Abstract: An electromagnetic suturing device comprises a body, a coil in the body and a suturing element actuatable by a magnetic suturing track extending into the first end face, a second arm having a second end face opposing the first end face, a second suturing track extending into the second end face, a coil in the first arm, and a suturing element drivable by a magnetic field generated by the coil to move from the first suturing track to the second suturing track. An electro-magnetic hammer suturing device comprises a housing and a coil in the housing, a shuttle to reciprocate in the housing by an electromagnetic field generated by the coil and a suturing element to be actuated by the shuttle.

Abstract: A therapy device comprises a shaft extending between proximal and distal portions, a surgical instrument located at the distal portion, a handpiece located at the proximal portion, a treatment end located at the distal end of the surgical instrument that can apply photodynamic therapy (PDT). The treatment end includes an applicator to apply a photosensitizer to a surface of a target tissue and a light emitter that can emit generated phototherapeutic light to activate the photosensitizer to ablate target tissue. A method for providing PDT to the target tissue includes inserting the therapy device into the patent, applying the photosensitizer and phototherapeutic light to a surface of the target tissue, and removing the device from the patient.

Abstract: Surgical forceps can include a drive pin an outer tube, a first jaw, a second jaw, and an inner tube. The outer tube can define a longitudinal axis. The first jaw can be pivotably connected to the outer tube. The first jaw can include a pair of flanges located at a proximal portion of the first jaw, where each flange can include a track receiving the drive pin. The inner tube can be located within the outer tube and can extend along the longitudinal axis. The inner tube can include a pair of arms extending from a distal portion of the inner tube. The drive pin can be securable to the pair of arms. The inner tube can be translatable within the outer tube to drive the drive pin along the tracks to move the second jaw between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A direct peroral cholangioscope system comprises a guide sheath sized to pass through an esophagus of a patient comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, an endoscope comprising an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an imaging device coupled to the elongate body proximate the distal end, and a passage extending at least partially through the elongate body and exiting at the distal end, the elongate body sized to pass through the lumen, and a tissue retrieval device configured to pass through the passage and retrieve tissue from within the patient. The guide sheath can be used to steer the endoscope through the pyloric sphincter and the sphincter of Oddi to allow the endoscope to be articulated in the common bile duct using native steering capabilities.

Abstract: A direct peroral cholangioscopy method comprises inserting an endoscope into a guide sheath, inserting the guide sheath and endoscope into a duodenum, extending a tissue retrieval device through the endoscope into the duodenum, extending an anchor wire into the duodenum, collecting biological matter with the tissue retrieval device, and withdrawing the cholangioscope and tissue retrieval device from the duodenum along the anchor wire. A cholangioscopy system comprises a steerable guide sheath and a cholangioscope comprising a shaft extending to a distal end face for displacement within the steerable guide sheath, a tool lumen extending along the shaft and exiting at the distal end face, an anchor lumen entering the shaft between a proximal end portion and the distal end face and exiting at the distal end face, and an exchange lumen extending from the tool lumen to an exterior of the shaft at the distal end face.

Abstract: Provided is a ureteral stent comprising certain amount of ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer and a certain amount of an additive selected from barium sulfate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxychloride, a polyolefin elastomer, a thermoplastics elastomer, and a mixture thereof. The provided stent may have multiple layers such as inner layer and outer layer with each layer having different elastic modulus. Also provided is a method of making the aforementioned ureteral stent and a method of using the ureteral stent in treating kidney or bladder related diseases.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an elongate body comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a tissue separator coupled to the distal end portion that is configured to engage sample tissue for collection, wherein the tissue separator is at least partially made from a material that allows light to pass through the tissue separator. A method of collecting biological matter using a tissue retrieval device comprises inserting the tissue retrieval device into anatomy of a patient, guiding a tissue collector of the tissue retrieval device to a target tissue, viewing the target tissue through the tissue collector and collecting biological matter from the target tissue with the tissue retrieval device.

Abstract: A tissue separation device can comprise an elongate body comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a tissue separator coupled to the distal end portion, the tissue separator configured to engage sample tissue for retrieval, and a pressure-applying device configured to bias the tissue separator against the sample tissue. A method of collecting biological matter using a tissue retrieval device can comprise inserting the tissue retrieval device into anatomy of a patient, guiding a tissue collector of the tissue retrieval device to a target tissue area, activating a pressure applying device to bias the tissue collector into the target tissue, and collecting biological matter with the tissue retrieval device.

