Abstract: A medical device may comprise a flexible sheath defining a lumen extending from a proximal end of the sheath to a distal end of the sheath. The sheath may include a piston slidably received within the lumen; an agent disposed in the lumen distal to the piston; and pneumatic fluid disposed in the lumen proximal of the piston. The device may also comprise handle at a proximal end of the sheath, the handle including: a plunger received in a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with the lumen. The reservoir may contain pneumatic fluid. The handle may include a gear. An amount of rotation of the gear in a first direction may correspond to an amount that the plunger advances distally in the reservoir to displace pneumatic fluid. The displacement of the pneumatic fluid may advance the piston distally to deliver an amount of agent from the sheath.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems as well as methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an elongate shaft including an inner member having a stent receiving region, a deployment sheath slidably disposed along the inner member, and an intermediate shaft disposed between the inner member and the deployment sheath. The intermediate shaft may have an outer diameter. A handle may be coupled to the elongate shaft. A rack member may be coupled to the deployment sheath. At least a region of the rack member may be configured to extend within the handle. The rack member may have an axial slot formed therein. At least a portion of the axial slot may have a width that is less than the outer diameter of the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: Example medical devices and methods for using the medical devices are disclosed. An example ultrasound medical device includes an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a housing coupled to the elongate shaft, a first ultrasound transducer coupled to the housing, and a second ultrasound transducer coupled to the housing. Further, the first ultrasound transducer is configured to generate a first ultrasound wave, the second ultrasound transducer is configured to generate a second ultrasound wave and the first ultrasound wave constructively interferes with the second ultrasound wave to generate a localized pressure wave in order to transmit energy to a target region.

Abstract: A vapor delivery device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vapor delivery device is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate tissues of the prostate. The vapor delivery device can include a handle portion and a cartridge portion. The cartridge portion can be configured to be inserted into a lumen of the handle portion to align and position a vapor coil of the cartridge portion within a RF coil of the handle portion. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an apparatus for treating tissue may include an elongate tube. The elongate tube may include a slot extending longitudinally along a first side of the elongate tube, a first elongate jaw member on a first side of the slot, and a second elongate jaw member on a second side of the slot. The apparatus may also include a shaft coupled to the elongate tube along a second side of the elongate tube. The first elongate jaw member may be movably coupled to the shaft, such that the first elongate jaw member may be movable toward the second elongate jaw member to converge tissue walls within the slot and cut the tissue walls within the slot.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to multi-arm polymers that comprise a core, a plurality of polymer segments having a first end that is covalently attached to the core and a second end comprising a moiety that comprises a reactive group, wherein the polymer segments comprise one or more free-radical-polymerizable monomers. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise a first composition comprising such a multi-arm polymer and a second composition comprising a multifunctional compound that comprises functional groups that are reactive with the reactive groups of the multi-arm polymer. In some aspects, systems are provided that comprise crosslinked reaction products of such a multi-arm polymer and such a multifunctional compound.

Abstract: The cleaning valves (or valves) of the current disclosure are generally single-use devices (SUDs) and therefore disposable. Reusing SUDs can be disadvantageous, as single-use devices are not designed to be reusable. Accordingly, valves for medical devices, such as endoscopes, disclosed may be configured to transition from a first state to a second state for indication of utilization of the valve, e.g., via exposure to a valve well. The transition from the first state to the second state may prevent reuse valves of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the valve may be made from a limited number of components and materials.

Abstract: Catheter systems, tools and methods are disclosed for the selective and rapid application of DC voltage pulses to drive irreversible electroporation for minimally invasive transurethral prostate ablation. In one embodiment, a switch unit is used to modulate and apply voltage pulses from a cardiac defibrillator, while in another, the system controller can be configured to apply voltages to an independently selected multiplicity or subsets of electrodes. Devices are disclosed for more effective DC voltage application including the infusion of cooled fluid to elevate the irreversible electroporation threshold of urethral wall tissue and to selectively ablate regions of prostate tissue alone.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the flow of fluids in endoscopic systems, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) enabled endoscopes. Some embodiments are particularly directed to valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms for controlling air, water, and/or suction flow through a valve well for an endoscopic system. Several embodiments are directed to user interface mechanisms and techniques for enabling an operator to interact with and control endoscope valves. Many embodiments are directed to mechanisms and techniques for translating interface input motion into valve control motions. In one or more embodiments, the valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms may be disposable.

