Abstract: An implant for occluding a left atrial appendage may include an expandable framework including a body portion and a disk portion, wherein the expandable framework is configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and an occlusive disk element disposed within the disk portion. The disk portion may include a first disk portion integrally formed with the body portion, and a second disk portion movably attached to the first disk portion by at least one hinge member.

Abstract: A device for treating a tissue includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, the capsule releasably coupled to a proximal portion of the device and clip arms, proximal ends of which are slidably received within the channel of the capsule so that the clip arms are movable between an open configuration, and a closed configuration. A core member is coupled to the clip alms, the core member including a proximal portion and a distal portion releasably connected to one another so that, when the core member is subjected to a predetermined load, the proximal and distal portions are separated from one another. An electrically conductive control member is connected to the core member, a proximal end of the connected member connected to a power source for delivering an electrical current to the clip arms.

Abstract: A suture device may include a suture translation assembly configured to be axially translatable within a lumen of a delivery system and a distal assembly configured to be securable to the distal end of the delivery system. The suture translation assembly and the distal assembly may cooperate to enable a user to pass a needle back and forth between the two in order to endoscopically suture a defect.

Abstract: Aspects of access devices and methods are disclosed. One aspect of this disclosure is a device. The device may comprise: a needle guide body extending along a central axis between a distal end and a proximal end, a needle guide lumen extending through the distal and proximal ends of the needle guide body along the central axis, and a base monolithically attached to the needle guide body to define a non-variable patient-specific insertion path. Additional devices and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a body lumen may include a flexible catheter having a plurality of lumens including a main lumen configured to receive an endoscope and at least one tool lumen; a first working instrument slidably disposed within a first tool lumen of the at least one tool lumen; a plurality of support elements disposed at a distal end of the catheter, the plurality of support elements being configured to shift between delivery and expanded configurations, wherein in the expanded configuration, the plurality of support elements forms an expanded cage to reshape the body lumen and form a working space; wherein at least one of the plurality of support elements is a tubular shaft having an opening proximate the working space; and a filament extending through the tubular shaft to a clip disposed outside the opening, the clip being manipulatable by the first working instrument.

Abstract: Various embodiments of bulking or cushioning agents or material and related medical devices and methods are disclosed. For example, a method of performing a medical procedure in a tract of a body may include injecting a material in a liquid phase proximate a target site between a first tissue layer and a second tissue layer, allowing the material to transition from the liquid phase to the gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material to approximately at or above the predetermined temperature, and performing a surgical procedure on the target site. The material may have the liquid phase at temperatures below a predetermined temperature and a gel phase at temperature approximately at or above the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A pressure sensing guidewire includes a distal end and a proximal end. The guidewire includes a tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The guidewire includes an optical pressure sensor disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member, and a polymer fiber optic cable extending proximally from the optical pressure sensor. The optical pressure sensor is located at a position that is about 3 centimeters or less from the distal end of the pressure sensing guidewire.

Abstract: An endoscopic system may include an endoscope including a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated sheath extending therebetween. The elongated sheath may define at least one lumen. The proximal end of the endoscope may include a handle operably coupled to a proximal portion of the elongated sheath. The endoscopic system also may include a clip coupled to the handle of the endoscope. The clip may include at least one retaining arm configured to receive a handle of an auxiliary tool. The at least one lumen may be configured to receive a distal portion of the auxiliary tool. Associated devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods of using medical devices are disclosed. An example tissue retraction device includes a first tissue engagement member coupled to an elastic member by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly including a first coupler body having a first end region and a first compression member. Further, the first end region of the first coupler body is configured to extend into a portion of a lumen of the elastic member and the compression member is designed to compress the elastic member onto the first coupler body such that the elastic member is fixedly engaged with the coupler body.

Abstract: A device for vapor ablation may comprise a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal portion. The sheath may include a lumen terminating distally at a lumen opening. The device may further comprise a vapor delivery member received in the lumen. The vapor delivery member may include a channel configured to receive vapor and at least one aperture configured to deliver the vapor to a body tissue. The device may further comprise an electrical component having a chip. The chip may be disposed proximate to the distal lumen opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing electronic images from a medical device comprise receiving a first image frame and a second image frame from a medical device, and determining a region of interest by subtracting the first image frame from the second image frame, the region of interest corresponding to a visual obstruction in the first image frame and/or second image frame. Image processing may be applied to the first image frame and/or second image frame based on a comparison between a first area of the first image frame corresponding to the region of interest and a second area of the second image frame corresponding to the region of interest, and the first image frame and/or second image frame may be provided for display to a user.

Abstract: Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrode assemblies that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Also disclosed are various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A needle adjustment device is provided. The needle adjustment device includes a stopping component and an actuator. The stopping component is configured to establish a maximum penetration depth of a needle. The actuator is fixedly coupled to the needle and movable proximally and distally to one or more positions and to adjust a penetration depth of the needle depth up to the maximum penetration depth.

Abstract: A stent delivery device is provided that includes an inner member defining a distal tip and a stent holding region, and an outer tubular member slidingly disposed over the inner member and configured to engage the distal tip. Seal members may be disposed on one or more of an outer surface of the inner member, the distal tip, and the outer tubular member. The seal members define a liquid-tight sealed chamber surrounding the stent holding region.

Abstract: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a replacement valve adapted to be delivered endovascularly to a vicinity of the heart valve; an expandable anchor adapted to be delivered endovascularly to the vicinity of the heart valve; and a lock mechanism configured to maintain a minimum amount of anchor expansion. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration; and locking the anchor in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: Aspects herein relate to biocompatible polyisobutylene-fiber composite materials and related methods. In one aspect a biocompatible composite material is included. The biocompatible composite material can include a network of fibers comprising one or more polymers to form a substrate and a continuous, interpenetrating polyisobutylene matrix that is non-porous and completely surrounds the electrospun fibers. Other aspects are included herein.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve may comprise a tubular anchor member actuatable between an elongated delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration, a buckle member fixedly attached to the anchor member, a post member axially translatable relative to the buckle member, an actuator member including a suture member forming a loop unreleasably attached to a distal end thereof, the actuator member being releasably connected to a proximal end of the post member by the loop, a release pin extending axially along the actuator member and through the loop in a first position, wherein axial translation of the release pin to a second position proximal the first position disconnects the actuator member from the post member, and a valve leaflet attached to the post member.

Abstract: A stent loading and deployment device includes an outer elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and an inner elongate tubular member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed within the outer tubular member. When the distal ends of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member are axially aligned, a stent deployment region is defined there in between. The device further includes a stent loading member having opposed proximal and distal ends and slidably disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The distal end of the stent loading member is slidable to a distal position past the distal end of the outer tubular member for receiving a stent and is further slidable toward the proximal end of the outer tubular member to a location past the stent deployment region for disengagement of a stent from the stent loading member.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to devices, systems and methods for in-vivo diagnosis of disease-state tissue within a body.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example system includes an inner shaft having proximal and distal end regions and a first coupling member disposed along the distal end region, wherein the first coupling member includes a first projection and a first recess. The system also includes a support shaft having proximal and distal end regions and a second coupling member disposed along the proximal end region, wherein the second coupling member includes a second projection and a second recess. The system also includes a locking collar coupled to the inner shaft. Additionally, coupling the inner shaft to the support shaft includes placing at least a portion of the first projection into the second recess, placing at least a portion of the second projection into the first recess and positioning the locking collar along a portion of both the first and second coupling members.