Abstract: A cryopreservation device for storing reproductive biological material is provided. The device comprises an elongate first member includes an elongate first member extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a first bulge portion disposed around a circumference of the first member, and a trough defined within the first member, the trough being configured to receive a reproductive biological sample thereon. A second member includes a second member with a lumen defined therethrough. The second member is configured to slide over the first member and the inner diameter of the second member is similar to an outer diameter of the bulge portion to form a seal between the first and second members.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The device includes a cannula with a lumen defined therethrough and an upper portion, a right side portion, a bottom portion, and a left side portion each substantially equally spaced from their respective neighboring portion around the circumferential surface of the cannula. The cannula additionally includes a plurality of apertures disposed through the distal end portion to provide communication from the lumen and a visually perceptible indicator that is configured to allow the cannula to be positioned at an appropriate rotational position within the patient.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes a sheath with an extended distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a lumen defined therethrough. A handle is fixedly connected to the proximal end portion of the sheath, the handle includes an operator that is translatable between a first position and a second position. A flow path is defined within the handle in fluid communication with the proximal end portion of the sheath, wherein the operator is configured to substantially block the flow path in a second position and allow flow therethrough in a first position. The flow path includes a portion that is configured to communicate with a remote source of suction. The handle additionally includes a second inlet portion configured to receive a tool therethrough and allow the tool to extend through the lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: A disposable access sheath having a deflectable tip is provided. The access sheath is very flexible and allows a physician or other medical professional to provide diagnostic or therapeutic services to a remote body cavity. The access sheath has a deflectable tip that is able to bend at least 90° or 180° or more. This flexibility allows the physician or medical professional to make a very tight turn to visualize or treat the body cavity being treated. The access sheath may include a visualization system, a working channel, an irrigation channel, or other desirable features. The access sheath may include an interface at the proximal end of the working channel for insertion of an instrument for diagnosis or treatment of a human or mammalian patient.

Abstract: A guide wire for guiding a medical device within a body lumen is described. The guide wire includes a proximal section, a distal section, and a mid section. The proximal section includes a proximal wire core tapered with contraction towards a proximal end of the proximal wire core. The distal section includes a distal wire core tapered with contraction towards a distal end of the distal wire core. The mid section includes a joint for joining the proximal wire core and the distal wire core. The guide wire also includes a safety wire extending along the mid section, and along at least parts of the proximal and distal sections. Moreover, the guide wire includes an outer tubing enveloping the overlapping joint and at least parts of the proximal and distal sections.

Abstract: A retrieval device is provided for capturing and retrieving stones, calculi, and other objects from a body. The retrieval device includes an irrigation orifice to irrigate a passageway. Irrigating the passageway helps to keep the viewing area free from debris and particulate matter.

Abstract: A medical device is provided. The medical device includes a sheath with an extended distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a lumen defined therethrough. A handle is fixedly connected to the proximal end portion of the sheath, the handle includes an operator that is translatable between a first position and a second position. A flow path is defined within the handle in fluid communication with the proximal end portion of the sheath, wherein the operator is configured to substantially block the flow path in a second position and allow flow therethrough in a first position. The flow path includes a portion that is configured to communicate with a remote source of suction. The handle additionally includes a second inlet portion configured to receive a tool therethrough and allow the tool to extend through the lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate member extending between a first end portion and a second end portion and a brush disposed upon the elongate member between the first end portion and the second end portion. A first aperture is disposed proximate the first end portion and a second aperture disposed proximate the second end portion. A first suture is disposed through the first aperture and tied upon itself to form a first loop, and a second suture is disposed through the second aperture and tied upon itself to form a second loop, wherein each of the first loop and the second loop are configured to receive an implantable material.

Abstract: A composite wire guide is formed from a more flexible distal wire guide and stiffer proximal wire guide. The flexible and stiff wire guides are joined by a connector that is tapered to provide a smooth transition between the distal and proximal portions. In other embodiments, wire guides may be joined by a joining ring, which may have a cross-section that is uniform, stepped, or tapered.

Abstract: A device is provided that includes an implantable conduit with first and second ends and a first retainer coupled to the first end by a first joint. A second retainer is coupled to the second end by a second joint, wherein the first and second joints are each configured to allow movement of the implantable conduit relative to the respective first and second retainers.

