Abstract: A power controller device and system allows verification, monitoring, and control of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation catheter which comprises a main housing having a power supply, an embedded electronic controller and a user interface display, and which is configured to allow connection to an intravascular catheter. When activated, the device verifies that a valid catheter is connected, downloads stored manufacturing calibration data from the catheter, and provides a user interface to allow initiation of AV fistula creation. Once creation of the AV fistula is initiated, the device provides closed loop control of the catheter heating element and provides a means of monitoring the catheter temperature and tip position to a prescribed parameter to automate the arteriovenous fistula creation procedure.

Abstract: A method of operating a catheter assembly including monitoring a gap feedback signal indicative of a distance between a first tissue contact surface and a second tissue contact surface. Producing, via a user interface of the catheter assembly, a graphical depiction of the first tissue contact surface and the second tissue contact surface spaced apart from the first tissue contact surface by the distance. Producing, via the user interface of the catheter assembly, a gap distance warning when the gap feedback signal indicates that the distance is outside of a target gap range.

Abstract: A catheter having opposed tissue contacting surfaces for creating an anastomosis between two blood vessels is utilized to facilitate a method for percutaneously placing a biologic graft at a procedural site. The method may comprise steps of advancing a biologic graft over a guidewire into a blood vessel at a biologic graft attachment site, advancing a catheter over the guidewire, and creating an anastomosis between the biologic graft and the blood vessel by activating the catheter to apply energy to a vessel wall of the blood vessel and to a wall of the biologic graft.

Abstract: A power controller device and system allows verification, monitoring, and control of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula creation catheter which comprises a main housing having a power supply, an embedded electronic controller and a user interface display, and which is configured to allow connection to an intravascular catheter. When activated, the device verifies that a valid catheter is connected, downloads stored manufacturing calibration data from the catheter, and provides a user interface to allow initiation of AV fistula creation. Once creation of the AV fistula is initiated, the device provides closed loop control of the catheter heating element and provides a means of monitoring the catheter temperature and tip position to a prescribed parameter to automate the arteriovenous fistula creation procedure.

Abstract: A catheter having opposed tissue contacting surfaces for creating an anastomosis between two blood vessels is utilized to facilitate a method for percutaneously placing a biologic graft at a procedural site. The method may comprise steps of inserting a guidewire into a blood vessel, placing a sheath over the guidewire, advancing a biologic graft over the guidewire into the blood vessel at a biologic graft attachment site, advancing a catheter over the guidewire, pushing a distal tip of the catheter through the biologic graft, a vessel wall of the blood vessel, and into a lumen of the blood vessel, and creating an anastomosis between the biologic graft and the blood vessel by activating the catheter to apply energy to the vessel wall and to a wall of the biologic graft.

Abstract: A catheter and tissue cutting system percutaneously permits the creation of an anastomosis between a first and second anatomical structure, such as a vein and an artery. The system comprises a catheter having a main body with a lumen and tapered distal tip, configured to be moved distally into the first anatomical structure over a primary guidewire. A cutting electrode is nested in the main body, with a lumen which tracks over a secondary guidewire, and is insertable into the secondary anatomical structure. An energy supply is operative to energize the cutting electrode in order to cut a tissue wall defining the first anatomical structure.

Abstract: A catheter and tissue cutting system percutaneously permits the creation of an anastomosis between a first and second anatomical structure, such as a vein and an artery. The system comprises a catheter having a main body with a lumen and tapered distal tip, configured to be moved distally into the first anatomical structure over a primary guidewire. A cutting electrode is nested in the main body, with a lumen which tracks over a secondary guidewire, and is insertable into the secondary anatomical structure. An energy supply is operative to energize the cutting electrode in order to cut a tissue wall defining the first anatomical structure.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously creating a fistula includes inserting percutaneously a medical instrument to a target location having a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel. A fastener is then deployed via the medical instrument to the target location. The fastener is in a first configuration before the deploying and a second configuration after the deploying. The fastener limits relative movement between the first blood vessel and the second blood vessel when in the second configuration. An anastomosis between the first blood vessel and the second blood vessel is percutaneously produced.

