Abstract: An object-delivery shuttle for delivering an object over an elongate medical device, such as a wire guide, to a desired location within a body.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods for closing a perforation in a bodily wall The medical device generally includes a set of tissue anchors and an elongate tensioning member. Each anchor includes a crossbar having opposing ends and defining a longitudinal axis. A strand is connected to the crossbar at a location between the opposing ends and projects away from the longitudinal axis. The stand includes a distal end connected to the crossbar and a proximal end having a first connector. The elongate tensioning member is structured to selectively engage and disengage the first connector. The strands of the anchor are capable of being tensioned and fixed together for closing the perforation. The tensioning member is removed after the strands are fixed together.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and related methods for delivering a plurality of tissue anchors. The medical devices generally comprise a needle and an over-the-needle suture lock, employed via inner and outer sheaths. The medical systems include a plurality of tissue anchors and at least one biodegradable or resorbable spacer member positioned between adjacent tissue anchors in conjunction with the medical devices.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed including a bio-compatible implant body that can be provided with a tip, or interconnected by one or more filaments. The implant body can be formed of a variety of biocompatible materials, including bio-remodelable materials such as small intestine submucosa. Methods are disclosed for assembly of the implant. Additionally, a method is disclosed for delivering the implant to a desired location in a patient.

Abstract: A system is provided for preventing the accumulation of cumulative matter from clogging a stent, such as a plastic tubular drainage stent for use in the biliary system. The system includes a stent having one or more magnetically reactive objects moveably disposed therein and an actuation device, such as a glove, having one or more magnets thereon. When the actuation device is waived near the one or more magnetically reactive objects of the stent, it actuates them by manually manipulating the one or more magnetically reactive objects of the stent by attracting or repelling them such that they contact the stent walls dislodging cumulative matter attached thereto. As a result of the system, the stent is able to remain resident within the patient for an extended period of time before becoming clogged and needing to be replaced.

Abstract: An intraluminal device with controlled biodegradation is provided. The intraluminal device comprises a biodegradable tubular main body. An outer photodegradable layer is disposed over at least a portion of the intraluminal device. The photodegradable outer layer is chemically inert to the body fluids of the implanted region, thereby preventing premature biodegradation of the stent. Degradation of the outer photodegradable layer after a predetermined time occurs by irradiating the layer with UV light waves. After removal of the outer photodegradable layer, the tubular main body becomes exposed to its in vivo environment, thereby allowing biodegradation of the tubular main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.

Abstract: An endoscopic elevator apparatus cooperable with an insertion tube extending to a distal tip and having enhanced grasping and reduced scraping of an elongate medical device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elevator movably attached to the distal tip. The elevator has an inner side formed thereon defining a grasping slot for engagement with the endoscope. The elevator has a surface projection disposed thereon for inhibiting damage to the elongate medical device.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening. One embodiment of a medical device generally includes a flexible sheath and an expandable member. The flexible sheath has a length suitable for forming the pathway along a longitudinal axis. The expandable member is connected to a distal portion of a sheath. The expandable member is operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending struts connected together by a wire frame. The plurality of struts move radially and circumferentially relative to one another between collapsed and expanded configurations.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating cauterization of tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a proximal barrel and a distal barrel, which are coupled together and moveable with respect to one another. At least a portion of the proximal barrel may be coupled to an endoscope to secure the apparatus to the endoscope. At least one electrocautery member is disposed within a lumen of the distal barrel and configured to cauterize at least a segment of tissue pulled into a lumen of the proximal barrel and/or the lumen of the distal barrel.

Abstract: A wire guide has first and second portions with first and second diameters, respectively. A resilient loop positions a distal end of the wire guide adjacent another section of the wire guide. A closure member comprising at least one attachment tab maintains the distal end in a fixed position relative to the remainder of the wire guide. A covering may be positioned around one or more parts of the wire guide.

Abstract: A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to maneuver around tortuous body lumens. The balloon catheter comprises one or more balloons disposed about a tip of the shaft. Each balloon includes a dedicated lumen to allow inflation of each balloon independent of the others. Inflation of a balloon causes the shaft tip to deflect in a direction that is oriented opposite of the inflated balloon. The bent orientation of the shaft tip allows the catheter and a guide wire to be maneuvered through tortuous body lumens.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device includes an outer sheath that is capable of retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing over the prosthesis in a distal direction. The device includes a drive pulley that can engage gears to retract or resheath the outer catheter in relation to the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the delivery device may include a reinforced outer sheath disposed over an inner elongate member, the reinforced outer sheath comprising a proximal section reinforced with a braid, a distal section reinforced with a coil and an overlapping section extending between the proximal section and the distal section. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery device may include a stabilizing element for releasably holding the stent to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A medical device with pivotable jaws and method of use thereof are disclosed. The device includes a pair of jaw members which are capable of being rotated independently of one another and spaced apart up to about 360°. Various gear arrangements are provided for enabling rotation of the jaws. The jaw members are disposed within a flexible slotted housing when advanced to a target tissue site, and thereafter rotated out of the housing a predetermined amount to contact target tissue.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a tacking device for engaging tissue, which may be useful for coupling a graft member to tissue or facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, the tacking device comprises a main body having proximal and distal ends, a proximal base member disposed at the proximal end of the main body, and at least one tissue engaging member disposed at the distal end of the main body. A spring member is disposed to surround the main body and extends from the proximal base member. In use, the spring member has a relaxed state in which it is biased to extend distally towards the at least one tissue engaging member, and further has a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the at least one tissue engaging member. Therefore, one or more tissue segments of varying thickness are adapted to be captured between the distal end of the spring member and the at least one tissue engaging member.

Abstract: Over-the-scope stent introducers for detachably engaging at least a portion of the outside of an endoscope insert and for delivering a stent are provided. Embodiments include an inner member having a distal first end portion and a proximal second end portion and openings defining a channel. The inner member includes an outer surface, inner endoscope engaging surface, and stent abutting restraint disposed at the first end portion. Embodiments also include an outer member having a distal section and proximal section having openings defining a passageway sized to slideably receive at least a portion of the inner member, and a stent carrying inner chamber disposed at the distal section passageway and being configured to releasably contain a stent. In alternative embodiments, the inner and outer members are elongated to dispose substantially concentrically over a majority of an endoscope insert.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a clip device for engaging tissue. The clip device comprises at least first and second arms having proximal and distal ends. The clip device comprises an open state when the spring member is in a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the distal ends of the first and second arms. In the open state, the distal ends of the first and second arms tend to be spaced apart from each other. Further, the clip device comprises a closed state when the spring member is in a relaxed state in which the spring member is biased to extend distally towards the distal ends of the first and second arms. In the closed state, the distal ends of the first and second arms are adjacent to each other and may engage tissue and promote hemostatis. A delivery system and methods for deploying one or more clip devices also are provided.

Abstract: An electrosurgical cutting device and method thereof for incising tissue are disclosed. The electrosurgical cutting device includes an asymmetrical cutting element that is affixed to a distal end of a torque cable. The cutting element is disposed within an end cap and is axially movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Rotation of the torque cable during a procedure allows the cutting element to rotationally align with and hook the target tissue onto the cutting element. An elongate member of the cutting element selectively lifts the target tissue away from surrounding tissue and structures. Having lifted the tissue away the surrounding tissue and structures, incision can occur.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for rolling an endoscopic sheet into a tubular configuration.

Abstract: A cytology device and a method of use thereof are described. The cytology scraper comprises a scraping element that provides increased tissue removal capabilities over conventional cytology brushes. The edges of the scraping element can also simultaneously dilate strictures during the tissue removal procedure.