Abstract: A catheter may be used for treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) by remodeling a venous valve within a vein. The catheter is advanced through the vein to a position proximate the venous valve, the catheter including a hollow needle extendable out a first side wall of the catheter and an inflatable balloon located on a second, opposing, side wall of the catheter. The inflatable balloon is inflated in order to urge the catheter towards a vessel wall opposite that of the inflatable balloon. The hollow needle is advanced at least partially into the vessel wall opposite that of the inflatable balloon and a bulking agent is injected near the venous valve in order to remodel the venous valve. The bulking agent may be injected within a subintimal space within the vessel wall, or into an advential space outside of the vessel wall.

Abstract: An articulation joint includes proximal links, distal links, and intermediate links connecting the proximal and distal links. The articulation joint has a straight configuration along a straight longitudinal axis, a first bent configuration when the articulation joint bends toward a first side of the longitudinal axis, and a second bent configuration when the articulation joint bends toward a second side of the longitudinal axis, opposite to the first side. When the articulation joint is in the straight configuration, a first gap is defined at the first side between adjacent proximal links, and the adjacent proximal links contact each other at the second side, a second gap is defined at each of the first side and the second side between adjacent distal links, and a third gap is defined at the first side between adjacent intermediate links, and adjacent intermediate links contact each other at the second side.

Abstract: A rotational atherectomy device advanceable over a guidewire. The rotational atherectomy device includes a drive shaft rotatably extending through an outer tubular member to rotate a cutting member positioned at a distal end thereof. The rotational atherectomy device further includes an insert positioned within the cutting member for frictional contact with the guidewire.

Abstract: An artery can be occluded by implanting an occlusion implant within a subintimal space within a wall of the artery. As an example, a catheter having a side port just proximal of an inflatable balloon disposed near a distal end of the catheter can be advanced through the artery to a site at which an occlusion is desired. The inflatable balloon can be inflated and a guidewire can be advanced through a lumen of the catheter, out of the side port and into a subintimal space of the artery, with the inflated inflatable balloon guiding the guidewire towards the artery wall. An occlusion implant can be advanced over the guidewire into the subintimal space and the guidewire can be withdrawn, leaving the occlusion implant positioned within the subintimal space.

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 and water 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. In one or more embodiments, manufacture of the valve sets and/or valve interface mechanisms, collectively referred to as flow controllers, may be simplified, such as to make it economical to dispose of the flow controller after a single use.

Abstract: A method, device, and system for evaluating a vessel of a patient, and in particular the hemodynamic impact of a stenosis within the vessel of a patient. Proximal and distal pressure measurements are made using first and second instrument while the first instrument is moved longitudinally in the vessel and the second instrument remains in a fixed position. A series of pressure ratio values are calculated, and a pressure ratio curve is generated. The pressure ratio curve may be output to a display. One or more stepped change in the pressure ratio curve are identified using an Automatic Step Detection algorithm. An image is obtained showing the position of the first instrument within the vessel that corresponds to the identified stepped change. The image is registered to the identified stepped change in the pressure ratio curve. The image may be output to the display.

Abstract: In one example, a medical system may comprise a delivery tube configured to couple to a vacuum source and provide negative pressure to a distal portion of the delivery tube; and a porous body at a distal portion of the delivery tube, the porous body including a first section and a second section removable from the first section.

Abstract: A sheath system configured to be operatively engaged with a delivery device with a working channel through which a medical instrument is passed. The sheath system thus increases the number of working channels of the flexible tubular system to permit more than one medical instrument to be navigated to and used at a treatment site. The sheath system has a low profile during delivery, yet may be shifted into a configuration facilitating passage of medical instruments therethrough.

Abstract: A medical device including a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, first and second articulation wires coupled to the handle, and an articulation member at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the articulation member includes a central longitudinal axis within a first bending plane. The first and second articulation wires lie within the first bending plane, the articulation member includes a plurality of links arranged about the central longitudinal axis, a first link of the plurality of links is attached to an adjacent, second link of the plurality of links via a first pair of hinges, and a first hinge from the first pair of hinges is arranged on a first side the first bending plane, and a second hinge from the first pair of hinges is located on a second side of the bending plane, opposite the first side.

