Abstract: A wire guide has first and second portions with first and second diameters, respectively. The second portion is located distal of the first portion. A resilient loop positions a distal end of the wire guide adjacent another section of the wire guide. A closure member maintains the distal end in a fixed position relative to the remainder of the wire guide. An outer sleeve may be positioned around one or more parts of the wire guide. A radiopaque element may be secured to the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An intragastric member and method of delivery thereof are described. Delivery of the intragastric member is enabled by partitioning the intragastric member into discrete bundles with retaining members that are circumferentially disposed along the longitudinal length of the intragastric member. Formation of the intragastric member into bundles facilitates controlled delivery into the gastric lumen. The use of suture ties enables deployment of the intragastric member into the gastric lumen. The distal ends of the suture ties are affixed to the bundles. Pulling on the proximal free end of each of the suture ties enables the corresponding bundles to be advanced distally along a delivery tube.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for deploying tissue anchors for simple and reliable closure of openings in tissue are disclosed. The medical device generally includes an access sheath and a flexible puncturing device. The flexible puncturing device is sized to be slidably received by the access sheath. The flexible puncturing device has a lumen sized to receive the tissue fastener. The flexible puncturing device is operable between a first linear configuration and a second non-linear configuration. A distal end of the flexible puncturing device is laterally spaced from the access sheath in the second non-linear configuration, and preferably retroflexes to provide placement of the tissue anchors on a proximal side of the tissue.

Abstract: A delivery system that is preloaded with a sleeve member and a metallic stent and method of delivery of the sleeve member and stent at a target stricture site are described. The method of delivery occurs in two stages. The first stage involves deployment of the sleeve member and the second stage involves deployment of the metallic stent within the interior region of the sleeve member. The sleeve member may be formed from a shape memory plastic which may also be biodegradable. The delivery system provides a method of deploying a covered stent that would not otherwise be possible because of limited introducer space.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a magnetic anastamosis device is provide that is minimally invasive, easily and quickly delivered, and is accurately positioned to improve the delivery procedure. The magnet assembly includes an elongated hub and a plurality of magnetic members disposed over the elongated hub. The elongated hub is formed of a resilient or shape memory material, permitting the magnet assembly to be operable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. In this manner, the package width of the magnet assembly is greatly reduced for delivery, thereby permitting delivery over a wire guide as well as through an access device such as a catheter. Associated delivery procedures and medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for facilitating removal of polyps from a bodily cavity, such as the colon. The apparatus comprises a catheter having proximal and distal regions, and a cutting wire extending through a first lumen of the catheter. At least one notched section is formed in the distal region of the catheter, and at least a portion of the cutting wire is visibly exposed at the notched section. At the notched section, the exposed cutting wire does not extend substantially radially outward beyond a main body of the catheter. Therefore, the profile of the catheter is not increased. A stiffening member may be advanced within a second lumen of the catheter to selectively provide support to the cutting wire in the vicinity of the notched section. If the stiffening member is not employed, the cutting wire may be proximally retracted or tensioned to bend the distal region of the catheter in the vicinity of the notched section.

Abstract: A self-contracting stent for use at a treatment site comprising shape memory material is provided. The stent may have an initial diameter for delivery to the treatment site and an expanded diameter when deployed at the treatment site. The stent further may have a contracted diameter when subjected to a temperature at or above a transition temperature. The contracted diameter is less than the expanded diameter and permits repositioning or removal of the stent from the treatment site. Additionally, a method for delivering and recovering the stent from a treatment site is provided. The method includes delivering a stent to a treatment site and expanding the stent at the treatment site so that the stent is deployed at the treatment site. The method further includes changing the temperature of the stent at the treatment site to at least a transition temperature to cause the stent to contract.

Abstract: An end cap for an endoscope. The end cap is configured to allow the endoscope to be introduced into a patient body by a short-wire type of operation.

