Abstract: Catheters with weeping balloons can be used for various medical purposes. For example, in some embodiments provided herein weeping balloons are used for catheter visualization devices. In some embodiments, weeping balloons are used to deliver therapeutic agents. Weeping balloons can include openings of a selected size and shape through which a fluid gradually flows or “weeps.” The design of the openings can affect performance characteristics such as, but not limited to, fluid flow rate, tear resistance, and mitigation of counter-flow.

Abstract: An anchor configured to maximize the surface area of the anchor to improve anchor retention is disclosed. The anchor may be configured with a width that differs from a thickness of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor be configured as a helical ribbon defining a central lumen about a central axis extending through the helical ribbon. The helical ribbon may vary in width, thickness, central lumen diameter, or a combination thereof, along its extent. The anchor may include retention features that are configured to promote tissue and/or implant interaction for improved anchor retention.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a proximal shaft having a first outer diameter. A distal sheath may be attached to the proximal shaft and may have a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. The distal sheath may be designed to extend past a coronary ostium and into a coronary artery so that another medical device can pass therethrough toward the coronary artery. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the distal sheath.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage includes an expandable member having a first end region and a second end region. The expandable member comprises at least one inflation cavity and at least one valve member configured to selectively seal the inflation cavity. A first inflation media may be disposed within the at least one inflation cavity and a second inflation media may be disposed within the at least one inflation cavity. The second inflation media may be different from the first inflation media. The expandable member may be configured to expand and seal the opening of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a first configuration and an expanded configuration and a fixation member disposed along the expandable framework. The fixation member includes a first engagement portion and an anchor portion. Further, the first engagement portion is designed to be secured to the expandable framework and the anchor portion extends away from an outer surface of the expandable framework.

Abstract: An example medical device delivery system is disclosed. The delivery system includes an inflation shaft having a first lumen, a second lumen and a distal end region, the distal end region including an elongated tip. The delivery system also includes a detachment shaft extending along a portion of the inflation shaft. The delivery system also include a delivery shaft having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a lumen extending therein. The delivery system also includes an occlusive member positioned within at least a portion of the lumen of the delivery shaft, wherein the occlusive member is configured to expand and seal the opening of a left atrial appendage. Further, a portion of the elongated tip is removeably engaged with the occlusive member.

Abstract: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a first configuration and an expanded configuration and a fixation member disposed along the expandable framework. The fixation member includes a first engagement portion and an anchor portion. Further, the first engagement portion is designed to be secured to the expandable framework and the anchor portion extends away from an outer surface of the expandable framework.

Abstract: An example system for detecting leakage around an occlusive implant disposed in the left atrial appendage includes an elongate shaft having a port disposed at a distal end region thereof and a first sensor disposed adjacent the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft is configured to be positioned adjacent the occlusive implant such that the first sensor is positioned on a first side of the occlusive implant and the port is positioned on a second side of the occlusive implant. Further, the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter and the first parameter is utilized to determine a fluid leak between the occlusive implant and a tissue wall defining the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Improvements to devices and systems for delivering and/or deploying an implantable device. The device includes at least one latch extending from a flexible elongate member to engage with the implantable device, such as during delivery and/or deployment. The flexible elongate member includes a locking region on the exterior thereof and shaped and configured to be distinct from surrounding areas. The locking region may be engaged with one or more of the latch, a component (e.g., a control knob) of a control handle of the system, or a driver shaft/actuator extending along (e.g., over) the flexible elongate member to drive or actuate a component of the implantable device, such as to move, implant, adjust, etc. the implantable device.

