Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a vascular region are disclosed. An example system for treating a vascular region may include an elongate catheter shaft having a distal end region. A central lumen may be formed in the elongate catheter shaft. A treatment core may be disposed within the central lumen. The treatment core may include a plurality of ultrasound transducers. A control unit may be coupled to the treatment core. The control unit may be configured to shift between in a first configuration. A fluid delivery lumen may be defined in the elongate catheter shaft. A pump may be coupled to the elongate catheter shaft. The pump may be configured to deliver microbubbles, nanodroplets, or both to the fluid delivery lumen when the control unit is in the inactive state.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides hydrogels that comprise a crosslinked reaction product of (a) a reactive multi-arm polymer that comprises a plurality of reactive moieties and (b) a multifunctional crosslinking compound which has plurality of complementary reactive moieties that are reactive with the reactive moieties of the reactive multi-arm polymer, the hydrogels comprising hydrolysable moieties as described herein that are dispersed throughout the hydrogels. Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to reactive multi-arm polymers and multifunctional crosslinking compounds for forming such hydrogels and to crosslinkable systems for forming such hydrolysable hydrogels.

Abstract: A method for performing automatic brightness control may include receiving an image of a target site from an imaging system of a medical device, and identifying a region of interest in the image. The region of interest may include a physical feature in the target site identified in the image. The method may further include determining a current image brightness value for the identified region of interest, and adjusting one or more operating parameters of the imaging system based on the current image brightness value and a target image brightness value.

Abstract: A medical device, configured for insertion into a body, may include an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end, where the distal end may be configured to be positioned inside the body. The medical device may also include an imaging device positioned at the distal end. The medical device may further include a plurality of light sources positioned at the distal end, wherein a characteristic of light delivered through a first light source may be controlled independent of the characteristic of light delivered through a second light source.

Abstract: An implant for left atrial appendage closure includes an expandable framework having a proximal end coupled to a collar, a shaft disposed within the collar and axially moveable relative to the collar, and a lock coupled to the shaft. The expandable framework is configured to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The lock includes an engagement member configured to move between a constrained configuration and a radially expanded configuration, where the engagement member is biased in the radially expanded configuration.

Abstract: Hangers and hanging systems for hanging a fluid reservoir relative to an endoscope cart. An illustrative hanger may comprise a generally planar base plate and an arched member extending from an upper surface of the base plate. The arched member may include a first generally “U” shaped region and a second generally “U” shaped region. At least one arm may extend from the arched member, the at least one arm configured to receive a tubing. The second generally “U” shaped region may be configured to receive a portion of a fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a vascular region are disclosed. An example system for treating a vascular region may include an elongate catheter shaft having a distal end region. A central lumen may be formed in the elongate catheter shaft. A treatment core may be disposed within the central lumen. The treatment core may include a plurality of ultrasound transducers disposed adjacent to the distal end region of the elongate catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may include a fluid delivery lumen configured to deliver microbubbles and/or fluid therein disposed adjacent to the central lumen. At least a portion of the fluid delivery lumen may be arranged relative to the central lumen so that microbubbles and/or fluid disposed within the fluid delivery lumen are protected from ultrasound energy transmitted from the plurality of ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: A scope system includes a processor and a scope device. The scope device includes a handle configured to remain outside of the body and an elongated shaft extending from the handle to a distal tip and including a working channel extending therethrough. The working channel is open at the distal tip of the shaft. The shaft is inserted through a bodily lumen to a target surgical site. The shaft includes at least one sensor transmitting to the processor sensor data relating to the target surgical site.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to medical devices that comprise a stent body having two ends, a central region therebetween, and comprising structural elements extending around the stent body and a covering material disposed over the stent body, the covering material covering only a portion of the stent body, in which the covering material is provided with a plurality of openings that provide areas where the stent body is not covered by the covering material. The present disclosure further pertains to medical apparatuses that comprise such medical devices and methods of treatment using such medical devices.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of or for use with an elongate shaft of a medical scope. The device may be or may include a cap for the elongate shaft. The cap may include a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a protrusion located between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the cap may be configured to couple with the elongate shaft. The distal end of the cap may define a first diameter. The protrusion may define a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The protrusion may be configured to engage tissue received in the lumen through the distal end.

