A surgical sheath for use in endoscopic trans-nasal or intra-ocular surgery is made of a braid material. The sheath may be manufactured by placing a length of braided tube material over a mandrel. The braid material is conformed to the shape of the mandrel and is then heat set. An atraumatic end may be made by folding or rolling one or both ends of the sheath. A coating may also optionally be applied to the braid material. The sheath reduces collateral trauma to the tissues in the surgical pathway.

A tissue treatment system for diagnosing and/or treating gastrointestinal conditions is described where an endoscopic capsule sized for passage through an intestinal tract is used with a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly defines a region for maintaining a position of the endoscopic capsule and the endoscopic capsule comprises at least one actuator which can be activated for enhancing visualization within the intestinal tract.

A tissue treatment system for diagnosing and/or treating gastrointestinal conditions is described where an endoscopic capsule sized for passage through an intestinal tract is used with a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly defines a region for maintaining a position of the endoscopic capsule and the endoscopic capsule comprises at least one actuator which can be activated for enhancing visualization within the intestinal tract.

An access device for a minimally invasive procedure can include a port body defining an instrument channel for a medical instrument, a radial extension extending at least partially outward from the body in a radial direction. The radial extension can extend from a distal end of the port body. The radial extension can define an imaging device cavity defined therein spaced from the port body and opening distally from the radial extension. The imaging device cavity can be configured to receive an imaging device therein for providing images within a field of view that is at least partially distal of the port body.

An access device for a minimally invasive procedure can include a port body defining an instrument channel for a medical instrument, a radial extension extending at least partially outward from the body in a radial direction. The radial extension can extend from a distal end of the port body. The radial extension can define an imaging device cavity defined therein spaced from the port body and opening distally from the radial extension. The imaging device cavity can be configured to receive an imaging device therein for providing images within a field of view that is at least partially distal of the port body.

A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.

A method for providing an endoscopic port includes inserting a distal portion of an expandable member into soft tissue in a patient's body. The distal portion of the expandable member is inflated to form a passageway in the soft tissue. A rigid tube member is delivered into the passageway formed by the expandable member through the inside of the inflatable member. A port is established between a proximal opening in the rigid tube member and a distal opening in the rigid tube member.

A device for use in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The device includes an elongated tube-shaped element that includes a forward end and an aft end. The aft end provides access to the interior of the tube-shaped element. The tube-shaped element extends along a longitudinal axis L and includes at least one opening formed between the forward and aft end. The device includes an anal mucosa support device removably arranged within the tube shape element. The support device includes at least two cavities to receive anal mucosa. At least one needle guide structure is formed in the elongated tube-shaped element and the anal mucosa support device such that at least one needle is capable of being guided during movement within the tube-shaped element across the at least two cavities in the anal mucosa support device to a position where the needle extends across the opening in the tube-shaped element.

A device for use in the treatment of hemorrhoids. The device includes an elongated tube-shaped element that includes a forward end and an aft end. The aft end provides access to the interior of the tube-shaped element. The tube-shaped element extends along a longitudinal axis L and includes at least one opening formed between the forward and aft end. The device includes an anal mucosa support device removably arranged within the tube shape element. The support device includes at least two cavities to receive anal mucosa. At least one needle guide structure is formed in the elongated tube-shaped element and the anal mucosa support device such that at least one needle is capable of being guided during movement within the tube-shaped element across the at least two cavities in the anal mucosa support device to a position where the needle extends across the opening in the tube-shaped element.

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.