Abstract: A locking element for securing an expandable anchor member in a shortened configuration may include a plurality of engagement features configured to releasably secure the locking element to a first end portion of the expandable anchor member without using any external elements, wherein the locking element is configured to engage a post member secured to a second end portion of the expandable anchor member opposite the first end portion in the shortened configuration.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems and methods for making and using medical device delivery systems are disclosed. An example delivery system for an implantable medical device includes an implantable heart valve including an inner shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a first engagement member disposed along a portion of the distal end region and a tip assembly configured to attach to the inner shaft. The tip assembly includes a nosecone having a distal end region and a proximal end region, a second engagement member disposed within at least a portion of the nosecone, the second engagement member including a first locking member, the first locking member configured to deflect from a first position to a second engaged position. Further, attaching the tip assembly to the inner shaft includes deflecting the first locking member such that the locking member is coupled to the first engagement member.

Abstract: A device for improving the efficiency and safety of medical imaging in a medical procedure is disclosed. The device may have a shaft extending along a shaft axis. The shaft may have at least two markers spaced along the shaft axis and a blade extending along the shaft axis. The device may have a needle guide extending away from the shaft along a needle guide axis transverse with the shaft axis. The needle guide may have at least one guide structure offset from the shaft axis along the needle guide axis. Each guide structure may be adapted to receive a needle in a direction parallel to the shaft axis. Related methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cardiac mapping are disclosed. An example system includes a catheter shaft with one or more electrodes coupled to a distal end of the catheter shaft. Electrodes sense electrical signals at anatomical locations within a heart. A processor coupled to the catheter shaft acquires electrogram signals of the heart using the electrodes. Each electrogram signal relates to three-dimensional positional data corresponding to the anatomical locations. The processor also store the electrogram signals of the heart corresponding to electrical activities sensed at corresponding anatomical locations, calculate an activation recovery interval associated with each of the corresponding anatomical locations, determine spatial gradient data of the activation recovery interval based on a distance between at least two neighboring anatomical locations.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for drying medical devices are disclosed. An example method for drying a medical device may include disposing a medical device within a drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may include a variable frequency microwave heating device. The medical device may include a substrate, the substrate including an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a solvent. The method may also include heating the medical device with the drying apparatus. Heating may evaporate at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: An insertion device includes a body and a delivery shaft, and the body includes a longitudinal axis aligned with a central long axis of a proximal end of the delivery shaft. A holder may be coupled to the body of the insertion device, and the holder includes a medical device receiving chamber having a longitudinal axis that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: According to an example of the present disclosure, a retrieval device having a contracted state and an expanded state may include at least three support members each having a lumen, a fixed proximal end, and a movable distal end, and at least two members movable relative to the support members. Each movable member may include a first end and a second end and extending distally through a lumen of a support member and proximally through a lumen of a different support member. The device may include a stop located at the second end of at least one movable member to restrict movement of the second end after moving a distance distally during movement of the retrieval device toward the expanded state.

Abstract: An expandable sheath may include an inelastic compliant membrane having a lumen therethrough, and a discontinuous outer member bonded to the membrane. The membrane may include one or more folds formed therein. At least a portion of the outer member may extend continuously around a circumference of the membrane in a first configuration. The outer member may be configured to separate to a second configuration when subjected to a radially outward force from within the membrane. The outer member may taper from a first diameter adjacent a proximal hub to a second smaller diameter at a distal end. A method of manufacturing an expandable sheath may include forming one or more folds in a compliant membrane, cutting a plurality of apertures through a wall of an outer covering; and laminating the outer covering onto the membrane, wherein the plurality of apertures is disposed over the one or more folds.

Abstract: A medical device may include a stabilizer configured to be coupled to a port of an insertion device. The medical device may further include a shaft configured for telescopic translation within the stabilizer and a grip coupled to the shaft. Further, the medical device may include an actuator coupled to the grip. The actuator may be axially moveable relative to the grip so as to selectively actuate a distal assembly of the medical device.

