Abstract: A method of engaging tissue is provided. The method includes: providing a forceps including a housing, a first jaw and a second jaw slidably and pivotably connected to a distal portion of the housing, and a driver; advancing the forceps in a closed configuration through a body lumen until the forceps are near a target tissue site; moving the driver in a distal direction relative to the housing to move the first and second jaws to an open configuration; positioning the first and second jaws adjacent to the target tissue site; and securing a tissue sample within the first and second jaws by moving the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing to rotate the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, which also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally in a proximal direction.

Abstract: A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.

Abstract: A forceps may include: a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing; a first jaw and a second jaw each slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, where the first and second jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration; a first connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the first jaw; a second connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the second jaw; a connecting pin assembly that slidably and pivotably connects the first and second jaws to the housing; and a driver operably connected to a second end of the first connection member and a second end of the second connection member. Longitudinal movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing moves the first and second jaws, along with the connecting pin assembly, relative to the housing.

Abstract: A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.

Abstract: A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter shaft body includes a proximal end segment with a first durometer and a first longitudinal length dimension. A proximal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal end segment and includes a second durometer and a second longitudinal length dimension. A distal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal intermediate segment and includes a third durometer and a third longitudinal length dimension. A distal terminal end segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the distal intermediate segment and includes a fourth durometer and a fourth longitudinal length dimension. The first durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. The fourth durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. A plurality of parallel longitudinal lumens extends through the body, providing a structure useful in a cholangioscope or other endoscopic applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

Abstract: A spool and gear mechanism for tensioning and manipulating the steering/deflection control wires of a steerable catheter device provides for a desired level of tension that will allow operation of the device without too little or too much tension in those wires. In a wire-tensioning mechanism for a steerable catheter, the mechanism includes at least a first and second steering/deflection control wire each attached to the spool by winding around its own detent-engaged rotatable gear in the spool and extending out through a radial wall of the spool to engage into a steerable catheter body. In a multi-spool system, the wire-tensioning/winding gears of each spool preferably are accessible for adjustment via apertures of an adjacent spool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device and a method of orienting the electrosurgical device are provided. The device includes a rotation mechanism including a first and a second connector where the first connector is rotatable relative to the second connector. The device also includes a handle operably connected to the first connector; and a catheter operably connected to the second connector where the handle is rotatable relative to the catheter. The device further includes a first wire having a distal portion anchored to a distal portion of the catheter so that the distal portion of the wire is orientable by rotation of the handle relative to the catheter. At least one of the rotation mechanism or a proximal portion of the wire forms a conductive connection that operably connects a power source to the distal portion of the first wire to energize the distal portion of the first wire in the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrosurgical device that include one or more floating electrodes and are specifically adapted to remove, resect, ablate, vaporize, denaturize, coagulate and form lesions in soft tissues, preferably in combination with a resectoscope, particularly in the context of urological, gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and ENT procedures. Specific adaptations for urological and gynecological applications, for example BPH treatment, are also described.

Abstract: A spool and gear mechanism for tensioning and manipulating the steering/deflection control wires of a steerable catheter device provides for a desired level of tension that will allow operation of the device without too little or too much tension in those wires. In a wire-tensioning mechanism for a steerable catheter, the mechanism includes at least a first and second steering/deflection control wire each attached to the spool by winding around its own detent-engaged rotatable gear in the spool and extending out through a radial wall of the spool to engage into a steerable catheter body. In a multi-spool system, the wire-tensioning/winding gears of each spool preferably are accessible for adjustment via apertures of an adjacent spool.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter shaft body includes a proximal end segment with a first durometer and a first longitudinal length dimension. A proximal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal end segment and includes a second durometer and a second longitudinal length dimension. A distal intermediate segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the proximal intermediate segment and includes a third durometer and a third longitudinal length dimension. A distal terminal end segment is fixedly joined to a distal end of the distal intermediate segment and includes a fourth durometer and a fourth longitudinal length dimension. The first durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. The fourth durometer is greater than at least the second and third durometers. A plurality of parallel longitudinal lumens extends through the body, providing a structure useful in a cholangioscope or other endoscopic applications.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device and a method of orienting the electrosurgical device are provided. The device includes a rotation mechanism including a first and a second connector where the first connector is rotatable relative to the second connector. The device also includes a handle operably connected to the first connector; and a catheter operably connected to the second connector where the handle is rotatable relative to the catheter. The device further includes a first wire having a distal portion anchored to a distal portion of the catheter so that the distal portion of the wire is orientable by rotation of the handle relative to the catheter. At least one of the rotation mechanism or a proximal portion of the wire forms a conductive connection that operably connects a power source to the distal portion of the first wire to energize the distal portion of the first wire in the electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port. An endoscope, which may be the second endoscope, can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a connection structure configured for securely and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

Abstract: A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.

Abstract: A medical device is provided with a probe including an elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and an external wall. The probe also includes at least two conductors extending substantially along a longitudinal length of the probe. The probe also includes a strengthening element attached to an outer surface of the external wall of the elongated shaft. The probe is configured to slidably move within a working channel of a delivery device and the strengthening element is configured to limit buckling of the probe as a distal portion of the probe is advanced past a deflection point of the delivery device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for space-optimized visualization catheters are provided. Some embodiments utilize complimentary metal-oxide-semi-conductor (“CMOS”) technology integrated into a CMOS camera train holder system that may be a stand-alone component for use with a visualization catheter, such as a baby endoscope, or may be fabricated/extruded as a part of the catheter itself. Some embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and equivalents thereto provide better direct visual feedback to the medical personnel performing the procedure while providing a similarly-sized outer diameter visualization catheter device having an increased space therein for additional lumens and equipment or by reducing the overall outer diameter of the visualization catheter.