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: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first connector configured to engage an opening of a donor passage. A second connector is configured to engage an opening in a receiving passage. A separator is configured to support the first connector and the second connector and to fix relative positions of the end of the donor passage to edges of the opening in a receiving passage across a gap. The separator is configured to maintain the gap between the first connector and the second connector while multiple loops of a suture are passed through the edge of the opening in the donor passage and the edges of the opening in the receiving passage. The first connector, the second connector, and the separator are further configured to be removed from between adjacent loops of the multiple loops of the suture.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for driving a needle to facilitate suturing, such as may be performed in a surgical anastomosis procedure. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame. First and second rollers are rotatably mounted parallel with each other in the frame and are configured to engage therebetween a shaft of a needle formed in a helical shape. The first and second rollers are configured to counter-rotate. The needle is revolvable eccentrically around the first roller responsive to counter-rotation of the first and second rollers. A drive mechanism is secured to the frame and is configured to move the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses and methods for deploying a coilable filament on opposing sides of a surface. An apparatus includes a needle mechanism configured to extend and withdraw the needle. A coil mechanism is configured to advance a stylet through the needle to extend a coilable filament at a distal end of the stylet. An interlock mechanism is configured to control operations of the needle mechanism and the coil mechanism, including moving the needle and the stylet in concert to extend the needle and coilable filament to a distal side of the surface, separately advancing the stylet to extend a first segment of the coil on the distal side of the surface, withdrawing the needle to the proximal side of the surface, and separately further advancing the stylet to deploy a second segment of the coil along the proximal side of the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, a control handle is selectively engageable with primary and secondary actuators respectively coupled with primary and secondary electrodes. At a first position, the primary and secondary actuators are movably engaged to move in concert to a second position where distal ends of the electrodes extend into a target region. At the second position, the control handle is engaged with the secondary actuator and movable independently of the primary actuator in a first direction to a third position where the distal end of the secondary electrode extends beyond the distal end of the primary electrode. At the third position, the control handle is movably engaged with the primary actuator and movable independently of the secondary actuator in a second direction to a fourth position to partially retract the distal end of the primary electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sheath tip with a solid end surface configured to be pierceable by an instrument, where the solid end surface is configured to distribute force of impact with a tissue surface across the solid end surface. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a closed sheath tip has a solid end surface configured to be pierceable by an instrument. The closed sheath tip is configured to be disposed at a distal end of a sheath defining therein a lumen configured to convey the instrument therethrough. When the closed sheath tip is presented at a tissue surface, the solid end surface of the closed sheath tip is configured to distribute force of impact with the tissue surface across the solid end surface and to permit the instrument to pierce the solid end surface and extend therethrough toward the tissue surface.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for holding an endoscope handle and locking out an angulation lever of an endoscope handle. Given by way of illustration only and not of limitation, in an embodiment an illustrative apparatus includes: a frame; a support mechanism attached to the frame and configured to hold thereon an endoscope handle having an angulation lever; an attachment device configured to hold an endoscope handle in place on the support mechanism; and an angulation lever engagement mechanism configured to prevent an angulation lever of an endoscope handle from returning to a neutral position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an apparatus, a system and a method for shunting current between first and second electrodes to temporarily reduce current applied through first and second electrodes. In a nonlimiting embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes first and second electrode couplings configured to electrically engage proximal ends of the first and second electrodes, respectively, the first and second electrodes each having a distal end configured to conduct electrical current generated by a switchable current source therebetween and through an electrically conductive target. A current inrush regulator is configured to temporarily shunt at least a portion of the electrical current generated by the switchable current source to temporarily reduce the electrical current passing between the distal ends of the first and second electrodes through the electrically conductive target.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to engage a first external surface of a receiving passage adjacent a first opening in the receiving passage in order to create a receiving flange presenting a first interior face. A donor support mechanism is configured to support a donor passage with an opening in an end in an everted position that forms a donor flange presenting a second interior face. The donor support mechanism is further configured to present the second interior face of the donor flange against the first interior face of the receiving flange to present a passage juncture. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a helical path around the passage juncture to suture the second interior face of the donor passage to the first interior face of the receiving passage.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a wire assembly having echogenic features, an electrosurgical device, a system for treating tissue, a method for treating tissue, and a method for fabricating a wire assembly having echogenic features. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a wire assembly includes: a wire having a finite length and an exterior surface, at least a portion of the wire having at least one depression defined in the exterior surface; and tubing disposed in an airtight manner over the exterior surface of the at least a portion of the wire having the at least one depression defined in the exterior surface, the tubing and the at least one depression forming an air pocket therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for vaporizing a conductive fluid at or adjacent a reference point. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a primary electrode extending to a first distal end positionable adjacent to a reference point and having a first proximal end selectively couplable with a first pole of a power source. The primary electrode defines a lumen therein and defines at least one opening to the lumen within a distal range adjacent the first distal end. A secondary electrode extends through the lumen of the primary electrode and has a second distal end extending into the distal range and a second proximal end selectively couplable with a second pole of the power source. The secondary electrode is electrically insulated from the primary electrode except within the distal range, where a conductive fluid is receivable within the distal range so as to be in electrical contact with the primary electrode and the secondary electrode.

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 apparatuses and systems for controlling an apparatus for cutting an opening in a tissue wall. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a counter-rotatable cutting apparatus includes a first radial actuator configured to engage a first drive shaft. A second radial actuator is configured to engage a second drive shaft, the second drive shaft being coaxially disposed with the first drive shaft. A housing supports the first radial actuator and the second radial actuator and permits the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to extend therethrough, the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft being relatively counter-rotatable responsive to rotation of at least one of the first radial actuator and the second radial actuator.

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 configured to be positioned at an end of a sheath that is extendable toward a tissue at an angle to a surface of the tissue. The sheath tip has a distal end that is angled such that a periphery of the sheath tip at the distal end is configured to generally conform to the surface of the tissue.

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: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

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; a flexible needle disposable in the lumen; and an offset mechanism configured to urge the needle to extend 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 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 flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.