Abstract: An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for kidney stone management are provided. A device can include a medical apparatus comprising a kidney stone blocker configured to (i) remain in a human kidney after deployment and (ii) prevent passage of a kidney stone greater than a predetermined size into a ureter while allowing urine to pass to the ureter, and an elongated, tubular member mechanically coupled to the kidney stone blocker and configured to be situated in the ureter.

Abstract: A forceps having at least a first jaw with a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The first jaw can include a body portion, a first flange, a second flange and a cam pin. The first flange can define a first cam slot with a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal axis. The second flange can be spaced from the first flange a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first jaw and can have a second cam slot. The cam pin, with a longitudinal axis, can be moveably secured within the first cam slot and the second cam slot. A diameter of the cam pin can be less than a width between a first longitudinal edge that defines a first side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot and a second longitudinal edge that defines a second opposing side of each of the first cam slot and the second cam slot so that the cam pin is moveably received by both the first cam slot and the second cam slot.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are disclosed including a tissue removal tool for treatment of endometrial tissue on a background tissue of a patient. The tissue removal tool can optionally comprise a graspable portion, a shaft and an end effector. The shaft can be coupled to the graspable portion. The shaft can have a proximal portion and a distal portion and can be configured to access an anatomic location of the endometrial tissue. The end effector can be coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The end effector can be configured to lift the endometrial tissue relative to the background tissue to a lifted position. The end effector can be configured to cut the endometrial tissue from the background tissue with the endometrial tissue in the lifted position.

Abstract: An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

Abstract: A ureteral stent that includes a tubular member and a retaining end adapted to be placed inside a kidney or a bladder of a patient. The retaining end includes a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are centered about a loop axis, and two or more of the loop axes extend in different directions relative to other loop axes.

Abstract: The direct air capture (DAC) systems and methods efficiently and economically regenerate a desiccant bed without adding any thermal energy and without requiring any pressurization or depressurization of the desiccant reactors. The methods leverage water concentration differences in stream flows, the water concentration profile across a desiccant bed, and, optionally, exothermic water adsorption. These three elements, working in combination, are referred to as “reverse dry flow regeneration” or a “reverse dry air swing” regeneration process. Systems and methods for reverse flow regeneration include those for CO2 DAC applications, but they are also applicable to point source carbon capture and other similar technologies that require initial gas dehydration before exposure to a hydrophilic material.

Abstract: An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

Abstract: A medical device including an introducer; a first section configured to connect to a supply of therapeutic fluid; and a second section configured to connect to a supply of therapeutic elements. The therapeutic elements are drawn into the introducer by way of suction created by a flow of the therapeutic fluid through the introducer. The therapeutic elements are drawn into the introducer by way of suction created by a flow of the therapeutic fluid through the introducer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improved methods and compositions for preparing SN-38 conjugates of proteins or peptides, preferably immunoconjugates of antibodies or antigen-binding antibody fragments. More preferably, the SN-38 is attached to the antibody or antibody fragment using a CL2A linker, with 1-12, more preferably 6-8, alternatively 1-5 SN-38 moieties per antibody or antibody fragment. Most preferably, the immunoconjugate is prepared in large scale batches, with various modifications to the reaction scheme disclosed herein to optimize yield and recovery in large scale. Other embodiments concern optimized dosages and/or schedules of administration of immunoconjugate to maximize efficacy for disease treatment and minimize side effects of administration.

Abstract: Solid sorbents, and especially zeolites, are attractive candidates for CO2 direct air capture (DAC) and point source capture applications because of their potential for high selectivity, fast kinetics, and low energy CO2 capture cycles. A common issue with solid sorbents, including zeolites, is their low thermal conductivity, which makes them difficult to heat for regeneration without using complex and expensive heat transfer systems. This invention utilizes a modified TVSA process which utilizes the product CO2 gas itself as the heating medium for the adsorbent bed, alone or in conjunction with internal or external heaters. The use of CO2 as a heating medium allows efficient heating of the sorbent bed and enables high purity CO2 product.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to a device for insertion into the urethra for dilation. The present disclosure includes methods and devices including a device for at least partial insertion into a prostate, the device including first and second elongated members each having at least one magnetizable or magnetic element. The first and second elongated members are magnetizable to repel each other to dilate a lumen therebetween.