Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle includes an actuation mechanism with a collet and plunger actuation member configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploy one or more fiducials at a time by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a slotted needle in which fiducials are disposed with a fiducial protrusion extending into the needle slot, which also includes retaining structures that do not impede the needle lumen.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle includes an actuation mechanism with rotatable housing portion or member configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploy one or more fiducials at a time by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a slotted needle in which fiducials are disposed with a fiducial protrusion extending into the needle slot, which also includes retaining structures that do not impede the needle lumen.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device comprises an outer catheter that is capable of retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing over the prosthesis in a distal direction. The device comprises a drive pulley that can engage a particular gear set to retract the outer catheter and expose the prosthesis. The drive pulley can also engage another gear set to resheath the outer catheter and recapture the prosthesis between the inner and the outer catheter. A directional switch enables the device to operate between the two modes.

Abstract: A medical device for collecting cells includes a delivery tube having a flexible wire disposed within a lumen of the tube. The flexible wire includes a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion. The flexible distal portion includes a cell collecting portion that can be advanced out of the needle and into a body cavity. The flexible nature of the wire will allow it to generally fill the body cavity to increase the contacted surface area and the amount of cells that are collected. The wire can then be retracted back into the needle for removal from the patient's body.

Abstract: Access needles and methods of using the needles are set forth in this disclosure. The needles can include a handle and a cannula having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the body of the cannula. A protective sheath may surround the cannula. Further, a stylet may be removably disposed within the lumen of the cannula. The stylet includes a piercing tip at a distal end and a flexible body length extending proximally from the piercing tip to the handle. The flexible body of the stylet provides a path of fluid communication through the lumen of the cannula such that a contrast fluid can effectively pass through the lumen of the cannula. Methods of introducing cannulas to target locations within a body of a patient are also set forth in this disclosure.

Abstract: A medical device for collecting cells includes a delivery tube having a flexible wire disposed within a lumen of the tube. The flexible wire includes a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion. The flexible distal portion includes a cell collecting portion that can be advanced out of the needle and into a body cavity. The flexible nature of the wire will allow it to generally fill the body cavity to increase the contacted surface area and the amount of cells that are collected. The wire can then be retracted back into the needle for removal from the patient's body.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle includes an actuation mechanism with a toothed rack and actuation member(s) configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploying one or more fiducials at a time by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a slotted needle in which fiducials are disposed with a fiducial protrusion extending into the needle slot, which also includes retaining structures that do not impede the needle lumen.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle includes a clutched-gear actuation mechanism configured for incrementally or otherwise controlled deploying one or more fiducials at a time by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a slotted needle in which fiducials are disposed with a fiducial protrusion extending into the needle slot, which also includes retaining structures that do not impede the needle lumen.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongate single-wire memory-metal body with a complete length that includes a proximal stylet length, an intermediate self-coiling stylet length, and a distal stylet length that is generally straight and non-self-coiling. The moment of force of the self-coiling stylet length is less than the moment of force of the medical endoscopy needle that is resistant to the stylet's self-coiling force. The device may further include being incorporated into an endoscopy needle system where the single-wire stylet body is disposed through a lumen of a medical endoscopy needle.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device includes an outer sheath that is capable of retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing over the prosthesis in a distal direction. The device includes a drive pulley that can engage gears to retract or resheath the outer catheter in relation to the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the delivery device may include a reinforced outer sheath disposed over an inner elongate member, the reinforced outer sheath comprising a proximal section reinforced with a braid, a distal section reinforced with a coil and an overlapping section extending between the proximal section and the distal section. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery device may include a stabilizing element for releasably holding the stent to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device includes an outer sheath that is capable of retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing over the prosthesis in a distal direction. The device includes a drive pulley that can engage gears to retract or resheath the outer catheter in relation to the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the delivery device may include a reinforced outer sheath disposed over an inner elongate member, the reinforced outer sheath comprising a proximal section reinforced with a braid, a distal section reinforced with a coil and an overlapping section extending between the proximal section and the distal section. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery device may include a stabilizing element for releasably holding the stent to the inner catheter.

Abstract: A delivery device for deploying an expandable prosthesis and method of use thereof are described. The delivery device comprises an outer catheter that is capable of retracting in a proximal direction and resheathing over the prosthesis in a distal direction. The device comprises a drive pulley that can engage a particular gear set to retract the outer catheter and expose the prosthesis. The drive pulley can also engage another gear set to resheath the outer catheter and recapture the prosthesis between the inner and the outer catheter. A directional switch enables the device to operate between the two modes.