Abstract: A medical device may comprise a sheath configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. A distal end of the sheath may include an elevator for changing an orientation of a medical device. A handle may include an actuator. The actuator may be operably connected to the elevator. Activation of the actuator may cause movement of the elevator. An engaging portion may, in at least one configuration of the handle, protrude from a surface of a handle body toward the actuator. A force exerted by the user on at least one of the actuator or the engaging portion may cause the handle to transition between (a) a first configuration in which the engaging portion interacts with the actuator to inhibit movement of the actuator relative to the engaging portion and (b) a second configuration in which the actuator is movable relative to the engaging portion.

Abstract: A medical insertion device includes an elongated shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having flexibility sufficient for insertion through a working channel of an endoscope along a tortuous path. The elongated shaft includes a coil extending from the proximal end to the distal end and having a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a braided portion extending around a portion of the coil, the braided portion including a plurality of lines wound together such that first and second ones of the lines intersect to enclose a predetermined angle therebetween, the angle being between 25 and 55 degrees.

Abstract: A system includes a clip having a pair of clip arms, proximal ends of the clip arms received within a channel of a capsule to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A proximal end of the capsule including a plurality of connecting elements extending proximally therefrom. Each of the connecting elements including a hook along a proximal portion thereof. An applicator includes an elongated flexible member and a control member extending therethrough, the control member configured to be connected to the clip arms to move the clip assembly between the open and closed configurations, the elongated flexible member including a bushing including a first ramped portion and a necked portion extending proximally from the first ramped portion, a proximal end of the first ramped portion including a lip configured to engage the hook when the connecting elements are crimped thereover.

Abstract: A medical device that includes an enclosure for storing an agent, an agitator positioned adjacent to or within the enclosure and configured to oscillate relative to the enclosure, and an outlet having a first end in fluid communication with the enclosure and a second end in fluid communication with a channel of a delivery tube. Oscillation of the agitator causes the agent to move toward the outlet.

Abstract: A medical device may include a handle having a handle lumen extending therethrough. The medical device further may include a first body shaft including a first body shaft lumen in direct communication with the handle lumen and an RF electrode tip may be positioned at a distal end of the first body shaft. The RF electrode tip may include a lumen extending therethrough and in direct communication with the lumen of the first body shaft. Additionally, an energy delivery wire may be electrically coupled with the RF electrode tip.

Abstract: A clipping system includes a clip having a pair of clip arms, proximal ends of the clip arms slidably received within a channel of a capsule to be moved between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A proximal end of the capsule including connecting tabs extending proximally therefrom. An applicator includes an elongated flexible member and a control member extending therethrough. The control member includes a distal end connected to the clip arms to move the clip assembly between the open and closed configurations. A distal end of the elongated flexible member includes a bushing including a first ramped surface, along which the connecting tabs slide along to engage a corresponding engaging feature of the bushing, and a second ramped surface proximal of the first ramped surface, the connecting tabs slidable along the second ramped surface to plastically deform toward a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A device may include a first portion coupled to a shaft of an insertable medical device. The first portion may extend along a first portion longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The first portion may include a protrusion extending radially outwardly of the first portion longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the first portion may be received within a lumen of a second portion. The second portion may be axially moveable along the first portion longitudinal axis relative to the first portion. The second portion may include a longitudinally extending channel. A spring may be located radially between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A device includes a handle having a trigger in combination with a distal portion, the distal portion including a rigid elongated hollow member which receives tissue therein and a plunger fitted with and configured to slide longitudinally within the hollow member to induce suction at a distal end of the hollow member as the plunger is moved proximally within the hollow member. The trigger is hingedly coupled to the plunger so that pulling the trigger slides the plunger proximally with respect to the hollow member to generate suction to draw the tissue into the distal end of the hollow member. The device further includes a tissue treatment mechanism for encircling the tissue received at the distal end of the hollow member.

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: In some aspects, the present disclosure pertains to systems for forming a crosslinked polymer composition, the systems comprising (a) an iodinated multifunctional compound comprising either a plurality of electron-rich dienophile-containing moieties or a plurality of electron-poor diene-containing moieties and (b) a multifunctional multi-arm polymer comprising either a plurality of electron-poor diene-containing moieties in the case where the iodinated multifunctional compound comprises a plurality of electron-rich dienophile-containing moieties or a plurality of electron-rich dienophile-containing moieties in the case where the iodinated multifunctional compound comprises a plurality of electron-poor diene-containing moieties, wherein the crosslinked polymer composition is formed by a cycloaddition reaction occurring between the iodinated multifunctional compound and the multifunctional multi-arm polymer.

