Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first rod formed from a first material and a second rod formed from a second material. The first rod includes a first end defining a cavity exposed at an end of the first rod. The cavity has a cavity length and a cavity width perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rod. The cavity length is greater than the cavity width. The second rod includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a width that corresponds to the cavity width and a length that corresponds to the cavity length. The apparatus includes a bonding structure that attaches the first rod to the second rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling advancement of a sheath or a catheter at a distal end of an endoscope. An exemplary apparatus includes a flexible sheath that receives a medical device within an internal lumen and is received within a working channel of an endoscope. The apparatus also includes a component that is at least one of external or internal to the sheath. The component causes a change in longitudinal motion friction of the sheath above a predefined threshold amount as the sheath moves relative to an exit ramp of the endoscope.

Abstract: An example medical instrument for creating tracks within target tissue. Medicants could be injected into these tracks for diffusion into the surrounding tissue. An exemplary medical device includes a first tissue penetrating device, a second tissue penetrating device and a handle. The handle includes a first component connected to the first tissue penetrating device and a second component connected to the second tissue penetrating device. When the second component is at a first position relative to the first component, the second tissue penetrating device is in a non-track creation configuration. When the second component is at a second position relative to the first component, the second tissue penetrating device is in a track creation configuration. The second tissue penetrating device is slidably received within the first tissue penetrating device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for controlling the sampling of tissue using a guidewire. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a handle, a flexible dual lumen catheter couplable to the handle, and a guidewire guide disposed at a distal end of the flexible dual lumen catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses, medical systems, and methods for attaching two dissimilar materials. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a first rod formed from a first material and a second rod formed from a second material. The first rod includes a first end defining a cavity exposed at an end of the first rod. The cavity has a cavity length and a cavity width perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first rod. The cavity length is greater than the cavity width. The second rod includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a width that corresponds to the cavity width and a length that corresponds to the cavity length. The apparatus includes a bonding structure that attaches the first rod to the second rod.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a handle with a clamp that is configured to maintain the instrument in two different operational modes. The medical instrument includes a needle, a sheath, a sheath handle, a needle actuator and a locking device. The distal end of the needle actuator is connected to the proximal end of the needle. The distal end of the sheath handle is connected to the proximal end of the sheath. The locking device restricts distal movement of the needle actuator relative to the sheath handle when the medical device is placed in one of two operational states. In a deactivation state the distal end of the needle is housed within the distal end of the sheath. In an activation state the distal end of the needle is distal from the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for extracting a tissue sample. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a rotatable sampling element having a cylindrical body that defines a receiving chamber configured to receive therein a tissue sample cut from a tissue mass. A cutting apparatus is disposed at a distal end of the cylindrical body to cut the tissue sample from the tissue mass abutting the distal end responsive to rotation of the cylindrical body as it is pressed against the tissue mass. The apparatus also includes a flexible drive shaft having a distal end fixably engaged with a proximal end of the rotatable sampling element. The flexible drive shaft is linearly movable to motivate the rotatable sampling element to press it against the tissue mass and rotatable to impart rotational force to the rotatable sampling element to cause the rotatable sampling element to rotate around the axis.

Abstract: A medical instrument having a handle with a clamp that is configured to maintain the instrument in two different operational modes. The medical instrument includes a needle, a sheath, a sheath handle, a needle actuator and a locking device. The distal end of the needle actuator is connected to the proximal end of the needle. The distal end of the sheath handle is connected to the proximal end of the sheath. The locking device restricts distal movement of the needle actuator relative to the sheath handle when the medical device is placed in one of two operational states. In a deactivation state the distal end of the needle is housed within the distal end of the sheath. In an activation state the distal end of the needle is distal from the distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: An example medical instrument for creating larger voids within target tissue. Medicants could be injected into these larger voids for diffusion into the surrounding tissue. An exemplary medical device includes a tissue penetrating device, a pocket creation device and a handle. The handle includes a first component connected to the tissue penetrating device and a second component connected to the pocket creation device. When the second component is at a first position relative to the first component, the pocket creation device is in a non-pocket creation configuration. When the second component is at a second position relative to the first component, the pocket creation device is in a pocket creation configuration, wherein the pocket creation device is slidably received within the tissue penetrating device and the handle.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include catheter assemblies, systems for sampling a targeted region of tissue, and methods of sampling a targeted region of tissue. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a catheter assembly includes: a catheter defining a lumen therein, a wall of the catheter defining an opening therein at a distal end of the catheter; and a curved flexible needle disposable in the lumen and being extendable from the opening at the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from an axis of the lumen.

Abstract: An example medical instrument for creating tracks within target tissue. Medicants could be injected into these tracks for diffusion into the surrounding tissue. An exemplary medical device includes a first tissue penetrating device, a second tissue penetrating device and a handle. The handle includes a first component connected to the first tissue penetrating device and a second component connected to the second tissue penetrating device. When the second component is at a first position relative to the first component, the second tissue penetrating device is in a non-track creation configuration. When the second component is at a second position relative to the first component, the second tissue penetrating device is in a track creation configuration. The second tissue penetrating device is slidably received within the first tissue penetrating device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling advancement of a sheath or a catheter at a distal end of an endoscope. An exemplary apparatus includes a flexible sheath that receives a medical device within an internal lumen and is received within a working channel of an endoscope. The apparatus also includes a component that is at least one of external or internal to the sheath. The component causes a change in longitudinal motion friction of the sheath above a predefined threshold amount as the sheath moves relative to an exit ramp of the endoscope.

Abstract: An example medical instrument for creating larger voids within target tissue. Medicants could be injected into these larger voids for diffusion into the surrounding tissue. An exemplary medical device includes a tissue penetrating device, a pocket creation device and a handle. The handle includes a first component connected to the tissue penetrating device and a second component connected to the pocket creation device. When the second component is at a first position relative to the first component, the pocket creation device is in a non-pocket creation configuration. When the second component is at a second position relative to the first component, the pocket creation device is in a pocket creation configuration, wherein the pocket creation device is slidably received within the tissue penetrating device and the handle.

Abstract: A medical device for controlling advancement of a needle or other active medical component. An exemplary device includes a needle, a sheath, and a handle. The handle includes an actuator component coupled to a proximal end of the needle and a guide component coupled to a proximal end of the sheath. The guide component slidably receives a portion of the actuator and the guide component allows the actuator to move distally via a plurality of groups of different positions, wherein each of the groups has a different radial value relative to the guide component. The guide component includes a track having a zig-zag pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include catheter assemblies, systems for sampling a targeted region of tissue, and methods of sampling a targeted region of tissue. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a catheter assembly includes: a catheter defining a lumen therein, a wall of the catheter defining an opening therein at a distal end of the catheter; and a curved flexible needle disposable in the lumen and being extendable from the opening at the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from an axis of the lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.