Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: Intravascular imaging devices as well as methods for imaging are disclosed. An example intravascular imaging device may include a catheter shaft. An imaging core may be disposed within the catheter shaft. The imaging core may include a sheath, an imaging emitter/transducer secured relative to the sheath, a reflector, and a wireless rotary motor coupled to the reflector. An antenna may be disposed adjacent to the imaging transducer. A rectenna may be disposed adjacent to the wireless rotary motor.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle and an elongate member extending from the handle. The catheter may also include steering system coupled to the handle. The steering system may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the elongate member in at least one direction. The catheter may also include a locking mechanism configured to lock the portion of the elongate member in a deflected configuration, and a lever coupled to the handle. The lever may be configured to move from a first position to a second position to engage the locking mechanism. The lever may also be configured to be separably retained at least at one of the first position or the second position to prevent movement therebetween.

Abstract: A method of generating a color image using a monochromatic image sensor. The method includes sequentially illuminating a surface in a plurality of colors, one color at a time. The monochromatic image sensor captures a plurality of image frames of the surface based on the plurality of colors. The plurality of image frames are identified, and at least one feature in the target of the plurality of image frames is highlighted. Color intensities of the plurality of image frames are normalized. A color intensity map of the target for each of the plurality of image frames is generated. A correlation score is determined by comparing each color intensity map of the plurality of image frames. The color image is generated based on the correlation score.

Abstract: A system for treating mitral regurgitation may include an outer sheath having a lumen extending to a distal end of the outer sheath, an intermediate sheath slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath, the intermediate sheath having a lumen extending to a distal end of the intermediate sheath, and an inner sheath slidably disposed within the lumen of the intermediate sheath, wherein the inner sheath includes a first anchor disposed within a lumen of the inner sheath, the first anchor being configured to penetrate and secure to a first papillary muscle. The intermediate sheath may include a tissue grasping mechanism at the distal end of the intermediate sheath, the tissue grasping mechanism being configured to hold and stabilize the first papillary muscle for penetration and securement of the first anchor to the first papillary muscle.

Abstract: An occlusive implant system may include an access device including a handle and an access sheath extending distally therefrom. The access device includes a working lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A proximal portion of the working lumen defines a garage section and a distal portion of the working lumen extends distally of the garage section. The occlusive implant system may include an occlusive implant device including a delivery sheath configured to be received within the garage section, the delivery sheath having a delivery lumen, a core wire disposed therein, and an occlusive implant releasably attached to the core wire. The garage section has a first inner diameter and the distal portion of the working lumen has a second inner diameter less than the first inner diameter. The delivery sheath has an outer diameter less than the first inner diameter and greater than the second inner diameter.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a visualization device may include an image sensor, a lens for focusing light onto the image sensor, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lateral wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating on the lateral wall surface. The coating may include at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, and may be deposited on the lateral wall surface using, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD).

Abstract: An assembly for delivering an implantable medical device, the assembly includes an implantable medical device including an attachment feature and a delivery device that is adapted to releasably secure the implantable medical device, the delivery device including an attachment element adapted to create an interference fit with the attachment feature of the implantable medical device. The delivery device is adapted to enable a user to selectively disengage the interference fit between the attachment element of the delivery device and the attachment feature of the implantable medical device with a short linear motion when the delivery device is positioned proximate a delivery site for the implantable medical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic medical devices with distally actuated axial displacement configured to impart in-plane or rotational ultrasonic reciprocation to an end effector.

Abstract: An elongate medical device is adapted to provide adjustable flexibility. The elongate medical device includes an inner coil having one or more inner coil filars extending in a first direction, and an outer coil having one or more outer filars extending in a second direction. A hypotube extends proximally from the inner coil and the outer coil. A cable extends through the inner coil and through the hypotube, where a distal end of the cable, a distal end of the inner coil and a distal end of the outer coil are all secured together at a distal end of the elongate medical device, such that applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the hypotube, causes the inner coil and outer coil in combination to increase in stiffness.

