Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sheath tip with an angled distal face to conform the sheath to a surface of tissue toward which the sheath is being extended to potentially help reduce or avoid tissue damage upon extending a sheath to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheath tip positionable at an end of a sheath configured to convey an elongated medical instrument to a location adjacent a detection range of a detecting device. The sheath tip includes a distal member that extends a finite distance beyond the end of the sheath. The distal member is detectable by the detecting device when the end of the sheath is within the finite distance of the detection range of the detecting device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: A valve planning tool comprising: (a) a stem having a distal end and a proximal end, (b) an anchor indicator located at the distal end, and (c) a balloon located proximal of the anchor indicator, the balloon including: (i) a retracted state and (ii) a deployed state; wherein the balloon is inflatable from the retracted state to the deployed state and the balloon is substantially non-compliant so that the balloon is only inflatable to one size.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include catheter assemblies, systems for sampling a targeted region of tissue, and methods of sampling a targeted region of tissue. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a catheter assembly includes: a catheter defining a lumen therein, a wall of the catheter defining an opening therein at a distal end of the catheter; and a curved flexible needle disposable in the lumen and being extendable from the opening at the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from an axis of the lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for cutting an opening in a tissue wall. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an inner cutting member having a first cylindrical body supporting at least one first cutting surface at a distal end. The first cutting surface faces a first rotational direction relative to an axis of the first cylindrical body and has a first cutting edge at an outer periphery of the first cylindrical body. The apparatus also includes an outer cutting member having a second cylindrical body concentrically disposed around the first cylindrical body and supporting at least one second cutting surface at the distal end. The second cutting surface faces a second rotational direction relative to the axis and has a second cutting edge at an inner periphery of the second cylindrical body.

Abstract: A valve comprising: (a) a frame having: (i) a plurality of anchors and (ii) a plurality of struts; (b) a membrane connected to and spanning between each of the plurality of struts; wherein each of the plurality of struts have a free state and a loaded state and in the loaded state the membrane is substantially taut between two or more of the plurality of struts that are in the loaded state and in the free state the membrane is substantially taut between two or more of the plurality of struts that are in the loaded state.

Abstract: A stent comprising: two or more stent sections; one or more rods extending between the two or more stent sections; wherein one the one or more rods is fixedly connected to a fixed anchor that is connected to a first of the two or more stent sections, and a second of the two or more of stent sections are movable connected to one of the one or more rods by a movable anchor; and wherein the stent supports an opening of an anatomical passageway.

Abstract: A tissue fastening tool fastens a first biological tissue to a second biological tissue. The tissue fastening tool is made of two elastic wire rods, each shape set into a coil shape. Each of elastic wire rods are separately shape set, then ends of the rods are connected such that the second elastic wire rod coils back over the first elastic wire rod.

Abstract: An exemplary pumping-syringe device for allowing an operator to control a vacuum in a medical device and to expel samples without disconnecting the pumping-syringe device from the medical device. The pumping-syringe device includes a syringe section, a valve section that sealably connects to the syringe and a fitting section connected to the syringe section and the valve section and detachably connects to the medical device. The valve section includes two modes of operation. A first mode of operation allows fluid flow in a first direction between the syringe section and an external environment and a second mode of operation allows fluid flow in a second direction between the syringe section and the external environment.

Abstract: A needle system includes a needle, a needle handle coupled to a proximal end of the needle and a needle stiffening device. The needle stiffening device includes a first handle portion, a second handle portion, a stylet having a distal end component and a shaft component, a fixing component configured to fix a proximal end of the stylet to the first handle portion, a hollow component configured to slidably receive the shaft component of the stylet and a compression device having a proximal end that makes contact with a distal end of the hollow component and a distal end that makes contact with the distal end component of the stylet. A distal end of the second handle portion makes contact with a proximal end of the hollow component within the first handle portion.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing real-time imaging of tissue sampling. An ultrasound probe is received with a first lumen of a catheter and a tissue sampling device is received with a second lumen of the catheter. The catheter is received within a working channel of a bronchoscope. The ultrasound probe is a radial ultrasound probe that generates real-time ultrasound images of the tissue sampling device and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A device for tissue sampling that comprises a needle, a stylet and a sealing member. The needle comprises a distal tip, a proximal end, and one or more interior portions. The needle extends along a longitudinal axis extending between the distal tip and the proximal end. The stylet is moveably supported within the one or more interior portions of the needle. The sealing member Is moveably supported within the one or more interior portions of the needle and substantially conforms to the one or more interior portions, The distal tip is configured to obtain a tissue sample. The stylet and the sealing member are movable, along the longitudinal axis away from the distal tip so that a local vacuum is created at the distal tip so that obtained tissue samples can be aspirated into the needle.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to devices, methods, and systems for the treatment of tissue using energy delivery. Specifically, certain embodiments may be used for the treatment of lung tissue, such as lung nodules, using RF ablation, via a catheter provided with a first electrode attached to a distal end of the catheter, wherein the first electrode is hollow, wherein the first electrode comprises a piercing tip configured to pierce through an airway all and a second electrode received in a movable manner within the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is extendable from the first electrode to form a first extended configuration.

Abstract: A valve (2) comprising: (a) membrane (50) and (b) a frame (10) in communication with the membrane so that the frame expands the membrane, the frame including: (i) a rod (4), (ii) a plurality of struts (12) connected to the rod at a distal end and extending generally radially outward as the struts extend away from the distal end and towards a proximal end; (iii) a plurality of anchors (30) that are in direct communication with the struts between the distal end and the proximal end, each of the plurality of anchors extending through an exit location (52) in the membrane.

Abstract: A device including a catheter (14) and a medical instrument (12). The catheter includes an inner portion (16) and one or more unlocking features (18). The medical instrument includes one or more locking features (24). When the medical instrument is in the inner portion of the catheter, the one or more unlocking features engage the one or more locking features so that the medical instrument can bend in the catheter. When the medical instrument is outside the catheter, the one or more unlocking features disengage from the one or more locking features so that the medical instrument is restricted from bending.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a device is configured to be compressed and inserted into the distal end of an endoscope. The delivery device can be configured to deliver the delivery catheter to the site of one or more fistulas in the wall of a body cavity or lumen within a patient. The delivery catheter is configured to deliver the device to the site of the one or more fistulas. The device is configured to expand at the site of the one or more fistulas and substantially seal the fistula in one or more directions. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the device is coated with and/or constructed of biocompatible material. In some configurations, the device is configured to be implanted for an extended period of time or even permanently. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the device is constructed of biodegradable, dissolvable and/or bioabsorbable material.

Abstract: A valve comprising: (a) a rod, (b) a plurality of struts in communication with the rod and extending generally radially outward away from the rod in a deployed state, the plurality of struts including at least: (i) a plurality of first struts that extend radially outward from the rod a first distance, and (ii) a plurality of second struts that extend radially outward a second distance from the rod, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance; and (c) one or more membranes that are in communication with the first struts, the second struts, or both.

Abstract: A tool for manipulating a foreign body (e.g., a deployed medical device) can include an operative portion. The operative portion can be used to move the foreign body in the proximal and/or distal directions with respect to the removal/repositioning tool and/or the tissue surrounding the foreign body. In some embodiments, the tool can include a compressing portion that can be used to compress the foreign body as the foreign body is pulled by the operative portion in the proximal direction. The tool can further include a sleeve that can be used to transition the operative portion and/or compressing portion between an opened configuration and a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the tool can be used in conjunction with an endoscope to navigate the tool to the site of a foreign body within the body of a patient.