Abstract: Systems and methods for removal of clot material from vessel lumens are disclosed. A medical device assembly can include a catheter having a lumen and a distal portion configured to be positioned at or adjacent a treatment site within a vessel. An expandable member has a first portion coupled to the distal portion of the catheter, and a second portion extending away from the catheter distal portion. An elongate shaft extends through the lumen of the catheter, and the second portion of the expandable member is releasably coupled to the shaft. When the shaft is slidably moved relative to the surrounding catheter, the second portion of the expandable member can be released from the shaft, and the shaft can be withdrawn or removed.

Abstract: In one example, a retrieval device may include a flexible loop; a mesh coupled to the loop, the mesh having an opening at least partially circumscribed by the loop; a sheath extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a cord extending through and/or around the mesh; and a connector assembly movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the flexible loop, the mesh, and the cord may be coupled to the sheath, and in the second configuration, the flexible loop, the mesh, and the cord may be detached from the sheath.

Abstract: An extraction device can include a delivery shaft having a lumen and a distal end, a first wire forming a first arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the first arc are at a distalmost end of the delivery shaft, and a second wire forming a second arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the second arc are at the distalmost end of the delivery shaft. A distalmost extent of the first wire is distal to a distalmost extent of the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are separately retractable relative to the delivery shaft.

Abstract: A laser lithotripsy system to deliver laser energy from one or more laser sources to a stone (e.g., mobile calculus), the system including a capture portion, a first laser node and a second laser node. The capture portion configured to be movable from a stored state to a deployed state. In the deployed state, the capture portion is configured to at least partially surround the stone. The first laser node and the second laser node are coupled to the capture portion and are configured to deliver the laser energy to the stone, and the first laser node is spaced apart from the second laser node.

Abstract: Specimen retrieval bags, specimen retrieval devices, specimen retrieval systems, and specimen retrieval methods that are configured to facilitate the isolated removal of a tissue specimen from an internal body cavity such as, for example, during a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval device includes a tubular body defining a longitudinal bore, an articulation shaft disposed within the longitudinal bore of the tubular body, and a specimen receptacle affixed to a support mechanism at the distal portion of the tubular body. In embodiments, the specimen receptacle has two openings which may be used to transfer a tissue specimen from within a patient's body cavity to outside of the patient's body.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a housing, an outer shaft extending from the housing, an end effector assembly extending from the outer shaft, an actuator associated with the housing, and an articulation mechanism operably coupled between the actuator and the end effector assembly. The articulation mechanism includes an articulation block supporting the end effector assembly thereon and is rotatable between first and second orientations to articulate the end effector assembly. A spring biases the articulation block towards the second orientation. An actuation sleeve is slidable relative to the articulation block, in response to actuation of the actuator, from an engaged position, wherein the actuation sleeve is disposed about and retains the articulation block in the first orientation, to a disengaged position, wherein the actuation sleeve is spaced from the articulation block such that the articulation block rotates to the second orientation to articulate the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A tissue retrieval system including a tissue retrieval bag deployable by an actuator from an introducer and suspended in an open configuration by support arms can be serially redeployed between a partially or fully stowed configuration and a first deployed configuration to be used in procedures to collect multiple samples. The system can include defeasible proximal and distal stop mechanisms to limit movement of the actuator for serial redeployment. The tissue retrieval system can include a retention latch to couple a bead of the tissue retrieval bag to the actuator with the retrieval bag in the first deployed position and a user-selectable deployment release to allow deployment of the retrieval bag to a fully deployed position where it is released from the actuator. A bead stop is positioned to engage the introducer to prevent reintroduction of the bead and bag into the introducer once the bag has been fully deployed.

Abstract: Embolic protection devices and methods for making and using embolic protection devices are disclosed. An embolic protection device may include an elongate filter wire having a distal end region, a filter anchor coupled to the distal end region, a filter membrane coupled to the filter anchor, and a bumper coupled to the filter anchor. The bumper may be designed to provide a tactile feedback to a clinician during delivery of the embolic protection device.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval bag assembly includes a tissue specimen bag having an open proximal end including a cuff defined therein and extending around a periphery thereof, a closed distal end and a bag brim disposed within the cuff. The bag brim includes a cross section configured to facilitate furling the tissue specimen bag onto itself around the bag brim to approximate a tissue specimen contained within the bag for morcellation. The tissue specimen bag also includes a suture channel defined therein near the proximal end thereof. The suture channel is defined around the periphery of the tissue specimen bag and is configured to house a suture therein. Pulling the suture away from the tissue specimen bag cinches the tissue specimen bag to secure the tissue specimen therein.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for auto return of articulated end effectors are provided. In general, a surgical device can include an end effector configured to articulate. The device can include an actuator configured to be actuated to move the end effector from an articulated position to an unarticulated position. In at least some embodiments, the actuator can also be configured to be actuated to move the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to rotate the end effector about a longitudinal axis of an elongate shaft having the end effector at a distal end thereof. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to articulate the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position.

