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: 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: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing 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: Described herein are drive systems and methods. One exemplary system includes a tool having a proximal handle and a catheter body. The tool can be mated with a rail and the rail mated with a frame. The connection between the tool and rail and/or the rail and frame can allow relative movement of the tool with respect to the frame, a patient, and/or a point of reference. In one exemplary configuration the handle of the tool rotates around an axis that corresponds to a portion of the catheter body, such that rotational movement of the handle has a minimal impact on longitudinal movement and/or position of a distal end of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing 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: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing 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: The anti-obesity dual stent includes a tubular outer structure within which is located a coaxial tubular inner structure. The outer structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The outer and inner structures communicate with the pylorus and papilla of Vater to provide conduits for the chyme and digestive fluid. Alternatively, the anti-obesity dual stent may include a tubular papilla-supplied structure which has a lateral orientation relative to a tubular pylorus-supplied structure. The papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied structures each are sized to fit longitudinally within the duodenum. The pylorus-supplied and papilla-supplied structures communicate with the pylorus and papilla of Vater to provide conduits for the chyme and digestive fluid.

Abstract: A system for inducing weight loss ina patient includes (a) an elongated element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongated element separating a duodenum into first and second channels, wherein the elongated element is expandable; and (b) a retainer connected to the elongated element and securing the elongated element in a desired orientation within the duodenum. In the desired orientation, all chyme flowing through the duodenum enters the first channel and the second channel is open to a papilla of vater so that digestive fluids from the papilla of vater enter the second channel.

Abstract: Described herein are drive systems and methods. One exemplary system includes a tool having a proximal handle and a catheter body. The tool can be mated with a rail and the rail mated with a frame. The connection between the tool and rail and/or the rail and frame can allow relative movement of the tool with respect to the frame, a patient, and/or a point of reference. In one exemplary configuration the handle of the tool rotates around an axis that corresponds to a portion of the catheter body, such that rotational movement of the handle has a minimal impact on longitudinal movement and/or position of a distal end of the tool.

Abstract: Described herein are drive systems and methods. One exemplary system includes a tool having a proximal handle and a catheter body. The tool can be mated with a rail and the rail mated with a frame. The connection between the tool and rail and/or the rail and frame can allow relative movement of the tool with respect to the frame, a patient, and/or a point of reference. In one exemplary configuration the handle of the tool rotates around an axis that corresponds to a portion of the catheter body, such that rotational movement of the handle has a minimal impact on longitudinal movement and/or position of a distal end of the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for traversing an anatomic wall. A system can include a port that mates with an anatomic wall and provides a lumen for the passage of a guide tube of a transluminal device. The port can inhibit the passage of biological materials through the anatomic wall. Further described herein are methods for implanting the port and/or for inserting the transluminal device into a body cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing 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: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing 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: The anti-obesity stent includes a tubular structure having outer and inner surfaces and proximal and distal ends. The tubular structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The tubular structure is impervious or semi-permeable to digestive substances and chyme within the duodenum. The anti-obesity stent includes a transport structure at least a part of which is coincident with or connected to the outer surface. The transport structure extends to the distal end of the tubular structure. At least one retainer structure is connected to the tubular structure. The retainer structure secures the tubular structure within the duodenum such that the transport structure is positioned to receive digestive fluids from a papilla of Vater on an inner surface of the duodenum. The transport structure provides a conduit for the digestive fluids therein to flow to the distal end.

Abstract: The anti-obesity diverter structure includes a laminate structure having papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied surfaces. The laminate structure is sized to fit longitudinally within a duodenum such that a transverse clearance is provided between the papilla-supplied surface and papilla of Vater. The laminate structure is secured within the duodenum to define papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied lumens therein. The papilla-supplied lumen receives the digestive fluid from the papilla of Vater, and provides a conduit for the digestive fluid therein. The pylorus-supplied lumen receives the chyme from the pylorus and provides a conduit for the chyme therein. The laminate structure is impervious or semi-permeable to the chyme and digestive fluid.

Abstract: A system for inducing weight loss in a patient, includes (a) an elongated element extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the elongated element separating a duodenum into first and second channels, wherein the elongated element is expandable; and (b) a retainer connected to the elongated element and securing the elongated element in a desired orientation within the duodenum. In the desired orientation, all chyme flowing through the duodenum enters the first channel and the second channel is open to a papilla of vater so that digestive fluids from the papilla of vater enter the second channel.

Abstract: Described herein are various systems and methods for directing endoscopy instruments to varying positions at a target site. In one aspect, at least one instrument channel has multiple exit points at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument delivered through the channel may be switched between the different exit points. In another aspect, an instrument channel splits into multiple branches at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument at the target site may be changed by selectively directing the instrument into a different channel branch. In yet another aspect, the guide tube, or a portion thereof, may be rotated to reposition an instrument at the target site. The capability of changing the instrument positions during a procedure would enable a physician to examine or treat multiple target sites within an operative field, without necessitating the full retraction of the instruments or the guide tube from the operative field.

Abstract: The anti-obesity diverter structure includes a laminate structure having papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied surfaces. The laminate structure is sized to fit longitudinally within a duodenum such that a transverse clearance is provided between the papilla-supplied surface and papilla of Vater. The laminate structure is secured within the duodenum to define papilla-supplied and pylorus-supplied lumens therein. The papilla-supplied lumen receives the digestive fluid from the papilla of Vater, and provides a conduit for the digestive fluid therein. The pylorus-supplied lumen receives the chyme from the pylorus and provides a conduit for the chyme therein. The laminate structure is impervious or semi-permeable to the chyme and digestive fluid.

Abstract: The anti-obesity stent includes a tubular structure having outer and inner surfaces and proximal and distal ends. The tubular structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The tubular structure is impervious or semi-permeable to digestive substances and chyme within the duodenum. The anti-obesity stent includes a transport structure at least a part of which is coincident with or connected to the outer surface. The transport structure extends to the distal end of the tubular structure. At least one retainer structure is connected to the tubular structure. The retainer structure secures the tubular structure within the duodenum such that the transport structure is positioned to receive digestive fluids from a papilla of Vater on an inner surface of the duodenum. The transport structure provides a conduit for the digestive fluids therein to flow to the distal end.

Abstract: The anti-obesity stent includes a tubular structure having outer and inner surfaces and proximal and distal ends. The tubular structure is sized to fit within a duodenum in substantially coaxial relation therewith. The tubular structure is impervious or semi-permeable to digestive substances and chyme within the duodenum. The anti-obesity stent includes a transport structure at least a part of which is coincident with or connected to the outer surface. The transport structure extends to the distal end of the tubular structure. At least one retainer structure is connected to the tubular structure. The retainer structure secures the tubular structure within the duodenum such that the transport structure is positioned to receive digestive fluids from a papilla of Vater on an inner surface of the duodenum. The transport structure provides a conduit for the digestive fluids therein to flow to the distal end.