Abstract: A surgical device and associated methods such as an end effector are disclosed. The end effector can include: a first component forming a body of the end effector, wherein the first component is formed of a first electrically non-conductive material; and a second component coupled to the first component at a joint, wherein the second component is formed of a second material or is formed of the first material but is processed differently from the first material, wherein the second component connects the first component to the surgical device and has one or more features that are configured to facilitate articulating movement of the first component.

Abstract: A ureteral stent is provided. The stent may include a first section having a first wall defining a first luminal section. The stent may further include a second section having a second wall defining a second luminal section. The second section can be enabled to substantially close at times external pressure is applied to the stent.

Abstract: A device for acoustic calculi fracture can include an acoustically-transmissive elongated probe body extending between a distal portion and a proximal portion and an acoustically-transmissive probe tip that can be selectively user-interchangeable with the probe body. The probe body can have a lumen longitudinally therethrough. A method of fracturing calculi can include interchanging a probe tip with a probe body by a user without requiring an additional tool and transmitting acoustic energy via the probe body and the probe tip to a calculus to at least partially fracture the calculus.

Abstract: A forceps having at least a first jaw with a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The first jaw can include a body portion, a first flange, a second flange and a cam pin. The first flange can define a first cam slot with a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal axis. The second flange can be spaced from the first flange a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw and can have a second cam slot. The cam pin, with a longitudinal axis, can be moveably secured within the first cam slot and the second cam slot. A diameter of the cam pin can be less than a width between a first longitudinal edge that defines a first side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot and a second longitudinal edge that defines a second opposing side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot so that the cam pin is moveably received by both the first cam slot and the second cam slot.

Abstract: A medical device and associated methods are disclosed. In one example, the medical device includes an electrosurgical forceps. In selected examples, one or more structural components of the electrosurgical forceps includes a sintered ceramic microstructure. In selected examples other medical devices, including a debrider and a lithotripter, include a sintered ceramic microstructure.

Abstract: A modular endoscope system comprises an exoskeleton, a camera unit couplable to the exoskeleton, a therapeutic unit couplable to the exoskeleton, a steering unit couplable to the exoskeleton, and a control unit couplable to the exoskeleton. A method for building a modular endoscope comprises determining camera and therapeutic capabilities of the endoscope, selecting an exoskeleton for the endoscope, attaching a camera unit and therapeutic unit, if such capabilities are determined, to the selected exoskeleton to satisfy the determined capabilities, and attaching a control unit to the exoskeleton to control any camera unit and therapeutic unit attached to the exoskeleton. A method of processing modular endoscope components for performing a surgical procedure comprises identifying a patient to receive a treatment, selecting components of the endoscope to perform the treatment, treating the patient with the endoscope, and deconstructing the components of the endoscope into reusable and disposable components.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for nerve monitoring are described herein. The system can include a remote transmitter configured to send a stimulation signal to a nerve, and an electrosurgical device including an end effector configured to perform a surgical function in response to receiving a therapeutic signal from an electrosurgical generator. The system can also include a receiver configured to detect the stimulation signal, and in response to detecting the stimulation signal, determine a location of the nerve, and an in-vivo transmitter configured to emit a location signal in response to the determined location of the nerve.

Abstract: A forceps having at least a first jaw with a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The first jaw can include a body portion, a first flange, a second flange and a cam pin. The first flange can define a first cam slot with a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal axis. The second flange can be spaced from the first flange a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw and can have a second cam slot. The cam pin, with a longitudinal axis, can be moveably secured within the first cam slot and the second cam slot. A diameter of the cam pin can be less than a width between a first longitudinal edge that defines a first side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot and a second longitudinal edge that defines a second opposing side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot so that the cam pin is moveably received by both the first cam slot and the second cam slot.

Abstract: A stent, shunt, or plug, for at least partial insertion into a patient, can include a deformable elongated tubular body including a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining a longitudinal lumen of the tubular body therebetween. The deformable elongated body can be capable of an expanded state and a collapsed state. The tubular body can include a sheath and a plurality of magnetizable or magnetic elements for providing magnetic repulsion, after being magnetically actuated, to maintain the tubular body to maintain the expanded state.

