Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes inserting into a gastrointestinal lumen, a catheter having a first balloon and a second balloon spaced from the first balloon. The first balloon and the second balloon are inflated to sealingly engage the lumen. A liquid is introduced into a volume bounded by the first balloon, the second balloon and the lumen so that the liquid contacts at least a portion of the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method for internally anchoring a catheter in a patient. According to one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter, a tubular fitting coupled to one end of the catheter, and an internal bolster coaxially mounted around the tubular fitting. The tubular fitting has a waist portion, and the internal bolster is secured thereto by a snap-fit. To internally anchor the catheter in a patient, one inserts the end of the catheter to which the fitting is coupled into the patient and then, while the fitting and its coupled end of the catheter are within the patient, inserts the internal bolster over the fitting until it snap-fits into place over the waist portion, thereby internally anchoring the catheter within the patient.

Abstract: An intraluminal medical device having axially adjacent segments connected by at least one strain concentrating bridge. The axially adjacent segments remain connected during delivery to an intended treatment site. After delivery, at least one of the at least one strain concentrating bridge may yield to separate at least two of the axially adjacent segments, if subjected to sufficient dynamic loading in the area within which the device is emplaced. The intraluminal device is ideally comprised of biocompatible metal materials and the at least one bridge is also comprised of such biocompatible metal materials, wherein the at least one strain concentrating bridge has a threshold level of strain less than that of the axially adjacent segments. Changing materials or changing dimensions of the at least one strain concentrating bridge can alter the threshold level of strain of the at least one bridge.

Abstract: A tissue snare comprises an elongated member having a distal end and a loop formed of a shape memory material, the loop including a tissue receiving interior opening and being connected to the distal end of the elongated member, properties of the shape memory material being selected so that, when a temperature of the loop exceeds a critical temperature thereof, the loop constricts from an expanded state to a constricted state.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an elongate body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and configured to be at least partially inserted into a body cavity. The elongate body defines a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway is configured to communicate fluid from the distal end portion in a first direction, and the second passageway is configured to communicate material from outside of the elongate body into the distal end portion in a second direction opposite the first direction and includes at least one port. An actuator is coupled to the elongate body and is configured to guide the distal end of the elongate body to an area of interest identifiable by a virtual colonoscopy.

Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device may include, for example, an elongated tubular member having a proximal end for extending outside of the body and a distal end for positioning proximate the multiple tissue layers, a grasper configured for positioning proximate the distal end of the tubular member and for grasping at least one of the multiple tissue layers, a device coupled to the distal end of the tubular member for folding the multiple tissue layers together, a tissue fastener configured to be inserted into the tissue layers to hold the tissue layers together, and a fastener head for inserting the tissue fastener into the tissue layers.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. These therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may also further reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.

Abstract: A therapeutic delivery device is provided wherein a delivery body is supported by an elongate member such that the body may rotate as it delivers therapeutic to a target site. Therapeutic may be delivered by deploying delivery heads into a target site as well as by dispensing therapeutic from the delivery head. The delivery body may be cylindrically shaped, spherically shaped or shaped in various other configurations. In one embodiment the delivery body contains tracks that may roll back and forth over a target site to dispense therapeutic. In another embodiment, the delivery heads of the delivery body have internal valves that open and close in order to dispense therapeutic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention regard the delivery of therapeutic. One such apparatus may comprise multiple, independently-activated, injection devices for the delivery of therapeutic or other substances. This apparatus may include a first catheter; a second catheter in the first catheter and a multiple delivery member injection device. This multiple delivery member may include an expandable member and a plurality of injection elements. A third catheter may be positioned in the second catheter. This third catheter may have a distal end connected to a wall of the expandable member and a plurality of filling tubes connected to an distal end of the third catheter. In some of the embodiments each of the injection elements may hold a pressurized therapeutic prior to release of the therapeutic.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for preparing a patient for an endoscopy procedure, such as a colonoscopy. The endoscopic preparation and examination system includes an endoscope, a source of irrigation and aspiration, and a control unit. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible shaft with a distal tip and a proximal end, at least one aspiration lumen and at least one irrigation lumen. A plurality of irrigation ports are functionally connected to the at least one irrigation lumen and a plurality of aspiration ports are functionally connected to the at least one aspiration lumen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of clearing an obstructed view in a patient prior to, or during an endoscopic examination.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods used for invaginating tissue during, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal end configured to extend outside of the body and a distal end configured to extend proximate the tissue to be invaginated, and a distal member coupled to the distal end of the tube. The distal member is configured to hold or grasp the tissue to be invaginated. The devices may include a protective distal sleeve.

Abstract: An access port assembly having an attachable catheter allows for inserting a guidewire into the catheter to aid in the placement of the integral catheter while still attached to the access port assembly. A method is described for placing an access port fixedly attached to a catheter into a patient using a guidewire inserted into the catheter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device including a handle portion, an end effector assembly, an elongate member connecting the handle portion and the end effector assembly, and one or more treatment devices extendable through the elongate member and end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes an electrode assembly configured to cauterize tissue. The treatment devices may include an elongate cutting member with a safety tip. The treatment devices may include a multi-lumen catheter with a lumen configured to deliver fluid and another lumen configured to accommodate an injection needle, a cutting member, or other therapeutic or diagnostic devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a system which comprises a medical device that delivers a combination of therapies. These therapies include the administration of radiation, biologically active materials, cryotherapy, and thermotherapy. The present invention is also directed to a method of treating body lumen surfaces using the system of the invention. A system is provided for delivering a biologically active material to a surface of a body lumen being exposed to a radioactive source. In one aspect, the system comprises an implantable medical device which has two opposing ends, each having a surface, and a middle portion. The two opposing ends comprise a biologically active material and the middle portion of the medical device is substantially free of any biologically active material. In another aspect, the system delivers a genetic material to a surface of a body lumen which is exposed to a radioactive source.

Abstract: Medical devices including one or more ceramic fibers are disclosed. In some embodiments, each dimension of the ceramic fiber(s) is equal to or greater than one micron.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods used for invaginating tissue during, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The device includes an elongated tube having a proximal end configured to extend outside of the body and a distal end configured to extend proximate the tissue to be invaginated, and a distal member coupled to the distal end of the tube. The distal member is configured to hold or grasp the tissue to be invaginated. The devices may include a protective distal sleeve.

Abstract: Embolic compositions and methods of delivering the compositions are disclosed. In some embodiments, the embolic compositions include a shape memory material.