Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, a control handle is selectively engageable with primary and secondary actuators respectively coupled with primary and secondary electrodes. At a first position, the primary and secondary actuators are movably engaged to move in concert to a second position where distal ends of the electrodes extend into a target region. At the second position, the control handle is engaged with the secondary actuator and movable independently of the primary actuator in a first direction to a third position where the distal end of the secondary electrode extends beyond the distal end of the primary electrode. At the third position, the control handle is movably engaged with the primary actuator and movable independently of the secondary actuator in a second direction to a fourth position to partially retract the distal end of the primary electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for holding an endoscope handle and locking out an angulation lever of an endoscope handle. Given by way of illustration only and not of limitation, in an embodiment an illustrative apparatus includes: a frame; a support mechanism attached to the frame and configured to hold thereon an endoscope handle having an angulation lever; an attachment device configured to hold an endoscope handle in place on the support mechanism; and an angulation lever engagement mechanism configured to prevent an angulation lever of an endoscope handle from returning to a neutral position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes using a single control surface. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes an actuator shaft defining a lumen through which a primary electrode and a secondary electrode are linearly movable. A primary actuator is movably couplable with the actuator shaft and a primary electrode with the primary actuator being configured to extend and retract the primary electrode. A secondary actuator is movably couplable with the primary actuator and a secondary electrode with the secondary actuator being configured to extend and retract the secondary electrode. An actuator controller is configured to move along the shaft in a first direction to engage and motivate the primary actuator and is further configured to move along the shaft in a second direction to engage and motivate the secondary actuator. The primary actuator and the secondary actuator are sequentially manipulatable using only the actuator controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling positioning of wires and/or tubing that extends from a handle of a medical device. An exemplary apparatus includes a device attachment mechanism configured to removably attach to a handle of a medical device and a guide component configured to maintain a plurality of different positions relative to the device attachment mechanism and the handle of the medical device. The guide component allows a user to alter the direction (i.e., biases) any wires or tubing, such as electrical wires or saline tubes that extend from the handle to other instrumentation, such as pumps or generators.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a primary electrode defining a lumen, an elongated secondary electrode slidably receivable within the lumen, and a sheath configured to slidably receive the electrodes and to convey the electrodes toward a target region. A housing is coupled with the sheath and movably mounted to motivate the sheath relative to the target region. A primary actuator is coupled with the primary electrode and slidably coupled with the housing to motivate the primary electrode relative to the sheath. A secondary actuator is coupled with the secondary electrode and movably coupled with the primary actuator to be slidable with the electrodes in concert. The secondary actuator is rotatable independently of the primary actuator to travel along a helical path to motivate the secondary electrode to move relative to the target region independently of the primary electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for coupling devices. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a locking body defining an opening with a first section having a first width and a second section having a second width smaller than the first width. The locking body is slidably mountable on a first device with a first coupling to receive a second coupling having a flange with a width that is smaller than the first width and larger than the second width. A slidable mounting mechanism slidably secures the locking body on the first device. The locking body slides between an open position, in which the first section is positionable to enable the first coupling to receive the second coupling, and a closed position in which an edge of the locking body around the second section abuts the flange to prevent withdrawal of the second coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, a control handle is selectively engageable with primary and secondary actuators respectively coupled with primary and secondary electrodes. At a first position, the primary and secondary actuators are movably engaged to move in concert to a second position where distal ends of the electrodes extend into a target region. At the second position, the control handle is engaged with the secondary actuator and movable independently of the primary actuator in a first direction to a third position where the distal end of the secondary electrode extends beyond the distal end of the primary electrode. At the third position, the control handle is movably engaged with the primary actuator and movable independently of the secondary actuator in a second direction to a fourth position to partially retract the distal end of the primary electrode.

Abstract: A self-illuminating, flexible sheath includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible sheath includes a self-luminating feature. The flexible sheath is configured to be received by a working channel of an endoscope.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for holding an endoscope handle and locking out an angulation lever of an endoscope handle. Given by way of illustration only and not of limitation, in an embodiment an illustrative apparatus includes: a frame; a support mechanism attached to the frame and configured to hold thereon an endoscope handle having an angulation lever; an attachment device configured to hold an endoscope handle in place on the support mechanism; and an angulation lever engagement mechanism configured to prevent an angulation lever of an endoscope handle from returning to a neutral position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling positioning of wires and/or tubing that extends from a handle of a medical device. An exemplary apparatus includes a device attachment mechanism configured to removably attach to a handle of a medical device and a guide component configured to maintain a plurality of different positions relative to the device attachment mechanism and the handle of the medical device. The guide component allows a user to alter the direction (i.e., biases) any wires or tubing, such as electrical wires or saline tubes that extend from the handle to other instrumentation, such as pumps or generators.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing an atraumatic sheath tip. Various disclosed embodiments seek to help reduce or avoid unnecessary tissue damage upon a sheath being extended to convey an elongated instrument for sampling or treatment. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a deformable sheath tip configured to be positioned at a distal end of a sheath. The sheath defines therein a lumen configured to convey an elongated instrument. The sheath tip has a base end disposable at the distal end of the sheath and a contact end. The sheath tip has a first column strength along an axis of the sheath tip that is less than a second column strength of the sheath and a first degree of deformability that is greater than a second degree of deformability of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning electrodes within a body. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for slidably moving multiple features relative to a sheath insertable into a body and positionable relative to a reference point includes a primary actuator configured to move a primary electrode to a first position. A secondary actuator is configured to move a secondary electrode to a second position. A shrouding device is configured to selectively prevent access to the secondary actuator until the primary actuator has been manipulated to extend the primary electrode to the first position.