Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods facilitating navigation through a body passage, particularly a tortuous body passage. An expandable member is mounted with respect to an element of the device or system and is shiftable from a delivery configuration to an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the expandable member facilitates navigation of the device and/or system through a tortuous section of the body passage. The expandable member may include an expandable basket-like element formed of one or more elements shiftable from a generally elongated configuration when the expandable member is in the delivery configuration to a curved or bowed configuration when the expandable member is in the expanded configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the expandable member may include an inflatable balloon. The system and method may include delivering a device such as a locator element to a target site to be identified from a remote location.

Abstract: A locator system having a flexible elongate delivery device, such as a flexible guidewire, advanced to a target site separately from the beacon element of the system. The beacon element may be configured to not extend beyond the perimeter of a housing on which the beacon element is mounted, thereby reducing the overall cross-sectional profile of the beacon portion of the system. The beacon element may be mounted with respect to the housing to be imaged in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the system. The beacon element may include one or more LED's or other element imageable from a location separate from the target site.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system for coupling separate anatomical structures, such as to form an anastomosis therebetween. The system includes first and second implantable medical devices configured to be implanted with respect to anatomical structures to be coupled, and also configured to be coupled together. The implantable medical devices may be coupled together with a separate connector. The separate connector may be a stent or an elongated tether-like element. Additionally or alternatively, the implantable medical devices may be formed with interengaging elements which couple the implantable medical devices together, such as without the need for a separate connector. The implantable medical devices may be spaced apart when coupled together, with a connector bridging the gap therebetween, or may be in abutting contact with each other.

Abstract: Features useful for locating a medical implant in a patient in a non-invasive manner are described. Such features may include an integrated port with a housing that includes a first portion coupled to a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise different materials, and a cover over an opening into the housing. The first portion may face the cover and allow transmis-mission of electromagnetic signals through the second portion in a direction away from the cover.

Abstract: An end effector having first and second jaws movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. At least one jaw has a tissue-engaging surface contoured to enhance grasping of tissue between the jaws. For instance, the tissue-engaging surfaces may be contoured to engage tissue along the tissue-engaging surface substantially evenly/uniformly and/or contemporaneously from the distal end to the proximal end of the jaw. The tissue-engaging surfaces may be contoured independently of and/or differently from the jaw's outer surface. The tissue-engaging surfaces of the first and second jaws may be contoured to enclose tissue engaged therebetween.

Abstract: A locator system deployable at a target site in a first anatomical structure and identifiable from within a second anatomical structure. The locator system includes a signal generator and a tissue-engagement member. The tissue-engagement member engages tissue at the target site so that a delivery system may deliver the locator system and be withdrawn without disturbing the position of the locator system with the tissue-engagement member engaging tissue at the target site. The signal generator may be powered by a wireless energy source, such as a battery, or radio waves. The locator system may be deployed at a target site within a patient's intestines, and identified from within the patient's stomach to create an anastomosis between the stomach and the target site.

Abstract: A locator system deployable at a target site in a first anatomical structure and identifiable from within a second anatomical structure. The locator system includes a signal generator and a tissue-engagement member. The tissue-engagement member engages tissue at the target site so that a delivery system may deliver the locator system and be withdrawn without disturbing the position of the locator system with the tissue-engagement member engaging tissue at the target site. The locator system may be deployed at a target site within a patient's intestines, and identified from within the patient's stomach to create an anastomosis between the stomach and the target site.