Abstract: A catheter includes: a tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a tube body extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the tube having a tube wall and a first channel in the tube wall; a first elongated element located in the first channel of the tube, the first elongated element slidably moveable in the first channel relative to the tube wall; and a suction port configured to apply suction in the first channel; wherein a first part of the tube wall is configured to deform to apply a first force against the first elongated element in response to the suction in the first channel.

Abstract: A catheter includes: a tubular structure having a longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second rings arranged in series along the longitudinal axis, the first and second rings being respective closed-loops, wherein the first ring lies within a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises a first connecting member having a first end, a second end, and a member body; and a second connecting member comprises a first end, a second end, and a member body; and wherein the second end of the first connecting member and the first end of the second connecting member are connected to the first ring, and disposed across from each other, and wherein the second end of the second connective member is connected to the second ring, and wherein the respective member bodies are configured to rotate and/or bent.

Abstract: A catheter includes: a tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a tube body extending between the distal end and the proximal end, the tube having a tube wall and a first channel in the tube wall; a first elongated element located in the first channel of the tube, the first elongated element slidably moveable in the first channel relative to the tube wall; and a suction port configured to apply suction in the first channel; wherein a first part of the tube wall is configured to deform to apply a first force against the first elongated element in response to the suction in the first channel.

Abstract: A medical device includes: an elongated member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein at least a first portion of the elongated member comprises a first segment made from a shape-memory material, and a second segment made from a non-shape-memory material, the first portion being a distal portion of the elongated member; wherein the first segment and the second segment of the distal portion of the elongated member are secured to each other along their respective longitudinal sides; and wherein the first segment is configured to undergo length change to cause the distal portion of the elongated member to bend.

Abstract: A multilayer stent configured for implantation in a body lumen, including a tubular outer layer comprising a first plurality of struts defining an outer layer mesh pattern extending between first and second ends of the outer layer, and a tubular inner layer comprising a second plurality of struts defining an inner layer mesh pattern extending between first and second ends of the inner layer. The inner-layer is at least partially disposed within the outer layer, wherein at least a portion of the inner layer is attached to, or integrally formed with, at least a portion of the outer layer.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A submucosal gastric implant device is placed within the submucosal layer of a patient's stomach wall. The device in one embodiment provides electrical stimulation of the stomach wall and may use multiple electrode pairs for sequential stimulation. The device may also have other functional aspects such as a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or a therapeutic delivery device. The implant may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals. The device may be modular with a portion of the device accessible outside the stomach wall for removal and replacement. An endoscopic delivery system prepares and delivers the functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is placed through an opening in the mucosa into the submucosal layer of the stomach wall.

Abstract: A device, system and method for diagnosing and treating gastric disorders is provided. A submucosal gastric implant device is placed within the submucosal layer of a patient's stomach wall. The device in one embodiment provides electrical stimulation of the stomach wall and may use multiple electrode pairs for sequential stimulation. The device may also have other functional aspects such as a sensor for sensing various parameters of the stomach or stomach environment, or a therapeutic delivery device. The implant may be programmed to respond to sensed information or signals. The device may be modular with a portion of the device accessible outside the stomach wall for removal and replacement. An endoscopic delivery system prepares and delivers the functional device through the esophagus and into the stomach where it is placed through an opening in the mucosa into the submucosal layer of the stomach wall.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A stent configured for implantation in a body lumen includes a plurality of radially expandable circumferential segments, and an axially expandable connecting member connecting adjacent circumferential segments of the plurality. The stent has a relaxed, axially contracted configuration in which the connecting member is contracted axially and each circumferential segment is nested with at least one adjacent circumferential segment. The stent also has a delivery, axially expanded configuration in which the connecting member is expanded axially, and an axial distance between adjacent circumferential segments of the plurality is greater than when the stent is in its relaxed configuration.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A flexible structural apparatus which may be used as a wound covering which extends above the wound such that the wound covering does not contact the wound and also protects the wound from contact. The apparatus provides a high degree of flexibility while retaining structural strength and resisting collapse, for example, so as to adequately protect the wound. Various embodiments include parallel beams and connections between beams that alternate in location along the beams to provide flexibility. Some embodiments may be used as springs and may have attachment features, such as holes, which may be located at the end beams, for example.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of tree, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Abstract: A stent configured for implantation in a body lumen includes a plurality of radially expandable circumferential segments, and an axially expandable connecting member connecting adjacent circumferential segments of the plurality. The stent has a relaxed, axially contracted configuration in which the connecting member is contracted axially and each circumferential segment is nested with at least one adjacent circumferential segment. The stent also has a delivery, axially expanded configuration in which the connecting member is expanded axially, and an axial distance between adjacent circumferential segments of the plurality is greater than when the stent is in its relaxed configuration.