Abstract: A method of engaging tissue is provided. The method includes: providing a forceps including a housing, a first jaw and a second jaw slidably and pivotably connected to a distal portion of the housing, and a driver; advancing the forceps in a closed configuration through a body lumen until the forceps are near a target tissue site; moving the driver in a distal direction relative to the housing to move the first and second jaws to an open configuration; positioning the first and second jaws adjacent to the target tissue site; and securing a tissue sample within the first and second jaws by moving the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing to rotate the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, which also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally in a proximal direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering at least one area of the body of a patient during a medical procedure, wherein the device has a flat, thin, sterile drape and a marking grid connected to the drape, which has markings for determining a position in CT and/or MRI scans, wherein the marking grid is attached to the drape via a detachable connection so that it can be removed from the drape during the course of the medical procedure without the need to remove the drape from the patient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to medical devices and methods of assembling medical devices, such as MRI-compatible interventional wireguides. An example of a wireguide includes a series of individual segments, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of spacers. Each segment in the series of individual segments has a first end and a second end. Each connector of the plurality of connectors joins adjacent segments in the series of individual segments to one another such that a first end of a first segment and a second end of a second segment in the series of individual segments are attached to a connector of the plurality of connectors. A spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed between each pair of adjacent segments in the series of individual segments. Each of the segments in the series of individual segments is electrically insulated from an adjacent segment in the series of individual segments.

Abstract: A scope system, includes an elongate tube having a lumen extending therethrough, the elongate tube including a distal portion; and an accessory channel shaft including a tubular structure with an accessory lumen extending therethrough, wherein the accessory channel shaft is movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube; and a steerable sheath extending at least partially through the accessory lumen, wherein the steerable sheath includes a steerable distal end that is moveable in at least one direction out of an axial direction relative to a distal section of the accessory channel shaft, and an in-line control actuator located at a proximal end of the scope system, wherein operation of the control actuator causes deflection of the steerable distal end relative to the distal section of the accessory channel shaft.

Abstract: A stent comprises a framework that includes a sequence of cells that each occupy a discrete segment of the stent length, and each of the cells includes a plurality of struts with ends connected at respective vertices. In some forms the framework includes T-bars that connect adjacent cells, where the T-bars have a column that has a minimum width perpendicular to the long axis that is wider than a maximum width of each of the struts, and the column defines at least one slot. In other forms, the framework exhibits geometries that facilitate a high packing density for the framework when the stent is in a compressed tube or loading configuration.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system may include a medical delivery device and an electrosurgical device to perform an electrosurgical procedure. The electrosurgical device may have a monopolar configuration. An outer surface of the medical delivery device may include a conductive portion that is part of a return path for a bipolar configuration. Current may be supplied through an active member of the electrosurgical device to perform the procedure. After passing through tissue, the current may be drawn to the electrode portion of the medical delivery device to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A constraint arrangement for a stent-graft loaded onto a delivery device. The stent-graft has a graft body defining an elongate lumen and a positionable region. At least one apposition release wire releasably secures the graft body to the guide wire cannula along a length of the guide wire cannula. A suture is sewn circumferentially through and around the graft body, such that a plurality of internal suture portions are formed. A constraint loop is formed from a first of the internal suture portions. A plurality of reducing loops are formed from others of the internal suture portions. At least one apposition release wire passes through the constraint loop and each of the plurality of reducing loops, and upon retraction of the apposition release wire releases the constraint loop and each of the reducing loops and, thereby allowing the stent-graft to expand and to release from the guide wire cannula.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a medical device for implantation in a patient comprising a stent and a valve. The stent comprises a proximal region comprising a cylindrical shape having a first outer diameter in an expanded state, and a distal region comprising a cylindrical shape having a second outer diameter in the expanded state. The second outer diameter is greater than the first outer diameter. A proximal region of the valve is at least partially positioned within the proximal region of the stent, and the distal region of the valve is at least partially positioned within one of tapered and distal regions of the stent. When implanted, the proximal region of the stent and the proximal region of the valve are aligned with a native valve, and the distal region of the valve is distally spaced-apart from the native valve.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal prosthesis for replacing a damaged aortic valve is provided. In one embodiment, the prosthesis includes a balloon-expandable stent, a tubular conduit that extends into the ascending aorta, and a self-expanding stent. The tubular conduit extends across the balloon-expandable stent. The tubular conduit includes an artificial valve. The self-expanding stent extends across the tubular conduit into the ascending aorta. The balloon-expandable stent, the tubular conduit, and the self-expanding stent are coupled to provide unidirectional flow of fluid into the aorta and further into the coronary arteries. Also provided is a method for implanting the endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: Examples of prostheses are provided having an internal branch. A tubular graft body of the prosthesis defines a main lumen extending between an inflow end and an outflow end of the graft body. A stent structure is coupled along the graft body. A trough is at least partially defined by a trough wall extending into the main lumen from a sidewall of the graft body. A side branch defines a branch lumen and extends from the trough within the main lumen towards one of the inflow or outflow ends of the graft body. A branch lumen facing surface of the trough wall is a continuous surface with an outer surface of the sidewall of the graft body. A boundary of the trough may be configured to provide a smooth transition surface between the trough and the sidewall.

