Abstract: Accordingly, a removable and chambered cap bill cover is disclosed. One embodiment comprises a cap bill cover having at least one chamber for storing accessories, wherein the at least one chamber is shaped to contain a specific object between the cap bill cover and a cap bill, and clips to attach the cap bill cover to removably attach the cap bill cover to a cap bill. Another embodiment comprises a cap bill cover having at least one chamber for storing accessories, wherein the at least one chamber is shaped to contain a specific object between the cap bill cover and a cap bill, and tabs to attach the cap bill cover to removably attach the cap bill cover to a cap bill.

Abstract: An improved ligating system with a ligating barrel having an adjustable diameter for use with endoscopes of varying sizes is disclosed. The adjustable diameter may be provided by a collet, a flexible helical band, a plurality of screws, or a tapered elastomeric section.

Abstract: A lithotriptor system and method configured to provide both direct compressive force and a compressive force with mechanical advantage by providing at least one lever mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscope securing and positioning device is provided for adjusting or maintaining the position of an endoscope. The device allows the medical professional to easily rotate an endoscope or maintain its position without having to maintain a grip on the endoscope.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus cooperable with a grasping slot of an elevator of endoscope for enhanced delivery to a target location in a patient is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a catheter including an inner lumen and an outer surface. The outer surface has a projection formed thereon. The projection radially extends from the outer surface. The projection is configured to receive the elevator for enhanced delivery in the patient.

Abstract: An intragastric device generally comprises a strip digestive-resistant mesh material that is operable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration is sufficiently small to permit introduction of the digestive-resistant mesh material into a gastric lumen of the mammal. The second configuration is sufficiently large to prevent the digestive-resistant mesh material from passing through the mammals pylorus, thereby permitting the mesh member to act as an artificial bezoar. Methods and devices for delivering the mesh member are also provided, including a pusher that is operable to engage and disengage the mesh member for delivery through the gastric lumen via a delivery sheath.

Abstract: A medical device for allowing a physician to unhand a scope or other instruments while maintaining control of the scope or other instruments during a medical procedure. The medical device includes at least one dock and a harness for attaching the dock to the physician's body. The harness can be adjustable, or sized to fit a specific physician. During a procedure, a physician outfitted with the medical device can place a scope and/or other instrument in the dock(s). Once the scope and/or other instrument is placed in the dock(s), the physicians hands are free to perform other procedures, while the physician continually controls the relative position of the scope with respect to the physician or the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical catheters that may be modularly constructed to facilitate manufacture and provide properties that may be difficult to achieve with a catheter formed from a single extrusion or multiple materials that are fused together. The catheter may be constructed of one or more core elements that may be partially or fully surrounded by a jacket member in a variety of configurations. The core elements may comprise different properties with respect to the jacket member or one another, thereby permitting increased manufacturing flexibility. The modular catheter designs of the present invention further provide for a variety of lumen configurations, as well as providing for catheters that can change their shape by moving the core elements with respect to the jacket member or one another.

Abstract: Over-the-scope stent introducers for detachably engaging at least a portion of the outside of an endoscope insert and for delivering a stent are provided. Embodiments include an inner member having a distal first end portion and a proximal second end portion and openings defining a channel. The inner member includes an outer surface, inner endoscope engaging surface, and stent abutting restraint disposed at the first end portion. Embodiments also include an outer member having a distal section and proximal section having openings defining a passageway sized to slideably receive at least a portion of the inner member, and a stent carrying inner chamber disposed at the distal section passageway and being configured to releasably contain a stent. In alternative embodiments, the inner and outer members are elongated to dispose substantially concentrically over a majority of an endoscope insert.

Abstract: A cautery catheter is described having an expandable and electrically conductive mesh that can cauterize treatment sites having large effective surface areas. The mesh is composed of interwoven filaments which are aligned with the cautery catheter in an unexpanded state. Reorientation of the filaments of the mesh enables expansion of the mesh.

