Abstract: In one embodiment, an implant includes a support member configured to be placed within a body of a patient and provide support to a portion of the body of the patient, a tether coupled to an end portion of the support member; and an anchor configured to be disposed within a tissue of the body of the patient to help retain the implant in place within the body of the patient. The tether is coupled to the anchor such that the tether may move with respect to the anchor in a first direction but is retrained from moving in a second direction.

Abstract: A steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a elongate housing and an actuation system. The elongate housing is adapted to be coupled to the steerable portion of the medical device. The actuation system includes an actuator, a first cam, and a second cam. The actuator can move the first cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along a first axis (or about a second axis different than the first axis). Movement of the first cam between its first and second positions moves the steerable portion of the medical device along a first plane. The actuator can move the second cam between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved along the second axis (or about the first axis).

Abstract: A hand-holdable steering mechanism is used as part of a medical device such as a catheter or an endoscope to allow movement of a steerable distal portion of the catheter or endoscope. The mechanism can include a housing, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a first plane when the first actuator is moved between first and second positions. The second actuator is configured to move the steerable portion along a second plane different than the first plane when the second actuator is moved between first and second positions.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a medical device includes a receiving arm configured to be coupled to at least a portion of an implant, and a clamping arm having a proximal end coupled to the receiving arm and having a track at a distal end of the clamping arm. The medical device also includes a sliding component including a needle and configured to slidably move along the track of the clamping arm.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stylet includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a medial portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The distal end portion of the stylet is configured to be releasably coupled to a first portion of an implant. The medial portion of the stylet has at least one retention member configured to be releasably coupled to a second portion of the implant.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a medical device can include a base having a guide and a handle. The medical device can also include a needle member that has a curved portion and a handle portion. The curved portion of the needle member can be configured to slidably move within the guide of the base from a first position to a second position different than the first position when the handle portion of the needle member is moved towards the handle of the base.

Abstract: A device for managing heating energy from a probe comprises a sleeve including a lumen sized to receive the probe therein, the sleeve defining a first window which, when the sleeve is in a desired position, faces target tissue to which the probe is to deliver energy and a shield element protecting non-target tissue from energy emanating from the surgical probe, the shield element being formed of one of a material reflecting energy delivered by the probe and a material absorbing energy delivered by the probe in combination with a positioning element which, when the sleeve is in the desired position, contacts an anatomical structure to position the sleeve relative to the target tissue.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism for use in a medical device, such as an endoscope or a catheter, includes a series of stacked links disposed adjacent to one another and movable with respect to each other. Each link includes a front face tapered to a pair of pivot points and a rear face defining a wedge shaped recess for receiving the pivot points of the adjacent link. Pull-wires provide tension and hold the staked links together while also allowing for controlled bending of the distal portion by movement of one or more of the pull-wires.

Abstract: A steerable medical device is used to controllably introduce a guidewire or other medical instrument into a body of a patient and direct placement of the guidewire or other medical instrument in the body of the patient. The steerable medical device can include an elongated member, a steering mechanism, and an attachment member. The elongated member extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a deflectable distal portion that is deflectable off of the longitudinal axis. The steering mechanism is adapted to control longitudinal and rotational movement of the elongated member and to control off-axis deflection of its deflectable portion. The attachment member is removably couplable to another medical device. The attachment member is moveably coupled to the steering mechanism and the elongated member.

Abstract: A medical device allows movement control of a distal end portion of the medical device and is adapted for one-handed operation. The medical device is capable of omni-directional control of the distal end portion of the device. The device has an elongated member including a deflectable portion at a distal end portion of the elongated member. The device also has a control portion disposed on the elongated member. This control portion can be a handle for one-handed use by an operator of the medical device. The control portion comprises an elastic element and a flexible element. Angular movement of a first portion of the control portion with respect to a second portion of the control portion results in amplification of that angular movement in the deflectable portion of the device.

Abstract: A flexible outer sleeve 70, 170 (partially shown in FIGS. 2 and 7) may be disposed on the outside of the articulation mechanism 10 to provide a smooth exterior surface. The outer sleeve 70, 170 can be made from soft, thin polyurethane, LLDPE, silicon, pellethane, polyurethane, or other approved biocompatible materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl alcohol. Additionally, the outer sleeve 70, 170 can be coated with a hydrophilic, lubricious coating such as HYDROPASS™ hydrophilic coating available from Boston Scientific Corporation, of Natick, Mass., and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,754 and 6,048,620, which are herein incorporated by reference. Additionally, the outer sleeve 70, 170 can be coated with a drug agent to treat internal body tissues.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a first portion and a second portion, which is coupled to the first portion. The first portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within a kidney of a patient. The second portion of the elongate member, which has a sidewall that defines a lumen, is configured to deliver fluid from a first location of the sidewall of the second portion to a second location of the sidewall of the second portion via capillary action. The second portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within at least one of a bladder and a ureter of the patient.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for anchoring a bodily implant within a body of a patient. The anchor includes an implant engaging portion for engaging the bodily implant, wherein the implant engaging portion is disposed on a lateral portion of the anchor. The anchor further includes a distal end portion configured to pass through a passageway in the patient's body, the passageway defining a first axis and a proximal end portion disposed longitudinally opposite to the distal end portion on the anchor. The anchor defines a second axis extending from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion. The anchor is configured to rotate when a force is applied to the bodily implant such that the second axis defined by the anchor forms an angle with the first axis defined by the passageway.

Abstract: An implant includes a substrate and a carrier coupled to the substrate. The carrier including a plurality of objects configured to reflect energy emitted by an ultrasound device. In some embodiments, the carrier includes a plurality of air bubbles that are configured to reflect energy emitted by an ultrasound device. In one embodiment, a method of forming a bodily implant includes forming a substrate, disposing a plurality of air bubbles within a carrier, and applying the carrier to the substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a first portion and a second portion, which is coupled to the first portion. The first portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within a kidney of a patient. The second portion of the elongate member, which has a sidewall that defines a lumen, is configured to deliver fluid from a first location of the sidewall of the second portion to a second location of the sidewall of the second portion via capillary action. The second portion of the elongate member is configured to be disposed within at least one of a bladder and a ureter of the patient.

Abstract: A control mechanism for use with a steerable medical device allows for single-handed operation of at least a distal portion of the medical device. The device can be a catheter or an endoscope, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A steerable medical device is used to controllably introduce a guidewire or other medical instrument into a body of a patient and direct placement of the guidewire or other medical instrument in the body of the patient. The steerable medical device can include an elongated member, a steering mechanism, and an attachment member. The elongated member extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a deflectable distal portion that is deflectable off of the longitudinal axis. The steering mechanism is adapted to control longitudinal and rotational movement of the elongated member and to control off-axis deflection of its deflectable portion. The attachment member is removably couplable to another medical device. The attachment member is moveably coupled to the steering mechanism and the elongated member.

Abstract: A control mechanism for use with a steerable medical device allows for single-handed operation of at least a distal portion of the medical device. The device can be a catheter or an endoscope, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The elongate member defines a longitudinal axis. The distal end portion of the elongate member defines a notch having a face defining an axis. The axis of the face and the longitudinal axis define an acute angle with respect to a first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to retain a loop of a suture when the elongate member is moved through a tissue of a patient in the first direction along the longitudinal axis. The notch is configured to release the loop of the suture when the elongate member is moved through the tissue of the patient in a second direction different than the first direction. The suture has at least one tissue anchor configured to be disposed within the tissue of the patient.