Abstract: A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The catheter is adapted to slidably receive a rail-coupling portion of an adjunct medical device. 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 catheter is adapted to slidably receive a rail-coupling portion of an adjunct medical device. 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: A medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a medical guidewire, and a mechanized guidewire drive assembly. The catheter has a distal end insertable into a body lumen of a patient. The mechanized guidewire drive assembly is adapted for operable engagement with the medical guidewire. The mechanized guidewire drive assembly includes a motor and includes a controller which drives the motor with a driving force. The driving force has a predetermined upper limit.

Abstract: A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The catheter has an articulated section. 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 catheter has an articulated section. 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: A novel optical fiber, and a method for its production, having a diffuser portion and continuous unitarily-constructed outer sleeve, which is adapted for the transmission of light to a treatment locale. More particularly, a medical instrument has an optical fiber including a diffuser portion at a distal end wherein an alignment sleeve for the optical fiber extends uninterruptedly in a single piece from a connector for a laser light source to at least the distal end of the core of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A medical device for use with an endoscope is provided. The medical device can include a tube with a first channel for receiving the endoscope. A transparent segment can extend from the distal end of the tube, and the transparent segment can have a first outer diameter sized for providing dilation of a portion of a body lumen. The medical device can also include a tapered tip attached to the distal end of the transparent segment that narrows from the first outer diameter to a distal terminating end. The endoscope is used to view the body lumen through the medical device while in use to dilate a stricture under direct visualization.

Abstract: A novel optical fiber, and a method for its production, having a diffuser portion and continuous unitarily-constructed outer sleeve, which is adapted for the transmission of light to a treatment locale. More particularly, a medical instrument has an optical fiber including a diffuser portion at a distal end wherein an alignment sleeve for the optical fiber extends uninterruptedly in a single piece from a connector for a laser light source to at least the distal end of the core of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A novel optical fiber, and a method for its production, having a diffuser portion and continuous unitarily-constructed outer sleeve, which is adapted for the transmission of light to a treatment locale. More particularly, a medical instrument has an optical fiber including a diffuser portion at a distal end wherein an alignment sleeve for the optical fiber extends uninterruptedly in a single piece from a connector for a laser light source to at least the distal end of the core of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A novel optical fiber, and a method for its production, having a diffuser portion and continuous unitarily-constructed outer sleeve, which is adapted for the transmission of light to a treatment locale. More particularly, a medical instrument has an optical fiber including a diffuser portion at a distal end wherein an alignment sleeve for the optical fiber extends uninterruptedly in a single piece from a connector for a laser light source to at least the distal end of the core of the optical fiber.