A fitting for receiving and fixing at least one sleeve for enforcing an end of a hollow organ so that said end of the hollow organ can be connected with a further end of the hollow organ, the fitting having a cylindrically shaped body, said body being configured to receive and hold two sleeves with turned-over hollow organ ends so that inner sides of the hollow organ ends make contact with one another.

A multi-segment reinforced actuator includes (a) a soft actuator body that defines a chamber and (b) a plurality of distinct reinforcement structures on or in respective segments of the soft actuator body. First and second reinforcement structures are respectively configured to produce a first and second actuation motions, respectively, in first and second segments of the soft actuator body when fluid flows into or out of the chamber. The actuation motions are selected bending, extending, expansion, contraction, twisting, and combinations thereof; and the first actuation motion differs from the second actuation motion. The actuator can be used, e.g., to facilitate bending of the thumb with corresponding bending, extending, expansion, contraction, and twisting actuation motions.

A device for suturing tissue includes a handle including a housing and a suturing needle for advancing a suture through the tissue. The device also includes a first needle gripper that is configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. A second needle gripper is also configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. An actuator is coupled to the housing and is operatively coupled to: (a) a first linkage that pivots the second gripping gripper between a fully extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing; and (b) a second linkage that is operatively coupled to the first and second needle grippers and configured to alter a state of each of the first and second needle grippers. The second linkage can include a one-way clutch.

A medical securing device for securing an object with a securing member into a tissue comprises an elongated sheath comprising proximal and distal ends, and a securing member introduction device having proximal and distal ends, said distal end being configured to extend from the sheath. The medical securing device comprises also a guiding trail. At least one point of the securing member introduction device is configured to travel along said first guiding trail and thereby control a defined movement of the distal end of said securing member introduction device when extending from the sheath and so to introduce the securing member to the object and to secure said object to the tissue with the securing member.

Diffusion and infusion resistant implantable devices and methods for reducing pulsatile pressure are provided. The implantable device includes a balloon implantable within a blood vessel of a patient, e.g., the pulmonary artery. The balloon is injected with a fluid mixture comprising a constituent fluid(s) and a diffusion-resistant gas to provide optimal balloon volume and limit fluid diffusion throughout multiple cardiac cycles. The fluid mixture may be pressurized such that the balloon is transitionable between an expanded state and a collapsed state responsive to pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel.

Catheter apparatuses and methods are provided for repairing heart valves, particularly mitral valves. The method includes providing a catheter having an elongate, flexible body, with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end can be transluminally advanced from the left atrium through the mitral valve. A distal anchor zone or portion coupled with the proximal end can extend and along the left ventricular outflow tract into the ascending aorta. A valve repair device is deployed to permanently connect leaflets at a mid-section of a mitral valve while permitting medial and lateral portions of the natural leaflets to open and close. The catheter apparatuses may be positionable using a steering device. The valve repair device detachably connects the distal and proximal ends of the catheter. The valve repair device can be detached using low profile devices actuatable from the proximal or distal ends, e.g., at a venous or arterial access site.

A swivel knuckle assembly for interconnecting a motor and a supply line. The knuckle assembly may include a bearing member to reduce a coefficient of friction. A locking mechanism is disclosed to connect members of the knuckle assembly.

A robotic surgical system includes a hydraulic drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the hydraulic drive system.

A medical apparatus is described for providing visualization of a surgical site. The medical apparatus includes an electronic display disposed within a display housing, the electronic display configured to produce a two-dimensional image. The medical apparatus includes a display optical system disposed within the display housing, the display optical system comprising a plurality of lens elements disposed along an optical path. The display optical system is configured to receive the two-dimensional image from the electronic display, produce a beam with a cross-section that remains substantially constant along the optical path, and produce a collimated beam exiting the opening in the display housing. The medical apparatus can also include an auxiliary video camera configured to provide an oblique view of a patient on the electronic display without requiring a surgeon to adjust their viewing angle through oculars viewing the electronic display.

Systems and methods for an effective solution to MR safe actuation in all MRI-guided (robot-assisted) procedures are provided. The present integrated hydraulic transmission method or system uses piston-based cylinders (101,102,201,308(C1), 309(C2), 310(C3), 402, 501) to provide continuous bi-lateral rotation with unlimited range in an MRI environment. Positional and torque control can also be achieved. The system includes a master unit and a slave unit each comprising: a plurality of cylinders (101,102,201,308(C1), 309(C2), 310(C3), 402, 501), a piston (105,301,302,303,401,502) inserted within the bottom surface of each cylinder (101,102,201,308(C1), 309(C2), 310(C3), 402, 501), a seal positioned with each cylinder (101,102,201,308(C1), 309(C2), 310(C3), 402, 501) between the piston (105,301,302,303,401,502) and the top surface of the cylinder (101,102,201,308(C1), 309(C2), 310(C3), 402, 501) to inhibit a fluid from passing across the seal, and a plurality of tubes (103) connecting the master unit cylinders and slave unit cylinders (402).