An endoscope having a guide tube is described herein. The assembly has an endoscope which is slidably insertable within the lumen of a guide tube. The guide tube is configured to be rigidizable along its entire length from a relaxed configuration. The endoscope has a steerable distal portion to facilitate the steering of the device through tortuous paths. In the relaxed configuration, a portion of the guide tube is able to assume the shape or curve defined by the controllable distal portion of t...

A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency, and having expandable stent members for limiting vein shrinkage to a final desired vein diameter. The catheter includes a set of expandable arms that are pre-formed into an outwardly bowed configuration. An electrode is mounted on each arm. When uncovered by sliding a control sleeve proximally, the electrode arms expand outwardly into apposition with the vein wall for...

A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency, and having expandable stent members for limiting vein shrinkage to a final desired vein diameter. The catheter includes a set of expandable arms that are pre-formed into an outwardly bowed configuration. An electrode is mounted on each arm. When uncovered by sliding a control sleeve proximally, the electrode arms expand outwardly into apposition with the vein wall for...

The drug loaded stent includes an expandable stent structural member, and a planar sheet of polymeric material attached to the outside of the expandable stent structural member. The polymeric material is preferably bioabsorbable, and loaded or coated with a therapeutic agent or drug to reduce or prevent restenosis in the vessel being treated. The polymer material can be attached to the metal stent at one or more points, and wrapped in a coil around the stent in an unexpanded state, to uncoil and...

The drug loaded stent includes an expandable stent structural member, and a planar sheet of polymeric material attached to the outside of the expandable stent structural member. The polymeric material is preferably bioabsorbable, and loaded or coated with a therapeutic agent or drug to reduce or prevent restenosis in the vessel being treated. The polymer material can be attached to the metal stent at one or more points, and wrapped in a coil around the stent in an unexpanded state, to uncoil and...

A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.

An endoscope with guiding apparatus is provided. The endoscope has an elongate body with a steerable distal portion, an automatically controlled portion, a flexible and passively manipulated proximal portion, and an externally controlled and manipulatable guiding apparatus. The guiding apparatus may be positioned within the endoscope or may be positioned adjacent to the endoscope. An interlocking device is provided to slidably interlock the guiding apparatus and the endoscope. When the guide is ...

An endoscope with guiding apparatus is described herein. A steerable endoscope is described having an elongate body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion, an automatically controlled portion, a flexible and passively manipulated proximal portion, and an externally controlled and manipulatable tracking rod or guide. The tracking rod or guide is positioned within a guide channel within the endoscope and slides relative to the endoscope. When the guide is in a flexible state, it c...

A coupling system for transferring fluids from a medicament-containing cartridge to an injection site comprises a fluid flow channel, a blunt cannula defining the distal end of the fluid flow channel, a needle cannula defining the proximal end of the fluid flow channel, and means for fixedly connecting the needle cannula to the blunt cannula.