Abstract: An indwelling catheter device and a method of treatment using the indwelling catheter device are provided. The indwelling catheter device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and an inflation lumen extending at least partially through the shaft. The distal portion of the shaft includes a first opening connected to the first lumen. The catheter device further includes a balloon operably connected to an outer surface of the shaft proximal to the first opening wherein the balloon at least partially surrounds the shaft. The inflation lumen is connected to the balloon for selective inflation and deflation of the balloon for disrupting migration of the occluding material and inhibiting the material from occluding the first opening when the catheter device is indwelling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a first elongate medical device and short wire guide that are coupled together into a work site and remotely disconnecting them within the work site such that a secondary device comprising a catheter member can be introduced over the wire guide to the work site, and/or a second wire guide can be introduced to the work site via a passageway of the primary access device. A separating member may be provided to remotely separate the wire guide from the elongate medical device. A system of indicia, such as radiopaque or viewable markers, permits the operator to monitor the relative alignment of the devices within the work site to determine when uncoupling has occurred. In one example of the method, a wire guide and primary access device (e.g., a sphincterotome) is coupled to the wire guide and introduced via a duodenoscope into the biliary system.

Abstract: A stent and a method for implanting a stent for decompression and anastomosis formation are provided. The stent includes a non-expandable, generally tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the body, a distal opening in the distal portion in fluid communication with the lumen and a proximal opening in the proximal portion in fluid communication with the lumen. The stent further includes a first magnetic element positioned on the distal portion of the tubular body and a second magnetic element movably positionable on the proximal portion of the tubular body. The second magnetic element is configured to surround and move over the proximal portion of the tubular body towards the first magnetic element.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods are disclosed that serve to guide one or more medical devices through a port formed in bodily tissue to access a bodily cavity. One embodiment of the medical device includes a connection member, a rail, and a carrier. The connection member is structured for attachment to the port. The rail is attached to the connection member, and has a first portion extending distally through the port opening, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion. The carrier is structured to selectively connect to the first portion of the rail, and is slidable along the first and second portions of the rail.

Abstract: Medical systems and methods are provided for accessing a bodily cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity or the thoracic cavity, and for supporting diagnoses or procedures within or adjacent to such cavities. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for accessing an internal bodily cavity of patient, the bodily cavity defined by a cavity membrane, the patient having multiple tissue layers adjacent the bodily cavity including at least a skin layer and a fascia layer. An opening is formed through the skin layer and the fascia layer. An elongate medical device is inserted through the opening and between the fascia layer and the cavity membrane to form a tunnel communicating with the opening. Various medical instruments may then be used within the tunnel, and related medical kits and systems are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uncoupling a wire guide from and elongate medical device comprising a catheter shaft having a wire guide lumen extending there through, wherein the material surrounding the wire guide lumen is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability for removal of the wire guide. The catheter shaft includes a wire guide port having a stress riser, the stress riser being configured to reduce the force necessary to rupture or split the portion of the shaft wall adjacent to the wire guide port. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter shaft is coextruded and comprises a plurality of materials. The portion of the shaft adjacent the wire guide lumen is formed from a material is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability as compared to the remaining shaft materials.

Abstract: A suction clip and system and method therefor. The suction clip is configured for deployment from a catheter to provide for hemostasis of injured tissue. The suction clip preferably includes a flexible distal rim configured to form sealing contact with tissue to be treated and a proximal check valve to maintain a seal of the clip to the tissue when a vacuum has been provided therebetween. The suction clip may include a visual or radio-opaque marker to aid in later location of same.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.

Abstract: A method of occluding a fistula in a patient is provided. The method includes inserting a placement member having a coupling structure, such as a wire guide having a loop at one end, through the primary opening of a fistula and at least partially into the fistula tract; connecting the coupling structure to a medical device, such as a plug, graft, or other occluding member; and inserting the medical device into the fistula by pulling the placement member through the fistula until the medical device contacts the interior wall of the fistula. Medical devices and systems for occluding fistulas are also provided.

