Abstract: An energy delivery system and a method of delivering energy to a tissue are provided. The energy delivery system includes an overtube. The overtube includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The proximal portion is adapted to be positioned over a distal portion of an endoscope. The body also includes a first plurality of openings formed in the body and connected to the lumen and an electrode operably connected to the body and extending over at least a portion of a surface of the body. The lumen is operably connectable to a vacuum source and the electrode is operably connectable to a power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices for creating an external percutaneous fluidic connections. In one embodiment, the device includes a first tube defining a longitudinal axis, and a first bolster supporting the first tube, a second tube, and a second bolster supporting the second tube. The first and second bolsters are magnetically attractable, and promote airflow to the skin.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide medical apparatuses, systems, and methods for rapidly forming an anastomosis between two viscera. The medical apparatus generally comprises two bases with two clamp members rotatably attached to the bases, the clamp members being capable of compressing tissue. The system generally comprises positioning and then deploying the medical apparatus between and within two stomas via an elongate member. The method generally comprises using the medical system to create an anastomosis between the stomach and the jejunum.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are provided for closing a perforation in a bodily wall. The medical device generally includes a set of tissue anchors and an elongate tensioning member. Each anchor includes a crossbar having opposing ends and defining a longitudinal axis. A strand is connected to the crossbar at a location between the opposing ends and projects away from the longitudinal axis. The strand includes a distal end connected to the crossbar and a proximal end having a first connector. The elongate tensioning member is structured to selectively engage and disengage the first connector. The strands of the anchor are capable of being tensioned and fixed together for closing the perforation. The tensioning member is removed after the strands are fixed together.

Abstract: A non-expandable stent and a method for implanting the stent are provided. The stent includes a generally tubular body having a lumen defined therethrough. The body includes a proximal portion having a curved portion configured for placement proximal to a sphincter. The body further includes a distal portion having retaining member extending outward from a proximal end of the distal portion. The retaining member is configured for placement distal to the sphincter and for engagement of the sphincter.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide medical apparatuses and methods for rapidly forming an anastomosis between two viscera. The medical apparatus generally comprises affixing a clamp to an elongate member. The method generally comprises positioning and then deploying the medical apparatus between and within two stomas via an elongate member.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are provided for treating a bleeding side of an internal bodily organ that are robust and versatile for use in a variety of endoscope applications. One embodiment of a medical device includes a catheter, a sheet and elongated forceps. The catheter defines a catheter lumen and is sized to be received within the accessory channel of the endoscope. The sheet is formed of hemostatic fabric formed into a tubular configuration having opposing first and second ends. The elongated forceps have a pair of collapsible grasping jaws. The grasping jaws are collapsed around the first end of the sheet, and the grasping jaws and sheet are received within the catheter lumen.

Abstract: An electrosurgical cutting device and method thereof for incising tissue are disclosed. The electrosurgical cutting device includes an asymmetrical cutting element that is affixed to a distal end of a torque cable. The cutting element is disposed within an end cap and is axially movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Rotation of the torque cable during a procedure allows the cutting element to rotationally align with and hook the target tissue onto the cutting element. An elongate member of the cutting element selectively lifts the target tissue away from surrounding tissue and structures. Having lifted the tissue away the surrounding tissue and structures, incision can occur.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for repairing tissue using one or more tacking devices. In one embodiment, the system comprises a graft member and at least one protective member configured to enclose at least a portion of a tacking device. The protective member may include, without limitation, a pocket having an enclosure forming an interior space, a plug of material or a barrier layer. When at least one tacking device is deployed to couple the graft member to the tissue, at least a portion of the tacking device is enclosed by the protective member to reduce the exposure of the tacking device.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, a tissue retraction member and a closure member are provided. The tissue retraction member is advanced in a distal direction through the bodily opening in a contracted state, and then expanded at a location distal to the opening. The tissue retraction member then is proximally retracted to engage first and second serosal tissue regions at least partially surrounding the opening, thereby causing the first and second serosal regions to be disposed in an adjacent relationship. The closure member then is deployed around first and second mucosal tissue regions, such that when deployed, the closure member imposes a compressive force to hold the first serosal tissue region in a sealing relationship against the second serosal tissue region to facilitate sealing of the opening.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are disclosed for suturing tissue, that may be employed endoscopically and/or laparoscopically, and that offer simple, reliable and controllable placement of suture around a perforation for complete closure thereof. One embodiment of the medical system generally includes an endcap having first and second arms, a needle, a suture, and first and second control members. The first and second control members are used to pass the needle back-and-forth between the first and second arms.

