Abstract: A device for fastening tissue includes (a) a shaft extending longitudinally from a distal end insertable into a body to a proximal end attached to a controller which remains outside of the body, the shaft including a lumen extending therethrough and an opening extending through a wall of a distal portion thereof to open the lumen to an exterior of the shaft; (b) a first roller housed within the lumen adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the opening such that a rotation of the first roller grasps and draws tissue from the body into the lumen in combination; and (c) a fastening element housed within the lumen adjacent to the opening and movable from a tissue receiving configuration to a tissue gripping configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing access to body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems and methods for facilitating access to an opening of a body lumen through an endoscope by at least partially dilating the opening with fluid from a fluid source prior to contacting the body lumen.

Abstract: Sphincterotomes and methods for making and using sphincterotomes are disclosed. An example sphincterotome may include an elongate shaft having an outer surface and a distal end region. The sphincterotome may also include a sphincterotome wire assembly having a distal end coupled to the distal end region of the elongate shaft and a body portion extending along the outer surface of the elongate shaft. The sphincterotome wire assembly may be designed to shift the distal end region of the elongate shaft between a first configuration and a curved configuration. The body portion of the sphincterotome wire assembly may include a cutting region and a non-conductive region.

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.

Abstract: A stent for repairing post-anastomasis (e.g., bariatric) surgery leaks is formed by an elongated tube having a proximal flare-shaped flange, an enlarged middle section, and a distal flare-shaped flange, where an exterior surface of the elongated tube is substantially covered with a polymer.

Abstract: A device for fastening tissue includes (a) a shaft extending longitudinally from a distal end insertable into a body to a proximal end attached to a controller which remains outside of the body, the shaft including a lumen extending therethrough and an opening extending through a wall of a distal portion thereof to open the lumen to an exterior of the shaft; (b) a first roller housed within the lumen adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the opening such that a rotation of the first roller grasps and draws tissue from the body into the lumen in combination; and (c) a fastening element housed within the lumen adjacent to the opening and movable from a tissue receiving configuration to a tissue gripping configuration.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, devices, systems, and methods for endoscopic procedures may include an end effector of a grasping system having a first arm and a second arm. The first and second arms may extend from a common proximal joint. The first and second arms may be formed of a self-expanding material and may have a spring force to set the arms in an unconstrained open position. The first and second arms may have an arc shape such that a distal tip of each first and second arm are configured to close as the first and second arms are actuated to a constrained closed position. A catheter may include a locating element at a distal end of a flexible tube. The locating element may be configured for locating the grasping system.

Abstract: A stent for repairing post-anastomasis (e.g., bariatric) surgery leaks is formed by an elongated tube having a proximal flare-shaped flange, an enlarged middle section, and a distal flare-shaped flange, where an exterior surface of the elongated tube is substantially covered with a polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for introducing a plurality of instruments to a target site through a working channel. The working channel can include a surface adapted to guide one or more instruments into select positions. The working channel can be defined by a portion of a guide tube or tip that may be coupled with an endoscope.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a medical device having an elongate shaft having a distal end and a controller coupled to the shaft. A control member can extend through at least part of the elongate shaft and at least part of the controller, wherein the control member in a tensioned configuration can be moveable by the controller to control the distal end of the shaft and the control member can be slack in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism can be configured to move relative to at least one of the elongate shaft and the controller to tension the control member and automatically lock the control member in the tensioned configuration.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive procedures in a body lumen may include a flexible catheter having a plurality of lumens including a main lumen configured to receive an endoscope and at least one tool lumen; a first working instrument slidably disposed within a first tool lumen of the at least one tool lumen; a plurality of support elements disposed at a distal end of the catheter, the plurality of support elements being configured to shift between delivery and expanded configurations, wherein in the expanded configuration, the plurality of support elements forms an expanded cage to reshape the body lumen and form a working space; wherein at least one of the plurality of support elements is a tubular shaft having an opening proximate the working space; and a filament extending through the tubular shaft to a clip disposed outside the opening, the clip being manipulatable by the first working instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for introducing a plurality of instruments to a target site through a working channel. The working channel can include a surface adapted to guide one or more instruments into select positions. The working channel can be defined by a portion of a guide tube or tip that may be coupled with an endoscope.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a medical device having an elongate shaft having a distal end and a controller coupled to the shaft. A control member can extend through at least part of the elongate shaft and at least part of the controller, wherein the control member in a tensioned configuration can be moveable by the controller to control the distal end of the shaft and the control member can be slack in an untensioned configuration. A tensioning mechanism can be configured to move relative to at least one of the elongate shaft and the controller to tension the control member and automatically lock the control member in the tensioned configuration.

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.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A stent of the present disclosure has a variable radial force along the longitudinal length of the stent. In particular, the radial force of the center is greater than the radial force of the ends of the stent. Without being bound by theory, the radial force is affected by the strut angle ?, the wall thickness t, the number of strut pairs, and combinations thereof. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the stent has a variable strut angle ?, a variable wall thickness t, and a variable number of strut pairs. By adjusting the strut angle ?, the wall thickness t, and the number of strut pairs of the serpentine bands, the stent will have a variable radial force without the need for additional processing steps.