Abstract:
A system for controlling a medical device includes a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arms extending radially outwards from the shaft. Each arm includes an inward end positioned near the shaft and an outward end. The system also includes a collapsible pulley formed from a plurality of pulley pieces. At least one of the pulley pieces is slidably mounted on at least one of the plurality of arms and has a surface configured to receive at least one control element. The system further includes at least one biasing member located between the shaft and the at least one slidably-mounted pulley piece.
Abstract:
Implementations of a delivery device and method are disclosed. One implementation is a delivery device comprising a flow chamber with an inlet port for receiving a fluid flow in the flow chamber, and an outlet port for exiting a material from the flow chamber. The flow chamber may include a formation portion in which a suspension of the material is formed, and a collection portion that directs the suspension toward and/or into the outlet port. An amount of the material may collect in the collection portion adjacent the outlet port. The device may further comprise an insertion port for permitting insertion of the material in the flow chamber, and/or a pusher operable to move the amount of material through the outlet port. Related devices and methods also are disclosed.
Abstract:
An articulating mechanism for use in a medical device, such as an endoscope or a catheter, includes a series of stacked links disposed adjacent to one another and movable with respect to each other. Each link includes a front face tapered to a pair of pivot points and a rear face defining a wedge shaped recess for receiving the pivot points of the adjacent link. Pull-wires provide tension and hold the staked links together while also allowing for controlled bending of the distal portion by movement of one or more of the pull-wires.
Abstract:
Various attachment devices are disclosed. The devices are designed to permit a second medical device to be easily and quickly attached to and detached from a first medical device. The attachment devices, once attached to both the first medical device and the second medical device, may allow the physician to grasp only a single device while the other device remains securely attached to the one being grasped.
Abstract:
Implementations of a delivery device and method are disclosed. One implementation is a delivery device comprising a flow chamber with an inlet port for receiving a fluid flow in the flow chamber, and an outlet port for exiting a material from the flow chamber. The flow chamber may include a formation portion in which a suspension of the material is formed, and a collection portion that directs the suspension toward and/or into the outlet port. An amount of the material may collect in the collection portion adjacent the outlet port. The device may further comprise an insertion port for permitting insertion of the material in the flow chamber, and/or a pusher operable to move the amount of material through the outlet port. Related devices and methods also are disclosed.
Abstract:
A system for controlling a medical device includes a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of arms extending radially outwards from the shaft. Each arm includes an inward end positioned near the shaft and an outward end. The system also includes a collapsible pulley formed from a plurality of pulley pieces. At least one of the pulley pieces is slidably mounted on at least one of the plurality of arms and has a surface configured to receive at least one control element. The system further includes at least one biasing member located between the shaft and the at least one slidably-mounted pulley piece.
Abstract:
A medical device for manipulating a tissue is disclosed. The device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen between the proximal end and the distal end, which has an opening in communication with the first lumen. The elongate shaft further includes a second lumen or aperture disposed in an external surface of the elongate shaft. The device further includes: a support truss, a snare loop, and an actuation member having a distal end. The actuation member is movably disposed within the first lumen. The support truss is configured to be received within the first lumen, second lumen, or aperture such that a proximal end of the support truss is operably connected to the elongate shaft adjacent a proximal portion of the first lumen, second lumen, or aperture. The snare loop has a first portion connected to a distal end of the support truss and a second portion connected to the distal end of the actuation member.