Abstract: An endoscope including a flexible shaft having a distal end which can be deflected by a manually operable mechanism on a handle assembly. The shaft includes an elongate member having longitudinal fins that extend radially outward. A hollow lumen through the core member forms a fluid channel, and the radially extending fins provide channels for accommodating optical fibers and pull wires. The member has a substantially continuous cross-section enabling it to be inexpensively extruded.

Abstract: A percutaneous access catheter is employed for examining and treating internal body cavities and organs via an access tract. For example, the catheter can be employed for examining and treating the gallbladder via a transhepatic tract. The examination may employ endoscopic, fluoroscopic, ultrasonic, or other techniques; the treatment may employ surgical, chemical, or physical modalities. The catheter includes two inflation elements. These inflation elements control hemorrhaging and leakage of fluids from the internal body cavity or organ and reduce migration of the catheter within the internal body cavity or organ during the examination and/or treatment. The first inflation element is a toroidal elastic balloon located at the distal end of the device which serves to restrict the accidental or unintended removal of the distal end from the internal body cavity or organ.

Abstract: A surgical device employs a catheter for removing obstructive material from the body cavity or lumenal passage. The catheter has a blade subassembly on its distal tip for coring, homogenizing, diluting, and aspirating the obstructive material. The obstructive material is homogenized and diluted after it is cored but prior to its aspiration into the catheter. Homogenization and dilution of cored obstructive material is shown to enhance the reliability of the surgical protocol by helping to prevent clogging of the catheter during aspiration.