Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to radiopaque, unsaturated multi-arm polymers that comprise a plurality of hydrophilic polymer arms having end moieties comprising one or more radiopaque halogen groups and one or more unsaturated groups, the end moieties linked to the hydrophilic polymer arms though an ester or an amide linkage. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to systems for forming hydrogels, which systems comprise (a) a polyamino compound and (b) a radiopaque, unsaturated multi-arm polymer that comprises a plurality of hydrophilic polymer arms having end moieties comprising one or more radiopaque halogen groups and one or more unsaturated groups, the end moieties linked to the hydrophilic polymer arms though an ester or an amide linkage, wherein the one or more unsaturated groups are reactive with the amino groups of the polyamino compound. Other embodiments pertain to methods of treatment using such systems and to hydrogels formed from such systems.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes an endoscopic imager configured to capture image frames of a target site within a living body and a processor configured to apply a spatial transform to a preliminary set of image frames, the spatial transform converting the image frames into cylindrical coordinates; calculate a map image from the spatially transformed image frames, each pixel position in the map image being defined with a vector of fixed dimension; align a current image frame with the map image and apply the spatial transform to the current image frame; fuse the spatially transformed current image frame to the map image to generate a fused image; and apply an inverse spatial transform to the fused image to generate an enhanced current image frame having a greater spatial resolution than the current image frame. The system also includes a display displaying the enhanced current image frame.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for delivering and deploying an implantable medical device with respect to a target site along a tissue wall by applying suction to draw the tissue wall to a delivery and deployment device, such as to a tissue-penetrating end of the delivery and deployment device. An additional implantable device may be deployed distal to the tissue wall, such as to facilitate manipulation of the distal wall. At least a portion of the first implantable medical device may be deployed with respect to the additional implantable medical device, such as within a lumen of the additional implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may shift from a delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration, and at least a portion of the implantable medical device may expand beyond the deployed configuration after deployment device to further resist migration of the implantable medical device from the target site.

Abstract: A system for treating a vascular region includes an elongate catheter shaft having a distal end region, with an inner lumen formed in the elongate shaft and a fluid delivery lumen formed in the elongate shaft adjacent to the inner lumen. A treatment core is disposable within the inner lumen, and has a plurality of ultrasound transducers that are adapted to move between a straight configuration and a helical configuration and to provide constructive interference when in the helical configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices for delivering artificial chordae tendineae in a patient. In an embodiment, an anchor is movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, the anchor being in the delivery configuration when disposed within a delivery catheter, the anchor being in the deployed configuration when the anchor is moved beyond a distal end of the delivery catheter. When the anchor is in the delivery configuration it has a first outer dimension and when the anchor is in the deployed configuration it has a second outer dimension, the first outer dimension being smaller than the second outer dimension. The anchor is engageable with a papillary muscle or a heart wall when the anchor is in the deployed configuration and is also coupleable to an artificial chordae tendineae to anchor the artificial chordae tendineae to the papillary muscle or heart wall.

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle including a stationary body, a first movable body, and a second movable body; a control member coupled to the second movable body; an intermediate sheath coupled to the first movable body; an external sheath coupled to the stationary body; and an end effector. The end effector includes a first loop and a second loop. The first loop includes a first arm and a second arm, and the first arm is coupled to the intermediate sheath. The second arm is coupled to the control member, and the second arm includes a first plurality of teeth. The second loop includes a third arm and a fourth arm. The third arm is coupled to the intermediate sheath, and the fourth arm is coupled to the control member. The fourth arm includes a second plurality of teeth.

Abstract: A tissue lumen stent is provided with a body having an elongated tubular configuration and a foreshortened configuration. In the foreshortened configuration, downstream and upstream ends of the body expand radially into downstream and upstream flange structures, leaving a generally cylindrical saddle region therebetween. In some embodiments, the flange structures are non-symmetrical with respect to one another. Systems and methods of using the stents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to assist in diagnosis and treatment of anatomical diseases and disorders. In particular, a medical device according to an embodiment of the invention may include an outer flexible tube and a positioning mechanism configured for rotating one portion of the flexible tube relative to another portion of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a medical device that includes an enclosure to store an agent, a funnel coupled to the enclosure, and configured to receive the agent via an opening of the enclosure, and a valve fluidly coupled to the enclosure and the funnel. The valve is at least partially disposed between the enclosure and the funnel, and at least a portion of the agent is received on the valve. The valve is configured to move from a first position to a second position relative to the enclosure and the funnel to selectively release the agent from the enclosure into the funnel. In the first position, the valve is configured to close the opening and inhibit the agent from exiting the enclosure and entering the funnel. In the second position, the valve is configured to open the opening and release the agent from the enclosure for delivery into the funnel.

