Abstract: A medical instrument includes a catheter having a distal end insertable within a body lumen and having longitudinally spaced apart and circumferentially-protruding first and second pods. The first pod has a first exterior surface with a first surface portion. The first surface portion includes an energizable first electrode pair of circumferentially-spaced-apart electrodes. The first surface portion has a shape adapted to advance the first pod within the lumen upon contraction of muscular lumen tissue contacting an energized first electrode pair. The second pod has a second exterior surface with a second surface portion. The second surface portion includes an energizable second electrode pair of circumferentially-spaced-apart electrodes. The second surface portion has a shape adapted to advance the second pod within the lumen upon contraction of muscular lumen tissue contacting an energized second electrode pair.

Abstract: A surgical kit can be used to manipulate tissue within the body of a patient to create a working space within the body to allow a surgeon to easily access and work within the body using various surgical instruments. A surgical kit can include an implant comprised of a magnetic material which can be engaged with tissue within the body. The kit can further include a surgical instrument having a magnet which can be used to manipulate the implant and tissue engaged therewith. A surgical kit can include an anchor and a hanger configured to engage tissue at different locations within the body and a connection member engaged with the anchor and the hanger such that the connection member can be pulled to move the anchor toward the hanger. A surgical instrument which utilizes a vacuum provided to one or more movable members can also be used to manipulate tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus, system, and method are disclosed. The apparatus, includes an elongate member defines a longitudinal opening. An elongate actuator member is slideably movable within the longitudinal opening. A proximal jaw member having a proximal portion is fixedly coupled to a distal end of the elongate flexible member. A distal jaw member has a proximal portion fixedly coupled to a distal end of the elongate actuator member. A first aperture is defined between the distal portion of the distal jaw member and the proximal portion of the distal jaw member. The distal jaw member is slideably movable relative to the proximal jaw member. The system includes a handle portion to receive a proximal end of the elongate actuator member of the apparatus. A method includes preparing the apparatus for surgery.

Abstract: A medical device for performing a therapeutic procedure on a patient. The device includes a body that is sized and shaped to engage a working end of an endoscope. The body has a recess therein. The device also includes an electrode positioned on the body and communicative with an energy source for delivering energy to the electrode when performing the Therapeutic procedure on the patient. The device further includes an infection needle positioned in the recess and communicative with a fluid source for delivering fluid to the needle when performing the therapeutic procedure on the patient.

Abstract: A surgical device including a shaft defining an axis and having a distal end and a proximal end, a first elongated electrode pivotally connected to the distal end of the shaft and deployable from a first configuration, wherein the first electrode is generally coaxially aligned with the axis, to a second configuration, wherein the first electrode is generally perpendicular relative to the axis, and a second elongated electrode pivotally connected to the distal end of the shaft and deployable from a first configuration, wherein the second electrode is generally coaxially aligned with the axis, to a second configuration, wherein the second electrode is generally perpendicular relative to the axis, wherein the first elongated electrode is adapted to extend radially relative to the second elongated electrode.

Abstract: In various surgical techniques, a bipolar forceps can be used to seal a vessel in two locations such that the vessel can be incised at a location positioned intermediate the two seal locations. The bipolar forceps can include a cutting element which can be configured to incise the vessel. In various embodiments, the cutting element can include a sharp edge which can be moved relative to the vessel. In at least one embodiment, the cutting element can be electrically connected to a source of energy. The bipolar forceps can include first and second electrodes positioned within first and second jaw members, respectively, wherein at least one of the jaw members can include a substantially tapered profile and can be configured to pull the vessel away from the surrounding soft tissue. Such jaw members can include ridges, teeth, and/or a textured outer surface configured to grip the soft tissue and/or vessel.

Abstract: A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The medical guidewire has first and second segments, wherein the bending moment of inertia of the first segment is less than the bending moment of inertia of the second segment. A second medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a mechanized guidewire assembly, and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The medical guidewire has an exterior surface including a repetitive series of spaced-apart surface elevation features. One example of surface elevation features is external threads. The spaced-apart surface elevation features are adapted for operable engagement with the mechanized guidewire drive assembly.

Abstract: An electrical ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A clamp jaw portion is located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member. The clamp jaw portion is operatively movable from an open position to a closed position. A blunt dissection portion is formed on the clamp jaw portion. The clamp jaw portion is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform.

