Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter extends from a proximal portion which remains outside of a patient's body during use to a distal portion which, during use, is located within a body lumen adjacent to a target area to be treated, wherein the proximal and distal portions are coupled by a medial portion. The catheter comprises a guide wire lumen extending longitudinally through the distal portion and a guide wire receiving channel formed by an outer surface of the medial portion, wherein the guide wire lumen is open to a distal end of the channel.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device is used to retrieve and/or fragment stones (and/or other objects) from the body of a patient. The device has a retrieval basket with a releasable tip. The tip release is designed to release in a controlled pre-determined manner and under a predetermined force before any other component of the device fails due to a force exerted on the basket.

Abstract: Method for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery system for use therein. In one embodiment, the system comprises an inner catheter provided with a pair of longitudinal lumens. A guide wire is slidably disposed in one lumen, and a retractable needle is slidably disposed in the other lumen. A self-expandable stent is coaxially mounted around the inner catheter near its distal end, and an outer catheter is coaxially mounted around the inner catheter and the stent, the outer catheter being adapted for axial movement relative to the inner catheter and being dimensioned to maintain the stent in a compressed state. In use, an endoscope is intraorally introduced into a patient's stomach, and the distal end of the system is inserted therethrough. The needle is advanced to form perforations in the stomach and pseudocyst. The inner catheter is then inserted through the perforations, and the outer catheter is retracted, allowing the stent to expand and interconnect the stomach and pseudocyst.

Abstract: Method for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery system for use therein. In one embodiment, the system comprises an inner catheter provided with a pair of longitudinal lumens. A guide wire is slidably disposed in one lumen, and a retractable needle is slidably disposed in the other lumen. A self-expandable stent is coaxially mounted around the inner catheter near its distal end, and an outer catheter is coaxially mounted around the inner catheter and the stent, the outer catheter being adapted for axial movement relative to the inner catheter and being dimensioned to maintain the stent in a compressed state. In use, an endoscope is intraorally introduced into a patient's stomach, and the distal end of the system is inserted therethrough. The needle is advanced to form perforations in the stomach and pseudocyst. The inner catheter is then inserted through the perforations, and the outer catheter is retracted, allowing the stent to expand and interconnect the stomach and pseudocyst.

Abstract: A medical retrieval device is used to retrieve and/or fragment stones (and/or other objects) from the body of a patient. The device has a retrieval basket with a releasable tip. The tip release is designed to release in a controlled pre-determined manner and under a predetermined force before any other component of the device fails due to a force exerted on the basket.