Abstract: An endoscopic device, includes a clip assembly and a driving assembly. The clip assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a pivot, a housing having an internal channel, and a release portion connecting to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the first and second jaws is disposed within the internal channel, the first and second jaws selectively move along with the internal channel. The driving assembly includes an outer sheath, an inner tube, movably disposed within the outer sheath, and a driver, movably disposed within the inner tube, and removably received within the release portion. The driver is unbrokenly released from the release portion by a predetermined pull force. The housing and the outer sheath form a releasable handshake engagement. The inner tube extending into the housing prevents the handshake engagement from disengaging.

Abstract: An endoscopic device, includes a clip assembly and a driving assembly. The clip assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a pivot, a housing having an internal channel, and a release portion connecting to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the first and second jaws is disposed within the internal channel, the first and second jaws selectively move along with the internal channel. The driving assembly includes an outer sheath, an inner tube, movably disposed within the outer sheath, and a driver, movably disposed within the inner tube, and removably received within the release portion. The driver is unbrokenly released from the release portion by a predetermined pull force. The housing and the outer sheath form a releasable handshake engagement. The inner tube extending into the housing prevents the handshake engagement from disengaging.

Abstract: An endoscopic device is described and includes at least an endoscope and one or more catheters, and a means for securing the endoscope to the catheter at a distal end of the endoscopic device. The means for securing the endoscope may be a sleeve or distal cap. The sleeve includes at least a first opening for securing the catheter therebetween and a second opening for securing the endoscope adjacent to the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a base, one or more end effectors, and an actuating assembly. The base includes a cylindrical shaft will a hollow interior. The end effectors are connected to the distal portion of the base such that the end effectors are movable between open and closed positions. The actuating assembly moves the end effectors between the open and closed position. The actuating assembly includes a driver that has at least one stopper feature extending radially from the driver shaft. The driver of the actuating assembly is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the base such that the stopper feature is movable in an opening of the base. The stopper feature engages a distal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a distal direction relative to the base and engages a proximal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the base.

Abstract: A tissue removal tool includes a body, a conduit, a loop, and a transmitting assembly. The conduit is attached to the body and defines an inner lumen, where the inner lumen has a proximal portion having a first width and a distal portion having a second width that is greater than the first width. The loop is movable between an open position in which the loop is at least partially disposed outside of the conduit and a closed position in which the loop is disposed within the conduit. The transmitting assembly includes a handle and a link. The handle is connected to the body, and the link has a first end attached to the handle and a second end attached to the loop such that movement of the handle causes the loop to move between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A forceps device includes forceps deployable through a needle. In one embodiment, both jaws of the forceps are movable with respect to each other, and their movement is controlled by a box slider. In another embodiment, one jaw is fixed and the other jaw is movable. In one embodiment the jaws include teeth that increase in length from the proximal end of the jaws to the distal end of the jaws. In a further embodiment, suction may be achieved through the needle when the forceps are removed.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a base, one or more end effectors, and an actuating assembly. The base includes a cylindrical shaft will a hollow interior. The end effectors are connected to the distal portion of the base such that the end effectors are movable between open and closed positions. The actuating assembly moves the end effectors between the open and closed position. The actuating assembly includes a driver that has at least one stopper feature extending radially from the driver shaft. The driver of the actuating assembly is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the base such that the stopper feature is movable in an opening of the base. The stopper feature engages a distal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a distal direction relative to the base and engages a proximal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the base.

Abstract: An endoscopic device, includes a clip assembly and a driving assembly. The clip assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a pivot, a housing having an internal channel, and a release portion connecting to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the first and second jaws is disposed within the internal channel, the first and second jaws selectively move along with the internal channel. The driving assembly includes an outer sheath, an inner tube, movably disposed within the outer sheath, and a driver, movably disposed within the inner tube, and removably received within the release portion. The driver is unbrokenly released from the release portion by a predetermined pull force. The housing and the outer sheath form a releasable handshake engagement. The inner tube extending into the housing prevents the handshake engagement from disengaging.