Abstract: A device for furling a tissue specimen retrieval bag includes a housing supporting a spindle assembly therein, the spindle assembly including a drive shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a gear disposed therebetween. An activation switch is pivotably coupled to the housing and is configured for selective, operable engagement with the gear. The activation switch is selectively positionable relative to the gear between a first position wherein the gear and drive shaft are locked from rotation in a first direction and a second position wherein the gear and drive shaft are free to rotate in the first direction. An elongated shaft is operably coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and is configured for rotation therewith. A biasing element is configured to provide a rotational load to the drive shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for removing an obstruction from a vessel include an elongate flexible shaft with an expandable capture cage coupled to the distal end of the elongate flexible shaft. The expandable capture cage has an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsed configuration is adapted to be delivered through the vessel and the expanded configuration is adapted to be expanded in the vessel to enmesh the obstruction.

Abstract: A collapsible and expandable containment system for laparoscopic morcellation that can be inserted into a patient's cavity and configured for a targeted tissue specimen to be placed inside through a closable large opening. The containment system includes a thin, flexible membrane defining an internal cavity and having an opening for insertion of the biological specimen into the internal cavity. Said system can include one or more pouches having a proximal opening on the membrane and that extend towards the internal cavity, terminating at a distal segment. The one or more pouches are configured to allow passage of a laparoscopic instrument shaft into the internal cavity, such that the distal segment of the one or more pouches conforms to the instrument shaft. Additional embodiments are directed to containment systems having a retractable sleeve for removal of the morcellation specimen.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval device includes a tubular body, an inner shaft slidably positioned within a longitudinal bore of the tubular body, and a specimen bag supported on the distal portion of the inner shaft. The specimen bag includes an open end, a body, a closed portion, and an inner surface, the body of the specimen bag including a plurality of folds between the open end and the closed portion, the plurality of folds being movable from a folded state to an unfolded state to increase a volume of the specimen bag. The specimen bag also includes a release string secured to the plurality of folds, the release string movable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position to sequentially release at least one of the plurality of folds from the folded state to the unfolded state to increase the volume of the bag.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of this disclosure, pharmaceutical formulations comprising solubilized estradiol are provided. In various embodiments, such formulations are encapsulated in soft capsules which may be vaginally inserted for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of this disclosure, pharmaceutical formulations comprising solubilized estradiol are provided. In various embodiments, such formulations are encapsulated in soft capsules which may be vaginally inserted for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Abstract: A stimulation probe includes a proximal end connector and a flexible wire coupled to the end connector. A handle is coupled to the wire and a needle extends from the handle and terminates at a conductive tip.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of this disclosure, pharmaceutical formulations comprising solubilized estradiol are provided. In various embodiments, such formulations are encapsulated in soft capsules which may be vaginally inserted for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Abstract: A specimen containment device includes an actuation assembly, a bag assembly, a bag locking mechanism, and an articulation locking mechanism. The actuation assembly includes a handle assembly, an elongated member, a release rod, and a holding assembly. The bag locking mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and enables the actuation assembly to selectively retain the bag assembly. The articulation locking assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and is configured to selectively lock the holding assembly in a first position where at least a portion of the holding assembly is disposed along a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated member.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for percutaneous retrieval of objects, such as endovascular devices, from a subject's internal body space. The present inventions have vascular, non-vascular (gastrointestinal), and surgical (laproscopic) applications. The inventions include the use of a retrieval end having one or more compressed states and an expanded state, the retrieval end adopting the expanded state when the retrieval end is deployed into a subject's internal body space, the retrieval end having a mouth through which an object can be passed into an interior space within the retrieval end when the retrieval end is in the expanded state, the mouth being adjustable between an opened state and a closed state so that the object can be enclosed within the interior space after passing through the mouth of the retrieval end.

Abstract: A method of using a suction device to remove an object from a subject's body includes extending a suction device into the body through a lumen of a medical device and expanding the suction head from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration within the body. The suction head may be provided at a distal end of an elongate conduit. The method may also include applying suction to move the object into the expanded suction head, and removing the suction device with the object from the body.