Abstract: A stent including a tubular body formed of one or more interwoven wires, a first anchor member disposed adjacent the first open end of the stent, a second anchor member disposed adjacent the second open end of the stent, and at least one divider disposed between the first and second anchor members. The first and second anchor members and the divider extend radially outward from the tubular body to divide the tubular body into at least a first saddle region extending between the first anchor member and the divider and a second saddle region extending between the second anchor member and the divider.

Abstract: A distal end portion of a medical device may comprise an image capturing component; a light source; and an encapsulation having inner surfaces contacting and at least partially encompassing the image capturing component and the light source. A shape of the inner surfaces may be mirror image of a shape of exterior surfaces of the image capturing component and the light source that are contacted by the inner surfaces.

Abstract: A catheter system for pressure wave and inertial impulse generation for intravascular lesion disruption includes a balloon coupled to an elongate shaft, and a first and second light guide disposed along the elongate shaft. The first and second light guides each include a diverting feature in optical communication with at least one light window to direct light to exit each light guide toward a side surface portion thereof and toward the balloon. A method includes expanding the balloon from a collapsed configuration to a first expanded configuration, and activating a light source in optical communication with each light guide to provide sub-millisecond pulses of light to the diverting features, thereby inducing plasma formation in a balloon fluid, causing rapid bubble formation, and imparting pressure waves upon the treatment site.

Abstract: A medical device for treating esophageal atresia may include a handle, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft configured to extend into an esophagus of a patient and into an upper esophageal pouch of the patient, the elongate shaft having a distal nub configured to engage a distal end of the upper esophageal pouch, a force absorbing member disposed within the handle, the force absorbing member permitting the elongate shaft to translate axially relative to the handle, and an inflatable balloon disposed within the handle. An internal pressure within the inflatable balloon increases as the force absorbing member is compressed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including at least one illumination source configured to emit illumination energy and an illumination control system to receive the illumination energy. The illumination control system is configured to control the illumination energy to output a sequence of different illumination wavelengths using the illumination energy. The apparatus also includes a plurality of optical fibers connected to the illumination control system and configured to sequentially output the different illumination wavelengths. Each optical fiber is configured to transmit a different illumination wavelength of the sequence to output the sequence of different illumination wavelengths from the optical fibers toward an object.

Abstract: An occlusive medical implant for implantation within a left atrial appendage may include an expandable framework configured to self-expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, and an occlusive element disposed on a proximal portion of the expandable framework. At least a portion of the expandable framework may be mechanically expandable from the expanded configuration to a securement configuration. When the occlusive medical implant is disposed within the left atrial appendage, the expandable framework exerts a first radial force on the left atrial appendage in the expanded configuration and the expandable framework exerts a second radial force on the left atrial appendage in the securement configuration. The second radial force is greater than the first radial force.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus including an enclosure configured to receive an endoscope having an electromagnetic radiation sensor. The apparatus also includes an electromagnetic radiation source having at least a portion disposed within the enclosure. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation based on a calibration instruction. The electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation when at least a portion of the endoscope is coupled to the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for performing a medical procedure may comprise advancing a first device through a first body lumen. A distal portion of the first device may include a magnet. The method may further comprise advancing a second device through a second body lumen. The second device may include a magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensor. The signal may be indicative of a magnetic field measured by the magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise, if the received signal matches a magnetic field of the magnet, identifying a position of the magnet.

Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly includes an expandable introducer sheath including an expandable braid defining an elongate tubular member moveable between a collapsed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration for deployment, the expandable braid having a first length when in the collapsed configuration and a second, reduced, length when in the expanded configuration. The introducer sheath assembly includes a dilator adapted to releasably hold the expandable introducer sheath in its collapsed configuration for delivery until the dilator is actuated to release the expandable braid from the dilator, thereby permitting the expandable braid to expand to its expanded configuration.

Abstract: A medical system includes an insertion device including a delivery shaft with an internal lumen, a coupling tube coupled to the delivery shaft and configured to receive a medical device, and a liner tube inserted through the internal lumen of the delivery shaft.