Abstract: An applicator of a clip system includes an elongated member and a bushing coupled to a distal end of the elongated member and a coupling movably attached to the bushing. A capsule is coupled to the coupling via a coupling member hooked over a hook of the coupling. Proximal ends of clip arms are received within the capsule and a core member received between and connected to the proximal ends of the arms includes a projection and a failure point distal of the projection. The core member is coupled to a control member so that movement of the control member relative to the elongated member opens and closes the arms. The projection is configured so that, when the clip is clipped over tissue, the coupling is drawn into the body and the projection drives the coupling member radially outward off the hook to free the capsule.

Abstract: A guidewire assembly may include a handle assembly including: a handle body; a shaft extending through the handle body; and an actuator. The guidewire assembly may further include a tube extending distally from the handle assembly and including a proximal portion and a distal portion; and an interior body extending from the handle assembly through the tube to the distal portion of the tube, wherein the interior body is coupled to the shaft. The shaft may be configured to move longitudinally through the handle body as the actuator is rotated to move interior body longitudinally through the tube.

Abstract: An accessory device for an endoscope includes a cap attached to a shaft of the endoscope, the cap extending along a first axis, a first tip coupled to the cap and movable relative to the cap between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration, and a first shaft defining a lumen and extending proximally from the first tip. In the deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a second axis that is offset from the first axis, and in the non-deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a third axis that is offset from the first axis.

Abstract: An accessory device for an endoscope includes a cap attached to a shaft of the endoscope, the cap extending along a first axis, a first tip coupled to the cap and movable relative to the cap between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration, and a first shaft defining a lumen and extending proximally from the first tip. In the deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a second axis that is offset from the first axis, and in the non-deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a third axis that is offset from the first axis.

Abstract: A tissue traction device having a segment defined along a limited extent about the perimeter of the tissue traction device and more flexible than surrounding regions of the tissue traction device. The tissue traction device is actuatable to bend along the more flexible segment thereof, generally in a direction of a side of the tissue traction device opposite the more flexible segment thereof. The tissue traction device may be formed from one or more flexible tubular elements, with the flexible segment along a limited extent about the perimeter of the one or more tubular elements. A tissue traction system may be configured to provide actuation medium, such as an inflation medium, to the tissue traction device to control movement of the tissue traction device. The tissue traction system may include one or more flexible tubular elements, a distal end of which forms the tissue traction device.

Abstract: A tissue traction device having a target-tissue-engaging segment and more than one traction-tissue-engaging segment spaced apart from the target-tissue-engaging segment. The tissue traction device may have a peripheral section with at least one traction-tissue-engagement section therein, with at least one of the traction-tissue-engaging segments defined on such traction-tissue-engagement section. An additional traction-tissue-engagement segment may be defined within the peripheral section, optionally on an additional traction-tissue-engagement section, and/or within the at least one traction-tissue-engagement section. One or more traction-tissue-engagement segments within the peripheral section may be simultaneously and/or sequentially engaged with traction tissue to achieve varying force vectors of traction on the target tissue.

Abstract: A clipping system includes a clip, a core member and a control member. The clip includes a capsule extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending therethrough, and clip arms. Proximal ends of the arms are slidably received within the channel to move the arms between open and closed configurations. The core member is received between and connected to the proximal ends of the arms to couple the arms to one another. The core member includes a locking feature movable between unlocked and locked configurations. The control member extends through a proximal portion of the system from a proximal end to an enlarged distal end housed within a proximal portion of the core member so that a longitudinal movement of the control member relative to the capsule moves the clip between the open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A tissue traction device having more than one grasping segment by which the tissue traction device may be engaged with tissue directly, or indirectly, such as with the use of a tissue-engagement member. The tissue traction device may have a peripheral section defining grasping segments, as well as interior grasping segments defined within the perimeter of the peripheral section. Traction may be applied to a target tissue by engaging a target-tissue-engaging segment with target tissue, and engaging a traction-tissue-engaging segment with traction tissue spaced apart from the target tissue. Engagement of additional target-tissue-engaging segments with traction tissue (optionally at different locations) allows the force vector of the traction to be adjusted. A delivery system may include tissue traction device holder to maintain a desired configuration of the tissue traction device during delivery thereof to a target tissue area.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of an epoxy resin. This process includes providing lignin, one or more acids and/or esters derived from epoxidized vegetable oil(s), optionally a solvent and optionally a catalyst, to form a reactive mixture. The reactive mixture is mixed and cured in the presence of a curing agent to form the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A medical device may comprise a shaft, an articulation wire extending through at least a portion of the shaft, and a handle, including a handle body having an outer surface that defines a channel. A distal portion of the shaft may be received within a first portion of the channel. A distal portion of the articulation wire may be received within a second portion of the channel. A control member may be movable relative to the handle body to move the distal portion of the articulation wire relative to the distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A medical device having multiple degrees of freedom independent of each other. The medical device includes a handle, an end effector, and a tubular section extending between the handle and the end effector. The end effector is configured to be rotated about a first axis extending through the tubular section without rotating the tubular section. And, the tubular section is configured to be rotated about the first axis with the end effector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyesters comprising the following repeating unit of formula (I) wherein: R1 and R2 independently represent H or CH3, R3 and R4 independently represent H or OCH3, R5 independently represents C1-16alkyl-O(C?0)R7(C?0); C1-16alkyl(C?O); (C?O)R7(C?O); C1-16alkyl(C?O)OR7O(C?O)C1-16alkyl; C1-16alkyl(C?O)OR7 or (C?0)C2-3alkyl(C?0)OR7O(C?0)C2-3alkyl, R7 independently represents C1-20alkyl; benzene or furan, R6 represents CH2 or (C?O), n=0-3, m?10. The invention is also directed to a process for the preparation of these polyesters, wherein a monomer or monomer mixture is heated in the presence of a catalyst to a temperature of 100-300° C. under a pressure below 10 kPa.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging a target feature of a subject based on the tracked positions of the subject and the target feature are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a scanner configured to image a target feature of a subject. The system includes a mechanism configured to move the scanner. Further, the system includes a subject tracker configured to track positioning of the subject. The system includes a feature tracker configured to track positioning of the target feature. A controller is configured to control the mechanism to move the feature tracker to a position such that the feature tracker is operable to track a position of the target feature. The controller controls the mechanism to move the scanner to a position such that the scanner is operable to image the target feature based on the tracked position of the target feature by the feature tracker.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of an epoxy resin. This process includes providing lignin, one or more acids and/or esters derived from epoxidized vegetable oil(s), optionally a solvent and optionally a catalyst, to form a reactive mixture. The reactive mixture is mixed and cured in the presence of a curing agent to form the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A medical system includes a source of a material, a first tube, and a second tube. The material is configured to expand and form a porous body after the material is deployed into a body lumen. The first tube is configured to deliver the material into the body lumen, and the second tube is configured to apply suction to the porous body.

Abstract: An accessory device for an endoscope includes a cap attached to a shaft of the endoscope, the cap extending along a first axis, a first tip coupled to the cap and movable relative to the cap between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration, and a first shaft defining a lumen and extending proximally from the first tip. In the deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a second axis that is offset from the first axis, and in the non-deployed configuration, the first tip extends along a third axis that is offset from the first axis.

Abstract: A tissue grasping device for use with an endoscope may include a sheath, a control wire slidably disposed within the sheath, and a helical coil disposed over and attached to the control wire. The helical coil may include a proximal region in which adjacent windings are in contact, and a distal region in which adjacent windings are spaced apart. The helical coil may have a sharpened distal tip.