Abstract: A catheter and tissue cutting system percutaneously permits the creation of an anastomosis between a first and second anatomical structure, such as a vein and an artery. The system comprises a catheter having a main body with a lumen and tapered distal tip, configured to be moved distally into the first anatomical structure over a primary guidewire. A cutting electrode is nested in the main body, with a lumen which tracks over a secondary guidewire, and is insertable into the secondary anatomical structure. An energy supply is operative to energize the cutting electrode in order to cut a tissue wall defining the first anatomical structure.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously creating a fistula includes inserting percutaneously a medical instrument to a target location having a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel. A fastener is then deployed via the medical instrument to the target location. The fastener is in a first configuration before the deploying and a second configuration after the deploying. The fastener limits relative movement between the first blood vessel and the second blood vessel when in the second configuration. An anastomosis between the first blood vessel and the second blood vessel is percutaneously produced.

Abstract: A catheter and tissue cutting system percutaneously permits the creation of an anastomosis between a first and second anatomical structure, such as a vein and an artery. The system comprises a catheter having a main body with a lumen and tapered distal tip, configured to be moved distally into the first anatomical structure over a primary guidewire. A cutting electrode is nested in the main body, with a lumen which tracks over a secondary guidewire, and is insertable into the secondary anatomical structure. An energy supply is operative to energize the cutting electrode in order to cut a tissue wall defining the first anatomical structure.

Abstract: Method of forming a balloon catheter includes providing an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The method also includes coupling a distal end section to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The method also includes coupling a proximal end of a balloon to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, and coupling a distal portion of the balloon to the distal end section. The balloon has a working length between the proximal end and the distal end. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a balloon catheter including providing an inner tubular member having a distal section and a distal end with a lumen extending therein and forming a balloon having a distal leg with a first segment having a first diameter and a first wall thickness and a second segment having a second wall thickness. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. The distal end section of the inner tubular member can be positioned in the balloon and bonded to the first segment while reducing the diameter of the second segment. Method also provided for fabricating a multilayer balloon catheter including removing at least a portion of an outer layer from the distal leg of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining one or more tubing sections together to form a tubular catheter device, for shaping one or more tubular sections of a catheter device, and/or for fusing elements (e.g., a radiopaque marker) onto a portion of the catheter. Each section of the catheter is typically fabricated independently from the other sections. Subsequently, the separate sections are fused together to form the catheter. The methods described herein allow the various sections of the catheter to be fitted together for fabrication without the use of heat-shrink tubing. The fitted parts are clamped in a die or mold at a temperature at or near room temperature; the die is then rapidly heated to fuse the parts, rapidly cooled back down to a temperature at or about room temperature, and removed from the die.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a balloon catheter including providing an inner tubular member having a distal section and a distal end with a lumen extending therein and forming a balloon having a distal leg with a first segment having a first diameter and a first wall thickness and a second segment having a second wall thickness. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. The distal end section of the inner tubular member can be positioned in the balloon and bonded to the first segment while reducing the diameter of the second segment. Method also provided for fabricating a multilayer balloon catheter including removing at least a portion of an outer layer from the distal leg of the balloon.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining one or more tubing sections together to form a tubular catheter device, for shaping one or more tubular sections of a catheter device, and/or for fusing elements (e.g., a radiopaque marker) onto a portion of the catheter. Each section of the catheter is typically fabricated independently from the other sections. Subsequently, the separate sections are fused together to form the catheter. The methods described herein allow the various sections of the catheter to be fitted together for fabrication without the use of heat-shrink tubing. The fitted parts are clamped in a die or mold at a temperature at or near room temperature; the die is then rapidly heated to fuse the parts, rapidly cooled back down to a temperature at or about room temperature, and removed from the die.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.