Abstract: Aspects of positioning devices, methods, and systems are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: moving a distal end of a tube into a body, the tube including a lumen and a shaft in the lumen, the shaft having a transducer; sending a first signal to the transducer; passing, with the transducer, in response to the first signal, a wave energy into the body; receiving, with the transducer, a reflected portion of the wave energy; generating, with the transducer, a second signal in response to the reflected portion of the wave energy; determining, with a processor, an indicia of the body in response to the second signal; and identifying, with the indicia, a targeted issue in the body; positioning the distal end of the tube at the targeted tissue in response to the indicia; and removing a portion of the targeted tissue with the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a medical device having a longitudinal axis, and including a handle and a catheter. The handle can include a body having a proximal end and a distal end, an actuator moveably coupled to the body, and a handle control member coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator can be configured to move relative to the body to move the handle control member. The catheter can include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the body can be configured for releasable coupling. The catheter can also include a steering section located along the shaft and a catheter control member coupled to the steering section, wherein the catheter control member can be configured to move relative to the shaft to move the steering section relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the flow of fluids in endoscopic systems, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) enabled endoscopes. Some embodiments are particularly directed to valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms for controlling air, water, and/or suction flow through a valve well for an endoscopic system. Several embodiments are directed to user interface mechanisms and techniques for enabling an operator to interact with and control endoscope valves. Many embodiments are directed to mechanisms and techniques for translating interface input motion into valve control motions. In one or more embodiments, the valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms may be disposable.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a medical device includes an elongate member, a first arm extending from the elongate member, a second arm extending from the elongate member, the second arm being configured to move with respect to the first arm, and a needle coupled to the elongate member, the needle being configured to move with respect to the elongate member.

Abstract: A medical device may include an insertion portion longitudinally extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The insertion portion may define a channel extending therethrough. The medical device may further include a handle coupled to the proximal end of the insertion portion. The handle may further include an irrigation port in fluid communication with the channel and coupled to a source of irrigation fluid. Additionally, the handle may include an actuator and a pressurizer. Manipulation of the actuator may be configured to actuate the pressurizer to urge irrigation fluid distally through the channel.

Abstract: A catheter and catheter system may be used to treat disease tissue by gentle heating in combination with gentle or standard dilation. An elongate flexible catheter body with a radially expandable balloon having a plurality of electrodes engage tissue including diseased tissue when the structure expands.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: Methods of treating a substrate, e.g., forming a coating on the substrate, are described. The method may include applying a solution comprising a multifunctional molecule or a multifunctional-polymer molecule to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. The surface may comprise a metal or metal alloy and the multifunctional molecule or a multifunctional-polymer molecule may bond to the surface via at least one sulfur group of a plurality of sulfur groups of the multifunctional molecule. The method may include combining the multifunctional molecule with a polymer molecule to form the multifunctional polymer molecule before or after applying the solution. The polymer molecule may bond to an internal carbon group or a terminal sulfur group of the multifunctional molecule.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to controlled extension medical stents, and more particularly to controlled extension devices positioned in the body to stent the ureter and facilitate drainage from the kidney to the bladder.

Abstract: A medical device may include an inflatable balloon secured to a distal region of a catheter shaft. A blade assembly may extend over and be secured to the inflatable balloon. The blade assembly may include a plurality of blades and at least two rings that are adapted to secure each of the plurality of blades. Each of the rings include an inner surface adapted to be secured to the inflatable balloon and an outer surface. A number of living hinges are formed within the inner surface and the outer surface that cooperate to allow the blade assembly to move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A system for forming an anastomosis between first and second sections of a digestive tract includes Optical Scope Device (“OSD”) having a lumen extending therethrough and positioned at a first target site within the first section, OSD including an imaging component at a distal end thereof for viewing the first target site; First Endoscope (“FE”) including a working channel extending therethrough and positioned at a second target site within the second section; Capture Device (“CD”) extending from a proximal end to a distal end including a loop, CD extends through the lumen; First Flexible Element (“FFE”) extends through FE, FFE including a coupling element which passes through the loop to couple FFE to CD, connecting the first and second sections, the coupling element moving between insertion and locking configurations; and Stent having a lumen extending therethrough which provides fluid communication between the first and second sections.