Abstract: Described are drainage catheter hub devices which seal the hub from leakage when connected to a catheter. The catheter hub includes a hub body having an aperture with a sealing element mounted therein and a fluid passageway that communicates with the aperture. The fluid passageway and sealing element are configured to receive a tension member. A lever arm attached to the hub body is operable to secure the position of the tension member in the sealing element in a locked position or allow movement of the tension member through the sealing element in an unlocked position. The lever arm is configured to engage and compress the sealing element to block fluid flow through the sealing element and the aperture when the lever arm is in any position. The hub body may include a centering tab to align the tension member along a longitudinal axis of the hub body.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for closing a tubular portion of a graft that includes a closure element having aperture or looped ends. The closure element is provided around the circumference of a tubular length of graft material and is attached thereto. The closure element is biased into an annular profile by threading a release element through the ends holding them together. In its annular profile, the closure element thus holds the lumen of the tubular length of graft material in an open configuration. Withdrawal of the release element causes the closure element to take on a flat/linear profile, pulling the lumen closed as it does so. The closure mechanism can be used in a vascular implant such as a graft, stent graft, including tubular, bifurcated, and branched stent grafts, an occlusion device, or the like.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. In one example, the system comprises a container for holding the therapeutic agent, and a pressure source having pressurized fluid, wherein the pressure source is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container. A catheter is placed in fluid communication with the container, and has a lumen sized for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site. A housing is configured to securely retain the container. The system further comprises a camera having a camera head coupled to the catheter, wherein the camera provides a visual image of the target site during delivery of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A constraint arrangement for a stent-graft loaded onto a delivery system having a suture extending circumferentially around a surface of a graft from a first fixed end fixed to a stent-graft to a positionable region, and through the graft at a first constraining perforation into the lumen and returning out of the lumen to the surface of the graft at a second constraining perforation to a second fixed end fixed to the stent-graft, thereby forming a loop of the suture within a lumen of the graft, the loop wrapped circumferentially around a cannula such that a pair of legs of the loop hold the positionable region with respect to the cannula, wherein a bight of the loop extends through a gap between the legs and wherein the release wire extends through the bight thereby capturing the bight and releaseably securing the loop around the cannula.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis includes a main tubular body having an external surface and defining a main lumen and at least one curved side tube having an internal portion disposed within the main lumen and an external portion extending along a curvilinear path on the external surface of the main tubular body. A portion of an expandable stent attached to the external surface of the main tubular body is disposed radially outward of and attached to the external portion of the curved side tube.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. In one example, the system comprises a container for holding the therapeutic agent, and a pressure source having pressurized fluid, wherein the pressure source is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container. A catheter is placed in fluid communication with the container, and has a lumen sized for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site. A housing is configured to securely retain the container. The system further comprises a camera having a camera head coupled to the catheter, wherein the camera provides a visual image of the target site during delivery of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A medical scope device may have a handle located at a proximal end of the medical scope device. The medical device may have a first steerable device extending from the handle to a distal end of the medical scope device and a second steerable device extending from the handle to the distal end of the medical scope device. The medical device may have a first control assembly disposed at a first location on the handle and a second control assembly disposed at a second location on the handle, offset from the first control assembly. The first control assembly may control a movement of a distal end of the first steerable device, and the second control assembly may control a movement of a distal end of the second steerable device.

Abstract: Example access devices, treatment devices, and kits useful in performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related methods are described. An example access device includes an elongate tubular member formed of an MRI compatible material and moveable between a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The elongate tubular member has a central lengthwise axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an axial length, and a main body that defines a circumferential wall, a lumen, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a main body opening. The main body opening is arranged in a spiral relative to the lengthwise axis and extends circumferentially along the circumferential wall. The main body opening extends along the entire axial length of the elongate tubular member from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A device for culturing specimens may include a housing and a conveyor disposed within the housing, where the conveyor is translatable in vertical directions. The device may further include a plurality of plate holders disposed along a length of the conveyor, such that each plate holder of the plurality of plate holders can be moved to different positions along the length of the conveyor by a translation of the conveyor in the vertical directions. The device may further include an isolation chamber movable between a first position and a second position. The isolation chamber may include an opening and a door. The isolation chamber may be configured such that when the isolation chamber is in the second position, a first plate holder of the plurality of plate holders is isolated from a rest of the housing by the isolation chamber.

Abstract: A medical device system includes a tubular medical device and a diameter reducing arrangement. The tubular medical device comprises a tubular graft body having proximal and distal ends. The diameter reducing arrangement is configured for constricting the medical device, and includes a strand section having first and second ends and being immovably secured to the medical device at the first end and at the second end. The second end is a first circumferential distance from the first end by way of a path along the strand section In a constricted configuration of the medical device a first portion of the strand section extends back on itself to form a first double-stranded tail leading to a first loop, the first tail extending circumferentially against the graft body, constricting the medical device by the strand section restricting the first circumferential distance between the first and second ends of the strand section.