Abstract: Described herein are microelectrode devices to provide localized neural recording or neural stimulation to a neurological target. The device includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the shafts of deployable flexible pins. The deployable flexible pins are enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, and can be expanded from their enclosure. Additionally, a specifically manufactured outer housing can be coupled to at least a portion of the elongated probe shaft. During deployment of the flexible pins the outer housing of the microelectrode device reduces friction between the flexible pins and the probe shaft and reduces delamination of the flexible pins during deployment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a percutaneous retrograde endovascular filter and embolectomy/thrombectomy device (RET-D) according to various aspects of the present technology include a constraining sleeve housing a deployable filter and a set of closure struts positioned at the end of a flexible tube. The RET-D is deployed into a target vessel in retrograde fashion through a conventional hemostasis sheath such that the open end of the filter engages the antegrade flow of blood. The closure struts are configured to prevent loss of filtered debris when the filter is closed according to where the closure struts are positioned relative to an end of the constraining sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removal of thrombus from a blood vessel in a body of a patient are disclosed herein. The method can include: providing a thrombus extraction device including a proximal self-expanding member formed of a fenestrated structure, a substantially cylindrical portion formed of a net-like filament mesh structure having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the fenestrated structure; advancing a catheter constraining the thrombus extraction device through a vascular thrombus, deploying the thrombus extraction device by stacking a portion of the net-like filament mesh structure outside of the catheter by distally advancing the self-expanding member until the self-expanding member is beyond a distal end of the catheter; retracting the self-expanding member to unstack the portion of the net-like filament mesh structure and to capture the portion of the thrombus; and withdrawing the thrombus extraction device from the body.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of this disclosure, pharmaceutical formulations comprising solubilized estradiol are provided. In various embodiments, such formulations are encapsulated in soft capsules which may be vaginally inserted for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Abstract: A method of removing an appendix (9) includes the steps of accessing the abdomen of a patient, insufflating the abdominal cavity, and sealing and cutting the appendicular artery and vein. A sheath is introduced into the abdominal cavity and placed over the appendix, while the appendix is still attached to the colon. The sheath is secured the sheath in place over the appendix using a securing device to secure the sheath with respect to the proximal end of the appendix, and then the proximal end of the appendix is ligated. The appendix is dissected from the colon, and the sheath containing the appendix is removed from the abdomen of the patient. The procedure can be a NOTES procedure, using a natural orifice, or laparoscopic using one or more incisions created in the abdomen. The ligation and dissection can be performed within the abdomen, or after the appendix is pulled through one of the incisions, such that the ligation and/or dissection is carried out outside the abdomen.

Abstract: Vented specimen retrieval bag assists in removal of air and fluid around a specimen so that a specimen pouch can be compressed around a specimen and removed from a smaller incision during surgery. Removal of air and fluid may be active, by way of vacuum, or by passive venting.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a housing, an outer shaft extending from the housing, an end effector assembly extending from the outer shaft, an actuator associated with the housing, and an articulation mechanism operably coupled between the actuator and the end effector assembly. The articulation mechanism includes an articulation block supporting the end effector assembly thereon and is rotatable between first and second orientations to articulate the end effector assembly. A spring biases the articulation block towards the second orientation. An actuation sleeve is slidable relative to the articulation block, in response to actuation of the actuator, from an engaged position, wherein the actuation sleeve is disposed about and retains the articulation block in the first orientation, to a disengaged position, wherein the actuation sleeve is spaced from the articulation block such that the articulation block rotates to the second orientation to articulate the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval device is having a housing, an outer shaft, and an inner shaft releasably supporting a pouch. The device may further include a stripper plate operably coupled to the inner shaft for movement between a retracted configuration, in which the pouch and the stripper plate are within the outer shaft, and a deployed configuration, in which the pouch and the stripper plate are outside of the outer shaft. The stripper plate may define major and minor axes, wherein the dimension along the major axis is greater than the inner diameter of the outer shaft, and the dimension along the minor axis is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer shaft. The stripper plate may include one or more apertures, e.g., to receive a support mechanism of the device, or a suture. The device may also include structure preventing premature deployment of the pouch and the stripper plate.

