A tool for creating an incision at a surgical site includes a body for use with a robotic end effector having a proximal end and a distal end, and a blade positioned at the distal end of the body, the blade having a proximal end and a distal end, the blade having a cutting edge defining a first portion extending outwardly from or adjacent to the proximal end to a maximum width and a second portion extending inwardly from the maximum width to a sharp distal tip.

A surgical anchor delivery device includes a shaft, a plurality of anchors disposed within the shaft, and a threaded rod disposed within the shaft and threadably engaged with the anchors. Rotation of the threaded rod advances the anchors toward the distal end of the shaft without rotating the anchors relative to the shaft. The delivery device may include an actuation mechanism configured to rotate the threaded rod. A method of delivering the anchors may include advancing the distal end of the shaft to a first location, rotating the threaded rod to advance a first anchor out the distal end of the shaft without rotating the first anchor relative to the shaft, repositioning the distal end of the shaft to a second position, and rotating the threaded rod to advance a second anchor out the distal end of the shaft without rotating the second anchor relative to the shaft.

The present disclosure is directed to devices, kits, and methods for treating lumbar spinal stenosis by at least partially decompressing a compressed nerve root. The method can include identifying the compressed nerve root and percutaneously accessing a region of a lamina located adjacent to the compressed nerve root. The method can also include forming a channel through the region of the lamina, wherein the channel can be formed medial to a lateral border of the lamina. Further, the method can include expanding the channel in a lateral direction.

Improved tissue fasteners are disclosed that can be inserted into (and optionally through) tissue structures underlying a tissue surface for affixing overlapping tissues and tissue planes together, and the like. In some embodiments, an elongate anvil body may protrude distally and/or laterally from a fastener support disposed along the base. The anvil body may have a sharpened end and be configured to penetrate into the tissue, with the elongate anvil body optionally having a bend from a more distal orientation adjacent the clip support to a more lateral orientation adjacent the sharpened end during at least a portion of the deployment. The first leg can be driven through a desired location on the surface of the first tissue and against a receptacle of the anvil body so as to deform the fastener and affix it to the first tissue.

The present disclosure is directed to devices, kits, and methods for treating lumbar spinal stenosis by at least partially decompressing a compressed nerve root. The method can include identifying the compressed nerve root and percutaneously accessing a region of a lamina located adjacent to the compressed nerve root. The method can also include forming a channel through the region of the lamina, wherein the channel can be formed medial to a lateral border of the lamina. Further, the method can include expanding the channel in a lateral direction.

A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) includes an energy source (124), an energy guide (122A), and a guidewire lumen (118). The energy source (124) generates energy. The energy guide (122A) is configured to selectively receive the energy from the energy source (124). The energy guide (122A) includes a guide distal end (122D). The energy that is received by the energy guide (122A) is emitted from the guide distal end (122D). The guidewire lumen (118) having an outer surface (218S). At least the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A) is positioned adjacent to the outer surface (218S) of the guidewire lumen (118) A portion of the guidewire lumen (118) encompasses a plasma generator (133) that is positioned near the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A). The plasma generator (133) is positionable near the treatment site (106). The plasma generator (133) is formed from a polymeric material.

An accurate and precise surgical guide for dental procedures, especially a procedure involving a subject with few or no teeth as well as methods for making and use of such guides.

A method of augmenting a bladder including incising a native bladder to form an incised native bladder, implanting a tissue flap, comprising a bladder-expansion portion connected to a tubular portion; and suturing the bladder-expansion portion to an edge of the incised native bladder. The method forms an augmented bladder with a volume capacity that is 100%-250% larger than a volume capacity of the native bladder. The tissue flap may be a modified ileal segment or a biologically compatible tissue flap. The biologically compatible tissue flap having a biocompatible scaffold comprising a collagen mesh, which is coated by a biochemical factor, a cell derived matrix, and/or a synthetic biocompatible polymer. The biologically compatible tissue flap is configured with the bladder-expansion portion and a tubular portion.

A surgical instrument and method of manipulating colon tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, and an end effector operatively connected to the firing mechanism via the shaft assembly. The end effector is configured to receive a cartridge selectively actuated by the selective manipulation of the firing mechanism. A distal end portion of the end effector includes a first end, a second end laterally opposite the first end, and a distal crest laterally positioned between the first and second ends that projects distally beyond the first and second ends. The distal end portion also includes an arcuate distal surface extending along the distal with a radius of curvature configured to be received against the pelvic bowl of the patient to position the end effector relative to colon tissue for manipulating the colon tissue with the cartridge.

A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.