Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: A device for use within a woman's urethra for obstructing urine outflow when the pressure in the woman's abdomen is at or above a threshold pressure level (IAP1). The device also allows urine outflow when the intra-abdominal pressure is below the threshold pressure level (IAP1). The device includes a flexible tube that is configured to be inserted into a urethra, wherein the tube defines a lumen that has inlet and outlet openings. The tube is configured to receive, conduct and discharge urine. The tube is further configured such that the lumen is at least partially obstructed when the pressure on the urethra surrounding the tube at least meets the threshold pressure (IAP1), and the lumen is more open when the pressure on the urethra surrounding the tube is at a level below a second, lower, threshold pressure (IAP2).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: A device for heating tissue, comprises a housing sized for insertion through a naturally occurring body orifice to a target location within a lumen and a heat generating element within the housing focusing thermal energy on a target area separated from an outside of the housing so that, when the housing is in the target location, the target area is within tissue surrounding the lumen at a predetermined depth from a lumenal wall in combination with a temperature sensing element sensing data corresponding to a temperature of tissue in the target area and a processor controlling the heat generating element in response to the data sensed by the sensing element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system includes a percutaneously, laparoscopically or thorocospically insertable delivery element comprising a control end which remains outside the body and an insertion end which, when in an operative position, is adjacent to an external surface of a target portion of a lung and a constriction element deployable from the distal end of the delivery element to apply compressive force to an external surface of the target portion of the lung to constrict at least one airway therein and collapse the target portion of the lung.

Abstract: A device (10) for use within a woman's urethra for obstructing urine outflow when the pressure in the woman's abdomen is at or above a threshold pressure level (IAP1). The device (10) also allows urine outflow when the intra-abdominal pressure is below the threshold pressure level (IAP1). Device (10) includes a flexible tube (15) that is configured to be inserted into a urethra, wherein the tube (15) defines a lumen (14) that has inlet (19) and outlet openings. The tube (15) is configured to receive, conduct and discharge urine. The tube (15) is further configured such that the lumen (14) is at least partially obstructed when the pressure on the urethra surrounding the tube (15) at least meets the threshold pressure (IAP1), and the lumen (14) is more open when the pressure on the urethra surrounding the tube (15) is at a level below a second, lower, threshold pressure (IAP2).

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of performing a medical procedure in a patient. The method includes inserting a first working instrument and a second working instrument through an opening in the patient, creating an incision in body tissue inside the patient using at least one of the first and second working instruments, and advancing the second working instrument through the incision to position the second working instrument at a work site inside the patient. The method also includes positioning the first working instrument at the work site without advancing the first working instrument through the incision and performing a procedure at the work site inside the patient using the first and second working instruments.

Abstract: A device for treating tissue comprises an enlongate probe and a light delivery unit illuminating a target area with light within a first wavelength band selected to enhance identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound crystal mounted at a distal end of the probe, the crystal being stimulated to treat target tissue identified using the light delivery unit.

Abstract: A compression garment includes a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface. Wicking material may be present to wick fluid. In another version a removable absorbent material is releasably secured to the bladder.

Abstract: A medical device allows movement control of a distal end portion of the medical device and is adapted for one-handed operation. The medical device is capable of omni-directional control of the distal end portion of the device. The device has an elongated member including a deflectable portion at a distal end portion of the elongated member. The device also has a control portion disposed on the elongated member. This control portion can be a handle for one-handed use by an operator of the medical device. The control portion comprises an elastic element and a flexible element. Angular movement of a first portion of the control portion with respect to a second portion of the control portion results in amplification of that angular movement in the deflectable portion of the device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen, and a second body defining a second lumen. The first body is disposed within the lumen of the second body. The lumen of the first body is configured to receive a medical device for performing a medical procedure within at least a portion of an eye. The second body includes a sharpened distal end configured to penetrate a surface of the eye. A plurality of illumination fibers is disposed between the first body and the second body. In some embodiments, the lumen of the first body and the lumen of the second body are coaxial. In some embodiments, the sharpened distal end includes an angled surface.

Abstract: A support device includes a support member and a frame member. The support member has a body portion and an elongated arm extending from the body portion. The elongated arm has a width smaller than a width of the body portion of the support member. The body portion is configured to help support an anatomical structure located in a pelvic region of a patient. The frame member is coupled to the support member and comprised of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A deflection assembly of a medical instrument (such as an endoscope or a flexible ureteroscope) allows an operator to deflect a distal portion of the instrument using one or more controls located at a proximal portion of the instrument. The instrument allows the operator to achieve multi-directional deflection of the distal portion.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system includes a percutaneously, laparoscopically or thorocospically insertable delivery element comprising a control end which remains outside the body and an insertion end which, when in an operative position, is adjacent to an external surface of a target portion of a lung and a constriction element deployable from the distal end of the delivery element to apply compressive force to an external surface of the target portion of the lung to constrict at least one airway therein and collapse the target portion of the lung.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system includes a percutaneously, laparoscopically or thorocospically insertable delivery element comprising a control end which remains outside the body and an insertion end which, when in an operative position, is adjacent to an external surface of a target portion of a lung and a constriction element deployable from the distal end of the delivery element to apply compressive force to an external surface of the target portion of the lung to constrict at least one airway therein and collapse the target portion of the lung.

Abstract: A tissue treatment device comprises an insertion section sized and shaped for insertion into the body via a trocar and a diagnostic element coupled to the insertion section, the diagnostic element illuminating tissue with light of a wavelength selected to facilitate identification of target tissue in combination with an ultrasound element coupled to the insertion section for delivering to a portion of tissue illuminated by the diagnostic element ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A device for occluding a blood vessel, comprises a blunt dissection needle and a first occlusion clip releasably mounted to a distal end of the blunt dissection needle, the first occlusion clip being biased to assume a clamped configuration in combination with a retaining element which, in a first configuration, retains the first occlusion clip in an insertion position against an outer surface of the blunt dissection needle and, in a second configuration, releases the first occlusion clip to assume the clamped configuration.