| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080221391 | DIRECT DRIVE INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF USE - Disclosed herein are various instruments, systems, and methods of use. The instruments can have various control members and/or handles for controlling various degrees of freedom. In addition, the control members can include various control mechanisms for transferring user inputs from a handle to a distal portion of the instrument. In one aspect, an instrument can comprise a control member and a catheter. The catheter can be adjustably and/or detachably connected to the control member. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080243176 | GUIDE TUBE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for guiding, supporting, and/or housing instruments. One exemplary system includes a guide tube having a manipulation section and mated with rails carrying instrument control members. Moving the rails with respect to the guide tube, or another point of reference, can control movement of the manipulation section. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080249635 | GASTRIC FILLER DEVICES FOR OBESITY THERAPY - An obesity treatment device comprises a filament filler material movable between a substantially straight insertion/removal configuration and an operative configuration in which the filament extends along a predetermined curve to occupy a selected volume within the stomach and a retrieval device connected to a proximal end of the filler material facilitating grasping and withdrawal of the filler material. A method of treating obesity, comprises inserting to a desired position within the GI tract a filament filler in a substantially straight configuration and moving the filler into an operative configuration in which the filler curves along a predetermined path to define a desired volume in combination with, after a predetermined treatment period has elapsed, collapsing the filler into the substantially straight configuration for trans-oral removal. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080287740 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TRAVERSING AN ANATOMIC WALL - Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for traversing an anatomic wall. A system can include a port that mates with an anatomic wall and provides a lumen for the passage of a guide tube of a transluminal device. The port can inhibit the passage of biological materials through the anatomic wall. Further described herein are methods for implanting the port and/or for inserting the transluminal device into a body cavity. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287743 | Medical retractor and stabilizing assembly and related methods of use - Embodiments of the invention include endoscopic guide tubes having a retractor and a stabilizing assembly for use with the guide tube and related methods of use. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287862 | Drive systems and methods of use - Drive systems and methods of use are disclosed herein for performing medical procedures on a patient. The drive systems include various handle types and triggers for controlling catheters and end effectors. The various handle types include a flexible handle and ambidextrous handles that can alter the handedness of the handle for particularized use. The handles drive articulation sections of the catheter and end effectors with various degrees of freedom, and include locks for holding the catheter and/or end effector in place. The catheter systems include structures for allowing degrees of freedom, such as notches, mechanical interlocks, and articulation joints. In addition, the catheters articulate via cables or fluids. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287983 | Tissue securing and sealing apparatus and related methods of use - Embodiments of the invention may be directed to apparatuses for securing and sealing tissue and related methods of use. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080287988 | Tissue aperture securing and sealing apparatuses and related methods of use - Embodiments of the invention may be directed to apparatuses for securing and sealing apertures in tissue and related methods of use. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080300592 | CATHETER DRIVER SYSTEM - An apparatus for performing medical procedures on an anatomical body includes an extension with an element near its distal end to be extended into the body, and a driver that moves the extension axially into the body, and that causes flexure of the distal end of the extension. The movement and flexure of the extension is driven by the driver from the proximal end of the extension, and an electronic controller directs the operation of the driver. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090105639 | CATHETER DRIVER SYSTEM - An apparatus for performing medical procedures on an anatomical body includes an extension with an element near its distal end to be extended into the body, and a driver that moves the extension axially into the body, and that causes flexure of the distal end of the extension. The movement and flexure of the extension is driven by the driver from the proximal end of the extension, and an electronic controller directs the operation of the driver. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090187198 | Resolution Clip - A clip for compressing tissue comprises first and second legs, each extending from a distal end to a proximal end in combination with a joint coupled between proximal ends of the first and second legs and biasing the first and second legs into one of a closed configuration in which the first and second legs are separated from one another by a selected clipping distance and an open configuration in which the first and second legs are separated from one another by a tissue receiving distance greater than the clipping distance. The first and second legs are shaped so that, when in the closed configuration with no tissue received therebetween, a distance between the first and second legs is substantially constant from the joint to the distal ends of the first and second legs. