Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft, a printed circuit board positioned around an outer surface of the shaft, and an end cap. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of electrical connections at a proximal end of the printed circuit board and another plurality of electrical connections at a distal end of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of communication conduits connecting electrical connections at the proximal end of the printed circuit board with respective electrical connections at the distal end of the printed circuit board. When the end cap is coupled to the shaft, (1) one or more cap lumens are in communication with one or more lumens in the shaft, and (2) the plurality of end cap electrical connections are electrically connected to the electrical connections at the distal end of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system may include an expandable member, and a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A medical device may include: a shaft configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a subject; a handle at a proximal end of the shaft, the handle including an adjustment mechanism configured to be transitioned from a first configuration, in which the shaft has a first stiffness, to a second configuration, in which the shaft has a second stiffness. The first stiffness may be different from the second stiffness.

Abstract: A distal tip of a duodenoscope may comprise: a first side surface; a second side surface; a top surface; a bottom surface; and a distal surface. The first side surface, the top surface, and the distal surface meet at a first junction. The first side surface, the bottom surface, and the distal surface may meet at a second junction. The second side surface, the bottom surface, and the distal surface may meet at a third junction. The second side surface, the top surface, and the distal surface may meet at a fourth junction. The first junction and the fourth junction may be approximately symmetrical. The second junction and the third junction may be approximately symmetrical. The first junction and the third junction may be approximately symmetrical. The second junction and the fourth junction may be approximately symmetrical.

Abstract: An endoscope (e.g., a duodenoscope) includes a bifluidic valve for controlling the flow of a liquid (e.g., water) and a gas (e.g., air) through a flexible tubular probe to respectively irrigate or insufflate an internal cavity of a patient. The bifluidic valve can be a single component, an interconnected assembly of components, or a plurality of separate components. Some examples of the bifluidic valve include a stepped diameter valve spool with radial or circumferential fluid passageways. In some examples, the bifluidic valve includes a tube pincher that can stop the water or other liquid from flowing through a flexible tube by pinching the tube shut. Some example bifluidic valves include a valve housing that is resiliently flexible to urge the valve to a normally closed position. In some examples, selectively covering or uncovering a vent in the valve housing controls the flow of air for insufflation.

Abstract: A medical device may comprise a sheath configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. A distal end of the sheath may include an elevator for changing an orientation of a medical device. A handle may include an actuator. The actuator may be operably connected to the elevator. Activation of the actuator may cause movement of the elevator. An engaging portion may, in at least one configuration of the handle, protrude from a surface of a handle body toward the actuator. A force exerted by the user on at least one of the actuator or the engaging portion may cause the handle to transition between (a) a first configuration in which the engaging portion interacts with the actuator to inhibit movement of the actuator relative to the engaging portion and (b) a second configuration in which the actuator is movable relative to the engaging portion.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a device may include a shaft having a distal end and a lumen, the lumen terminating in a distally-facing opening. An instrument may be inserted through the shaft and may extend through the lumen and out of opening. The device may further include an elevator for engaging the instrument. The elevator may include an actuator extending through at least a portion of the shaft; and a body may be coupled to the actuator. A portion of the body may be configured to extend within the lumen and to apply a force to the instrument and move the instrument into contact with a surface of the lumen when the actuator is moved.

Abstract: A medical system includes a first medical device and a second medical device. The first medical device includes a handle and a shaft. The shaft includes a lumen. A distal portion of the shaft includes an articulation joint, and the lumen extends through at least a portion of the articulation joint. The second medical includes a control device and a rod. The rod is configured to be positioned within at least a portion of the lumen of the shaft within the articulation joint. The control device is configured to control a position of the rod within the shaft. The position of the rod within the shaft controls an articulation angle of the articulation joint.

Abstract: A medical device including an expandable tool configured to extend from a distal end of the medical device. The expandable tool includes a plurality of wires extending from a proximal end of the expandable tool to a distal end of the expandable tool, a plurality of fins extending outwardly from each of the wires of the plurality of wires, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from each of the fins of the plurality of fins.

Abstract: A medical device may comprise a sheath configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. A distal end of the sheath may include an elevator for changing an orientation of a medical device. A handle may include an actuator. The actuator may be operably connected to the elevator. Activation of the actuator may cause movement of the elevator. An engaging portion may, in at least one configuration of the handle, protrude from a surface of a handle body toward the actuator. A force exerted by the user on at least one of the actuator or the engaging portion may cause the handle to transition between (a) a first configuration in which the engaging portion interacts with the actuator to inhibit movement of the actuator relative to the engaging portion and (b) a second configuration in which the actuator is movable relative to the engaging portion.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described. The medical device may include a shaft, a handle housing a proximal portion of the shaft, and a lock having a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration of the lock, the shaft may be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft relative to the handle, and, in the second configuration of the lock, the shaft may be stationary relative to the handle.

Abstract: A medical system includes a first medical device and a second medical device. The first medical device includes a handle and a shaft. The shaft includes a lumen. A distal portion of the shaft includes an articulation joint, and the lumen extends through at least a portion of the articulation joint. The second medical includes a control device and a rod. The rod is configured to be positioned within at least a portion of the lumen of the shaft within the articulation joint. The control device is configured to control a position of the rod within the shaft. The position of the rod within the shaft controls an articulation angle of the articulation joint.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.

Abstract: A tissue collection system for collecting a sample from the body. The system may comprise a tubular member having a proximal end region and a distal end region and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region, an elongate shaft slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the elongate shaft extending from a proximal end region to a distal end region, a tissue collection device disposed adjacent to the distal end region of the elongate shaft, and a filter positioned proximal to a distal end region of the tissue collection device when the tissue collection device is in a use configuration.

Abstract: A tissue collection system for collection a sample from the body. The system may include an outer tubular member having a proximal end region and a distal end region and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member defining a lumen extending from a proximal end region to a distal end region of the inner tubular member and an expandable tissue collection device disposed adjacent to the distal end region of the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A tissue collection system for collecting a sample from the body. The tissue collection system may comprise a tubular member having a proximal end region and a distal end region and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end region to the distal end region, an elongate shaft slidably disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the elongate shaft extending from a proximal end region to a distal end region, and a tissue collection member disposed adjacent to the distal end region. The tissue collection member may comprise a helically wound coil including a plurality of windings.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described. The medical device may include a shaft, a handle housing a proximal portion of the shaft, and a lock having a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration of the lock, the shaft may be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft relative to the handle, and, in the second configuration of the lock, the shaft may be stationary relative to the handle.

Abstract: A handle of a medical device may comprise an actuator; a lock movable relative to the actuator and having a feature movable relative to the actuator; and a rack having plurality of teeth separated from one another by a plurality of gaps. The lock may be configured to move the feature from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in the gap, between two of the plurality of teeth, such that the two teeth inhibit the actuator from rotating; to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed outside of the gap, such that the actuator is rotatable. In the second configuration, the teeth may be disposed between the feature and the actuator.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.

Abstract: A system may include an expandable member, and a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors.