Abstract: An engaging element for engaging tissue that includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes at least one tissue engaging portion at a first free end. The first tissue engaging member is movable between an open position and a closed position and has a second free end. The first tissue engaging member is restrained in movement at an intermediate position between the first free end and the second free end. A lock portion is operatively associated with the first member with the lock portion maintaining a spacing between the first member and the second member and inhibiting movement of the first member to the open position. The lock portion is operatively associated with a portion of the first tissue engaging member proximal the intermediate position.

Abstract: A system includes a tissue engaging device and a delivery device that cooperates with the tissue engaging device. The tissue engaging device includes a distal tissue penetrating tip and two locking portions at a proximal end. The two locking portions move radially outwardly to transition the tissue engaging device from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration. The delivery device includes a first elongate member being configured to selective extend distally past the two locking portions. A member, with a protruding portion disposed at a distal end of the delivery device, extends radially inwardly and is configured to selectively cooperate with the proximal end of the tissue engaging device to prevent rotational movement of the tissue engaging device relative to the delivery device.

Abstract: The present application is related to devices, systems, and methods for controlling active drive systems. In one embodiment, the drive system may include a first surface and a second surface for engaging an elongate member. The first and second surfaces may be attached to a drive mechanism to move the elongate member. The first surface may be slidable relative to the drive mechanism and may have a clearance between the drive mechanism and an end of the first surface during movement of the elongate member in a non-slip condition. A sensor may be associated with the first surface and may be configured to detect movement of the first surface in a slip condition.

Abstract: The present application is related to devices, systems, and methods for controlling active drive systems. In one embodiment, the drive system may include a first surface and a second surface for engaging an elongate member. The first and second surfaces may be attached to a drive mechanism to move the elongate member. The first surface may be slidable relative to the drive mechanism and may have a clearance between the drive mechanism and an end of the first surface during movement of the elongate member in a non-slip condition. A sensor may be associated with the first surface and may be configured to detect movement of the first surface in a slip condition.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: A guidewire manipulation system may include a cylindrical drum, having a cylindrical outer drum surface with a helical groove for housing a flexible guidewire and an anchoring mechanism for attaching the flexible guidewire to the drum. The system may also include an outer shell or belt disposed around the drum, forming an opening through which the flexible guidewire exits. The system may also include a first actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the drum about a first axis, and a second actuator coupled with the drum for rotating the system about a second axis.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter rotation drive apparatus includes first and second drives that are engageable to an output shaft. When the first drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in an output rotation direction, and when the second drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in the output rotation direction.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a body, a cannula extending distally from the body, and a cylindraceous member disposed within the cannula. The cylindraceous member comprises a tubular portion and a plurality of leaves positioned at the distal end of the tubular portion. The leaves are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. The cylindraceous member is slidable relative to the cannula to selectively expose the leaves relative to the open distal end of the cannula. A first leaf of the plurality of leaves has a sharp distal point configured to pierce a tympanic membrane and a longitudinally extending sharp edge. The cylindraceous member may be used to create and dilate a myringotomy incision in a tympanic membrane. The tympanostomy tube delivery device may then be used to deploy a tympanostomy tube through the myringotomy incision.

Abstract: A catheter rotation drive apparatus includes first and second drives that are engageable to an output shaft. When the first drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in an output rotation direction, and when the second drive is engaged to the output shaft and rotated, the output shaft rotates in the output rotation direction.

Abstract: An exemplary drive apparatus may include a roller assembly and a roller support. The roller assembly may have a first continuous surface, a second continuous surface, an open configuration for receiving an elongate member, and a closed configuration for securing the elongate member in the roller assembly. The roller assembly imparts axial motion to the elongate member along the first continuous surface, which maintains contact with the elongate member during the axial motion. The roller support rotates the roller assembly about the second continuous surface, which maintains contact with the roller support during rotational motion. The roller assembly and roller support to impart axial and rotational motion, respectively, independently of one another.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a catheter, sheath, or guidewire. An exemplary drive apparatus may include a first component and a moveable component, each configured to selectively grip the elongated member. In some examples, the first and moveable components may each include a gripping device. The moveable component may be configured to selectively move axially and rotationally with respect to a support surface to effect axial movement and rotation movement, respectively, of the elongated member with respect to the support surface within a range of motion of the moveable component. The moveable component may be configured to move the elongated member across a predetermined movement having a magnitude greater than the range of motion.

Abstract: Various exemplary drive apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for driving an elongated member, e.g., a catheter, sheath, or guidewire. An exemplary drive apparatus may include a first component and a moveable component, each configured to selectively grip the elongated member. In some examples, the first and moveable components may each include a gripping device. The moveable component may be configured to selectively move axially and rotationally with respect to a support surface to effect axial movement and rotation movement, respectively, of the elongated member with respect to the support surface within a range of motion of the moveable component. The moveable component may be configured to move the elongated member across a predetermined movement having a magnitude greater than the range of motion.

Abstract: An engaging element for engaging tissue that includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes at least one tissue engaging portion at a first free end. The first tissue engaging member is movable between an open position and a closed position and has a second free end. The first tissue engaging member is restrained in movement at an intermediate position between the first free end and the second free end. A lock portion is operatively associated with the first member with the lock portion maintaining a spacing between the first member and the second member and inhibiting movement of the first member to the open position. The lock portion is operatively associated with a portion of the first tissue engaging member proximal the intermediate position.

Abstract: An engaging element for engaging tissue is described. The engaging element may include a first member including at least one tissue engaging portion and a second member including at least one tissue engaging portion. The second member may be pivotally connected to the first member. The engaging element includes a locking mechanism operatively associated with the first and second member. The locking mechanism may be configured to inhibit the relative motion of the first and said second member. An engaging system for engaging tissue is described. The engaging system may include an engaging element for engaging tissue, a first member having at least one tissue engaging portion, and/or a second member including at least one tissue engaging portion. A method for engaging tissue is described. The method may include positioning an engaging element relative to an engaging element delivery device and/or to a portion of tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element can have a shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.

Abstract: A device is provided for preventing buckling of a flexible elongate member during insertion of the flexible elongate member. The device includes a support frame comprising a first end, a second end, and multiple pairs of support members. The support frame is configured to reversibly move from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration when the first and second ends are moved away from each other. The device also includes multiple open channels coupled to the multiple pairs of support members of the support frame. The multiple open channels are configured to allow the flexible elongate member to be top loaded into the multiple open channels. Also, the multiple open channels are maintained in an axial alignment as the support frame is moved between the expanded and collapsed configurations.

Abstract: The present application is related to devices, systems, and methods for controlling active drive systems. In one embodiment, the drive system may include a first surface and a second surface for engaging an elongate member. The first and second surfaces may be attached to a drive mechanism to move the elongate member. The first surface may be slidable relative to the drive mechanism and may have a clearance between the drive mechanism and an end of the first surface during movement of the elongate member in a non-slip condition. A sensor may be associated with the first surface and may be configured to detect movement of the first surface in a slip condition.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locator assembly that has a distal end region configured to extend into an opening of the body lumen and to selectably engage at least a portion of the body lumen adjacent to the opening. The distal end region includes at least one surface engaging element that is configured to engage the surface of the body lumen. The apparatus includes a measuring device that is in electrical communication with the surface engaging element. The measuring device is configured to determine changes in measurable characteristics of the surface engaging element. Methods and apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen are also disclosed.