Abstract: A medical device may include an elongate tubular member having a distal portion that is configured to curl in a desired direction. A shape-memory alloy structure may be disposed in a lumen of the elongate tubular member at the distal portion. The shape-memory alloy may have an original, pre-deformed shape that is curved to facilitate the curling of the distal portion in the desired direction.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a device for cleaning an endoscope. The device may include an elongate housing with a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a medical device. The device may further include an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity, the inlet configured to connect to a source for providing a cleaning fluid at a pressure to the cavity through the inlet, the pressure being 100 psi or more. The device may further include an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity, the outlet configured to remove the cleaning fluid from the cavity.

Abstract: A system and a method of positioning a wire guide are provided. The method includes inserting a wire guide in a first configuration into a lumen of a catheter, distally advancing the wire guide to a distal portion of the lumen so that a distal end of the wire guide is distal to an opening in a wall of the catheter and advancing a distal portion of the wire guide through the opening by distally advancing the distal portion relative to the catheter so that the distal end remains in the lumen as the distal portion of the wire guide extends out of the opening. The method includes advancing the distal portion of the wire guide further out of the opening so that the distal end exits through the opening so that the distal portion is distal to the distal end of the wire guide in a second configuration.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems for easily and reliably closing a perforation in tissue. One embodiment of a medical device for use with a scope includes a tubular member having a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior space. A carrier element extends along the exterior surface and around the distal end of the tubular member. An elastic band is positioned on the carrier element around the exterior surface of the tubular member. A staple is positioned within the interior space of a tubular member and includes first and second prongs which are spaced apart and translatable relative to one another. The carrier element is structured to deliver the elastic band beyond the distal end of the tubular member where upon the elastic band contracts and engages the staple to translate the first and second prongs towards each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uncoupling a wire guide from and elongate medical device comprising a catheter shaft having a wire guide lumen extending there through, wherein the material surrounding the wire guide lumen is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability for removal of the wire guide. The catheter shaft is coextruded and comprises a plurality of materials. The portion of the shaft adjacent the wire guide lumen is formed from a first material and the balance of the shaft is formed from a second material. The first material is selected or adapted to facilitate splittability as compared to the second material. The first material may have a lower durometer than the second material. A peel tool for separating the wire guide from the catheter shaft is also provided.

Abstract: A medical sphincterotome and a method of its use are described. The sphincterotome has structural elements that are capable of directing a wire guide through a selected body passageway. One structural element includes a distal port and deflection member that can deflect the wire guide into the desired passageway. Another structural element includes an offset nose-shaped end that can bend towards a passageway desired to be blocked. The wire guide is prevented from entering the blocked passageway, thereby enabling the wire guide to cannulate the desired passageway. The sphincterotome also includes a cutting wire to access a patient's sphincter and perform various other medical procedures.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are provided for treating a bleeding side of an internal bodily organ that are robust and versatile for use in a variety of endoscope applications. One embodiment of a medical device includes a catheter, a sheet and elongated forceps. The catheter defines a catheter lumen and is sized to be received within the accessory channel of the endoscope. The sheet is formed of hemostatic fabric formed into a tubular configuration having opposing first and second ends. The elongated forceps have a pair of collapsible grasping jaws. The grasping jaws are collapsed around the first end of the sheet, and the grasping jaws and sheet are received within the catheter lumen.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a clip device for engaging tissue. The clip device comprises at least first and second arms having proximal and distal ends. The clip device comprises an open state when a spring member is in a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the distal ends of the first and second arms. In the open state, the distal ends of the first and second arms tend to be spaced apart from each other. Further, the clip device comprises a closed state when the spring member is in a relaxed state in which the spring member is biased to extend distally and the distal ends of the first and second arms are adjacent to each other and may engage tissue and promote hemostatis. A delivery system and methods for deploying one or more clip devices also are provided.

