Abstract: An effective blood vessel diameter at a deployment site within a blood vessel may be determined using a measurement apparatus that includes an inflatable balloon. The measurement apparatus may be advanced to the deployment site and the inflatable balloon may be inflated in order to temporarily reshape the blood vessel at the deployment site to a more circular cross-sectional profile. A measurement pertaining to the effective vessel diameter may be obtained while the inflatable balloon remains inflated. The measurement may be obtained using an ultrasound catheter. The measurement may be obtained using fluoroscopy, for example.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides iodinated polyamino compounds having a plurality of primary amine groups, all of which are the same, as well as methods for forming the same. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to systems for forming hydrogels, which systems comprise such an iodinated polyamino compound and a polymer that that forms crosslinks with the iodinated polyamino compound. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to hydrogels that are formed using such systems.

Abstract: A scope device includes a shaft, a deflectable portion, and a handle portion. The shaft is inserted through a body lumen to a target area within a body. The shaft defines first and second lumens extending along a proximal portion thereof. The first and second lumens are merged to form a common lumen along a distal portion thereof via a fitting having a structure which, when connected to the first and second lumens, converge the first and second lumens toward the common lumen. The deflectable portion is connected to the distal end of the shaft and includes a channel aligned with and in communication with the common lumen. The handle portion includes a connector having a first hub including a first channel open to and in communication with the first lumen and a second hub including a second channel open to and in communication with the second lumen.

Abstract: An anchor capable of being delivered in a delivery configuration and deployed through anatomical tissue with the use of a delivery device. Upon deployment, the anchor shifts into a deployment configuration with at least a distal anchor portion extending transverse to a medial portion of the anchor. The anchor is removable from the anatomical tissue with the use of a retrieval device which grasps a proximal end of the anchor and proximally retracts the anchor into a flexible tubular element to return the anchor to the delivery configuration.

Abstract: An example medical stent for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The example stent includes an expandable scaffold having a first end region, a second end region and an outer surface. The stent further includes a first fixation member coupled to the expandable scaffold and a biodegradable material disposed along the first fixation member at a first tissue engagement region. Further, the biodegradable material is designed to degrade from a first configuration in which the biodegradable material shields the first fixation member from a target tissue site to a second configuration in which the first fixation member is engaged with the target tissue site.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling leaks from a tubing set of an endoscope system during equipment changeouts. An illustrative connector arranged and configured to couple a tube set to an endoscope may comprise a housing comprising a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet in selective fluid communication with the first fluid inlet, a second fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second fluid inlet, and a flow control mechanism configured to selectively fluidly couple the first fluid outlet with the first fluid inlet.

Abstract: A portable computing device of a medical imaging system that is connectable to a controller includes: a medical device connector for connecting a medical device that includes an imaging device to the computing device, at least one memory storing instructions, and one or more processors including an image processor. Execution of the instructions by the processors cause the computing device to perform operations, including to determine a connection status of the computing device and the controller, operate the computing device in a first or second operating mode based on the connection status, and receive image signals from the imaging device. When the computing device is operating in the first operating mode, the image signals are processed, by the image processor, to generate image data. When the computing device is operating in the second operating mode, the image signals are provided to the controller for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an effective diameter of a blood vessel at a deployment site includes an outer member defining a garage disposed within the outer member and an inner member slidingly disposed within the garage, the inner member adapted to be advanced distally from the garage in order to obtain measure a diameter of a blood vessel in which the apparatus is disposed. The inner member includes an elongate shaft and a biased member extending from the elongate shaft, the biased member adapted to extend radially outwardly from the elongate shaft when not constrained by being within the garage. The biased member may be visible via ultrasound imaging and/or fluoroscopic imaging.

