Abstract: Medical systems and related methods useful to estimate the depth of a target are described. The system may include a medical device that includes a handle and a shaft, the medical device also including an imager, a processor, and at least one laser source coupled to a first laser fiber and a second laser fiber. The first and second laser fibers may be configured to transmit respective first and second collimated beams of light onto a target simultaneously without fragmenting the target. The processor may be configured to determine a depth of the target from a proximal facing surface of the target to a distal facing surface of the target based on pixel characteristics of the first and second collimated beams of light in at least one image generated by the imager.

Abstract: Devices and methods for deploying an anastomotic stent between portions of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract are disclosed. The anastomotic stents are configured to atraumatically engage the tissue walls and to permit the flow of fluid, partially digested food, and food. The stents can be deployed using endoscopic catheter devices, laparoscopic tools, and combinations of both endoscopic tools and laparoscopic tools. Examples of anastomoses include anastomoses between the stomach and a portion of the intestines such as the jejunum. Anastomoses can also be formed between two closed ends of the intestines, such as two closed ends of the colon formed during a colon resection procedure. Anastomoses can also be formed between a fundal pouch formed during a gastric bypass procedure and the jejunum. Laparoscopic tools are disclosed to deploy a stent by selectively removing a radial restraint on a self expanding stent with the restraint removed through the laparoscopic access points.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to combing multiple images are disclosed. An example method of combining multiple images obtained by an endoscope includes obtaining a first input image formed from a first plurality of pixels, wherein a first pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a first characteristic having a first value. The method also includes obtaining a second input image formed from a second plurality of pixels, wherein a second pixel of the second plurality of pixels includes a second characteristic having a second value. The method also includes subtracting the first value from the second value to generate a motion metric and generating a weighted metric map of the second input image using the motion metric.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a sheath, a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath, and a handle including a rotation assembly configured to rotate the tool relative to the sheath in response to rotation of the rotation assembly relative to a portion of the handle. The rotation assembly rotates the tool relative to the sheath at predefined angular intervals and inhibits movement at each of the predefined angular intervals.

Abstract: A clipping device includes a capsule including a longitudinal body and a cap mounted over a distal end thereof so that the cap is movable relative to the longitudinal body from a pre-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the cap, is moved proximally relative to the longitudinal body to reduce a length of the capsule. A channel of the cap and a channel of the capsule are substantially aligned with respect to one another. At least proximal portions of a pair of clip arms are received within the channels of the cap and the longitudinal body so that the clip arms are movable relative to the capsule between an open configuration, in which distal ends of the clip arms are separated from one another, and a closed configuration, in which the distal ends of the clip arms are drawn toward one another.

Abstract: A fluid management system may include a fluid pump capable of generating a pulsatile flow of fluid, a fluid pathway for transporting the pulsatile flow of fluid from a fluid source through the fluid pump to a medical device, a dampening element in fluid communication with the fluid pathway and operably independent of the fluid pump, the dampening element comprising one or more barrels, each barrel including a movable seal member disposed within the barrel and a biasing member disposed within the barrel and engaged with the movable seal member, the dampening element being responsive to pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to actively dampen the pressure fluctuations, and a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway between the dampening element and the medical device to measure a flow rate of the smoothened pulsatile fluid flow in both flow directions.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a medical device during a coating process. The fixture may comprise a mounting rail extending from a first end region to a second end region, a drive unit movably coupled to the mounting rail, a proximal coupling assembly removably coupled to the drive unit, a support member movably coupled to the mounting rail, a distal coupling assembly removably coupled to the support member, and a mandrel configured to extend through a lumen of a medical device. The mandrel may have a first end configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal coupling assembly and a second end configured to be releasably coupled to the distal coupling assembly. Actuation of the distal coupling assembly and/or the support member may be configured to pull the mandrel taut.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device. The device may include a distal shaft defining a central lumen and an orienting element comprising at least one inflatable member. Wherein a first portion of the orienting element extending from the shaft in a first direction and a second portion of the orienting element extending from the shaft in a second direction. Further, wherein the second direction is substantially opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A medical system may include a left atrial appendage closure device including an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The expandable framework has an outer diameter in the expanded deployed configuration. The medical system also includes a cinching member configured to shift between a compressed delivery configuration and an expanded configuration. The cinching member is ring shaped with an inner diameter in the expanded configuration that is larger than the outer diameter of the left atrial appendage closure device, and the cinching member has a plurality of tissue engagement elements defined on an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A cutting balloon catheter including a balloon mounted on a distal portion of a catheter shaft. The balloon includes a cutting member mounted on an exterior surface of the balloon which includes one or more features for providing the cutting member with enhanced flexibility for navigating tortuous anatomy and more closely conforms to the expansion characteristics of the balloon to which the cutting member is mounted.

Abstract: A thrombectomy apparatus includes a funnel that is secured to a distal end of a catheter. The funnel includes a braided inner layer, a braided outer layer and a reinforcing structure disposed therebetween. The reinforcing structure includes a tubular metal member and a plurality of fingers extending distally from the tubular metal member. Each finger defines two or more pockets. Each of two or more rings extend through a pocket of each of the plurality of fingers, the pockets limiting axial movement of each of the two or more rings. A tractor is adapted to extend over the outer surface of the catheter and the funnel in an un-inverted configuration and to extend in an inverted configuration through the funnel and into the lumen. An elongate member extends through the lumen and is secured to an end of the tractor disposed within the lumen.

