Abstract: A delivery system and method of use thereof for introducing a bundled intragastric bag into a gastric lumen are described. The delivery system includes a pushing mechanism movable between an unexpanded and expanded configuration. The pushing mechanism in its expanded configuration pushes each of the bundles of the bag into the gastric lumen. A suture strand is periodically pulled during the procedure to help create doughnut-shaped bundles. Another suture strand extends between a proximal button and distal button of the deployed assembly to maintain the doughnut-shaped bundle structure.

Abstract: A kit and a method for delivering an injectable solution to a tissue treatment site are provided. The kit includes a housing having a chamber, a proximal portion and a distal portion. An injectable solution having a viscosity greater than about 10,000 cP is provided in the chamber. A plunger is provided in the proximal portion of the housing. The kit also includes a pressure gauge operably connected to the housing. The kit may also include a handle connected to the housing and a plunger advancing member having a plunger handle connected thereto provided separate from the housing. The kit may also include an inner shaft provided separate from the housing and having a proximal end portion configured for operably connecting with the distal portion of the housing for receiving the injectable solution therethrough and a distal end of the shaft configured for insertion in to the tissue treatment site.

Abstract: An implantable drainage device for treatment of a stricture of a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a drainage tube including an inlet and extending to an outlet to define a drainage lumen formed through the inlet and the outlet. The drainage tube includes a swell layer and a cast layer formed about the swell layer. The swell layer has a first agent dispersed thereabout for regulated drug elution through the cast layer. The cast layer has a second agent disposed thereabout for drug elution therefrom.

Abstract: An endoscope cap is provided for directing medical devices toward a selected target anatomy in a patient. The endoscope cap includes a ramp that may be used to deflect medical devices that have been advanced from a proximal portion of an endoscope to a distal portion thereof. The ramp may be integral with the endoscope cap, or alternatively, may be pivotally attached thereto.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, a driver, and an elongate drive wire. The elongate drive wire may be disconnected from the driver, first and second jaws, and the housing, which are left in vivo engaged with the tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system with a handle configured for actuation of same. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. The handle may include structures configured for incrementally or otherwise controlledly deploying one or more fiducials by advancing a stylet through and/or retracting the body of a needle in which fiducials are disposed.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide clip devices, along with systems and methods for delivering and deploying the clip devices. An exemplary clip device comprises inner and outer segments, and further has a delivery configuration, a tissue receiving configuration and a deployed configuration. A distal region of the outer segment is movable with respect to a distal region of the inner segment, thereby creating a spacing between the inner and outer segments for surrounding tissue in the tissue receiving configuration. The inner and outer segments may be biased to return to the deployed configuration, and may comprise generally identical shapes in the deployed configuration wherein the outer segment is proportionally larger than the inner segment. In one embodiment, the inner and outer segments each comprise “V” shapes in the unbiased state. Various delivery systems and methods are provided for delivering and deploying the clip devices disclosed.

Abstract: A medical system for performing a tissue biopsy at a remote location within a patient is disclosed. The medical system comprises an elongate outer cutting member, an elongate inner member movably disposed within the outer member, and a tissue traction member for anchoring bodily tissue and pulling a sample of the tissue within the outer cutting member.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for treating tissue by applying a force to the tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a deployable segment having proximal and distal regions, a main body extending therebetween, and a loop member formed at the distal region of the deployable segment. A cannula having a bore is dimensioned to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the main body at a location proximal to the loop member, and a spring member is disposed between the cannula and the loop member. The proximal end of the spring member is affixed to the cannula, and the distal end of the spring member is movable to apply a compressive force to adjust the size of the opening of the loop member and compress tissue disposed within the opening of the loop member. In an alternative embodiment, the cannula is omitted, and a diameter of the loop member is configured to be reduced and increased any number of times before final deployment of the deployable segment.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems and methods are disclosed that serve to guide one or more medical devices through a port formed in bodily tissue to access a bodily cavity. One embodiment of the medical device includes a connection member, a rail, and a carrier. The connection member is structured for attachment to the port. The rail is attached to the connection member, and has a first portion extending distally through the port opening, and a second portion extending at an angle relative to the first portion. The carrier is structured to selectively connect to the first portion of the rail, and is slidable along the first and second portions of the rail.

Abstract: Medical systems and methods are provided for accessing a bodily cavity, such as the peritoneal cavity or the thoracic cavity, and for supporting diagnoses or procedures within or adjacent to such cavities. According to one embodiment, a method is provided for accessing an internal bodily cavity of patient, the bodily cavity defined by a cavity membrane, the patient having multiple tissue layers adjacent the bodily cavity including at least a skin layer and a fascia layer. An opening is formed through the skin layer and the fascia layer. An elongate medical device is inserted through the opening and between the fascia layer and the cavity membrane to form a tunnel communicating with the opening. Various medical instruments may then be used within the tunnel, and related medical kits and systems are described.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for coupling a graft member to tissue, closing a bodily opening, and the like. In one embodiment, a tacking device comprises a wire having first and second ends, and further having delivery and deployed states. In the contracted state, the wire comprises an elongated configuration that is substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis. In the expanded state, the wire comprises a head region and a body region, the head region comprising at least one full turn having a first diameter, and the body region comprising at least two full turns having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. One or more of the tacking devices may be delivered using a laparoscopic, endoscopic or percutaneous approach.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening that, among other things, are safe and reliable, and facilitate manipulation of a medical instrument. The medical access device generally includes an elongated flexible sheath and an expandable frame connected to the distal end of the flexible sheath. The sheath and expandable frame are operable between expanded and collapsed configurations to provide a pathway from a natural orifice to the bodily opening.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system and method for use thereof. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages.

Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for accessing a bodily opening. One embodiment of a medical device generally includes a flexible sheath and an expandable member. The flexible sheath has a length suitable for forming the pathway along a longitudinal axis. The expandable member is connected to a distal portion of a sheath. The expandable member is operable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a plurality of longitudinally extending struts connected together by a wire frame. The plurality of struts move radially and circumferentially relative to one another between collapsed and expanded configurations.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating cauterization of tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a proximal barrel and a distal barrel, which are coupled together and moveable with respect to one another. At least a portion of the proximal barrel may be coupled to an endoscope to secure the apparatus to the endoscope. At least one electrocautery member is disposed within a lumen of the distal barrel and configured to cauterize at least a segment of tissue pulled into a lumen of the proximal barrel and/or the lumen of the distal barrel.

Abstract: A stylet locking mechanism for preventing axial movement of a stylet relative to a needle of a medical delivery device is disclosed. The locking mechanism comprises first and second ends that may be removably attached to the device, and a hinge for allowing the locking mechanism to be disengaged from a locking position without being completely disconnected from the delivery device.

Abstract: A medical device with pivotable jaws and method of use thereof are disclosed. The device includes a pair of jaw members which are capable of being rotated independently of one another and spaced apart up to about 360°. Various gear arrangements are provided for enabling rotation of the jaws. The jaw members are disposed within a flexible slotted housing when advanced to a target tissue site, and thereafter rotated out of the housing a predetermined amount to contact target tissue.

Abstract: Medical devices for attaching suture to tissue and that provides reliable and complete closure of perforations and increases the versatility of the device for various other procedures. Embodiments of the medicals devices include a tissue anchor having a crossbar with opposing ends and structure for slidably receiving a suture.