Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device for deploying a ligation band may include a tubular body. The tubular body may include a proximal end, a distal end, a radially inner surface defining a lumen through the tubular body, and a radially outer surface. The radially outer surface may include protrusions arranged in rows extending at least partially around a proximal region of the radially outer surface. Protrusions in adjacent rows may be separated by a first distance. Surface features may extend at least partially around a distal region of the radially outer surface. Adjacent surface features may be separated by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including multiple lumens for tissue acquisition and removal and related methods of use.

Abstract: A selective heating device comprises a chamber configured to contain a target to be at least partially heated, an active electromagnetic (EM) element to generate an electromagnetic field in the chamber and a passive EM element in the chamber. The passive EM element is capable of electromagnetically coupling to the active element. The active EM element and passive EM element are controllable to selectively heat a portion of the target.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cytology brush may include an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The cytology brush may also include a plurality of bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The plurality of bristles may be arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft, and may be configured to engage tissue. An outer surface of at least one of the bristles may include a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses. The plurality of protrusions or recesses may be separated by one or more gaps.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including multiple lumens for tissue acquisition and removal and related methods of use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including multiple lumens for tissue acquisition and removal and related methods of use.

Abstract: Method and systems maintain historical printing device information from a plurality of printing devices, maintain historical actions performed on the printing devices, and maintain historical print image quality produced by the printing devices within a storage medium of a computerized device. These methods and systems determine which of the historical actions increase the print image quality and which of the historical actions decrease the print image quality, using the computerized device. The methods and systems output an action effectiveness report from the computerized device. The action effectiveness report indicates which of the historical actions increase/decrease the print image quality.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cytology brush may include an elongated shaft including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The cytology brush may also include a plurality of bristles mounted on the distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The plurality of bristles may be arranged at least partially around the distal end portion of the elongated shaft, and may be configured to engage tissue. An outer surface of at least one of the bristles may include a micropattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or recesses. The plurality of protrusions or recesses may be separated by one or more gaps.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medical device for deploying a ligation band may include a tubular body. The tubular body may include a proximal end, a distal end, a radially inner surface defining a lumen through the tubular body, and a radially outer surface. The radially outer surface may include protrusions arranged in rows extending at least partially around a proximal region of the radially outer surface. Protrusions in adjacent rows may be separated by a first distance. Surface features may extend at least partially around a distal region of the radially outer surface. Adjacent surface features may be separated by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: The medical device may include an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of legs coupled to the distal end of the elongate member. The medical device may also include a moveable element distal to the distal end of the elongate member, disposed around the plurality of legs. The moveable element may be reciprocally moveable relative to the elongate member and plurality of legs between a first and second position. The plurality of legs may be in a collapsed configuration when the moveable element is in the first position, and may be in an expanded configuration when the moveable element is in the second position.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: Medical devices having one or more micropatterned surfaces (e.g., micropatterned coatings).

Abstract: A biopsy forceps system including a biopsy forceps tool having a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein each of the first jaw and second jaw has a cutting edge and wherein a portion of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a micropatterned polymer coating thereon.

Abstract: An endoluminal device for implantation in a body lumen reduces movement or migration of the device after implantation by the use of barbs or barb assemblies. A first embodiment uses at least one barb assembly having first and second portions attached to an implant, such as a stent, and at either sides of a bend. The second portion is adapted to protrude radially inward when the implant is in the radially compressed configuration and radially outward when the implant is in its radially expanded configuration. A second embodiment uses a barb having a curved segment which is curved proximally and radially inwardly. A third embodiment utilizes at least one barb assembly having a wire with a length greater than the cell height of the implant across which it extends and a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. Methods for implanting such devices are also contemplated.

Abstract: Method and systems maintain historical printing device information from a plurality of printing devices, maintain historical actions performed on the printing devices, and maintain historical print image quality produced by the printing devices within a storage medium of a computerized device. These methods and systems determine which of the historical actions increase the print image quality and which of the historical actions decrease the print image quality, using the computerized device. The methods and systems output an action effectiveness report from the computerized device. The action effectiveness report indicates which of the historical actions increase/decrease the print image quality.

Abstract: An endoluminal graft is wrapped axially upon itself to form a low profile, which facilitates endoluminal delivery. Apparatus and systems for making and using such grafts are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and anchoring means in at least one of the retrograde portion or the anterograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. An inner sheath may be mounted concentrically over the shaft with the endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath. The anchoring device may comprise an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside the retrograde portion, a tether, or an extended portion of the endoluminal device confined by a notch in the interface of two sheaths in the retrograde portion of the introducer, or may comprise a holder in the anterograde portion.

Abstract: An introducer deploys an endoluminal device in a distal location from a proximal location. The introducer comprises a retrograde portion, an anterograde portion axially moveable relative to the retrograde portion, a shaft having a distal tip and an anterograde sheath attached to the distal tip, and anchoring means in at least one of the retrograde portion or the anterograde portion for anchoring the device during deployment from its proximal end to its distal end. An inner sheath may be mounted concentrically over the shaft with the endoluminal device mounted concentrically over the inner sheath. The anchoring device may comprise an inflatable balloon mounted radially inside the retrograde portion, a tether, or an extended portion of the endoluminal device confined by a notch in the interface of two sheaths in the retrograde portion of the introducer, or may comprise a holder in the anterograde portion.