Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a vacuum force during tissue biopsies. In an illustrative embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes a housing that is attachable to a handle of a medical device and a piston device that is disposed at least partially within the housing. The piston device is configured to be biased in a first direction and lockable in a loaded pre-suction position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing a control device of an elongated instrument to an insertion device. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a coupling that is configured to join the control device with a port of an insertion device used to convey the elongated instrument to a target location. A bushing extends from the coupling and is configured to be inserted within an opening in the port of the insertion device. The elongated instrument is movably extendable through the bushing. A first sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the bushing to seal the outer surface of the bushing against an inner surface of the opening in the port. A second sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the elongated instrument to movably seal an outer surface of the elongated instrument.

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: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and systems for performing multi-lumen catheter functions and methods for making the apparatuses. An illustrative apparatus includes a multi-lumen sheath, a cap having a proximal end attachable to a distal end of the multi-lumen sheath, and a liner. The cap includes a ramp section having a ramp and an exit port and an imaging section disposed distally from the ramp section. The ramp allows travel of a medical device from within the liner to the exit port. The distal ramp section extends distally from the flexible proximal section and is received by the ramp of the ramp section. The distal ramp section has a curved portion. The cap includes a socket for receiving a tab of the distal ramp section. The curved portion includes bending relief features.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing a vacuum force during tissue biopsies. In an illustrative embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes a housing that is attachable to a handle of a medical device and a piston device that is disposed at least partially within the housing. The piston device is configured to be biased in a first direction and lockable in a loaded pre-suction position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for preventing buckling of an elongated instrument as it is advanced through a channel. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an anti-buckling device including at least one movable support bracket. The bracket includes a generally planar member having an inner orifice and an outer edge configured to movably engage an inner surface of a channel. The planar member is configured to provide lateral support to an elongated instrument chosen from one of a needle and a probe responsive to the elongated instrument being motivated through the channel by an actuator. The at least one bracket also includes a positioning member that extends from the planar member. The positioning member is configured to prevent the planar member from twisting within the channel. The positioning member is configured to move relative to a distal end of the actuator so as not to impede movement of the actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for preventing buckling of an elongated instrument as it is advanced through a channel. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an anti-buckling device including at least one movable support bracket. The bracket includes a generally planar member having an inner orifice and an outer edge configured to movably engage an inner surface of a channel. The planar member is configured to provide lateral support to an elongated instrument chosen from one of a needle and a probe responsive to the elongated instrument being motivated through the channel by an actuator. The at least one bracket also includes a positioning member that extends from the planar member. The positioning member is configured to prevent the planar member from twisting within the channel. The positioning member is configured to move relative to a distal end of the actuator so as not to impede movement of the actuator.

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: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling advancement of a needle deployed through a control system. In an illustrative embodiment, a needle actuator is configured to be fixably coupled to a proximal end of a needle. A first release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from a retracted position to a ready position where the distal end of the needle is adjacent the distal end of the sheath. A second release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from the ready position to a sampling position where the distal end of the needle is advanceable into tissue to be sampled.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for engaging a stylet within a needle. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a stylet configured to be insertable into a lumen of a needle via a proximal port of secured to a needle actuator secured to the needle; and an end cap fixably coupled to the stylet and configured to cover a proximal end of the needle actuator and to be movable relative to the needle actuator to enable an operator to withdraw the stylet from the lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling advancement of a needle deployed through a control system. In an illustrative embodiment, a needle actuator is configured to be fixably coupled to a proximal end of a needle. A first release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from a retracted position to a ready position where the distal end of the needle is adjacent the distal end of the sheath. A second release device is movably coupled to the needle actuator and is engageable to release the needle actuator to move from the ready position to a sampling position where the distal end of the needle is advanceable into tissue to be sampled.

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: A sampling device insertable into a bronchoscope to obtain samples of target nodules in lungs of a patient, the system can include a sampling needle, a needle inlet guide tube, and a needle actuator. The sampling needle can extend between a base and a tip. The needle inlet guide tube can be removably couplable to the bronchoscope and can define a working lumen. The needle actuator can be configured to receive the base of the sampling needle to extend the sampling needle through the working lumen. The needle actuator can be engageable with the needle inlet guide tube to move the sampling needle through the sampling device. The sampling device can include operating states. In each of the operating states, the needle actuator can move relative to the needle inlet guide tube to move the tip of the sampling needle with respect to the sampling device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alert implants that comprise a medical device and an implantable reporting processor (IRP), where one example of such a medical device includes a component for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) such as a tibial extension, a femoral component for hip replacements, a breast implant, a distal rod for arm or leg breakage repair, a scoliosis rod, a dynamic hip screw, a spinal interbody spacer, and tooling and methods that may be used to form the alert implant, and uses of such alert implants in the health maintenance of patients who receive the implant.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alert implants that comprise a medical device and an implantable reporting processor (IRP), where one example of such a medical device includes a component for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) such as a tibial extension, a femoral component for hip replacements, a breast implant, a distal rod for arm or leg breakage repair, a scoliosis rod, a dynamic hip screw, a spinal interbody spacer, and tooling and methods that may be used to form the alert implant, and uses of such alert implants in the health maintenance of patients who receive the implant.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for cutting an opening in a tissue wall. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an inner cutting member having a first cylindrical body supporting at least one first cutting surface at a distal end. The first cutting surface faces a first rotational direction relative to an axis of the first cylindrical body and has a first cutting edge at an outer periphery of the first cylindrical body. The apparatus also includes an outer cutting member having a second cylindrical body concentrically disposed around the first cylindrical body and supporting at least one second cutting surface at the distal end. The second cutting surface faces a second rotational direction relative to the axis and has a second cutting edge at an inner periphery of the second cylindrical body.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a first actuating mechanism for actuating a constraining sheath between a first state releasably constraining a vascular implant and a second state allowing deployment of the vascular implant; a second actuating mechanism for actuating a blocking mechanism between a blocked state for blocking other functions of the handle and an unblocked state for allowing operation of the other functions of the handle; and an operating knob operatively coupled to both of the first and second actuating mechanisms for concurrent operation of both of the first and second actuating mechanisms in response to actuation of the operating knob.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides alert implants that comprise a medical device and an implantable reporting processor (IRP), where one example of such a medical device includes a component for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) such as a tibial extension, a femoral component for hip replacements, a breast implant, a distal rod for arm or leg breakage repair, a scoliosis rod, a dynamic hip screw, a spinal interbody spacer, and tooling and methods that may be used to form the alert implant, and uses of such alert implants in the health maintenance of patients who receive the implant.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and systems for performing multi-lumen catheter functions and methods for making the apparatuses. An illustrative apparatus includes a multi-lumen sheath, a cap having a proximal end attachable to a distal end of the multi-lumen sheath, and a liner. The cap includes a ramp section having a ramp and an exit port and an imaging section disposed distally from the ramp section. The ramp allows travel of a medical device from within the liner to the exit port. The distal ramp section extends distally from the flexible proximal section and is received by the ramp of the ramp section. The distal ramp section has a curved portion. The cap includes a socket for receiving a tab of the distal ramp section. The curved portion includes bending relief features.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, systems, and methods for performing tissue sampling. In an illustrative embodiment, an illustrative apparatus includes a flexible sheath having a lumen, a needle slidably received within the lumen, and a force translator configured to translate a proximal biased force into a distal force of the needle at a distal end of the flexible sheath.