Abstract: A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes an outer cannula that is at least partially received within a handle housing and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and configured to receive a stylet. A snare coil is attached between the inner tube and the outer cannula and is configured to wind down when the inner tube rotates in a first direction relative to the outer cannula and uncoil when the inner tube rotates in a second direction relative to the outer cannula. The outer cannula is fixedly coupled to a needle holder that is coupled to and moves with a movable base that is axially movable within the handle housing. An inner driven structure (curvilinear part) is configured to selectively engage the movable base and travel therewith in a first stage of operation and in a second stage of operation in which the inner driven structure is disengaged from the movable base, the inner driven structure is driven along the movable base which is held in a stationary position.

Abstract: Integratable treatment devices, assemblies including a treatment device, at least one anchor, and a tether coupled thereto, and various methods and devices for inserting such devices and assemblies are disclosed herein. The treatment devices can be made of an integratable material that is not fully bioresorbable but promotes native tissue growth in and around the material. Certain methods involve first inserting at least one anchor and then advancing a treatment device via a tether coupled to the at least one anchor. Further various insertion devices that can be used to implant any of the treatment devices herein using any of the methods herein are disclosed.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes an outer cannula and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and configured to receive a stylet. The outer cannula is fixedly coupled to a needle holder that is coupled to and moves with a movable base that is axially movable within the handle housing. An inner driven structure (curvilinear part) is configured to selectively engage the movable base and travel therewith in a first stage of operation and in a second stage of operation in which the inner driven structure is disengaged from the movable base, the inner driven structure is driven along the movable base which is held in a stationary position. The coupling between the inner driven structure and the inner tube is such that the axial driving of the inner driven structure imparts rotation to the inner tube relative to the outer cannula.

Abstract: A syringe is coupled to a biopsy needle through a coupling structure that includes a motor-driven element such as a gear to rotate the needle. The motor can oscillate back and forth to cause the needle to oscillate. Structures are described to permit one-handed operation of the device and automatic motor activation based on attaining a desired plunger position. Non-electric motors are described along with a mechanism for axial oscillation of the needle.

Abstract: A syringe is coupled to a biopsy needle through a coupling structure that includes a motor-driven element such as a gear to rotate the needle. The motor can oscillate back and forth to cause the needle to oscillate. Structures are described to permit one-handed operation of the device and automatic motor activation based on attaining a desired plunger position. Non-electric motors are described along with a mechanism for axial oscillation of the needle.

Abstract: A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes an outer cannula that is at least partially received within a handle housing and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and configured to receive a stylet. A snare coil is attached between the inner tube and the outer cannula and is configured to wind down when the inner tube rotates in a first direction relative to the outer cannula and uncoil when the inner tube rotates in a second direction relative to the outer cannula. The outer cannula is fixedly coupled to a needle holder that is coupled to and moves with a movable base that is axially movable within the handle housing. An inner driven structure (curvilinear part) is configured to selectively engage the movable base and travel therewith in a first stage of operation and in a second stage of operation in which the inner driven structure is disengaged from the movable base, the inner driven structure is driven along the movable base which is held in a stationary position.

Abstract: A catheter having a curved distal end is disclosed in which a resilient fiber embedded in a polymer material of the sidewall imparts a bend in the catheter. The resilient fiber has a helical coil shape with a series of helical coils disposed about a center line. During manufacturing, the resilient fiber is bent into a curved condition in which the center line is curved, and then the resilient fiber is heated while in its curved condition to create a memory set in the helical coil shape. The resilient fiber is then placed over a mandrel along with a fibrous reinforcement material, and a polymer material is applied over the mandrel to form a catheter with the resilient fiber embedded in the sidewall. Upon removing the mandrel from the lumen of the catheter, the catheter will bend into a curved shape corresponding to the memory set in the resilient fiber.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which various additives are consolidated into polymer walls of the catheters. The method includes providing a core, spraying a base polymer material over the outer surface of the core, spraying an additive material over or together with the base polymer material, and consolidating the additive material and the base polymer material together to form the catheter wall. The base polymer material and additive material are each applied as a fine particulate powder or solution of fine particulate, which can be sprayed over an outer surface of the core and the catheter wall as the catheter is formed. The additive material can be selected from several therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents, and/or polymers for modifying the base polymer materials. The additive material can be consolidated with the base polymer material throughout the polymer wall or primarily on the outer surface of the polymer wall.

Abstract: A method of making catheters is disclosed in which the wall of the catheter has a porous structure for carrying additional agents, such as therapeutic or diagnostic agents. The method includes providing a core, applying a base polymer material and an inert material over the outer surface of the core, and consolidating the base polymer material to form a catheter having a porous polymer layer with the inert material contained within the pores thereof. The inert material can be applied with the base polymer material, or it can be applied in a separate step after the base polymer material has been partially consolidated to form the porous polymer layer. Additional agents can be mixed with the inert material before it is applied to the catheter, or such agents can be applied to the porous polymer layer of the catheter in a separate step after the inert material is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A catheter having a fibrous reinforcement is formed by anchoring a filament at a proximal end of a core member, and winding the filament onto the core member continuously from the proximal end to the distal end of the core member and then back to the proximal end to form a first fibrous layer. The filament is wound with a constant or variable pitch along the length of the core member. Additional fibrous layers can be applied by continuously winding a filament over the first fibrous layer from the proximal end to the distal end or to an intermediate position along the core member and then back to the proximal end. The additional layers can extend to different distal positions to form a catheter having a tapering profile. In alternative embodiments, catheters are formed by winding a group of filaments onto the core member simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curving a catheter after deployment include a catheter having a primary lumen, a secondary lumen, and a resilient fiber contained within the secondary lumen. The resilient fiber and the secondary lumen have corresponding, preformed curve shapes when the catheter is in a straight, unstressed condition. The resilient fiber is slidable within the secondary lumen to create a desired curve shape in the catheter as the curved portion of the resilient fiber slides into an originally straight portion of the secondary lumen. In another embodiment, the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber is held in a straight condition within a stiff, marker ring segment of the catheter until after the catheter is deployed. Once deployed, the resilient fiber is slid out of the marker ring segment, and the preformed curve shape of the resilient fiber creates a corresponding curve shape in the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter and method of making a catheter are disclosed in which the catheter is highly flexible and yet resistant to crushing and kinking. The catheter is made by applying rings of hard polymer material along the tubular shaft as the catheter is manufactured. The catheter thus has a plurality of hard polymer rings formed at spaced locations along its length, and soft segments between the hard polymer rings that allow the catheter to remain very flexible. The hard polymer rings improve the radial strength of the catheter and make the catheter resistant to crushing and kinking.