Abstract: A method of treating diverticulitis while maintaining the bioactivity of the diverticulum. The devices and methods include placing an endoscopic device within a colonic lumen relative to at least one diverticulum and inserting a plurality of particles into the at least one diverticulum. The plurality of particles can include magnetic particles, non-magnetic particles, or both. The plurality of particles can partially or totally occlude the diverticulum preventing unwanted material from entering the diverticulum. Additionally, the plurality of particles can include antimicrobial and therapeutic layers that can treat diverticulitis and prevent or minimize diverticulitis from occurring.

Abstract: A method of treating diverticulitis and the diverticulum by reducing the bioactivity of the diverticulum such that the diverticulum necroses. The devices and methods include placing an endoscopic device within a colonic lumen relative to at least one diverticulum and inverting the diverticulum. Once inverted, the diverticulum is collapsed and sealed. Overtime, the inverted diverticulum will necrose and be absorbed by the body or slough off and be expelled.

Abstract: An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

Abstract: An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

Abstract: A surgical device such as a therapy device that can allow a surgeon to treat a target tissue with ultra-violet (UV) light ablation therapy. In one example, the therapy device is configured to treat menorrhagia. In that instance, the therapy device may be configured to effect or destroy the endometrium during a procedure treating menorrhagia.

Abstract: A method for treating target tissue comprises introducing a portion of a surgical device into a patient, the surgical device having a treatment end, positioning the treatment end of the surgical device adjacent to the target tissue, and administering a devascularizing material to the target tissue. The devascularizing material, after a time period, is able to devascularize the target tissue. A surgical device comprises a shaft extending between proximal and distal portions, a treatment end located at the distal portion, where the treatment end administers the devascularizating material to a target tissue.

Abstract: A therapy device comprises a shaft extending between proximal and distal portions, a surgical instrument located at the distal portion, a handpiece located at the proximal portion, a treatment end located at the distal end of the surgical instrument that can apply photodynamic therapy (PDT). The treatment end includes an applicator to apply a photosensitizer to a surface of a target tissue and a light emitter that can emit generated phototherapeutic light to activate the photosensitizer to ablate target tissue. A method for providing PDT to the target tissue includes inserting the therapy device into the patent, applying the photosensitizer and phototherapeutic light to a surface of the target tissue, and removing the device from the patient.

Abstract: A ureteral stent that includes a tubular member and a retaining end adapted to be placed inside a kidney or a bladder of a patient. The retaining end includes a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are centered about a loop axis, and two or more of the loop axes extend in different directions relative to other loop axes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vapor therapy device for producing intra-uterine tissue effects. The device can include a shaft, including a proximal portion and a distal portion, a fluid-expandable medium, near the distal portion of the shaft, a fluid-delivery conduit, extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the shaft, the fluid-delivery conduit comprising an outlet, near the distal portion of the shaft, for delivery of the fluid toward the medium, and an in vivo heat generator, near the distal portion of the shaft, to heat the fluid. A method of treating a patient for menorrhagia with the device can include introducing a medium, in a contracted state, into a patient, delivering a fluid toward the medium to expand the medium in vivo; generating heat in vivo on or near the medium to vaporize the fluid, and exposing a treatment site to the vaporized fluid.

Abstract: An electrotherapeutic device can be configured for at least partial insertion into a patient. The device can include a shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion, a gas-delivery lumen extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the shaft, and one or more electrodes located near the distal portion of the shaft. The electrodes can include a plasma activation electrode for generating plasma from gas delivered to the distal portion of the shaft via the gas-delivery lumen, and an ablation electrode for generating electromagnetic ablation energy. The medical device can be used in a method of treating endometriosis including delivering a gas toward an in vivo treatment site within a patient, generating plasma from the gas on or near the in vivo treatment site using a plasma activation electrode, exposing the treatment site to the plasma, and applying electromagnetic ablation energy to treat endometrial tissue.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are disclosed including a tissue removal tool for treatment of endometrial tissue on a background tissue of a patient. The tissue removal tool can optionally comprise a graspable portion, a shaft and an end effector. The shaft can be coupled to the graspable portion. The shaft can have a proximal portion and a distal portion and can be configured to access an anatomic location of the endometrial tissue. The end effector can be coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The end effector can be configured to lift the endometrial tissue relative to the background tissue to a lifted position. The end effector can be configured to cut the endometrial tissue from the background tissue with the endometrial tissue in the lifted position.