Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Various examples disclosed relate to treatment of BPH with an integrated device for both tissue treatment and removal. The present disclosure includes a device including a sheath for partial insertion into a patient, a laser fiber actuatable for laser enucleation of tissue, an elongated member, and a tissue engagement tool on the elongated member.

Abstract: A probe of a target identification system can be extended via a first lumen of a viewing instrument, such as for illuminating an area beyond a distal end of the viewing instrument via an optical path of the viewing instrument. An optical response to the illumination of the area can be received via an optical path of the probe and can be split from other optical signals of the optical path. The optical response information can be used to identify characteristics of a target and to adjust parameters of a working instrument such as a working instrument contemporaneously using the probe.

Abstract: A ureteral stent including a tubular body and a first anti-migration feature including one or more projections extending outward from the tubular body. The first anti-migration feature may be configured to be placed entirely within a patient's ureter. The first anti-migration feature may be provided entirely at a proximal bladder section of the tubular body and be configured to not enter the patient's bladder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented comprising an endoscope including a flexible shaft which has an active deflection section at a distal tip, a handle connected to a proximal end of the flexible shaft, a platform mounted to a top portion of the handle and oriented substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the proximal end of a straight portion of the flexible shaft to provide a substantially straight entry into a working channel of the flexible shaft for an output accessory, a stone retrieval device insertable into the proximal end of the working channel of the endoscope, a lithotripsy shaft including one or more guide features at a distal end of the lithotripsy shaft to facilitate passage of wires or filaments of the stone retrieval device there through, and a lithotripsy shaft driver attached to the platform for driving the lithotripsy shaft under power.

Abstract: A ureteral stent is provided. The stent may include a first section having a first wall defining a first luminal section. The stent may further include a second section having a second wall defining a second luminal section. The second section can be enabled to substantially close at times external pressure is applied to the stent.

Abstract: A plasma generator is described comprising an elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end configured to be connectable to a source of an inert gas, a plasma generation tip disposed at the distal end of the elongate member, the plasma generation tip configured to be in electrical communication with a power source, and an activation switch configured to control generation of plasma at the plasma generation tip, wherein the plasma generator is configured to be operably connectable to a medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a high speed drill cutting burr are described. The high speed drill may comprise a main body having a first section and a second section, the first section comprising a first housing configured to be operably connectable to a first cutting tip and the second section comprising a second housing configured to be operably connectable to a second cutting tip, and an electrical motor disposed inside the main body, the electrical motor may be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. In some embodiments, a main body may be repositioned by rotating the main body 180° to switch between use of a first cutting tip and a second cutting tip. Mechanisms for limiting axial movement of a burr shank as well as transferring torque are described.

Abstract: Provided is a ureteral stent comprising certain amount of ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer and a certain amount of an additive selected from barium sulfate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxychloride, a polyolefin elastomer, a thermoplastics elastomer, and a mixture thereof. The provided stent may have multiple layers such as inner layer and outer layer with each layer having different elastic modulus. Also provided is a method of making the aforementioned ureteral stent and a method of using the ureteral stent in treating kidney or bladder related diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical apparatus. The medical apparatus includes an adapter, a tool hub, and a releasing member. The adapter is configured to be fastened to a surgical handpiece. The adapter has a lumen, and the lumen has an interior surface. The tool hub is configured to be fastened to the adapter by a snap-in mechanism through the interior surface of the lumen. The releasing member is configured to release the tool hub from the adapter by a twisting force on the releasing member. The releasing member includes a restoring mechanism configured to restore the releasing member from a twisted state to a normal standing state upon removal of the twisting force.

Abstract: A ureteral stent including a tubular body that defines a lumen and has (i) a distal kidney section to be placed in or near a patient's kidney, (ii) a proximal bladder section to be placed within or near the patient's bladder, and (iii) a ureter section between the distal and proximal sections to be placed within the patient's ureter. A first anti-migration feature may be provided at the proximal bladder section. A second anti-migration feature may be provided at the proximal bladder section, the distal kidney section, or both. A proximal end of the tubular body includes a one-way valve that allows fluid to flow out of the lumen, while preventing fluid from entering the lumen.

