Abstract: Example catheter control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a housing that includes a first lumen configured to receive a catheter, a second lumen configured to receive fluid, and a third lumen configured to allow the catheter and the fluid to pass through the third lumen simultaneously. A catheter controller is associated with the housing and controls movement of the catheter through the housing.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.

Abstract: Example catheter control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a housing that includes a first lumen configured to receive a catheter, a second lumen configured to receive fluid, and a third lumen configured to allow the catheter and the fluid to pass through the third lumen simultaneously. A catheter controller is associated with the housing and controls movement of the catheter through the housing.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for moving and/or supporting an internal organ or other tissue, such as during minimally-invasive surgery. Generally, a system for moving and/or supporting tissue may comprise a magnetic control component and a retractor having at least one magnetic portion. The retractor may have a first low-profile configuration for passing through an incision into a surgical site within a patient and a second expansive configuration for engaging tissue. The magnetic control component may be placed over the surgical site external to the patient and generate a magnetic field to manipulate the retractor and engaged tissue.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for moving and/or supporting an internal organ or other tissue, such as during minimally-invasive surgery. Generally, a system for moving and/or supporting tissue may comprise a magnetic control component and a retractor having at least one magnetic portion. The retractor may have a first low-profile configuration for passing through an incision into a surgical site within a patient and a second expansive configuration for engaging tissue. The magnetic control component may be placed over the surgical site external to the patient and generate a magnetic field to manipulate the retractor and engaged tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for moving and/or supporting an internal organ or other tissue, such as during minimally-invasive surgery. Generally, a system for moving and/or supporting tissue may comprise a magnetic control component and a retractor having at least one magnetic portion. The retractor may have a first low-profile configuration for passing through an incision into a surgical site within a patient and a second expansive configuration for engaging tissue. The magnetic control component may be placed over the surgical site external to the patient and generate a magnetic field to manipulate the retractor and engaged tissue.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing remote traction to tissue may include a grasper and a control element. The grasper may have a first jaw, a second jaw, a main body, and a first magnetic element. The control element may include a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements may attract the grasper to the control element such that the grasper is oriented parallel, perpendicularly, or at an angle between parallel and perpendicular with respect to the control element and/or a body. In some instances, the grasper may include first and second magnetic elements and the control element may include third and fourth magnetic elements.

Abstract: Devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed in both nostrils to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. The nasal devices may also increases patency of the nares. Any of these devices may be configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device.

Abstract: Devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed in both nostrils to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. The nasal devices may also increases patency of the nares. Any of these devices may be configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device.

Abstract: Devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed in both nostrils to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. The nasal devices may also increases patency of the nares. Any of these devices may be configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device.

Abstract: Described herein are nasal respiratory devices, in particular, nasal respiratory devices configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device. PEEP devices may have a threshold pressure for opening during expiration. In some variations, these devices have a threshold pressure for closing during expiration.

Abstract: A method for treating the lung during an acute episode of reversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as an asthma attack. The method comprises transferring energy to an airway wall of an airway such that a diameter of the airway is increased. The energy may be transferred to the airway wall prior to, during or after an asthma attack. The energy may be transferred in an amount sufficient to temporarily or permanently increase the diameter of the airway. The method may be performed while the airway is open, closed or partially closed.