Abstract: A medical device includes opposing first and second end effectors coupled together to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration, a first link with a distal end pivotally connected to a proximal end of the first end effector, the first link including a first slot at a proximal end of the first link, a second link with a distal end pivotally connected to a proximal end of the second end effector, and a first actuator pin slidable within the first slot.

Abstract: A catheter system which provides adjustability of the length of the guidewire extending distally from the distal tip of the catheter and/or allows the guidewire to be secured relative to the catheter hub to allow the guidewire and the catheter to be steered simultaneously. The catheter system may include a catheter having an elongate shaft defining a catheter lumen, a hub assembly coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and including a hub assembly lumen, a torque assembly releasably coupled to the hub assembly and including a torque assembly lumen, and a guidewire co-axially disposed within the catheter lumen, hub assembly lumen, and torque assembly lumen. In a first configuration the torque assembly may be configured to simultaneously torque the elongate shaft and the guidewire and in a second configuration the torque assembly may be configured to torque the guidewire independent of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A stop-movement device is configured to be mounted to a first elongated medical assembly and a second elongated medical assembly. The stop-movement device has a body configured to stop, at least in part, relative movement between the second elongated medical assembly and the first elongated medical assembly.

Abstract: A tissue-spreader assembly is configured to be selectively inserted into a patient having a first biological tissue and a second biological tissue, and to be maneuvered proximate to the second biological tissue. The tissue-spreader assembly is also configured to selectively engage, at least in part, an area of the second biological tissue without engaging the first biological tissue. The tissue-spreader assembly is also configured to selectively spread, at least in part, the area of the second biological tissue, and maintain the area of the second biological tissue in a spread-apart condition after the tissue-spreader assembly, in use, selectively engages, at least in part, the area of the second biological tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises an electrically conductive elongate member for traversing body vasculature defining a hollow lumen with one or more apertures at or near its distal end, wherein electrical energy can flow through the wall of the elongate member; and an energy delivery device in electrical communication with the elongate member is located distal to the end of the elongate member. The energy delivery device includes an electrode for delivering energy. Methods of using the electrosurgical device include cutting through occlusions and creating transseptal punctures.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly may include a handle assembly including: a handle body; a shaft extending through the handle body; and an actuator. The guidewire assembly may further include a tube extending distally from the handle assembly and including a proximal portion and a distal portion; and an interior body extending from the handle assembly through the tube to the distal portion of the tube, wherein the interior body is coupled to the shaft. The shaft may be configured to move longitudinally through the handle body as the actuator is rotated to move interior body longitudinally through the tube.

Abstract: A medical system includes a medical device and an analysis system. The medical device includes a perforation device having a shaft. The shaft has a proximal portion, and an opposed distal portion. A perforating tip is associated with the distal portion. At least a first light emitter is associated with the distal portion and is positioned proximate the perforating tip for illuminating a region surrounding the perforating tip. The analysis system is for analyzing returned light that is returned towards the shaft from the region surrounding the perforating tip. The analysis system includes a light sensor configured to detect one or more parameters of the returned light, a processor configured to perform an analysis of the one or more parameters, and an alert system connected to the processor for alerting a user to a result of the analysis.

Abstract: A handle of a medical device may comprise an actuator; a lock movable relative to the actuator and having a feature movable relative to the actuator; and a rack having plurality of teeth separated from one another by a plurality of gaps. The lock may be configured to move the feature from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in the gap, between two of the plurality of teeth, such that the two teeth inhibit the actuator from rotating; to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed outside of the gap, such that the actuator is rotatable. In the second configuration, the teeth may be disposed between the feature and the actuator.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle and defining a lumen, and an actuator disposed in the shaft and including a distal tip. The actuator and the distal tip are movable relative to the lumen. The medical device includes an expandable member having an inner cavity. The actuator is configured to engage the expandable member when moving distally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip entering the inner cavity. The actuator is configured to disengage the expandable member when moving proximally relative to the lumen and in response to the distal tip exiting the inner cavity.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to imageable radioisotopic microspheres. In some embodiments, the imageable microspheres are radiolabeled with imageable radioisotopes. In some embodiments, the imageable radioisotope is directly coupled to a surface of a substrate of the microsphere. In some embodiments, the imageable microspheres can be used as surrogate particles to predict the distribution of therapeutic microspheres comprising radiotherapeutic isotopes.

Abstract: Stent-valves (e.g., single-stent-valves and double-stent-valves) and associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery are provided. The stent-valves include a stent component having a first flared end region and a second end, a plurality of leaflets coupled to the stent, and a sealing element coupled to the first end region.

