Abstract: A steerable catheter includes a brake mechanism with a knob mounted to a catheter handle body. The knob is rotatable around a knob axis, and the catheter handle body includes at least one steering control spool rotatable around a spool axis that is orthogonal to the knob axis. The knob contacts and rotates in a limited arc along a recessed handle body surface between stop surfaces. A frictional braking element in mechanical communication, along the knob axis, with the knob is disposed adjacent the at least one steering control spool and actuatable into and out of contact with a contact surface of the at least one spool upon rotation of the knob around the knob axis.

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: A steerable-catheter handle includes an outer housing with a multilumen catheter body extending generally distally therefrom. An internal track, including at least one track-defining lateral edge element, is disposed between distal and proximal terminal ends of the outer housing, which also houses a manifold engaged with the catheter body, a working-channel port member in fluid and mechanical communication with at least a first catheter lumen, a vacuum channel port member in fluid communication with at least one catheter lumen via one or both of the working channel port member and the manifold, and a generally proximal catheter port open to the internal track, where a distal endmost portion of the catheter mechanically communicates with one or more control surfaces so that the distal endmost portion of the catheter is deflectable along at least two intersecting axes, and where a portion of the catheter body extends removably through the internal track.

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.

Abstract: A system may include an elongate tubular member having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a crossover port extending in between the first and second lumens such that the two lumens are in fluid communication with each other via the crossover port. The first lumen may have a distal opening that is more restrictive than a distal opening of the second lumen. Fluid may be inserted into the first lumen, where it flows distally toward the crossover port. When the fluid reaches the crossover port, at least some of the fluid may enter the second lumen where the fluid passes through the distal opening of the second lumen to outside the tubular member. A blocking structure may be disposed near the distal opening of the first lumen, which may at least partially seal the distal opening of the first lumen.

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: A steerable catheter includes a brake mechanism with a knob mounted to a catheter handle body. The knob is rotatable around a knob axis, and the catheter handle body includes at least one steering control spool rotatable around a spool axis that is orthogonal to the knob axis. The knob contacts and rotates in a limited arc along a recessed handle body surface between stop surfaces. A frictional braking element in mechanical communication, along the knob axis, with the knob is disposed adjacent the at least one steering control spool and actuatable into and out of contact with a contact surface of the at least one spool upon rotation of the knob around the knob axis.

Abstract: A steerable-catheter handle includes an outer housing with a multilumen catheter body extending generally distally therefrom. An internal track, including at least one track-defining lateral edge element, is disposed between distal and proximal terminal ends of the outer housing, which also houses a manifold engaged with the catheter body, a working-channel port member in fluid and mechanical communication with at least a first catheter lumen, a vacuum channel port member in fluid communication with at least one catheter lumen via one or both of the working channel port member and the manifold, and a generally proximal catheter port open to the internal track, where a distal endmost portion of the catheter mechanically communicates with one or more control surfaces so that the distal endmost portion of the catheter is deflectable along at least two intersecting axes, and where a portion of the catheter body extends removably through the internal track.

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.

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 system may include an elongate tubular member having a first lumen, a second lumen, and a crossover port extending in between the first and second lumens such that the two lumens are in fluid communication with each other via the crossover port. The first lumen may have a distal opening that is more restrictive than a distal opening of the second lumen. Fluid may be inserted into the first lumen, where it flows distally toward the crossover port. When the fluid reaches the crossover port, at least some of the fluid may enter the second lumen where the fluid passes through the distal opening of the second lumen to outside the tubular member. A blocking structure may be disposed near the distal opening of the first lumen, which may at least partially seal the distal opening of the first lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for facilitating positioning one or more medical components. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rail member having proximal and distal ends and a generally longitudinal axis. A first connector is adapted to be selectively coupled to the rail member, and a first medical component is adapted to be coupled to the first connector. The first connector is disposed for selective longitudinal movement along the rail member, thereby permitting movement of the first medical component with respect to the rail member. In this manner, one or more components, such as a catheter and a needle, may be inserted into a human or animal body in a controlled fashion with respect to one another.

Abstract: A steerable catheter and a method of steering a catheter are provided. The steerable catheter includes a flexible elongate shaft having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a cable lumen extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. The steerable catheter includes a control cable having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the control cable fixed in position relative to the shaft and the second portion movable relative to the shaft and at least a portion of the second portion is extendable through at least a portion of the cable lumen and extendable through the opening. The control cable has a first position where the at least the portion of the second portion is axially extendable away from a wall of the shaft and a second position for delivery of the catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system and method of use thereof for introducing a bundled intragastric bag into a gastric lumen are described. The delivery system includes a pushing mechanism movable between an unexpanded and expanded configuration. The pushing mechanism in its expanded configuration pushes each of the bundles of the bag into the gastric lumen. A suture strand is periodically pulled during the procedure to help create doughnut-shaped bundles. Another suture strand extends between a proximal button and distal button of the deployed assembly to maintain the doughnut-shaped bundle structure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter may include a distal anchoring balloon and a proximal hub that is removable from the catheter body. The catheter body may include a valve structure providing for maintaining the balloon in an inflated state during and after removal of the proximal hub. The valve preferably is constructed such that removal of the hub provides a low-profile proximal catheter end that will allow that proximal catheter end to pass through an endoscopic surgical device such as, for example, through an accessory channel of a standard duodenoscope and/or an ultra-slim endoscope/cholangioscope, facilitating a scope-exchange for use during, for example, a cholangioscopy or pancreatoscopy procedure. A method useful for scope exchange and/or introducing another elongate surgical device may utilize a balloon catheter with a distal anchoring balloon and a proximal hub that is removable from the catheter body.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.