Abstract:
A needle comprising: (a) a walled lumen having: (i) a proximate end; (ii) a distal end; and (iii) a plurality of zones located between the proximal end and the distal end, the plurality of zones comprising: (1) a first zone with a first stiffness value; (2) a second zone connected to the first zone, the second zone having a second stiffness value; (3) a third zone connected to the second zone, the third zone having a third stiffness value; and (4) a fourth zone connected to the third zone, the fourth zone having a fourth stiffness value; wherein some of the plurality of zones include one or more cut patterns in the walled lumen.
Abstract:
The present teachings relate generally to a medical sampling device assembly (10), comprising: a sampling portion (20) disposed at a distal end (12) of the assembly; handle portion (30) disposed at a proximal end (14) of the assembly and including a bias member (32), a locking member (34) coupled to the bias member, and an indicator member (36); an intermediate portion (40) disposed between and interconnecting the sampling portion and the handle portion; and a sampling member (50) slidably disposed within the handle portion, the intermediate portion, and the sampling portion and protruding distally thereof, and in mechanical communication with the bias member; wherein the indicator member is deployed and the sampling member retracts permanently and completely into the sampling portion upon decoupling the locking member from the sampling member.
Abstract:
A medical instrument having a handle with a clamp that is configured to maintain the instrument in two different operational modes. The medical instrument includes a needle, a sheath, a sheath handle, a needle actuator and a locking device. The distal end of the needle actuator is connected to the proximal end of the needle. The distal end of the sheath handle is connected to the proximal end of the sheath. The locking device restricts distal movement of the needle actuator relative to the sheath handle when the medical device is placed in one of two operational states. In a deactivation state the distal end of the needle is housed within the distal end of the sheath. In an activation state the distal end of the needle is distal from the distal end of the sheath.
Abstract:
A valve comprising: (a) a frame having: (i) a plurality of anchors and (ii) a plurality of struts; (b) a membrane connected to and spanning between each of the plurality of struts; wherein each of the plurality of struts have a free state and a loaded state and in the loaded state the membrane is substantially taut between two or more of the plurality of struts that are in the loaded state and in the free state the membrane is substantially taut between two or more of the plurality of struts that are in the loaded state.
Abstract:
A device for providing a magnetic force to a sampling needle. The device may include with a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle slidably received within the distal end of the sheath and an actuator component located at least partially within the distal end of the sheath, the actuator component configured to apply a magnetic force to the needle. The actuator component may include a coil located within the distal end of the sheath and a current source in electrical communication with the coil. The current source may include one or more capacitors, a DC power source, a first switch configured to cause the DC power source to charge the capacitors upon activation and a second switch configured to cause the capacitors to discharge to the coil upon activation.
Abstract:
A device (10) including a catheter (18) and a medical instrument (20). The catheter includes an inner portion and a catheter stop (36) within the inner portion. The medical instrument includes an outer portion and a medical instrument stop (38) on the outer portion. The medical instalment is moveably supported in the inner portion of the catheter, and after the medical instrument is moved and the medical instrument stop contacts the catheter stop, further movement of the medical instrument causes the catheter to move with the medical instrument
Abstract:
A medical device system for the delivery of energy to a region of a patient's anatomy is provided. An introducer tube defines a lumen therein and bears a first electrode. A second electrode is movable within the lumen between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the second electrode is substantially disposed within the lumen. In the extended position, the second electrode extends at least partially beyond the distal end of the introducer tube. In one form, the introducer tube is configured to substantially hold the second electrode within the lumen in a predetermined orientation in the extended position, and the introducer tube prevents the second electrode from substantially rotating within the lumen of the introducer tube during movement into the extended position. In one form, the introducer tube is more flexible in a first plane than in a second plane. A method is also provided.
Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods for diagnosing physiological parameters of the lungs and treating associated medical conditions are disclosed herein. In particular, certain embodiments permit detection of air flow in lung passageways, air leaks, gas concentration (in particular oxygen), and temperature measurements. Measurements obtained using the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein may also be used to determine optimal treatment sites for medical conditions such as emphysema, COPD, or lung volume reduction.
Abstract:
A valve loading system (100) is provided that uses a valve loader (106) to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge (104) into a deployment catheter (102). The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter.
Abstract:
An assembly delivers an intra-bronchial device (250) into an air passageway. The assembly includes a delivery catheter having a deployment lumen (122) with a distal end (130) configured to receive the intra-bronchial device (250) in a delivery configuration, and configured to be passed down a trachea and advanced to a location for deployment of the intra-bronchial device (250) in an air passageway (48) of a lung. The assembly is further configured to deploy the intra-bronchial device (250) by retracting a portion of the deployment catheter (120). The assembly further includes a bronchial device supply tool associated with the distal end (130) of the deployment catheter. The supply tool is configured to carry the intra-bronchial device (250) in a storage configuration and to load the intra-bronchial device (250) in a delivery configuration into the deployment lumen (122) of distal end (130) of the deployment catheter (120). The supply tool is also configured to carry the intra-bronchial device (250) in an expanded storage configuration. An embodiment of the supply tool includes a storage cavity, a delivery portion, and a tapered configuration.