Abstract: A medical system for use in a lithotripsy procedure may include a processor configured to receive input from a first imaging device, wherein the first imaging device may be configured to send image data representative of an image captured in a lumen of a kidney, bladder, or ureter to the processor. The processor may be configured to display the image on a display device coupled to the processor, and analyze the image to sense the presence of an object within the image. If an object was sensed within the image, the processor may analyze the image to estimate a size of the object, and display the estimate on the display device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an endoscope system may include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal portion configured for insertion into a subject. The distal portion may have a distal end. The shaft may also include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The lumen may be configured to receive an instrument extendable through the lumen of the shaft. The endoscope system may also include a visualization system coupled to the shaft for visualizing a region distal to the distal end of the shaft. The endoscope system may also include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The handle may be configured for gripping by a user. The handle may include a shaft control system for controlling operation of the shaft. The handle may also include an instrument control system for controlling operation of an instrument extendable through the shaft.

Abstract: An attachment for an imaging device may include a first sheath including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a second sheath positioned around an exterior of the first sheath; and a connector coupled to the first sheath and configured to be coupled to the imaging device.

Abstract: A sheath for an imaging device may include a shaft including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a holder coupled to the proximal end of the shaft; a retainer positioned in the lumen of the shaft, wherein the retainer includes an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration; and a light positioned on the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A medical system for use in a lithotripsy procedure may include a processor configured to receive input from a first imaging device, wherein the first imaging device may be configured to send image data representative of an image captured in a lumen of a kidney, bladder, or ureter to the processor. The processor may be configured to display the image on a display device coupled to the processor, and analyze the image to sense the presence of an object within the image. If an object was sensed within the image, the processor may analyze the image to estimate a size of the object, and display the estimate on the display device.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an endoscope may include a handle including a control mechanism. The endoscope may also include an adapter spaced from and coupled to the handle by a flexible connector. The endoscope may further include a flexible shaft coupled to the adapter. The control mechanism may be operatively coupled to the shaft to cause movement of the shaft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical device. Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a laser to break a kidney stones into smaller fragments and/or dust, and removing particles, stone fragments and/or stone dust from a patient. The medical device may include a delivery device including a tube, and an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the elongate member is configured to move axially relative to the tube and apply suction through the distal end.

Abstract: Exemplary aspects of a medical instrument system are disclosed. The system may have a support frame movably coupled to a patient table, the support frame having a computer display support, and an endoscope holder, wherein the computer display support and the endoscope holder are coupled to move together as a single unit. In some aspects, the system includes a computer display device, and an endoscope, wherein the computer display device and the endoscope are coupled to the support frame to move together as a single unit, and the patient table, computer display device, and the endoscope are arranged along a common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical device. Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a laser to break a kidney stones into smaller fragments and/or dust, and removing particles, stone fragments and/or stone dust from a patient. The medical device may include a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the tube and in fluid communication with the distal end and a plurality of side ports located at a distal portion of the tube, and a second lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: Quorum-sensing bacteria communicate with extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers to allow community-wide synchronization of gene expression. The present invention relates to the identification the Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae protein Hfq as mediating interactions between small, regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) and specific messenger RNA (mRNA) targets. Accordingly, the present invention provides nucleic acids encoding the Vibrio sRNAs, strains having various deletions and mutations of one or more qrr genes encoding these sRNA as well as methods of identifying quorum-sensing regulators. Additionally, the invention relates to an isolated V. harveyi Hfq protein and conservative amino acid substitutions thereof as well as nucleic acids encoding those proteins, recombinant methods of producing those proteins and antibodies against those proteins.