Abstract: An otologic prosthesis is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the device includes a set of crimping prongs comprising a lattice structure provided on a surface of each crimping prong in the set of crimping prongs to support and promote osseointegration. In accordance with some embodiments, the stem and the TM plate are separate pieces configured to be attached by a snap-fit mechanism. In accordance with some embodiments, the device is an adjustable length prosthesis with an internalized sizing mechanism. In accordance with some embodiments, the device is adjustable by a rotatable joint that facilitates rotation of a first stem section with respect to a second stem section for adjustment and readjustment on a patient-specific basis.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented comprising a captive screw comprising an upper portion, an upper middle portion, a central middle portion, a lower middle portion, and a lower portion, the central middle portion comprising a threaded portion, the lower portion comprising a barbed portion, the upper middle portion and the lower middle portion comprising a smooth portion, and the upper portion comprising a grip portion, wherein an outer circumference of the barbed portion is flexible, wherein the captive screw is configured with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion to attach to a first member of an auxiliary device, and wherein the captive screw is configured to act as a set screw with respect to a second member of an auxiliary device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device or system comprising an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end; an inflow lumen disposed within the elongate member, the inflow lumen having a proximal end, a distal end and a slanting exit opening at the distal end of the inflow lumen; and an outflow lumen also disposed within the elongate member, the outflow lumen having a proximal end, a distal end and a slanting receiving opening at the distal end of the outflow lumen. The disclosed medical device or system further comprises pressure sensors disposed at the distal end of the elongate member. Also disclosed is a method of employing the above disclosed device or variations thereof to remove small stones or small stone fragments from within the body's lumen or internal organ of a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon an improved balloon dilator, more particularly to an improved balloon dilator comprising an expandable balloon, a core wire which extends through the expandable balloon, and a single visual marker band positioned at a geometric center within the balloon dilator which may selectively reflect certain wavelengths of light.

Abstract: A surgical system and a method of providing and enabling a surgical system. The surgical system having a console and a first component configured to be directly or indirectly detachably attached to the console. The surgical system having a sensor circuit arranged to the console, and a first target state identifying circuit arranged to the first component. The sensor circuit outputs a feedback signal indicative of a state of electrical connection of the first target state identifying circuit to the sensor circuit. A controller arranged in the console is configured to control a therapy signal generator based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: Techniques, including a surgical system and a method for providing a surgical system, for detecting detachable attachment of a first component to a console, for detecting detachable attachment of a second component to one of the console the first component, and for controlling a function module based on the detection result are provided.

Abstract: A method for imaging, including capturing an initial image of a surface under investigation using a first endoscope, and delineating within the initial image a target region of interest surrounded by an initial image peripheral region, the target region of interest having a location defined with respect to the initial image peripheral region. The method includes capturing a subsequent image of the surface under investigation using a second endoscope and identifying in the subsequent image, by comparison with characteristics of the initial image peripheral region, a subsequent image peripheral region corresponding to the initial image peripheral region. The further includes computing the location of the target region of interest in the subsequent image in response to the identified subsequent image peripheral region.

Abstract: A surgeon's tool for operating a basket device to capture and remove an object may include a controller including a piston and cylinder mechanism for selectively and securely controlling and operating a wire and a sheath of the basket device wherein the piston and the cylinder of the piston and cylinder mechanism may each be independently operated to separately actuate the basket device. The piston and cylinder controller mechanism may include a double piston and cylinder design including first and second biasing mechanisms for biasing the basket device toward a closed position and a latch mechanism for selectively securing the positions of the cylinders.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for a lithotripter comprising a handle, a driver resource contained within the handle, a probe housed within the handle, an extension which may be the probe, a shielding insert, or a removable passageway which extends through a central lumen of the driver resource and protects the central lumen from surgical debris when in use and as a result reduces time required to perform sterilization. Sealing means may be provided to connect the probe into the handle, including a ferrule, collet, split collet, screw connection, O-rings, or a combination thereof to further limit debris entering the central lumen of the handle. It is contemplated that the device of the present invention is capable of achieving a four minute flash cycle validation.