Abstract: An echogenic electrosurgical device and a method for electrosurgically treating a target site are provided. The device includes an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the elongate body includes an echogenic region, a coated portion providing an electroinsulative layer and an uncoated electroconductive electrosurgical region. The coating allows reflection of ultrasonic waves from the coated echogenic region sufficient for ultrasonic imaging of the echogenic region at a resolution providing for effective navigation in a body. The coated region has a first surface area and the electrosurgical region has a second surface area. The first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

Abstract: An intragastric member and method of delivery thereof are described. Delivery of the intragastric member is enabled by partitioning the intragastric member into discrete bundles with retaining members that are circumferentially disposed along the longitudinal length of the intragastric member. Formation of the intragastric member into bundles facilitates controlled delivery into the gastric lumen. The use of suture ties enables deployment of the intragastric member into the gastric lumen. The distal ends of the suture ties are affixed to the bundles. Pulling on the proximal free end of each of the suture ties enables the corresponding bundles to be advanced distally along a delivery tube. The suture ties are pulled until each of the bundles slide off from the delivery tube and enter into the gastric lumen.

Abstract: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

Abstract: A medical device and method for performing transluminal procedures that reduces procedure time as well as the number of instruments used is disclosed. An elongate medical device has both a cutting tool and a suturing tool disposed at a distal end of the elongate medical device. The suturing tool includes a plurality of needles connected to one or more sutures. The elongate medical device is advanced through a bodily lumen to a position proximate the visceral wall. A perforation is formed in the visceral wall using the cutting tool. The elongate medical device and its suturing tool are advanced through the perforation and a plurality of needles are passed through the visceral wall around the periphery of the perforation. The plurality of needles are withdrawn through the bodily lumen and the perforation is closed using the suture.

Abstract: A wire guide has first and second portions with first and second diameters, respectively. The second portion is located distal of the first portion. A resilient loop positions a distal end of the wire guide adjacent another section of the wire guide. A closure member maintains the distal end in a fixed position relative to the remainder of the wire guide. An outer sleeve may be positioned around one or more parts of the wire guide. A radiopaque element may be secured to the outer sleeve.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for coupling a graft member to tissue, closing a bodily opening, and the like. In one embodiment, a tacking device comprises a wire having first and second ends, and further having delivery and deployed states. In the contracted state, the wire comprises an elongated configuration that is substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis. In the expanded state, the wire comprises a head region and a body region, the head region comprising at least one full turn having a first diameter, and the body region comprising at least two full turns having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. One or more of the tacking devices may be delivered using a laparoscopic, endoscopic or percutaneous approach.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for repairing tissue using one or more tacking devices. In one embodiment, the system comprises a graft member and at least one protective member configured to enclose at least a portion of a tacking device. The protective member may include, without limitation, a pocket having an enclosure forming an interior space, a plug of material or a barrier layer. When at least one tacking device is deployed to couple the graft member to the tissue, at least a portion of the tacking device is enclosed by the protective member to reduce the exposure of the tacking device.

Abstract: A magnet delivery system for forming an anastomosis that comprises a wire guide; a catheter having a delivery portion for advancement into a visceral space, the delivery portion having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough and an expandable balloon for dilation and a lumen extending therethrough, a first port and a second port in communication with the lumen through which the wire guide is disposed; a magnet comprising a lumen therethrough wherein the magnet is removably secured to the delivery portion of the catheter between the first and second ports by disposing the wire guide through the lumen of the magnet, the first port and the second port.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are disclosed for suturing a perforation in tissue, that may be employed endoscopically and/or laparoscopically, and that offer simple, reliable and controllable placement of sutures around a perforation for complete closure thereof.

Abstract: An adaptor and a kit including an adaptor are provided. The adaptor is configured to connect an elongate medical device to an endoscope. The adaptor includes a first portion having a distal end sized and shaped to connect to an endoscope. The first portion includes a first opening defined therethrough. The adaptor further includes a second portion connectable to the first portion and including a second opening defined through the second portion and operably connectable to the first lumen. The second portion includes a connector at a proximal end portion sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the elongate medical device so that a shaft of the elongate medical device is extendable distally through the first opening and the second opening and into the endoscope when the elongate medical device is connected to the adaptor.

Abstract: A hemostatic clipping device is provided. The device includes first and second elongate arms, each arm comprising distal and proximal end portions, the arms being connected to allow relative motion between the first and second arms, the distal portion of each of the first and second arms further comprising a track blindly defined from a distal end of each arm toward the proximal portion of each arm. A clip is slidably disposed between the opposed distal portions of each of the first and second arms, the clip comprising first and second fingers each with distal and proximal portions, the proximal portions of the first and second fingers being fixed together to bias the distal portions of the first and second fingers toward each other, the first and second fingers each further comprising a pin extending radially outward from the distal end portion thereof.