Abstract: A surgical access device comprises an introducer with a main endoscopic channel and an auxiliary or secondary instrument channel. The introducer exhibits an extremely narrow cross-sectional profile in order to minimize the size of the portal or other entry point necessary to gain access into the patient's body, thereby minimizing pain and discomfort to the patient and allowing a wide variety of endoscopic procedures to be performed on an out-patient basis. The narrow profile of the introducer is maintained upon introduction by a guide channel which can be stored in a first position so as to closely conform to the profile of the introducer. The guide channel is provided with a set in order to maintain its stored position upon introduction; however, post introductively, the set in the guide channel can be readily released in order to deploy the guide channel and allow insertion of a secondary surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical access device and method are provided for endoscopic surgeries comprising biopsies or other surgical cutting procedures. The device generally comprises a substantially rigid first channel associated with a first port and a second channel associated with a second port of a proximal housing. The first or main channel extends to a curved distal end of the device, and the second channel is connected to a guide channel extending tangential to the main channel. The guide channel comprises substantially noncompliant material and has a pre-insertion position such that a cross-section of an inserted portion of the device is substantially the same as a cross-section of the main channel. A preferred method of the present invention includes the use of an open-loop device formed at a distal tip of an introducer and an aspiration tube during the location, excision and removal of one or more tissue specimens.

Abstract: A method of viewing an interior passage of a patient using an endoscope and a catheter which includes a catheter body having a distal end and a lumen opening at the distal end and a displacing member. The method comprises advancing the catheter into the passage in the patient with the displacing member extending beyond the distal end of the catheter body when the catheter body is at a region of the passage. The endoscope is provided in the lumen of the catheter with the endoscope being movable longitudinally relative to the catheter and being at a location for viewing the interior passage. The method includes relatively displacing the distal end of the catheter body and material within or forming the passage within a zone of the interior passage utilizing the displacing member and viewing at least a portion of such zone of the interior passage utilizing the endoscope.

Abstract: An everting catheter system comprising an elongated outer tubular body having an outer body lumen and an opening leading from the outer body lumen, an elongated inner tubular body movable longitudinally in the outer body lumen and having an inner body lumen and an everting element coupled to the outer body and the inner body so that with movement of the inner body longitudinally in the outer body lumen the everting element can be everted and inverted. The system also includes an elongated instrument, such as a transfer catheter, movable longitudinally in the inner body lumen relative to the inner body. A coupling releasably couples the instrument to the outer body in a substantially fixed longitudinal position with respect to the outer body.

Abstract: A method of depositing reproductive material into the reproductive tract of a female comprising inserting an elongated transfer catheter into the reproductive tract of a female. The transfer catheter includes an elongated catheter body having an elongated passage extending through the catheter body and terminating in a distal opening at a distal end of the catheter body. The distal opening opens both axially and laterally of the catheter body. The method also includes introducing the reproductive biological material through the passage and the distal opening of the catheter body into the reproductive tract.

Abstract: A catheter for fallopian tube access comprising an elongated catheter body having a proximal region, a distal end and an elongated passage extending from the proximal region to the distal end. The elongated passage terminates in a distal opening at the distal end. The catheter body has an enlarged distal body portion and the distal opening is on the distal body portion. The distal body portion has a deflecting surface in the elongated passage adjacent the distal opening for directing a member or fluid passed through the elongated passage out of the distal opening along a path having a component which extends laterally of the catheter body.

Abstract: An everting catheter system which includes an elongated outer catheter having an outer catheter lumen and an opening, an elongated inner catheter movable in the outer catheter lumen and having the inner catheter lumen adapted to receive an elongated instrument and an everting element coupled to the outer catheter and the inner catheter. With movement of the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen, the everting element can be everted through the opening of the outer catheter. A controller is coupled to the inner catheter for moving the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen and for moving the instrument in the inner catheter lumen.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated, flexible catheter body having a distal end portion which is curved in an unstressed condition. The catheter body has a through lumen and a mandrel lumen. A mandrel is provided in the mandrel lumen, and the mandrel has a distal end portion configured to at least partially straighten the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body. The mandrel is movable between an extended position in which the mandrel at least partially straightens the curve of the distal end portion of the catheter body and a retracted position in which the catheter body is more curved than in the extended position of the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of delivering a substance to a fallopian tube of a patient which includes obtaining transcervical access to a fallopian tube with an everting catheter. Access to the fallopian tube is obtained by everting an everting element of the everting catheter in the fallopian tube. A substance selected from the group consisting of biological material and cytotoxic agents is then delivered through the everting catheter to the fallopian tube to deposit the substance in the fallopian tube.

