The use of stepped cannulas, wherein a step structure creates a backstop to reduce backflow along the cannula body, is known for convection enhanced delivery of agents to the brain and other structures within an animal. Described herein are novel and improved stepped cannula designs wherein the length of the cannula segment between the step and the dispensing outlet is variable and can be controllably adjusted inside the patient during delivery. This advantageously allows the operator to place the cannula step at the optimal position and deliver agents at one or more positions within the target structure.

Described here are delivery devices for delivering one or more implants to the body, and methods of using. The delivery devices may deliver implants to a variety of locations within the body, for a number of different uses. In some variations, the delivery devices have a cannula with one or more curved sections. In some variations, a pusher may be used to release one or more implants from the cannula. In some variations, one or more of the released implants may be a self-expanding device. Methods of delivering implants to one or more sinus cavities are also described here.

Adjacent tissue layers can be accessed using a catheter device with a distal tip having a conductive portion including a first cutting feature and one or more projections extending from the first cutting feature towards an outer diameter of the distal tip. Electrical energy can be supplied to the conductive portion of the device to cut tissue. A stent can be delivered to form a fluid communication between the adjacent tissue layers.

Articles and systems configured for treating GI motility disorders are generally provided. In some embodiments, an article comprising one or more electrodes (with both sensing and stimulating capabilities) may be configured to stimulate one or more tissues in the GI tract, electrically and/or chemically, to modulate peristalsis and/or allow neuromodulation. In some embodiments, a system comprises a controller that allows for close-loop operation of the article, e.g., such that the article may stimulate (e.g., via a feedback loop) the one or more organs in the GI tract upon receiving sensed parameters in the GI tract. In some embodiments, an implantation tool comprising a sensor may allow for submucosal or intramuscular implantation of an article. The implantation tool and the article may be useful for, for example, as a general platform for delivery of treating GI motility disorders and/or neuromodulation of the GI tract.

A method comprises the steps of: fixing a distal end of a first member of a surgical instrument with tissue, the surgical instrument including a second member having a longitudinal passageway configured for disposal of the first member and being connected with a navigation component such that the distal end is disposable with the passageway at a selected distance from the navigation component, the navigation component being positioned relative to a sensor to communicate a signal representative of an orientation of the first member; removing the second member from the first member; and connecting a third member with the first member along the orientation such that a distal end of the third member is fixed with the tissue. Systems, spinal implants, constructs and instruments are disclosed.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

Disclosed are an extruded honeycomb catalyst, a process for preparing the catalyst, a method for reducing NOx in the exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine by using the catalyst, and a method for treatment of the emission gas generated from power plant comprising exposing the emission gas to the catalyst.

The disclosure relates to a catheter device (1) comprising a catheter (2) and a hypodermic introducer needle (3) further comprising a levering member (23) adapted to be removably attached to the catheter (2) and further adapted to motion the catheter from a retracted proximal position to an advanced distal position in an axial direction in relation to the introducer needle (3), further comprising indicators to indicate at least the advanced positions of the catheter (2) being advanced a distance d, said distance d corresponding to the length of the bevelled tip (18) of the needle (3), and the catheter (2) being advanced a distance D, said distance D corresponding to > the length of the bevelled tip of the needle (3).

A needle assembly is configured to be movable into a cavity of a patient having a biological wall. A distal tip section extends from the needle assembly. The distal tip section is configured to form a pass-through hole extending through the biological wall of the patient (as, or while, the needle assembly is urged to move toward the biological wall). The distal tip section is also configured to prevent (at least in part) the removal of a free-floating tissue core from the biological wall as the pass-through hole is formed by the distal tip section.

An endoscope, cannula, and obturator. The endoscope has a handle and an insertion shaft. The insertion shaft has a solid state camera. The handle contains a circuit board with circuitry for control of and receipt of signals from the camera. The handle and its components are formed of biocompatible materials. The handle is formed of inner and outer shells concentric with each other, rotation of the shells relative to each other controlled via one or more resilient components frictionally engaged between the respective shells. The handle has no metal fasteners, no adhesives, and no detachable parts small enough to travel though fluid passages of the insertion shaft, except those encapsulated by overmolding or melt-fusing to prevent dislodgement. The cannula has a connector and locking feature designed to engage with mating connectors and locking features of the obturator and the endoscope, both successively.