Abstract: An endoscopically-deployable tissue-manipulation device including an elongate, generally tubular outer body having a proximal portion and a distal end portion that may be configured as sufficiently flexible to traverse the working channel of a flexible endoscope (e.g., side-viewing duodenoscope). The outer body may include an outer body lumen extending longitudinally between the proximal and distal portions. An anchoring structure of the device will include an elongate inner body that may extend through the outer body lumen and be configured to include a first linkage member attached to the inner body, a second linkage member that is pivotably attached to the first linkage member and to the outer body.

Abstract: Multi-luminal endoscopic systems for sterilely delivering deployable devices or obtaining bodily tissues. The system comprise an outer catheter comprising a wall that encloses an outer lumen; an inner catheter movably disposed within the outer lumen and having an inner lumen; a balloon-tipped catheter movably disposed within the inner lumen and having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the balloon-tipped catheter comprises a balloon tip that can be expanded to contact the wall of the outer catheter to provide a seal to prevent bodily fluids from entering the outer lumen; and a push catheter having a lumen and is located within the outer lumen. The delivery systems can comprise concentric catheters. Systems used for tissue collecting can comprise catheters with different common center.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and related methods for delivering a plurality of tissue anchors. The medical devices generally comprise a needle and an over-the-needle suture lock, employed via inner and outer sheaths. The medical systems include a plurality of tissue anchors and at least one biodegradable or resorbable spacer member positioned between adjacent tissue anchors in conjunction with the medical devices.

Abstract: An ablation cap and a method of delivering energy to a tissue are provided. An ablation cap includes a tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending therethrough. The ablation cap also includes a cover portion covering a portion of the tubular body, the covering portion having a region at least partially spaced apart from the tubular body and an electrode portion movably positionable relative to the cover portion. The electrode portion has a covered position where the electrode portion is positioned within the cover portion and an exposed position where the electrode portion is exposed relative to the cover portion. The proximal portion of the body is sized and shaped to fit on a distal end of an endoscope and the distal portion of the body extends distal to the distal end of the endoscope.

Abstract: Medical devices for attaching suture to tissue and that provides reliable and complete closure of perforations and increases the versatility of the device for various other procedures. Embodiments of the medicals devices include a tissue anchor having a crossbar with opposing ends and structure for slidably receiving a suture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire guide (20) suitable for use in a body vessel, such as a peripheral vessel. The wire guide comprises a core member (22) and a first coiled member (40), each having proximal and distal ends. In one embodiment, the core member comprises at least one recessed portion (36), wherein the proximal end of the first coiled member is seated at least partially within the recessed portion to form a substantially flush exterior surface with the core member. The wire guide further preferably comprises a second coiled member (50) having proximal and distal ends, wherein the second coiled member is disposed distal to the first coiled member. The distal end of the first coiled member may be partially intertwined with the proximal end of. the second coiled member. A shaping ribbon (60) may be disposed substantially beneath the second coiled member to achieve a desired curvature at the distal tip of the wire guide.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for containing and delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The apparatus generally comprises at least one container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source for facilitating delivery of the therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, the pressure source may be placed in selective fluid communication with a proximal region of the container and fluid from the pressure source may flow through at least a portion of the container to urge the therapeutic agent through the container towards the target site. In an alternative embodiment, the pressure source may be selectively in fluid communication with either a first hollow tube and the container so that therapeutic agent is urged into a catheter, or with a second hollow tube and a catheter so that a fluid from the pressure source bypasses the container and enters the catheter.

Abstract: A magnetic retraction device is provided that may be used to manipulate organs and tissue. The device includes a magnetic agent, at least one inflatable member configured to contain the magnetic agent, and a magnetic device. The inflatable member can be disposed on an elongate member adapted for delivery into a patient lumen. The inflatable member can be interconnected with one or more additional inflatable members by a sling.