Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208217 | HEMOSTATIC CLIP AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - A clipping device includes (a) a shaft defining a lumen therethrough from a proximal end which, during a procedure remains outside the body accessible to a user and a distal end including a distal opening which, during a procedure is inserted into the body to a position adjacent to target tissue; (b) a flexible clip deployable from the distal opening, when in an unconstrained state, the clip assuming a shape selected to clip tissue and prevent a flow of fluid therethrough wherein, while residing within the lumen the clip is held substantially straight by an inner diameter of the lumen; (c) a control wire extending through the lumen from the proximal end to the distal end thereof; and (d) a release mechanism connecting the control wire to the clip during deployment of the clip and disconnecting the control wire from the clip after deployment thereof. | 08-28-2008 |
20090036768 | MEDICAL DEVICES - Medical devices with radiopaque markers, and related systems and methods are disclosed. | 02-05-2009 |
20090093674 | Sphincterotome with Improved Orientation - A sphincterotome including a cutting wire may be configured such that, when activated, the cutting wire assumes a desired cutting position at or near the “12 o'clock” position or any other desired angular configuration. A sphincterotome may have controlled bending characteristics. A distally located micromachined hypotube may, in some instances, provide desired bending characteristics to a sphincterotome. | 04-09-2009 |
20090112186 | Catheter assembly with increased torsional stiffness - A catheter assembly having improved torsional stiffness. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a medical catheter and a torsional stiffener. The medical catheter may be a tubular member made of a soft, flexible, biocompatible material that may be shaped to include a first end, a second end, a side wall and a longitudinal bore. The first end, which may be implanted within a patient, may be shaped to include an internal bolster. The torsional stiffener, which may be coaxially encapsulated within the side wall of the catheter, may be a tubular member shaped to include a first end, a second end, a side wall and a longitudinal bore. One or more transverse openings may be provided in the side wall of the stiffener to endow the stiffener with a desired degree of lateral flexibility while still maintaining a desired degree of torsional stiffness. As a result, the stiffener augments the torsional stiffness of the catheter without detracting substantially from the flexibility of the catheter. | 04-30-2009 |
20090156999 | COIL MEMBER FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE - A coil for use in a medical device. The coil includes a plurality of coil windings or turns, wherein adjacent coil windings are connected together at a plurality of discrete connection locations to increase the torsional rigidity and torque transmitting properties of the coil without sacrificing the flexibility characteristics of the coil. In some embodiments the coil may be a wave wound coil, such as a nested wave wound coil or a crest-to-crest wave wound coil. | 06-18-2009 |
20100087781 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE METHODS FOR THERMAL TREATMENT - 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. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094212 | METHOD FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY IMPLANTING A MEDICAL CATHETER AND MEDICAL CATHETER IMPLANTING ASSEMBLY - A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress. | 04-15-2010 |
20100099952 | Steerable Shaft Having Micromachined Tube - A shaft of a steerable medical device includes a torque tube that allows the tip of the shaft to be torqued from the proximal end. In one embodiment, the torque tube includes a metal tube having a series of opposing cuts therein to form a number of axially aligned rings that are joined by spacing beams. The cuts are oriented in different directions along the length of the torque tube to allow bending in any direction and effective transfer of rotational torque. | 04-22-2010 |
20110213300 | IN-VIVO VISUALIZATION SYSTEM - Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. The catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree. | 09-01-2011 |
20120010570 | METHOD FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY IMPLANTING A MEDICAL CATHETER AND MEDICAL CATHETER IMPLANTING ASSEMBLY - A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress. | 01-12-2012 |
20120010571 | CATHETER ASSEMBY AND METHOD FOR INTERNALLY ANCHORING A CATHETER IN A PATIENT - 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. | 01-12-2012 |
20120095405 | METHOD FOR IMPLANTING A PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY/JEJUNOSTOMY TUBE IN A PATIENT AND ACCESS NEEDLE FOR USE IN SAID METHOD - Method for implanting a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy tube in a patient and access needle for use in the method. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing an access needle wherein the distal end of the stylet extends distally for an appreciable distance beyond the distal end of the cannula; (b) inserting the stylet, but not the cannula, into the jejunum; (c) grabbing the stylet with an endoscopically-positioned snare; (d) anchoring the jejunum against the abdominal wall using the snared stylet; (e) loosening the snare slightly while advancing the cannula into the jejunum and into the loosened snare; (f) tightening the snare around the cannula; (g) removing the stylet from the cannula; (h) inserting a guide wire or suture through the cannula into the jejunum; and (i) proceeding in the conventional fashion to implant a PEJ tube into the patient using the guide wire or suture. | 04-19-2012 |