Abstract: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising at least one intragastric member made of a digestive-resistant or substantially indigestible material that is introduced into a bag located in the gastric lumen of a mammal for the treatment of obesity. One or more intragastric members are loaded into a delivery tube in a partially compacted first configuration and delivered to an overtube. The overtube includes a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen configured to receive the intragastric members in the first configuration for delivery to the bag located in the gastric lumen wherein the intragastric member is expanded to a second configuration. The apparatus further comprises a constraining element engaged with the bag to secure the intragastric member upon delivery into the gastric lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a first elongate medical device and short wire guide that are coupled together into a work site and remotely disconnecting them within the work site such that a secondary device comprising a catheter member can be introduced over the wire guide to the work site, and/or a second wire guide can be introduced to the work site via a passageway of the primary access device. A system of indicia, such as radiopaque or viewable markers, permit the operator to monitor the relative alignment of the devices within the work site to determine when uncoupling has occurred. In one example of the method, a wire guide and primary access device (e.g., a sphincterotome) is coupled to the wire guide and introduced via a duodenoscope into the biliary system. After performing a first medical operation, the devices are uncoupled with the wire guide being left within the biliary system such that a secondary access device, such as a balloon, biopsy device, stent delivery catheter, dilator, etc.

Abstract: An end cap for an endoscope. The end cap is configured to allow the endoscope to be introduced into a patient body by a short-wire type of operation.

Abstract: A stent introducer apparatus includes a handle having a housing and a rotatable reel. An inner stent carrier having a proximal end and a distal end is provided, with the proximal end being connected to the housing of the handle. An outer sheath movably disposed about the inner stent carrier and having a proximal end and a distal end is provided, with the proximal end being connected to the reel of the handle. Rotation of the reel relative to the housing peels the outer sheath away from the inner stent carrier so as to move the outer sheath proximally relative to the inner stent carrier, thereby exposing the distal end of the inner stent carrier. The inner stent carrier has a stent carrying portion at its distal end to carry a stent that is deployed when the distal end of the inner stent carrier is exposed.

Abstract: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

Abstract: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a tacking device for engaging tissue, which may be useful for coupling a graft member to tissue or facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, the tacking device comprises a main body having proximal and distal ends, a proximal base member disposed at the proximal end of the main body, and at least one tissue engaging member disposed at the distal end of the main body. A spring member is disposed to surround the main body and extends from the proximal base member. In use, the spring member has a relaxed state in which it is biased to extend distally towards the at least one tissue engaging member, and further has a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the at least one tissue engaging member. Therefore, one or more tissue segments of varying thickness are adapted to be captured between the distal end of the spring member and the at least one tissue engaging member.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a clip device for engaging tissue. The clip device comprises at least first and second arms having proximal and distal ends. The clip device comprises an open state when the spring member is in a compressed state in which the distal end of the spring member is spaced further apart from the distal ends of the first and second arms. In the open state, the distal ends of the first and second arms tend to be spaced apart from each other. Further, the clip device comprises a closed state when the spring member is in a relaxed state in which the spring member is biased to extend distally towards the distal ends of the first and second arms. In the closed state, the distal ends of the first and second arms are adjacent to each other and may engage tissue and promote hemostatis. A delivery system and methods for deploying one or more clip devices also are provided.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are provided for treating a bleeding side of an internal bodily organ that are robust and versatile for use in a variety of endoscope applications. One embodiment of a medical device includes a catheter, a sheet and elongated forceps. The catheter defines a catheter lumen and is sized to be received within the accessory channel of the endoscope. The sheet is formed of hemostatic fabric formed into a tubular configuration having opposing first and second ends. The elongated forceps have a pair of collapsible grasping jaws. The grasping jaws are collapsed around the first end of the sheet, and the grasping jaws and sheet are received within the catheter lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and systems for easily and reliably closing a perforation in tissue. One embodiment of a medical device for use with a scope includes a tubular member having a distal end, an exterior surface and an interior space. A carrier element extends along the exterior surface and around the distal end of the tubular member. An elastic band is positioned on the carrier element around the exterior surface of the tubular member. A staple is positioned within the interior space of a tubular member and includes first and second prongs which are spaced apart and translatable relative to one another. The carrier element is structured to deliver the elastic band beyond the distal end of the tubular member where upon the elastic band contracts and engages the staple to translate the first and second prongs towards each other.

Abstract: A wire guide holder having a body for securing an elongate medical wire or tube, such as a wire guide or catheter. The body is adapted to be attached to a scope or a bite block. The body can be provided with protrusions and/or grooves for holding a wire guide. The wire guide holder may be affixed to the medical scope by clamping. The wire guide holder can also be provided with a seal.