Abstract: A system for providing information about a patient's heart includes one or more electrodes that receive signals from electrical activity of the heart over one or more heart beat cycles. The system is characterized by an electronic processor coupled to the one or more electrodes to: receive the signals from the one or more electrodes; execute an automated set-up routine that processes the signals to automatically provide at least some set-up results for new mapping configurations; and/or process the signals with beat detection and beat acceptance criteria for new or existing mapping configurations to provide information about how well the signals match one or more of the new or existing mapping configurations.

Abstract: Laser systems and methods are disclosed. One laser system comprises: a plurality of laser resonators, each resonator being operable to discharge an input laser beam; a relay assembly including at least one curved reflective surface that redirects each input laser beam, and reduces a beam size of the redirected beam; a galvo including a curved reflective surface that receives each redirected beam, and outputs a combined laser beam at power level greater than a power level of each laser input beam; and a coupling assembly that reduces spherical aberrations in the combined laser beam, and directs the combined laser beam into an optical fiber. In this system, the combined laser beam may have a maximum beam parameter product lower than a minimum beam parameter product of the optical fiber. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retrieval device may include a sheath including a distal end and a proximal end, and an end effector at the distal end. At least a portion of the end effector may be movable relative to the sheath between extended and retracted states. The end effector may include a support member extending from the distal end of the sheath, and a movable member extending from the distal end of the support member. The device may include a handle assembly at the proximal end of the sheath, having an actuation member for transitioning the end effector between the extended and retracted states. The device may include a biasing member coupled to at least one of the actuation member and the sheath that may control a force, exerted by one of the movable members and the support member on the other, generated by relative movement between the movable and support members.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and procedures for placement of a medical device between adjacent tissue structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic systems and methods for preventing or minimizing movement between tissue walls to facilitate placement of a stent therebetween.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may further include an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member. The end-effector may include a plurality of arms pivotally connected to one another, wherein each arm includes a tissue-contacting surface, a first portion of the tissue-contacting surface including a plurality of ridges configured to grasp tissue. Further, the tissue-contacting surface may include a channel oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the medical device.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent and associated methods for placing the endoluminal stent in a lumen of a trachea of a patient. The stent includes an elongate framework having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and a lumen extending from the first open end to the second open end. The elongate framework includes a first edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, a second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, and an opening between the first edge and the second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end such that the stent has a C-shaped cross-section. The stent may be implanted in a trachea with the opening positioned along a posterior wall of the trachea adjacent the trachealis muscle.

Abstract: Guidance systems and associated methods are disclosed. One method comprises: receiving macroscan data prior to an operation; defining a body information model from the macroscan data; positioning a navigation component in the body during the operation; generating microscan data with the navigation component; correlating a location in the macroscan data with a location in the microscan data in the body information model; and/or modifying the body information model by combining an image in the microscan data with an image in the macroscan data.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are disclosed. An example method for accessing a body lumen may include providing a catheter system. The catheter system may include a catheter shaft having a lumen defined therein and an outer wall surface having a channel formed therein. A first guidewire may be disposed in the channel and a second guidewire may be disposed in the lumen. The method may also include advancing the catheter system through a body lumen to a location where the body lumen splits into a first section and a second section, advancing the first guidewire into the first section, and advancing the second guidewire into the second section, and advancing the catheter shaft along the second guidewire and into the second section. Advancing the catheter shaft along the second guidewire and into the second section may remove at least a portion of the first guidewire from the channel.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue includes a clip assembly having a pair of clip arms. Proximal ends of the clip arms engage a distal portion of a central member slidably received within a channel of a capsule to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The central member includes the distal portion and a proximal portion connected to one another via a releasable connection which releases when subject to a force exceeding a predetermined threshold level. The system also includes an applicator releasably coupled to the clip assembly. The applicator includes an outer sleeve through which a control member extends. A distal end of the control member engages a cavity of the proximal portion to move the central member relative to the capsule. A lumen of the outer sleeve is sized and shaped to slidably receive the capsule therein.

Abstract: A method of using a suction device to remove an object from a subject's body includes extending a suction device into the body through a lumen of a medical device and expanding the suction head from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration within the body. The suction head may be provided at a distal end of an elongate conduit. The method may also include applying suction to move the object into the expanded suction head, and removing the suction device with the object from the body.