Abstract: Various systems and methods may guide, support, and/or house instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section.

Abstract: A device for treating a tissue opening includes a proximal portion including an elongated flexible member, a capsule releasably coupled to a distal end of the flexible member and including a lumen extending therethrough and a clip including a pair of arms movably housed within the capsule. A suture extending along a first one of the pair of arms and including a loop at a distal end thereof extending across an opening extending through the first one of the pair of arms. A suture grabbing element extending laterally from a second one of the pair of arms and including a hook so that, when the pair of arms are moved toward a closed configuration, the hook extends through the opening to grab the loop and draw the distal end of the suture from the first one of the pair of arms toward the second one of the pair of arms.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a sheath extending from the handle, and a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath. The handle includes an inner body and an outer body disposed over the inner body. The outer body is movable relative to the inner body. The handle includes a first actuator secured to the tool. The first actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the tool relative to the sheath in response to moving the outer body relative to the inner body. The handle includes a second actuator secured to the sheath. The second actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the sheath relative to the tool in response to moving the second actuator relative to the outer body. An unactuated state of the first actuator and an unactuated state of the second actuator prevents movement of the tool relative to the sheath.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for coupling tubing to a fluid reservoir to provide liquid to an endoscope system. A manifold for coupling to a fluid reservoir and a tubing assembly may include first portion interfacing with an interior of the fluid reservoir and a second portion configured to interface with tubing to be fluidly coupled to the interior of the reservoir. The first portion may include one or more openings to allow gas to pass into the fluid reservoir and liquid to pass out of the fluid reservoir. The second portion may include one or more ports for connecting to tubing that brings gas to the fluid reservoir and receives liquid from the fluid reservoir. The manifold may include a valve that selectively allows gas to pass into the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a medical device including a container including a first region and a second region, a first fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the first region, a second fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the second region, and a piston assembly disposed within the container. The container is configured to house an agent within the second region, the first fluid inlet is configured to deliver a first portion of pressurized fluid to the first region at a first pressure level, and the second fluid inlet is configured to deliver a second portion of pressurized fluid to the second region at a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure level. The piston assembly includes a valve configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to the piston assembly moving relative to the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coupling gas and water supply tubes to a container. An illustrative container and tube set may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid, the container having a bottom portion and a top portion, a water supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen, a gas supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen, and a weight coupled to the first end of the water supply tube and a first end of the gas supply tube. The first lumen may be in selective fluid communication with the bottom portion of the container and the second end of the water supply tube positioned external to the container. The second lumen may be in operative fluid communication with the container and the second end of the gas supply tube is positioned external to the container.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for connecting tubes to an endoscope. A connector for connecting tubing, such as gas/lens wash tubing, to fluid ports of an endoscope may include a first end that couples with the tubing and a second end for engaging fluid ports of an endoscope. The connector may have a stabilizing component configured to facilitate securing the second end to the endoscope. In some cases, the connector may include a device coupling member configured to couple to the endoscope and a core structure adding stability to the device coupling member and configured to couple to the tubing. In some cases, the stabilizing component may include an actuator and a retention component that adjusts in response to actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

Abstract: A steerable device, such as a steerable catheter, may include a control handle and an insertion shaft extending outwardly therefrom. In use, the insertion shaft is navigated to an area of interest for examination and/or treatment thereof. The steerable device may include a steering system that controls the deflection angle of the distal end of the insertion shaft in two or more non-planar directions for navigating the insertion shaft to the area of interest. The steering system may also include a locking mechanism for arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end of the insertion shaft in a first direction independent of arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end in a second non-planar direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for refilling a container during an endoscopic procedure. An illustrative container may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid, a water supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending therethrough and in fluid communication with the bottom portion of the container, a gas supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending therethrough and in operative fluid communication with container, a manifold configured to couple the water supply tube and the gas supply tube to the container and including a first end positioned interior to the container and a second end positioned exterior to the container, and a port positioned adjacent to the top portion of the container. The port may be configured to be in selective fluid communication with an interior of the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for coupling a tube set to an endoscope. An illustrative adaptor for coupling a tube set to an endoscope may include a planar head portion having at least one aperture, at least one floating cylinder extending from a proximal end at least partially disposed within the at least one aperture of the planar head portion to a distal tip and having a first lumen extending therethrough, at least one O-ring positioned at the distal tip of the at least one floating cylinder, and at least one biasing element disposed about an outer surface of the at least one floating cylinder and extending from a first end adjacent the at least one aperture of the planar head portion to a second end proximal to the distal tip of the at least one floating cylinder.

Abstract: Methods and systems for refilling a container during an endoscopic procedure. An illustrative container may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid within a first receptacle thereof, the container movable between a collapsed storage configuration and an expanded use configuration, a lens water supply tube including a first lumen extending therethrough, the first lumen is in fluid communication with the first receptacle of the container, a gas supply tube including a second lumen extending therethrough, the second lumen is in operative fluid communication with the first receptacle, and a port positioned adjacent to the top portion of the container. The port may be configured to be in selective fluid communication with the first receptacle of the container.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a medical device that includes an enclosure for storing an agent and a funnel downstream of the enclosure for receiving the agent. The enclosure including a first end and the funnel including a second end positioned adjacent to the first end. The valve assembly including a first plate coupled to the enclosure at the first end, and a second plate coupled to the funnel at the second end. The first plate including at least one opening, and the second plate including at least one opening that is in fluid communication with the opening of the first plate. The first and second plates are positioned against one another, and an exterior surface of the first or second plate includes textured surface elements configured to displace the agent stored in the enclosure in response to the first or second plate moving relative to one another.

Abstract: Apparatuses of the type broadly applicable to numerous medical applications in which it is desirable to insert one or more steerable or non-steerable catheters or similar devices into a working channel of an associated device, such as an endoscope, catheter, etc., or passageway of a patient, are disclosed. The apparatuses may include catheters having a dedicated guide wire channel and one or more of the following: viewing capabilities, a working channel, and auxiliary channels, such as insufflation/irrigation channels. The catheters may include a guide wire channel that is configured to provide the catheter or other device with rapid exchange capabilities.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a sheath, a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath, and a handle including a rotation assembly configured to rotate the tool relative to the sheath in response to rotation of the rotation assembly relative to a portion of the handle. The rotation assembly rotates the tool relative to the sheath at predefined angular intervals and inhibits movement at each of the predefined angular intervals.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree.

Abstract: A steerable device, such as a steerable catheter, may include a control handle and an insertion shaft extending outwardly therefrom. In use, the insertion shaft is navigated to an area of interest for examination and/or treatment thereof. The steerable device may include a steering system that controls the deflection angle of the distal end of the insertion shaft in two or more non-planar directions for navigating the insertion shaft to the area of interest. The steering system may also include a locking mechanism for arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end of the insertion shaft in a first direction independent of arresting or partially arresting the movement of the distal end in a second non-planar direction.