An example assembly for use with a vacuum system and an esophageal positioning device esophageal positioning device includes an introducer, in which the esophageal positioning device includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment is pivotally connected to the first segment. A gap portion of an outer tube of the introducer is defined along a longitudinal axis between a tube tip of the introducer and the distal end of the second segment of the esophageal positioning device when the esophageal positioning device is disposed within the introducer. The gap portion defines one or more radial vacuum holes.

This medical device (Li-VanThiel tube) is designed to add 21st century technologies to a 20th century device in order to ease application and increase safety. The current Shengstaken-Blakemore tube is very difficult to use and dangerous to deploy. The Li-VanThiel tube utilizes guided tube insertion, inflates by using a pressure regulated pre-charged air canister, It has a smaller pre-deployment diameter and a variable stiffness tube feature to overcome the short comings of the old design.

A fornix manipulator includes a collar and stabilizer. The collar has a first end and a second end, the second end having an opening and diameter greater than the first end and the first end having an opening to receive a cervix into the collar. The stabilizer has a base portion defining a guide hole and a plurality of prongs extending from the base portion to contact the first end of the collar.

Canalicular occlusion devices are described comprising an occlusive element and a memory frame comprising a memory material. The occlusive element is configured to substantially prevent fluid from flowing through portions of the canaliculus. Also disclosed are methods of occluding a canalicular system with the devices of the present invention.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, devices, systems, and methods for pyloric occlusion in an endoscopic procedure may include a first flange and a second flange connected to the first flange by a saddle region having a lumen. The second flange may be proximal to the first flange. The pyloric occlusion device may further include a closure element. The closure element may be configured to occlude a flow of material through the lumen, including across the pylorus when deployed. The closure element may be a closure of the lumen by rotation of one of the first or second flanges about the saddle region relative to the other of the first or second flange.

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for treating pancreatitis. In the methods described herein, the distal portion of a catheter is routed into the pancreatic duct. The catheter delivers to the pancreatic duct an effective amount of a composition at an effective infusion pressure, wherein the amount and infusion pressure of the composition are effective to decrease the secretion of digestive enzymes from one or more exocrine tissues of the pancreas. The reduction of digestive enzymes may reduce damage to the islet cells typically seen in chronic pancreatitis. Backflow of the composition out of the pancreatic duct is limited, for example, by an occluding system, and aspiration system, or both.

An artificial sphincter and method closing the artificial sphincter includes a plurality of bodies, a plurality of links, a coupling body, and a coupling assembly. The plurality of bodies each have respective magnets and are arranged from a first terminal body to a second terminal body. The plurality of links respectively resiliently extend and connect between the plurality of bodies. The coupling body has a first end segment and a second end segment respectively connected to a first terminal link and a second terminal link respectively extending from the first and second end segments. The coupling assembly has a clasp configured to close to form a closed loop and a coupling guide configured to be manipulated to thereby orient portions of the clasp to a predetermined orientation for connection in the connected state.

Generally, abnormal pressures in the sinus cavity can have physiological effects due to stimulation or injury of various nerves that are in proximity to the sinus, including increased or decreased pressure on the nerves as well as extrusion of the nerves into the sinus cavities due to bony dehiscence. Methods and devices for alleviating disorders associated with the sinus cavities are described. Embodiments herein include diagnosing these disorders by occluding or restricting the sinus ostium and assessing the physiological effects caused by the occlusion/restriction and treating these disorders by navigating/directing a dilating device to the sinus ostium and dilating the sinus ostium. Other embodiments are directed to devices for maintaining the ostial opening.

A stent for use in the nasolacrimal duct of a patient's eye. The stent is used to maintain and improve the patency of the nasolacrimal duct The stent uses a hollow shaft to create a fluid pathway from the punctum to the inferior meatus. Either the superior or inferior punctum can be selected for insertion of the stent. An inserter is used to position the flexible stent into position. A guidewire attached to the inserter is removed from the stent and it transforms from its collapsed state to its deployed state. A first anchor stabilizes the proximal end of the stent to the punctum and ampulla. A second anchor stabilizes the proximal end of the stent near the interior meatus. The second anchor can take any of several deployed shapes, such as a pigtail or fins.

Provided is a balloon unit for uterine hemostasis capable of reliably suppressing or stopping uterine bleeding. The balloon unit includes a flexible tube and a balloon provided in a distal end portion of the tube. The balloon has a lower uterine lumen compression portion that compresses an inner surface of a lower uterine lumen and an upper uterine lumen compression portion that compresses an inner surface of an upper uterine lumen. As the balloon, two balloons including a first balloon functioning as the lower uterine lumen compression portion and a second balloon functioning as the upper uterine lumen compression portion are provided.