Abstract: A retrieval device, which removes objects from a body of a subject in conjunction with a catheter, includes a tube with an expandable section at or adjacent to its distal end. The expandable section may be a basket. The basket may self-expand or a user may manually control its expansion. Struts of the basket may rotate to facilitate engagement of (e.g., extension into, grasping of, etc.) the object that is to be removed from the subject's body. The retrieval device may also be used to selectively control aspiration through the catheter or the retrieval device. Methods of retrieving objects from the body of a subject are also disclosed, as are methods for forming expandable sections of medical devices, such as retrieval devices.

Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device includes an expandable section. The expandable section may be positioned over an expander, such as a balloon catheter, and expand upon expansion of the expander. The expandable section may include struts that rotate as the expandable section expands. Edges of the struts may score surfaces (e.g., pathology, tissue, etc.) against which the struts are forced as the expandable element expands. The expandable element may carry a medicament, which may be delivered upon expansion of the expandable element.

Abstract: A cannula-stylet assembly for piercing tissues of a subject's body includes a stylet that is significantly longer than the cannula. The length of the stylet enables introduction of the stylet through the length of both the cannula and a gripping device that has been coupled to a proximal end of the cannula. A medical piercing system may include a cannula-stylet assembly with a long stylet and a gripping device that may remain assembled with the cannula when the stylet is removed from the cannula or a gripping device that remains assembled with a stylet of a conventionally configured cannula-stylet assembly when the stylet is removed from the cannula.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being applied to an outer surface of an elongated medical instrument, such as a catheter or a balloon (e.g., an angioplasty balloon, etc.). The exoskeleton device includes a sleeve or another element that is configured to be placed over a distal portion of the elongated medical instrument, one or more features on the sleeve or other element for performing a procedure within the body of a subject, and one or more elements that communicate with the sleeve or other element and/or the features carried thereby to enable performance of the procedure within the body of the subject. Methods of applying exoskeleton devices to elongated medical instruments and methods of using exoskeleton devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being applied to an outer surface of an elongated medical instrument, such as a catheter or a balloon (e.g., an angioplasty balloon, etc.). The exoskeleton device includes a sleeve or another element that is configured to be placed over a distal portion of the elongated medical instrument, one or more features on the sleeve or other element for performing a procedure within the body of a subject, and one or more elements that communicate with the sleeve or other element and/or the features carried thereby to enable performance of the procedure within the body of the subject. Methods of applying exoskeleton devices to elongated medical instruments and methods of using exoskeleton devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being positioned over an expandable instrument, such as a balloon catheter. The exoskeleton device may include an expandable section that receives an expander of the expandable instrument. Expansion of the expander may cause the expandable section of the exoskeleton device to expand and force the expandable section of the exoskeleton device against a surface to be treated. The expandable section may be capable of scoring the surface against which it is forced.

Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.

Abstract: A tissue resector includes an outer cannula with a cutting element disposed therein. The outer cannula includes an opening that is configured to be associated with a cutting element of the cutting element in such a way that when tissue is drawn into the opening of the cannula, a cutting element of the cutting element can be rotated past the opening to engage and cut into and through the tissue. The outer cannula and the cutting element may also be configured to enable aspiration of the tissue. A tissue resector according to this disclosure may be used with a hand-held, hand-operated rooter.

Abstract: A filtration system may include a chamber and a filter disposed within an interior the chamber. A closed end, or a tip, of the filter may face an inlet into the interior of the chamber. An open end, or a base, of the filter may surround an outlet from the interior of the chamber. As a sample passes through the interior of the chamber, solid and/or semisolid material in the sample may be collected between an exterior surface of the filter and an interior surface of the chamber, and may be viewed through the chamber.

Abstract: A positioning device is configured to selectively position or otherwise manipulate one or more organs within the body of a subject. The positioning device includes a shaped expandable element that is configured to be selectively transitioned between an unexpanded, or collapsed, state and an expanded state. While in the expanded state, the expandable element repositions or otherwise manipulates an organ. Systems that include positioning devices are also disclosed, as are methods for positioning or otherwise manipulating organs.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being positioned over an expandable instrument, such as a balloon catheter. The exoskeleton device may include an expandable section that receives an expander of the expandable instrument. Expansion of the expander may cause the expandable section of the exoskeleton device to expand and force the expandable section of the exoskeleton device against a surface to be treated. The expandable section may be capable of scoring the surface against which it is forced.

Abstract: A self-expanding occlusive device includes a hypotube. An outer diameter of the occlusive device self-expands, or increases, and the occlusive device automatically assumes its final shape upon deployment to a target location. The occlusive device may retain its increased outer diameter and final shape as it remains exposed to one or more conditions at the target location.

Abstract: A temperature probe for monitoring temperatures of a surface of a tissue or organ within the body of a subject includes a section with a substantially two-dimensional arrangement and a plurality of temperature sensors positioned across an area defined by the substantially two-dimensional arrangement. Such an apparatus may be used in conjunction with procedures in which thermal techniques are used to diagnose a disease state or treat diseased tissue. Specifically, a temperature probe may be used to monitor temperatures across an area of a surface of a tissue or organ located close to the treated tissue to prevent subjection of the monitored tissue or organ to potentially damaging temperatures.

Abstract: A percutaneous access system is disclosed that includes a needle and an inner cannula. The needle includes an internal passageway. At a distal end, the needle includes an expandable section. A distal section of the internal passageway of the needle, which corresponds to the expandable section, is tapered to enable the expandable section to expand and collapse as the inner cannula is positioned within and/or moves through the tapered distal section. The inner cannula may enable grasping and/or aspiration of a sample from a location of interest within a subject's body. Biopsy methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exoskeleton device is capable of being positioned over an expandable instrument, such as a balloon catheter. The exoskeleton device may include an expandable section that receives an expander of the expandable instrument. Expansion of the expander may cause the expandable section of the exoskeleton device to expand and force the expandable section of the exoskeleton device against a surface to be treated. The expandable section may be capable of scoring the surface against which it is forced.

Abstract: A self-expanding occlusive device includes a hypotube. An outer diameter of the occlusive device self-expands, or increases, and the occlusive device automatically assumes its final shape upon deployment to a target location. The occlusive device may retain its increased outer diameter and final shape as it remains exposed to one or more conditions at the target location.

Abstract: A medical aspiration device includes an internal elongated element and a bulbous tip at a distal end of the internal elongated element. Together, the internal elongated element and the bulbous tip may define a disruptor of the medical aspiration device. The medical aspiration device may also include an outer elongated element, or a catheter, that includes a lumen within which the internal elongated element may be disposed and relative to which the bulbous tip may be extended and retracted. Extension and retraction of the bulbous tip may provide control over an aspiration force, or suction, that has been applied through the catheter to a distal tip of the catheter. Extension and retraction of the bulbous tip may disrupt matter to be aspirated by the medical aspiration device in a manner that facilitates aspiration of the matter.

Abstract: An intraluminal retractor includes a shapeable element formed by a series of shaping segments. The shaping segments may be associated with one another in a relaxed configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a linear, substantially linear or curvilinear shape to enable its insertion into an interior space within a subject's body. When actuated, the shaping segments may assume a contracted configuration that imparts the shapeable element with a desired shape, which may move an organ within which or against which the shapeable element is positioned, change a path of the organ and/or alter a shape of the organ. Methods for altering the locations, paths and/or shapes of organs are also disclosed.