Abstract: A medical device may include an insertion device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. A snare device may be configured to transition between a retracted state within the lumen of the insertion device, and an extended state extending distally of the insertion device. The snare device may comprise a wire. A member may be disposed within the lumen of the insertion device. The member may be configured to maintain legs of the snare device in an open snare loop configuration in the extended state. In the open snare loop configuration, the wire may include an arcuate loop.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly includes a distal member and a resection device. The distal member includes an outer cap extending from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a lumen extending therethrough and an inner cap received within the lumen of the outer cap. The inner cap extends from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a working channel, a resection device track defined between the distal end of the outer cap and the distal end of the inner cap. The resection device is received within the resection device track, in an operative position, to cut target tissue received within the working channel.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly configured to be secured to the distal end of an elongated medical device, such as an endoscope, and a method for resecting tissue. The cap assembly may include a cap structure comprising a working channel and a resection device channel, wherein the resection device channel extends inside the cap structure to a resection device track positioned substantially around the working channel adjacent the distal end of the cap structure. The resection device channel is adapted to direct a resection device from the working channel of the endoscope to the resection device track. The cap assembly further includes one or more ligation bands on the outside surface of the cap structure and a trigger line for deploying the ligation bands from the distal end of the cap structure. The method includes deploying a ligation band around tissue and using a resecting loop to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly configured to be secured to the distal end of an elongated medical device, such as an endoscope, and a method for resecting tissue. The cap assembly may include a cap structure comprising a working channel and a resection device channel, wherein the resection device channel extends inside the cap structure to a resection device track positioned substantially around the working channel adjacent the distal end of the cap structure. The resection device channel is adapted to direct a resection device from the working channel of the endoscope to the resection device track. The cap assembly further includes one or more ligation bands on the outside surface of the cap structure and a trigger line for deploying the ligation bands from the distal end of the cap structure. The method includes deploying a ligation band around tissue and using a resecting loop to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A medical device may include an insertion device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. A snare device may be configured to transition between a retracted state within the lumen of the insertion device, and an extended state extending distally of the insertion device. The snare device may comprise a wire. A member may be disposed within the lumen of the insertion device. The member may be configured to maintain legs of the snare device in an open snare loop configuration in the extended state. In the open snare loop configuration, the wire may include an arcuate loop.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly configured to be secured to the distal end of an elongated medical device, such as an endoscope, and a method for resecting tissue. The cap assembly may include a cap structure comprising a working channel and a resection device channel, wherein the resection device channel extends inside the cap structure to a resection device track positioned substantially around the working channel adjacent the distal end of the cap structure. The resection device channel is adapted to direct a resection device from the working channel of the endoscope to the resection device track. The cap assembly further includes one or more ligation bands on the outside surface of the cap structure and a trigger line for deploying the ligation bands from the distal end of the cap structure. The method includes deploying a ligation band around tissue and using a resecting loop to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly configured to be secured to the distal end of an elongated medical device, such as an endoscope, and a method for resecting tissue. The cap assembly may include a cap structure comprising a working channel and a resection device channel, wherein the resection device channel extends inside the cap structure to a resection device track positioned substantially around the working channel adjacent the distal end of the cap structure. The resection device channel is adapted to direct a resection device from the working channel of the endoscope to the resection device track. The cap assembly further includes one or more ligation bands on the outside surface of the cap structure and a trigger line for deploying the ligation bands from the distal end of the cap structure. The method includes deploying a ligation band around tissue and using a resecting loop to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A locking device for a maintaining an elongated member at a selected place within a body lumen includes a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical instrument. When in an operative position, the distal portion of the medical instrument is received within the body lumen and a head coupled to the substantially rigid body. The head is configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device in a predetermined configuration. A plurality of locking features extends from the head to immobilize a section of the elongated member relative to the medical device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a medical instrument that includes a flexible elongate member and a distal assembly. The distal assembly is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member. The distal assembly includes a blunt member and a cutting tool pivotably attached to the blunt member. The blunt member is configured for insertion into a tissue layer. The cutting tool is arranged relative to the blunt member so that the cutting tool does not cut tissue as the blunt member is inserted into the tissue layer.

Abstract: A tissue resection cap assembly configured to be secured to the distal end of an elongated medical device, such as an endoscope, and a method for resecting tissue. The cap assembly may include a cap structure comprising a working channel and a resection device channel, wherein the resection device channel extends inside the cap structure to a resection device track positioned substantially around the working channel adjacent the distal end of the cap structure. The resection device channel is adapted to direct a resection device from the working channel of the endoscope to the resection device track. The cap assembly further includes one or more ligation bands on the outside surface of the cap structure and a trigger line for deploying the ligation bands from the distal end of the cap structure. The method includes deploying a ligation band around tissue and using a resecting loop to cut the tissue.

Abstract: A CPAP system and method which allows the control of released gases from the patient circuit. Coordination of blower speeds and the amount of released gases to improve patient therapy are disclosed. Methods and systems to control patient CO2 retention within the patient mask and to measure patient metabolic function are disclosed.

Abstract: A locking device for a maintaining an elongated member at a selected place within a body lumen includes a substantially rigid body including an attachment portion adapted to be coupled to a proximal portion of a medical instrument. When in an operative position, the distal portion of the medical instrument is received within the body lumen and a head coupled to the substantially rigid body. The head is configured to overlie an access port of the medical device when the attachment portion is coupled to the proximal portion of the medical device in a predetermined configuration. A plurality of locking features extends from the head to immobilize a section of the elongated member relative to the medical device.

Abstract: An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An echogenic needle aspiration device. In one embodiment, the device includes an echogenic needle, the needle including a tubular sidewall having a non-circular transverse cross-section over at least a portion of its length. The non-circular cross-sectional shape of the needle may be provided, for example, by radially spacing one or more straight, longitudinally-extending fins, ribs or other projections about the periphery of the needle and/or by providing the needle with a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An insertion tool for use in inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter for use in a lumen of an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension connected to and disposed atop the main body. The funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen. The funnel lumen has a top opening and a bottom opening. The funnel lumen tapering from the top opening to the bottom opening. The bottom opening positioned and sized to communicate with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the top opening of the funnel lumen and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: An insertion tool and method for easily inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter, particularly a rapid exchange catheter, for use in an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen that merges with the main lumen. The funnel lumen has a first large opening and a second smaller opening aligned with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the large opening of the funnel-shaped extension and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter. Also, a re-insertion tool and method for re-inserting a guide wire into a channel of a catheter. The re-insertion tool is particularly useful in combination with an endoscope and an SOE catheter disposed therein.

Abstract: An insertion tool and method for easily inserting a guide wire into a guide wire lumen of a catheter, particularly a rapid exchange catheter, for use in an endoscope. The insertion tool includes a main body having a main lumen and a funnel-shaped extension having a funnel lumen that merges with the main lumen. The funnel lumen has a first large opening and a second smaller opening aligned with the guide wire lumen of the catheter such that, when the catheter is disposed in the main lumen, the guide wire may be easily inserted into the large opening of the funnel-shaped extension and into the guide wire lumen of the catheter. The insertion tool may include a tongue or key disposed in the main lumen that is sized to fit in a slot of the catheter to thereby maintain alignment between the funnel lumen and the slot of the catheter.