Abstract: A multi-lumen insertion tube for use with an endoscope, the multi-lumen insertion tube having a circumferential outer wall defining a main inner lumen, and a plurality of inner septa dividing the main inner lumen into a plurality of lumens. The circumferential outer wall is configured to expand radially outwardly when positive pressure is applied through the insertion tube, and to at least partially collapse against at least one of the inner septa when negative pressure is applied through the insertion tube, such that further collapse of the circumferential wall is prevented by at least one of the inner septa.

Abstract: A handle for at least partially covering an endoscope with a protective thin sleeve, the handle comprising: a handle body shaped and sized to receive a distal portion of an endoscope therein; a detachable portion at a proximal end of the handle body, the detachable portion configured to detach from the handle body and to be moved proximally along at least a portion of a length of an endoscope received within the handle body; and a thin elongate protective sleeve axially compacted within the handle body, a proximal end of the sleeve coupled to the detachable portion, wherein movement of the detachable portion proximally along the endoscope pulls on the proximal end of the sleeve and extends the sleeve in length from its axially compacted state to a lengthened state, thereby covering the at least a portion of the length of the endoscope.

Abstract: Methods of colon cleansing and/or inspection are described which safely maintain a colon in an uncollapsed state. Balanced replacement of a volume of fluid, gas and/or solids evacuated during cleansing of the colon is described. Replacement volume comprises, for example, cleansing fluid, jetting gas, and/or inflation gas. In some embodiments, balancing of evacuated and replacement volume is achieved under automatic control, based on monitored volume of material exchange, and/or measurement of resulting pressures.

Abstract: Reversibly attachable pressure-resistant cap for an endoscope sleeve, configured to seal a distal tip of the endoscope sleeve during pressurized inflation of the sleeve to assist insertion of the endoscope into the sleeve. The cap is operable to latch onto the distal tip. The cap is also configured to be easily removed from the distal tip after inflation is no longer needed.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope cleansing system (IECS) comprises both an independent cleansing system (ICS) evacuation conduit in communication with an independent cleansing system working station (IWS), and an endoscope insertion tube with a working channel functionally coupled to a vacuum source, under control of an endoscope working station (EWS). In some embodiments, the ICS evacuation conduit is located within the insertion tube, while being functionally coupled to an ICS vacuum source, controlled by the IWS.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope cleansing system (IECS) comprises both an independent cleansing system (ICS) evacuation conduit in communication with an independent cleansing system working station (IWS), and an endoscope insertion tube with a working channel functionally coupled to a vacuum source, under control of an endoscope working station (EWS). In some embodiments, the ICS evacuation conduit is located within the insertion tube, while being functionally coupled to an ICS vacuum source, controlled by the IWS.

Abstract: An integrated endoscope cleansing system (IECS) comprises both an independent cleansing system (ICS) evacuation conduit in communication with an independent cleansing system working station (IWS), and an endoscope insertion tube with a working channel functionally coupled to a vacuum source, under control of an endoscope working station (EWS). In some embodiments, the ICS evacuation conduit is located within the insertion tube, while being functionally coupled to an ICS vacuum source, controlled by the IWS.

Abstract: Methods of colon cleansing and/or inspection are described which safely maintain the colon in an uncollapsed state. Balanced replacement of the volume of fluid, gas and/or solids evacuated during cleansing of a colon is described. Replacement volume comprises, for example, cleansing fluid, jetting gas, and/or inflation gas. In some embodiments, the balancing of evacuated and replacement volume is achieved under automatic control, based on monitored volume of material exchange, and/or measurement of resulting pressures.

Abstract: A buddy wire guide wire has a wire section for guiding a catheter to a particular site in the human body. The buddy wire guide wire has a distal section with a distal end and an opposing proximal end. The wire section is attached to the proximal end of the distal section with the distal section being placed coaxially around the shaft of some existing medical device which has been inserted into the human body. The distal section permits the buddy wire to be advanced into the human body over the medical device by using the medical device as a guide.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one expandable stent, and least three removable slat members carried by the stent The removable slat members provide a substantially continuous cover for the medical device, and thus impede the flow of blood through the peripheral walls of the medical device. When deployed within a blood vessel, some of the slat members may serve to cover an aneurysm and restrict the blood flow into the aneurysm. In addition, one or more of the slat members may be selectively removed to provide blood flow into a branching blood vessel. In an alternative embodiment, an inner expandable stent is coaxially disposed within the outer expandable stent, and three removable slat members are carried by the inner expandable stent.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device which includes a vascular occlusive embolic coil, a bioactive coating disposed onto the embolic coil, and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive agent in the bioactive coating and bodily fluids, until the outer barrier is activated by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

Abstract: An embolic element may be manufactured by twisting a length of wire about a longitudinal axis thereof, the wire having at least one flat portion along its length, to cause the flat portion to form a generally helical shape. The length of wire is then optionally wound onto a mandrel by bending of the wire to form a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device, such as an embolic coil, having thrombogenic fibers extending from the coil and having an outer barrier which encapsulates fibers extending from the embolic coil for preventing activation of the fibers until the outer barrier has been dissolved, or removed, from the embolic coil.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device, such as an embolic coil, having thrombogenic fibers extending from the coil and having an outer barrier which encapsulates and flattens the fibers along the sides of the embolic coil for preventing activation of the coil until the outer barrier has been dissolved, or removed, from the embolic coil.

Abstract: A vascular occlusive device which includes a support structure and a bioactive coating disposed onto the support structure and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive agent and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is activated by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

Abstract: A medial device such as a vascular occlusive device which includes a support structure and a bioactive expansible coating disposed on the support structure and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive expansible foam coating and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is activated and removed by applying an external agent to the outer barrier thereby permitting expansion of the bioactive foam coating.

Abstract: A medial device such as a vascular occlusive device which includes a support structure and a bioactive expansible coating disposed on the support structure and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive expansible coating and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is activated and removed by applying an external agent to the outer barrier thereby permitting expansion of the bioactive coating.

Abstract: A medial device, such as a vascular occlusive device, which includes a support element having a compound disposed thereon which stimulates the production of vascular endothelial growth factors, and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the compound and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is dissolved by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

Abstract: A medial device which includes a support structure and a bioactive coating disposed onto the support structure and an outer barrier coating which serves to prevent a reaction between the bioactive agent and bodily fluids until the outer barrier is activated by applying an external agent to the outer barrier.

Abstract: A medical device having an outer and an inner expandable stent in which the inner expandable stent is coaxially disposed within the outer expandable stent. The medical device further includes three removable slat members carried by the outer stent and three removable slat members carried by the inner expandable stent. The removable slat members provide a substantially continuous cover for the medical device and thus impede the flow of blood through the walls of the medical device. When deployed within a blood vessel, some of the slat members serve to cover an aneurysm and restrict the blood flow into the aneurysm; however, one or more of the slat members may be selectively removed to provide blood flow into a branching blood vessel.