Abstract: The device of the present invention comprises an intervening release liner as a common special feature, and the intervening release liner covers a part of an adhesive surface of a patch. The intervening release liner gets away from the patch, and is fixed to a patch application support (or porator tab). Due to such constitution, under a situation in use where the first part of the adhesive area of the patch adheres to a skin surface, the patch application support is slidable along the skin surface while peeling the intervening release liner from said part of the adhesive area of the patch to adhere to the skin surface.

Abstract: The device of the present invention comprises an intervening release liner as a common special feature, and the intervening release liner covers a part of an adhesive surface of a patch. The intervening release liner gets away from the patch, and is fixed to a patch application support (or porator tab). Due to such constitution, under a situation in use where the first part of the adhesive area of the patch adheres to a skin surface, the patch application support is slidable along the skin surface while peeling the intervening release liner from said part of the adhesive area of the patch to adhere to the skin surface.

Abstract: A sheath comprises a coil of wire, the coil having an interior that defines a lumen; a distal anchor secured to the coil near a distal end of the coil and having a barb that extends away from an axis of the coil; a proximal anchor secured to the coil near a proximal end of the coil and having a barb that extends away from the axis of the coil; and a polymer heat-shrink sleeve. The polymer heat-shrink sleeve is coaxial with the coil, circumferentially encloses and is shrunken onto the coil over a length from the distal anchor to the proximal anchor, and extends over the barb of the distal anchor and the barb of the proximal anchor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices, systems, and methods for acquiring a tissue sample in an endoscopic procedure. In one implementation, a biopsy needle is provided. The biopsy needle includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a lumen extending therethrough and a distal end comprising at least two tines. A heel between adjacent tines comprises an intersection of two cutting surfaces, each comprising a cutting edge having an inclination angle of at least thirty degrees at each point between a first end of the cutting edge and a second end of the cutting edge. For each of the two cutting surfaces, an angle between the cutting surface and an inner surface of the elongated body is not greater than forty-five degrees in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for connecting a device to an endoscope. In one implementation, an apparatus for connecting a device to an endoscope includes a multi-tined connector and a locking sleeve. The multi-tined connector is configured to engage with a port of an endoscope having a non-circular flange. The multi-tined connector includes a body portion and a plurality of tines connected to the body portion. The body portion has a lumen axially extending therethrough and an outer locking interface. The tines are radially deflectable, have outer tapered surfaces, and operate between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position, the tines engage with the port. The locking sleeve operates between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking sleeve holds the tines in the engaged position, and in the unlocked position, the locking sleeve leaves the tines in the disengaged position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for locks for endoscopic accessories. In one implementation, an adjustable lock for an endoscopic accessory includes a body slidably mounted upon a rail of the endoscopic accessory, and an arm extending about a portion of the body. The arm may be connected to the body and pivotable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, teeth on an inner surface of the arm may engage a toothed rack on the rail such that the adjustable lock is secured to the rail. In the open position, the teeth on the inner surface of the arm may be clear of the toothed rack such that the lock may slide relative to the rail.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for secure connections between tubular structures. In one implementation, a first tube constructed of nitinol may have windows formed on an end thereof. A second tube constructed of stainless steel tube may be inserted within the first tube, and the windows may be filled with adhesive or solder. The adhesive or solder may bond with the first tube, forming connection pins which secure the tubes together. In some embodiments, the connected tubes may form an endoscopic needle. The nitinol portion of the needle may be sufficiently flexible for positioning within the bending section of an endoscope without deformation. The stainless steel portion of the needle may render the needle significantly less expensive than prior needles constructed solely of nitinol.