Abstract: Steerable catheter devices are provided having a proximal first end portion, an elongate intermediate portion, and a distal flexible second end portion defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one channel having a proximal opening and terminating at an occluded distal end radially offset relative to the central longitudinal axis and positioned within the catheter flexible second end portion substantially straight in a relaxed position and bent when the occluded distal end is under a change in internal fluid pressure. Optionally, the catheter further has a dye injection lumen and a tool receiving passageway extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The occluded distal end is axially elastically distensible under an internal fluid pressure to deflect (thereby to steer) the catheter second end portion through the tortuous path of a vessel passageway when used percutaneously or working channel of an endoscope or endoscope accessory device.

Abstract: A medical device connector for connecting the shafts of two or more catheters, the connector being disposed nearer to the distal end of the combined length of the two or more catheters.

Abstract: A medical device including an expandable member such as a balloon, which includes structure that provides for controlled incremental stepwise radial expansion of the expandable member.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an intragastric member re-configurable from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration being sufficiently small to permit introduction of said intragastric member into a gastric lumen of a mammal, the second configuration being sufficiently large to prevent said intragastric device from passing through the mammal's pylorus, wherein said intragastric member comprises a plurality of spaced apart openings. The intragastric member comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate member is threaded through the openings of the intragastric member, and the intragastric member is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate member. The apparatus also comprises a proximal stopper engaged to the distal end of the elongate member and a proximal stopper engaged to the proximal end of the elongate member for securing the intragastric member upon delivery into the gastric lumen of the patient.

Abstract: An object-delivery shuttle for delivering an object over an elongate medical device, such as a wire guide, to a desired location within a body.

Abstract: An endoscopic ultrasound-guided system and method for monitoring the location of a device contained within intraluminal and extraluminal regions of a patient is described. The endoscopic ultrasound-guided system includes a linear echoendoscope, a device, and a wire guide. The device and wire guide contain echogenic surfaces which enable transducers placed at the distal end of the linear echoendoscope to ultrasonically monitor the location of the devices. When the echogenic surface of the device encounters incident ultrasound waves emitted from a series of linear array transducers, a real-time ultrasonic image of the device is generated as the incident ultrasound waves reflect off the echogenic surfaces and propagate back towards the transducers. The surgeon receives the real-time ultrasonic image of the device and then can determine the location of the device within the intraluminal or extraluminal region of the patient.

Abstract: Wire guides and methods of using an elongate wire guide with a first end portion and a flexible second end portion having an increased surface area is provided. The second end portion comprises a nominal outer circumference disposed about a longitudinal axis and having a first outer surface including the nominal outer circumference and defining a first surface area. Protuberances, indentations, peaks, and/or valleys are disposed substantially circumferentially about the nominal outer circumference and defining an effective perimeter greater than the nominal outer circumference and having a second outer surface defining a second surface area greater than the first surface area. Hydrophilic materials and therapeutic agents may be disposed partially on the second end portion and a coating, and a membrane may be disposed about second end portion and coating to form reservoirs or lumens for delivering hydrophilic materials and delivering therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A wire guide holder having a wire guide deflector. The wire guide holder is provided with a securing portion and a deflecting portion. The securing portion is provided with protrusions and/or grooves for securing a distal portion of a wire guide against longitudinal movement. The deflecting portion is configured to direct the proximal end of a wire guide into an unobtrusive position. A frictional element may be provided to prevent the wire guide from inadvertently sliding or falling out of the deflecting portion. The wire guide holder may be attached to a medical scope or a bite block. The wire guide holder may also be provided with a seal.

Abstract: A sphincterotome comprising a tensioning mechanism to adjust relative tension between a filament and shaft thereof. In one embodiment, the tensioning mechanism adjusts relative tension and or length at a connection of the sphincterotome handle assembly to one or both of the shaft and filament. In another embodiment, the tensioning mechanism adjusts relative tension and or length where it is disposed along the filament.

Abstract: A minimally invasive medical device, including an elongate shaft that has a helical color pattern of at least an alternating first color band having a first width and second color band having a second width. Along a surface parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the shaft, a length interval between each of a plurality of occurrences of the first color band is sufficiently uniform to allow use for measurement.