Abstract: A system for tracking a medical device, the system comprising a support having a channel extending therethrough, the channel being defined circumferentially by a surface, at least one encoder configured to track movement of a medical device through the channel, and one or more processors configured to receive input from the at least one encoder, receive an instruction from a user to store a zero position of the medical device relative to the channel, determine relative movement of the medical device from the zero position, and communicate the relative movement of the medical device from the zero position.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a gastrointestinal tract may include characterizing one or more disease parameters using objective measures obtained from imaging data of a gastrointestinal tract. The one or more disease parameters reflect a measure of at least one of lesions, ulcers, bleeding, stenosis, and vasculature. The method may also include using the one or more characterized disease parameters to classify a disease state.

Abstract: A medical valve may comprise a valve stem and an operation portion. The operation portion may include a stationary portion, a movable portion which is movable relative to the stationary portion and fixed relative to the valve stem, a seal disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, and a biasing member. Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction.

Abstract: A medical device may comprise a handle portion; an insertion portion having a proximal end portion at the handle portion, wherein the insertion portion includes a lumen therein and a distal end having a distal opening in communication with the lumen; and a member disposed within the lumen, the member having a distal end portion with an imaging device. The member may be configured to transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the imaging device may face distally, and, in the second configuration, the imaging device may face proximally. Extending the distal end portion of the member distally past the distal opening may cause the member to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to compositions for medical use. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise an aqueous solution of a block copolymer that comprises one or more poly(N-isopropylamino acrylamide) blocks and one or more poly(2-(di-(C1-5)alkylamino) (C1-5)alkyl methacrylate) blocks. In some embodiments, the compositions are in liquid form at 25° C. Other embodiments pertain to methods that comprise delivering such compositions to a patient.

Abstract: A valve may have a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The valve may include a valve stem having a lumen extending from a first opening at a proximal portion of the valve stem to a second opening at a distal end of the valve stem. A plurality of seals may be positioned relative to the valve stem. The valve stem and seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet is prevented from flowing to the outlet in a first position of the valve stem and relative to the inlet and the outlet. The valve stem and the seals may be configured so that a fluid entering the inlet flows to the outlet in a second position of the valve stem relative to the inlet and the outlet, the second position being more distal than the first position relative to the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A valve for use in an endoscope may comprise a proximal valve stem member having a first lumen extending from a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the proximal valve stem member to a distal opening at a distalmost end of the proximal valve stem member. A distal valve stem member may have a second lumen with a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the distal valve stem member. The proximalmost end of distal valve stem member may be received within the distal opening of the first lumen. The distal valve stem may be movable relative to the proximal valve stem.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an implant includes a sheath defining a lumen, a cable member disposed within the lumen defined by the sheath, and a tensioner. The tensioner is configured to engage the cable to apply tension to the sheath.

Abstract: A medical system includes an insertion device including a delivery shaft with an internal lumen, a coupling tube coupled to the delivery shaft and configured to receive a medical device, and a liner tube inserted through the internal lumen of the delivery shaft.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a retrieval device may include a sheath having a distal end. The retrieval device may also include an end effector movable relative to the distal end of the sheath. The end effector may include first and second arms. The first arm may include a first opening at a distal portion of the first arm. The second arm may include a second opening at a distal portion of the second arm. The end effector may also include a third arm. The third arm may be slidably received in the first and second openings. A distal portion of the third arm may form at least part of a loop. The loop may extend through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system for use by an operator for treating a targeted vein, the balloon catheter system comprising a balloon catheter, a fluid source and a control system. The balloon catheter includes a balloon having a balloon interior, the balloon configured to undergo one or more inflation cycles. The fluid source contains a cryogenic fluid that is selectively delivered to the balloon interior. The control system is configured to selectively control the delivery of the fluid to the balloon interior and to that selectively adjusts an inflation pressure to of the balloon interior based on a number of inflation cycles undergone by the balloon so as to selectively adjust an inflated balloon diameter of the balloon.