Abstract: A stent is made from a coiled wire and is very smooth along its length and as well its ends. The stent is thus highly atraumatic to patients, and because of its smooth surfaces, it presents a surface to which it is difficult for microbes to cling. The stent may be used in a minimally invasive procedure, such as for a ureteral stent, and may also be used percutaneously. Similar stents may be used in other body areas, such as in draining the biliary tract, the gastro-intestinal tract, hepatic procedures, and in vascular procedures as well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used in a urological procedure. The apparatus includes a sheath capable of insertion into a passageway within a patient. A filter is provided that includes a mesh that retains any particulate matter that is entrained with the liquid and allows the liquid to pass therethrough. The filter may be removeably attached to receive flow from an outlet of the sheath.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising an inner region and an outer region positioned over at least a portion of the inner region and in contact with a surface of the inner region. The durometer of the inner region is greater than the durometer of the outer region and a pharmacologically active ingredient is present in at least a portion of the inner region or the outer region.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having an outer elongated member, an inner elongated member positioned within the outer elongated member and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the outer elongated member and the inner elongated member. At least one of the outer elongated member, the inner elongated member and the at least one intermediate layer contains channels incorporating a pharmacologically active ingredient.

Abstract: A handle is provided that can removeably support a medical device. The handle features a grip with a cavity that communicates with the environment outside the grip through two apertures. A compressed flat spring is inserted into the cavity and can be operated by the user to position the spring into one of two positions. The spring contains at least one aperture through which a portion of the medical device is inserted. The medical device is rigidly held within the grip when the spring is in the first position and is removable when the spring is in the second position.

Abstract: A rigid extractor is revealed, a rigid device for use in percutaneous procedures to remove kidney stones directly from the kidneys. The rigid extractor uses an outer rigid cannula and an inner cannula to control a basket retriever for removing kidney stones and calculi from a kidney of a patient. The extractor is desirably used with a fluoroscope, in which the surgeon maneuvers the extractor with the aid of a view of the operating field provided by the fluoroscope. The surgeon then maneuvers the extractor to grasp the kidney stones and remove from the patient. The extractor may also be used with a nephroscope. The device may also be used with a retrieval assembly other than a basket, such as a pair of jaws, or a pair of scissors.

Abstract: An embryo transfer catheter that uses a very low transfer volume and a very soft tip is revealed. The use of a very small volume reduces the possibility of flushing and washing of the embryo from the uterus, while the very soft tip of the catheter reduces trauma to the endometrium in the event that the catheter is inserted too far into the uterus. There is an unexpectedly high rate of pregnancy in women receiving embryos from the new catheter.

Abstract: A back-up retention member drainage catheter (10) for insertion in the bladder and urethra of a patient undergoing a radical prostatectomy surgical procedure. The drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member (11) having a drainage lumen (14) extending longitudinally therein with an external drainage port (15, 16) disposed near the distal end (12) of the tubular member. A back-up retention member (18) and, in particular, a first balloon (20) is disposed on the elongated tubular member near the distal end and proximal the external drainage port. A primary retention member (19) and, in particular, a second retention balloon (22) is also disposed on the elongated tubular member around the first retention balloon. First and second inflation lumens (21, 23) extend longitudinally through the elongated tubular member and communicate internally with the first and second retention balloons, respectively.

Abstract: A method of automated prolonged slow release artificial intrauterine insemination is disclosed wherein motile sperm are introduced into the uterus in a programmed, organized and metered pattern over an extended period of time. A catheter is inserted into the uterine cavity and aliquots of sperm containing medium are injected at a rate of 10 to 20 mm/hr (approximately every 30 seconds) for between 4 to 6 hours. The motile sperm content of each aliquot is between 8,000 to 75,000. Preferably, the method is carried out with the use of a novel delivery device. The device of the present invention comprises a flexible catheter having a delivery channel, a first end attachable to a pumping means, and a second end (uterine end) adapted to pass through the cervix and into the uterine cavity. The catheter is provided with an inflatable balloon adjacent the second end. Upon inflation of the balloon, the catheter is immobilized in the vagina.

Abstract: A uterine endometrial tissue sample brush 10 includes a flexible core 12 having a distal core end 16 and a cylindrical brush member 18 carried adjacent the distal core end 16. The core 12 is formed from a spirally wrapped pair of wires 22 and includes an atraumatic tip 26. The brush member 18 is about 3 to 5 cm long and has a free outside diameter, preferably about 5.08 to 7.62 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in.), suited to maintain patient comfort yet comprehensively contact the undilated uterine canal 38. The brush member 18 includes a plurality of resilient bristles 20 axially spaced about 0.5 to 1.5 mm apart. The bristles 20 have a stiffness equivalent to that possessed by nylon-6,12 at a diameter of about 0.076 to 0.152 mm (0.003 to 0.006 in.). This stiffness is critical and unexpectedly gives the brush 10 good exfoliating and collecting abilities simultaneously, in contrast to prior devices which may possess either good exfoliating or good collecting abilities, but not both abilities at the same time.