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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device.

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: A medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device.