Medical devices and methods for delivering fluid. The medical devices include one or more needles for delivering fluid. The methods may include expanding an expandable member such as an inflatable member to expand an expandable scaffold outward toward a lumen wall.

An ablation device comprise an ablation element and an immobilizer mechanism positioned distal to the ablation element. The immobilizer mechanism comprises a first portion configured to anchor the ablation device; and a second portion configured to slide coaxially within the ablation element. The ablation element is moveable in relation to the first portion of the immobilizer. The ablation device comprises a body and the ablation element is coupled to the body.

A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.

One or more apparatus and systems for articulated movement, particularly for an articulated medical device such as an endoscope or medical robot. The apparatus comprises an articulated movement portion with tendon control, a transition portion comprising actuation rods, springs, and distal stoppers, a conduit portion comprising lumen filled with air or hydraulic fluid; a translation portion comprising a proximal stopper; and a power unit.

This invention provides a system and method that allows a therapeutic device, such as an atrial fibrillation microwave ablation catheter or ablation tip to be guided to a remote location within a body cavity and then accurately immobilized on the tissue, including that of a moving organ, such as the heart. In various embodiments, the system and method also enables accurate movement and steering along the tissue, while in engagement therewith. Such movement and engagement entails the use of vacuum or microneedle structures on at least two interconnected and articulated immobilizers that selectively engage to and release from the tissue to allow a crawling or traversing walking across the organ as the therapeutic catheter/tool tip applies treatment (AGE devices). In further embodiments that lack a movement capability (AID devices), the immobilizers allow a predetermined position for the introduced device to be maintained against the tissue while a treatment is applied to the location adjacent thereto. In the exemplary AID devices, variety of steering mechanisms and mechanisms for exposing and anchoring a catheter against the underlying tissue can be employed. In the exemplary AGE devices, a variety of articulation and steering mechanisms, including those based upon pneumatic/hydraulic bellows, lead screws and electromagnetic actuators can be employed.

A system and method for the delivery of a medical device to a treatment location. The device may include an elongate body, the elongate body including a plurality of annular segments and a jacket disposed about the plurality of annular segments and defining an interior space, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the interior space of the jacket. When a vacuum is applied to the interior space of the jacket, the jacket may constrict about the plurality of annular elements, thereby increasing the frictional forces between the plurality of segments and between the plurality of segments and an inner surface of the jacket.

A medical device comprising a first tube, a second tube configured to sheath at least a portion of the first tube and configured to translate along a length of the first tube, an expandable device at a distal portion of the first tube, the expandable device having a collapsed state and an expanded state, a patch surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable device, and a connector for holding the patch to the expandable device when the second tube covers the patch and the expandable device and for releasing the patch from the expandable device after the second tube uncovers the patch and the expandable device.

The present invention is directed to a novel shape-transferring cannula system, which provides access to tortuous and unsupported paths. The shape-transferring cannula system and method enables exploration of hollow body structures, and creates a custom-contoured access port for insertion and removal of, for example, diagnostic, surgical, or interventional instruments to and from a site within the body to which the physician does not have line-of-sight access.

A method for determining a shape of a bendable instrument can include placing the bendable instrument in a neutral position; moving a first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element; moving a second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element; sensing a position of the first control element after moving the first control element the first amount, the sensed position of the first control element being defined as a first control element calibration position; sensing a position of the second control element after moving the second control element the second amount, the sensed position of the second control element being defined as a second control element calibration position. The method can further include bending the instrument by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and the second control element calibration position; and determining a resulting shape of the bendable instrument based on a distance one or both of the first control element and the second control element respectively moved from the first control element calibration position and second control element calibration.

A vascular device is provided having a catheter body and a rotatable cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body. The cutter assembly has at least one helical cutting surface within a housing that is coupled by a torque shaft to a drive mechanism. A conveyor mechanism helically wound about the torque shaft conveys occlusive material conveyed into the housing by the helical cutting blade further proximally along the catheter body for discharge without supplement of a vacuum pump. The catheter body is manipulated to insert the distal end of the catheter body within a body lumen and advance the distal end of the catheter body toward the occlusive material. The drive mechanism is operated to rotate the helical cutting surface to cut and convey the occlusive material from the body lumen proximally into the housing and to convey the occlusive material conveyed into the housing by the helical cutting surface further proximally along the catheter body by the conveyor mechanism for discharge without supplement of a vacuum pump. The distal end of the catheter body is deflected and rotated to sweep the cutter assembly in an arc about the center axis of the catheter body to cut occlusive material in a region larger than the outside diameter of the cutter assembly.