Abstract: A stent may include a radially expandable tubular framework includes a first end region, a second end region, a medial region positioned between the first end region and the second end region, and a lumen extending therethrough. The radially expandable tubular framework is configured to expand from a radially collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. A plurality of covering strips are positioned along at least one of the first end region, the medial region, and the second end region. The plurality of covering strips fully covering the radially expandable tubular framework in the radially collapsed configuration, and the plurality of covering strips are configured to separate from one another in the radially expanded configuration to expose portions of the radially expandable tubular framework therebetween.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device and system configured to regulate delivery of fluid through a fluid delivery port to a target site within a patient, such as to identify, locate, dilate, etc., an opening in a tissue wall at the target site. A side port is defined in the wall of the fluid delivery device adjacent to but upstream of the fluid delivery port. If the fluid delivery port is partially or fully obstructed by contacting tissue, the side port provides a relief valve reducing the pressure of fluid from the fluid delivery port impacting the contacted tissue. The fluid flow path upstream of and adjacent to the side port may be tapered to create a Venturi effect which may cause entrainment of excess fluid at the target site into the fluid delivery device. Such entrained fluid may be recycled out the fluid delivery port.

Abstract: Aspects of stone identification methods and systems are described. According to one aspect, an exemplary method comprises: transmitting to a processing unit, with an imaging element mounted on a distal end of a scope, image data about a stone object inside a body cavity; generating from the image data, with the processing unit, a visual representation of the stone object and the body cavity; establishing from a user input, with the processing unit, a scale for the visual representation; determining from the visual representation, with the processing unit, a size of the stone object on the scale; comparing, with the processing unit, the size of the stone object with a predetermined maximum size to determine a removal status; and augmenting, with the processing unit, the visual representation to include an indicator responsive to the removal status. Associated systems are also described.

Abstract: A system for retrieving material from a cavity in a patient may include a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the scope configured to be inserted into the cavity, and a filter assembly disposed between the tube and a vacuum source configured to apply negative pressure through the tube to cause the material to flow through the tube from the distal end to the proximal end, the filter assembly including a filter configured to trap the material in the filter assembly, and allow liquid and gases to pass through the filter assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic suturing system and method are disclosed as are devices for use with the system and method such as a suture dispenser, a cinch device, and a tissue grasper. In one embodiment the suturing system includes a cap assembly arranged at the distal end portion of an endoscope or guide member, with the cap assembly including a rotatable needle holder. The needle holder is actuated through a transmission element extending outside the endoscope or guide member. A needle capture device may be inserted through a channel of the endoscope or guide member in order to capture a needle held in the needle holder when the needle holder is rotated so that the needle punctures tissue.

Abstract: In one example, a retrieval device may include a flexible loop; a mesh coupled to the loop, the mesh having an opening at least partially circumscribed by the loop; a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a cord extending through and/or around the mesh; and a connector assembly movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the flexible loop, the mesh, and the cord may be coupled to the sheath, and in the second configuration, the flexible loop, the mesh, and the cord may be detached from the sheath.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlled volume ablation of tissue. In one example, a catheter may include an elongated member having a distal end extending along a longitudinal axis. A first electrode may extend along the elongated member. The first electrode may have a distal portion arranged on a circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis at the distal end. A second electrode may extend along the elongated member. The second electrode may have a distal portion arranged on the circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the elongated member. A sheath may be slidably disposed about the elongated member. The sheath may be configured to change position by sliding along the member to insulate a portion of one or both of the first and second electrode.

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 handle may include an actuator; a first pulley; and a second pulley. The second pulley may be movable relative to the first pulley along an axis extending between a first axle of the first pulley and a second axle of the second pulley. A pull member may be wrapped around the first pulley and the second pulley, and coupled to the actuator and a control member may be coupled to the second pulley. Movement of the second pulley along the axis may be configured to move the control member in a direction parallel to or coaxial with the axis.

Abstract: A suture device includes a suturing body defining a circular track that extends around a periphery of the suturing body, the circular track including an open portion adapted to allow tissue to enter the open portion. A curved shuttle is disposed within the circular track, the curved shuttle including a pointed leading edge and adapted to hold a suture relative to the curved shuttle. In some cases, a curved pusher is disposed within the circular track and is adapted to push the curved shuttle around the circular track in a first direction around the circular track such that the pointed leading edge penetrates any tissue disposed within the open portion. In some cases, electromagnets may be used to move the curved shuttle relative to the suturing body.