A treatment tool for an endoscope includes a sheath which includes a proximal region, a distal region, an outer circumference surface, and an inner circumference surface; a slit portion which extends from the proximal region to the distal region in the longitudinal axis direction of the sheath and is formed to pierce through the sheath from the inner circumference surface to the outer circumference surface; an inlet portion which includes an opening that is formed at the outer circumference surface in the proximal region, the opening being formed to communicate with the slit portion, and being formed to pierce through the sheath from the inner circumference surface to the outer circumference surface in a same direction with that of the slit portion, and a locking portion which is connected to the sheath to be locked to the endoscope apparatus.

A bipolar sphincterotome may include an elongate tubular member, a cutting wire, and a return path. The return path may include a conductive ink portion disposed on an outer surface at a distal portion of the tubular member. The return path may also include a return wire disposed within the tubular member that is electrically coupled to the conductive ink portion. In some example embodiments, the return wire may be disposed within a lumen configured to have two or more functions, one of which being to house the return wire. Additionally, in some example embodiments, the conductive ink portion may be circumferentially disposed on the outer surface to provide visual access to a wire guide lumen. Also, for some example embodiments, the bipolar sphincterotome may include two electrically isolated return paths.

A medical device may include an elongate tubular member having a distal portion that is configured to curl in a desired direction. A shape-memory alloy structure may be disposed in a lumen of the elongate tubular member at the distal portion. The shape-memory alloy may have an original, pre-deformed shape that is curved to facilitate the curling of the distal portion in the desired direction.

An electrosurgical device and a method of orienting the electrosurgical device are provided. The device includes a rotation mechanism including a first and a second connector where the first connector is rotatable relative to the second connector. The device also includes a handle operably connected to the first connector; and a catheter operably connected to the second connector where the handle is rotatable relative to the catheter. The device further includes a first wire having a distal portion anchored to a distal portion of the catheter so that the distal portion of the wire is orientable by rotation of the handle relative to the catheter. At least one of the rotation mechanism or a proximal portion of the wire forms a conductive connection that operably connects a power source to the distal portion of the first wire to energize the distal portion of the first wire in the electrosurgical device.

Bipolar electrosurgical devices may include a handle assembly configured to control movement of components of the electrosurgical device to perform an electrosurgical procedure and a power cord assembly configured to electrically connect the bipolar electrosurgical device with a power source. For bipolar sphincterotomes, an active portion of the handle assembly may include a first active member that contacts and slides across a second active member as the gripping portion moves about a handle stem component of the handle assembly. The power cord assembly may include a pair of return contacts that are shorted together when connected with the handle assembly, which in turn may deactivate an alarm output by the power source.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

An electrosurgical device and a method of orienting the electrosurgical device are provided. The device includes a rotation mechanism including a first and a second connector where the first connector is rotatable relative to the second connector. The device also includes a handle operably connected to the first connector; and a catheter operably connected to the second connector where the handle is rotatable relative to the catheter. The device further includes a first wire having a distal portion anchored to a distal portion of the catheter so that the distal portion of the wire is orientable by rotation of the handle relative to the catheter. At least one of the rotation mechanism or a proximal portion of the wire forms a conductive connection that operably connects a power source to the distal portion of the first wire to energize the distal portion of the first wire in the electrosurgical device.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of a body cavity or lumen are described where a heated fluid and/or gas may be introduced through a catheter and into treatment area within the body contained between one or more inflatable/expandable members. The catheter may also have optional pressure and temperature sensing elements which may allow for control of the pressure and temperature within the treatment zone and also prevent the pressure from exceeding a pressure of the inflatable/expandable members to thereby contain the treatment area between these inflatable/expandable members. Optionally, a chilled, room temperature, or warmed fluid such as water may then be used to rapidly terminate the treatment session.

A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a first treatment device having a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are maintained in axial alignment and fixed radial spacing in retracted and extended positions. The device includes a basket having a plurality of arms. The arms are maintained in a fixed radial spacing in the collapsed position of the basket.

A system for controlling operation of a radiofrequency treatment device to apply radiofrequency energy to tissue to treat tissue to create lesions without ablating the tissue. The system includes a device having flexible outer tube, an expandable basket having a plurality of arms movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, a plurality of electrodes movable from a retracted position to an extended position to extend through the openings in the arms, and an advancer slidably disposed within the outer tube to move the electrodes. An elongated spacer is positioned within the outer tube, the spacer having a central lumen to receive the advancer and to maintain a central position of the advancer.