Abstract: Nested robotic systems including rigidizing members that are configured to aid in transporting a scope, e.g., endoscope, or other medical instrument through a body. These apparatuses may include a first rigidizing device coaxially located relative to a second rigidizing device, a user-activated control for steering, advancing and/or retracting the systems, an actuator to enable axial movement and/or steering of the second rigidizing device, and a controller for coordinating the rigidity of the first and second rigidizing devices. The first and second rigidizing devices may be configured to be rigidized by the application of pressure and/or vacuum.

Abstract: Inflatable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be medical invasive balloons, such as those used for transcutaneous heart valve implantation, such as balloons used for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. The balloons can have high strength, fiber-reinforced walls.

Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) and methods that may provide access to one or more tools to a remote site in the body including expandable and external working channels that may be part of a tube that is coupled to an outer surface of an elongate medical device, such as an endoscope.

Abstract: Described herein are rigidizable apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) that may be controlled. e.g., such as by the application of positive and/or negative pressure, to transition between rigid and flexible configurations. These apparatuses may be configured to transition between a highly flexible configuration in which the elongate device may be flexible or floppy and a highly rigid (or selectively rigid) configuration that is many times more rigid than the flexible configuration.

Abstract: Pressure control systems/sub-systems that improve the operation and safety of dynamically rigidizing devices may control the application of pressure to rigidize/de-rigidize a pressure-rigidized device. Described herein apparatuses and methods for rigidizing and maintaining rigidization using over-pressurized, transient pulses for a pressure-rigidizing medical device. These apparatuses and methods may rigidize and/or de-rigidize more rapidly and effectively.

Abstract: Nested robotic systems including rigidizing members that are configured to aid in transporting a scope, e.g., endoscope, or other medical instrument through a body. These apparatuses may include a first rigidizing device coaxially located relative to a second rigidizing device, a user-activated control for steering, advancing and/or retracting the systems, an actuator to enable axial movement and/or steering of the second rigidizing device, and a controller for coordinating the rigidity of the first and second rigidizing devices. The first and second rigidizing devices may be configured to be rigidized by the application of pressure and/or vacuum.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes a plurality of layers and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.

Abstract: Pressure control systems/sub-systems that improve an operation and safety of dynamically rigidizing devices may control an application of pressure to rigidize/de-rigidize a pressure-rigidizing medical device. Described herein are apparatuses and methods for rigidizing and maintaining rigidization using over-pressurized, transient pulses for the pressure-rigidizing medical device. The apparatuses and methods may rigidize and/or de-rigidize more rapidly and effectively.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube having a lumen extending therethrough, a variable stiffness layer, a bladder layer configured to push against the variable stiffness layer when pressure is applied, and a hemostasis valve integrated at a proximal end of the elongate flexible tube in fluid communication with the lumen wherein the rigidizing device is configured to change between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in which the bladder layer limits the plurality of strand lengths from moving relative to each other when pressure is applied.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes a plurality of layers and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.

Abstract: A rigidizing overtube includes an elongate flexible tube, one or more mounting elements attached to the flexible tube, and a plurality of engagers connected to the one or more mounting elements. The rigidizing overtube has a flexible configuration in which the plurality of engagers are configured to move relative to other engagers to accommodate bending of the flexible tube. The rigidizing overtube also has a rigid configuration in which the plurality of engagers are fixed relative to other engagers to prevent the flexible tube from bending.

Abstract: A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube having a lumen extending therethrough, a variable stiffness layer, a bladder layer configured to push against the variable stiffness layer when pressure is applied, and a hemostasis valve integrated at a proximal end of the elongate flexible tube in fluid communication with the lumen wherein the rigidizing device is configured to change between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in which the bladder layer limits the plurality of strand lengths from moving relative to each other when pressure is applied.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for reducing the curvature of a body lumen, such as a colon, using a robotic system. In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for reducing curvature of a body lumen (e.g., colon) using apparatuses comprising one or more, including two or more, elongate rigidizable members. The elongate rigidizable members may be arranged telescopically and may be activated by applying positive pressure and/or vacuum.

Abstract: A rigidizing overtube includes an elongate flexible tube, one or more mounting elements attached to the flexible tube, and a plurality of engagers connected to the one or more mounting elements. The rigidizing overtube has a flexible configuration in which the plurality of engagers are configured to move relative to other engagers to accommodate bending of the flexible tube. The rigidizing overtube also has a rigid configuration in which the plurality of engagers are fixed relative to other engagers to prevent the flexible tube from bending.

Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) and methods that may provide access to one or more tools to a remote site in the body including expandable and external working channels that may be part of a tube that is coupled to an outer surface of an elongate medical device, such as an endoscope.

Abstract: Method of performing one or more procedures within a patient's vasculature using a rigidizing device. The rigidizing device may be inserted through the patient's vasculature in a flexible configuration to a target region, and rigidized to form a stable base from which one or more procedures may be performed. Examples of procedures that may be performed include removing or bypassing an occlusion, placing a stent, mitral valve repair, access and/or treatment of chronic total occlusions, etc.

Abstract: Pressure control systems/sub-systems that improve the operation and safety of dynamically rigidizing devices may control the application of pressure to rigidize/de-rigidize a pressure-rigidized device. Described herein apparatuses and methods for rigidizing and maintaining rigidization using over-pressurized, transient pulses for a pressure-rigidizing medical device. These apparatuses and methods may rigidize and/or de-rigidize more rapidly and effectively.