Abstract: A medical device for removing an object within a living body lumen includes a rotatable tubular driven shaft having a leading-out hole opening in a proximal portion of the driven shaft, a cutting unit disposed on a distal side of the driven shaft, the cutting unit cutting an object while rotating together with the driven shaft, and a suction tubular body having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion of the suction tubular body being located within the driven shaft, the proximal portion of the suction tubular body being located outside the driven shaft and extending in a direction of separating from the driven shaft outward in a radial direction of the driven shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue receiving bag for use in surgery, especially laparoscopic surgery, wherein the bag comprises at least one tissue receiving opening for receiving tissue and/or an instrument opening, especially a morcellator opening, wherein the bag comprises at least one further opening into the bag, wherein a flexible tube extends from said further opening having a free end comprising an insertion opening for inserting an instrument into the bag, wherein the bag preferably is inflatable.

Abstract: A safety isolation bag is a pneumoperitoneum device for intra-abdominal, endoscopic procedures, power morcellation and vaginal morcellation for facilitating safe removal of body mass from within the abdominal cavity. It comprises of an expandable and collapsible enclosed internal space (5) having a neck portion (4) with mouth (3) having retractor means (2) and provided with markings, colour coded indicating how much the bag is to be pulled out for the removal of large, medium and small tissue mass, and also having one or more non-return valves (6) attached with long looped threads (8) on one of the surface in the wall of the safety isolation bag below the neck as a means for introducing the surgical instruments and accessories into the enclosed internal space at the right place and to close the puncture hole after the procedure. It is made of one or more layers of flexible biocompatible/medical grade plastic film.

Abstract: A medical device may include a shaft and an end-effector extending distally of the shaft. The end-effector may be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The end-effector may include a proximal nose and a distal body. The proximal nose may have a radial dimension smaller than a radial dimension of the distal body in the expanded configuration. The end-effector may include a plurality of legs and a transition point of each leg may be located between the nose and the distal body along a common plane normal to the shaft. The shaft may include proximal ends of the legs wrapped about one another.

Abstract: Disclosed are coating compositions, processes, and designs for endowing vascular devices with thromboresistant and endothelializing properties. Also disclosed are designs of vascular devices used as aneurysm treating devices for assisting in the delivery, packing, and maintenance of embolization coils within an aneurysm, particularly a neurovascular aneurysm.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removing clot from a body vessel comprises an expandable structure and an elongate member. The expandable structure has a constrained delivery configuration, an expanded clot engaging deployed configuration, and an at least partially constrained clot pinching configuration. At least a portion of the expandable structure is configured to engage clot in the expanded deployed configuration and to pinch clot on movement from the deployed configuration to the clot capture configuration. The expandable structure may comprise a main body portion and a clot pinching structure and a diameter of the clot pinching structure is less than a diameter of the main body portion. The clot pinching structure may be substantially tubular and of spiral form.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the removal of a tissue specimen from a patient are disclosed. The systems include a bag or pouch, a tissue cutter device, a support and a stabilizer. The tissue cutter device includes a passer, a wire, and a handle. The support is an elongated member. The passer is an elongated member configured to be coupled to the support and introduced as a temporary unit into the mouth of the bag or pouch in the patient's body holding the tissue specimen. The wire is attached to the passer. The temporary unit is configured to pass around the tissue specimen and out of the opening in the bag or pouch to carry the wire through that path so that a distal portion of the wire and a proximal portion of the wire are outside the patient's body. Those portions of the wire can be pulled to cut into the tissue specimen. The stabilizer holds the tissue specimen as the wire cuts into it.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a dissecting tip for use in a surgical stapler or instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope treatment tool includes: a sheath having a lumen; a basket portion being configured to protrude from the lumen and formed of at least one elastic wire; and a manipulation wire causing the basket portion to be moved, wherein the elastic wire has a maximum-outer-diameter portion between distal and proximal ends of the elastic wire and a largest portion that, between the maximum-outer-diameter portion and the proximal end of the elastic wire, reaches the maximum size in an opposite direction from maximum-outer-diameter portion in a side view from a direction orthogonal to a perpendicular line drawn to a center axis from the maximum-outer-diameter portion, and wherein, in a front view of the basket portion, the largest portion is positioned on an opposite side from the side of the maximum-outer-diameter portion with respect to a straight line that is orthogonal to the perpendicular line on the center axis.

