Abstract: An example medical stent for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The example stent includes an expandable scaffold having a first end region, a second end region and an outer surface. The stent further includes a first fixation member coupled to the expandable scaffold and a biodegradable material disposed along the first fixation member at a first tissue engagement region. Further, the biodegradable material is designed to degrade from a first configuration in which the biodegradable material shields the first fixation member from a target tissue site to a second configuration in which the first fixation member is engaged with the target tissue site.

Abstract: A surgical rongeur device has an interchangeable, locking tip at a cutting end for engageable replacement with a variety of cutting tips for facilitating sterilization and blade changes. A detachable linkage between a handle portion and an interchangeable cutting tip (tip) provides a strong connection for actuation by the handle end but allowing for tip replacement via slidable, lateral displacement of the tip. The tip includes a blade and footplate formed from an amorphous metal for longevity and strength advantages. A handle provides a lever to actuate the tip from slidable communication via the detachable linkage. An interlocking member extends longitudinally from the handle into an internal slot on the tip for locking the tip by preventing lateral movement out of alignment with the handle. The aligned tip is responsive to actuation from the handle via a rail for disposing the blade longitudinally against the footplate.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a processor device in communication with an endoscopic device obtains a spectrum image of bleeding in an upper gastrointestinal (GI) area of a patient. A filter is applied to the spectrum image to generate a pre-enhanced image. The filter enhances the spectrum image at one or more light wavelengths in the light spectrum. The pre-enhanced image is analyzed to identify an area of interest that represents a portion of the upper Gl area with an active bleed. A contrast enhancement technique is applied to the area of interest in the pre-enhanced image to generate an enhanced contrast image. Spatial filters are applied to the enhanced contrast image to produce a final colorized image with defined blood vessels in the upper Gl area of the patient.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a processor device in communication with an endoscopic device obtains a spectrum image of bleeding in an upper gastrointestinal (GI) area of a patient. A filter is applied to the spectrum image to generate a pre-enhanced image. The filter enhances the spectrum image at one or more light wavelengths in the light spectrum. The pre-enhanced image is analyzed to identify an area of interest that represents a portion of the upper GI area with an active bleed. A contrast enhancement technique is applied to the area of interest in the pre-enhanced image to generate an enhanced contrast image. Spatial filters are applied to the enhanced contrast image to produce a final colorized image with defined blood vessels in the upper GI area of the patient.

Abstract: An articulating, steerable surgical probe includes an elongated, flexible transfer tube adapted for insertion into a surgical region for endoscopic laryngeal laser surgery. A lumen is defined by an interior of the transfer tube, and a laser fiber extends through the lumen for delivering a therapeutic laser signal to a distal end of the laser fiber. An articulating tip at the distal end of the transfer tube is responsive to articulating forces from a retractable tether for directing the treatment probe in a direction of the articulation, and a linkage to the tether from a control module effects controlled retraction of the tether for articulating the tip towards a surgical target, such that the articulating tip imposing a bend radius based on a signal loss through the laser fiber.

Abstract: Medical stent designs are disclosed. An example stent includes a tubular scaffold having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular scaffold includes a first filament extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the first filament including a first biodegradable region positioned adjacent to a second biodegradable region. Further, the first biodegradable region includes a first biodegradable material, the first biodegradable material having a first rate of degradation. The second biodegradable region includes a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material having a second rate of degradation, wherein the first rate of degradation is different from the second rate of degradation.

Abstract: Medical stent designs are disclosed. An example stent includes a tubular scaffold having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular scaffold includes a first filament extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the first filament including a first biodegradable region positioned adjacent to a second biodegradable region. Further, the first biodegradable region includes a first biodegradable material, the first biodegradable material having a first rate of degradation. The second biodegradable region includes a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material having a second rate of degradation, wherein the first rate of degradation is different from the second rate of degradation.

Abstract: A surgical rongeur device has an interchangeable, locking tip at a cutting end for engageable replacement with a variety of cutting tips for facilitating sterilization and blade changes. A detachable linkage between a handle portion and an interchangeable cutting tip (tip) provides a strong connection for actuation by the handle end but allowing for tip replacement via slidable, lateral displacement of the tip. The tip includes a blade and footplate formed from an amorphous metal for longevity and strength advantages. A handle provides a lever to actuate the tip from slidable communication via the detachable linkage. An interlocking member extends longitudinally from the handle into an internal slot on the tip for locking the tip by preventing lateral movement out of alignment with the handle. The aligned tip is responsive to actuation from the handle via a rail for disposing the blade longitudinally against the footplate.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a processor device in communication with an endoscopic device obtains a spectrum image of bleeding in an upper gastrointestinal (GI) area of a patient. A filter is applied to the spectrum image to generate a pre-enhanced image. The filter enhances the spectrum image at one or more light wavelengths in the light spectrum. The pre-enhanced image is analyzed to identify an area of interest that represents a portion of the upper GI area with an active bleed. A contrast enhancement technique is applied to the area of interest in the pre-enhanced image to generate an enhanced contrast image. Spatial filters are applied to the enhanced contrast image to produce a final colorized image with defined blood vessels in the upper GI area of the patient.

Abstract: An example medical stent for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The example stent includes an expandable scaffold having a first end region, a second end region and an outer surface. The stent further includes a first fixation member coupled to the expandable scaffold and a biodegradable material disposed along the first fixation member at a first tissue engagement region. Further, the biodegradable material is designed to degrade from a first configuration in which the biodegradable material shields the first fixation member from a target tissue site to a second configuration in which the first fixation member is engaged with the target tissue site.

Abstract: A bipolar ablation device for treatment of a stenosis within an implanted metallic stent may include an elongate shaft slidably disposable within an endoscope, the elongate shaft including at least one electrode configured to form a first pole of the bipolar ablation device, and an electrode lead slidably disposable within the endoscope. The electrode lead may be configured to electrically engage the implanted metallic stent to form a second pole of the bipolar ablation device. The elongate shaft may be positionable within a lumen of the implanted metallic stent.

Abstract: Medical stent designs are disclosed. An example stent includes a tubular scaffold having a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular scaffold includes a first filament extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the first filament including a first biodegradable region positioned adjacent to a second biodegradable region. Further, the first biodegradable region includes a first biodegradable material, the first biodegradable material having a first rate of degradation. The second biodegradable region includes a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material having a second rate of degradation, wherein the first rate of degradation is different from the second rate of degradation.