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: A sphincterotome having a portion of its drive wire coated with a material selected from poly-p-xylylene, 2-chloro-p-xylylene, 2,4-dichloro-p-xylylene, poly(tetraflouro-p-xylylene), poly(carboxyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene), fluorinated parylene, parylene HT, and any combination thereof. The coating preferably provides an electroinsulated coating on a portion of the drive wire exposed outside the sphincterotome shaft such that a non-electroinsulated portion of the exposed drive wire may be targeted more specifically to tissue desired to be cut.

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 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: Devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe, reliable and repeatable. One embodiment of a device for anchoring to tissue includes an elongated tube and a magnet. The elongated tube has a proximal end opposite a distal end, and defines a central axis. The magnet is attached to the distal end of the elongated tube and has a magnetic field attractive to the magnetic material in the tissue. The magnet has an annular shape defining an aperture through which the elongated tube extends.

Abstract: A cytology device and a method of use thereof are described. The cytology scraper comprises a scraping element that provides increased tissue removal capabilities over conventional cytology brushes. The edges of the scraping element can also simultaneously dilate strictures during the tissue removal procedure.

Abstract: A medical device and method for its use in the digestive system of a mammalian patient is provided. The medical device includes a stent and a retrieval device. The stent has a magnetic element connected to an end of the stent. The retrieval device includes a magnetic member, and the retrieval device is sized to be ingested by the patient. The magnetic member is capable of being magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the stent for removal of the stent through the natural forces of the digestive system.

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: 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. The system comprises an outer catheter comprising a distal portion and 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 portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion of the balloon-tipped catheter comprises a balloon; a deployable device within the outer lumen; an invertible sleeve within the outer lumen with a first section attached to the distal portion of the outer catheter and a second section attached to a push mechanism that is proximal to the deployable device; and wherein the balloon is expandable to contact the invertible sleeve to provide a seal to prevent bodily fluids from entering the outer lumen.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a removable medical device, comprising a sleeve having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. At least one support member having an expanded deployed configuration is coupled to the sleeve using at least one permanent connector. A patch member comprising a resorbable material is coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the sleeve using at least one temporary connector. In use, when the support member is in the expanded deployed configuration, at least a portion of the patch member contacts the target site and fluid flows through the lumen of the sleeve. In a separate procedure, a retrieval member is operable to facilitate removal of the sleeve and support member while leaving the patch member disposed within the bodily passageway.

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: 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: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle may include structures configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploying one or more fiducials by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a needle in which fiducials are disposed.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide clip devices, along with systems and methods for delivering and deploying the clip devices. An exemplary clip device comprises inner and outer segments, and further has a delivery configuration, a tissue receiving configuration and a deployed configuration. A distal region of the outer segment is movable with respect to a distal region of the inner segment, thereby creating a spacing between the inner and outer segments for surrounding tissue in the tissue receiving configuration. The inner and outer segments may be biased to return to the deployed configuration, and may comprise generally identical shapes in the deployed configuration wherein the outer segment is proportionally larger than the inner segment. In one embodiment, the inner and outer segments each comprise “V” shapes in the unbiased state. Various delivery systems and methods are provided for delivering and deploying the clip devices disclosed.

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: 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, systems and methods are disclosed that serve to guide one or more medical devices through a port formed in bodily tissue to access a bodily cavity. One embodiment of the medical device includes a connection member, a rail, and a carrier. The connection member is structured for attachment to the port. The rail is attached to the connection member, and has a first portion extending distally through the port opening, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion. The carrier is structured to selectively connect to the first portion of the rail, and is slidable along the first and second portions of the rail.

Abstract: Medical systems and methods are provided for accessing a bodily cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity or the thoracic cavity, and for supporting diagnoses or procedures within or adjacent to such cavities. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for accessing an internal bodily cavity of patient, the bodily cavity defined by a cavity membrane, the patient having multiple tissue layers adjacent the bodily cavity including at least a skin layer and a fascia layer. An opening is formed through the skin layer and the fascia layer. An elongate medical device is inserted through the opening and between the fascia layer and the cavity membrane to form a tunnel communicating with the opening. Various medical instruments may then be used within the tunnel, and related medical kits and systems are described.

Abstract: An echogenic electrosurgical device and a method for electrosurgically treating a target site are provided. The device includes an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the elongate body includes an echogenic region, a coated portion providing an electroinsulative layer and an uncoated electroconductive electrosurgical region. The coating allows reflection of ultrasonic waves from the coated echogenic region sufficient for ultrasonic imaging of the echogenic region at a resolution providing for effective navigation in a body. The coated region has a first surface area and the electrosurgical region has a second surface area. The first surface area is greater than the second surface area.