Abstract: A hub and sheath assembly configured to be releasably disposed over a medical device. The hub and sheath assembly may comprise a valve hub including a first body portion, a second body portion, and a lumen extending therethrough and an elongate shaft including a lumen and a seam. The lumen and the seam may extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may be releasably coupled to the valve hub. The seam may be movable from an interlocked configuration configured to hold the elongate shaft in a generally tubular configuration and an open configuration defining an opening extending along a length of elongate shaft.

Abstract: A thrombectomy apparatus for removing a clot from a vessel includes a catheter defining a lumen extending proximally from a distal end. A funnel is secured to the distal end and extends distally therefrom, the funnel includes a braided inner layer and a braided outer layer, the braided outer layer folded over the braided inner layer and adapted to constrain the braided inner layer. A tractor is adapted to extend over an outer surface of the catheter and the funnel in an un-inverted configuration and to extend in an inverted configuration through the funnel and into the lumen, the tractor adapted to invert by rolling over the distal end of the funnel when the tractor moves proximally. A puller extends through the lumen and is secured to an end of the tractor disposed within the lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described, including a medical device that includes a handle including a housing. The housing may include a grip and an actuator. The handle may further include an imaging module including a printed circuit board, and a laser module including a first laser source configured to couple to a first laser fiber and a second laser source configured to couple to a second laser fiber. The laser module and the imaging module may be contained within the housing or the imaging module, the laser module, or both the imaging module and the laser module may be selectively attachable to and detachable from the housing.

Abstract: A circulatory support system may include a blood pump, one or more sensors, and a controller in communication with the one or more sensors. The blood pump may include a driven component and a motor in communication with the driven component to drive the driven component to pump a blood flow through the blood pump. A sensor of the one or more sensors may be configured to sense a value related to a speed of the motor. The controller may be configured to provide a command signal to the motor to drive the driven component and determine one or more values related to the blood flow pumped through the blood pump based on the value related to the speed of the motor and the command signal.

Abstract: A thrombectomy apparatus includes a catheter having a funnel is secured to a distal end and extending distally therefrom. The funnel includes a braided inner layer, a braided outer layer, and a reinforcing structure disposed between the braided inner layer and the braided outer layer, the reinforcing structure including a plurality of arched wires extending between the braided inner layer and the braided outer layer. A tractor is adapted to extend over the outer surface of the catheter and the funnel in an un-inverted configuration and to extend in an inverted configuration through the funnel and into the lumen, the tractor adapted to invert by rolling over the distal end of the funnel when the tractor moves proximally. An elongate member extends through the lumen and is secured to an end of the tractor disposed within the lumen.

Abstract: This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device system for treating a heart includes a control system including a display unit. Further, the display unit is configured to display a first visual representation of a first medical device disposed in a first anatomical location, a second visual representation of a second medical device disposed in a second anatomical location, a third visual representation of a first physiological parameter, wherein the first physiological parameter is measured by a first sensor disposed at a first location proximate the first medical device and a fourth visual representation of a second physiological parameter, wherein the second physiological parameter is measured by a second sensor disposed at a second sensor location proximate the second medical device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating defects in anatomical structures are disclosed. A device may include a stent having a tubular member with a first end, a second end, and a lumen between the first end and the second end. A wire having a first end and a second end may form a plurality of annular rows between the first end and the second end, where the rows may define the lumen. The wire of the stent may define a plurality of turns in each row of the plurality of annular rows and may have no overlapping portions along the rows. A gap may extend between consecutive rows of the plurality of rows and a connecting segment may span across the gap to interconnect two rows of the plurality of rows. The connecting segment may be the only portion of the wire that spans across the gap.

Abstract: An outflow blocking sleeve removably surrounding a blood outlet of a percutaneous blood pump positioned at a distal end of a catheter. The outflow blocking sleeve is configured to prevent blood egress from the blood outlet during insertion of the blood pump into a vasculature at a vascular access site. The blood pump is sized to be passed distally through an elastomeric seal of an introducer sheath into a lumen of an elongate shaft of the introducer sheath while the outflow blocking sleeve is prevented from passing through the elastomeric seal during advancement of the blood pump through the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering, adjusting, and/or recapturing a stent-valve includes an inner shaft and an expandable stent-valve coupled to the inner shaft. The stent-valve has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a valve. The delivery system also includes a distal sheath disposed over at least the lower portion, a proximal sheath disposed over at least the upper portion, and at least one cinching member coupled to the stent-valve and extending through one of the inner shaft, the distal sheath, or the proximal sheath. The upper and lower portions of the stent-valve are configured to move to an expanded configuration when the proximal and distal sheaths are withdrawn, respectively. After at least a portion of the stent-valve has been moved to the expanded configuration, the at least one cinching member is configured to at least partially radially compress at least a portion of the stent-valve.