Abstract: An electrical ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A clamp jaw portion is located at the distal end of the elongated flexible member. The clamp jaw portion is operatively movable from an open position to a closed position. A cutting blade is located in the clamp jaw portion. The clamp jaw portion is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongated flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member includes first and second lumens. A first needle electrode is configured to slideably move within the first lumen. A second needle electrode is located within the second lumen. The first and second needle electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform sufficient to electrically ablate tissue located between the first and second needle electrodes.

Abstract: A module for attachment to a medical instrument to scan the anatomy with a beam of radiation. The module comprising a housing suitable for insertion in the anatomy that includes a window and a fastener to attach the housing to a medical instrument, an oscillating reflector within the housing that directs a beam of radiation onto the anatomy, and a collector to receive radiation returned from the anatomy.

Abstract: A scanned beam imaging system including a housing suitable for insertion into a body and a radiation source configured to direct a beam of radiation into or through the housing and onto an area within the body. The scanned beam imaging system further includes an adjustable element inside the housing and positioned to reflect the beam of radiation or to receive the beam of radiation therethrough, wherein the adjustable element is physically adjustable to vary a property of the beam of radiation that is reflected thereby or received therethrough. The scanned beam imaging system further includes a collector configured to receive radiation returned from the area within the body.

Abstract: A method for repairing or modifying an area of a patient's anatomy that comprises directing at least a portion of a scanning beam assembly to an area of a patient's anatomy, applying a radiation-responsive agent to portion of the anatomy, and exposing the radiation-responsive agent to radiation directed onto the agent by the reflector to cause the agent to therapeutically interact with the site. The scanning beam assembly including a radiation source capable of emitting radiation, a reflector that receives the radiation from the radiation source to direct the radiation onto the anatomy, wherein the reflector oscillates in at least two directions to create a scan of the anatomy, a detector to detect radiation returned from the anatomy, and a controller to convert the detected radiation into a displayable anatomy image.

Abstract: An illuminating system scatters light into the mucosal lining of the stomach adjacent to an ulcerated area, an area containing a lesion, or ather area of interest. A light detector positioned on the opposite side of the area of interest uses detected light patterns to identify the location of circulatory structures beneath the mucosal lining adjacent to the area of interest.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for manipulating and/or anchoring devices and body parts during surgical procedures. In one embodiment, an anchor member is provided for anchoring a device or body part to tissue, such as an internal wall of a body cavity. The device can be, for example, an endoscopic device, an accessory channel coupled to an endoscopic device, or a support member adapted to support or manipulate an organ. The anchor member can include or form an opening through which the device can be inserted. The anchor member or device can thus be manipulated relative to the tissue to control movement of and/or provide support to the device, tools inserted through the device, and/or organs grasped by the device or tools.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for dissecting tissue. In one embodiment, an electro-surgical device is provided having a housing with a hollow interior adapted to receive tissue, such as an organ. The housing can be adapted to couple to a pressure source for suctioning tissue into the housing, and to an energy source for delivering energy to the tissue. The various elements of the device can be adapted such that the initially dispersed energy is passed through the tissue and is concentrated at a location, e.g., connective tissue, having a surface area that is less than a surface area of the electrode, thereby allowing the connective tissue to be dissected. Exemplary methods for dissecting tissue are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device includes a radiation source assembly having at least two radiation sources, where one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate an imaging beam for use in visualization of a scene and one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate a therapeutic beam for treatment of a medical condition. An optical fiber for directing radiation energy from the radiation source assembly toward a distal end of the medical device in the form of a beam. A reflector that receives the beam from the optical fiber, the reflector configured to direct the beam onto a field-of-view. A receiving system including a detector arranged and configured to receive radiation from the field-of-view to generate a viewable image. The imaging beam and the therapeutic beam are directed to follow a common path from the at least two radiation sources to the reflector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate relatively flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible member includes a working channel. A first electrode extends from the working channel at the distal end of the flexible member and is adapted to be endoscopically located in a first position relative to a tissue treatment region. A second electrode is adapted to be percutaneously located in a second position of the tissue treatment region. The first and second electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator and to receive an electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate relatively flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible member includes at least a first working channel. A first and second electrode extends from a working channel at the distal end of the flexible member. The first and second electrodes are adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first and second electrodes are adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located between the first and second electrodes.