A method for performing a medical procedure may comprise advancing a first device through a first body lumen. A distal portion of the first device may include a magnet. The method may further comprise advancing a second device through a second body lumen. The second device may include a magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise_receiving a signal from the magnetic field sensor. The signal may be indicative of a magnetic field measured by the magnetic field sensor. The method may further comprise, if the received signal matches a magnetic field of the magnet, identifying a position of the magnet.

Provided is a method of treating orthostatic intolerance in a patient. The method comprises selecting a patient suffering from orthostatic intolerance and creating a flow pathway between a first vascular location and a second vascular location. The first vascular location comprises a source of arterial blood and the second vascular location comprises a source of venous blood. Systems and devices for creating a flow pathway are also provided.

A sensor-retention structure includes a sensor-support arm configured to hold a sensor device and a stabilizer structure associated with the sensor-support arm and configured to project away from the sensor-support arm and provide stabilizing support for the sensor-support arm.

A variable flow stent is described for use with AV fistulas, TIPS procedures or dialysis grafts. The flow may be varied by adjusting the diameter of the stent. Embodiments include: a covered stent having a secondary chamber that functions as an air or fluid bladder; an expandable chamber within an interior stent covering; a retractable jack device with hooks that engage (snag) opposing walls of the stent; and, a stent with a hollow chamber or pocket in the interior stent covering into which an expandable balloon can be inserted. A self-healing valve is described for inflating or deflating expandable elements within the stent and may be implemented using a self-healing membrane. A radiopaque collar may be used to provide a marker surrounding the self-healing valve. If under-shunting or over-shunting occurs over time, the variable diameter stent may be adjusted using a second procedure.

The invention concerns delivering paired magnetic anastomosis devices to either side of tissues to be joined. The magnetic anastomosis devices are coupled to a guide element that facilitates delivery and manipulation of the devices when using minimally-invasive techniques such as endoscopy and laparoscopy. Elongated manipulators and guide tubes ae also disclosed that improve a user's dexterity with the devices during placement.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for stent access and device delivery. In certain instances, the apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a plurality of struts arranged about the one or more cutting blades on a tip portion.

An endoscopic treatment tool includes: a needle tube in which a needle tube insertion passage extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the needle tube is formed; a stylet which is disposed to move freely in the needle tube insertion passage; a main manipulation part which is connected to a proximal end side of the needle tube, the main manipulation part supporting the stylet such that the stylet advances while rotating, and the main manipulation part operating the stylet; a manipulation transmission member which has flexibility and the manipulation transmission member is connected to the stylet; and an auxiliary manipulation part which includes a handle fixed to a proximal end portion of the manipulation transmission member and the auxiliary manipulation part is configured such that the manipulation transmission member advances while rotating in accordance with a manipulation of the handle.

A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for using a tissue scaffold to facilitate healing of an anastomosis. One embodiment provides a tissue scaffold for placement at an anastomotic site within a body lumen comprising a radially expandable scaffold structure having lateral and mid portions, at least one retention element coupled to each lateral portion and a barrier layer. The retention element engages a luminal wall when the scaffold structure is expanded to retain the structure and exert a compressive force on the anastomosis. The mid portion has a greater radial stiffness than the lateral portions such that when the structure is expanded, the lateral portions engage tissue prior to the mid portion. The barrier layer is configured to engage a luminal wall when the structure is expanded to provide a fluidic seal at the anastomosis. The barrier layer may also include releasable biological agents to promote anastomotic healing.

A surgical instrument for bonding body tissue includes a shank and first and second tool elements which are movable relative to each other and include a respective electrode. The electrodes define a minimum distance from each other, are opposed to each other and face each other in an approximating position of the tool elements. The first tool element is arranged or formed at the distal end of the shank, so that a mechanical load of anastomoses of body tissue parts produced by current flow is minimized when removing the surgical instrument. The second tool element is adapted to be brought from an operating position, in which it can be brought into the approximating position, into a removing position, in which a peripheral withdrawing line defined by the electrode of the second tool element is shorter than a peripheral approximating line defined by the electrode in the approximating position.