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090292172 | Expandable Delivery Devices and Methods of Use - A system including an overtube configured to radially expand facilitates insertion of instruments in a patient. The system is directed to an overtube comprising an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, the overtube configured to radially expand from an insertion configuration to an expanded configuration, and including at least one articulation section having at least one degree of freedom and including a main channel expandable in the radial direction, and at least one additional channel. The at least one articulation section can radially expand. The system may include a radially expandable overtube having an optical channel configured to receive an optical device. The main channel and/or the at least one additional channel may be sized to receive one or more medical instruments. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090312645 | Methods and Devices for Accessing Anatomic Structures - Described herein are methods and devices for performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A system comprising an elongate body housing a front-viewing endoscope and a tissue grasping instrument can be used to facilitate the insertion of a catheter into the ampulla of Vater. The distal end of the elongate body can be positioned such that the operator of the system can view the ampulla while manipulating the surrounding tissue to ease cannulation of the opening with the catheter. As a result, the procedure can be performed faster and more reliably than in the past. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100016659 | Endoscope With Guide - An instrument for use with an endoscope may include an elongate section configured to move exterior to the endoscope. The elongate section may include a distal end and a proximal end. The instrument may also include an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate section, and an actuation device attached to the proximal end of the elongate section. The actuation device may be configured to operate the end effector. The instrument may also include a guiding member coupled to the elongate section. The guiding member may be configured to be coupled to an external surface of the endoscope to permit the guiding member to move longitudinally relative to the endoscope. The guiding member may be coupled to the elongate section such that the end effector may extend past a distal end of the endoscope and move in a transverse direction independent of the movement of the distal end of the endoscope. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100114116 | Medical Device Control System - A control system for allowing a physician to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions with one hand. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100160729 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIRECTING INSTRUMENTS TO VARYING POSITIONS AT THE DISTAL END OF A GUIDE TUBE - Described herein are various systems and methods for directing endoscopy instruments to varying positions at a target site. In one aspect, at least one instrument channel has multiple exit points at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument delivered through the channel may be switched between the different exit points. In another aspect, an instrument channel splits into multiple branches at the distal end of the guide tube, and the position of an instrument at the target site may be changed by selectively directing the instrument into a different channel branch. In yet another aspect, the guide tube, or a portion thereof, may be rotated to reposition an instrument at the target site. The capability of changing the instrument positions during a procedure would enable a physician to examine or treat multiple target sites within an operative field, without necessitating the full retraction of the instruments or the guide tube from the operative field. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20110054470 | Endoscopic Resection Method - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of excising tissue including injecting fluid into the submucosa to raise targeted tissue. A first electrode is positioned below the targeted tissue within the injected fluid and a second electrode is positioned adjacent a surface of the raised targeted tissue opposite the first electrode. Electrical current is applied between the first and second electrodes and the targeted tissue is excised with the second electrode. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110087146 | STOMACH BYPASS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY - The present application provides devices and methods for inducing weight loss. In particular, the present application provides devices which are secured in the stomach or external to the stomach to reduce digestion and/or absorption of food in accordance with the methods of the invention | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110124960 | DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS OF USE - Disclosed herein are devices and methods for introducing a plurality of instruments to a target site through a working channel. The working channel can include a surface adapted to guide one or more instruments into select positions. The working channel can be defined by a portion of a guide tube or tip that may be coupled with an endoscope. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110144656 | ROBOTICALLY CONTROLLED MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument assembly comprises an elongated shaft, a tool carried by the distal end of the elongated shaft for performing a medical procedure on a patient, a plurality of controllably bendable sections spaced along the elongated shaft and disposed proximal to the tool, a plurality of actuation elements extending within the elongated shaft for respectively actuating the controllably bendable sections, and an instrument coupler mounted to the proximal end of the elongated shaft, with the instrument coupler configured for coupling an electromechanical drive to the actuation elements. A robotic medical system comprises the previously described medical instrument assembly, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the plurality of actuating elements of the medical instrument assembly, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to moves the actuating elements to actuate the controllably bendable sections. | 06-16-2011 |
