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 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: An apparatus and method for coupling a gastroscope (30) to a gastrostomy feeding tube apparatus (10) such that both can be introduced together into the alimentary tract, thereby eliminating the need to separately introduce the gastroscope afterward in order to verify that the gastrostomy feeding tube (11) has been correctly placed within the stomach of the patient. The gastrostomy feeding tube includes a coupling member (12), such as an elongate tract or thread, that is accessible about the second end (26) thereof. The elongate tract is drawn through the working channel (31) of the gastroscope by an engagement member (29), such as snare, which then allows the distal end (33) of the gastroscope to be advanced into the end cap (18) of the feeding tube so that the two can be pulled together into the stomach. In another embodiment, the coupling member comprises an integrated attachment member (39), such as hook, to which the engaging member can attach.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis (10) that includes a tubular member (11) having a passageway (12) extending therethrough and a sleeve (13) attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen (15) in a first direction (17) and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction 18 where the pressure that exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes an esophageal anti-reflux expandable prosthesis wherein the sleeve is adapted to invert back through the tubular stent frame to permit belching or vomiting (fluid or materials under a third, significantly higher pressure). Another aspect of the invention includes a tubular drainage stent (60), such as a biliary or urethral stent in which the sleeve opens to permit passage of fluids, then collapses to prevent retrograde flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the compliance of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the apparatus including a catheter having a plurality of extendable members for both measuring the compliance of the LES and stimulating the esophagus which relaxes the LES to obtain a more clinically relevant measurement of LES compliance. In one embodiment, the plurality of extendable members include a first balloon which is located and inflated within the esophagus to trigger esophageal motility, a second, non-elastic balloon that is positioned within the LES, and a third balloon which is inflated within the stomach to help align the second balloon with LES. Incrementally increasing volumes of air are introduced into the second balloon, with the resulting pressures exerted by the LES calculated and compared to normative values to assess the condition of the LES.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis (10) that includes a tubular member (11) having a passageway (12) extending therethrough and a sleeve (13) attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen (15) in a first direction (17) and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction 18 where the pressure that exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes an esophageal anti-reflux expandable prosthesis wherein the sleeve is adapted to invert back through the tubular stent frame to permit belching or vomiting (fluid or materials under a third, significantly higher pressure). Another aspect of the invention includes a tubular drainage stent (60), such as a biliary or urethral stent in which the sleeve opens to permit passage of fluids, then collapses to prevent retrograde flow.

Abstract: A device (10) for extracting biliary or urinary stones, calculi or the like (stones 104) from the biliary or urinary tract (100) of a patient including a catheter shaft (12), a first expandable apparatus for dilating the tract entrance or the sphincter thereat, and a second expandable apparatus for capturing the stone and/or urging it out of the tract. The first expandable apparatus may be an inflatable balloon (14) fixed on the catheter shaft (12), and the second expandable apparatus may be a second inflatable balloon (18) fixed on the catheter shaft or on a second tube telescopically associated with the catheter shaft, or may be a reversibly collapsible extraction basket (154) such as of nitinol wires, that is slidably receivable in and extendable from the catheter shaft (112).

Abstract: The present invention involves a elongated member, such as a wire guide, that is used with in a endoscopic procedure. In one aspect of the invention, the elongate member includes a first system of indicia comprising a scale reference markings that can include numeric indicia, sequentially increasing markers, etc., located at regular increments (e.g., 1 cm) on the distal portion of the elongate member, that permit measurement of structures within a body passage. In one example, an exchange wire guide having a radiopaque marker on the distal portion is positioned under fluoroscopy at a first location, such as the distal point of a stricture, and the scale reference marking on the wire guide that visible in the viewing region of the endoscope is read. The wire guide is partially withdrawn such that the marker corresponds to a second position (e.g., the proximal point of the stricture) and the new scale reference marking is read. The difference is calculated to determine the length of the structure.