Abstract: An endoscopic device, includes a clip assembly and a driving assembly. The clip assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a pivot, a housing having an internal channel, and a release portion connecting to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the first and second jaws is disposed within the internal channel, the first and second jaws selectively move along with the internal channel. The driving assembly includes an outer sheath, an inner tube, movably disposed within the outer sheath, and a driver, movably disposed within the inner tube, and removably received within the release portion. The driver is unbrokenly released from the release portion by a predetermined pull force. The housing and the outer sheath form a releasable handshake engagement. The inner tube extending into the housing prevents the handshake engagement from disengaging.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a tissue sample includes a spring sheath, an outer sheath, a base, a pair of jaws, and an actuator assembly. The outer sheath has a wall extending along a longitudinal axis. The base is connected to at least one of the spring sheath and the outer sheath. The pair of jaws is operatively connected to the base such that the pair of jaws can be moved between an open position and a closed position. Each jaw has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The actuator assembly includes a driver that extends through the base and engages the pair of jaws to move the pair of jaws between the open and closed positions. When the pair of jaws are in a fully opened position, the proximal portion of each jaw does not extend beyond the longitudinal axis of the wall of the outer sheath.

Abstract: An endoscopic device includes a base, one or more end effectors, and an actuating assembly. The base includes a cylindrical shaft will a hollow interior. The end effectors are connected to the distal portion of the base such that the end effectors are movable between open and closed positions. The actuating assembly moves the end effectors between the open and closed position. The actuating assembly includes a driver that has at least one stopper feature extending radially from the driver shaft. The driver of the actuating assembly is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the base such that the stopper feature is movable in an opening of the base. The stopper feature engages a distal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a distal direction relative to the base and engages a proximal edge of the opening to prevent movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the base.

Abstract: A forceps device includes forceps deployable through a needle. In one embodiment, both jaws of the forceps are movable with respect to each other, and their movement is controlled by a box slider. In another embodiment, one jaw is fixed and the other jaw is movable. In one embodiment the jaws include teeth that increase in length from the proximal end of the jaws to the distal end of the jaws. In a further embodiment, suction may be achieved through the needle when the forceps are removed.

Abstract: A device for suctioning material out of an instrument channel during an endoscopic procedure. The device includes a biopsy valve having a first end, a second end, and an outer circumferential surface. The biopsy valve defines an internal passage leading from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is adapted for connection to an endoscope instrument channel inlet port. Tubing connects the biopsy valve second end to a suction source connector disposed remote from the biopsy valve. A flow controller is fixed to the tubing and disposed between the biopsy valve second end and the suction source connector. The device may include an irrigation port and an instrument entry port.

Abstract: A device and method for facilitating the insertion, manipulation and removal of an endoscopic medical device within a body cavity is disclosed. The device may comprise a body portion and a lining. The body portion may be configured to wrap around the outer surface of the insertion tube. The body portion may comprise an outer surface, an inner surface, two ends, and a longitudinal slit extending from one end of the body portion to the other end. The lining may be attached to the interior surface of the body portion. The lining may comprise an at least partially raised surface that contacts the outer surface of the insertion tube at least when a user squeezes the body portion of the device.

Abstract: An induced current heating probe is of thimble form and has an outer conducting sheath (30) and a water flooded flux-generating unit formed from a stack of ferrite rings (10) coaxially disposed in the sheath. The energizing coil (14) is made of solid wire which connects at one end (16) with a coaxial water current tube (15) and at the other end (17) with the sheath. The stack of ferrite rings (10) may include non-magnetic insulating rings (11) which help to shape the flux.

Abstract: A threshold temperature is detected by providing a sensor (12) comprising a magnet (13) inside a ferromagnetic shield (14) which has a lower Curie point than that of the magnet. Below threshold the sensor is magnetically characterless. Above threshold the sensor displays a magnetic character which is detected at a solid-state magnetometer (16). In one application the sensor is located in a breeder fuel sub-assembly (20) at the breeder/fuel region (22) of a fast-fission nuclear reactor and the magnetometer is located in a fuel sub-assembly (21). In another application the sensor is located inside a sealed containment vessel and the magnetometer is located outside the vessel.