Abstract:
An end effector has three degrees of freedom in operation: (1) opening and closing of the jaws, (2) adjustable articulation of the jaw plane relative to the longitudinal axis, and (3) rotation of the jaw assembly, regardless of its articulation, about the longitudinal axis. A split yoke assembly is coupled to rotatable jaw mounts, which in turn are coupled to the jaws. A pushrod is configured to open and close the jaws, and cables coupled to the rotatable jaw mounts cause articulation of the jaw plane.
Abstract:
Apparatus, systems and methods for use thereof are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a filter having an expandable frame and a semipermeable membrane coupled to the expandable frame. The expandable frame has a cone-shape in an expanded position. An apex of the expandable frame is arranged at the filter's first end. The expandable frame has a plurality of polygonal supports coupled together at the apex and that are radially biased outward such that in the expanded position the polygonal supports are spaced apart at a second end of the filter with the semipermeable membrane extending therebetween. The semipermeable membrane covers an area defined by the polygonal supports. A plurality of struts each have a first and second end, and the first end of each of the struts is coupled to a second end of the expandable frame. A stent is coupled to each of the second ends of the struts.
Abstract:
A device for removing an obstruction from a lumen in a human or animal subject may include an inflatable balloon. The inflatable balloon may include a proximal tapered portion having a proximal taper angle, a central portion, and a distal tapered portion having a distal taper angle that is greater than the proximal taper angle. The balloon may also include at least one eversion feature on the proximal tapered portion and/or the distal tapered portion. The eversion feature may facilitate preferential eversion of the distal tapered portion into an inside of the balloon without the proximal tapered portion collapsing. Preferential eversion of the distal tapered portion may be provided by the differences in the distal and proximal taper angles and by one or more of a number of different types of eversion features.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for removing clots, e.g., calcified clots, from a blood vessel and/or for removing a calcified clot from a blood vessel wall. The devices include an elongated tubular body including a wall surrounding a central lumen and having proximal and distal ends. The tubular body includes at least one set of two, three, or more elongated cuts through the wall to form a clot engaging member having two, three, or more ribs between the cuts, wherein a first set of elongated cuts is arranged adjacent to the distal end of the body, and wherein the clot engaging member is made of an elastic material configured to cause the ribs to self-expand radially outwardly from the tubular body when the body is in a non-constrained, deployed configuration.
Abstract:
According to one aspect, a retrieval device may include a sheath having a distal end. The retrieval device may also include an end effector movable relative to the distal end of the sheath. The end effector may include first and second arms. The first arm may include a first opening at a distal portion of the first arm. The second arm may include a second opening at a distal portion of the second arm. The end effector may also include a third arm. The third arm may be slidably received in the first and second openings. A distal portion of the third arm may form at least part of a loop. The loop may extend through the first and second openings.
Abstract:
Intraluminal devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel using an intraluminal device are provided. The intraluminal device can include a flexible shaft and an expandable wire mesh structure extending from the flexible shaft, the wire mesh structure including at least one first expandable section having a first wire arrangement pattern and at least one second expandable section having a second wire arrangement pattern different from the first wire arrangement pattern. In addition, interstices in the at least one first expandable section can differ in size from interstices in the at least one second expandable section.
Abstract:
According to aspects of the present disclosure, a retrieval device may include a sheath, a first drive member in the sheath, and a second drive member in the sheath. The second drive member may be movable relative to the first drive member. An end effector may be retractable into and extendable out of the sheath. The end effector may include a first proximal end portion coupled to the first drive member, a second proximal end portion coupled to the second drive member, and a plurality of legs extending distally from the first and second proximal end portions to a distal tip of the end effector. All of the legs that extend to the distal tip may be fixed together at the distal tip.
Abstract:
An endoscopic stone-extraction device is provided comprising a support filament (910) comprising an end portion, a sheath (930) comprising a lumen (940), wherein the support filament (910) is disposed in the lumen (940) such that the sheath (930) is slideable with respect to the support filament (910), and a handle comprising an actuator (1700). Movement of the actuator (1700) in a first direction retracts the sheath (930) and causes a shape to expand outside the lumen (940). Movement of the actuator (1700) in a second direction advances the sheath (930) and causes the shape to at least partially collapse inside the lumen (940). Other embodiments are provides, and any of these embodiments can be used alone or in combination.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods relating to a medical retrieval device (100) that may include or be used with a catheter (150). A basket (300) is included with an opening that is oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction in which the catheter extends. The basket (300) may be extended and/or retracted relative to the catheter (150), and/or may be expanded and/or contracted to, for example, facilitate ensnaring and extraction of a foreign body (500), object, or polyp, etc. from a patient's esophagus, biliary tree, GI tract, urinary tract, abdominal cavity, kidney, bile duct, urethra, etc.