Abstract: An endoscopic cutting device is disclosed. The device comprises an inner catheter including an inner wall having an opening formed therethrough. The inner wall further has a cutting blade moveably disposed thereon and biasingly extends through the opening. The inner wall has a receiving member disposed thereon and is configured to cooperatively receive the cutting blade. The device further comprises an outer catheter including an outer wall moveably disposed about the inner catheter. The outer wall has an aperture formed therethrough. The aperture is configured to moveably align with the opening of the inner wall for allowing the cutting blade to biasingly extend through the opening and biasingly engage the cutting blade with the receiving member to cut.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and a method for forming a stent of a desired length endoluminally. The system includes an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body. An endoluminal cutting mechanism is operatively connected to a drive cable in communication with the outer sheath. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut the stent body in response to motion of the drive cable. The method of forming the stent of a desired length endoluminally includes directing a system including an elongate stent body and an outer sheath overlying the stent body into a body lumen, positioning the stent body at an endoluminal site, and severing the stent body to form a stent of a desired length at the endoluminal site. An undeployed portion of the stent body remains in the outer sheath for optional deployment in a subsequent severing operation.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe, reliable and repeatable. A medical system for accessing a bodily opening generally includes a medical instrument and an overtube. The overtube defines an overtube lumen that is sized to receive the medical instrument. The overtube includes a distal end having a tapered portion and a plurality of longitudinally extending slits defining a plurality of flaps. The tapered portion of the overtube is sized relative to the medical instrument such that translation of the medical instrument through the distal end of the overtube forces the plurality of flaps to move radially outwardly.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for controlling the flow of contents through an opening, such as an anastomosis formed during bariatric surgery. Generally, the medical device includes a tube and first and second radially extendable anchors attached to the tube. The anchors keep the medical device centered at the anastomosis or other opening, while the inner diameter of the tube restricts the passage of contents therethrough. A limiter may also be employed to vary the smallest diameter of the tube's lumen.

Abstract: A medical device and method for its use in the digestive system of a mammalian patient is provided. The medical device includes a stent and a retrieval device. The stent has a magnetic element connected to an end of the stent. The retrieval device includes a magnetic member, and the retrieval device is sized to be ingested by the patient. The magnetic member is capable of being magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the stent for removal of the stent through the natural forces of the digestive system.

Abstract: A medical device including a wire capture member such as, for example, a lithotripsy basket or a snare member, as well as a motion limiting means configured to limit a maximum expanded diameter of the wire capture member.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and related methods for delivering a tissue anchor. The medical devices generally comprise a needle and a sheath that assist in retaining the tissue anchor at the distal end of the need during manipulation of the medical device. The medical systems include one or more tissue anchors in conjunction with one of the medical devices.

Abstract: A suture lock, as well as related methods, are provided for fixing strands of one or more sutures relative to tissue. The suture lock and method are simple and reliable in use, facilitate complete perforation closure and adjustment of the suture strands, and are adaptable to a variety of suture fixation and perforation closure situations. The suture lock includes a locking cylinder and a retaining sleeve. The locking cylinder has a tubular body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines a first interior passageway. The tubular body defines a first aperture and a second aperture that are spaced apart and in communication with the first interior passageway. The retaining sleeve defines a second interior passageway sized to receive the tubular body of the locking cylinder. The suture strands are compressed between the tubular body and the retaining sleeve.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonically guided endoscopic (EUS) delivery of one or more embolization coils to an internal body site. The embolization coil delivery devices are preferably ultrasonically guided to the selected internal body site after being advanced through the working channel of an endoscope with its distal end located near the selected internal body site. In one aspect, the system and method may be utilized to deploy an embolization coil into a lesion to promote thrombosis and/or prevent bleeding.

Abstract: A medical device and method for performing transluminal procedures that reduces procedure time as well as the number of instruments used is disclosed. An elongate medical device has both a cutting tool and a suturing tool disposed at a distal end of the elongate medical device. The suturing tool includes a plurality of needles connected to one or more sutures. The elongate medical device is advanced through a bodily lumen to a position proximate the visceral wall. A perforation is formed in the visceral wall using the cutting tool. The elongate medical device and its suturing tool are advanced through the perforation and a plurality of needles are passed through the visceral wall around the periphery of the perforation. The plurality of needles are withdrawn through the bodily lumen and the perforation is closed using the suture.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods for closing a perforation in a bodily wall The medical device generally includes a suture having opposing first and second ends and a set of visceral staples. Each visceral staple includes a base and two tines connected to the base, the tines spaced apart two define a slot therebetween. The slot slidably receives the suture therein. Each visceral staple is attached to the bodily wall adjacent the periphery of the perforation. The ends of the suture are tensioned to reduce the distance between the visceral staples and compress the bodily wall around the perforation. The ends of the suture are secured to maintain the compression of the bodily wall and close the perforation.

Abstract: A system configured for endoscopic treatment of tissue is provided. The system includes an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a working channel extending at least partially through the shaft. The elongate shaft further includes a longitudinally extending central axis. A distal end of the distal portion of the elongate shaft includes a distal tip having a curvilinear portion. The curvilinear portion is configured to dilate a stricture in a gastrointestinal tract for passing a portion of the system through the stricture to the tissue. The distal tip includes a working channel port connected to the working channel.