Catheters with weeping balloons can be used for various medical purposes. For example, in some embodiments provided herein weeping balloons are used for catheter visualization devices. In some embodiments, weeping balloons are used to deliver therapeutic agents. Weeping balloons can include openings of a selected size and shape through which a fluid gradually flows or “weeps.” The design of the openings can affect performance characteristics such as, but not limited to, fluid flow rate, tear resistance, and mitigation of counter-flow.

The invention is devices and methods to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms infections (LUTS). The devices are intra-urethral implants placed in a patient in need thereof by minimally invasive procedures, preferably under local anesthesia in an office environment. The devices are sized and designed for atraumatic insertion and expansion within the urethra to engage and retract enlarged prostatic tissue proximate to the urethra that is leading to adverse symptoms associated with BPH. The methods include steps to deploy the implant devices of the invention using a delivery system of the invention and at target prostatic tissue that is visualized during the procedure and yields a reduction in the symptoms of BPH.

A device sized and shaped for insertion into a body comprising: at least one mechanical limb comprising: a support segment; a first flexible section extending from the support segment and terminating in a coupling section; and a second flexible section extending from the coupling section and terminating in a tool or a connector for a tool; wherein a long axis of one or more of the flexible sections is bendable in a single bending plane; wherein a long axis length of the first flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the first flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis; wherein a long axis length of the second flexible section is at least double a maximum extent of the second flexible section perpendicular to a flexible section long axis.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an axial location feature. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm that can move between an open and closed position. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, an acoustic waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade, a distal shaft portion extending along a distal axis, and an articulation section interposed between the proximal shaft portion and the distal shaft portion. The articulation section can deflect the distal shaft portion and the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis between a non-deflected position and a deflected position. The axial location feature can inhibit the ultrasonic blade from shifting relative to the clamp arm along the distal axis as the end effector is driven between the non-deflected position and the deflected position.

A driver module for actuating a tendon, the driver module comprising: a slider comprising a base portion, a tendon receiving portion and a body portion, the tendon receiving portion being spaced apart from the base portion and the body portion extends from the base portion to the tendon receiving portion, the module further comprising a slider receiving portion having a first end and a second end and engageable with the base portion of the slider such that the slider is moveably attachable to the slider receiving portion.

Methods are disclosed for dissecting a mucosa and a submucosa from a muscularis propria from a region of an organ of a subject, wherein the organ is not the esophagus. In some embodiments, the organ is in the gastrointestinal tract. These methods include injecting submucosally into the organ of the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel to form a cushion between the submucosa and the underlying muscularis propria at the region of the organ, wherein the ECM hydrogel has the following characteristics: a) a time to 50% gelation of less than 30 minutes at a temperature of about 37° C.; b) a flow viscosity suitable for infusion into the organ; and c) a stiffness of about 10 to about 400 Pascal (Pa).

Endoscopic tools or instruments having one or more side-deployable snare loop tools are provided. Loop wire tools connected by cables to proximal controlling handles are introduced though side openings in the tools which are located proximal to the distal end of the tools which may also include a soft, blunt tip designed to rest against a body cavity wall for stability. Side introduction of the wire loop tools into a human cavity allows for angulation and positioning favorable to perform endoscopic intervention, particularly when dealing with elongated foreign bodies or impacted food in the esophagus.

A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector.

A surgical controlling system, comprising: at least one surgical tool configured to be inserted into a surgical environment of a human body; at least one location estimating means configured for real-time localization of the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; at least one movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database; said controller's database is in communication with said movement detection means; and at least one display configured to real time provide an image of at least a portion of said surgical environment; wherein said controller is configured to direct said surgical tool to said location via said instructions provided by said controller; further wherein said location is real time updated on said display as said at least one surgical tool is moved.

A method facilitates the treatment of the spine of a patient by providing simultaneous access through at least a first opening and a second opening formed in the patient. For example, the method can include the acts of positioning the patient on a surgical table, providing the first opening into a posterior portion of the patient, providing the second opening into a lateral portion of the patient, inserting a first device through the first opening into the patient to contact the spine in a first direction that is transverse to the coronal plane of the patient, and inserting a second device through the second opening into the patient to contact the spine in a second direction that is transverse to the sagittal plane of the patient, where the first and second openings are accessible simultaneously, and, when the first and second devises are inserted into the patient, the position of the patient is stationary with respect to a portion of the table.