Abstract: A system may include an expandable member, and a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example aspiration catheter includes a catheter shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a lumen extending therein. The aspiration catheter also includes a tip member having a length and a lumen extending therein, wherein the tip member is coupled to the distal end region of the catheter shaft and a guidewire shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. Further, the guidewire shaft extends within at least a portion of the lumen of the catheter shaft and the lumen of the tip member. Further, the distal end region of the guidewire shaft includes an interlock region and a portion of the tip member is engaged with at least a portion of the interlock region.

Abstract: Blunt tissue dissection using a sharp cutting instrument to make an initial cut in tissue and an inflatable device to further separate tissue layers on either side of the cut. The sharp cutting instrument may be advanced through the lumen of an elongate delivery member such as through a working channel of a medical scope. The inflatable device is inserted over the exterior of the elongate delivery member.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an endoscope system may include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal portion configured for insertion into a subject. The distal portion may have a distal end. The shaft may also include a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The lumen may be configured to receive an instrument extendable through the lumen of the shaft. The endoscope system may also include a visualization system coupled to the shaft for visualizing a region distal to the distal end of the shaft. The endoscope system may also include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The handle may be configured for gripping by a user. The handle may include a shaft control system for controlling operation of the shaft. The handle may also include an instrument control system for controlling operation of an instrument extendable through the shaft.

Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft, a printed circuit board positioned around an outer surface of the shaft, and an end cap. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of electrical connections at a proximal end of the printed circuit board and another plurality of electrical connections at a distal end of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of communication conduits connecting electrical connections at the proximal end of the printed circuit board with respective electrical connections at the distal end of the printed circuit board. When the end cap is coupled to the shaft, (1) one or more cap lumens are in communication with one or more lumens in the shaft, and (2) the plurality of end cap electrical connections are electrically connected to the electrical connections at the distal end of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a flow of fluid to an endoscope. An illustrative container and tube set arranged and configured to couple to an endoscope may comprise a container configured to contain a fluid, a water supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a first lumen extending therethrough, a gas supply tube including a first end, a second end, and a second lumen extending therethrough, and a fluid flow control assembly positioned in-line with the water supply tube. The fluid flow control assembly may be configured to selectively control a flow of fluid through the water supply tube. The fluid flow control assembly may be configured to allow a flow of fluid in response to an opening pressure.

Abstract: A medical device may include: a shaft configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a subject; a handle at a proximal end of the shaft, the handle including an adjustment mechanism configured to be transitioned from a first configuration, in which the shaft has a first stiffness, to a second configuration, in which the shaft has a second stiffness. The first stiffness may be different from the second stiffness.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tissue traction device for endoscopic procedures such as tissue dissection. For example, a tissue traction device may include first and second attachment members pivotably attached by first and second swivels to opposite ends of a stretchable traction band comprising a compliant or semi-compliant material.

Abstract: A device for delivering an agent may comprise: a housing defining an enclosure. The housing may be configured to store an agent. The device may further comprise an inlet, in fluid communication with the enclosure, for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid; an outlet in fluid communication with the enclosure; and a filter disposed within the enclosure. Pores of a wall of the filter may be configured such that the fluid is permitted to pass through the pores into a channel defined by an inner surface of the wall. An actuation member may be configured to transition between a first configuration, in which portions of the agent disposed proximally to the actuation member are prevented from passing distally of the actuation member, and a second configuration, in which portions of the agent disposed proximally of the actuation member are capable of passing distally of the actuation member.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a proximal member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a proximal diameter. The guide extension catheter may additionally include a collar member attached to an extension portion of the proximal member, where the extension portion may be located at the distal end of the proximal member. The extension portion may allow a delivery device to be inserted through the guide extension catheter to extend along a surface of the extension portion and align with a lumen of a distal sheath of the guide extension catheter.