Abstract: A knitted stent extending along a central longitudinal axis may comprise a filament forming a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows may extend parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of columns may extend circumferentially around the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of rows may include a plurality of loop rows and a plurality of rung rows interposed between adjacent loop rows. Each cell within the plurality of loop rows may include a circumferential loop element connected to two longitudinally oriented connector elements. The plurality of rung rows may include a plurality of circumferential rung elements connected to adjacent loop rows. A majority of the plurality of loop rows may include open cells having an open end. At least one of the plurality of loop rows may include a plurality of closed cells having a closed end.

Abstract: An effective vessel diameter of a blood vessel at a deployment site may be determined using a measurement apparatus that includes an expandable element that is moveable between a collapsed configuration for advancement and an expanded configuration for measurement. The measurement apparatus may be advanced to the deployment site with the expandable element in its collapsed configuration. The expandable element may be caused to expand from its collapsed configuration to its expanded configuration and one or more measurements pertaining to the expandable element in its expanded configuration may be obtained. The one or more measurements may be used to determine an effective vessel diameter at the deployment site.

Abstract: A locator device and system with an expandable element facilitating imaging of the locator device at a target site at a first anatomical location within a patient from a remote second anatomical location within the patient. The locator device may be formed of a material capable of being imaged from the remote second anatomical location. The locator device may be expandable to contact the interior of the anatomical structure at the first anatomical location to facilitate deployment and to resist movement with respect thereto. The locator device may be separable from the delivery system used to deliver the locator device and left in place at the target site. The locator device may expand the anatomical structure at the first anatomical location to facilitate imaging of such structure from the remote second anatomical structure. In some instances, the locator device may be returned to the delivery configuration and removed from the target site.

Abstract: A device includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough. The capsule is releasably coupled to a proximal portion of the device. Device also includes a first arm rigidly fixed to the distal end of the capsule to extend distally therefrom. In addition, Device includes a second arm, a proximal end of which is slidably received within the capsule so that the second arm is movable between an open configuration, in which the second arm is moved laterally away from the first arm and a distal end of the second arm is moved distally past the distal end of the first arm, and a closed configuration, in which the second arm is moved toward the first arm and the distal end of the second arm is moved proximally toward the distal end of the first arm.

Abstract: A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, or denature tissues of the prostate. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating diseases and disorders effecting the cardiovascular system of the human body are disclosed. An exemplary device in accordance with this disclosure comprises a shaft, tip member fixed to the shaft, and a probe extending beyond a distal surface of the tip member. In some useful embodiments, the tip member is relatively atraumatic and the probe is shaped so as to be more likely to produce trauma than the tip member.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

Abstract: Ablation probes and methods of their use. Example probes include probe circuits configured to provide identifying information for the probe itself. The probe circuits may sense probe usage and/or age to determine probe end of life (EOL). In response to EOL, the probe circuit generates an output indicating EOL. The probe electronic circuit may also be configured to monitor probe usage via impedance or other features, independent of such operation by an ablation pulse generator.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable framework includes a plurality of strut members circumferentially spaced around a longitudinal axis of the expandable framework, wherein one or more of the plurality of strut members includes a first twisted portion and a face portion. The occlusive implant also includes a plurality of fixation members disposed along the face portion of one or more of the plurality of strut members.

Abstract: A medical assembly comprising a first imaging device comprising a first handle and a first shaft extending distally from the first handle, a second imaging device comprising a second handle and a second shaft extending distally from the second handle, and an imaging unit, wherein the first imaging device further comprises a first imager at a distal end of the first shaft, a first cable extending from the first handle for connection to the imaging unit, and a first connector, wherein the second imaging device further comprises a second imager at a distal end of the second shaft and a second connector, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured to connect, thereby transmitting imaging data from the second imager to the imaging unit via the first cable.

Abstract: A suturing instrument includes a handle, an elongate shaft, and a suturing head. One or more pull wires extend from the handle into the elongate shaft for controllably deflecting a deflectable portion of the elongate shaft in one or more directions and/or planes for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure and for changing the positioning of the suturing head.