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.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical device includes an elongate member, a fixation device and a driving member. The elongate member defines a lumen and includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the elongate member has an opening. The fixation device is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and includes a tissue piercing portion at a distal end of the fixation device. The driving member is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and is configured to move the fixation device from a position within the lumen to a location outside of the lumen through the opening. The opening at the distal end of the elongate member is angled to insert the fixation device in a tissue of a patient at an angle to a plane of the tissue of the patient to fasten a bodily implant to the tissue.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device for injecting one or more substances may include a proximal handle assembly. The proximal handle assembly may include a housing, a rotatable member rotatably coupled to the housing, and a port configured to receive one or more substances. The medical device may also include an inner member coupled to the rotatable member and extending distal to the proximal handle assembly. The medical device may also include an outer member coupled to the housing, surrounding at least a portion of the inner member, and extending distal to the proximal handle assembly. The medical device may also include a helical needle coupled to the inner member and extending distal to the inner member.

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: In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an endoscopic housing defining an opening disposed along a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the endoscopic housing. A rotatable member may be coupled to the endoscopic housing and may have a proximal portion configured to move from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration when the proximal portion of the rotatable member is rotated about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic housing. The proximal portion of the rotatable member may be disposed on a distal side of the plane when in the stowed configuration and disposed on a proximal side of the plane associated with the opening when in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus including an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the optical fiber has a surface configured to emit energy transverse to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The apparatus also includes a tube including a channel, and the distal end of the optical fiber is disposed in the channel of the tube. The apparatus further includes an element disposed at a distal end of the tube such that a pocket is formed in the channel of the tube between the element and the distal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A deflection assembly of a medical instrument (such as an endoscope or a flexible ureteroscope) allows an operator to deflect a distal portion of the instrument using one or more controls located at a proximal portion of the instrument. The instrument allows the operator to achieve multi-directional deflection of the distal portion.

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 adapted to be coupled to the steerable portion of the medical device and an actuation system including an actuator, a first cam, and a second cam. The actuator can move the first cam between a first position and a second position along a first axis (or about a second axis different than the first axis) to move 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 along the second axis (or about the first axis) to move the steerable portion of the medical device along a second plane different than the first plane.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to deliver a suture and an implant coupled to the suture into the body of a patient without the need for direct-vision of the operator. In one aspect, a medical device includes a receiving arm that releasably holds an implant or suture in place for capture and a clamping arm that includes a needle deployment mechanism for advancing a needle directly to the implant for capture and for retracting the needle with the implant attached to deliver the implant into the desired location. The receiving arm includes a cavity with inner walls that are angled to direct the needle through the opening after the advancing needle pierces and goes through tissue of the patient. The angled walls facilitate movement of the needle into a position within the cavity where the implant gets engaged with the needle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical device includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion and a base portion. The first arm portion has an inner surface and an outer surface. The second arm portion has a tissue piercing portion at a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The base portion extends between the first arm portion and the second arm portion. A distance between the inner surface of the first arm portion and the inner surface of the second arm portion defines a depth of penetration into a tissue of a patient.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to devices and methods that allow an operator to position an implant into the body of a patient without the need for direct-vision of the operator or the need to hand-guide a needle in order to capture an implant. In one aspect, a multi-arm delivery device includes a receiving arm that releasably holds an implant in place for capture and a clamping arm that includes a needle deployment mechanism for advancing a needle directly to the implant for capture and for retracting the needle with the implant attached to deliver the implant into the desired location. In one embodiment, the needle includes a plurality of retaining slots. In another embodiment, an end portion of the implant is configured to receive a needle into the end portion and at least some of the end portion of the implant is configured to be retained into one or more retaining slots of the needle.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus including an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the optical fiber has a surface configured to emit energy transverse to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The apparatus also includes a tube including a channel, and the distal end of the optical fiber is disposed in the channel of the tube. The apparatus further includes an element disposed at a distal end of the tube such that a pocket is formed in the channel of the tube between the element and the distal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus including an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the optical fiber has a surface configured to emit energy transverse to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. The apparatus also includes a tube including a channel, and the distal end of the optical fiber is disposed in the channel of the tube. The apparatus further includes an element disposed at a distal end of the tube such that a pocket is formed in the channel of the tube between the element and the distal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A tissue treatment device comprises an insertion section sized and shaped for insertion into the body via a trocar and a diagnostic element coupled to the insertion section, the diagnostic element illuminating tissue with light of a wavelength selected to facilitate identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound element coupled to the insertion section for delivering to a portion of tissue illuminated by the diagnostic element ultrasound energy.

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: A low cost, flexible, torqueable structure for use as at least a portion of a medical device comprises a coil formed of a wound element. The coil includes a plurality of adjacent windings. Connected portions of a region between the adjacent windings are formed (by, for example, laser welding) such that torque can be transmitted between adjacent windings.

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.