Abstract: A method of training includes providing a medical device having a tangible proximal portion including a magnetic element, and using a virtual tracking system to simulate a distal portion of the medical device. The virtual tracking system can include a tracking component and a display. The tracking component can be configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic element and to generate magnetic field strength data. The tracking component can include a processor that iteratively computes position data of the distal portion of the medical device according to the magnetic field strength data to simulate insertion of the distal portion of the medical device into a body of a patient. The display can be configured to depict an image of the position data of the distal portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A method of training includes providing a medical device having a tangible proximal portion including a magnetic element, and using a virtual tracking system to simulate a distal portion of the medical device. The virtual tracking system can include a tracking component and a display. The tracking component can be configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic element and to generate magnetic field strength data. The tracking component can include a processor that iteratively computes position data of the distal portion of the medical device according to the magnetic field strength data to simulate insertion of the distal portion of the medical device into a body of a patient. The display can be configured to depict an image of the position data of the distal portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A virtual tracking system for a virtual medical device. The virtual medical device may include a tangible proximal portion that at least temporarily has a magnetic element attached thereto. The system includes a tracking circuit configured to track movement of the virtual medical device and a display. The tracking circuit may include at least one reception component configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic element and to generate magnetic field strength data. The tracking circuit may also include a processor that iteratively computes position data of a virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device according to the magnetic field strength data so as to simulate insertion of the virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device into a body of a patient. The display may be configured to depict an image of the computed position data of the virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device.

Abstract: A support structure device with an optional anti-skid/anti-tip structure is configured to assist a human patient to rise. The support structure with the optional anti-skid/anti-tip structure includes a tube bent into a shape described by way of a reference frustum such as a four-sided truncated pyramid. Each side of a top rectangular perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding side of the bottom rectangular perimeter, and each parallel side of a first trapezoidal perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding parallel side of a second trapezoidal perimeter. The anti-skid/anti-tip structure optionally includes a plurality of first coupling locations, an enclosure region, and anti-skid/anti-tip wings having anti-skid/anti-tip components.

Abstract: A support structure device is configured to assist a human patient to rise. The support structure includes a tube bent into a shape described by way of a reference frustum such as a four-sided truncated pyramid. Each side of a top rectangular perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding side of the bottom rectangular perimeter, and each parallel side of a first trapezoidal perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding parallel side of a second trapezoidal perimeter. The reference frustum has a height between 10 and 18 inches, the top rectangular perimeter has a length between 10 and 16 inches and a width between 6 and 14 inches, and the bottom rectangular perimeter has a length between 12 and 18 inches and a width between 8 and 16 inches.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: A medical device system includes a needle having a tip including a permanent magnet, and a magnet sensing device including a plurality of sensors configured to detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. The magnet sensing device is operable to localize a position of the permanent magnet relative to the magnet sensing device and to indicate a path of the needle on a display.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.

Abstract: A support structure device is configured to assist a human patient to rise. The support structure includes a tube bent into a shape described by way of a reference frustum such as a four-sided truncated pyramid. Each side of a top rectangular perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding side of the bottom rectangular perimeter, and each parallel side of a first trapezoidal perimeter of the frustum is shorter than a corresponding parallel side of a second trapezoidal perimeter. The reference frustum has a height between 10 and 18 inches, the top rectangular perimeter has a length between 10 and 16 inches and a width between 6 and 14 inches, and the bottom rectangular perimeter has a length between 12 and 18 inches and a width between 8 and 16 inches.

Abstract: A virtual tracking system for a virtual medical device. The virtual medical device may include a tangible proximal portion that at least temporarily has a magnetic element attached thereto. The system includes a tracking circuit configured to track movement of the virtual medical device and a display. The tracking circuit may include at least one reception component configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnetic element and to generate magnetic field strength data. The tracking circuit may also include a processor that iteratively computes position data of a virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device according to the magnetic field strength data so as to simulate insertion of the virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device into a body of a patient. The display may be configured to depict an image of the computed position data of the virtual distal portion of the virtual medical device.

Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. In other embodiments, a guidance system for guiding rigid or other medical instruments is disclosed, together with various example implementations thereof.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: A device for inducing weight loss in a patient includes a tubular prosthesis self-expandable from a collapsed position in which the prosthesis has a first diameter to an expanded position in which the prosthesis has a second, larger, diameter. In a method for inducing weight loss, the prosthesis is placed in the collapsed position and inserted into a stomach of a patient. The prosthesis is allowed to self-expand from the collapsed position to the expanded position and into contact with the walls of the stomach, where it induces feelings of satiety and/or inhibits modulation of satiety-controlling factors such as Ghrelin.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: An endoscopic device having a one-handed, either-handed steering mechanism is presented. The endoscopic device includes some components that are sterile and used on only a single patient. The single-use components are medically disposed of after exposure to a non-sterile environment such as an internal body cavity of a patient. The endoscopic device also includes some reusable components that are not exposed to a non-sterile environment.

Abstract: A satiation device is described which includes a sheath or liner extending from the proximal or middle stomach to the distal antrum. Food ingested by the patient passes through the sheath or liner, thereby minimizing contact between the ingested food and the stomach. It is believed that over time, reduced contact between food and the stomach will result in decreased Ghrelin production by the patient and a consequent decrease in appetite. In some embodiments, the satiation device may also include a proximal pouch and/or a distal bypass tube.

Abstract: An endoscopic device has a tubular body with a retention channel substantially extending axially along the tube body. A medical tube is removably arranged in the retention channel and held in place by friction. A cable assembly is arranged between the medical tube and the surface of the retention channel. The cable assembly includes a shaped end fixture that is drawn between the medical tube and the retention channel when the cable is pulled, thereby releasing the medical tube from the tube body.