Provided is an endoscope system including an elongated tube with one or more channels extending in a longitudinal direction along the elongated tube. The channels allow inserting of a viewing device for obtaining images from the distal end, inserting of surgical instruments to operate at the distal end, or passing of materials such as air or water. The channel for inserting the viewing device is enclosed or has a cover at the distal end of the elongated tube, such that the viewing device has no direct contact of body tissues, thereby eliminating the need for sterilization. Also provided is a safe and economical method for conducting endoscopy involving one-time use of a tube to keep the viewing device from directly contacting the body tissues.

Apparatus is described that includes a kit. The kit includes a flexible catheter (22) and a support (40). The catheter is transfemorally advanceable to a heart of a subject and the support is dimensioned for percutaneous access to the heart. The support has a proximal end, an elongate portion, and a distal portion (41) having a catheter-engaging element (38). The catheter-engaging element is configured to reversibly engage the catheter in a manner that does not inhibit longitudinal advancement of the catheter. Other embodiments are also described.

Systems and methods for separating native heart valve leaflets attached together by a fixation device. The system has elongate shaft including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The elongate shaft is configured for transvascular delivery of the distal end portion to a native heart valve. A balloon is disposed at the distal end portion of the elongate shaft, and the balloon is inflatable from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition. At least one snare lumen extends along at least a portion of the balloon, the at least one snare lumen having an exit port defined therein. A snare is deployable through the exit port from a delivery position within the at least one snare lumen to an extended position extending beyond the exit port. The snare in the extended position is configured to capture the fixation device.

An endoscopic instrument containing a retractable tool at its end that is articulated by engaging an actuator that moves pull wires to angularly move the tip of the instrument along a plane for conducting a procedure at a target site. The tool of instrument is linearly move from an extension position to a retracted position by another actuator. The instrument provide rotational control of the tool and instrument tip portion with a rotational actuator for rotating housings that carry both pull wires and a conducting wire connected to the tool.

Endoscopic tools or instruments having one or more side-deployable snare loop tools are provided. Loop wire tools connected by cables to proximal controlling handles are introduced though side openings in the tools which are located proximal to the distal end of the tools which may also include a soft, blunt tip designed to rest against a body cavity wall for stability. Side introduction of the wire loop tools into a human cavity allows for angulation and positioning favorable to perform endoscopic intervention, particularly when dealing with elongated foreign bodies or impacted food in the esophagus.

Thrombectomy systems and devices and methods of using the same. In an exemplary embodiment of a thrombectomy system of the present disclosure, the thrombectomy system comprises a thrombectomy sheath, comprising a circumferential outer wall reinforced with a reinforcement, configured as an elongated tube having a lumen therethrough; and a sonovisible element positioned at or near a distal end of the circumferential outer wall; wherein the thrombectomy sheath is sized and shaped to be at least partially positioned within a vein proximal to a thrombus or other item within the vein and further configured to expand to contact the vein to secure the thrombectomy sheath within the vein; and wherein the lumen is sized and shaped to receive a device selected from the group consisting of a balloon catheter and a snare having a loop.

A basket apparatus is described that assists in removing objects from within a patient. The apparatus includes a number of pull wires, each pull wire physically coupled to a different capstan that individually actuates one of the pull wires. The apparatus also includes an outer support shaft itself including a number of channels through which the pull wires traverse. The portions of the pull wires extending out of the outer support shaft form a basket of adjustable size, shape, and position. The pull wires are attached together at a tip located at a distal end of the basket apparatus. By controlling the actuation of the various pull wires, the basket's shape, position size can be manipulated to reposition the basket around an object located within a patient, independent of or in conjunction with motion of the remainder of the apparatus or an associated endoscope.

A system for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Rail tension extraction devices and methods of extracting target(s) inside a patient's body are disclosed. The device includes a base assembly having a handle and an elongate base. The device additionally includes at least one magnet configured to engage a metallic target, and a capture element received in the base assembly and disposed adjacent to the at least one magnet. The capture element is configured to at least partially surround the metallic target engaged by the at least one magnet. The device further includes an outer tube configured to move relative to the elongate base between a locking position in which a distal end of the outer tube is adjacent the capture element and the at least one magnet to secure the metallic target therebetween, and an unlocking position in which the distal end of the outer tube is spaced from the capture element and the at least one magnet.

An intravascular blood pump for percutaneous insertion into a patient’s vasculature comprises a pumping device and a supply catheter. The pumping device comprises a pump section with a blood flow inlet, blood flow outlet, and impeller for conveying blood from the inlet to the outlet and further comprises a drive section connected to the pump section and adapted to drive the impeller. The supply line supplies the drive section with electric energy for driving the impeller. The supply catheter supplies electric energy for driving the impeller. The pump section is axially arranged between the drive section and the supply line. The pump section includes a flexibly bendable cannula, and electric lines are arranged across the cannula in a manner to prevent their rupture in the event that the cannula is subject to bending.