Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-lasting medical product for protecting or treating a lesion in the gastrointestinal tract. The medical product includes a protective covering, wherein the medical product upon application at and about the site of the lesion adheres to the gastrointestinal tissue and is capable of remaining at and about the site of the lesion for a time sufficient to allow the lesion to heal or be treated.

Abstract: A bipolar sphincterotome may include an elongate tubular member, a cutting wire, and a return path. The return path may include a conductive ink portion disposed on an outer surface at a distal portion of the tubular member. The return path may also include a return wire disposed within the tubular member that is electrically coupled to the conductive ink portion. In some example embodiments, the return wire may be disposed within a lumen configured to have two or more functions, one of which being to house the return wire. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the conductive ink portion may be circumferentially disposed on the outer surface to provide visual access to a wire guide lumen. Also, for some example embodiments, the bipolar sphincterotome may include two electrically isolated return paths.

Abstract: Endoscope systems with bending sections that can bend in four directions independent of the rotatable viewing configuration of the endoscope systems are provided. Embodiments include continuous and uncontinuous ribs that provide for at least one accessory channel structure to be movable laterally into and out of a longitudinal interior cavity circumferentially defined by the ribs. Methods of using the endoscope systems in a patient's body are further provided.

Abstract: A bipolar sphincterotome may include an elongate tubular member, a cutting wire, and a return path. The return path may include a conductive ink portion disposed on an outer surface at a distal portion of the tubular member. The return path may also include a return wire disposed within the tubular member that is electrically coupled to the conductive ink portion. In some example embodiments, the return wire may be disposed within a lumen configured to have two or more functions, one of which being to house the return wire. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the conductive ink portion may be circumferentially disposed on the outer surface to provide visual access to a wire guide lumen. Also, for some example embodiments, the bipolar sphincterotome may include two electrically isolated return paths.

Abstract: A bipolar sphincterotome may include an elongate tubular member, a cutting wire, and a return path. The return path may include a conductive ink portion disposed on an outer surface at a distal portion of the tubular member. The return path may also include a return wire disposed within the tubular member that is electrically coupled to the conductive ink portion. In some example embodiments, the return wire may be disposed within a lumen configured to have two or more functions, one of which being to house the return wire. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the conductive ink portion may be circumferentially disposed on the outer surface to provide visual access to a wire guide lumen. Also, for some example embodiments, the bipolar sphincterotome may include two electrically isolated return paths.

Abstract: Endoscope systems with bending sections that can bend in four directions independent of the rotatable viewing configuration of the endoscope systems are provided. Methods of using the endoscope systems in a patient's body are further provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic device is provided. The endoscopic device may comprise a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end may be opposite the distal end. The endoscopic device may further comprise a handle at the proximal end and a tube extending from the handle towards the distal end of the endoscopic device. The endoscopic device may further comprise an accessory channel. The accessory channel may extend through the tube. The endoscopic device may further comprise a slide, the accessory channel extending through the slide, and a curved track disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the endoscopic device. The slide is movable within the curved track to cause movement of the accessory channel within the tube.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. A container holds the therapeutic agent and a pressure source has pressurized fluid in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container. A catheter, in fluid communication with the container, has a lumen sized for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site. In one embodiment, a diameter of particles of the therapeutic agent is in a range of between about 1 micron to about 925 microns, a mass of the particles of the therapeutic agent is in a range of between about 0.0001 mg to about 0.5 mg, a ratio of an inner diameter of the catheter to the diameter of particles is at least 4:1, and a regulated pressure of the pressurized fluid is between about 0.01 psi to about 100 psi.

Abstract: A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough, the distal portion comprising a distal end section comprising a pivot arm, the scope system further comprising a plurality of lights distributed on and connected to the distal end section and the pivot arm. The plurality of lights is configured to be connected by an electrical wire and/or a conductor to a power source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical device including a camera including a movable member including an outer surface with a longitudinally-extending cross-sectional geometry configured to complement a longitudinally-extending cross-sectional geometry of a surface of a lumen in an elongate tube housing the movable member so as to prevent rotation of the movable member relative to the elongate tube. The device allows the operator to maintain visual orientation as the movable member is translated proximally and distally relative to the elongate tube.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. A container holds the therapeutic agent and a pressure source has pressurized fluid in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container. A catheter, in fluid communication with the container, has a lumen sized for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site. In one embodiment, a diameter of particles of the therapeutic agent is in a range of between about 1 micron to about 925 microns, a mass of the particles of the therapeutic agent is in a range of between about 0.0001 mg to about 0.5 mg, a ratio of an inner diameter of the catheter to the diameter of particles is at least 4:1, and a regulated pressure of the pressurized fluid is between about 0.01 psi to about 100 psi.

