Abstract: A support mechanism for a medical device may include an adjustable support that includes a plurality of elongate members movable relative to one another. The support mechanism may also include a bracket coupled to the adjustable support. The bracket may be adapted to be coupled to a first medical device that extends along a longitudinal axis. The support mechanism may also include an instrument holder that extends along a central axis. The instrument holder may be movably coupled to the bracket and adapted to be coupled to a second medical device. The bracket and the instrument holder may be oriented such that central axis of the instrument holder intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle.

Abstract: A biopsy device may include a first jaw having a first distal tip configured to pierce tissue, and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between a closed configuration where the first jaw and the second jaw are axially aligned, and an open configuration where the first jaw and the second jaw are offset from one another, the second jaw having a second distal tip proximal to the first distal tip in the closed configuration.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a medical device may include a shaft including a distal tip with a distal-facing surface. The shaft also may include a fluid lumen extending to the distal tip and a nozzle at a distal end of the fluid lumen. The nozzle may be configured to emit a fluid jet from the distal tip. The shaft also may include a vacuum lumen extending to the distal tip and a vacuum chamber at the distal tip. The vacuum lumen may open into the vacuum chamber, and the vacuum chamber may be wider than the vacuum lumen. The shaft may further include a vacuum opening, and the vacuum chamber may open into the vacuum opening. The vacuum opening may be defined by the distal-facing surface of the distal tip.

Abstract: A support mechanism for a medical device may include an adjustable support that includes a plurality of elongate members movable relative to one another. The support mechanism may also include a bracket coupled to the adjustable support. The bracket may be adapted to be coupled to a first medical device that extends along a longitudinal axis. The support mechanism may also include an instrument holder that extends along a central axis. The instrument holder may be movably coupled to the bracket and adapted to be coupled to a second medical device. The bracket and the instrument holder may be oriented such that central axis of the instrument holder intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to a medical device delivery system. The system may include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The device may also include a visualization system at a distal region of the shaft. The system may further include at least one latching structure configured to extend beyond the distal end of the shaft and retract within the distal region of the shaft and at least one advancement mechanism configured to extend beyond the distal end of the shaft to pull the shaft in a distal direction.

Abstract: Apparatuses for cleaning an endoscope as well as methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus may include a control unit. A shaft may be configured to be coupled to the control unit. The shaft may have a distal end region. A cleaning member may be coupled to/couplable to the distal end region of the shaft. The control unit may be configured to move the cleaning member.

Abstract: A biopsy device may include a first jaw having a first distal tip configured to pierce tissue, and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between a closed configuration where the first jaw and the second jaw are axially aligned, and an open configuration where the first jaw and the second jaw are offset from one another, the second jaw having a second distal tip proximal to the first distal tip in the closed configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for facilitating control of a tool or tools. The systems can allow a user to control multiple degrees of freedom. One such system allows a user to control multiple degrees of freedom of two tools simultaneously. Another such system allows a user to control multiple degrees of freedom with a single hand. Frames and rails for supporting and/or constraining movement of a tool or tools are also described herein.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be selectively asymmetric to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

Abstract: A stent that includes a plurality of quill filaments. Each quill filament includes filament material, a surface, and a plurality of quills. Each quill has a tip, a body, and a base where the body extends from the base to the tip. The quill filaments can be interwoven to form the stent or the quill filaments can be engaged to the framework of a stent.

Abstract: Medical systems are disclosed and may include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more channels extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a handle operably coupled to the proximal end. The handle may include one or more ports in communication with the one or more channels. The medical systems may further include a docking station supporting the proximal end of the elongate member. The docking station may include a receiver adapted to receive and secure the handle and an adaptor guide unit having a distal end, a proximal end, and one or more passages formed therethrough, the one or more passages communicating with the one or more channels.

Abstract: A system for forming an anastomosis between first and second sections of a digestive tract includes Optical Scope Device (“OSD”) having a lumen extending therethrough and positioned at a first target site within the first section, OSD including an imaging component at a distal end thereof for viewing the first target site; First Endoscope (“FE”) including a working channel extending therethrough and positioned at a second target site within the second section; Capture Device (“CD”) extending from a proximal end to a distal end including a loop, CD extends through the lumen; First Flexible Element (“FFE”) extends through FE, FFE including a coupling element which passes through the loop to couple FFE to CD, connecting the first and second sections, the coupling element moving between insertion and locking configurations; and Stent having a lumen extending therethrough which provides fluid communication between the first and second sections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and procedures for placement of a medical device between adjacent tissue structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic systems and methods for preventing or minimizing movement between tissue walls to facilitate placement of a stent therebetween.

Abstract: Described herein are drive systems and methods. One exemplary system includes a tool having a proximal handle and a catheter body. The tool can be mated with a rail and the rail mated with a frame. The connection between the tool and rail and/or the rail and frame can allow relative movement of the tool with respect to the frame, a patient, and/or a point of reference. In one exemplary configuration the handle of the tool rotates around an axis that corresponds to a portion of the catheter body, such that rotational movement of the handle has a minimal impact on longitudinal movement and/or position of a distal end of the tool.

Abstract: A filament cutting device may include an outer sheath. A bushing may be coupled to a distal end of the outer sheath. An inner diameter of the bushing may be a cutting edge at a distal tip of the bushing. An actuation wire may be slidably extendable within the outer sheath and bushing. An engaging body may be coupled to a distal end of the actuation wire. A cavity may be defined along a length of the engaging body configured to capture a portion of the filament within the cavity. Movement of the actuation wire and engaging body with the filament captured within the cavity may cause the cutting edge to sever the filament.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to positioning techniques to facilitate entry of a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by directing a set of positional controls based on feedback from a set of transducers to achieve or maintain a position within a body lumen, for instance. Some embodiments are particularly directed to a feedback loop for positioning or guiding a flexible elongate member into a target configuration for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways. In one embodiment, for example, a device manager may include circuitry to operate at least one positional control in a set of positional controls based on data indicative of a current configuration of a flexible elongate member generated by a set of transducers.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.

Abstract: A system for forming an anastomosis between first and second sections of a digestive tract includes Optical Scope Device (“OSD”) having a lumen extending therethrough and positioned at a first target site within the first section, OSD including an imaging component at a distal end thereof for viewing the first target site; First Endoscope (“FE”) including a working channel extending therethrough and positioned at a second target site within the second section; Capture Device (“CD”) extending from a proximal end to a distal end including a loop, CD extends through the lumen; First Flexible Element (“FFE”) extends through FE, FFE including a coupling element which passes through the loop to couple FFE to CD, connecting the first and second sections, the coupling element moving between insertion and locking configurations; and Stent having a lumen extending therethrough which provides fluid communication between the first and second sections.

Abstract: An instrument for use with an endoscope may include an elongate section configured to move exterior to the endoscope. The elongate section may include a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument may also include an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate section, and an actuation device attached to the proximal end of the elongate section. The actuation device may be configured to operate the end effector. The instrument may also include a guiding member coupled to the elongate section. The guiding member may be configured to be coupled to an external surface of the endoscope to permit the guiding member to move longitudinally relative to the endoscope. The guiding member may be coupled to the elongate section such that the end effector may extend past a distal end of the endoscope and move in a transverse direction independent of the movement of the distal end of the endoscope.