Abstract: A stent includes a cylindrical tubular form and a plurality of foil members coupled about to the exterior of the tubular form. The foil members are spaced apart around the circumference of the tubular form to provide spaces between the segments when the stent is in an expanded state, the spaces permitting the tubular form to be contracted to a small diameter for delivery to an implant site. According to a first embodiment, the stent is self-expanding, and the tubular form is formed from a resilient wire, preferably having a plurality of longitudinal back and forth bends. According to a second embodiment, the stent is self-expanding and comprised of a plurality of tubular portions linked together, each of the portions having a plurality of foil members coupled about the circumference of the portion. According to a third embodiment, the stent is pressure expandable, and the tubular form of the stent is made from a malleable slotted tube or one or more malleable wires.

Abstract: A surgical snare instrument includes a tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends, a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially movable relative to the sheath, a snare loop at the distal end of the shaft, and a handle assembly coupled to the proximal ends of the sheath and shaft for moving the shaft axially relative to the sheath. The handle assembly is provided with cautery capability to provide a cautery current to the snare loop. The snare loop is trained to have a proximal portion which extends along an angle or curve relative to the tubular member and a distal portion which is substantially parallel to the tubular member. As such, when the snare loop is axially moved beyond the distal end of the sheath, the distal portion of the snare loop; i.e., that portion which is adapted to engage a polyp, is oriented substantially parallel, yet non-axial, with the tubular member.