Abstract: A stent for maintaining an open passageway through a body lumen, such as the prostatic urethra of a male patient, includes an elongated segment including a flexible polymer material bridging a plurality of hoops. The elongated segment defines a lumen extending therethrough and has a distal end. A retention structure may be coupled to the distal end of the elongated segment to inhibit the distal end from migrating when the stent is placed within a body of a patient. The flexible polymer material is disposed between the plurality of hoops, thereby creating hinged members that allow for the spaces between the hoops to expand and contract longitudinally to accommodate prostatic swelling when the stent is placed within the prostatic urethra of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a catheter, a conductive element and a balloon. The catheter has a lumen. The conductive element is disposed along the catheter. The balloon has an interior in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. The balloon is formed of a conductive material conductively coupled to the conductive element. The balloon has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Ablation probes are provided for perfusing the tissue, while the tissue is ablated. The ablation probe comprises an elongated shaft and an ablative element, such as a needle electrode. The ablation probe further comprises a lumen that extends through the probe shaft, which will be used to deliver an fluid to the distal end of the probe shaft for perfusion into the surrounding tissue. The ablation probe further comprises a porous structure that is associated with the distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with the lumen. For example, the distal end of the shaft, or the entirety of the shaft, can be composed of the porous structure. Or, if the ablative element is an electrode, the electrode can be composed of the porous structure. Because the pores within the porous structure are pervasive, the fluid will freely flow out into the tissue notwithstanding that some of the pores may become clogged.

Abstract: A system for treating breast tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured for insertion into a breast duct such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the breast duct, and a tissue diagnostic device disposed within the lumen. A system for treating breast tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, the distal end configured for insertion into a breast duct such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the breast duct, an imaging device for providing imaging functionality to the cannula, and an energy delivery device secured to, or slidably disposed within the lumen of, the cannula.

Abstract: A suturing device is used for fixing an implantable element in place. The suturing device includes an array of hypotubes, each of which includes a fastener for fastening the implantable device to the body, and an advancement device for advancing the fasteners through the array of tubes.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue includes first and second ablation devices each including a plurality of wire electrodes and coupled to a generator in parallel. In one embodiment, the generator includes first and second terminals coupled in parallel to one another, and the first and second ablation devices are connected to the first and second terminals, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second ablation devices are coupled to a single terminal of the generator using a “Y” cable. A ground electrode is coupled to the generator opposite the first and second ablation devices for monopolar operation. The first and second arrays of electrodes are inserted into first and second sites adjacent one another within a tissue region. Energy is simultaneously delivered to the first and second arrays to generate lesions at the first and second sites preferably such that the first and second lesions overlap.

Abstract: Embolic compositions and methods of delivering the compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, the embolic compositions include a shape memory material.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating female stress urinary incontinence are disclosed. The methods include transvaginally accessing the pelvic cavity and introducing a suburethral sling into the retropubic space. In some embodiments the ends of the sling are attached to an anatomical support structure. In other embodiments, the ends of the suburethral sling are not attached to an anatomical support structure. The devices include a surgical instrument for blunt dissection of the pelvic cavity which includes a curved shaft and a blunt distal end. A hook deployment device may optionally be attached to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering electrical energy includes a cannula and one or more needles extendable from and retractable into a lumen of the cannula. A distal portion of each needle is extendable from the lumen and terminates in a tissue-piercing distal tip. Each distal portion is formed from an electrically conductive and porous material, thereby providing a porous electrode through which electrolytic fluid may flow for delivering electrical energy to tissue surrounding the distal portion. The cannula is introduced into a tissue structure of a patient, the one or more needles are advanced from the cannula, saline is introduced from the porous material to surrounding tissue, and electrical energy from an RF generator is delivered to ablate tissue within the tissue structure.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating pleurae with electrical energy includes a cannula including proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, and an array of electrodes disposed within a lumen of the cannula and deployable from the distal end of the cannula. The electrodes may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when deployed from the cannula, thereby defining a plane. During use, a pleura to be treated may be exposed or the cannula may be inserted into a thoracic cavity until the distal end is adjacent the pleura. The electrodes are advanced from the cannula such that distal portions of the electrodes extends away from one another and lie within a plane. The distal portions are placed in contact with the pleura, and electrical energy is delivered from the electrodes to treat the pleura, e.g., to ablate cancerous tissue and/or cause coagulation.

