Methods and apparatus for retracting the dura away from a cutting tool during a laminectomy procedure. The method includes inserting a memory shape surgical sponge (patty) into an initial epidural space between the dura and the tool used to decompress (e.g., drill) the lamina. As the lamina is further decompressed, the patty tends to spring back toward its nominal position, urging the dura away from the decompression and isolating the dura from the drill.

A removable tip for a light energy handpiece comprises a hollow conduit configured to surround a light guide in the handpiece; a support extension having a length longer than a length of the hollow conduit; and a shielding extension coupled to the support extension at an angle less than 180 degrees and located in front of the hollow conduit. The shielding extension is configured to be inserted behind an eyelid and extend to the fornix, the shielding extension comprised of a thermally insulative material.

A surgical apparatus comprises an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a sheath disposed on an external surface of the instrument shaft. The sheath has a first section made of ePTFE and a second section made of a second material, wherein the second section provides a friction seal with the shaft, and wherein the ePTFE is gas-permeable.

A tissue displacement/separation device includes a seamless bladder constructed of a biodegradable polymer. The bladder is expandable from a collapsed or rolled state for insertion into a body between a first and second tissue to an expanded state for separating the first and second tissue.

Disclosed is a frostbite prevention pad for a cryolipolysis procedure, which is used for a cryolipolysis procedure using a cryolipolysis device. The frostbite prevention pad includes: a base member made of a fiber material; one or more waterproof members made of a resin material and placed to overlap the base member; and one or more sewn parts formed by sewing the base member and the waterproof member to couple the base member and the waterproof member in a state in which the base member and the waterproof member overlap each other.

The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.

A tissue guard for use with a surgical access device includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end and lumen defined therebetween. A proximal lip extends radially from the proximal end and is configured to mount atop a rim of an access device. The proximal lip includes an annular channel defined therein disposed in fluid communication with the lumen, the annular channel configured to direct surgical gases from the lumen to a smoke evacuation system. The annular channel includes a neck defined therein disposed between the lumen and the annular channel, the neck having geometry configured to induce the evacuation of surgical gases or smoke therethrough. One or more fingers extend from the proximal lip and are configured to engage an access device to secure the tissue guard thereon.

The invention relates to a balloon catheter (1), which allows esophageal injuries to be prevented by the displacement of the esophagus of a patient during catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmias. For this purpose, three balloons (7, 9, 11) are provided along a catheter shaft (3), which are arranged at a distance from each other and can each be alternately expanded in opposite directions.

A protection device for use in oral surgery. The device comprises; a body having a first part which locates outside a patient's mouth and a second part which, during use, locates inside the mouth. The body is arranged such that at least a part of the body is resiliency deformable to enable manual shaping to accommodate an anatomical shape of at least part of a patient's mouth, thereby providing a physical barrier between surgical instrumentation and a patient's soft tissue.

The present invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for trans-septally delivering carbon dioxide through a minimally invasive catheter to create a gaseous pocket or emphysema between the posterior wall of the left atrium and the esophagus during cardiac ablation of the left atrium. This pocket of gas expanded tissue serves to thermally insulate and separate the esophagus from the left atrium during ablation to prevent the formation of an atrial-esophageal fistula. The system comprises a control system to precisely deliver the gas to a desired location through a needle-based catheter assembly.