Surgical instrument with stowing knife blade

A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.

Surgical device with powered articulation wrist rotation

A surgical instrument for treating tissue, the instrument including a housing and a shaft with an articulating portion and an end effector. The surgical instrument including a first casing connected to and rotatable with the proximal end of said shaft with an internal frame housed within the first casing and a plurality of posts supported by the internal frame and connected on their distal ends to at least one drive wire, and connected on their proximal ends to a threaded shaft; and a second casing connected to the first casing and rotatable therewith, said second casing housing the threaded shafts. The surgical instrument includes a first electric motor driving a first gear interfacing with the threaded shafts such that a first pair of the plurality of threaded shafts rotate in the same direction and cause the articulating portion to articulate in a first plane.

Drive mechanism for articulating tacker

A tacker for applying a rotary tack, including a drive shaft coupled to a trigger assembly, wherein operating the trigger assembly causes rotation of the drive shaft, a distal portion of the drive shaft passing into an articulated arm that holds rotary tacks, wherein upon operation of the trigger assembly, the drive shaft rotates to cause deployment of the tacks distally out of the articulated arm, and wherein the drive shaft includes a cable on which are located a plurality of axially spaced drive links that transfer rotational motion of the drive shaft to rotation of the tacks.

Flexible endoscopic stitching devices

An endoscopic stitching device includes a tool assembly having a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another, each jaw defining a needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof; a drive assembly including a pair of concentric, individually rotatably and translatably supported barrels, each barrel defining a central lumen therethrough; and a pair of axially translatable needle engaging blades slidably supported, one each, in a respective jaw. The stitching device further includes a center rod slidably and rotatably disposed through the lumen of the barrels, a distal end of the center rod being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws.

Surgical instrument with replaceable loading unit

A surgical stapling device has an elongated body and a removable loading unit and a securing structure for securing the loading unit onto the elongated body. A guiding ramp guides the movement of the loading unit as it is mounted onto the loading portion. The locking structure has a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and enabling firing rod to engage the loading unit. The locking unit has a second position for allowing the loading unit to be disengaged and removed from the device.

Surgical instrument and loading unit for use therewith

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a movable handle; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the handle and defining a longitudinal axis; a pair of jaw members; and a drive assembly. The jaw members are disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extend generally distally therefrom. Each jaw member is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. At least one jaw member is movable with respect to the other between open and approximated positions. A first jaw member includes a channel having a longitudinally-extending slot therein. The drive assembly is advanced distally through at least a portion of the length of the jaw members in response to at least a partial actuation of the movable handle. A lower portion of the drive assembly is configured and dimensioned to travel at least partially within the longitudinally-extending slot of the channel.

Processor for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope apparatus

A processor for an electronic endoscope includes first and second image storing units and a controller, which in a first mode, image data is converted sequentially into a video signal and is outputted while being stored sequentially in the first and second image storing units. In a second mode, image data stored in the first image storing unit is outputted while generated image data is sequentially stored in the second image storing unit. In a third mode, image data stored in the second image storing unit is outputted while generated image data is sequentially stored in the first image storing unit. In the second and third modes, it is possible to switch between a first playback mode that continuously outputs the multiple stored image data and a second playback mode that repeatedly outputs one of the multiple stored image data.

HYDROPHILIC MEDICAL DEVICES

A medical device including a plasma-treated porous substrate that is functionalized to provide a hydrophilic surface, and a process for preparing such a medical device, are disclosed. The method includes plasma treating at least a portion of a surface of a porous substrate with a gas species selected from oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and combination thereof. The gas species is configured to functionalize the surface of the medical device and form a hydrophilic surface.

Illumination devices using natural light LEDs

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a LED used in a medical device emitting a wavelength from about 200 nanometers to about 440 nanometers along a path. A composition of phosphors coats the LED to broaden the electromagnetic spectrum from about 200 nanometers to about 780 nanometers. A filter is positioned in the path to selectively permit electromagnetic radiation of a particular range of wavelengths to pass through. The medical device is used to provide a broad spectral source for medical diagnosis.

Massive simultaneous remote digital presence world

Various methods and apparatus are described herein for enabling one or more users to interface with virtual or augmented reality environments. An example system includes a computing network having computer servers interconnected through high bandwidth interfaces to gateways for processing data and/or for enabling communication of data between the servers and one or more local user interface devices. The servers include memory, processing circuitry, and software for designing and/or controlling virtual worlds, as well as for storing and processing user data and data provided by other components of the system. One or more virtual worlds may be presented to a user through a user device for the user to experience and interact. A large number of users may each use a device to simultaneously interface with one or more digital worlds by using the device to observe and interact with each other and with objects produced within the digital worlds.