Abstract: A fragmenting and/or fragment-removing system and associated methods configured to remove large fragments from an anatomical site not capable of being aspirated through standard lumens insertable to the anatomical site. In some aspects, the system includes a distal inlet channel, a proximal inlet channel, and an outlet channel. The relative positions of at least the distal inlet channel and the outlet channel may be varied, such as depending on the size of the materials to be removed by the system. The outlet channel may be defined within a lumen of the first sheath, between the inner surface of a first sheath and the outer surface of a tubular elongate member extending through the first sheath. A biasing member may be provided to maximize a size of the outlet channel by biasing the tubular elongate member to one side of the lumen of the first sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for detecting bowing or looping events during a medical procedure, the system comprising: a medical device including: an insertion portion having a proximal portion and a distal end. A distal sensor may be disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion. The distal sensor is configured to measure an acceleration or a velocity of the distal end of the insertion portion or a distance traveled by the distal end of the insertion portion. A proximal sensor is configured to measure an acceleration or a velocity of the proximal portion of the insertion portion or a distance traveled by the proximal portion of the insertion portion.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy includes registering an optical tracking system to a global coordinate system, registering a fluoroscope to the global coordinate system, generating a first image of a treatment area of a patient using the fluoroscope, generating a second image of the treatment area of the patient using the fluoroscope, selecting a target treatment point within the treatment area on the first image, the second image or both the first image and the second image and overlaying a medical instrument proposed guidance line on the first image, the second image or both the first image and the second image, wherein the medical instrument proposed guidance line depicts a proposed insertion pathway from an insertion point on the patient's body to the target treatment point.

Abstract: Medical devices and uses thereof are described, including a medical device with a handle, an insertion portion, and a distal tip. The distal tip may include a light source, an imaging device, and a core. First and second articulation members may extend longitudinally from the handle through the insertion portion and the distal tip, e.g., in respective first and second channels of the core. The insertion portion may define a first lumen. The core may include a second lumen between the first channel and the second channel, the second lumen being in communication with the first lumen of the insertion portion. Each of the first articulation member and the second articulation member may terminate proximal to a distalmost end of the core.

Abstract: Medical systems and related methods useful to estimate the depth of a target are described. The system may include a medical device that includes a handle and a shaft, the medical device also including an imager, a processor, and at least one laser source coupled to a first laser fiber and a second laser fiber. The first and second laser fibers may be configured to transmit respective first and second collimated beams of light onto a target simultaneously without fragmenting the target. The processor may be configured to determine a depth of the target from a proximal facing surface of the target to a distal facing surface of the target based on pixel characteristics of the first and second collimated beams of light in at least one image generated by the imager.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described, including a medical device that includes a handle including a housing. The housing may include a grip and an actuator. The handle may further include an imaging module including a printed circuit board, and a laser module including a first laser source configured to couple to a first laser fiber and a second laser source configured to couple to a second laser fiber. The laser module and the imaging module may be contained within the housing or the imaging module, the laser module, or both the imaging module and the laser module may be selectively attachable to and detachable from the housing.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods useful for needle access during medical procedures are described. The medical device may include a needle and a handle coupled to the needle, wherein the handle includes a body comprising a radiolucent material, a first marker proximate a proximal end of the body and a second marker proximate a distal end of the body. Each of the first marker and the second marker may include a radiopaque material, and the first marker may have a shape complementary to the second marker to align a position of the needle relative to a subject when visualized by X-ray imaging.

Abstract: A medical device includes an articulating joint cut from a tubular member to include a plurality of links. Each of the links extends from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough. The proximal end of each of the plurality of links includes a proximal engaging feature and the distal end of each of the plurality of links including a distal engaging feature. The proximal engaging feature of one of the links is configured to movably engage the distal engaging feature of an adjacent one of the links to form a hinge via which adjacent links are movable relative to one another and the articulating joint is movable between a straight configuration and a bent configuration. The proximal and distal engaging features include partial bevels corresponding to one another and extending therealong.

Abstract: An articulating joint for an endoscopic device includes a body and a wire. The body includes a first link at a proximal end, a last link at a distal end, and interior links therebetween. The body is formed as a tube with gaps. Each interior link is connected on a proximal end to a further proximal link via first flexible members and on a distal end to a further distal link via second flexible members. Each interior link forms a proximal gap between the interior link and the further proximal link, a distal gap between the interior link and the further distal link, and a recess on both sides of the members permitting the members to bend and the interior links to rotate. The wire extends through the links such that applying tension to the wire causes at least one link to rotate toward another link and articulate the joint.

Abstract: Medical systems are described, including a medical system that includes a scope including a handle and a shaft defining a channel having a distal opening, a processor, at least one laser source, a first laser fiber, and a second laser fiber, wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is coupled to the at least one laser source and extends through the shaft, wherein a distal end of the shaft includes an imager, the distal opening of the channel, a distal end of the first laser fiber, and a distal end of the second laser fiber, and wherein each of the first laser fiber and the second laser fiber is configured to transmit a collimated beam onto a target without altering or fragmenting the target.

Abstract: A system is for tracking includes a longitudinal element extending longitudinally from a distal tip inserted into a body to a proximal end which remains outside of the body. The element includes an IMU sensor at the tip and a series of stripes extending along the element. Data from the IMU sensor determines an angular orientation of the tip. The system also includes an exterior member positioned outside of the body. The member includes a channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a linear encoder detecting each of the stripes of the element as the element is slid through the member so that data from the encoder determines a linear displacement of the element relative to the member at a point of entry. 3D location of the tip calculated based on the determined angular orientation and the linear displacement determined at each detected stripe.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an optical fiber including a first optical module and a gate. The gate can be capable of moving between closed and opened states to form a slit. At least one storage medium can be included having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to carry out a method including directing light from the first optical module through the slit onto the stone to form a pair of lines with a spacing between the pair of lines; and determining a size of the stone, based on a distance from a distal tip of the optical fiber and the spacing between the pair of lines.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and mapping a location of a distal end region of an elongate shaft. An illustrative method may comprise obtaining data from an accelerometer located in the elongate shaft adjacent a distal end thereof, determining a length of the elongate shaft inserted into a body from a reference point, merging the accelerometer data and the length of the elongate shaft to localize the distal end region of the elongate shaft, reconstructing a line of travel of the medical device within the body, and superimposing the reconstructed line of travel over an image of an anatomy of the patient.