Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided to have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, and the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the drug reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

Abstract: A device for applying radiofrequency energy for sphincter treatment comprising a flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and a plurality of electrodes movable with respect to the arms from a retracted position to an extended position. An advancer is slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the plurality of electrodes to the extended position. An actuator moves the advancer from a first position to a second position to advance the plurality of electrodes. An aspiration tube extends within the outer tube. An assembly includes an aspiration disabler having a first position to enable aspiration from a distal portion of the aspiration tube to a proximal portion and a second position to disable aspiration.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are maintained in axial alignment and fixed radial spacing in retracted and extended positions. The device includes a basket having a plurality of arms. The arms are maintained in a fixed radial spacing in the collapsed position of the basket.

Abstract: A device for applying radiofrequency energy for sphincter treatment comprising a flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and a plurality of electrodes movable with respect to the arms from a retracted position to an extended position. An advancer is slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the plurality of electrodes to the extended position. An actuator moves the advancer from a first position to a second position to advance the plurality of electrodes. An aspiration tube extends within the outer tube. An assembly includes an aspiration disabler having a first position to enable aspiration from a distal portion of the aspiration tube to a proximal portion and a second position to disable aspiration.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a device having flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, a plurality of electrodes movable from a retracted position to an extended position to extend through the openings in the arms, and an advancer slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the electrodes. An elongated spacer is positioned within the outer tube, the spacer having a central lumen to receive the advancer and to maintain a central position of the advancer.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are maintained in axial alignment and fixed radial spacing in retracted and extended positions. The device includes a basket having a plurality of arms. The arms are maintained in a fixed radial spacing in the collapsed position of the basket.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a device having flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, a plurality of electrodes movable from a retracted position to an extended position to extend through the openings in the arms, and an advancer slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the electrodes. An elongated spacer is positioned within the outer tube, the spacer having a central lumen to receive the advancer and to maintain a central position of the advancer.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided to have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, and the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the drug reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

Abstract: Method and device for distending a gynecological cavity. According to one embodiment, a mechanical, non-fluid device is used to distend the gynecological cavity. Such devices include, for example, self-expanding members, such as resilient baskets, coils, whisks, prongs, and loops, or mechanically expanded members, such as inflatable balloons, mechanically-expanded cages and loops, and scissor jacks. The device may serve a purpose in addition to distension, such as illumination, imaging, irrigation, drug delivery, resection and cauterization.

Abstract: Implantable drug delivery devices are provided lo have a deployment shape for implantation in the body and a retention shape for retention in the body. The device may have one or more elongated drug reservoirs containing a drug, mid the drug reservoir may be formed from a deformable material. In one case, a first filament is attached to the first end of the drug reservoir and second filament is attached to the second end of the drug reservoir, wherein a fastener is positioned about the first and second filaments to permit shortening and prevent lengthening of the filaments with reference to the ends of the daig reservoir, as a means for transforming the device from the implantation shape to the retention shape.

Abstract: A tissue removal system includes a morcellator having a cannula comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a sidewall, and at least one lumen extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. A cutting blade is disposed within a lumen of the cannula. Also included is a tissue shield that has an expandable frame element and a shield element attached to the expandable frame element, wherein the tissue shield serves to isolate non-target tissues from at least the cutting blade of the system so that such tissues remain unaffected by a surgical procedure conducted with the system.

Abstract: Method and device for distending a gynecological cavity. According to one embodiment, a mechanical, non-fluid device is used to distend the gynecological cavity. Such devices include, for example, self-expanding members, such as resilient baskets, coils, whisks, prongs, and loops, or mechanically expanded members, such as inflatable balloons, mechanically-expanded cages and loops, and scissor jacks. The device may serve a purpose in addition to distension, such as illumination, imaging, irrigation, drug delivery, resection and cauterization.

Abstract: A device for applying radiofrequency energy for sphincter treatment comprising a flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, and a plurality of electrodes movable with respect to the arms from a retracted position to an extended position. An advancer is slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the plurality of electrodes to the extended position. An actuator moves the advancer from a first position to a second position to advance the plurality of electrodes. An aspiration tube extends within the outer tube. An assembly includes an aspiration disabler having a first position to enable aspiration from a distal portion of the aspiration tube to a proximal portion and a second position to disable aspiration.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a device having flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, a plurality of electrodes movable from a retracted position to an extended position to extend through the openings in the arms, and an advancer slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the electrodes. An elongated spacer is positioned within the outer tube, the spacer having a central lumen to receive the advancer and to maintain a central position of the advancer.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are maintained in axial alignment and fixed radial spacing in retracted and extended positions. The device includes a basket having a plurality of arms. The arms are maintained in a fixed radial spacing in the collapsed position of the basket.

Abstract: A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.

Abstract: The medical puncturing device includes a housing, a shield, and a skin puncturing assembly disposed within the housing. The shield is axially movable in the housing. The skin puncturing assembly includes a movable carrier and a skin puncturing element mounted to the carrier. A distal end of the skin puncturing element is adapted for puncturing the skin of a patient. The carrier is movable from a retracted position wherein the skin puncturing element is disposed within the shield to a puncturing position wherein the distal end of the skin puncturing element is exposed. The carrier is maintained in the retracted position by engagement of flexure members or a retaining tab with the carrier. A drive spring is provided to move the carrier from the retracted position to the puncturing position. A retraction spring is provided to return the carrier and skin puncturing element into the housing.