Abstract: A steerable shaft of a medical instrument is steered by one or more control cables. The control cables are in contact with a steering system tension control device that reduces the tension in the control cables caused by bends in the shaft.

Abstract: Endoscopic instrument assemblies and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscopic instrument assembly includes an endoscope having a working channel and an endoscopic instrument slidably disposed in the working channel. The inside surface of the working channel and the outside surface of the endoscopic instrument each have a non-circular cross-sectional shape along at least a portion of their respective lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing a medical procedure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a positioning system and a resection device disposed within the positioning system. The positioning system includes an imaging device, a video processor coupled to the imaging device, a computer coupled to the video processor, and a video display coupled to the computer. The method includes the steps of creating an image of a lesion within a patient's body on an imaging device. Data representative of the lesion image is processed by a video processor. Tissue margins around the lesion are defined by a processor based on the processed data representative of the lesion image and a resection device is operated during a resection procedure within the patient's body based upon the defined tissue margins.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing a medical procedure is disclosed. In an embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes a positioning system and a resection device disposed within the positioning system. The positioning system includes an imaging device, a video processor coupled to the imaging device, a computer coupled to the video processor, and a video display coupled to the computer. In an embodiment for a method of practicing the present invention, the method includes the steps of creating an image of a lesion within a patient's body on an imaging device. Data representative of the lesion image is processed by a video processor. Tissue margins around the lesion are defined by a processor based on the processed data representative of the lesion image and a resection device is operated during a resection procedure within the patient's body based upon the defined tissue margins.

Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device may include, for example, an elongated tubular member having a proximal end for extending outside of the body and a distal end for positioning proximate the multiple tissue layers, a grasper configured for positioning proximate the distal end of the tubular member and for grasping at least one of the multiple tissue layers, a device coupled to the distal end of the tubular member for folding the multiple tissue layers together, a tissue fastener configured to be inserted into the tissue layers to hold the tissue layers together, and a fastener head for inserting the tissue fastener into the tissue layers.

Abstract: Describeed is a full-thickness resection system which includes a control unit coupled to a proximal end of a flexible endoscope. The control unit remains outside of a body when the stapling head is in an operative position within a body lumen. The control unit includes (i) an anvil actuator coupled to an anvil in the stapling head, actuation of the anvil actuator moves the anvil axially relative to a stapling mechanism in the stapling head to compress a folded full-thickness portion of lumenal tissue between the anvil and the stapling mechanism. In addition, the control unit includes (ii) a stapler actuator coupled to the stapling mechanism in the stapling head, actuation of the stapler actuator causing the stapling mechanism to drive staples through the folded lumenal tissue against the anvil.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods used for invaginating tissue during, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal end configured to extend outside of the body and a distal end configured to extend proximate the tissue to be invaginated, and a distal member coupled to the distal end of the tube. The distal member is configured to hold or grasp the tissue to be invaginated. The devices may include a protective distal sleeve.

Abstract: A control handle for use with a steerable endoscopic device. The endoscopic device having a pair of control wires to effect steering. The control handle includes a steering mechanism that includes an actuator, such as a control knob, drivingly connected to a drive member, such as a sprocket or drive gear. To transmit force from the drive member to the control wires, a length of transmission structure, such as bead chain, is connected to the proximal ends of the control wires and is engaged with the drive member. In one embodiment, a single-use endoscope may be provided, which includes a control handle, a steerable endoscopic device, and a umbilical cord or communications conduit for functionally connecting the control handle to a control cabinet of an endoscopic imaging system.

Abstract: A vial adapter suitable for use in transferring fluid from a vial to a needleless syringe, the vial having a top end sealed with a septum.

Abstract: A delivery handle and assembly are provided which allow for deployment and reconstrainment of a stent. The delivery assembly may include a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough; and, a housing having an aperture, the catheter extending through the aperture. A driver is movably coupled to the housing such that the driver can selectively move in different first and second directions relative to the housing. The driver is disposed to engage the catheter such that movement of the driver in the first direction causes a distal end of the catheter to move distally, and that movement of the driver in the second direction causes the distal end of the catheter to move proximally.

Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods used for invaginating tissue during, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal end configured to extend outside of the body and a distal end configured to extend proximate the tissue to be invaginated, and a distal member coupled to the distal end of the tube. The distal member is configured to hold or grasp the tissue to be invaginated. The devices may include a protective distal sleeve.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a resectioning device, comprises a first actuator coupled to a flexible drive shaft for actuating a first mechanism when operated in a first direction and for actuating, when operated in a second direction, a second mechanism and a first lockout mechanism coupled to the first actuator for preventing actuation of the first actuator in the second direction before a predetermined amount of actuation in the first direction has been completed. Furthermore, mechanisms are provided to control the release during operation in a second direction of torsional energy stored in a flexible drive shaft during operation in a first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying clips to tissue, comprises a plurality of clips, each of the clips including a proximal end having a pair of opposed jaws and a distal end including a linking feature, where the clips are linked to one another to form a clip chain with a linking feature of a distal-most one of the clips being gripped between the jaws of an immediately proximal one of the clips and a control linkage coupled to a proximal-most one of the clips for applying tension and compression to the clip chain in combination with a magazine containing the clip chain, the magazine including an abutment surface sized to prevent passage distally therebeyond of a clip having received between its jaws a linking feature of an immediately distal clip and an opening location within which the jaws of a clip are permitted to open to release a linking feature therefrom.

Abstract: Surgical tissue fasteners and related deployment systems and methods are disclosed. A tissue fastener used to join multiple tissue layers includes a first member, a second member, and a connecting member connecting the first and second members. In some embodiments, the first and second members are configured to expand from a delivered state to a deployed state in which the fastener secures the tissue layers together. Other tissue fastener embodiments include means for applying a substantially constant force on the tissue layers and/or means for adjusting a length of the connecting member between the first and second members.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel includes a catheter body having an axial guidewire lumen and a pull-wire lumen. A medical device such as a self-expanding stent is held in a reduced delivery configuration for insertion and transport through a body lumen to a predetermined site for deployment. The stent is carried axially around the catheter body near its distal end and held in its reduced configuration by a retractable outer sheath. A proximal retraction handle is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body and includes a pistol grip trigger engaging a rachet mechanism, which is connected to a pull-wire which extends through the pull-wire lumen and is connected to the retractable outer sheath.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel includes a catheter body having an axial guidewire lumen and a pull-wire lumen. A medical device such as a self-expanding stent is held in a reduced delivery configuration for insertion and transport through a body lumen to a predetermined site for deployment. The stent is carried axially around the catheter body near its distal end and held in its reduced configuration by a retractable outer sheath. A proximal retraction handle is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body and includes a pistol grip trigger engaging a rachet mechanism, which is connected to a pull-wire which extends through the pull-wire lumen and is connected to the retractable outer sheath.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel includes a catheter body having an axial guidewire lumen and a pull-wire lumen. A medical device such as a self-expanding stent is held in a reduced delivery configuration for insertion and transport through a body lumen to a predetermined site for deployment. The stent is carried axially around the catheter body near its distal end and held in its reduced configuration by a retractable outer sheath. A proximal retraction handle is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body and includes a pistol grip trigger engaging a rachet mechanism, which is connected to a pull-wire which extends through the pull-wire lumen and is connected to the retractable outer sheath.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a vessel includes a catheter body having an axial guidewire lumen and a pull-wire lumen. A medical device such as a self-expanding stent is held in a reduced delivery configuration for insertion and transport through a body lumen to a predetermined site for deployment. The stent is carried axially around the catheter body near its distal end and held in its reduced configuration by a retractable outer sheath. A proximal retraction handle is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body and includes a pistol grip trigger engaging a rachet mechanism, which is connected to a pull-wire which extends through the pull-wire lumen and is connected to the retractable outer sheath.