Abstract: An example medical device includes an endoscope. The endoscope includes a handle including a central control section, one or more valves coupled to the central control section, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle to a distal tip, wherein the elongate shaft is configured to be inserted into a body cavity, and a remote user interface operatively coupled to the central control section. The remote user interface is configured to operate the one or more valves to control a flow of fluid through the elongate shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a laser fiber may include an optical fiber. The optical fiber may include a proximal portion. The optical fiber also may include a distal portion having a distal end. The optical fiber may be configured to transmit laser energy from the proximal portion to the distal portion for emission of the laser energy from the distal end. The optical fiber also may include a distal tip surrounding the distal portion to protect the distal portion. The distal tip may include a sheet glass material having a laser energy emitting surface. The laser energy emitting surface may be defined by a chemically-strengthened surface layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tissue traction device, e.g., for endoscopic tissue dissection. For example, a tissue traction device may include a first clip comprising opposable jaws. The device may include a traction band having a first end, a second end, a length therebetween and extending along a longitudinal axis. The band may have a first aperture at the first end. A second aperture may be at the second end of the band. A first jaw of the opposable jaws of the first clip may be disposed through the first aperture.

Abstract: In some aspects, a system for forming a hydrogel composition is described that comprises (a) a multifunctional cyclic carbonate compound and (b) a radiopaque, reactive polymer that comprises a plurality of amino groups that are reactive with the multifunctional cyclic carbonate groups of the multifunctional cyclic carbonate compound. In other aspects, a radiopaque crosslinked hydrogel composition is described that comprises a crosslinked reaction product of a multifunctional cyclic carbonate compound and a radiopaque, reactive polymer that comprises a plurality of amino groups. In further aspects, a method of treatment is described that comprises administering to a subject a mixture that comprises a multifunctional cyclic carbonate compound and a radiopaque, reactive polymer that comprises a plurality of amino groups, wherein the mixture is administered under conditions such that the multifunctional cyclic carbonate compound and the radiopaque, reactive multi-arm polymer crosslink after administration.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to biodegradable polymeric microspheres that comprise a biodegradable polymer and an immunotherapeutic agent selected from an inhibitor of poly ADP ribose polymerase enzyme (PARP inhibitor) and/or a Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist wherein (a) 50% of a total amount of the immunotherapeutic agent in the biodegradable polymeric microspheres is released from the biodegradable polymeric microspheres into a 37° C. solution of PBS Tween 20 (0.05%) at a point in time ranging from 3 days and 14 days; (b) between 1 mg and 100 mg of immunotherapeutic agent per 1 g dry weight of microspheres is released from the biodegradable polymeric microspheres into a 37° C. solution of PBS Tween 20 (0.05%) at a point in time ranging from 3 days and 14 days; or (c) both (a) and (b). Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to methods of using such microparticles and kits that contain such microparticles.

Abstract: Various apparatuses to attach a first medical device to a second medical device are described that allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped. The apparatuses, once they are attached to the first medical device, are designed to be easily and quickly attached and detached to a second medical device, normally only requiring the use of one hand. Furthermore, the apparatuses oftentimes include a base that can easily couple and decouple from the portion that is attached to the second medical device so that if the need arises to separately use the second medical device, it can be decoupled from the first medical device without completely removing the apparatus from the second medical device.

Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound catheter is provided that includes multiple transducers placed facing the same radial angle or radially offset from each other. The transducers are disposed on planar surfaces that are offset from a centerline, which is orthogonal to an axis of the catheter. The planar surfaces can be offset from the centerline between ?10 and 10 degrees.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a tissue fastening device may include a first body including a proximal end, a distal end, and defining a longitudinal axis; and a fastening device coupled to the distal end of the first body. The fastening device may include a longitudinal body comprising a cartridge; the cartridge configured to hold one or more fasteners; an anvil rotatable relative to the cartridge of the longitudinal body; a fastener actuator configured to move relative to the cartridge to deploy the one or more fasteners from the cartridge; and an actuation wire coupled to the fastener actuator, extending through the first body, and positioned at least partially exterior to the longitudinal body, the cartridge, or the anvil.

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 also 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: 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.