Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily occluding a body opening. A method in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention includes introducing a tip of a catheter into the body opening, the tip including a central longitudinal axis; expelling a thermosensitive polymer from the tip of the catheter into a portion of the body opening, allowing the thermosensitive polymer to harden as it warms to body temperature to form a plug in the body lumen, and removing the plug.

Abstract: A stent may include a flexible, elongate body having a curled proximal portion, a curled distal portion, and a main portion extending between the proximal and distal portions. The main and distal portions together may define a channel laterally open throughout at least a part of the channel's length and extending along the main and distal portions without extending along the proximal portion, whereby the channel's proximal end is disposed in the main portion. In addition, the proximal portion may be curled away from the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of devices for capturing obstructions within passageways. The devices disclosed herein may include a flexible tubular body forming multiple flexible members arranged in a helical pattern. These flexible members may be expandable to form one or more cages when the tubular body is expanded to an increased diameter state. The cages may be generally centered around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body between the two ends of the body. Also disclosed herein are methods for capturing obstructions within passageways, methods for obtaining tissue samples from body passages, and methods for making devices for capturing obstructions within passageways.

Abstract: A stent may include a flexible, elongate body having a curled proximal portion, a curled distal portion, and a main portion extending between the proximal and distal portions. The main and distal portions together may define a channel laterally open throughout at least a part of the channel's length and extending along the main and distal portions without extending along the proximal portion, whereby the channel's proximal end is disposed in the main portion. In addition, the proximal portion may be curled away from the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of devices for capturing obstructions within passageways. The devices disclosed herein may include a flexible tubular body forming multiple flexible members arranged in a helical pattern. These flexible members may be expandable to form one or more cages when the tubular body is expanded to an increased diameter state. The cages may be generally centered around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body between the two ends of the body. Also disclosed herein are methods for capturing obstructions within passageways, methods for obtaining tissue samples from body passages, and methods for making devices for capturing obstructions within passageways.