Abstract: A patch for interposing between an implantable device and a treatment site, such as to inhibit migration (e.g., lateral shifting) of the implantable device with respect to the treatment site without interfering with contact of the implantable device with the treatment site, and/or to reduce (and preferably inhibit or prevent) damage to tissue at the treatment site and/or movement of the anchor element (used to anchor the implantable device) with respect to the treatment site. The patch may extend continuously around the perimeter of the device, or discontinuously as more than one patch. The patch may be delivered on the implantable device to the treatment site, or separately delivered and deployed before the implantable device is delivered and deployed, the implantable device being implanted over the patch and the treatment site.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage includes an expandable member having a first end region, a second end region and an inflation cavity. The example medical device includes at least one fixation member having a first end and a second end coupled to the expandable member. The at least one fixation member is configured to move from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration in response to an expansion of the expandable member. Additionally, the example medical device includes a valve member extending at least partially into the inflation cavity and the expandable member is configured to expand and seal the opening of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A medical device for sympathetic nerve ablation may include a catheter shaft, an expandable member disposed on or coupled to the catheter shaft, and a plurality of elongate electrode assemblies each constructed as a flexible circuit having a plurality of layers. The expandable member may be configured to shift between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member. Each of the plurality of electrode assemblies may include enhanced tear resistance properties such as through the inclusion of a reinforcement structure with one or more of the layers of the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: An example dilator is disclosed. The example dilator includes a hub and an elongate shaft having a distal end region, a proximal end region and a cross-sectional profile. Additionally, the proximal end region of the elongate shaft is coupled to the hub and the elongate shaft is configured to extend through at least a portion of a lumen of an expandable introducer sheath. Additionally, the cross-sectional profile of the elongate shaft includes at least one engagement portion and at least a portion of the expandable introducer sheath extends into the at least one engagement portion of the dilator.

Abstract: Systems for the delivery of endoluminal devices are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a delivery sheath having an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The delivery sheath may be configured to restrain a stent in a compressed delivery configuration. The outer sheath may cover the entire length of the stent and the inner sheath may cover a portion of the length of the stent.

Abstract: Loading tools for use with medical devices are disclosed. An example loading tool may be suitable for use with a drug-coated expandable medical device. The loading tool may include a tubular sleeve having a distal end region, a proximal end region, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end region may include a reduced distal tip designed to interact with a hemostasis valve having a resilient seal member.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage includes an expandable member having a first end region, a second end region and an inflation cavity. The example medical device includes at least one fixation member having a first end and a second end coupled to the expandable member. The at least one fixation member is configured to move from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration in response to an expansion of the expandable member. Additionally, the example medical device includes a valve member extending at least partially into the inflation cavity and the expandable member is configured to expand and seal the opening of the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a 3D printer including a receiving surface for accepting the accumulation of material layers, and a gantry having a shaft and carriage that is translated along the shaft, and an extruder assembly that is articulated to rotate a printing plane, wherein the extruder assembly is attached to the carriage and the articulated extruder assembly is manipulated to rotate the printing plane away from parallel with the receiving surface.

Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer sheath includes a tubular member including an inner surface, an outer surface and a wall extending therebetween. The introducer further includes a plurality of spine members. The plurality of spine members are positioned radially inward of the outer surface of the tubular member. Further, each of the plurality of the spine members are positioned radially outward of the inner surface of the tubular member. Additionally, the tubular member is designed to shift from a first configuration to a second configuration and the wall has a first thickness in the first position and a second thickness in the second position, the second thickness smaller than the first thickness.

Abstract: An implant includes a pair of anchors and a pair of anchor housing assemblies, wherein an anchor housing assembly includes an anchoring component configured to translate the anchor proximally-distally through the anchor housing assembly and a cinch component configured to control a space between the pair of anchor housing assemblies.

Abstract: A low profile implant, system and method of deployment includes a frame comprising an elongate body having ends that overlap to form an annular configuration of the frame. A circumference of the frame may be modified by varying an extent of the overlap between the ends of the elongate body. The elongate structure may extend through a sleeve of a number of respective anchor housings of the implant along a first axis, and anchors may be deployed through bores in the anchor housings along a second axis to secure the anchor housings to tissue. The implant may be deployed about and anchored to a valve annulus, and the circumference of the frame, and associated anchored tissue, may be adjusted to reconfigure the valve annulus.