Abstract: A system for treating tissue includes a source of conductive and/or magnetic beads, a first member, e.g., a catheter or cannula, coupled to the source of magnetic beads, and a second member, e.g., a catheter or cannula, carrying a magnet on its distal end. The system is used for ablating or otherwise treating tissue within a target tissue region including a blood vessel contacting or passing therethrough. Magnetic beads are introduced into the target tissue region, e.g., using the first member, and a magnetic field is generated within the target tissue region, e.g., using the second member, to cause the magnetic beads to migrate towards a wall of the vessel. Energy is delivered into the target tissue region, e.g., to heat tissue therein, and the magnetic beads may attenuate or enhance treatment of tissue adjacent to the vessel.

Abstract: An endoluminal graft is wrapped axially upon itself to form a low profile, which facilitates endoluminal delivery. Apparatus and systems for making and using such grafts are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a target site within a body includes an outer tubular body, an inner tubular body slidably disposed within the outer tubular body, a substance delivery port located on the inner tubular body, and an electrode secured to the outer tubular body. The delivery port can be used to deliver a medical substance to the target site, and the electrode can be used to seal an access channel leading to the treatment site, thereby substantially preventing migration of material from the delivery site. In order to minimize the profile of the apparatus, a braided conductor can extend through the wall of the outer tubular body, thereby providing a means for delivering electrical energy to the electrode, while strengthening the wall of the outer tubular body to minimize the risk of rupture during delivery of the substance.

Abstract: A device for preventing closure of a surgically created resection cavity within tissues of the body comprises an insertion member having a distal end for insertion into a surgically created resection cavity and a proximal end which remains outside the resection cavity and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends and an inflatable member deployable from the distal end of the insertion member, an inner chamber of the inflatable member being fluidly coupled to the lumen to receive an inflation fluid therefrom so that, when the inflation fluid is supplied to the inflatable member, the inflatable member expands so that an outer surface of the inflatable member contacts the surrounding tissue and moves the surrounding tissue out of the resection cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning of a medical device in body tissue includes an angle indexer which mates in at least two positions with an index-key attached to the medical device. The indexer may be hand held or otherwise secured to a separate device, such as an introducer cannula, with the medical device being rotatable relative to the indexer.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering energy to a target site within bone includes a hollow needle extending from a handle that terminates in a tissue piercing distal tip. A drill within a lumen of the needle is extendable beyond the distal tip, and includes a cutting element and an electrically conductive region. An RF generator may be coupled to the drill for delivering energy to the electrically conductive region, and a driver or actuator may be coupled to the drill for rotating and/or advancing the drill axially. During use, the needle is inserted through a patient's skin to a hard tissue structure, e.g., a bone, including a target site therein, e.g., a tumor. The drill is advanced from the needle, a hole is drilled into the bone until the drill reaches the tumor, and electrical energy is delivered via the electrically conductive region to destroy the tumor.

Abstract: An entry port cuff for providing antimicrobial properties to a medical device having a portion that is insertable into the body of a patient is disclosed. The cuff, which is charged with an antimicrobial agent, is removably attached to the medical device immediately prior to or immediately after insertion of said medical device into the body. The cuff is attached to the medical device in a manner such that the cuff is located outside of the body and in the proximity of the point of entry of the medical device into the body. Also, the cuff is substantially free of an adhesive for adhering the cuff to the body. Methods for using and making the entry port cuff are also described.

Abstract: A device, method, and system are provided for immobilizing and stabilizing a breast in preparation for tumor ablation or biopsy. The device includes a medical device holder that can be used to accurately aim a medical probe, and hold it place during treatment.

Abstract: An agent delivery device includes an inner tubular body having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a delivery lumen extending therebetween, and one or more outlet ports on the distal end communicating with the delivery lumen. The device also includes one or more seals sealing the one or more outlet ports, the one or more seals capable of being melted to allow a fluid to be delivered from the delivery lumen through the one or more outlet ports. The agent delivery device may further include a monopolar or bipolar electrode and/or a radio-opaque marker carried at the distal end of the device. The inner tubular body can be made from a conductive material to thereby allow the inner tubular body to function as an electrode.