Abstract: A medical device for heat treatment of patient tissue includes an electrically conductive wire guide. The wire guide has a distal end and a proximal portion. A connector is disposed on the proximal portion of the wire guide for providing electrical power to the wire guide, thereby enabling the distal end of the wire guide to heat the patient tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides novel instrumentation surface structure for catheters, guide wires and other instrumentation for entering body canals to an internal body work site. This instrumentation is structured with a bi-directional surface friction for engaging tissue within the cavities and canals that they navigate. In this manner the naturally occurring peristalatic contractions are employed to advantageously grasp and carry the instrumentation toward its desired work site, significantly decreasing the risks of puncture and significantly decreasing the surgeon's time for entry of instruments to desired work sites in such procedures as small bowel enteroscopy where an endoscope enters the esophagus to be dynamically moved to work sites in the small intestine or colonoscopy where an endoscope enters the anal canal to be moved through the entire colon and gradually into the terminal ileum.

Abstract: A medical apparatus assembly (10) comprises a medical device (11) that includes a side port assembly 13 adapted to combine a first pathway (37) for infusion of fluids with a second pathway (38) for wire guide (12) into a first passageway (26) while the second passageway (27) includes the third pathway (39), which comprises a control member (24), such as an electrical wire. The side port assembly is configured such that the first passageway communicates with both a first port (16), such as a fitting for connecting to a syringe, and a second port (15) which includes a sealing mechanism (32), such as a Tuohy-Borst fitting, thereby allowing the wire guide to be preloaded, instead of requiring it to be removed prior to infusing fluids. Optionally, a third port (43) may be included when external communication with the second passageway, is desired, such as balloons or baskets.

Abstract: A dilation balloon catheter is disclosed comprising a non-compliant balloon attached to a catheter, the balloon portion includes a plurality of sections having different outer diameters, as measured at the central portion or midpoint of the section, when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment that is deployable from an endoscope to treat esophageal, pyloric, or colonic strictures, a series of progressively larger balloon sections are used to safely dilate the stricture in stages. Each section includes a central portion having a waist for centering the balloon over the stricture, with the distal section having the smallest diameter and the intermediate and proximal sections being about 2 and 4 mm larger, respectively. A wire guide extends throughout the length of the catheter and balloon and forms a distal portion of the dilation balloon catheter for assisting in cannulation of the stricture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis (10) that includes a tubular member (11) having a passageway (12) extending therethrough and a sleeve (13) attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen (15) in a first direction (17) and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction 18 where the pressure that exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes an esophageal anti-reflux expandable prosthesis wherein the sleeve is adapted to invert back through the tubular stent frame to permit belching or vomiting (fluid or materials under a third, significantly higher pressure). Another aspect of the invention includes a tubular drainage stent (60), such as a biliary or urethral stent in which the sleeve opens to permit passage of fluids, then collapses to prevent retrograde flow.

Abstract: An esophageal prosthesis (10) for preventing reflux of gastric fluids through the esophagus. The esophageal prosthesis process includes a tubular frame (11) with a sleeve (13) disposed around and longitudinally along the tubular frame as well as extending from the distal end (14) of the frame. The lower portion (28) of the sleeve has a readily collapsible lumen (15) that forms a one-way valve for preventing the reflux of gastric fluids in an antegrade manner through the esophagus. Fluids however readily flow through the sleeve in a antegrade direction. In response to a pressure build up in the stomach of a patient wanting to belch or vomit, the lower portion of the sleeve inverts through the passage (12) of the tubular frame, thereby relieving the pressure build up or voiding the patient's stomach.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for training a physician in performing surgery, such as performing a sphincterotomy or papillotomy, includes a model of the human or animal tissue in which a sphincter is located, the model being cuttable by an electrosurgical tool 28 such as a sphincterotome or papillotome. More particularly, the apparatus 10 first includes a porous, nonconductive form 12 having mechanical properties comparable to those of human or animal tissue in which a sphincter is located. The apparatus 10 also includes an electroconductive gel, such as conventional electrocardiogram gel, disposed in the porous form in an amount adequate to permit cutting of the form 12 by an electrosurgical tool 28, such as a sphincterotome or papillotome. The form 12 preferably has a plurality of pores 14 formed in it. More preferably, the form 12 can be an open-cell foam of polyurethane or another synthetic elastomer, although the form 12 can also be composed of a fabric.