Abstract: An expandable dilation member may include a proximally-tapered portion to dilate a stricture. The dilation member may be distally advanced in an unexpanded state over a wire guide through the stricture. The dilation member may then be configured in an expanded state, where the dilation member has a longitudinal profile that includes the proximally-tapered portion. A handle assembly proximally pulls the dilation member in the expanded state. In response, the proximally-tapered portion engages with and biases the stricture. When biasing the stricture, the proximally-tapered portion exerts a plurality of different types of forces, including a shearing force, a radial force, and in some procedures, a torsional force. In some embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has a continuous taper from a smallest diameter to a largest diameter. In other embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has at least one constant-diameter portion longitudinally disposed in between the smallest diameter and the largest diameter.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

Abstract: A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

Abstract: A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

Abstract: A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

Abstract: An expandable dilation member may include a proximally-tapered portion to dilate a stricture. The dilation member may be distally advanced in an unexpanded state over a wire guide through the stricture. The dilation member may then be configured in an expanded state, where the dilation member has a longitudinal profile that includes the proximally-tapered portion. A handle assembly proximally pulls the dilation member in the expanded state. In response, the proximally-tapered portion engages with and biases the stricture. When biasing the stricture, the proximally-tapered portion exerts a plurality of different types of forces, including a shearing force, a radial force, and in some procedures, a torsional force. In some embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has a continuous taper from a smallest diameter to a largest diameter. In other embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has at least one constant-diameter portion longitudinally disposed in between the smallest diameter and the largest diameter.

Abstract: A method may include deploying a stent such that at least one opening of the stent is aligned with a tissue surface within a body of a patient, manipulating a tissue portion through the at least one opening of the stent, and securing the tissue portion with respect to the opening of the stent to prevent migration of the stent. Another general aspect of the present disclosure includes a stent. The stent may have a body including a plurality of struts, a covering extending to an end of the body, the end being a proximal end of a distal end, and an anchor secured to the end of the body, where the anchor includes an opening that is exposed with respect to the covering.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

Abstract: A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

Abstract: A tray for supporting linear lamps in large cartons may be made to nest in one orientation and on rotation by 180 degrees may stack to form a latched array of lamp cradles. The cradle walls are formed along their lengths with alternating lengths and gaps. The alternating wall sections of the cradle walls are asymmetric right to left along the cradle axis. The walls forming the rows of cradles are arranged to be paired with a non-nesting wall on rotation by 180 degrees. In this way, at least one point along the length of each wall is supported in the non-nesting orientation. By forming latching features at the support points, the trays can be locked together as a rigid array of lamp cradles.

Abstract: A carton (101) including at least one self-erecting partition (146, 156) disposed in an auto-bottom carton defining a plurality of compartments (306, 308) therein. The auto-bottom carton including at least one self-erecting partition includes a plurality of panels (102, 104, 106, 108), a bottom (304), an optional cover (170), and at least one partition (146, 156) that extends in an interior portion (302) of the carton, which interior portion is defined by the panels (102, 104, 106, 108) and bottom (304). An extension (144, 154) connects the partition (146, 156) to a respective bottom flap (120, 128, 140, 150). The carton (101) may be knocked down, shipped flat, and squared up, i.e., erected, prior to filling. Upon erecting the carton (101) the at least one partition (146, 156) positions itself in the interior (302) of the carton (101) so as to form two or more compartments (306, 308) in the carton interior (302).

Abstract: A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a width W equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a length L equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a depth, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the width W and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said width W but less than the width W.

Abstract: A tray for supporting linear lamps in large cartons may be made to nest in one orientation and on rotation by 180 degrees may stack to form a latched array of lamp cradles. The cradle walls are formed along their lengths with alternating lengths and gaps. The alternating wall sections of the cradle walls are asymmetric right to left along the cradle axis. The walls forming the rows of cradles are arranged to be paired with a non-nesting wall on rotation by 180 degrees. In this way, at least one point along the length of each wall is supported in the non-nesting orientation. By forming latching features at the support points, the trays can be locked together as a rigid array of lamp cradles.

Abstract: A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a width W equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a length L equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a depth, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the width W and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said width W but less than the width W.

Abstract: An overpack carton for packing a primary shipping case includes a packing strap having interconnected side panels and a latching panel, one or more cushion strips secured to the side panels, and latching elements for latching the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case. A method for packing a primary shipping case includes steps of providing a cushioned packing strap having latching elements, wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case and interengaging the latching elements.

Abstract: A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a height H equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a width W equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a length, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the height H and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said height H but less than the height H.

Abstract: A locking system for two linear fluorescent lamps comprises an endcap (10) formed to receive two linear fluorescent lamps (12, 14) (FIG. 3). The endcap (10) has two chambers (16, 18) formed by the outside surfaces of endcap (10) and a central partition (19). Each of the chambers has a forward portion (20) and a rearward portion (22). The endcap (10) has a height H equal to the diameter of the fluorescent lamps, a width W equal to twice the diameter of the fluorescent lamps and a length, for example, 4 to 6 inches, that is substantially less than the length of the lamps, which can be one to eight feet long. A stop (24) is formed in each of the chambers at the forward portion (20) to retain the lamps within the endcap. Each of the stops (24), in the form of a reverse corner, extends inwardly toward the center of the endcap and has a first leg (26) with a first dimension equal to the height H and a second leg (28) with a second dimension that is greater than one half of said height H but less than the height H.

Abstract: An overpack carton for packing a primary shipping case includes a packing strap having interconnected side panels and a latching panel, one or more cushion strips secured to the side panels, and latching elements for latching the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case. A method for packing a primary shipping case includes steps of providing a cushioned packing strap having latching elements, wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case and interengaging the latching elements.

Abstract: An overpack carton for packing a primary shipping case includes a packing strap having interconnected side panels and a latching panel, one or more cushion strips secured to the side panels, and latching elements for latching the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case. A method for packing a primary shipping case includes steps of providing a cushioned packing strap having latching elements, wrapping the packing strap around at least a portion of the primary shipping case and interengaging the latching elements.