Abstract: An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.

Abstract: A biliary stent (10) is constructed of thermoplastic material with ridges (16) and valleys (18) formed along the outer surface of the stent that provide a helical, thread-like configuration. The ridges (16) and valleys (18) can be formed in a variety of configurations, depths and pitches to accommodate different delivery devices and different anatomical features of the biliary tree. The ridges (16) and valleys (18) provide additional mechanical engagement with the luminal walls of the biliary tract to prevent unwanted displacement of the implanted stent (10) from a selected implant site. The stent (10) is configured to optionally have an elongate distal end (14) to facilitate the transmission of biliary fluids through the stent (10). Optional radiopaque markers (32) are provided on one or both ends (12, 14) of the stent (10) to allow for fluoroscopic visualization of the stent (10) orientation and placement within the biliary tract.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.

Abstract: The present invention provides steerable biliary catheters and methods for their use. Biliary catheters such as ERCP cannulas, papillatomes, stone balloon catheters and balloon dilatation catheters may be configured to have steering capability. Two or four-way steering capability is described. Methods for performing biliary procedures such as cannulating a papilla are also provided.

Abstract: A endoscopic multiple sample biopsy forceps is disclosed having a jaw assembly with a pair of jaws connected to a pair of arms extending from a jaw housing. Each jaw has two shanks oppositely displaced from the longitudinal axis of the device to define a space in the rear of the jaw for storing collected tissue samples. The tissue storage space defined by the jaw shanks opens rearwardly into a tissue storage area defined within the housing. Each shank has a broad outwardly facing planar surface aligned with an inwardly facing planar surface on one of the pair of arms. A cam slot on each jaw shank is slidably engaged by a cam pin on one of the pair of arms. A puller member coaxially positioned in the housing and axially movable relative to the housing supports a pair of pivots, each of which pivotally engages a bore on at least one jaw shank. The puller member is attached to a drive wire coaxially positioned in a tubular shaft. Axial movement of the drive wire actuates the puller member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly has an endoscope with an instrument channel and a sheathed elongate tubular member inserted into the instrument channel. The sheath is provided with a distal end portion having at least one resiliently biased, curved portion tending to direct the tip of the distal end portion in a direction angularly offset from the axis of the body insertion tube at its distal end. The elongate tubular member is itself longitudinally slidably positioned within the sheath. The instrument channel exerts forces sufficient to straighten the curved portions of the sheath when the curved portions are positioned within the body insertion tube, proximal of the tube's distal end. An elongate flexible endoscopic instrument is mounted into the tubular member so that an operative tip is located at a distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly has an endoscope with an instrument channel and a sheathed elongate tubular member inserted into the instrument channel. The tubular member is provided with a distal end portion having at least one resiliently biased, curved portion tending to direct the tip of the distal end portion in a direction angularly offset from the axis of the body insertion tube at its distal end. The elongate tubular member is itself longitudinally slidably positioned within a relatively stiff, straight sheath having mechanical properties sufficient to straighten the curved portion of the tubular member when the curved portion is positioned within the sheath, proximal of the sheath's distal end. An elongate flexible endoscopic instrument is mounted into the tubular member so that an operative tip is located at a distal end of the tubular member.