Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Methods and devices are illustrated for improving a partial-core biopsy device whereby inner mandrel deflection and flexibility is reduced, the volume of space available for tissue collection is increased, and tissue migration is reduced.

Abstract: A suture retention device is described. The suture retention device has various uses, one being for a gastropexy. A gastropexy may use a suture to hold the stomach against the abdominal wall of a patient. According to one example, a suture retention device is described that may have a shell having a thickness and an upper surface and a lower surface spaced apart by the thickness, the shell having an outer diameter that is greater than the thickness, the shell defining an internal chamber. A spring may be mounted within the internal chamber. The shell may be movable relative to a suture that passes through the shell and engages the spring.

Abstract: Disclosed is an instrument useful for taking tissue samples from human or animal patients that includes a cannula or other similar elongate body cooperating with a stylet or similar device coaxially positioned within the cannula such that the cannula and stylet are useful for capturing and excising tissue. The cannula body includes at least one flexing region having one or more slits disposed in a generally helical slit pattern arranged around and along the cannula. Methods for taking tissue samples from a patient are also disclosed including navigating the cannula and stylet through various internal structures of the patient's body where the flexing region aids to avoid binding between the cannula and the stylet during the procedure.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a biopsy needle system in which the needle is capable of obtaining more than one length of sample. Generally, the needle includes an inner stylet, an outer cannula, and a handle connected to the stylet and cannula. The stylet has a notch that is extendable from the cannula to accommodate a tissue sample. An insert member is provided for attachment to the handle to make the amount of exposed notch smaller. Consequently, when the insert member is not attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a larger sample of tissue, and when the insert member is attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a smaller sample of tissue.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed a biopsy needle system in which the needle is capable of obtaining more than one length of sample. Generally, the needle includes an inner stylet, an outer cannula, and a handle connected to the stylet and cannula. The stylet has a notch that is extendable from the cannula to accommodate a tissue sample. An insert member is provided for attachment to the handle to make the amount of exposed notch smaller. Consequently, when the insert member is not attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a larger sample of tissue, and when the insert member is attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a smaller sample of tissue.

Abstract: A stent is provided with arms for positioning the stent between two passageways. The stent may also be a stent-graft with a transition between a covered portion and an uncovered portion that is positioned relative to the junction between the two passageways. The arms are self-expanding and are biased outward from the tubular wall of the stent structure. The arms engage the wall of the first passageway around the junction to the second passageway to position a portion of the stent in the first passageway and another portion of the stent in the second passageway.

Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample.

Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments for a suture retention mechanism. For example, embodiments may include a suture retention mechanism including a body with a suture aperture and a channel defined through the body. A cam is pivotally attached to the body so that the cam may be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a suture may move within the suture opening. In the closed position, the cam obstructs the suture opening so the suture may not move within the suture opening. An embodiment for a closure tool for a suture retention mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A suture retention device is described. The suture retention device has various uses, one being for a gastropexy. A gastropexy may use a suture to hold the stomach against the abdominal wall of a patient. According to one example, a suture retention device is described that may have a shell having a thickness and an upper surface and a lower surface spaced apart by the thickness, the shell having an outer diameter that is greater than the thickness, the shell defining an internal chamber. A spring may be mounted within the internal chamber. The shell may be movable relative to a suture that passes through the shell and engages the spring.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample.

Abstract: Arrangements are disclosed in which proximal portions of a marker wire are effectively secured. In one embodiment, a proximal portion of the marker wire is positioned inside a tubular member that allows for slidable movement of the marker wire within the tubular member. In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the marker wire is coupled to a spring member. Some embodiments also disclose a movement-resisting member having flaps that contact the surface of the marker wire and resist movement of the marker wire in one or more directions.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vascular balloon catheters having one or more sleeves disposed around at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon may be non-compliant or semi-compliant and its behavior may be modified by using the sleeve. The behavior of the balloon may be modified in any manner by the sleeve where a variable length of the balloon expands before the entire length of the balloon expands.

Abstract: Embodiments of a needle stand are disclosed that include a base, an arching boom, and a tube, wherein the needle stand supports a biopsy needle. The base defines a plane and the base is configured to attach to a patient. The boom is attached to the base and has a length and a convex curvature and defines a plurality of holes along all or a portion of the length. The tube is sized to retain a needle handle of the biopsy needle. Each of the plurality of holes is sized to retain the tube and each of the plurality of holes defines an axis. The plane and each of the axes form a unique point of entry angle for the biopsy needle. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of holes is spaced at an interval along the boom that corresponds to about 10° increment in the angle.

Abstract: There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of devices for assisting in aiming and inserting percutaneous medical tools or devices. A mandrel portion with a sharpened end has two or more guiding or directing members attached to it. The guiding or directing members at least partially define spaces that form part of a channel that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel portion, and one or both can be easily visualizable using imaging technology. The clinician can insert the aiming or guiding device into the patient, use imaging technology along the axis of the channel of the device to see whether the device is accurately placed, and if so, the guiding or directing members can be used to guide the percutaneous insertion of a medical tool or device.