A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device

Surgical Stapling Apparatus

Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.

Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface

A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Surgical stapling instrument with an articulatable end effector

A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Articulating surgical stapling instrument incorporating a two-piece e-beam firing mechanism

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.

Surgical instrument having recording capabilities

Using the linear forces that are provided by an electromagnetic solenoid applied near the distal end of a medical catheter (26), various surgical instruments can be actuated or deployed for use in interventional medicine. The linear actuator (101) uses the principles of magnetic repulsion and attraction as a means for moving a bobbin (13) that can be attached to various types of moving components that translate linear movements into the actuation of a tool that is attached to the linear actuator. Using independent solenoid coils (14), movement modality is increased from two possible positions to three.

Magnetic linear actuator for deployable catheter tools

A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described The apparatus includes magnetic sensors for to detect the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation Since the tip's magnetic field is not necessarily symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution The method of determining tip position is calculated by triangulation from each sensor In one embodiment, the tip orientation is calculated by an intersecting-planes algorithm The orientation is used to adjust the distances from each sensor, and the process is repeated until convergence for both position and orientation is achieved The resultant value provides the actual catheter tip position and orientation (AP) The actual position is further filtered by synchronizing the AP measurements with the QRS signal of the heart, allowing the operator and CGCI controller to view the organ as a static object

Method and apparatus for controlling catheter positioning and orientation

Background— To address some of the shortcomings of existing remote catheter navigation systems (RNS), a new magnetic RNS has been developed that provides real-time navigation of catheters within the beating heart. The initial experience using this novel RNS in animals is described.

Methods and Results— A real-time, high-speed, closed-loop, magnetic RNS system (Catheter Guidance Control and Imaging) comprises 8 electromagnets that create unique dynamically shaped (“lobed”) magnetic fields around the subject's torso. The real-time reshaping of these magnetic fields produces the appropriate 3D motion or change in direction of a magnetized electrophysiology ablation catheter within the beating heart. The RNS is fully integrated with the Ensite-NavX 3D electroanatomic mapping system (St Jude Medical) and allows for both joystick and automated navigation. Conventional and remote navigational mapping of the left atrium were performed using a 4-mm-tip ablation catheter in 10 pigs. A multielectrode transseptal sheath allowed for additional motion compensation. Linear and circumferential radiofrequency lesion sets were performed; in a subset of cases, selective pulmonary vein isolation was also performed. Recording and fluoroscopic equipments were unaffected by the magnetic fields generated by Catheter Guidance Control and Imaging. Automated mode navigation was highly reproducible (96±8.4% of attempts), accurate (1.9±0.4 mm from target site), and rapid (11.6±3.5 seconds to reach targets). At postmortem examination, radiofrequency lesion depth was 78.5±12.1% of atrial wall thickness.

Conclusions— A new magnetic RNS using a dynamically shaped magnetic field concept can reproducibly and effectively reach target radiofrequency ablation points within the pig left atrium. Validation of the system in clinical settings is under way.

Dynamically Shaped Magnetic Fields Initial Animal Validation of a New Remote Electrophysiology Catheter Guidance and Control System

A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data.

Method and apparatus for creating a high resolution map of the electrical and mechanical properties of the heart

The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool.

Leslie Farkas

Papers

Magnetic linear actuator for deployable catheter tools

Method and apparatus for controlling catheter positioning and orientation

Dynamically Shaped Magnetic Fields Initial Animal Validation of a New Remote Electrophysiology Catheter Guidance and Control System

Method and apparatus for creating a high resolution map of the electrical and mechanical properties of the heart

Apparatus and method for lorentz-active sheath display and control of surgical tools