Abstract: A removal pouch that is utilized for removing body tissue from the interior of the body as part of a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The specimen removal pouch includes an elongated body and a gas vent. The elongated body has an interior portion to collect specimen from a body cavity of a patient. The gas vent is configured to allow passage of gas from the interior portion of the elongated body to an external environment during removal of the pouch from within the body cavity of a patient.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for auto return of articulated end effectors are provided. In general, a surgical device can include an end effector configured to articulate. The device can include an actuator configured to be actuated to move the end effector from an articulated position to an unarticulated position. In at least some embodiments, the actuator can also be configured to be actuated to move the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to rotate the end effector about a longitudinal axis of an elongate shaft having the end effector at a distal end thereof. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to articulate the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate member, and an actuation assembly operatively associated with the handle assembly. The actuation mechanism includes a thrust bar disposed at least partially within the elongate member and a distal slide member. The thrust bar has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side and a second lateral side and is configured to move between proximal and distal positions with respect to the handle assembly. The distal slide member is positioned adjacent the first lateral side of the thrust bar and is adjacent the distal portion of the thrust bar. The proximal portion of the distal slide member is adapted to slide relative to the thrust bar when thrust bar moves in a curvilinear direction.

Abstract: A tissue bag for surrounding tissue (2) during a surgical procedure comprises a bag body (6) capable of forming an enclosure, an opening (9) in the bag body, and one or more inflatable ribs (8) located on the bag body. The ribs (8) are such that inflation of the one or more ribs to a first extent causes the bag to deploy to an open position in which the bag is capable of being placed over tissue with the tissue received through the opening. Inflation of the one or more ribs (8) to a second further extent causes the bag to envelop the tissue with the opening (9) being smaller in diameter than in the open position. The ribs may each include at least first and second discrete longitudinal portions (10), (11) with an angled end face (15) therebetween.

Abstract: Provided herein are laparoscopic tissue removal systems, components, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A device may include a handle, and a sheath coupled to the handle. The sheath may include a lumen. The device may also include an instrument assembly coupled to the handle, and extending through the lumen of the sheath. The instrument assembly may include a basket configured to move relative to the sheath, and between contracted and expanded states. The instrument assembly may also include a forceps configured to reciprocate along a central longitudinal axis of the basket and through an interior of the basket, and move between contracted and expanded states.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for percutaneous retrieval of objects, such as endovascular devices, from an internal body space. The present inventions have vascular, non-vascular (gastrointestinal), and surgical (laproscopic) applications. The inventions include a retrieval end having one or more compressed states and an expanded state, the retrieval end adopting the expanded state when the retrieval end is deployed into a subject's internal body space, the retrieval end having a mouth through which an object can be passed into an interior space within the retrieval end when the retrieval end is in the expanded state, the mouth being adjustable between an opened state and a closed state; wherein when at least a portion of the retrieval end of the inner sheath is transitioned to a compressed state following capture of the object, the retrieval end exerts an inward force that at least partially collapses or compresses the object.

Abstract: Lead tip removal is accomplished by first stabilizing an area around the lead tip attachment site in the heart wall. A balloon located at the tip of the lead when inflated expands substantially perpendicular to the lead, stabilizing the area around the lead tip. Upon further inflation, the balloon expands substantially parallel with the lead, causing the lead tip to pull away from the heart wall. In another embodiment, a sheath is inserted over the lead and advanced to the heart wall. A passive or active stabilization device is attached to the sheath tip to stabilize the area around the lead tip. In another embodiment, a balloon is located at the tip of the sheath that, when inflated, expands substantially perpendicular to the lead, stabilizing the area around the lead tip. The lead tip is removed with less force due to the stabilization provided to the lead tip area.

Abstract: An expandable vascular sheath utilizes a set of expandable members such as shape memory alloy wires for expanding its distal end. The wires are slidable along a portion of the sheath's elongate shaft. In certain embodiments, the distal end of the shaft is manufactured with a more pliable and elastic polymer relative to more proximal portions of the elongate shaft, so that as the wires advance into distal portions of the shaft, they expand, causing the distal end opening of the shaft to expand. A method for retrieving a foreign object from a vasculature utilizes a retrieval tool that can be advanced through the expandable vascular sheath.

Abstract: Provided is a tissue retrieval bag. The bag is defined by a region of the bag defining an opening; an exterior surface of the bag depending from the opening; and a channel formed into the exterior surface of the bag, wherein the channel provides access to the interior of the bag through the exterior surface. Also provided is a tissue retrieval defined by a region of the bag defining an opening; an exterior surface of the bag depending from the opening; and at least one porthole on the exterior of the bag, wherein at least one tube extends from the at least one porthole.

Abstract: Devices and methods for removal of calculus (including for example, kidney stones) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a device for removal of kidney stones includes a substantially sealable pouch that can be inserted into the kidney for capturing a kidney stone. The pouch is also designed to permit fragmentation of the kidney stone inside the pouch, while preventing kidney stone fragments from escaping from the pouch. As a result, the likelihood of dispersing stone fragments during fragmentation of a large stone is greatly lessened.