Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for treatment of varicocele and associated conditions. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include forming one or more fluid connections or fistulas between blood vessels such as a gonadal vein (e.g., spermatic vein, ovarian vein) and surrounding veins. In some embodiments, systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can include occluding one or more blood vessels such as a gonadal vein (e.g., spermatic vein, ovarian vein). In some embodiments, systems, apparatus and methods described herein relate to flow diverters, replacement valves, etc., e.g., for treatment of varicocele and associated conditions.

A surgical instrument with a shaft is constructed as a hollow tube and has a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends and a metal wire having a first end section, a shaft section and a working section. The first end section is arranged in the area of the proximal end of the shaft or is guided out of the shaft on the proximal end. The shaft section is guided in the hollow tube and the wire is arranged such that it can move along the longitudinal axis of the shaft into a first position of the working section on the distal end projecting out of the shaft and into a second position of the working section within the shaft. The instrument is constructed as a bipolar instrument, wherein the metal wire is part of a first electrode and a second electrode is arranged in some sections on the shaft.

Provided herein are expandable devices, rail systems, and motorized devices, in one embodiment, an expandable device comprises an expandable sac having a tool housed therein. The expandable device is optionally configured for operation while inside a body cavity. The expandable device optionally comprises at least one rail in the sac, and at least one railed device coupled to the rail for movement there on. Movement of the railed device on the rail is provided by, for example, a motor such as an electromagnetic motor or an inch-worm type motor. Expandable devices can be used, for example, to perform minimally invasive medical procedures requiring access to a body cavity. Expandable devices can also be used, for example, to provide safe and stable transport of instruments to the body cavity.

An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.

A movement transfer mechanism for a surgical scoping device, wherein a rotational proximal input force is transformed into a longitudinal force that is conveyed down the length of an instrument channel of the scoping device, where it is transformed again into an operational movement of a distal instrument. The operational movement can be rotational movement, but may be any movement that changes the orientation or configuration of the distal instrument. By conveying a linear force along the instrument channel rather than a twisting force, the problems of slipping and discontinuous operation of the distal instrument due to friction between the instrument and the instrument channel can be reduced or eliminated.

A tissue specimen removal device comprises a specimen bag; a flexible ring, the flexible ring configured to form a top opening of the specimen bag; a cannula assembly comprising: an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion. The device may further comprise a connector carrier, the connector carrier configured to retain at least one connector housing, the at least one connector housing comprising one or more connector portions and reside within an interior of the connector carrier, and wherein the connector carrier can be moved from a position within the cannula assembly to outside the cannula assembly.

Apparatus and methods for internal surgical procedures are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may involve supporting internal body locations, creating submucosal separations (blebs), and/or for resecting mucosal tissue separated from underlying tissue by a bleb.

Embodiments of this invention relate to endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments. More specifically, embodiments of this invention relate to an open loop polypectomy system including a means for securely closing the loop. In some embodiments, the open loop polypectomy system comprises a snare wire and a capture mechanism wherein, when the snare wire is advanced, the snare wire extends from a distal portion of the open loop polypectomy system along a path passing through the capture mechanism. After the snare wire has advanced through the plane of the capture mechanism, retraction of the capture mechanism secures the snare wire, creating a formed loop around a target tissue. Retraction of at least one of the snare wire and capture mechanism contracts the formed loop, resecting the target tissue.

An electrode assembly (3) is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly (3) comprising a pair of arms (4), and a tissue treatment element (9) depending from the arms. The arms (4) are pivotably mounted one to the other such that they are movable between a retracted position in which they lie alongside one another and a deployed position in which they diverge one from another. The electrode assembly (3) includes actuation means for moving the arms between their retracted and deployed positions. The tissue treatment element (9) is disposed at the distal end of each arm such that it is movable between at least two different operating positions.

The present invention relates to methods of removing a lesion from a patient. A method of removing a lesion from a patient includes positioning wire loops of a probe device relative to the lesion. The wire loops are simultaneously rotated and expanded to cut material from the lesion. Irrigation fluid is supplied, via the probe device, to irrigate the material cut from the lesion. The supplied irrigation fluid is aspirated, via the probe device, to facilitate removal of the material cut from the lesion.