Abstract: A method of tubal recanalization comprising advancing an everting catheter adapted for dilatation and an endoscope to a position adjacent the site of a stenosis in an internal tubal passage of a patient. The everting catheter includes an endoscope lumen and the endoscope is within the endoscope lumen. The everting element is everted to a location within the stenosis and is then expanded to reduce the stenosis. When the tubal passage has been opened sufficiently, the everting element is retracted. The site of the stenosis is viewed using the endoscope and such viewing may be carried out prior to expansion of the everting element to locate the site as well as after the everting element has been retracted.

Abstract: A method of positioning an elongated instrument in an everting catheter is disclosed. The everting catheter includes an inflatable everting element which circumscribes a region of the instrument and which is inflated to grip the instrument. The everting catheter and instrument extend into a patient to a desired region within the body. Flush solution is introduced between the everting element and the instrument, and the instrument is moved relative to the everting element while the flush solution is between the everting element and the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an elongated endoscope body having a proximal end and a distal end. The endoscope body is sized and adapted for insertion into an interior body region of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the interior body region of the patient. The endoscope body has an outer surface which defines a groove having a portion which extends distally of the endoscope body.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body having a lumen with a distal opening, an elongated inner tube having a flexible distal end portion and a flexible everting element coupled to the catheter body and the inner tube so that the everting element can be inverted and everted to the distal opening. The inner tube has an inner tube lumen which extends through the distal end portion of the inner tube. The distal end portion of the inner tube includes a flexible tubular layer and a flexible reinforcing layer which reinforces the tubular layer and inhibits radial collapse of the inner tube lumen in the distal end portion of the inner tube.

Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including providing a fixation member having a proximal end portion with the proximal end portion including an elongated filament, converting a region of said filament at said proximal end portion from a first configuration into an enlargement having a rounded surface and attaching an optic about the proximal end portion of the fixation member to attach the fixation member to the optic.

Abstract: An everting balloon catheter having a distal end opening defined by a beveled rim is disclosed. The distal end portion of a catheter, e.g., an everting balloon catheter, can be made radioopaque by bonding a distal end portion comprising a polymeric material doped with a major amount of radioopaque metals onto a catheter body. Alternately, a composition comprising polymeric adhesives, and/or precursors of polymeric adhesives, and a major amount of radioopaque metal components can be placed, e.g., painted on the distal end portion of a catheter body to provide the desired degree of radioopacity.

Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including providing a fixation member having a proximal end portion with the proximal end portion including an elongated filament, converting a region of said filament at said proximal end portion from a first configuration into a second configuration which is adapted to provide a mechanical interlock and molding an optic about the proximal end portion of the fixation member to form a mechanical interlock between the second configuration and the optic and to attach the fixation member to the optic.

Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including providing a fixation member having a proximal end portion with the proximal end portion including an elongated filament, converting a region of said filament at said proximal end portion from a first configuration into a second configuration which is adapted to provide a mechanical interlock and molding an optic about the proximal end portion of the fixation member to form a mechanical interlock between the second configuration and the optic and to attach the fixation member to the optic.

Abstract: A method of making an intraocular lens including providing a fixation member having a proximal end portion with the proximal end portion including an elongated filament, converting a region of said filament at said proximal end portion from a first configuration into a second configuration which is adapted to provide a mechanical interlock and molding an optic about the proximal end portion of the fixation member to form a mechanical interlock between the second configuration and the optic and to attach the fixation member to the optic.