20120172797 | MEDICAL CATHETER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A BALLOON BOLSTER - A medical catheter assembly including either a reinforced balloon bolster or the combination of a balloon bolster and a wire-basket bolster. According to one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a low-profile replacement PEG device comprising a feeding tube, an external bolster, an end cap and an internal bolster. The internal bolster comprises a first expandable structure and a second expandable structure. In one embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure comprises reinforcing members. In another embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure is a wire basket bolster. The feeding tube has a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen, extending parallel longitudinally. The external bolster is fixed to the external end of the feeding tube and has a feeding lumen aligned with that of the tube and an inflation lumen aligned with that of the tube. | 07-05-2012 |
20140058338 | CATHETER SHAFT INCLUDING A METALLIC TAPERED REGION - A catheter shaft including a metallic tubular member including a plurality of apertures formed in the tubular wall of the metallic tubular member to provide a desired degree of flexibility to the metallic tubular member. The metallic tubular member includes a tapered region intermediate a region and a second, reduced diameter region relative to the first region. | 02-27-2014 |
20140058426 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING AND MAINTAINING THE POSITION OF ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS - The present invention provides an apparatus for, and a method of, accurate positioning of endoscopic instruments. Accurate positioning of the instruments is accomplished through the inclusion of a steering ability within the device. After the endoscopic instrument is properly positioned, the present invention may use rapid exchange technology, soft locks, and mechanical locks to maintain the position of the endoscopic instrument. Rapid exchange technology is used to minimize displacement forces present on the guidewire or catheters. Soft locks and mechanical locks resist movements caused by displacement forces. | 02-27-2014 |
20140066706 | IN-VIVO VISUALIZATION SYSTEM - Several embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to medical visualization systems that comprise combinations of disposable and reusable components, such as catheters, functional handles, hubs, optical devices, etc. Other embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to features and aspects of an in-vivo visualization system that comprises an endoscope having a working channel through which a catheter having viewing capabilities is routed. the catheter may obtain viewing capabilities by being constructed as a vision catheter or by having a fiberscope or other viewing device selectively routed through one of its channels. The catheter is preferably of the steerable type so that the distal end of the catheter may be steered from its proximal end as it is advanced with the body. A suitable use for the in-vivo visualization system includes but is not limited to diagnosis and/or treatment of the duodenum, and particularly the biliary tree. | 03-06-2014 |
20140336673 | TISSUE FASTENING DEVICES AND PROCESSES THAT PROMOTE TISSUE ADHESION - The invention in certain aspects relates to a surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments having tissue surfaces. The fastener includes a first fastener member having a base and a piercing element connected to the base for piercing the tissue segments to be fastened, a second fastener member having an opening for receiving and retaining the piercing element of the first fastener member such that the tissue segments to be fastened are retained between the first and second fastening members, and means for promoting adhesion between the tissue surfaces. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for promoting adhesion of tissue segments and preventing fastener migration, especially in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. | 11-13-2014 |
20140364874 | Hemostatic Clip and Delivery System - A clipping device includes (a) a shaft defining a lumen therethrough from a proximal end which, during a procedure remains outside the body accessible to a user and a distal end including a distal opening which, during a procedure is inserted into the body to a position adjacent to target tissue; (b) a flexible clip deployable from the distal opening, when in an unconstrained state, the clip assuming a shape selected to clip tissue and prevent a flow of fluid therethrough wherein, while residing within the lumen the clip is held substantially straight by an inner diameter of the lumen; (c) a control wire extending through the lumen from the proximal end to the distal end thereof; and (d) a release mechanism connecting the control wire to the clip during deployment of the clip and disconnecting the control wire from the clip after deployment thereof. | 12-11-2014 |