A guard for a tool. The tool is actuatable by a surgical device and has an elongated member and an energy applicator disposed at a distal end of the elongated member. The guard may have a monolithic body including a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The proximal end connects to the surgical device. The body further has an interior surface defining a bore extending between the proximal and distal end and the bore adapted to receive the elongated member therethrough and an exterior surface extending between the proximal and distal end and encompassing the interior surface between the proximal and distal end. The body has at least one thermal mitigation channel located between the interior and exterior surfaces and opening through at least one port in the exterior surface.

A steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type of applications includes an elongated tubular body and at least one actuation means at a proximal side of the steerable instrument and at least one bendable zone at a distal side of the steerable instrument, the at least one actuation means being arranged to control bending of the at least one bendable zone by means of longitudinal elements. The instrument further includes first, second and third cylindrical elements; at least one tangential spacer; and at least one lip shaped portion formed on at least one of the first cylindrical element or the third cylindrical element.

A slip ring assembly is used with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a slip ring, a first conductor mounted on the slip ring, a commutator rotatable relative to the slip ring, and a second conductor mounted on the commutator. The slip ring assembly further includes a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator. The flexible member comprises a body and flexible protrusions extending from the body, wherein the flexible protrusions are elastically deformed against the first slip ring.

A surgery supporting apparatus is capable of controlling a posture of a surgical instrument that is inserted into a body cavity and mechanically drivable. The apparatus includes a robot arm that can control the posture of the surgical instrument, which is attached to the robot arm via a gimbal mechanism.

A low profile surgical system includes a movable cart assembly, an endoscope, and a surgical instrument. The movable cart assembly includes a fluid source and a receptacle assembly that are in fluid communication with one another. The endoscope is operably coupled to the cart assembly and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The surgical instrument is operably coupled to the cart assembly. The surgical instrument and the endoscope are configured to dispense outflow fluid into the receptacle assembly.

A control system for a surgical instrument for use with a surgical system. The surgical system includes a first device and a second device, which can include a surgical hub, a visualization system, or a robotic system. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The control circuit is configured to receive data from RFID tags associated with the devices, determine a communication protocol for communicating with the devices, and accordingly cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determined communication protocol to establish a communication link between the surgical instrument and the devices.

Drainage device for draining a biological fluid from an eye to a tissue external to the eye, as well as methods of forming the drainage device and treating glaucoma using the drainage device, are disclosed. The drainage device is implantable at least in part within a tissue of the eye and includes a collapsible body portion defining a reservoir, and a conduit having a first end fluidly coupled with the reservoir and a second end insertable into the eye to facilitate a drainage of the biological fluid into the conduit. When collapsed, the body portion includes a deformation from a first planar state to a second nonplanar state, where the second nonplanar state may be a folded, deformed, bent, or crumpled state.

The present invention describes systems and methods for treating mitral valve regurgitation. The treatment includes a systems and method of modifying the mitral valve by attaching a device to each leaflet and pulling them toward each other to stop mitral valve regurgitation.

A tissue displacing and fastening device is provided for manipulating and fastening tissue together. The device includes a tissue displacing elements, which displaces tissue. A fold is formed from the displaced tissue and the tissue is fastened together to secure the fold.

The invention features a glenoid (shoulder socket) implant prosthesis, a humeral implant prosthesis, devices for implanting glenoid and humeral implant prostheses, and less invasive methods of their use for the treatment of an injured or damaged shoulder.