Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for treating tricuspid valve insufficiency. For example, in some embodiments, a tricuspid insufficiency treatment device is provided, and includes a tubular member configured for implantation within a vena cava of a patient, where the tubular member is formed with a sidewall. The device also includes at least two (2) valves arranged circumferentially along the sidewall, where each valve comprises an opening formed in the sidewall, and a blocking member arranged to block and unblock a respective opening of the plurality of openings. Each blocking member comprises a flap or cover pivotally attached at or proximate a portion of a respective opening and arranged to block and unblock the opening during ventricular systole and ventricular diastole, respectively, such that the opening is unblocked in a direction opposite to the attachment of the flap or cover.

Abstract: Mounting a double-balloon auxiliary endoscope assembly over a conventional endoscope by sliding an overtube subassembly over the conventional endoscope, and thereafter sliding over the conventional endoscope, while connected to the overtube subassembly via a flexible interconnection tube, a forward balloon support sleeve of a forward balloon subassembly also including a forward balloon fixedly mounted on the forward balloon support sleeve and defining together therewith a forward inflatable volume.

Abstract: An assembly including an endoscope having an external surface, an auxiliary endoscope assembly having a resilient collar portion mounted onto the endoscope and a hand-held collar cutting tool for removal of the auxiliary endoscope assembly having a resilient collar portion from the endoscope, the cutting tool including a hand-held collar cutting tool body portion, a cutting edge associated with the cutting tool body portion and adapted for cutting the resilient collar portion and a spacer portion protruding from the hand-held collar cutting tool body portion, the spacer portion being adapted for insertion between the resilient collar portion and the endoscope for spacing the endoscope from the resilient collar portion and from the cutting edge, the spacer portion being softer than the external surface of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endovascular system (10) includes an endovascular implant (20) and a delivery tool (30). The implant (20) is configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery state, and a radially-expanded deployment state. The delivery tool (30) includes a proximal main delivery catheter (36), having a distal portion (46) in which the implant (20) is disposed while in the radially-compressed delivery state; and a distal restraining assembly (50), which includes a restraining-assembly tubular shaft (52) disposed distal to the proximal main delivery catheter (36). The distal restraining assembly (50) is configured to assume an engaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) prevents proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50), and a disengaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) allows proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An insertable stiffener for use with an endoscope having an instrument channel extending along a predetermined distance between an instrument channel port and a forward end of the endoscope, the insertable stiffener having a cap and an elongate stiffener element of length less than the predetermined distance, mounted onto the cap, whereby upon full insertion of the elongate stiffener element in the instrument channel, the cap abuts the instrument channel port and a forward end of the elongate stiffener lies inside the instrument channel at a location rearwardly spaced from the forward end of the endoscope.

Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.

Abstract: An endovascular system (10) includes an endovascular implant (20) and a delivery tool (30). The implant (20) is configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery state, and a radially-expanded deployment state. The delivery tool (30) includes a proximal main delivery catheter (36), having a distal portion (46) in which the implant (20) is disposed while in the radially-compressed delivery state; and a distal restraining assembly (50), which includes a restraining-assembly tubular shaft (52) disposed distal to the proximal main delivery catheter (36). The distal restraining assembly (50) is configured to assume an engaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) prevents proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50), and a disengaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) allows proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.

Abstract: A side-mountable overtube for use with an endoscope including a sleeve formed with a slit, extending entirely along its length, and with a balloon inflation/deflation lumen communicating with a balloon opening at a balloon opening location intermediate along its length, and a selectably inflatable/deflatable balloon mounted onto the sleeve in a manner such that it does not extend entirely across the slit and thereby is side mountable along with the sleeve onto an endoscope, an interior of the balloon communicating with said balloon opening at the balloon opening location for selectable inflation/deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An expander for mounting a resilient outer tubular article over an elongate article including a chassis element having associated therewith at least one outwardly movable element which is selectably engageable with at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, a driver which is movable with respect to the chassis element and is operative to selectably engage the at least one outwardly movable element, when the outwardly movable element is in engagement with the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article, for producing corresponding outward motion and outward expansion thereof and an engagement element, associated with the driver, for insertion into the at least a portion of the resilient outer tubular article upon expansion thereof by operation of the driver, the engagement element being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the elongate article.