Abstract: The device of the present invention comprises an intervening release liner as a common special feature, and the intervening release liner covers a part of an adhesive surface of a patch. The intervening release liner gets away from the patch, and is fixed to a patch application support (or porator tab). Due to such constitution, under a situation in use where the first part of the adhesive area of the patch adheres to a skin surface, the patch application support is slidable along the skin surface while peeling the intervening release liner from said part of the adhesive area of the patch to adhere to the skin surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for secure connections between tubular structures. In one implementation, a first tube constructed of nitinol may have windows formed on an end thereof. A second tube constructed of stainless steel tube may be inserted within the first tube, and the windows may be filled with adhesive or solder. The adhesive or solder may bond with the first tube, forming connection pins which secure the tubes together. In some embodiments, the connected tubes may form an endoscopic needle. The nitinol portion of the needle may be sufficiently flexible for positioning within the bending section of an endoscope without deformation. The stainless steel portion of the needle may render the needle significantly less expensive than prior needles constructed solely of nitinol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for acquiring a tissue sample in an endoscopic procedure. In one implementation, a biopsy needle is provided. The biopsy needle includes an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated body includes a lumen extending therethrough and a distal end. The distal end includes at least two tines and a plurality of cutouts. Each of the tines includes two ground bevels formed on two grind planes. Each cutout resides between two adjacent tines and includes a V-shaped section. Each cutout may further include a longitudinally straight section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for locks for endoscopic accessories. In one implementation, an adjustable lock for an endoscopic accessory includes a body slidably mounted upon a rail of the endoscopic accessory, and an arm extending about a portion of the body. The arm may be connected to the body and pivotable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, teeth on an inner surface of the arm may engage a toothed rack on the rail such that the adjustable lock is secured to the rail. In the open position, the teeth on the inner surface of the arm may be clear of the toothed rack such that the lock may slide relative to the rail.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for connecting a device to an endoscope. In one implementation, an apparatus for connecting a device to an endoscope includes a multi-tined connector and a locking sleeve. The multi-tined connector is configured to engage with a port of an endoscope having a non-circular flange. The multi-tined connector includes a body portion and a plurality of tines connected to the body portion. The body portion has a lumen axially extending therethrough and an outer locking interface. The tines are radially deflectable, have outer tapered surfaces, and operate between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position, the tines engage with the port. The locking sleeve operates between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking sleeve holds the tines in the engaged position, and in the unlocked position, the locking sleeve leaves the tines in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having at least one axially-aligned annular flange defining a central opening and a support having a rim and a support surface. The support may be disposed in a nested position wherein the support surface is disposed within the central opening and an inverted position wherein the support surface is disposed away from the central opening. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its inverted and nested positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having a disc-shaped inlet and a helical flange. The helical flange may be disposed in a contracted position defining a contracted length and a contracted diameter and an extended position defining an extended length and an extended diameter, wherein the extended length is longer than the contracted length and the extended diameter is smaller than the contracted diameter. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its contracted and extended positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having at least one axially-aligned annular flange defining a central opening and a support having a rim and a support surface. The support may be disposed in a nested position wherein the support surface is disposed within the central opening and an inverted position wherein the support surface is disposed away from the central opening. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its inverted and nested positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having a disc-shaped inlet and a helical flange. The helical flange may be disposed in a contracted position defining a contracted length and a contracted diameter and an extended position defining an extended length and an extended diameter, wherein the extended length is longer than the contracted length and the extended diameter is smaller than the contracted diameter. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its contracted and extended positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.

Abstract: A pyloric valve is provided for inhibiting the flow of chyme through the pyloric region of the gastrointestinal tract. The pyloric valve includes a blocking portion having a plurality of disc-shaped flanges connected in series. The blocking portion may be disposed in a contracted position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a stacked configuration and a resting position wherein the plurality of disc-shaped flanges is disposed in a linear configuration. The pyloric valve may further include a sleeve that may have a beveled distal end. The pyloric valve may be constructed of silicon. Also provided are methods of inserting and removing the pyloric valve, which each include a step of manipulating the support between its resting and contracted positions. Insertion and removal systems are also provided for use with the pyloric valve.