Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion disposed between the distal end portion an the proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be disposed within a bladder of a patient. A portion of the proximal end portion is configured to contact an inner wall of the bladder to help retain the bladder in an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device may include a longitudinally extending tubular member having a cut pattern. The pattern may include an x-shaped portion and a plurality of legs extending proximally of the x-shaped portion. At least one of the plurality of legs may have a varied cross-section along its length. The medical retrieval device may further include a longitudinally extending drive member operably coupled to the tubular member.

Abstract: The present description relates to plug-forming compositions, to medical procedures employing such compositions, to methods for removing such compositions, and to products pertaining to such compositions, including medical devices, medical device components, and kits, among other aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical retrieval device with a basket that has at least one leg that is frangible (i.e., easily breakable) and/or able to dissociate from at least one other leg upon the application of a predetermined force to the basket. The invention allows an operator to release captured material (e.g., a stone) from the basket when the device is still inserted in the body. In an embodiment, the basket legs associate by a magnetic interaction that can be overcome by applying a predetermined force to the basket. In another embodiment, at least a portion of at least one basket leg is made from, or coated with, a substance that is adhesive or that joins at least two legs together when the substance is solid but which melts, dissolves or weakens upon the application of an electrical, thermal or chemical change.

Abstract: A medical device can be used to entrain biological or foreign material during a medical procedure for the fragmentation of the material. The device also can be used to remove the material safely from the body. The device has a core element with a first portion extending substantially longitudinally and a second portion wound to form at least a helical coil in the shape of cone. A flat wire can substantially wrap the first and second portions of the core element, or a wire can substantially wrap the first portion and a sheath can substantially cover the second portion.

Abstract: The present description relates to plug-forming compositions, to medical procedures employing such compositions, to methods for removing such compositions, and to products pertaining to such compositions, including medical devices, medical device components, and kits, among other aspects.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides implantable or insertable urological medical devices, which are adapted to deliver one or more urologically beneficial agents in pharmaceutically effective amounts. In one aspect, the invention provides medical devices in which urologically beneficial agents are delivered using a porous membrane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a medical device includes an elongated member having a sidewall defining a lumen. The lumen extends through the member and defines a center line which extends through a center of the lumen in a direction longitudinal to the member. The sidewall defines a plurality of slots. Each successive slot is circumferentially offset about the sidewall. In another embodiment, a medical device includes a member defining a lumen extending through the member. Locations of an outer surface of the member are defined by a distance d from a proximal end of the member and an angle ? from a first point of a cross-section of the member. A sidewall of the member includes slots extending through the sidewall along planes extending from a line extending through a center of the lumen. Successive slots have their respective distances d successively farther from the proximal end of the member and their respective angles ? successively increasing.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion disposed between the distal end portion an the proximal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be disposed within a bladder of a patient. A portion of the proximal end portion is configured to contact an inner wall of the bladder to help retain the bladder in an expanded configuration.

Abstract: A stent is designed to be placed within a patient's ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and defines a lumen extending therethrough. A first end portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and is adapted to assume a retaining configuration when placed substantially within the kidney. A second end portion extends from another end of the elongated portion and flares outward when placed substantially within the bladder to maintain position. The second end portion allows fluids to flow through the lumen and into the bladder and is collapsible to prevent fluid from passing from the bladder to the kidney.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical retrieval device with a basket that has at least one leg that is frangible (i.e., easily breakable) and/or able to dissociate from at least one other leg upon the application of a predetermined force to the basket. The invention allows an operator to release captured material (e.g., a stone) from the basket when the device is still inserted in the body. In an embodiment, the basket legs associate by a magnetic interaction that can be overcome by applying a predetermined force to the basket. In another embodiment, at least a portion of at least one basket leg is made from, or coated with, a substance that is adhesive or that joins at least two legs together when the substance is solid but which melts, dissolves or weakens upon the application of an electrical, thermal or chemical change.

Abstract: An embodiment of a medical retrieval device includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle at the proximal end of the sheath, and a basket. The basket has a collapsed position when the basket is within the sheath and collapsed and an expanded position when the basket is positioned beyond the distal end of the sheath and expanded. The basket includes a plurality of legs, at least one leg having a frangible portion wherein the at least one leg breaks upon application of a predetermined force to the basket. A distal portion of the plurality of legs may be formed from a single piece of material.

Abstract: A retrieval device is disclosed. The retrieval device may include a sheath including a lumen extending longitudinally through the sheath, an elongate member slidably disposed within the lumen, and a basket at a distal end of the elongate member. The basket may include a plurality of legs formed integrally with the elongate member. The elongate member and the basket may be formed of a single wire, and the legs may be made by splitting a length of the single wire.

Abstract: An apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an elongate body disposable within a body lumen of a patient. An expandable member is coupled to the elongate body. The expandable member has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member when in the expanded configuration is configured to substantially prevent distal migration of biological material within the body lumen during a medical procedure being performed in the body lumen using a medical device different than the elongate body. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes an expandable member having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a membrane is coupled to the expandable member. The membrane is configured and formulated to maintain adequate structural integrity when exposed to laser energy applied during a lithotripsy procedure performed within a body lumen when the expandable member is disposed within the body lumen.

Abstract: A medical device can be used to entrain biological or foreign material during a medical procedure for the fragmentation of the material. The device also can be used to remove the material safely from the body. The device has a core element with a first portion extending substantially longitudinally and a second portion wound to form at least a helical coil in the shape of cone. A flat wire can substantially wrap the first and second portions of the core element, or a wire can substantially wrap the first portion and a sheath can substantially cover the second portion.

Abstract: A medical device can be used to entrain biological or foreign material during a medical procedure for the fragmentation of the material. The device also can be used to remove the material safely from the body. The device has a core element with a first portion extending substantially longitudinally and a second portion wound to form at least a helical coil in the shape of cone. A flat wire can substantially wrap the first and second portions of the core element, or a wire can substantially wrap the first portion and a sheath can substantially cover the second portion.

Abstract: A device with a sampling portion configured to engage, sever, and remove tissue from a body can be used to obtain one or more tissue samples from the body. The device can be used to obtain multiple tissue samples simultantously.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated member and a reinforced retention structure. The device can be used for draining substances from organs or abscessed areas within a body of a patient. The elongated member is made of a flexible material. The reinforced retention structure extends from or is formed integrally with the elongated member and comprises an elastic member and the flexible material. The reinforced retention structure provides retention strength while providing flexibility and patient comfort. The use of the reinforced retention structure also provides increased stability to the device within the patient's body and combats migration and/or expulsion of the device. The nature of the reinforcement in the retention structure may extend into the elongated member, which allows for larger drainage openings in the device and increases the radiopacity of the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a medical device for extracting material from a patient's body. The device may include a core element including a proximal portion extending substantially longitudinally and a distal portion capable of transforming between a coil configuration and a substantially straight configuration. An outer housing having a distal portion enclosing the distal portion of the core element is capable of attaining the coil and substantially straight configurations of the distal portion of the core element. The distal portions of the outer housing and the core element transform between the coil configuration and the substantially straight configuration when the core element is moved relative to the outer housing.