Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Tim E Ward

Srinivas Nishtala

Stephane Gobron

Like Que

W Michael Mereness

Mark Isom Richards

James S Bates

Srinivas Nishtalas

Michael S H Chu

James A Teague

Stéphane Gobron

Anthony R Tremaglio, Jr

William Curtis White

Tina M Carpenter

Jim Bates

Jeff D Smith

St&eacute;phane Gobron

Mark Mallaby

A tool actuating assembly for a multi-function surgical instrument is disclosed. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of differently configured multi-function surgical instruments and can be embodied in various physical configurations. The tool actuating assembly of the present invention provides for more efficient use of the tools of the instrument by the surgeon who is utilizing the instrument.

Multi-function surgical instrument tool actuator assembly

A ureteral stent assembly includes a ureteral stent having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial end portion. The ureteral stent assembly also includes an elongate positioner for positioning the ureteral stent within the body of the patient. The positioner includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial end portion. A coupling mechanism configured to removably or releasably couple the ureteral stent to the elongate positioner is located on at least one of the distal end portion of the ureteral stent, the medial portion of the ureteral stent, the distal end portion of the positioner, and the medial portion of the positioner. In one embodiment, the ureteral stent includes a lumen that is configured to receive the positioner, and the positioner includes a lumen that is configured to receive a guidewire. In such an embodiment, the guidewire is configured such that when the positioner is disposed within the lumen of the ureteral stent and the guidewire is disposed within the lumen of the positioner, the coupling mechanism is actuated to removably or releasably couple the positioner to the ureteral stent. In one embodiment, the coupling mechanism is a two portion coupling mechanism. In such an embodiment, one portion of the coupling mechanism is located on each of the ureteral stent and the elongate positioner.

Pull-through medical device

An endoscopic needle device comprises a handle and a catheter sheath connected to the handle, wherein the catheter sheath has at least one lumen, for example a needle lumen and a stabilization lumen, extending therethrough. A needle is selectively movable within the needle lumen between a needle retracted position and a needle extended position and a stabilization element is selectively movable within the stabilization lumen between a stabilizer retracted position and a stabilizer extended position. A linking mechanism may operatively connect the needle and the stabilization element so that when the needle is in the needle retracted position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer extended position and when the needle is in the needle extended position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer retracted position.

Device for controlled endoscopic penetration of injection needle

A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be released from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.

Releasable basket and method of making thereof

The invention is directed to improved handles for medical devices. Embodiments of the invention include handles that allow for the device's introduction, positioning, and actuation with a single hand of an operator, handles that allow an operator to simultaneously position and manipulate two devices relative to each other as well as relative to an additional medical device, such as an endoscope, and handles that allow an operator to simultaneously manipulate an endoscope and an additional medical device without the help of an assistant.

Single operator medical device handles and related methods of use

A ureteral stent includes an elongate member defining an axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A first extension member and a second extension member extend from the proximal end portion and each include a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and an end portion. In an unconstrained configuration, the first portion is arcuate and extends away from the axis, the second portion extends from the first portion in a distal direction, and the third portion extends from the second portion in a direction away from the axis. In the unconstrained configuration, the end portions of the first and second extension members are spaced apart from each other sufficiently, and the first extension member and the second extension member are sufficiently rigid, to collectively help retain at least a portion of the ureteral stent within a bladder of a patient.

Ureteral stent with conforming retention structure

An apparatus and method are described for actuating a minimally invasive medical device using fluid pressure. The invention involves a medical device that includes a fluid source, such as a compressible bladder that may apply positive fluid pressure into a sheath to controllably deploy an end-effector from a distal end of the sheath. In some embodiments, the fluid source may apply negative fluid pressure into the sheath to controllably retract the end-effector into the distal end of the sheath. Typical end-effectors for use with the medical device of the invention include biopsy devices and retrieval devices, including basket-type retrieval devices and grasper retrieval devices. Generally, the fluid that is used to actuate the device may be a liquid or a gas, including air.

Fluid pressure-actuated medical device

An embodiment of the invention includes a device for collecting body tissue. The device may include an inner member comprising a hollow portion to collect body tissue and a distal end configured to both penetrate body tissue and define an opening of the hollow portion. The device may further include an outer member, co-axially and slidably disposed around the exterior of the inner member, comprising a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the outer member may be configured to penetrate body tissue, prevent body tissue from exiting the hollow portion of the inner member, and allow the distal end of the inner member to extend beyond the distal end of outer member. The opening of the hollow portion of the inner member may be disposed in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner member.

Endoscopic submucosal core biopsy device

A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.

An embodiment of the invention includes an entry needle. The entry needle may include a cannula, a needle extending within a lumen of the cannula, and a hub operatively associated with a proximal portion of the cannula. The hub may include a branch in communication with the lumen of the cannula. The needle may be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the needle may prevent communication between an opening in an outer wall of the cannula and the branch. In the second position, the needle may allow communication between the opening in the outer wall of the cannula and the branch.

Entry needle and related method of use

An endoscopic needle device includes a handle and a catheter sheath connected to the handle, wherein the catheter sheath has at least one lumen, for example a needle lumen and a stabilization lumen, extending therethrough. A needle is selectively movable within the needle lumen between a needle retracted position and a needle extended position and a stabilization element is selectively movable within the stabilization lumen between a stabilizer retracted position and a stabilizer extended position. A linking mechanism may operatively connect the needle and the stabilization element so that when the needle is in the needle retracted position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer extended position and when the needle is in the needle extended position the stabilization element is in the stabilizer retracted position.

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Ellettsville, IN, United States of America

Tim E Ward