Abstract: This disclosure is directed primarily to a stent for use in the trachea. The stent has a nominally deployed state, an axially extended state and an axially compressed state. The stent has a length. In the axially extended state, the length is at least 20% greater than in the nominally deployed state.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating a lung are disclosed. The method may include deploying a catheter into an airway of the lung, and discharging a media into the airway through the catheter. The media may be configured to increase elasticity of lung tissue in the vicinity of the airway or occlude the airway.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent and associated methods for placing the endoluminal stent in a lumen of a trachea of a patient. The stent includes an elongate framework having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and a lumen extending from the first open end to the second open end. The elongate framework includes a first edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, a second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, and an opening between the first edge and the second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end such that the stent has a C-shaped cross-section. The stent may be implanted in a trachea with the opening positioned along a posterior wall of the trachea adjacent the trachealis muscle.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed primarily to a stent for use in the trachea. The stent has a nominally deployed state, an axially extended state and an axially compressed state. The stent has a length. In the axially extended state, the length is at least 20% greater than in the nominally deployed state.

Abstract: A medical device configured to collect tissue from within a subject's body includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a distal region proximate the distal end. A plurality of bristles may be positioned on the distal region to form a brush. The distal region may be configured to deform upon activation to increase a cross-sectional dimension of the brush. The cross-sectional dimension of the brush may be the largest dimension of the brush in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member is disclosed. The end-effector further includes a plurality of arms, which may pivot or move relative to one another. Further, each arm includes an inner edge defining a cutting edge, and an outer edge having at least one geometric feature for manipulating tissue.

Abstract: A method for reducing mucus accumulation in an airway including disposing an implantable device within an airway, wherein the implantable device has a first end, a second end, and an inner surface defining a lumen extending from the first end to the second end; wherein at least a portion of the inner surface has a hydrophobic polymer coating thereon, wherein a polymer coating surface has dynamic water contact angles of 145 degrees or greater; and wherein the implantable device is constructed and arranged to maintain patency of the airway; wherein accumulation of mucus is reduced as compared to a similar implantable device without the hydrophobic portion of the inner surface. An implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface and a method of making an implantable medical device having a superhydrophobic surface are also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns systems and methods for tissue sampling using ultrasound guidance. Systems according to the various embodiments of the disclosure include a needle, for instance a biopsy needle, disposed coaxially about small gauge ultrasound probe. These systems are useful in a variety of procedures including pulmonary nodule sampling.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member is disclosed. The end-effector further includes a plurality of arms, which may pivot or move relative to one another. Further, each arm includes an inner edge defining a cutting edge, and an outer edge having at least one geometric feature for manipulating tissue.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, having anti-migration features. The endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular framework including a plurality of strut rows and a plurality of connectors extending across interstices between adjacent strut rows and interconnecting adjacent strut rows. The strut rows have an outer diameter in an expanded state and the connectors extend radially outward beyond the outer diameter of the strut rows in the expanded state. The connectors are configured to engage a wall of a body lumen in the expanded state to inhibit migration of the endoprosthesis in the body lumen. The endoprosthesis may include a polymeric cover covering the strut rows and spanning the interstices between adjacent strut rows, while a space between the connectors and the strut rows to which the connectors are interconnected with is devoid of the polymeric cover to permit tissue ingrowth around the connectors.

Abstract: Methods and devices for at least partially occluding an airway of a lung is disclosed. The method includes deploying a catheter into the airway such that a balloon at a distal end of the catheter is positioned proximate a tissue wall that defines the airway, and inflating the balloon to cause pressure to be applied on a portion of the tissue wall. The method may also include deflating the balloon to cause the portion of the tissue wall to be drawn radially inward to at least partially occlude the airway.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an anti-migratory stent comprising a tubular structure having an exterior surface and a plurality of protrusions provided on the exterior surface. The plurality of protrusions includes a first set of protrusions and a second set of protrusions. Each of the first and second set of protrusions includes a base and an apex. The apex of each of the first set of protrusions is offset from the base of the first set of protrusions in a direction opposite a direction of offset of the apex of each of the second set of protrusions from the base of the second set of protrusions.

Abstract: A medical stent may include a tubular support structure including a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells disposed between the plurality of struts. A polymeric coating may be disposed over the tubular support structure such that a first portion of the plurality of cells are closed by the polymeric coating in a first region of the tubular support structure and a second portion of the plurality of cells in a second region of the tubular support structure remain open to fluid flow and/or tissue ingrowth therethrough. The struts in the first region of the tubular support structure and the struts in the second region of the tubular support structure may be at least partially covered by the polymeric coating.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and an unexpanded state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent, wherein the stent has a first end, a second end, an inner surface defining a lumen, an outer surface, and a thickness defined between the inner surface and the outer surface; and a stent end covering disposed at one of the first and second ends, the stent end covering including a polymeric coating that includes a base and a plurality of protrusions, the base including a first major surface facing the outer surface of the stent, the base further including a second major surface from which each of the plurality of protrusions extends outwardly, the first major surface opposing the second major surface, wherein the protrusions are arranged in a micropattern. Methods of making and using an endoprosthesis are provided.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and an unexpanded state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent, wherein the stent has a first end, a second end, an inner surface defining a lumen, an outer surface, and a thickness defined between the inner surface and the outer surface; and a stent end covering disposed at one of the first and second ends, the stent end covering including a polymeric coating that includes a base and a plurality of protrusions, the base including a first major surface facing the outer surface of the stent, the base further including a second major surface from which each of the plurality of protrusions extends outwardly, the first major surface opposing the second major surface, wherein the protrusions are arranged in a micropattern. Methods of making and using an endoprosthesis are provided.

Abstract: A snare may a loop at a distal end of the elongate member and defining an inner area. The loop may have an inner surface facing and exposed in the inner area, wherein a first section of the inner surface has an edge sharper than a second section of the inner surface.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis includes an expandable tubular framework having a first end, a second end, and a lumen extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis. The expandable tubular framework includes a plurality of interconnected struts. The interconnected struts include a radially outward face which includes a plurality of anti-migration grooves defining anti-migration teeth formed therebetween. The anti-migration teeth are configured to engage tissue to resist migration of the endoprosthesis within a body lumen.

Abstract: A combined system for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures includes a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end including a sharp grind for cutting a tissue sample to be collected in the lumen of the needle and a protective sheath sized and shaped to be inserted through the lumen of the needle such that a distal end of the protective sheath extends distally past the distal end of the needle, the protective sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to the distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough.

Abstract: This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device may include a medical device for delivery of a surgical closure member. The medical device includes an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therein. The elongate tubular member is adapted to be delivered through the working channel of an endoscope and the lumen is adapted to receive a surgical closure member. The medical device also includes a tissue support extending from the distal end of the elongate tubular member. The tissue support includes a support surface and the support surface is adapted to support tissue as a surgical closure member engages the tissue thereon.