Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses and methods for using a tip member to deposit or collect a supply of material from within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tip body defining an annular chamber. A tip receptacle is configured to be joinable with a lumen and to receive a fluid flow therethrough and to convey the fluid flow into the annular chamber. A material distribution element is fluidly coupled with the annular chamber, wherein when the fluid flow is introduced into the annular chamber. The material distribution element diffusively passes the fluid flow out of multiple egress points in at least one of a distal end and a lateral surface of the tip body.

Abstract: An elongated access device used in a medical system. The elongated access device slidably receives a medical tool and an ultrasound probe. The elongated access device includes a sheath and an intraluminal tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The intraluminal tip includes ramp and nose donuts being spaced apart from one another and configured to be attached to one or more elongated sleeves. One or more orientation pins are engaged with the respective ramp and nose donuts and may be anchored within the sheath. The medical tool is engaged with a ramp formed in the ramp donut or a ramp received within the ramp donut. The ultrasound probe is configured to engage with the intraluminal tip so as to ensure that the medical tool directionality is oriented toward a target during a procedure.

Abstract: A needle apparatus having a sheath with a protective hypotube insert and a method of making the needle sheath. An example needle apparatus includes a handle, a needle having a proximal end connected to the handle and a sheath. The sheath is configured to receive of the needle. The sheath includes a proximal end connected to the handle, a distal end, a lumen and the protective insert. The lumen passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the sheath. The protective insert is received within the lumen at the distal end of the sheath when force and/or heat are applied.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing an elongated instrument within a control device used to extend the elongated instrument. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a control device configured to facilitate extension of an elongated instrument to a target location. A port within an end of the control device is configured to compressably engage sides of the elongated instrument to secure the elongated instrument to move with the control device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sheath tip with an angled distal face to conform the sheath to a surface of tissue toward which the sheath is being extended to potentially help reduce or avoid tissue damage upon extending a sheath to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheath tip positionable at an end of a sheath configured to convey an elongated medical instrument to a location adjacent a detection range of a detecting device. The sheath tip includes a distal member that extends a finite distance beyond the end of the sheath. The distal member is detectable by the detecting device when the end of the sheath is within the finite distance of the detection range of the detecting device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: A medical instrument having an aspiration needle, handle device and an actuation force limiter. The actuation force limiter provides an active or passive force release mechanism that keeps the force from overpowering operation of the needle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses and methods for using a tip member to deposit or collect a supply of material from within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tip body defining an annular chamber. A tip receptacle is configured to be joinable with a lumen and to receive a fluid flow therethrough and to convey the fluid flow into the annular chamber. A material distribution element is fluidly coupled with the annular chamber, wherein when the fluid flow is introduced into the annular chamber. The material distribution element diffusively passes the fluid flow out of multiple egress points in at least one of a distal end and a lateral surface of the tip body.

Abstract: A medical instrument having an aspiration needle, handle device and an actuation force limiter. The actuation force limiter provides an active or passive force release mechanism that keeps the force from overpowering operation of the needle.

Abstract: A device and system for allowing real-time viewing of a procedure beyond a distal end of an endoscope. An exemplary device includes a sheath that has at least two lumens and a handle. The handle includes a connector that connects to a proximal end of an endoscope, a shaft portion that rotatably connects to a proximal end of the connector and a manifold that is slidably received by the shaft portion. The manifold connects to the sheath and allows for insertion of a radial ultrasound probe and a medical tool into the sheath. A stopping device in the manifold avoids accidental needle deployment.

Abstract: An elongated access device used in a medical system. The elongated access device slidably receives a medical tool and an ultrasound probe. The elongated access device includes a sheath and an intraluminal tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The intraluminal tip includes ramp and nose donuts being spaced apart from one another and configured to be attached to one or more elongated sleeves. One or more orientation pins are engaged with the respective ramp and nose donuts and may be anchored within the sheath. The medical tool is engaged with a ramp formed in the ramp donut or a ramp received within the ramp donut. The ultrasound probe is configured to engage with the intraluminal tip so as to ensure that the medical tool directionality is oriented toward a target during a procedure.

Abstract: An elongated access device used in a medical system. The elongated access device slidably receives a medical tool and an ultrasound probe. The elongated access device includes a sheath and an intraluminal tip attached to the distal end of the sheath. The intraluminal tip includes ramp and nose donuts being spaced apart from one another and configured to be attached to one or more elongated sleeves. One or more orientation pins are engaged with the respective ramp and nose donuts and may be anchored within the sheath. The medical tool is engaged with a ramp formed in the ramp donut or a ramp received within the ramp donut. The ultrasound probe is configured to engage with the intraluminal tip so as to ensure that the medical tool directionality is oriented toward a target during a procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling advancement of a sheath or a catheter at a distal end of an endoscope. An exemplary apparatus includes a flexible sheath that receives a medical device within an internal lumen and is received within a working channel of an endoscope. The apparatus also includes a component that is at least one of external or internal to the sheath. The component causes a change in longitudinal motion friction of the sheath above a predefined threshold amount as the sheath moves relative to an exit ramp of the endoscope.

Abstract: A medical instrument having an aspiration needle, handle device and an actuation force limiter. The actuation force limiter provides an active or passive force release mechanism that keeps the force from overpowering operation of the needle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sheath tip with an angled distal face to conform the sheath to a surface of tissue toward which the sheath is being extended to potentially help reduce or avoid tissue damage upon extending a sheath to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheath tip positionable at an end of a sheath configured to convey an elongated medical instrument to a location adjacent a detection range of a detecting device. The sheath tip includes a distal member that extends a finite distance beyond the end of the sheath. The distal member is detectable by the detecting device when the end of the sheath is within the finite distance of the detection range of the detecting device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a sheath tip with an angled distal face to conform the sheath to a surface of tissue toward which the sheath is being extended to potentially help reduce or avoid tissue damage upon extending a sheath to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a sheath tip configured to be positioned at an end of a sheath that is extendable toward a tissue at an angle to a surface of the tissue. The sheath tip has a distal end that is angled such that a periphery of the sheath tip at the distal end is configured to generally conform to the surface of the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.