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: The present invention provides systems and methods for accurately delivering embolic coils within a body lumen of a patient, as well as recapturing deployed embolic coils for removal or repositioning. In various embodiments, an embolic coil delivery system may include an elongate sheath with a lumen extending therethrough. An elongate shaft may be slidably disposed within the sheath. The shaft may comprise a split-distal end that defines an aperture. The split-distal end may be moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. An embolic coil may include a proximal ball-tip that may be reversibly disposed within the aperture of the split-distal end.

Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a distal region and at least one folded portion extending along the distal region. The introducer also includes a reinforcing member having a length and including at least one spine extending along the length of the reinforcing member. The introducer also includes a sheath disposed along at least a portion of the introducer, wherein the sheath includes at least one perforation, wherein material adjacent to the at least one folded portion is removed from a distal portion of the introducer to form a tip region. The introducer also includes a tip member disposed along the tip region.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a delivery device for delivering a detachable medical implant that comprises an elongated delivery member and a first engagement portion. The first engagement portion comprises a first proximal-facing surface, a first distal-facing surface, and a first lumen that is configured to accommodate an activation wire, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first proximal-facing surface is angled away from a proximal end of the first engagement portion. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides a medical delivery system comprising: such a delivery device; an implantable device comprising a medical device portion and a second engagement portion, the second engagement portion comprising a second lumen configured to accommodate an activation wire, a second proximal-facing surface and a second distal-facing surface; and an activation wire. Other aspects pertain to methods of medical device delivery using such a medical delivery system.

Abstract: Methods and devices (e.g., for nerve modulation) may include at least one thermistor and a balloon having a balloon wall. In one or more embodiments, the medical device is configured and arranged to transfer heat to the medical device surroundings. In one or more embodiments, the at least one thermistor is a portion of a thermistor array disposed on the balloon wall, the thermistor array including a plurality of thermistors and operatively engaged with a source of electric current. In one or more embodiments, the device includes at least one flexible circuit mounted on the outer surface of the expandable balloon, the at least one flexible circuit including at least one temperature-sensing device that includes at least one thermistor, wherein at least a portion of a conductive layer is electronically coupled to the thermistor, with the proviso that no electrode is associated with the conductive layer.

Abstract: A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.

Abstract: An example medical device for occluding the left atrial appendage is disclosed. The example medical device includes an expandable member including a first balloon defining a first inflation chamber and a second balloon defining a second inflation chamber. Further, the second inflation chamber is positioned adjacent to the first inflation chamber, the first inflation chamber is in fluid communication with the second inflation chamber and the expandable member is designed to shift between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration. Additionally, the first balloon is designed to fill a first region of the left atrial appendage and the second balloon is designed to fill a second region of the left atrial appendage. The medical device also includes a first inflation valve member extending at least partially into the first inflation chamber and the expandable member is 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: 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 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: An example occlusive implant is disclosed. The example occlusive implant includes an expandable framework configured to shift between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration, an occlusive member disposed along at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable framework and a resilient member coupled to the occlusive member. Further, the resilient member is configured to keep the occlusive member taut against an outer surface of the expandable member in both the first configuration and the second configuration.

Abstract: An elongated girder for use in a bridge includes a girder body having a modified V-shaped cross section. The body includes longitudinally extending webs defining sides of the girder, a bottom flange extending between the webs, and top flanges extending outwardly from the webs.

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: Disclosed herein are detachment mechanisms for vaso-occlusive devices that allow for rapid operator-controlled release of the vaso-occlusive device into the selected site. Also disclosed are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising these detachment mechanisms and methods of using these detachment mechanisms and vaso-occlusive assemblies.

Abstract: An example system for detecting leakage around an implant is disclosed. The 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: A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.

Abstract: An elongated girder for use in a bridge includes a girder body having a modified V-shaped cross section. The body includes longitudinally extending webs defining sides of the girder, a bottom flange extending between the webs, and top flanges extending outwardly from the webs.

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: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A first lumen may be defined in the shaft. A second lumen may be defined in the shaft. The distal end region may include a common lumen region in fluid communication with the first lumen and the second lumen. A deflectable member may be disposed within the shaft. The deflectable member may be designed to shift between a first configuration where the deflectable member directs a first medical device disposed within the common lumen region into the first lumen and a second configuration where the deflectable member allows a second medical device to move between the common lumen region and the second lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical device for tissue ablation. The medical device may include an elongated shaft having a distal region. An inflatable balloon may be mounted to the distal region. The inflatable balloon may include a body region, a proximal waist, a distal waist, a proximal cone region, and a distal cone region. A skirt may be attached to the inflatable balloon and may extend proximally from the body region. An electrode assembly may be applied directly to an outer surface of the body region of the inflatable balloon. The electrode assembly may include a first conductive member applied directly to the outer surface of the body region of the inflatable balloon and extending proximally therefrom along an outer surface of the skirt.