Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: A catheter and catheter system includes a first lumen and a second lumen adjacent to the first lumen. The catheter occupies an arc around the first lumen, wherein the arc is greater than 180° and less than 360°, thus creating a lengthwise opening to the first lumen. The catheter material surrounds the second lumen in a cross-sectional dimension. Prior to a procedure, a sampling device is introduced into the second lumen prior and the probe is snapped into the first lumen prior to insertion into an endoscope.

Abstract: Various aspects of methods, systems, and use cases may be used to inflate a balloon catheter using a syringe. The syringe may include a channel portion shaped to create a channel, and a plunger, for example including an inserted end and a free end, which when inserted in the channel to place the inserted end at a plunger starting position, causes a starting pressure to be applied to the balloon catheter. In an example, the channel portion or the plunger includes at least one visual indicia indicating the plunger starting position, the plunger starting position located along an insertion axis (e.g., of the channel portion and the plunger).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and executable programs for providing lung candidacy information to health care professionals. In an illustrative embodiment, a valve planning tool including a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and a plurality of flexible sizing elements configured to be attachable to the flexible shaft. The flexible sizing elements are extendable radially from the flexible shaft when in a deployed state and at least partially foldable around a longitudinal axis of the flexible sizing elements when in a retracted state.

Abstract: Devices and methods for setting position of a medical tool within an endoscope. In an illustrative embodiment, a device includes a housing that is configured to be connectable to a distal end of a scope and a sheath stop component that is configured to limit distal movement of a sheath received within the scope.

Abstract: A needle apparatus having a sheath with a protective hypotube insert and a method of making the needle sheath. An example needle apparatus includes a handle, a needle having a proximal end connected to the handle and a sheath. The sheath is configured to receive of the needle. The sheath includes a proximal end connected to the handle, a distal end, a lumen and the protective insert. The lumen passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the sheath. The protective insert is received within the lumen at the distal end of the sheath when force and/or heat are applied.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and systems for performing multi-lumen catheter functions and methods for making the apparatuses. An illustrative apparatus includes a multi-lumen sheath, a cap having a proximal end attachable to a distal end of the multi-lumen sheath, and a liner. The cap includes a ramp section having a ramp and an exit port and an imaging section disposed distally from the ramp section. The ramp allows travel of a medical device from within the liner to the exit port. The distal ramp section extends distally from the flexible proximal section and is received by the ramp of the ramp section. The distal ramp section has a curved portion. The cap includes a socket for receiving a tab of the distal ramp section. The curved portion includes bending relief features.

Abstract: A needle apparatus having a sheath with a protective hypotube insert and a method of making the needle sheath. An example needle apparatus includes a handle, a needle having a proximal end connected to the handle and a sheath. The sheath is configured to receive of the needle. The sheath includes a proximal end connected to the handle, a distal end, a lumen and the protective insert. The lumen passes from the proximal end to the distal end of the sheath. The protective insert is received within the lumen at the distal end of the sheath when force and/or heat are applied.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for securing a control device of an elongated instrument to an insertion device. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a coupling that is configured to join the control device with a port of an insertion device used to convey the elongated instrument to a target location. A bushing extends from the coupling and is configured to be inserted within an opening in the port of the insertion device. The elongated instrument is movably extendable through the bushing. A first sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the bushing to seal the outer surface of the bushing against an inner surface of the opening in the port. A second sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the elongated instrument to movably seal an outer surface of the elongated instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for effective real-time visualization of medical device usage. The apparatus includes a handle that receives a medical device and an imaging component, a flexible shaft includes at least two lumen and is attached to the handle and an end cap attached to the flexible shaft. The end cap includes a first lumen, an exit port located at a proximal end of the end cap, a first slot, and a second slot. The first lumen of the end cap receives the imaging component from the flexible shaft. The exit port receives the medical device from the flexible shaft. The slots are located longitudinally on an outer surface of the end cap at a distal section of the end cap. The first lumen of the end cap opens into a trough for better tissue connectivity.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: A catheter and catheter system includes a first lumen and a second lumen adjacent to the first lumen. The catheter occupies an arc around the first lumen, wherein the arc is greater than 180° and less than 360°, thus creating a lengthwise opening to the first lumen. The catheter material surrounds the second lumen in a cross-sectional dimension. Prior to a procedure, a sampling device is introduced into the second lumen prior and the probe is snapped into the first lumen prior to insertion into an endoscope.

Abstract: A tissue fastening tool fastens a first biological tissue to a second biological tissue. The tissue fastening tool is made of two elastic wire rods, each shape set into a coil shape. Each of elastic wire rods are separately shape set, then ends of the rods are connected such that the second elastic wire rod coils back over the first elastic wire rod.

Abstract: A device for tissue sampling that comprises a needle, a stylet and a sealing member. The needle comprises a distal tip, a proximal end, and one or more interior portions. The needle extends along a longitudinal axis extending between the distal tip and the proximal end. The stylet is moveably supported within the one or more interior portions of the needle. The sealing member Is moveably supported within the one or more interior portions of the needle and substantially conforms to the one or more interior portions, The distal tip is configured to obtain a tissue sample. The stylet and the sealing member are movable, along the longitudinal axis away from the distal tip so that a local vacuum is created at the distal tip so that obtained tissue samples can be aspirated into the needle.

Abstract: An airway sizing apparatus (10) for determining a cross-sectional length (20) of an airway (30) of a subject (40) comprising: a guide rod assembly (50) including one or more control members (52) and a distal scale (54); a collar assembly (70) disposed on the guide rod assembly, configured to radially expand and contract with activation of the one or more control members; wherein the collar assembly includes a collar indicator member (72) that moves linearly on the distal scale to indicate the cross-sectional length of the airway.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include flexible tube assemblies, flexible needle assemblies, systems, methods of fabricating a flexible tube, and methods of fabricating a flexible needle.

Abstract: A tissue fastening system for fastening a first biological tissue to a second biological tissue. The system includes a tissue fastening tool is made of an elastic wire rod and is wound in a coil shape. The applicator includes a needle for piercing tissue and expelling the tissue fastening tool. The tissue fastening tool includes first and second implants. One of the implants includes magnets and the other is ferromagnetic. At least one of the implants is in an elongate shape when within the needle and in in a circle or coil shape after being expelled from the needle at a first side of the biological tissue.

Abstract: A tissue fastening tool fastens a first biological tissue to a second biological tissue. The tissue fastening tool is made of two elastic wire rods, each shape set into a coil shape. Each of elastic wire rods are separately shape set, then ends of the rods are connected such that the second elastic wire rod coils back over the first elastic wire rod.