moved relative to the hollow member, the rigid member deforms the ligation band from an open position into a closed position around tissue received in the window.

A device includes a balloon configured for inflation with a light-diffusing fluid and configured, upon inflation, to expand a body lumen within which it is positioned and a flexible light-emitting device attached to the balloon having a light-emitting side facing radially inward toward the fluid so that, during a medical procedure, light emitted from the light-emitting side is diffused by the fluid and illuminates a treatment area within the body lumen proximal to the balloon.

Example embodiments relate to surgical systems. The system includes an end-effector assembly having an instrument. The system includes a first arm assembly. A distal end of first arm assembly is securable to the end-effector assembly. The system includes an elbow joint assembly. A distal end of elbow joint assembly is secured to a proximal end of first arm assembly. A proximal end of elbow joint assembly is secured to a distal end of second arm assembly. The second arm assembly includes a first elbow drive assembly. The first elbow drive assembly includes an integrated motor for driving the elbow joint assembly to pivotally move the first arm assembly relative to an axis. The second arm assembly also includes a second elbow drive assembly. The second elbow drive assembly includes an integrated motor for driving the elbow joint assembly to pivotally move the first arm assembly relative to another axis.