Abstract: A proximal release delivery system for expandable prostheses includes an elongate catheter, an actuating wire, and a splittable sheath. The actuating wire travels through the lumen of the elongate catheter to the catheter's distal end where it everts about the end of the catheter and travels between the expandable prosthesis and the splittable sheath. A splitter with a blade element is attached to the end of the actuating wire. As an operator pulls the proximal end of the actuating wire in the proximal direction, the splitter travels in the distal direction, splitting the sheath from the proximal to distal end and allowing the prosthesis to expand and deploy. The splittable sheath may also include a longitudinal hinge attached to the expandable prosthesis.

Abstract: A feeding tube and method for introducing a feeding tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, whereby the feeding tube is introduced over a wire guide of reduced length. The feeding tube comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and proximal end. The feeding tube comprises a coupling region for coupling the feeding tube to a wire guide. The coupling region is disposed near the distal end of the elongate shaft and has a length that is substantially less than the length of the elongate shaft. The feeding tube is introduced within the patient by coupling the coupling region of feeding tube to a previously introduced wire guide, and then pushing the feeding tube distally along the wire guide.

Abstract: A medical device for allowing a physician to unhand a scope or other instruments while maintaining control of the scope or other instruments during a medical procedure. The medical device includes at least one dock and a harness for attaching the dock to the physician's body. The harness can be adjustable, or sized to fit a specific physician. During a procedure, a physician outfitted with the medical device can place a scope and/or other instrument in the dock(s). Once the scope and/or other instrument is placed in the dock(s), the physicians hands are free to perform other procedures, while the physician continually controls the relative position of the scope with respect to the physician or the patient.

Abstract: A feeding tube and method for introducing a feeding tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, whereby the feeding tube is introduced by using a variation of the Ponsky “pull” method of feeding tube placement. The feeding tube comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and proximal end. The feeding tube also comprises a coupling structure for coupling the feeding tube to a pull wire, the coupling structure be proximal of the distal end of the feeding tube shaft. The feeding tube further comprises a guiding structure for aligning the pull wire with the distal end of the shaft. The feeding tube is introduced within the patient by attaching the previously placed pull wire to the coupling and guiding structures of the feeding tube, and then pulling the pull wire so as to pull the feeding tube into and through the gastrointestinal tract of the patient.

Abstract: A stent introducer apparatus including a primary stent introducer device movably disposed within a secondary stent introducer device. The primary stent introducer device includes a first self-expanding stent mounted on an elongate pusher member. The primary stent introducer device further includes an inner introducer catheter slidably disposed about the pusher member and the first stent. The first stent is deployed by retracting the inner introducer catheter proximally relative to the pusher member to thereby expose the first stent from the distal end of the inner introducer catheter. The secondary stent introducer device includes a second self-expanding stent mounted within an outer introducer catheter. The primary stent introducer device is configured to engage and hold the second stent. The second stent is deployed by retracting the outer introducer catheter proximally relative to the primary stent introducer device to thereby expose the second stent from the distal end of the outer introducer catheter.