Abstract: An expandable dilation member may include a proximally-tapered portion to dilate a stricture. The dilation member may be distally advanced in an unexpanded state over a wire guide through the stricture. The dilation member may then be configured in an expanded state, where the dilation member has a longitudinal profile that includes the proximally-tapered portion. A handle assembly proximally pulls the dilation member in the expanded state. In response, the proximally-tapered portion engages with and biases the stricture. When biasing the stricture, the proximally-tapered portion exerts a plurality of different types of forces, including a shearing force, a radial force, and in some procedures, a torsional force. In some embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has a continuous taper from a smallest diameter to a largest diameter. In other embodiments, the proximally-tapered portion has at least one constant-diameter portion longitudinally disposed in between the smallest diameter and the largest diameter.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

Abstract: A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough. The scope system also includes at least one accessory channel extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having with an accessory lumen extending therethrough, the at least one accessory channel movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube. The at least one accessory channel includes a distal section and a forward-viewing configuration and a side-viewing configuration. In the forward-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is substantially parallel to the distal portion of the elongate tube and in the side-viewing configuration, the distal section of the at least one accessory channel is arced at a radius greater than a radius of the distal portion of the elongate tube.

Abstract: A conductive coating may be adhered to a structure comprising a hydrophobic and/or adhesion-resistant surface. The conductive coating may have a polymer backbone with conductive particles suspended in the backbone. In some embodiments, the conductive coating may be applied directly to the surface. In other embodiments, the conductive coating may be indirectly applied by first applying a primer adhesive to the outer surface, and then applying the conductive coating over the primer adhesive. An example structure may be a catheter of an endoscopic medical device, such as a bipolar sphincterotome, where the conductive coating functions as a return electrode.

Abstract: A method of treating a lesion in a gastrointestinal tract and an injectate system are provided. The method includes injecting a crosslinkable gel into a first tissue layer, the crosslinkable gel increasing a volume of the first tissue layer. The method also includes providing a crosslinker and resecting a portion of a first tissue layer having the increased volume away from a second tissue layer creating an exposed region in a remaining portion of the first layer and leaving a portion of the gel covering at least a portion of the exposed region. The injectate system includes a crosslinkable gel and a crosslinker where the crosslinkable gel and the crosslinker form a crosslinked gel having a compressive modulus of about 10-500 kPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a long-lasting medical product for protecting or treating a lesion in the gastrointestinal tract. The medical product includes a protective covering, wherein the medical product upon application at and about the site of the lesion adheres to the gastrointestinal tissue and is capable of remaining at and about the site of the lesion for a time sufficient to allow the lesion to heal or be treated.

Abstract: Endoscope systems with bending sections that can bend in four directions independent of the rotatable viewing configuration of the endoscope systems are provided. Methods of using the endoscope systems in a patient's body are further provided.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. In one example, the system comprises a container for holding the therapeutic agent, and a pressure source having pressurized fluid, wherein the pressure source is in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of the container. A catheter is placed in fluid communication with the container, and has a lumen sized for delivery of the therapeutic agent to a target site. A housing is configured to securely retain the container. The system further comprises a camera having a camera head coupled to the catheter, wherein the camera provides a visual image of the target site during delivery of the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and medical formulations suitable for delivering therapeutic powders to a target site. In one embodiment, the system comprises a delivery device, a first powder being formed of particles of a first material, and a second powder being formed of particles of a second material, wherein the second material is different than the first material. At least some of the particles of the first powder and the second powder are bound together to form bonded particles. The bonded particles are simultaneously delivered to the target site by the delivery device. In one embodiment, a medical formulation may comprise carbomer present in a range between about 60-80% by weight of the formulation, bentonite present in a range of between about 5-15% by weight of the formulation, and calcium carbonate present in a range of between about 10-30% by weight of the formulation.