Abstract: A medical device that includes: a first handle coupled to a first sheath; a second handle coupled to a second sheath, wherein at least a portion of the first sheath is disposed within a lumen of the second sheath; and a patch. In a first configuration, the first handle and the second handle may be separated by a first distance, and the patch may be disposed between a distal portion of the first sheath and a distal portion of the second sheath. In a second configuration, the first handle and the second handle may contact one another or may be separated by a second distance, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance, and wherein a distalmost end of the second sheath is proximal of a proximal end of the patch.

Abstract: A trans-atrial septal catheter system for delivery of a steerable sheath into the left atrium contains three components. The first component is a three-segmented needle-guide wire composed of a distal needle designed to flex sharply in relation to the conjoined looped guide wire segment after fossa ovalis puncture and needle advancement. The distal guide wire loops are advanced into the left atrium maintaining the angled needle in a central location relevant to the loops for preserving an atraumatic position while stabilizing the loops in the left atrium. The elongated proximal extra stiff guide wire segment is conjoined to the looped segment which crosses the fossa ovalis and extends proximally to become externalized to the femoral vein. This segment is extra stiff and significantly elongated to permit catheter and device exchanges. The guide wire serves as a support rail over which the dilator and sheath can be advanced into the left atrium.

Abstract: A medical device adaptor may comprise a distal portion, including a cap configured to be removably affixed to a distal end of a medical device and a channel extending through a lumen of the cap. The channel may be in fluid communication with a working channel of the medical device upon removably affixing the cap to the distal end of the medical device. The adaptor may further comprise a proximal portion including an actuator having a lumen. The actuator may be removably affixed to a proximal end of the medical device, such that the lumen of the proximal portion is configured to be in fluid communication with the working channel of the medical device. The medical device adaptor also may include one or more wires extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The one or more wires may be configured to articulate the channel of the distal portion.

Abstract: A support catheter may be used in combination with a guidewire or other medical device. The support catheter may be adapted to provide both high pushability and good torque response. The elongate shaft of the support catheter may include a polymeric inner layer, stainless steel braided layer disposed over the polymeric inner layer, and a polymeric blend layer that is extruded directly over the stainless-steel braided layer. The construction of the elongate shaft may provide the support catheter with a pushability value of at least 900 grams per centimeter and a torque response value of less than 300 degrees.

Abstract: According to an example, a handle assembly for a medical device may comprise a handle body, and a first knob for controlling movement of a distal portion of the medical device, the first knob may comprise a first rotational axis, and a second knob for controlling movement of the distal portion of the medical device, the second knob may comprise a second rotational axis, wherein the first rotational axis may be spaced from the second rotational axis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a transseptal puncture procedure using a device which includes either an untapered or tapered blunt end cannula disposed in an introducer carrying a sharp guidewire disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the blunt cannula, and a blunt end dilator wherein the guidewire is flexible and has an atraumatic shape at its tip. The cannula gives the more flexible introducer a defined shape and steerabilty allowing an ordinarily skilled physician to easily access a selected location on the septal wall of the heart for transseptal puncture and introducer placement thereacross without employing an exposed sharp end needle during the procedure.

Abstract: An elongated medical assembly is configured to be maneuverable proximate to a first biological feature of a patient. The elongated medical assembly is also configured to facilitate movement along an elongated length of the elongated medical assembly of a first medical device and a second medical device.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are disclosed. An example medical device for accessing a body lumen along a biliary and/or pancreatic tract may include an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end. The medical device may have a flexible distal tip. The flexible tip may be steerable by applying tension to one or more steering wires extending between the distal tip and a handle at a proximal end of the medical device. The medical device may be a sphincterotome.

Abstract: Anatomical wall crossing systems, devices and related methods are disclosed in this patent document. A transseptal system, for example, can include a guidewire, a dilator, and a deflectable sheath configured to safely deliver a puncture needle through a septal wall associated with the fossa ovalis and into a central region of the left atrium of a heart. The dilator can include a dilator nose having a first outer diameter and a dilator beveled segment, extending proximal of the dilator nose, tapering from a second, greater outer diameter to the first outer diameter. The length and interplay of the puncture needle and the dilator nose can be configured such that the puncture needle is inhibited from bending and impinging upon the left side of the atrial septum of the heart during use. A body of the guidewire can include at least one loop segment to provide stable support in the left atrium for delivery of a diagnostic or therapeutic device along its more proximal portions.