The invention relates to an intubation bougie (10) comprising a body (11) and a distal portion (12) formed by at least three elastomer segments (121, 122, 123) with increasing flexibility from one end of said distal portion (12), which is integral with the body (11), to a free end of said distal portion (12) intended to enter the upper airways of a patient. These segments are preferably articulated to one another. A sheath (200) surrounding the segments (121, 122, 123) and a ball end (210) advantageously complement said distal portion (12). The invention also relates to a method for producing such an intubation bougie (10).

A positioning device is provided for delivering or guiding a surgical device into a lumen of a body vessel to a position adjacent target tissue. The device includes a housing, an elongate sleeve, and a source of pressurized fluid. The sleeve has a first end coupled to a delivery side of the housing, a second end positioned on a return side of the housing, and an inverted distal portion positioned between the first and second ends. One second end of the sleeve can be furled about a support member supported on the housing. A distal portion of the sleeve defines a cavity that communicates with a pressure chamber within the housing. When pressurized fluid is directed into the pressure chamber, the pressurized fluid flows into the cavity of the distal portion of the sleeve to advance the sleeve away from the housing.

An apparatus for advancing a device through a gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second grabbing mechanisms adapted to grab and release tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, the first grabbing mechanism being releasably attachable to the device, the second grabbing mechanism being attached to an outer element configured to at least partially surround the device, the first and second grabbing mechanisms being axially movable with respect to each other along the gastrointestinal tract; and a radially expandable blocking element disposed proximal to the first grabbing mechanism and movable with the first grabbing mechanism with respect to the second grabbing mechanism, the blocking element being adapted to move tissue of the intestinal tract with respect to the second grabbing mechanism when the blocking element is moved toward the second grabbing mechanism. The invention also includes corresponding methods.

Provided is a system for advancing an article along a path. The system may include a head member; a dispatching member, and an eversion sleeve configured with an inverted portion having a sleeve end configured to be fixed to the dispatching member. The system may also include an everting portion configured for articulating to the head member and an un-inverted portion configured to extend from the everting portion towards the dispatching member, at least partially within the inverted portion.

A hydraulically driven surgical apparatus may be a tube enclosing a first channel filled with a first fluid. Changing a fluid pressure in the first channel may trigger a deformation of the tube. The deformation of the tube may perform an action associated with a surgical procedure. Related methods for steering a hydraulically driven surgical apparatus are also provided.

Biological navigation devices and methods are disclosed. The devices can be used as or to support colonoscopies or endoscopes. The devices can have longitudinally extensible cells that can be selectively inflated. The devices can have articulable links. The devices can be removably attached to elongated elements, such as colonoscopes or other endoscopes.

An apparatus for advancing a device through a gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second grabbing mechanisms adapted to grab and release tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, the first grabbing mechanism being releasably attachable to the device, the second grabbing mechanism being attached to an outer element configured to at least partially surround the device, the first and second grabbing mechanisms being axially movable with respect to each other along the gastrointestinal tract; and a radially expandable blocking element disposed proximal to the first grabbing mechanism and movable with the first grabbing mechanism with respect to the second grabbing mechanism, the blocking element being adapted to move tissue of the intestinal tract with respect to the second grabbing mechanism when the blocking element is moved toward the second grabbing mechanism. The invention also includes corresponding methods.

Endolumenal devices and methods can be used for the treatment of health conditions including obesity and diabetes. In some embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein can cause weight loss or control diabetes by reducing the caloric absorption of an individual. For example, this document provides several devices and methods for treating obesity and diabetes by using electroporation to modulate the duodenal mucosa. In addition, this document provides devices and methods for bypassing portions of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutritional uptake.

A hydraulically driven surgical apparatus may be a tube enclosing a first channel filled with a first fluid. Changing a fluid pressure in the first channel may trigger a deformation of the tube. The deformation of the tube may perform an action associated with a surgical procedure. Related methods for steering a hydraulically driven surgical apparatus are also provided.

The present invention relates to dispensing instruments and methods for introducing treatment material and fluid-like material with an embryo into a uterus. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses for delivering a fertilized egg or embryo into a maternal uterine endometrium in humans or any other mammalian species and associated computer programs for controlling said apparatuses.