An earring removal device is provided to remove a stud type earring. The removal device includes tips that easily interface with the earring post and backer to facilitate removal. The tips are coupled to an arcuate structure with a spring characteristic. Simple squeezing of the arcuate structure actuates the tips to separate the backer from the post. The spring characteristic is biased to keep the tips spaced apart, or open, in the absence of a squeezing force.

An earring removal device is provided to remove a stud type earring. The removal device includes tips that easily interface with the earring post and backer to facilitate removal. The tips are coupled to an arcuate structure with a spring characteristic. Simple squeezing of the arcuate structure actuates the tips to separate the backer from the post. The spring characteristic is biased to keep the tips spaced apart, or open, in the absence of a squeezing force.

A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses for and methods of removing a ligation clip interconnecting two mitral valve leaflets. Methods can include providing a mitral valve having first and second valve leaflets interconnected with a ligation clip. The ligation clip includes a base supporting a first and second retaining arms each having an end opposite the base. The first and second valve leaflets are compressed between the first and second retaining arms. The methods further include physically separating the ligation clip from both of the first and second leaflets with the apparatus, which is configured to dislodge the first and second leaflets from the ligation clip. The apparatuses are further configured to withdraw the ligation clip from the patient along with the apparatus.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses for and methods of removing a ligation clip interconnecting two mitral valve leaflets. Methods can include providing a mitral valve having first and second valve leaflets interconnected with a ligation clip. The ligation clip includes a base supporting a first and second retaining arms each having an end opposite the base. The first and second valve leaflets are compressed between the first and second retaining arms. The methods further include physically separating the ligation clip from both of the first and second leaflets with the apparatus, which is configured to dislodge the first and second leaflets from the ligation clip. The apparatuses are further configured to withdraw the ligation clip from the patient along with the apparatus.

Disclosed is a medical instrument that includes a first elongated arm and a second elongated arm pivotally attached at a pivoting joint. The first and second elongated arms include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second elongated arms define, along respective inner surfaces, opposing gripping portions and opposing cutting edges adjacent to the gripping portions. The first or second elongated arms also include a flange that outwardly deflects from either the first or second distal ends and the first and second elongated arms both include an outwardly deflecting flange. Embodiments enable the cutting of sutures at surgical sites possessing numerous sutures in an expedient manner without the instrument catching the sutures. The instrument also includes functionality to remove staples at a surgical site.

Disclosed is a medical instrument that includes a first elongated arm and a second elongated arm pivotally attached at a pivoting joint. The first and second elongated arms include a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first and second elongated arms define, along respective inner surfaces, opposing gripping portions and opposing cutting edges adjacent to the gripping portions. The first or second elongated arms also include a flange that outwardly deflects from either the first or second distal ends and the first and second elongated arms both include an outwardly deflecting flange. Embodiments enable the cutting of sutures at surgical sites possessing numerous sutures in an expedient manner without the instrument catching the sutures. The instrument also includes functionality to remove staples at a surgical site.

Devices and methods for manipulating devices such as micro-scale devices are provided. The devices can include a tether of various materials surrounded by a stiff body. The tether interfaces with microscale devices to draw them against the stiff body, holding the microscale devices in a locked position for insertion into or extraction out of tissue. The tensional hook and stiff body are configurable in a multitude of positions and geometries to provide increased engagement. Such configurations allow for a range of implantation and extraction surgical procedures for the device within research and clinical settings.

A latch assembly for a surgical instrument includes a lever having a distal engagement section, an intermediate section, and a proximal manipulatable section. The proximal manipulatable section includes an exterior surface including lateral sides, a side wall depending from the exterior surface along the lateral sides of the exterior surface and about a proximal end of the exterior surface, a lip extending from the side wall to define a shelf extending outwardly from the side wall along the lateral sides of the exterior surface and about the proximal end of the exterior surface, and a proximal stop disposed on the shelf at the proximal end of the exterior surface and extending towards the exterior surface.

A latch assembly for a surgical instrument includes a lever having a distal engagement section, an intermediate section, and a proximal manipulatable section. The proximal manipulatable section includes an exterior surface including lateral sides, a side wall depending from the exterior surface along the lateral sides of the exterior surface and about a proximal end of the exterior surface, a lip extending from the side wall to define a shelf extending outwardly from the side wall along the lateral sides of the exterior surface and about the proximal end of the exterior surface, and a proximal stop disposed on the shelf at the proximal end of the exterior surface and extending towards the exterior surface.