Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for sample collection. A sample collection device may comprise a vessel, a lid, and pre-loaded liquid solutions. The sample collection device may collect a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The liquid solutions may comprise reagents for preserving and/or stabilizing biological samples, such as saliva, collected in the vessel. A chamber comprising the liquid solutions may be located in the vessel and/or the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon closure of the vessel with the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon actuation of an implement, such as a plunger. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released upon compression of an absorbent member. The sample collecting device may be delivered to a remote location for further processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.

Abstract: The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.

Abstract: The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, a medical device includes a body that is configured to transition from a low-profile state, in which the medical device is passed through the bowel of an obese patient and into the cecum of the patient, to an expanded state, in which the medical device distends the cecum of the patient to a pathophysiological size.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, the cecum of an obese patient is distended to a pathophysiological size for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the cecum of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the cecum of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the cecum by an amount sufficient to trigger a colo-gastric brake in the patient.

Abstract: A system can include an elongated member that includes a proximal portion and a distal portion that includes an agitator. The elongated member can extend through a working channel of an endoscope placed within a patient such that the agitator extends past a distal end of the endoscope into a target region within the patient. The agitator can include a plurality of disruption elements that can be in a low-profile state when within the working channel of the endoscope and can transition to an expanded state when advanced past the distal end of the endoscope. The plurality of disruption elements can define an empty cage configuration when in the expanded state. The system can include a driver coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated member. The driver can rotate the elongated member about a longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, a medical device can include a body configured to transition from a low-profile state to an expanded state. The body can include a cecal region, an ileocecal region, and an ileal region. When the body is in the expanded state, the cecal region can expand a cecum of a patient, the ileocecal region can extend through the ileocecal valve of the patient, and the ileal region can anchor within the ileum to inhibit migration of medical the device.

Abstract: A system can include a tubular member to be inserted into an esophagus of a patient and a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube that defines a length greater than a length of the tubular member and is configured to pass through a channel of the tubular member such that a distal tip of the catheter tube extends distally past the distal tip of the tubular member while the tubular member is positioned in the esophagus of the patient. The distal tip of the catheter tube defines a cutting element to core a blockage positioned in the esophagus of the patient. Advancement of the distal tip of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage can core a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube.

Abstract: An endoscope can include an elongated shaft that includes a distal tip and a displaceable distal region. The endoscope can further include a handle coupled to the elongated shaft and an actuator movable relative to the handle. The endoscope can further include at least one tensioning line extending through at least a proximal portion of the elongated shaft and through a portion of the handle, and the at least one tensioning line can be coupled to the displaceable distal region of the shaft and also can be coupled to the actuator such that movement of the actuator relative to the handle effects angular movement of the displaceable distal region. The endoscope can further include a locking mechanism that prevents angular movement of the displaceable distal region when the locking mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage in a patient can include a tubular member that defines a channel and is insertable into an esophagus of the patient. The system can include a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube defining a length greater than a length of the tubular member and being passable through the channel of the tubular member. The catheter tube can include a distal tip that defines a cutting element to core the blockage positioned in the esophagus. The catheter assembly can further include a catheter hub fixedly secured to the catheter tube and couplable with a vacuum line such that, when suction is provided via the vacuum line, advancement of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage cores a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for sample collection. A sample collection device may comprise a vessel, a lid, and pre-loaded liquid solutions. The sample collection device may collect a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The liquid solutions may comprise reagents for preserving and/or stabilizing biological samples, such as saliva, collected in the vessel. A chamber comprising the liquid solutions may be located in the vessel and/or the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon closure of the vessel with the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon actuation of an implement, such as a plunger. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released upon compression of an absorbent member. The sample collecting device may be delivered to a remote location for further processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for sample collection. A sample collection device may comprise a vessel, a lid, and pre-loaded liquid solutions. The sample collection device may collect a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The liquid solutions may comprise reagents for preserving and/or stabilizing biological samples, such as saliva, collected in the vessel. A chamber comprising the liquid solutions may be located in the vessel and/or the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon closure of the vessel with the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon actuation of an implement, such as a plunger. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released upon compression of an absorbent member. The sample collecting device may be delivered to a remote location for further processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for sample collection. A sample collection device may comprise a vessel, a lid, and pre-loaded liquid solutions. The sample collection device may collect a liquid sample, such as a biological sample. The liquid solutions may comprise reagents for preserving and/or stabilizing biological samples, such as saliva, collected in the vessel. A chamber comprising the liquid solutions may be located in the vessel and/or the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon closure of the vessel with the lid. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released from the chamber upon actuation of an implement, such as a plunger. In some instances, the liquid solution may be released upon compression of an absorbent member. The sample collecting device may be delivered to a remote location for further processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods that can be used in the treatment of obesity and related illnesses are disclosed. In some instances, the cecum of an obese patient is distended to a pathophysiological size for a therapeutically effective period. The distention may be achieved by introduction of an object that is of foreign origin relative to the body of the patient into the cecum of the patient. In some instances, the distention is achieved by a medical device that transitions from an undeployed state, in which the medical device is introduced into the cecum of the patient, to an expanded state in which the medical device distends the cecum by an amount sufficient to trigger a colo-gastric brake in the patient.

Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage from a lumen of a patient, such as an impacted food bolus, can include a catheter that includes a distal end for insertion into the lumen of the patient. The catheter further includes a proximal end for coupling with a suction source at a position external to the patient. The catheter further includes a lumen extending through the proximal and distal ends. The system can include a cutting tip for cutting a morsel from the bolus as suction is applied to the bolus via the lumen of the catheter. The system can also include a positioning element that transitions from an undeployed state to a deployed state, which is expanded relative to the undeployed state. The positioning element can contact the esophagus to space the cutting tip from the esophagus when in the deployed state.

Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage in a patient can include a tubular member that defines a channel, the tubular member being insertable into an esophagus of the patient. The system can further include a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube, which defines a length greater than a length of the tubular member and is passable through the channel of the tubular member while the tubular member is positioned in the esophagus of the patient. The catheter tube can include a distal tip that defines a cutting element to core the blockage positioned in the esophagus of the patient. The catheter assembly can further include a proximal end coupled with the catheter tube, the proximal end being couplable with a vacuum line such that, when suction is provided via the vacuum line, advancement of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage cores from the blockage a piece of the blockage that is passed through the catheter.

Abstract: Alcohol resistant aromatic polycarbonate urethanes including their use in catheters. In one embodiment, a power injectable central venous access device is provided comprising a single or multilumen catheter shaft, junction, and extension leg(s), all of which may comprise aromatic polycarbonate polyurethane that is configured to withstand direct and prolonged exposure to alcohol.